Out with the old - in with the new.

The last day of this year and I still marvel at how fast the time flew!  2011 was an interesting and challenging year.  I finally was able to retire from a very stressful job and out of a profession that had left me spent and burnt out.

And, I welcomed a new little member into the family,

I look at this year ending as a transitioning period in my life with a lot of edges that needed to be refined. I am looking forward to this next year as one of good changes and opportunities.

I don't really do New Year's resolutions, but this is what I want to see accomplished in 2012.

A move to Tennessee to be near family
A radical change in my relationship with food (more about that in later posts)
Resolving some of my health issues
Simplifying my life and getting down to the basics
Reading my Bible all the way through
Praying and listening to God's voice more and talking less.

I wish you, all my dear readers and friends and family a wonderful, safe New Year!

The "In Between" Time

It's a bit strange but in the past, I've pretty much considered the holidays over after Christmas. I never have been much of a New Years celebrator and so the day after Christmas, the decorations starting coming down and I was done.  But, this year, I have been a little reluctant to let go of the season. I still enjoy lighting the tree in the early morning and in the evening. Since the last of the Christmas leftovers have been consumed today I will feel that the season has come to an end. Either way, I probably won't take down the decorations until New Years Day or maybe shortly before. 

It was a good Christmas, better than I anticipated. I was very much into the spirit of the season early this year.  But plans that I had decided on 2 years ago were not to be and that made me feel disappointed and, I admit, a bit cheated.  The hospice organization I worked for had a hard and fast rule that you were not allowed to take an extended time for days off at Christmas. That meant that unless you could make a quick 2 day trip, it was pretty difficult to spend Christmas with out-of-state family.  Therefore, I had emphatically stated that this Christmas since I was retired, I would be spending with one of my kids. For lots of reasons though, this wasn't possible.

This Christmas was quiet - just Mom and me, Christmas Eve with our big dinner and then riding around see the Christmas light displays in the neighborhood. Even Christmas Day at my brother's which usually was busy and noisy with people popping in and out, was quiet. It turned out to be a very nice, relaxing Christmas where I could turn my attention to her. It was not the "big family-lots of grandchildren" time that I had originally planned. but as it turned out was just what we needed.

I've included a few photos here.

Mandy with one of her Christmas toys.

Mom and Mandy

A close up of the tree.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Memories of Christmas's Past

It's just part of the season to become nostalgic, I guess.  This is my 10th Christmas without my husband and my 9th without a child in the house. This year, though I have my elderly mother living with me and so I feel like a "family" again.  Of course there was always Thelma and Doc, my cat and dog to share Christmas with me. However they both passed away last year.  A new crew has been added though - Tabbie, my shelter kitty and Mandy, my silky terrier. You can see their smiling faces on the side bar.

I thought I'd write briefly about a few Christmas memories - things that stick out in my mind.

There was the Christmas when I was a child. I don't remember my age but I was old enough to write a letter to Santa  telling him what I wanted. I left it in the living room, I guess figuring that he made pre-Christmas visits to check on such things.  In the morning, in place of the my letter was a hand written note from the big guy with a twig of evergreen attached to it.  I was absolutely thrilled that Santa left me a note AND  a memento just from him.  Of course, I know now that my mother wrote the note and the twig was from our Christmas tree but then it was magical!

As I watch the weather forecast for Christmas this year here in Florida and see temps of 70's to low 80's, I am reminded of how you just never know what the weather will be for Christmas.  We've had snow flakes in the air 2 days before Christmas but never a white one. The closest we came to it was one Christmas morning when it turned freezing. It had been raining during the night and the morning greeted us with a winter wonderland of icicles hanging from trees and bushes. It was truly beautiful! The down side was that our water pump would tend to freeze with ice when it became very cold. Of course, we awoke to no water.  But we opened our gifts and enjoyed the morning and then Alan went out with the hair dryer to defrost the element that was caked with ice and we were okay. The kids took a walk later and saw the beautiful trees glistening. The next day, the ice was gone.

