"Another One Bites the Dust" and today's prayer of grace

The song by Queen "Another One Bites the Dust"

is probably going to apply once again

to another house quest.

This has the most promise of everything we've seen.

It is on 5 acres.  The pond to the right belongs to the property.

The swing set and house beyond it does not.

That land was sold off to a brother who built the house,

raised his children in it,

and then moved on when he was able to buy 50 acres

complete with an airfield---in the middle of nowhere.

I hear that the ones who live there now are nice.

Front of the house.

Front with a view of the huge building that goes with the house

and acreage.

View from the back of the big building.

The pond trickles down to a bit of a stream.

The ribbon of black to the right is a major roadway,

Rt. 800.

So what is wrong?

So much is right, yet enough is wrong to unsettle us.

The biggest kicker is the distance from our small town.

It's way out in the sticks

and though there are several shortcuts to a main highway

for my work trip,

I'd be kidding myself if I didn't admit that some days

it would seem like forever to get home.

A trip to the grocery store will be a minimum of 30 minutes round trip

on an extremely hilly road that has no areas for passing.

Realistically, we are looking at 40 minutes or more,

which is a lot when it is now 15 minutes round trip.

The building is huge, but cut up into rooms

that are not viable for Mike's needs.

He and the brother of the deceased owner

(his widow is selling it),

walked around discussing what walls could be knocked down,

and how it could be adapted.

The brother is the one who built the building--

he makes his living building homes.

He built the two additions on either end of the house:

a master bedroom suite and a huge eat-in kitchen.

Both are quite nice.

The main house is small though and needs work.

The basement esp. would need a major renovation.

I'm not a DIYer though I watch HGTV shows

and buy the magazines.

Even if I could wallpaper and paint a wall

without getting the paint

everywhere,

 including a generous coat on me,

my fibro condition has worsened to the point

that I have barely enough energy to do my teaching job.

Strip wallpaper?

Paint several rooms?

Expect my brain to pick out carpet and colors and so on

when some days I struggle with concocting a simple supper?

Too little faith?

Or just enough realistic acceptance?

I don't know.

Meanwhile, I call this building home.

It has 600 sq. ft. of unfinished basement--

through which everyone enters

as there is no parking on the front street

and no walkway around the house.

Upstairs is another 600 sq. ft.

 which consists of a beautiful craftsman style

dining room and living room that flow together

and a decent sized kitchen (small, but doable).

The kickers are the tiny bathroom

and the teeny, tiny bedroom.

One bedroom.

No place for grandchildren to nap,

because the bedroom is directly off the living area

and thus not cut off from family noise.

No place for daughter and family from Texas to stay.

No place to go in and close the door to each other

unless we want to lie down and sleep

(I cannot sit up and read in bed

--too hard on my neck and shoulders--a recipe for a migraine).

This is our 'backyard'.

Lovely pond, huh? Not!

There is instead an alley

with a car repair business across from our garage

and another one up from this one.

Fantastic neighbors and close friends though,

on both sides of our house--

we recognize and are grateful for that blessing.

No place for a dog ---coal trucks on busy street

would make roadkill of one--can't risk that

and no viable yard for a fenced in area.

So what is God planning?

I so want to know.

Please understand that I think of those with much less

and feel ungrateful.

I am grateful that I have this.

But our marriage needs another room.

My sanity needs a dog.

The mother in me needs my kids and grandkids to have a place to stay.

If that's asking too much, then I'm guilty.

This is not what I planned to write.

However, I guess I needed to get it out.

Devotions yesterday morning

gave me this from one thousand gifts

by Anne Voskamp:

"In a storm of struggles,

I had tried to control the elements,

clasp the fist tight so as to protect self and happiness.

But palms curled into protective fists

 fill with darkness. . .

and this realization. . .

My own wild desire to protect my joy at all costs

 is the exact force that kills my joy.

Flames need oxygen to light.

Flames need a bit of wind. . .

Broken glass ignites in light and there it is,

the secret of joy's flame:

Humbly let go.

Let go of trying to do,

let go of trying to control . . .

let go of my own way,

let go of my own fears.

Let God blow His wind,

His trials, oxygen for joy's fire.

Leave the hand open and be.

Be at peace.

Bend the knee and be small

and let God give what God chooses to give

because He only gives love,

and whisper surprised thanks.

This is the fuel for joy's flame.

Fullness of joy is discovered

only in the emptying of will.

And I can empty.

I can empty because counting His graces

has awakened me to how He cherishes me,

holds me,

passionately values me.

I can empty because I am full of His love.

I can trust.

I can let go."

(pages 178 & 179)

Wow! I didn't know when I read this

and thought I needed to share it

that the person who needed it most

was me.

And that when I told my daughter

I would cry over losing this house,

I wasn't taking into account God's grace and love and wisdom.

I am not crying and that is a relief.

Today's Prayer of Grace

Dear Lord,

I have so much to learn

and You have much to teach me.

Give me the wisdom to be still

and the discernment to hear Your voice,

today and every day.

Amen.

