Sunday, March 31, 2013

Be Grateful Challenge~ March 2013

2nd~ Climbing Merit Badge with Troop 50 ( day away with the guys for Matt) 
5th~ that sweet evening phone call to make sure Matt and I are home and safe
6th~ boss at work; church; hugs from church family; chatting with a new friend; Isaiah using my phone to play games; helpful boy doing his own laundry and beginning to understand logical consequences a tiny bit; Avon orders bagged; snuggly jammies; missing him SO Much and knowing it's SO worth it
7th~ distributing Avon orders; chat with Mom and hope of a home sale; Caleigh Ann; what happens when you don't get out of bed when your mom calls you; new perspective on Everything; errands for work; Avon customers; listening to grandchildren playing in next room; "The Rules II";  comments on my blog ((hugs)); emails from a friend and the insight provided (ty); Aiden's pictures he colors; 'hello' from a friend; my pillow and Pooh Bear waiting 'patiently' at home for my return; pressure-free evening at home with Matt; watching 'Swamp People' with Matt      
8th~ early errand for work; thinking about coupons and rebates and how to find time/ space with new 'office' arrangement; realizing that wok downsizing is a push I needed; thoughts of Spring planting; full tank of gas; knowing He has it all under control; chat with Miss Stacey at SEALS (what an amazing school!!!); getting ready for a road trip for work and pending Matt/ Mom date with Matt tonight; getting back to dealing with agencies for work; "The Rules II"; really nice evening with Matt
9th~ sleeping in; breakfast in bed; good son; Matt hanging his own laundry to dry; fresh, hot coffee with peppermint sticks and honey; reunion with a good friend; chatting with Matt about Lego's; LOUD music down hall; Matt cleaning out the Jeep for me; his visit and our growing relationship
10th~ hugs; unconditional love from that right man; sleeping in a bit; quick breakfast at home; church family and worship service; knowing I am on a path He approves; picking up Matt's blue card for tomorow's Computer Merit Badge; getting the house cleaned and organized; having a plan and path from Him to follow and how easy that makes everything; dinner in the oven and wishing I was prepared to bake using my wood stove; snuggle and chat time with Matt
11th~ running late (how did I wake up late on the first day of a 'Rise Early Challenge?); driving Matt to school; knowing that I am doing my best (even when I stumble/ compromise); wanting to do better; Microsoft store in Oakbrook Mall and Computer Merit Badge class Matt took there (he got his merit badge!!!); sweet call to check in and see if we're okay and what we're doing; concern over us driving back to Joliet on slick roads; last minute dinner delivery, that sweet smile and him enjoying Matt's antics; Matt doing his laundry without fussing too much; prepping Avon brochures while 'watching' TV; "NUMB3RS" 
12th~ oversleeping (why didn't I get out of bed when the first alarm went off and I was wide awake?!); driving MAtt to school and the opportunity to see such beautiful clouds and chat with Matt; Matt's flirting while we waited for the teachers to come out and retrieve the kids from the cars and buses; more work than I can get done at work and at home (job security?); PBJ for lunch; the real blessings of solitary confinement; finding that one verse to answer my sister's question; snow/ blizzard-like conditions for 5 minutes; Avon meeting and the help brought
13th~ today is 3.13.13~ how kool! Church tonight at First Assembly Joliet
14th~ the relief of a new plan an how I can see me again; re-organizing part of my 'office'; being firm about how I expect to be treated; knowing being single is better than not being treated right; that special Avon delivery that left me in tears and the new friend I made; a bit of warp speed cleaning/ sorting/ re-organizing at home; that sweet 'little' boy who sometimes needs to snuggle his momma; peace and quiet of a night at home
15th~ waking before my alarm went off and the hour I had to lay quietly, pray and think; Matt's cooperation; that little wave as he walked to the bus; fresh, hot coffee; snuggling Caleigh; hugs from Aiden; quick errand; the blessing of others seeing what I see and saying something about it on their own; the way he looked at me that made my decision/ questions seem all the more valid; changing course/ reverting back to the original course He had me on that was working; calls and texts from friends;