My third memory was a plan I devised that backfired.  Since I wrap gifts as I get them and put them under the tree, my two older kids (then in grade school) loved to pick them up, shake them and especially keep a running account of who had more. In the end, they had the same amount but in the meantime, oh dear.  One Christmas I came up with the idea of putting numbers instead of names on the gifts. On a master list, was the number with corresponding child. I was feeling very smug as Jim and Jill sat puzzled over this new system.  It would have worked without a hitch except I misplaced the master list.  Some gifts were easy for me to distinguish their owner but others not so much.  The kids thought this was hilarious though and took it in stride - especially when Jim was given a box I thought was his GI Joe and it was really a Barbie. They just traded and everything was fine.  I never did that again!

I wish you all wonderful Christmas memories this year. Each moment is a treasure to keep in our hearts and to share.

May the One whose birth we celebrate bring you joy and peace this Christmas season.

God with us

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, 'God with us.' "......... Matthew 1:23

Can you imagine!  God - the Creator of the universe....the One who holds the stars in place....in bodily form came to earth. He was born as a baby, grew throughout childhood, became a man and lived and taught among us.  He experienced what we experience. And, He gave His life so that we may live.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." ........John 3:16

Because of the Christmas story, we will never be alone. Because of what God did for us, we will live with Him forever.  But it is our choice. We can choose to accept this awesome gift or we can choose to reject it.

As we open our gifts this Christmas Day, please remember the gift that God gave over 2000 years ago. We need only to open the gift and receive it.

May you and your family have a joyous and blessed Christmas!

If you don't know about this wonderful gift - Jesus - please visit Bible.org.


Nativity scene painting courtesy of J's Magic Galleries

Mom's baby doll rag quilt

Well, I finished my first quilt sooner than I expected.  I was in a quandary about what to get for Mom this Christmas. She's beginning with dementia and I wanted something she would really like and would make her smile.  In the end, I decided on a cute baby doll in a basket with a hand made quilt.  She loves baby dolls!  I had bought pink patterned fabric some time ago with the intention of making a rag quilt. I had several squares cut out and the layers quilted together so it was just a matter of piecing it together.  I used pink flannel for the innermost layer.

I was fairly pleased with my first endeavor but found I need some help with sewing on the binding. It doesn't help to be a first time quilter and a bit rusty with my sewing skills to boot. But here is the finished product.

This photo is a bit dark and comes through looking like the fabric is really wrinkled which it isn't

The rag side.  It such pretty fabric.  I have quite a bit more so I may do a wall hanging with the rest eventually. I didn't especially enjoy doing a rag quilt so I don't know if that is something I'll do again or not.

Here is the finished product. I put her in a wicker basket with her pretty, pink quilt.

 Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all my cyber friends.

I was sent this by email this morning.  So beautiful and poignant.  I can think of nothing else more appropriate to put here as my Christmas greeting to you all.

May you all have a blessed, wonderful Christmas.

Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY - December 19, 2011


Outside my window.....sunny but chilly. Foggy early this am but no frost yet.

I am thinking.....about the things I've got to do yet this week.

I am thankful.....for the incredible gift that God gave us so long ago - Jesus.

In the kitchen.....a roast in the crock pot. Vegetables to be added later. Will probably make biscuits to go with the stew
I am wearing.....jeans and a denim shirt, socks and black shoes. You know it's chilly if I don't have my flip flops on!

I am creating.....finishing up a quilt for my mother for Christmas and hopefully creating some more Christmas cookies tomorrow.

I am going.....later today to meet up with my DIL's mother who is taking some furniture up to Tennessee for her visit for Christmas. She's kindly going to take some boxes for me as well to lighten the move later on.  On Christmas Day, I'll be going to my brother's house for dinner.

I am wondering.....hopefully all the boxes I've packed will fit in the van.

