An upside down week

Last week was just hard to explain. I think the best way to describe it would be as upside down or just plain out of whack! I had a really big decision to make at the beginning of the week. Well, it had already been made I just had to let people know. I prayed about this for months and months and it took me half the week just to be able to share it. It was a hard thing for me, I didn’t take it lightly but I felt this was where the Lord was leading me. Needless to say it was not received well by all. I should be used to this by now because I’m never received well by all (or even most). I wasn’t prepared though and ended up with very hurt feelings. I thought I went about it in the best way possible because it gave people a time to digest/absorb rather than being put on the spot. I will double think these things next time. Although apologies have been made on both sides it still stings. I can forgive but words are hard to forget. Throughout the week though I did feel a peace about the situation. I think when you follow God, whether others like it or not (or even the way you went about telling them), you will feel at peace about it all and I did. I really did.

Then, the following day came an incident about a portrait. It wasn’t a big deal but I was already on edge. It was worked out. I think mostly because we were both ok with being perfectly honest. And really neither of us were at fault or there really isn’t any blame to be placed. But can I just say here that if you don’t like the photograph you send to an artist to draw of someone I can guarantee that you will not like the drawing? This was the situation. This has been the past two situations with portraits I’ve drawn. The truth is that neither person really noticed the things they didn’t like in the photo until they saw the portrait. Bangs. A funny smile. You really should examine that photograph because the artist most certainly will. We have to, it’s the only way to get the drawing right. If we don’t notice these things the portrait won’t look like the person in the photo. It’s also easier to draw from a person in the flesh than a photo but it can be done well we just need a good foundation to start with. Most portraits I’ve drawn are from nothing close to great photos. That really makes it hard but I do my best with what I’m given.

Last, but not least, today we took a little trip to an amusement park. It was fun. We all enjoyed it but I literally was upside down when my cell phone fell out of my purse and ended up under the ship that was holding us hostage in said upside down position. Not one of us even realized this thing did that! We thought it was like all the other ship rides at parks where you are brought up really high to one side and then the other, rocking back and forth and then coming to a stop. Never had any of us been turned upside down on a pirate ship ride before!! I had my smallest child on one side of me screaming to please let her off the ride and my husband on the other side holding on for dear life and me feeling as if the child was too small and would fall right out of the seat. And my poor husband! He hates any ride that goes in a circle or fast or upside down or whips. . . Basically the only ride he likes is the carousel. Seriously, that’s the only ride he is usually ok with! In the end though we all walked away unscathed and strangely fast when walking past that ship for the rest of the day. It was only a Tracfone so it’s not the end of the world, right?

All this to say that no matter what’s going on. No matter where we are in life. There is always something to praise God about. An upset friend put me in more prayer this week as every time the situation came to mind I prayed for peace. A portrait that didn’t sit well gave me the opportunity to be honest and for others to be honest with no one having hard feelings. A phone decimated under an amusement park pirate ship gave me the opportunity to show my kids how to handle things calmly after a week of stress in the house.

# 386 – 397

for quiet moments stolen away from the world to help me catch my breath

the peace that truly does pass all understanding

forgiving

radio turned off and chatting it up in the car on long car trips

a good deal

friends that check up

calmness when things feel out of control (or maybe out of my control)

mix it up Icees – I honestly hate the things they taste too sweet for me but the rest of my family loves them and LOVED being able to mix flavors they never see together

stomach dropping roller coaster rides with girls who giggle and hold on for dear life

being absorbed in whatever it is at the moment – family, photography, a good movie with the girls, art. . .