From One Hundred Days of Grace for Women

Blessings to you all as we begin 2013.

Photo Day: A little girl, a gift, and a helpful brother

Merry Christmas!

All of us together!

Son Doug and children.

Daugher Sara and her family up from Texas.

Blessings to you on this blessed day!

May we count our blessings, enjoy the simple moments,

and focus on Christ's Love.

Corner View: Lights

A small section of my dining room

is shown in all these photos.

I've used different options on my camera

and then in my photo program.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season

according to your beliefs and traditions.

(and enjoy the lights of this season) :>)

Corner View won't be back until January 9, 2013.

Meanwhile, enjoy the various views

at Francesca's.

Barn Charm #63

Awhile back, husband and I took a drive to check out

a home with ten acres and outbuildings including animal stalls

(too close to Interstate---incredibly noisy).

We drove around the area

and one point looked down from the top of a hill

to see this farm nestled below.

Of course, we had to go down and check it out!

Most of the barns and outbuildings are on one side

of the road and the house and small buildings are on the other side.--

typical of farms around here

where roads were put in right through the farmers' land.

I like this glimpse back into the wood covered hills.

Here is a quick glimpse of part of the house side.

I did not get a photo of the house.

We still had some leaves on the trees,

so there is still color rimming the farm.

For more barn views, please click below:

Kindness and Monday's Prayer

This represents one of the very few nice gestures

of my former daughter-in-law

towards me.

Her family company was making them

and she brought me one,

not wrapped up as part of my Christmas gift,

but simply handed to me.

The gesture and the gift meant a lot to me

and it's one of my better memories of her.

What I do remember most is

how she never once complemented me in any way,

whether it was my cooking, my hairstyle,

my clothes, something I did to the house, etc.

I can count on less than the fingers of one hand

 the times she said thank you,

even though every time I babysat at her home,

she came home to dishwasher emptied and running again;

laundry done and folded;

toys picked up;

and children fed

(and if supposed to be--in bed asleep).

(She did say thank you for gifts given her.)

There are other things that I will leave unsaid.

Ten years of being made to feel inferior, disliked,

and unappreciated--

no wonder I do not miss her

and am glad that my son has 50% of the children's time

to teach them things like simple kindness

among other things.

Kind words.

How could they have hurt her to say them?

Kind words.

Verbal gestures that mean a lot to me.

Verbal gestures that I try each and every day to give.

If I pray about it and really open my mind up,

I can even produce a sincere compliment to the teenager

who tries my patience not just each day,

but often the entire period I have him or her.

It always makes me feel bad to see how the student lights up at it,

because, really, how hard was it for me to do it?

Not hard at all.

So why don't I do it more,

instead of concentrating on what is annoying?

(Please understand that some things done

 are quite disruptive to the class.)

It's easier not to, I guess.

Above: me sharing a moment of smiles with Dillon and Scruffy.

Day 45 of 100 Days of Grace for Women

uses this scripture:

Indeed, it is good when you truly obey

our Lord's royal command found in the Scriptures:

"Love your neighbor as yourself."

James 2:8 NLT

Then the person (I have yet to figure out who that is,

although, believe me I've tried) goes on to write:

"In the busyness and confusion of daily life,

it is easy to lose focus,

and it is easy to become frustrated.

We are imperfect human beings

struggling to manage our lives

as best we can,

but we often fall short.

"When we are distracted or disappointed,

we may neglect to share a kind word or a kind deed."

In the case of these pictures --me spending an afternoon

scrap booking with Peyton, my 9 yr. old granddaughter.

"Kindness is a choice.

Sometimes, when we feel happy or prosperous,

we find it easy to be kind.

Other times, when we are discouraged or tired,

we can scarcely summon the energy to utter a single kind word.

But God's word is clear:

we must observe the Golden Rule 'in everything.'"

"God intends that we make the conscious choice

to treat others with kindness and respect,

no matter our circumstances,

no matter our emotions."

Son Doug's girlfriend often paints Addy's nails,

which makes Addy quite happy.

"Kindness, therefore, is a choice

that we, as Christians must make many times each day."

(Whoever compiled this book gives credit to individual sayings,

but not to herself.)

"As much as God loves to hear our worship and adoration,

surely he delights all the more

in seeing our gratitude translated

into simple kindnesses

that keep the chain of praise unbroken,

alive in others' hearts."

Evelyn Christenson

"Sometimes one little spark of kindness

is all it takes to reignite the light of hope

in a heart that's blinded by pain."

Barbara Johnson

I hope that in the days to come

(at least two of the Sandy Hook children victims' funerals are today),

I hope that not only food is brought to the homes, but---

 1) Laundry is done.

2) Gifts, piled up in a closet, are wrapped for the children

still alive in the family,

and the ones for the deceased child put aside

for the parents to deal with later,

3) The children are taken for an outing

 so that maybe the parents can just let loose their grief

in their own house without their other children hearing.

4) and countless other small acts of kindness.

Monday's Prayer

Help me Lord, to see the needs of those around me.

Today, let me show courtesy to those who cross my path.