I am reading.....The Amish Cook - a cookbook by an old order Amish lady as well as reflections of her life.

I am hoping.....for a safe journey for Debbie as she travels up to Tennessee and a blessed Christmas for her and Stephanie and Mike.

I am looking forward to.....Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

I am hearing.....my dog Mandy occasionally barking at things going outside. She's a good watch dog. Sometimes too good!

I am pondering.....what this new year will bring.

One of my favorite things.....driving around and seeing all the Christmas lights in neighborhoods

A few plans for the rest of the week: sewing, baking, cooking, cleaning - getting ready for Christmas

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My son Mike.  Stephanie took this as part of her assignment for portfolio class in college. She is very gifted and can really capture the essence of what she is photographing. And it doesn't hurt to have a handsome subject too!  Just bragging - that's all!


Thank you, Peggy for hosting this day book.

What makes Mandy bark.

The short answer to this question is .....

Just about everything!

But if you'd like the complete list, here it is.

• doorbells
• doorbells on TV
• the electric hand mixer
• vacuum cleaner
• people walking by
• dogs walking by
• people walking dogs walking by
• telephone ringing
• telephone ringing on TV
• cell phone ringing
• taking the garbage bag out of the can
• putting a new garbage bag in the can
• the garbage truck
• dogs barking
• dogs barking on TV
• the neighbors slamming their car door (or house door)
• the microwave timer going of
• when she wants to go outside
• when she wants me to play with her
• when she wants Mom to play with her
• when she wants Tabbie (my cat) to play with her

As you can tell, it's not always a quiet house. At least I don't have to be concerned about a burglar sneaking up on  us. Mandy would probably hear him coming down the street.



Happy Birthday, Alan

Today my late husband Alan would have been 70 years old.  He died much too young, at 59.

I've noticed that this year and next year bring significant dates. Alan passed away 10 years ago this year. His 70th birthday is this year. Next year, 2012 we would have celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary.  Our perception of time can be very skewed. Some times it feels like yesterday that Alan left me. Other times, if seems like a very long time ago.

Alan was never much for birthday gifts. He always said that he really didn't care if he received a gift. It was the birthday card that he treasured. I still made sure he had a gift but I doubly made sure that a card came with it!

This photo was taken September 11, 1982 after our wedding.

Happy Birthday, Alan. I'm sorry I can't send a card to Heaven. But you know I'm thinking of you just the same.

Very early morning.

I woke up a little after 4 am today - mostly because I had to make a potty run. Then I couldn't get back to sleep so around 5 I got up, showered and then checked things on my computer. Mandy usually has me awake anywhere from 5:30 to 6:30 and needs to go out.  The regular routine is to take her out and then back to bed for a little longer. I don't always fall back to sleep but I sort of mentally plan my day or pray. So, this morning she is all excited that we are actually staying up!  I anticipate though that by mid afternoon I'll want to nap on the couch.

Yesterday I made some changes to help save me some money. I still am adjusting to a lower income than what was coming in when I was working. My savings is all but gone but my first social security check arrives next month and I'm grateful for that.  Even with that, though, money will be a bit tight especially with putting money aside for our move to Tennessee next year.  I get my land line phone, cable service and Internet bundled into a package with our local cable company. When I got my new bill, it was almost $20 more a month and I learned that my "promotional package" was up and the price had increased.  So, I eliminated my land line phone line. I mostly got telemarketers on it anyway. I have my cell and a phone with magic jack on my computer for use with my son's business so I'm all set. I also downgraded the channels on cable to basic. I really don't watch TV a whole lot now but I enjoyed The Weather Channel and Turner Classic Movies. Those channels are gone now but perhaps in a few months I can upgrade once again.  You gotta do what you gotta do.

Besides being an early morning, I've noticed as the sun comes up that it's very dreary out and very windy. I didn't hear of any rain in the forecast but it sure looks like it. It's not too cold out but the wind makes it feel cooler than it really is.

