Wet Weekend

Friday it rained. By late Friday night we had five (5) inches of rain in the rain gauge. Many low places and small streams had become large lakes. We so very much needed the rain. Thank Heaven it came!

Spring (and lots of pollen) Is in the Air

Saturday I felt wretched: headache, tons of sinus drainage, feeling flushed, and add to that nausea. I couldn't figure it out. A little while later, I went out to run errands. Then I saw it!!! The culprit. Pollen. My car was COVERED with yellow oak and/or pine pollen. I don't know why it always surprises me each year, each spring, but it did. Again! Oh, the pain and agony of--no, not allergies, according to the good allergy doctor who tested me--but of irritants that deeply and profoundly affect me and my overall wellness indicators. No end of irritants. And I feel well irritated, indeed!

As I grow longer in the tooth, I find that my "comfort zone" temperature-wise is growing thinner and thinner. Whereas 70 degrees on the thermostat inside when the outside temps. measure in the 20-60 degree temperature range--finds me freezing cold. However, Saturday, the temperature inside registered 73 and outside about the same. I was perspiring like a--well--leave it at that. It wasn't a pretty picture. I was miserable. And besides that, I don't like it. In about a week, however, I'll be refreezing my tail off once again when I embark on a journey to the Rocky Mountains for my niece's wedding. They're getting snow now and for the next few days, it looks like. Oh, the joy!

However, the spring flowers are abundant--the kind I actually enjoy seeing--the kind that don't shower TONS of the irritating pollen upon every surface known to man that is under the wide expanse of heaven's dome--at least here on this particular portion of earth. Our azaleas (and many others) are blooming everywhere. Spirea are blossoming. Redbud trees, Bradford pear trees, plum trees, tulip trees all look wonderful and life in general is waking up after tumultuous, cold weather. Oh. Remember our little, wonderful, happy, early-blooming peach tree? The warm temperatures followed by freezing temperatures managed to kill most of the tender little peaches. *Sigh* but I found a few that have mustered up the courage to hang on. Those little peaches are probably no bigger than the end of my finger, but they are hanging on for dear life--at this point.

So, it appears that life maintains an equilibrium: beautiful flowers to gladden the heart, and pollen, ugly pollen by the truck load, to irritate and cause misery to other parts of one's anatomy.

Inspirational Art Display

Recently my husband, one of our daughters and I were able to visit a very uplifting and inspirational art display that's been touring the country. One evening we were treated to some wonderful inspirational music by the pianist and two vocalists who performed some hymns and spoke of their personal experiences with this project. Apparently this art display began as an ad for an Easter Pageant in Arizona. Another evening we were able to meet the photographer. He shared a brief history of how he felt led by the Lord to be prepared to make this all come to pass. He began college as a political science major--with Russian somewhere thrown in the mix. One day he just stood up in class and left. Felt he wanted to learn how to be a professional photographer. Went to school. Did some fashion photography. Still wasn't satisfied with that career. And one day an Easter Pageant needed some ads done and he felt inspired to proceed along that course. His life changed by degrees through those experiences.

We also saw a video showing some of what took place as he took photos of individuals representing some of the important episodes of the Savior's life. Music had been prepared to accompany the display. It was a great experience. It made me feel a new awe and gratitude for who Jesus Christ is and how central to God's plan His mission was and is. It was a wonderful experience for each of us.

Here's a link if you'd like to check it out and get to see some of Mark Mabry's work. The music is available for you to listen to, if you're interested. A video is included on the site showing how he was able to get some of the shots included in the display. http://www.reflectionsofchrist.org/

Life's Funny Like That--A Celebration!

Hurray for Debby! She's about to conquer the Chemo Dragon!

(I tried to copy a picture of a woman fighting a dragon with sword and shield. I'm not that good, apparently at doing computer things as I'd like--but the thought was good!)

Cue music: Celebrate! Celebrate! Dance to the music!

When some of us began the trip into blogging, we didn't realize that we'd form bonds of friendship that would cross continents and oceans . . .

BUT . . .

Life's Funny Like That!

And here we are, in a virtual party that Bush Babe's wonderful and fun brain cooked up for those of us who've come to know Debby--and each other--through the blog world! So glad we get to party with you, Debby!

Congratulations, Friend Debby!

Have a whopping good time this weekend with Dylan and Dixie laughing your heads off together!

(I wish my cool picture of balloons had worked too!)

Today is Thursday

There is so much going on in the world lately that I've been kind of plugged into news reports. Mind boggling disasters in Australia, record temperatures (high and low) all over the map, ice storms in Kentucky. What to do? What to do? I take a large breath, consider all the confusion and difficulties and think: God is still in His heaven. He is still watching over everything. I trust Him completely--most of the time.

Then comes the hard part: What am I going to do to assist Him in doing His work? Will I be kinder today to everyone I come in contact with? Will I try harder to spend my time more wisely? Will I be less critical of others? Will my conversations with Him be more listening on my part for the directions and guidance I need? Will my heart break with contrition for those things I do that I know I shouldn't? OR should be doing and don't? Will I ponder deeply at the wonder of the incomprehensible atoning sacrifice of the Savior of the world and then feel more deeply how committed He was to providing the way back home for me? Do my words reflect my heart's desires, or my actions reflect what I know is right?

Each day is a clean page on which to write. God is watching. I cannot hide from Him. I want my history to be something He will be happy to accept whenever I happen to meet Him again.