17 years of marriage – it has been a great journey so far and I’m thankful for such a great husband. who else could put up with me and all my craziness? this man has been so calm and loving with me all these years, I don’t even know how he does it but I am so very thankful he does

love – just love

Blessings

This past week has been full of blessings. Not that other weeks are not but I guess it just felt like one of those really blessed weeks, ya know? A friend and her daughter came for a visit. Now that doesn’t seem that out of the ordinary except that we are the best of friends and haven’t seen each other for over 8 years!!! That’s a long time to “visit” on the phone weekly! We had the opportunity to hang out downtown, take in a movie, play some games, start a few hikes (don’t ask), shop a bit, make some crafts and laugh together. It was nice for us each to get to know the other’s girls a little better. Of course, we know the kids through what we tell each other but nothing beats meeting them in person and enjoying their company. I must admit that I’m a little disappointed in the lack of photos since none of our girls were really into it and everything went so fast that we didn’t have much time to plan a photo shoot. All in all it was a fast but great week!

We also have finished everything that needed to be finished around here and as of today our house is officially on the market! I’m excited, nervous and relieved all at once. My hope is that it would sell quick but I know that it’s not my plan that determines things in life so I’ll try my hardest to be patient. Patience is a virtue (so I hear).

I ended up with another art class. I wasn’t sure as of the end of last week but found out the day before that I had a preschool art class. Preschoolers are great They’re so hard to judge. You never know if they’ll take an hour on a project or 5 minutes, whether they’ll love it or dismiss it. I love the honesty that comes from small children and the excitement they have for life an new things!

And last but not least J got hire for a job yesterday. He starts next week. We are very thankful for him to find something so quick. It is currently a temp job but he was told that after a few months they typically hire people on full time. Ultimately, it’s whatever God has in store so we’ll just wait and see where we’re led from here.

# 355 – 367

visits with old friends – in person

watching happy girls laugh together

getting things crossed off the to-do list

nice weather

hugging friends for the first time in years

enjoying a little nature together

art projects to hold memories of special times with friends

making new friends – this always seems to happen right before we move, we seem to make several friends quickly before a move. I have no idea why this is but it’s a pattern I’ve seen over the years.

a friend giving birth to a healthy 8lb 12oz baby girl just this morning

pain I feel for someone who is sick- I know this may seem like a strange praise but I’m thankful we’re in touch because we weren’t on speaking terms for years. I’m not thankful she’s in pain. My heart aches and cries out to the Lord for her – for her health to improve, for her to come to know the Lord, for her to survive this terrible disease!! But I’m thankful I can cry out to God for her. For anyone. That God gives us that one on one with Him to be honest and talk.

being able to give to someone in need

having groups that I can be honest on without feeling that I will be judged – there aren’t that many groups I’m in that I feel this.

girls eating chicken for breakfast – another strange praise but I see myself in this as I’ve never liked breakfast foods for breakfast

Giving Thanks

No matter what is going on in our lives there’s always the bigger picture. God is always there and always working. I think sometimes we get our biggest blessings by giving thanks even when our hearts are breaking. I know for me it helps me to see beyond my circumstances and realize that things are better than they appear and I’m still being blessed in so many ways. Today I count those blessings, big and small, and give thanks to the One from whom all blessings flow.

332 – 346

dew drops on plants in the morning

the colors of spring (even if it isn’t officially spring yet)

for being the lucky guinnea pig when my daughter has made something new – this time shampoo bars!!

preschoolers painting themselves, giggling helplessly

making new friends

girls with etsy shop excitedly making and offering

for dandelions, those flowers that everyone should love but most consider a pest

a husband that gives all he can and then some

God’s provisions and guidance, even when we don’t know what the future holds or where He’ll lead us from here

my daughter being blessed with a free course that isn’t in the budget for us right now

nice weather

getting our hands dirty

snapping photos

a happy home

bugs dancing their jigg on flowers while they do their thing

A little ramble and then back to our original programming

It’s been so long since I used this blog as I originally intended, as my online journal-type journey. I miss writing here and I miss the free feeling of having my own space to just write. I know, there some people see blogs as worthless ramblings of people that really don’t need to be heard but I really am not writing to be heard. I’m just writing to write. I enjoy it and it’s my own personal space here in cyber world to do with as I choose. It’s ok for some to view blogs as worthless. They don’t have to read them.