16th~ a vacation day; new member class at church; a chat with a friend; just following where He's leading me
17th~ sleeping in; a chat with a friend before church; seeing another friend I haven't seen in days; Randy Ruiz speaking at church; Holy Spirit moving through service in a way I So Needed; call from a friend with offer of firewood (Thank You!); driving slowly through Oakwood Cemetery picking up scattered branches while some weirdo followed  us in an SUV (it was So Odd/ Creepy!!); hanging with Matt at home; laundry blowing gently in the breeze; home; a chat with a friend; watching "The Bible" and "Gypsy Sisters" with Matt; sleep~ cozy
18th~ awake at 5:58am but falling back asleep until 7:07am; scrambled egg and cinnamon toast breakfast sandwiches; Matt catching his bus; freezing drizzle; sneakers; fresh, hot coffee; the boss who isn't mad that I dumped my coffee on the adding machine and have to go buy a new one to do books (thank you); quick road trip to buy new adding machine; opportunity to ask about Office Max rewards program so I have a greater understanding; more coffee; the Word;  
19th~ a blessed day; the friend who gave me free firewood; all I was able to accomplish at home 
20th~ being awake almost all night and the blessing of whatever it is He's doing in me; 3 giggling/ wiggling boys sitting next to me at church; fresh, hot coffee the way Dave makes it for One Night at First Assembly of Joliet (have to learn his secret!); watching the high school/ college kids perform (what talent!!); home; a son still young enough to want to snuggle his mama
21st~ waking at 4;45am (what's up with that?) and praying/ dozing until 7:05am; cooperative boy/ teen; newspaper on my porch; on time to work; fresh, hot coffee; peace and quiet; snuggles and hugs from my grandkids
23rd~ shopping for work after my errand was run;  break allowed to sit and breathe when Matt spent time at a friend's home; getting all the paperwork done (I think) so I can finally file my stupid taxes; the time I had to sit at McDonalds with a sweet tea and do a bit of Bible study and realize (through Him) where I need to head from here  
24th~ getting ready for church quickly and cooperatively; taking Jeremiah to church with us; Matt and Jeremiah cooperating at church; chatting with Charlene and how grateful I am for a new friend who totally gets me; serving donuts between services; homemade Aroz de Leche with pecans and figs for lunch; finally filing my taxes (thanks to all who talked me through it!); laundry and all the chores that make me the Mommy here; clean sheets; "NCIS" 
25th~ sleeping in; waking rested for a change; a bit of snow; Matt's help; remembering "New Kid by Friday" lessons and applying to both kids; Boys and Girls Club; fresh, hot coffee; Caliegh Ann's smile; tomato soup with garlic sauce;   
26th~  Troop 50 in Lockport; Boys and Girls Club; home
27th~ short day at work; Indian Lore Merit Badge class at Joliet Historical Museum; down time for me to chat and read; hearing another's perspective on Scouting; church and a new friend, Chris, sharing his knowledge of tablets and laptops; a good son; Amazing praise and worship at First Assembly of Joliet; peaceful home 
28th~ walking to work with my favorite son; Camp Cards are in! Great people at Rainbow Council who make good things happen for boys; true friends
29th~ having a home, job, food to eat, wonderful son, snuggly grandchildren and spectacular friends; God providing to us that we may help others 
30th~ waking up at 5:49 am; arriving at work early; fresh, hot coffee; oatmeal~ Matt w/ bananas and me with cherries; Jessie stopping by my office to chat a bit; watching Matt and Jessie watch "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"; Matt volunteering to help with the Easter egg hunt at church; ham sandwich for lunch; coffee with a peppermint stick; sweet grandkids; my cozy 'office'; organizing to go forward;   
31st~ a truly good son; egg sandwiches for breakfast; giving Jeremiah a ride to church; wonderful Easter service; church family; trusting and obeying God and what that brings;