Faith has always seemed a constant in my life. Faith in Jesus Christ is essential. Do I struggle? Oh, yeah! Are there times when I don't or haven't known what/how I would deal with this or that huge challenge? Absolutely! Do I get discouraged sometimes. You bet. However, I know that when I open the Scriptures and look and compare what they contain, His Spirit speaks to me and gives me comfort, guidance and hope. Sometimes reading the Scriptures brings up more questions. Often, after having read a certain passage I know I've read many times before, I find new light and new understanding. That's one of the things I love most about reading the Scriptures. They aren't stagnant. They're as fresh today as they were when they were first penned by God's holy prophets.

One of my most favorite Scriptures ever is Proverbs 3:5-6---

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I can't tell you the comfort those 27 words have been to me over the past 30 years!

How do you deal with the roiling challenges that confront you every day? What keeps you sane and hopeful? Or, do you have challenges like that?

Changes Are Happening

Since we are (still) in the first month of this new 2009 year, I’ve been contemplating changes I need to approach/adopt in my life. Nothing terribly dramatic, mind you, but changes going in a forward rather than reverse motion, or even status quo.

First: My house is disorganized.
Second: My housekeeping is disorganized and sporadic.
Third: Well, those two pretty much cover a lot of ground.

Apparently, it takes me a little longer to work up a head of steam now a days, so it’s nearly the end of the first month and I’m just now getting into doing things about organizing and being more practical with my time/resources.

Last week, I worked up a two week menu plan. (Today I finished another two week menu.) Since it was sort of the middle of the week when I started and my menu sheet begins on a Sunday, I just filled in the meals already made on the appropriate days, then moved on to plan for the remainder of the two week period. Perhaps I should mention that frugality is a portion of the impetus for this leap in planning. I knew I had nearly two weeks of meals to plan before payday and didn’t want to run to buy groceries anyway. That was primarily due to the fact that I’ve developed a huge aversion to shopping for groceries any more with prices having increased by leaps and bounds over the past several months. I’ve always tried to “stock up” on basics and canned goods, just cause, so my pantry wasn’t hurting too badly.

Prior to actually deciding what to put on the menu, I was forced to actually inventory my freezers to learn precisely what kinds of meat and how much of each I had to work with. (My freezers consist of the two units that are part of the two refrigerators we own. Nothing so fine as a proper deep freeze.)

The great thing about actually planning a menu ahead of time—and this was part of my design—was that you can plan ahead when and what of your leftovers you can use. Like the hamburger vegetable soup leftovers were a little on the scant side of things, but the penne rigate with marinara sauce blended together was a nice mix, especially when combined with leftover crusty Italian bread.

So, it’s been a week—and all of you who are menu planning pros my hat’s off to you—it’s been great! I know in the morning, or the night or afternoon before what I’m going to fix for supper on a given night! No last minute panic about what to fix for supper! Hurray! And planning to use leftovers is an added bonus because I don’t forget about them—like I sometimes, too often, used to. Savings all the way around!

That’s one of the most fun changes I’ve made. Another fun change I’ve made . . . I’ve cut back on my sweets intake. There are actually days I don’t even think about eating something sweet after supper. And, also, I’ve gotten back to walking (on a treadmill) for about 30 minutes every other day. And I’m SOOOOO happy to report that I’ve lost 8 pounds since Christmas AND I’m back in my size 12 jeans. Which is great! I no longer look like a sixty year old woman who might be 8 months pregnant.

Additionally, I’ve made a chart to track my household chores and other necessary activities—indicating the days I should plan to do certain things and also check them off when done.

It occurred to me that since I have no children living at home now I’ve gotten a bit soft about taking care of things. When any or all of my kids were here 24/7 I had my work cut out. So many demands with their own time schedules. Even when down to my youngest being the only one at home and in his sophomore year of high school, I began teaching a Seminary class Monday through Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 am for students in 9th to 12th grades. Every day school was in session, Seminary class was held. I truly enjoyed having that opportunity, which lasted for 5 ½ years. So I had a schedule because of my responsibilities. I got up at 5 am each day and went about my business. Those of you who raise cattle and the like, don’t snicker too much, please! I know you’re so much busier than I! Getting up at 5 am is probably sleeping in for you.

I was having some health issues and felt the early morning challenge was part of the problem, so just a year ago this week I was called to teach college age students instead. We meet one night each week, each semester. I’m loving this opportunity. I was pretty much blown away by that challenge when it came, but I truly love studying the Scriptures and teaching them, so now, I’m in my third semester of doing so. Though I’ve had two years (collectively give or take) of college, I don’t have a degree, so I really have had to work. There’s much I still have to learn, and I expect that when I’m 90, I’ll say something similar to what my Grandmother said to me at that age, “You know, the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know—particularly about the Scriptures.” I was in my 30’s when she told me that. My jaw dropped, but I could really quote her now and it would be an accurate first-hand statement of fact.

With all that said, my schedule now is far more relaxed than it has been for the last 33 years, so I have to work at doing what I should be doing without having lots of little, or not so little, people demanding my time and energy. So, yes. I’ve become a bit of a lump and I’m trying to get over that! Now that I have some new tools in place, I’m feeling a tiny less lump-ish. And I’m smilin’!

Converting Celsius to Fahrenheit

Here's a link to help us all convert Celsius temperature readings to Fahrenheit temperatures or vice versa. Let me know if you like it or not. Thanks!

http://www.wbuf.noaa.gov/tempfc.htm