When I started this blog it was actually to help family to keep updated on what we were doing. We live about 10 hours drive away from our nearest kinsfolk so it made sense. Some of them are subscribed or get on once in a while to read up and some of them probably don’t remember the url. Either way is fine with me.

I really want this to be a fun place that my kids can read through later in life and remember this or that. I want to get back to the quirky, fun writing that I did in the beginning. With that being said that is my goal for this site this year – to get back to life and all the weird, crazy, fun, minute things that happen day to day in our lives. The interesting and uninteresting. And the just plain strange! So there it is folks, if you stop by regularly or you’re subscribed this is the content you’ll be reading this year on this blog.

When Life Takes You in a Different Direction

Life seemed to be going great. A few snags here and there but that’s always to be expected. J was laid off every other week through December and January but the company had been bought by a much bigger company so we thought things would look up. Until Monday that is. The girls and I pulled into the driveway Monday afternoon wondering why J was home so early. He greeted us at the door, which he tends to do when he’s home. Then he called us all to the kitchen, sat us dow and started reading. It was a hard letter to listen to as his voice choked through it. The gist of it was this – the company is closing the plant in our state and as of the end of March J will no longer have a job. But he could have the rest of the day off with pay and come back tomorrow to “work as usual”. Hard to do for these guys. J has only been there about 4 years but some of these guys have been there over 20!! My heart breaks for them all.

Where we’ve gotten to in the past few days is anticipation of the worst and praying for the best. Last night we decided to get the house ready and put it on the market as soon as possible, regardless of whether we stay in the area or not. We love the house, the greenhouse, land, etc. but it has been a financial burden for some time and the wisest thing would be letting it go and clearing our debts. It saddens me a bit but in the end I know it’s the wisest decision.

I dont’ know what God has planned for our family but He does and that’s what counts. I’m going to trust Him on this. He has never let us down before. God never promised us an easy path but He did promise that He’d walk with us through everything. Prayers for our family would be so appreciated as we transition into a new season.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

First Post of the New Year

This is my first post since we rang in the new year. I have a few goals in mind for the blog this year but I’ll keep them to myself. For some reason when I tell my goals, I have a harder time accomplishing them! Somehow it feels refreshing to be starting another year.

Ponce de Leon lighthouse

My seeds are ordered and I’m looking forward to another year of gardening. Am starting to read up on how to improve my soil and J is planning on getting shade cloth for the greenhouse. With the heat of our summers there are just things that won’t grow here in the summer but they would make great additions to salsa, etc. J also helped me build a neat two bin compost system using pallets and an old sliding glass door. I like the idea of keeping it a bit more contained. It’s not beautiful to look at but it’ll get the job done!

I have been getting that crafty bug again and have so many projects I’d like to make that I feel like I won’t have time! I made my first thing over the weekend. It’s a magazine rack that I made from the leftover pallets we used for our compost bin. I’m posting a picture but it doesn’t show the copper glaze that I applied over it very well. I also decided having a few craft get togethers would be fun so I’m working on planning that too. I’ll post pictures of some of the finished projects.

We also took the past few days and rearranged some furniture. We seem to always be doing this around here and most people who stop by on a somewhat regular basis cannot believe how much we change things around.

In November we went on a little organizing streak and closed up the windows of the sunroom and made it into a nice sized pantry. J also redid the girls’ closet as well as ours. It has made a huge difference! I wish we would’ve taken pictures to show before and after. Our closet seemed packed full before but after we can’t even fill it up!

inside lighthouse

The last week of December we took a trip to Daytona. It was really nice. Our first time in Florida. The water was a bit chilly for my taste but everyone else got in and I enjoyed sitting on the beach taking it all in.