I have Christmas cookies to bake this week along with some finishing touches on Mom's gift. I also am sending some boxes up with my DIL's mother who is going up to visit her and Mike in Tennessee. They are mostly things I don't use but don't want to get rid of.

Well, I guess I'll get some breakfast. Now suddenly I'm getting a bit sleepy. Since I have to get going and begin my day, this is very inconvenient!  Have a great day, everyone!

Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY: December 12, 2011


Outside my window......sort of dreary out and a bit foggy. We probably will get rain.

I am thinking......of our upcoming Christmas. I have begun to treat each Christmas like it could be the last with my mother and I want to make it special.

I am thankful.....for my church and church family. They are all caring and down to earth people that I enjoy being with.

From the learning rooms......finally into the beginnings of a quilt project. I will begin in earnest after Christmas.

In the kitchen......mixing up cookie dough to make Christmas cookies tomorrow or Wednesday. Tonight - probably left over cheese enchiladas.

I am wearing......tan pants and a black top with flip flops.

I am creating......a small quilt for a collectible doll for my mother for Christmas

I am going......to our church's Christmas party this Saturday and during the week, probably to the grocery store and bank.

I am wondering......what things I can send up to Tennessee with my DIL's mother to save space in the van when I actually move.

I am reading......An Amish Christmas by Cynthia Keller. We can learn a lot from the Amish.

I am hoping......for mild temps throughout December so that I don't have to use the heat very much. Sure would help the budget until my social security kicks in next month.

I am looking forward to......the church Christmas party this Saturday and perhaps a day outing with a friend on Sunday.

I am hearing......it's very quiet right now. I usually do my SDB entry early in the morning before a lot is going on.

Around the house......festive looking. I really need to get my living and dining room rug professionally cleaned but that will have to be after the first of the year.

One of my favorite things......a group of ladies that I am friends with on the internet. They live in all parts of the US and in England and I feel like I have known them forever even though we've never met face to face.

A few plans for the rest of the week: cookie baking, working on my mother's little quilt, Christmas party Saturday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

These ornaments I received from my English friend, Linda in an ornament exchange. They arrived on my birthday with a few other little things tucked away just for my birthday.  Thank you, Linda!


Thank you, Peggy, for hosting this day book. If you should care to join us, just click on the link.

Shopping on EBay

I enjoy shopping online, especially when it comes to fabric. To some that may seem a bit strange. Yes, I like to see the colors and feel the fabric first hand but when it comes to quilting fabric, even walking into a quilt store is a bit intimidating and I'm a bit overwhelmed. This, I'm sure, will change.  I've bought some squares and fat quarters from EBay in the past from certain sellers and what I have received has been good quality and very true to what was pictured.  Anyway, here is what I bid for and won.

I love sunflowers and plan to make a table runner with this. It will match the kitchen and dining area decor.

I thought these were really pretty. I plan on making my Grandmother's Flower Garden with all sorts of colors like my great-great grandmother's was and so these will be very handy.  Because this quilt is going to be very labor and time intensive, I think I will aim for a wall hanging or crib size quilt.  I'm not so sure how good my hand piecing will be to withstand washings if I should make it into a bed quilt so I think I'm being more realistic shooting for a smaller size.  I can feel my ambitions running ahead of my expertise. 

I also bought a book off Amazon that I had heard great reviews about. I bought a used copy, only $3.00.

I found it yesterday at the library too so I had a chance to preview it. I'm glad I ordered my own copy.  I think it will be useful for hand quilting techniques which I will do with the GFG quilt.  Sorry, I couldn't find a bigger image. The author is Alex Anderson. Some of you are probably already aware of this book.




I have one sweet friend who has found this humble blog already and visited with some nice encouragement.  Thank you, Deborah.

I'm not sure if I'll start my GFG project before or after Christmas. After the holiday would probably be a more realistic goal but I'm getting very motivated so who knows!

Selecting my first project.