Joy Dare~ March 2013

1st~ 3 gifts at 3pm~ Matt's bus coming back when I missed it; such a sweet boy; peace and quiet of my drive and errand
2nd~ 3 gifts green~ boys off for first Climbing Merit Badge experience at Upper Limits in Bloomington, IL
3rd~ 3 gifts wore~ a friend's slight smile and honest exhaustion; family love/ bonds; His Grace reigning down on us all during church service
4th~ 3 gifts hard to give thanks for~ hardships that breed necessary growth; snow when I want to play out in my gardens; chatter from next office
5th~ 3 gifts found~ time with Matt; new direction; peace in Him
6th~ a gift bent, broken, beautiful~ me to His will; trust for those I should avoid; Matt's face as understanding registers
7th~ 3 gifts in the kitchen~ few dishes washed before work;  Matt helping with dinner; pint canning jar of milk before bed
8th~ 3 gifts loud~ Caleigh's giggles in next office; movie with Matt; chatter in Barnes and Noble
9th~ 3 gifts carved~ His will on my heart; a willingnes to follow and serve Him regardless; two (2) lives carved into one (1) 
10th~ 3 gifts in Christ~ church family and the love, support and encouragement they bring
11th~ 3 gifts read~ receipts from shopping for work; Bible; "The Rules II" 
12th~ a gift in wind, in water, in white~ beautiful morning clouds he paints across the sky; snow; white-out for 5 minutes!
13th~ 3 gifts round~ the multitude of ways He is always there 
14th~ 3 gifts found in silence~ whispers; hearing what others are really saying; that open heart that silence brings
15th~ 3 gifts given away~ my trust of him (more like thrown away!); a lot of stress; all my cares to Him
16th~ 3 hard eucharisteos~ having to get up on a vacation day; having to wait until May to join my church; being single
17th~ a gift turned, folded, hung~ my direction; hands in prayer at church; heads as Holy Spirit moved through church this morning!
18th~ 3 gifts red~ Psalms 25, 35 and 103 and the insight brought (if I can just shut up, listen and be obedient!)
19th~ 3 gifts eaten~ tea because my coffee carafe cracked; tomato soup with basil and garlic pesto; chili sucker
20th~ 3 gifts that made you laugh~ the boy drinking coffee; 3 giggly/ wiggly boys next to me at church; Matt
21st~ a gift salty, sweet, just right~ having to realize I am rebelling against my own decisions; my Savior; true friends  
22nd~ 3 gifts found in His word~ strength; security; a good future
23rd~ 3 gifts found in women today~ the one who says openly what I do not dare;  the inner strength to do what needs to be done to serve Him and my family regardless
24th~ 3 gifts spoken~ little boys chattering in the back seat; a long open chat with a friend; the sermon I really needed to hear
25th~ a gift sung, written, painted~ Shine 89.7; Psalms; shelves  
26th~ 3 gifts almost gone~ time in this trial; winter; wait for changes  
27th~ 3 gifts redeemed~ salvation; hope; friendship
28th~ 3 gifts entwined~ our small lives/ His Word and plan; doing without/ growing in appreciation of what we do have; family need/ working together 
29th~ 3 gifts of His pomises~ follow, obey and wait on Him and the blessings each brings
30th~ 3 gifts uncovered~ His plan; surprise invitation to Easter Supper; soft, shy smile
31st~ a gift heard, held, hoped for~ sermon; misplaced debit card; calling fulfilled

Happy Easter!




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Saturday, March 30, 2013

Theft in a Collapsing Economy


This morning there were two (2) bags of crushed aluminum cans sitting here.
When we came home from work both were gone.
It may not seem like much, but those bags were worth about $2.00 each, but obviously someone thought they needed this money more than we did.
Sure would have been nice if they had asked~ maybe we would have just given them the bags????
Thieves Stink!!


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Spring!



This goose was so cute I had to snap a quick photo of it!
Generally I just don't get the point of these concrete geese,
but this gal is changing my mind!!!

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Rise Early Challenge


Well, good morning!
 How are you doing with this challenge?
I must admit I am back on track even though I seem to have caught a bit of what Matt has.
This morning I woke up at 5:49 am, but my alarm was set for 6:00 am!
Very kool!!!
It was nice to have that prayer time back as I really needed to reconnect with the Lord.


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Friday, March 29, 2013

Hat 5/ 40


Well, it's finished, but I'm not sure I like this one.


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Psalm 35~ Day 19/ 30; 103~ Day 14/ 30; 27~ Day 4/ 30


Wow! What a day! Up at 2:00 am with a sick boy. Back up and out the door by 7:15 am to walk the 2.6 miles to work even though Matt's still a bit sick to his stomach. Still, in all this, we are so very blessed!
As an 11-year-old neighbor boy came to my door again tonight begging for groceries, because they have none at home, I am made so very very aware how blessed we truly are!
As I sit here reading, and feeling guilty for being so hard on Matt, Psalm 27: 11, 14 stands out for me/ leaps off the page!
As long as I stay on the path He clearly has for me, I will be okay.
Follow.
Obey.
Wait Patiently.


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Day 88/ 365




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Desplaines River


Carrying raw sewage from Chicago through Joliet.


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Joliet Train Yard




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Thursday, March 28, 2013

Hat 5/ 40


Well, I'm in the final stretch with this hat and should be finished in 1-2 days!


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Psalm 35~ Day 18/ 30; Psalm 103~ Day 13/ 30; Psalm 27~ Day 3/ 30


Tonight He reminds me how much He is doing to protect Matt and I.
We are so dearly loved by our Savior!
We are blessed!!!


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Day 87/ 365




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Day 87/ 365


Same canal we viewed this morning from Cass St, but from Jackson St tonight.


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Forsta Svenska Baptist= Kyrkan


Remnants of an old church built in 1893 and designed by Herbert Cowell, Architect.


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Day 87/365




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Cass St Bridge




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Walking Home


Or, in Matt's case, riding a scooter!


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407 Jefferson St




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Truth Restaurant




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Walking to Dollar General




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Come~ Shop!




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Matt and Caleigh


Caleigh's having her bottle of formula and Matt's munching fresh strawberries~ good kids snacking together!


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Cass St Bridge


View from Jackson St bridge...


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Cass St Bridge is Closed!


We have to take a detour across the Jackson St bridge...


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Joliet White Store




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