Daytona Beach

Have a nice weekend and I’ll be writing more soon! ~Tina

Counting my blessings

As I come in from our quick little errand run I start to put things away.  I go searching for a jug to make the orange juice I had a hankering for and decided to grab at the store.  My mind starts to wander.  I probably smell like smoke after riding the short trip in that car.  Where is that jug?  Be thankful you have that car to drive Tina.  You’ve went so long without a dependable car, be thankful for what you were given.  Didn’t I just find a new place to put all those containers that would be easier to get to and to find?  Why can I not find it now, when I need it?    Finally finding what I was looking for, in the same place it’s always been, I look over and see his boots. 

What would I do without his dirty old steel-toed boots?,  I think to myself.  I’m thankful for those boots.  For the man that wears them faithfully to an unforgiving, physical job daily.  So that I can stay home and grumble about the container to make my orange juice in?!  I should be more thankful my mind tells me. 

I remember the clouds we watched yesterday and him coming in sweating from putting in a water line to make life easier for me – so I wouldn’t have to carry buckets to the grapevine to water but could just pull a hose from plant to plant.  Easier for me.  I start to wonder do I make things easier for him?  This man that loves me so much that he’d do everything he can to make my life easier.  Shouldn’t I be more grateful?  I have a lot to be thankful for and I’m gonna use this week to thank God for all those blessings, big and small, He’s given me.

#169 – 182

dirty old work boots sitting in the middle of the floor

little girls with snorkels and the scream she puts out through it under water

beautiful rolling clouds

a brother who is safe at home

hand me downs

the reminders to stop and appreciate what I have and how lucky I truly am

friends who give and then teach

the promises His people are given

a waterline right down among the grapevines

comfrey that has held on through all my neglect

cleaning out and giving away

the talents I’ve be blessed with

a friend’s boy who thought a fork may be one of the weapons used in the game of Clue, someone might come up and stab you in the back, and the laughter that followed

fresh produce

The weeks seem to get busier around here.  We all seem to be restless.  For what, I’m not entirely sure.  We rearrange rooms on the weekends.  The girls and I finish putting books back on bookshelves when the week begins.  I pick and can or freeze during the week.  We swim when everyone’s in the mood. 

Last week we had the opportunity to go pick blueberries with some friends. It. Was. Hot. And all the kids, well all except my oldest, complained the whole time. We did end up getting two gallons which was my goal since we were hitting the very end of blueberry season. While leaving (and with my hands full of buckets) one of the kids spotted a bird’s nest. Even though I only had one free hand and couldn’t steady the camera well, I had to take the shots.

 

#159-168

picking blueberries on hot summer morning

a borrowed tortilla maker – I should admit I made chocolate tortillas with it!  They were good too!

baby birds with eyes still shut

fresh canned salsa

a husband who organizes well, especially since it’s out of my element

the first watermelon out of our own garden

people who accept you just as you are

the 1/2 price table at the Goodwill

giving

beautiful clouds on a summer afternoon

I-CU

This week we want to…just get back to a normal routine. Not that we have a normal routine but I guess more of what is normal for us.

The kids are…relaxing a bit after our extended weekend trip.

I am learning…ways to take the smoke smell out of a car. No, I don’t smoke but the car I’m now driving was well smoked in.

I am struggling with…getting the smoke smell out of the car! It’s becoming an obsession, seriously!

This week is the first time…we watched the fireworks in Pittsburgh.

I am grateful…for the gift of wheels.

A Neat Idea

Sometimes the girls and I get books out of the library on the authors they like to read. It’s neat for them to see what life was like when they were growing up, what their parents were like and what they enjoyed doing. Sometime ago we checked out a book on Louisa May Alcott. I think it might have been some of her journal entries but cannot remember. Anyway, she and her mother wrote back and forth through her journal. It was interesting to read as the mother encouraged her and they interacted through the letters/journal entries. There was something so bonding between the two writing back and forth. And it seemed to me that they’d write when maybe they weren’t able to find the words to speak the things to each other. It’s been quite a while since we checked out that book but I haven’t forgotten it and it keeps coming back into my mind as something I should be doing with the girls. I want to buy nice journals or maybe make them and write back and forth. I really thought this was a neat idea and wanted to share in case anyone else might be interested.