I have been looking over a couple of books and some of my fabric and fat quarters to see what I have. I bought sort-of willy-nilly a year or two ago and really wasn't sure what I needed. I had planned on taking a quilting class back in 2005 and had bought supplies in preparation so I already had a good acrylic ruler with a square edge, a rotary cutter and some straight pins and quilting needles.

This book is one my favorites

It is for beginners and is very basic which I really need. It has lessons that progress you from a nine-patch block to a table runner to a lap quilt or wall hanging to a full sized quilt.  I have fabric to do the first lesson with. However, I still wonder if taking a beginner quilting class wouldn't be a good idea, at least to get over the fear of "messing up". I've checked into a couple - both starting in January if I can afford them.

Meanwhile, I decided to begin a kit I bought on EBay at Sunshine Cottage 2-3 years ago. It is for a Grandmother's Flower Garden pattern.  This pattern has sentimental attachments for me.  I have a single bed sized quilt of this pattern that was quilted by my great-great grandmother. It is so fragile that I have packed it away as the fabric is tearing in many places.  I can look at all the rosettes and see all the patterns and imagine that at one time those were dresses and blouses and aprons.

Here is a photo of the kit I bought:

It is done by hand with English paper piecing and the instructions assure me that I can do this even if I have never done a quilt before.  The kit contains enough fabric squares for the rosettes, the path and border for a 19" x 34" table runner.  To be truthful, I'm not crazy about the colors and fabrics but I have lots of fat quarters and 4x4" squares that I can use.  Right now I'm not sure just what I will end up with.  I don't see this as a table runner. I would really like to do a nine-patch for that. I see this as a wall hanging in my bedroom or if I get ambitious a large lap quilt to lay over the bed.

I am excited to begin and feel very good about this choice. Honestly, this kit has been  hanging over my head for a long time. I will be glad to finally do something with it.

Baby, it's cold outside!

It's really not snowing outside but it sure is cold enough too! At least Mandy gets her business done quickly when it's like that.  My thick hoodie didn't even begin to keep me warm this morning.

I've been doing a lot of surfing of quilting sites this week. I've wanted to get into quilting for a very long time and decided that there is no time like the present. I may not actually begin a project until after Christmas but I want to decided on what to start out with. Yesterday, I created a web site to sort of spur me on. It's called The Story of a Quilt should you be interested.

My DIL, Stephanie up in Tennessee is excited because her mother is coming up there to visit for the holidays. I'm excited about that because she is going to take up some boxes for me so I'll have less to transport when I do the actual move. It's been a challenge to decide what to pack since I really don't know when I'll be moving up next year. But so far I've got 8 boxes ready. Don't know how many more she can take.

This year has been challenging to say the least - the horrendous stress at work, co-habitating with my mother and decisions about my future.  A lot of it is settling down. I'm now retired so no work stress but a lot less coming into the check book.  My decision is made to move to Tennessee but the waiting gives me time to second guess my decision frequently.  I biggest stress right now is Mom. She just doesn't seem happy. When we talk about it, she assures me that she is thankful and happy to be here with me. But, she shows no interest in anything.  She's always been a negative person and so this is probably just her personality. The challenge with me is convincing myself that I can't be responsible for her happiness. She has to find that for herself.

I'n praying for a calmer, more peaceful 2012.

Hope all of you are staying warm and safe.  Until later.

The beginning - or "What am I getting myself into?"

For years, I have drooled over hand made quilts. Well, not literally you understand. That would have caused some hard feelings, I'm sure. Instead, I'd gaze and maybe touch (if I was allowed) and sigh. The quilts I fell in love with were beyond my finances - prices that probably didn't begin to recoup the artist for the fabric and time and love that she put into her masterpiece.  The thought, though fleeting, came to me that I could learn to do that. 

And a dream was born.