Today, let me spread kind words

in honor of Your Son.

Today, let forgiveness rule my heart.

And every day, Lord,

let my love for Christ be demonstrated

through the acts of kindness

that I offer to those who need the healing touch

of the Master's hand.

Amen.

Keeping all those who are grieving this week,

in prayers.

Blessings to you all as you go through this week.

Corner View: White

For my white post, I relied on basic snow,

in this case from last year,

as we have not received any so far this year.

Screened-in back porch on 2nd floor of our home.

A view up the back alley. 

There are lots of white houses in this small town.

Old shed behind aunt's house

and then her garage and back doors.

View from aunt's side yard looking down into alley

and up into the cemetery.

Our snowman marker.

Looking from our side yard up and across the front street.

Pristine snow coating bushes.

View of Seneca Lake from road--taken on my way to work.

One last one: cat in white tissue paper.

I was unwrapping the Christmas ornaments

and inadvertently created playtime for Scruffy.

For more corner views,

please visit Francesca.

Comfort and Joy and Monday's Prayer

This will be my son's first Christmas

as a single, divorced father.

Last year he managed to get a live tree

and some Christmas ornaments

and put together a Christmas.

(He was separated last year).

This year his girlfriend cajoled him into buying a fake tree,

so they could put it up sooner and leave it up longer.

They chose this lovely tree

and he was thrilled at the ease of setting it up.

He set up his single, divorced mom's (me) for several years,

also his elderly grandparents',

and then his own.

None were as easy as this one.

 

He has added some ornaments of his

that didn't fit with his wife's tree (primitive only)

and added ones that are personal and meaningful.

Although she has her own apartment

complete with two cats,

girlfriend Dani's stocking was hung with theirs this year.

In order: Smooch the lab, Doug, Dani,

then Peyton, Dillon, and Addy

(from oldest to youngest).

He is carrying on the tradition of each child

having a tree in his/her bedroom,

which thrilled me.

Addy's tree.

.

Dillon's.

Peyton's.

I was at his house to pick up the oldest, Peyton,

for our annual mother/granddaughter shopping day.

She was staying the night and then we were shopping the next day.

The youngest, Addy, had already checked out for the night.

I am comforted in knowing

that my son is now able to rebuild his life

and begin his own traditions with his children.

They had a say in the decorating of their rooms

and in choosing ornaments and decorating the tree.

It does not matter that not one of the rooms

or the tree

would be featured in a country-style decorating magazine.

Nothing has to be perfect.

Flaws are accepted here.

It's such a comfort knowing that the Doug

I helped raise was in the other Doug these past ten years;

he just needed to figure out how to let himself back out

(just as his mama did over 17 years ago).

On a slightly different note:

I was driving home last night and listening to a radio station.

A DJ was talking about Hurricane Sandy's victims.

She pointed out that many still don 't have homes

to spend Christmas in.

Humbling to one who chafes at 600 sq. feet for two people

(with a full basement underneath).

May our hearts and hands be open to all

throughout this land who are without much.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort.

He comforts us every time we have trouble,

so when others have trouble,

we can comfort them

with the same comfort God gives us."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NCV

"But he's already made it plain how to live,

what to do,

what God is looking for in men and women.

It's quite simple:

Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,

be compassionate and loyal in your love,

and don't take yourself too seriously---

take God seriously."

Micah 6:8 MSG

(I love that next to last line!!!)

"We all go through pain and sorrow,

but the presence of God,

like a warm, comforting blanket,

can shield us and protect us,

and allow the deep inner joy to surface,

even in the most devastating circumstances."

Barbara Johnson

(I think many of Sandy's victims have exhibited this.)

Today's Prayer of Grace

Today, Lord, let me count my blessings

 with thanksgiving in my heart.

You have cared for me, Lord,

and I will give You the glory and the praise.

Let me accept Your blessings and Your gifts,

and let me share them with others,

just as You first shared them with me.

Amen. 

100 Days of Grace for Women

Blessings to you all as you as you make your way

through this new week!

Barn Charm #62

Back in October, we took a Sunday drive.

Here is little farm snug in a crook of a hill.

The trees were still beautiful then.

They are bare now.

For more barn views,

please click below.

 

The joy of cats and Monday's prayer

Just two of my many blessings and joys!

I came home the other day to this.

Usually George and Scruffy are up on top of two armoires

that have their backs up against the steps.

However, this time I walked in to no cats.

It took me a few seconds to discover their 'bed'.

I laughed and grabbed the camera.

"Joy is the heart vibrating in grateful rhythm

to the love of Almighty God

who actually chooses to make His home within us."

Susan Lenzkes

"A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love."

Mother Teresa

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

Monday's Prayer of Grace

Dear Lord,

You have given me so many blessings;

I will celebrate Your gifts.

Make me thankful, loving, responsible, and wise.

I praise You, Father, for the gift of Your Son

and for the priceless gift of salvation.

Make me a joyful Christian,

a worthy example to others,

and a dutiful servant to You this day and forever.

Amen.