Corner View: Somewhere Else

Three years ago we said goodbye to our first home together.

It had been my husband's for about 10 years.

We had it cleaned and ready for the young couple

who bought it because it didn't need any work.

They had a govt. loan

for a mortgage only; 

thus they didn't have any extra to do major repairs.

There was a house up the street 

that was bigger than ours,

but it needed a lot of work.

This is looking forward from the dining area.

This was how it looked pared down for showing.

Looking at the empty dining area.

Mike made the wall between kitchen and dining area a full wall

and totally rearranged and remodeled the kitchen.

His dad helped him.

Looking down the bedroom hallway

stripped of everything that 'spoke' of us.

This was the smallest bedroom.

It had been my 'den'.

Somewhere else we had a bedroom where we could move

around the room without scooching sideways.

It's odd, but I actually like our smaller bedroom here better.

I disliked the furniture of his in that room.

His furniture is too massive for our present bedroom.

We are using my parents' bedroom furniture.

I guess tiny can be cozy--it's all in perspective, huh?!

The spare bedroom stripped down for showing.

The dresser is now in our living room.

We have no spare bedroom or computer room in this house

like we did somewhere else.

Mike built all the wood shelves and trim in the family room

downstairs.

But we didn't use it as a family room.

He had his exercise equipment

and computer stuff in this room.

I don't miss that room.

This was the storage room

he added on.

It was another huge selling point.

Another view of the kitchen.

Mike saying goodbye to his work room/garage.

We did not get any cars in here.

I like having my car in the small separate garage we have now.

He has his work room in his dad's barn on other land we own.

We had supper with our close friends and neighbors

before we headed up here.

These people were his family for 15 years.

Now they sit around a campfire in one of their backyards

sipping on beer and laughing together with the couple who own our old house.

Somewhere else we had a totally different life

than we have here.

It was good.

So is this life.

Of course those folks are still our friends

and we keep in touch with them.

We just live somewhere else.

(It's comforting that in taking this walk down memory lane,

I have found that when comparing this present house with the one featured in this post,

 I really like the one I am sitting in right now a lot more than I let on. )

For more corner views, please visit Francesca.

A fellow teacher retires and Monday's Prayer

Marvin came to us after he retired from another school district.

He began the year I did and we both have just finished our tenth year.

Marvin will be an adjunct professor now

along with all the other extras he already does.

I didn't ask him, but I imagine he wants out 

before the state's red tape-paper work

buries him.

At least that is how a few others of us,

close to retirement, feel.

One of the teachers bought M. the t shirt.

However, M. will not be sitting at home,

driving his wife crazy.

He is just not that type of guy.

In cleaning out several storage rooms,

this old slide-ruler was found.

C. on the left, one of our two math teachers,

wrapped it up

and we gave it to Marvin.

Marvin was the only one who knew how to work it.

School is done.

I am heading in to finish up my room.

One of my students is dropping by later

to help decorate the display window

for summer.

From 100 DAYS OF GRACE for WOMEN

"How much of our lives are,

well, so daily.

How often our hours

are filled with the mundane,

seemingly unimportant things

that have to be done,

whether at home or work.

These very 'daily' tasks 

could become a celebration 

of praise.

'It is through consecration,' someone has said,

'that drudgery is made divine.'"

Gigi Graham Tchividjian

I will instruct you and show you the way to go;

with My eye on you,

I will give counsel.

Psalm 32:8

We know that all things work together

for the good of those

who love God:

those who are called

according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

TODAY'S PRAYER OF GRACE

Dear Lord,

You are the Creator of the universe,

and I know that Your plan for my life 

is grander than I can imagine.

Let Your purposes be my purposes,

and let me trust in the assurance

of Your promises.

Amen.

Barn Charm #74

You can barely see the barn hidden in the overgrowth of trees.

My husband spotted it first.

As we continued up the winding country road,

more of the structure emerged.

The set up is like nothing I have ever seen

and though I tried, I don't think I did it 'justice'.

There is a wall made of railroad ties between the side of it and the road.

Then there is a stone wall between it and another barn and the actual house.

I did not get a photo of the house.

Here I have stuck my head out of my SUV's sun roof to get a last shot.

This was part of the property also,

although it was on the other side of the road.

I hope to go back some day and take more and better photos.

Please join Tricia for more barn views.

Graduation and Monday's Prayer

This past Saturday was the graduation at the high school

where I teach.

The first picture shows how beautiful the surroundings were.

One of 'my girls' getting her diploma and a hug.

This does not capture the best decorated caps, but it gives you an idea,  

Just about done with diplomas and getting ready to switch the tassel

to the other side or their caps.

Our tiny band.

Here they begin the parade out to the middle of the football field

where they will toss their caps.

It is a tradition to decorate the senior hall the night before awards day

and graduation practice.

The girls 2nd and 3rd from the left and the one on the rt. end

are three of 'my girls'.

Monday's Prayer

Lord, I can't change the world around me,

but I can bring my life and requests to You.

May Your peace guard my heart and mind today.

Thank You that I can rest in You.

Amen

Be anxious for nothing,

but in everything by prayer and supplication,

with thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known to God'

and the peace of God, 

which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:5-7 NKJV

 From The Confident Woman Devotional

by Joyce Meyer

This is finals week.

Teachers' last day is Friday.

I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel

called this school year.

Blessings to you all as you go through this week!

Mother's Day flowers and Monday's Restoration Prayer

My daughter sends me live flowers specially packaged to my school

for special occasions.

This is what I received for Mother's Day.

It is just beginning to bloom.

The photos of the entire arrangement are not the best,

but the light and my choice of camera setting combined to create a dubious outcome.

There were tiny purplish blue flowers that were a bit flimsy after a day of bloom,

so I cut them and put in a tiny vase (they are not shown).

I love fresh flowers.

I love that my daughter realizes and honors that.

Hebrews 4:15

For we do not have a High Priest 

who is unable to understand and sympathize 

and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses

and infirmities 

and liability to the assault of temptation,

but One who has been tempted in every respect as we are,

yet without sinning.

"Jesus understands us when nobody else does.

He even understand us when we don't understand ourselves.

He knows 'the why behind the what'.

Jesus knows why we behave the way we do.

He sees and remembers all the emotional wounds

and bruises in our past. .  .

He understand our weaknesses--every fear, every insecurity,

every doubt,

all our wrong thinking. . .

He loves us unconditionally,

and He is committed to working with us through the Holy Spirit---

and He does not condemn us while He is at it."

Monday's Prayer

Lord, who You are making me into is so much more important 

than the doing that others expect from me.

Help me to trust Your hand

and the shaping You are doing in my life.

Amen.

From "Restoration is a Process"

The Confident Woman Devotional

by Joyce Meyer

Blessings to you as you begin your week.

Barn Charm #73

Spring is finally visiting a little farm nestled down in a valley west of town.

For more barn views head on over to Tricia's.