That dream has been sitting on the back burner due to full time employment and sheer fear. I bought books that assured me that they would walk me through each step, holding my hand the whole time. I bought fabric and fat quarters.  As I opened each book and stroked each fat quarter, my mind jumped with excitement.  And then I put it all carefully on the back burner next to the dream.

Until now.  I am now a retired lady, beginning to pack for a move to Tennessee. I figure there is no time like the present. I can do this!  So in my favorite surf engine, I typed "Tennessee quilts". I figured I might as well glean from those in my new home state. And oh, what treasures I found! Talented, down-to-earth ladies passionate about quilting. I spent the afternoon becoming inspired and excited.

I decided to also create this website to chronicle this journey from a "non quilter" to a real quilter. I have set goals for myself and am going to trudge through the fear and intimidation and realize my dream.

I'm also going to order some quilt squares from EBay to celebrate the occasion!

The Mouse didn't have a chance.

Some of you may recall a couple of weeks ago when my silky terrier, Mandy celebrated her first birthday. As terriers go, she's pretty typical in her behavior. She loves her toys and I have to be very careful what I get for her. Anything with a squeaker in it, I try to avoid because it will be out in no time. 

For her birthday, I bought a Mickey Mouse that I thought was rather unique. It came with a small plastic bottle in the body and since Mandy loves to play and crunch on disposable water bottles, It thought that this would be perfect.

Did I remember to tell you that she is a terrier? 

The bottle was out within an hour. During the next week, I found little bits of fiberfill lying around on the carpet. Upon investigating each of her toys, It was discovered to be coming from Mickey. Since the stuffed part of the body was way up inside the empty body (where the bottle used to be) I was quite impressed at how she was able to get it out.  I eventually just pulled the rest of the stuffing out and Mickey became a limp mouse.

Well, last week this is what I found on the floor.

My first thought was  - "I can rebuild him! I can make him good as new!"  And then I thought, "Why bother?"  Now she plays with Mickey and then when she's tired of that, she plays with his arm. It's like two toys in one!

Silky terriers were originally bred to hunt snakes and vermin.  The fact that I bought her a stuffed mouse for her birthday is entirely my own fault!

Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY: December 5, 2011


Outside my window. . . . .pretty and sunny. The temps are expected to climb to the 70's today.

I am thinking. . . . .I want to make some cookie dough this week in preparation for cutting out some Christmas cookies.

I am thankful. . . . .that God is providing for Mom and I this month since money is so short.

In the kitchen. . . . .just made some steel cut oatmeal for breakfast. Not sure yet what I'll fix for dinner.

I am wearing. . . . .tan pants, blue t-shirt and flip flops.

I am creating. . . . .working on my blogs - new looks and new content.

I am going. . . . .no plans this week but I'm sure there will be the trip to the grocery store.

I am wondering. . . . .If Mandy, my silky terrier will ever be potty trained! Some days she does well and other days, it's a struggle.

I am reading. . . . .my Bible and Off The Beaten Track - Tennessee

I am hoping. . . . .to get my mother's Christmas gift almost finished.

I am looking forward to. . . . .spending time with friends - an upcoming Christmas party for church and perhaps a day at Disney with a friend.

I am hearing. . . . .very quiet with an occasional bark from Mandy when she hears the neighbors.

Around the house. . . . .I'm thinking of what to do with a string of lights that I didn't use. I should be able to decorate something somewhere with them!

I am pondering. . . . .finances unfortunately not only for right now but in preparation for my move next year.

One of my favorite things. . . . .a day at Disney World with a friend.

A few plans for the rest of the week:. . . . .catching up on things at home, to finish decorating and maybe some cookie baking.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

An unexpected surprise - a tree in my backyard was full of tangerines. I never noticed it before in all the years I've lived here. The fruit is not very sweet but I'm not complaining. It's still fairly good and a welcomed treat.

Thank you, Peggy for hosting this Day Book!

If Joseph and Mary were on Face Book

So awesome!

Happy Wedding Anniversary!

Yesterday, my daughter Jill and SIL Kent celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary!  It just doesn't seem possible that it could be that long! What a special couple they are - still madly in love with the Lord and with each other.

I remember the day they married. Jill was very young and emotionally I was not  ready for her to leave the nest. I was happy to see her so happy and grateful for my new SIL. But, there was a hole in my heart and it hurt. And to top it off, they were only married less than 6 months when Kent received a job transfer that moved them 5 hours away from me. Mom was not happy!  Throughout the years, they have weathered the usual storms relying on their trust in God and their love for each other. They have 3 wonderful children - Caleb who is now married to Erin, Candace who graduated from high school this year and Molly set to graduate in 2012.

So Happy Anniversary, you two. I love you both very much!

Mary

I recently heard the song, Breath of Heaven sung by Amy Grant. I had heard it before and it always stirs my soul. The song was accompanied by a video showing Mary at the birth of Jesus. The video was dark and was difficult to see but what I saw was inspiring and thought provoking.

Mary, the mother of Jesus was just a girl, a virgin about 14 years old as historians speculate.  At the time we first read about her, she is betrothed to her future husband. A bethrotal in Jewish custom was just as binding as the marriage itself.  But before she is married, she is visited by the angel Gabriel who tells her she is going to conceive a child - and not just any child - the Son of God.

Can you imagine how she must have felt? Unmarried, pregnant in a society that reacted very strongly to that type of situation. Can you understand the fear and trembling she must have felt when she told Joseph, her espoused? 

Fast forward to a long journey on a donkey, nine months pregnant. Any woman who has every been pregnant would agree that this could not have been a pleasant, comfortable journey. At the end of the journey, perhaps already feeling the beginning of labor pains, they can find no bed for her to lie in and she must settle into a cave-like stable with animals not far away. Perhaps it was just her and Joseph at the birth with no other woman midwife to assist.  Her first birth, in a strange place, in less than desirable surroundings. I'm not sure if I would have been able to handle all that at 14!

What was it about Mary that, of all young Hebrew girls living at that time, the God of heaven chose her to be the vehicle to bring His Son into the world.  He must have seen in her a strength that He knew she would need. He saw a humbleness, a sweet, obedient spirit.

And Mary trusted her God.

"Be it unto me according to Your word."

She would remember that trust in later years as she saw her son leave home and travel and preach. She would feel each hurtful thing that was said against Him. And her heart would break when it came time for Him to fulfill the plan that was from the beginning.

God chooses those who love Him, who are willing to be obedient, to serve Him without question to do extraordinary things. Mary was one of those.

Am I?

I'm trying to be.

Checking in.

I didn't realize it had been since Monday that I posted. I've been trying to get here more often but the days just seem to slip away and if nothing big or momentous happens, I forget.

The only "momentous" event this week was my birthday on Tuesday. This was the birthday I had looking forward to for years - my 62nd.  I was going to retire from nursing, take a nice vacation and move to Tennessee or Oklahoma. I had all my plans laid out.

Then I moved Mom in with me and I ended up quiting work at the end of July to stay home with her, living off savings until my social security checks kicked in. So this birthday came and went without the nice vacation and with a delay in the moving plans.

It was a quiet birthday, but nice.  One very nice surprise was a package that arrived from my "secret sister" - a friend I met through a group on the Internet. We all were assigned each other's name to send a Christmas ornament anonymously. I received mine on the big day and in the package were also some extras for my birthday. It was such a blessing and it just made my day!  I'll post a pic here after we all reveal our sister and ornament in our group (in case some of the group visit here before hand).

We have had some rather chilly weather here - in the 30's at night. That's pretty chilly for Florida! I don't mind it although I'm hoping for temps to be mild most of the time to help with the electric bill. I'm tellin' ya' - that first social security check can't come fast enough!

Not much more to say here right now. I'm thinking of you all, especially friends like Darylynn who have had some severe wind weather in California.  Take care. Stay safe.

Until next time.