Saturday, March 31, 2012

Be Grateful Challenge


March 2012
6th~ true friends; my pillow; the wind; my house; my job; Grant at 'H and R Block' in Sears in Joliet
7th~ my son's hugs; my daughter's smile; my customers; coffee; washing machine; 55F in the morning; Avon being delivered; bookkeeper at home office being consistently friendly; kind words from coworkers; God; my salvation; Lady Pat; an unexpected opportunity; Michael visiting our church for Bible study; Eme and Idara; a young lady being good at Bible study so she can join us in Sunday school; my church home and how welcome every visitor feels!
8th~ morning snuggles with Matt; silly waving; rain; a light breeze; text from a friend; coffee; 'left-over omelette's'; toothpaste; my clothesline not blowing away/ getting twisted in knots; Jinn being there to answer my Avon questions; an unexpected opportunity; Matt's friend from school being at McDonald's playland

9th~ a long chat with Jinn (love you); peaceful day; love of God; happy son; my freedom; being free through submission (or trying to); firewood; a reality check; a helpful state employee; Biblical truths I can stand on; Avon and the hope it brings; choir practice; Lady Pat's friendship; 2nd Ave Apostolic Church; my bed and pillow; Pooh to snuggle

10th~ a sunny morning; Matt's sillies; caramel frappe; refocusing on people/ things that really matter; hearing Matt read proverbs 10 and explain how it applies to his life, then watching his behavior change; a poke from a friend; my daughter being kind; the beginnings of a new plan; Matt cooking me Sloppy Joe's from scratch for lunch; a lot of spring cleaning getting done; finding the right program for our Sunday school kids to sponsor a child :)

11th~ supportive adults at church; Sunday school kids picking a child to sponsor and truly embracing what that means; a good long hug from Lady Pat; quiet afternoon at home; Matt chatting with Antone

12th~ peaceful day at work; true friends; Boy Scout meeting and maybe making friends there; early to bed

13th~ being able to call off work when I am sick; sleeping until 11:00am; Matt making me breakfast in bed; Matt and I snuggling and blowing our noses together all day; Matt being such a good boy; nice conversation with Nancy at Will County Code Enforcement~ she's so sweet :)

14th~ sunny morning; sparrow on the empty chicken run; daffodils blooming; 2 newspapers at the end of the drive; coffee; breakfast; Matt being so sweet; real friends; Dr. Carpenter at JFK; Livingsocial Deals; an apple in my fridge at work; cup of hot green tea with real honey; a church home where we are safe and loved unconditionally; Bible study @ church

15th~ scent of hot coffee brewing wafting down the hall; huge good morning hug from Matt; peace in my heart; a breeze through my office; bills paid; Avon orders coming in; a friend on the phone; a long chat with Mom; Matt being good

16th~ my little snuggle-bug; a quiet neighborhood; sound of a rooster from blocks away; a nice chat with a trusted friend; a surprise planned for Matt; the peace of knowing "This is not my home, not where I belong. Just windows and rooms I'm passing through. This is just a stop on the way to where I'm going. I'm not afraid because I know, this is just my temporary home!" eventually God will move me forward out of this; juice from Abid's store and his sincerity; choir practice; visions; sitting on my bed quietly knitting; bills paid

17th~ pop cans crushed and taken to Berlinsky's by Matt; rent books balancing; Matt's Bible study done; hot oatmeal a la Matt; peaceful office; Teri getting better; Avon order put in early~ then we added to it; visiting Teri at St Joe's Hospital; Irish festival in Plainfield (yummy dinner!); Matt liking the meal at the Irish fest ( Ooooo! I can cook that!); home; fresh sheets; captain attitude in bed in his own room; adding to my Avon order~ again; knowing there has to be some good coming out of this sore throat; new clothes and sheets for Matt; wearing my hair in a pony tail 'cuz I'm only as young as I feel; St Patrick's Day and being Irish

18th~ a sweet boy; coffee; making it to church in time for breakfast; Sunday school children (they make me grow!); innocent letters to Meuni; learning to love each other and lift each other up; church service; serving meals after church; hugs & kisses x 1000 (love church); dinner from church (yummy!); down time at home with my son; visiting a sister church to honor their founding Pastor and First Lady; singing with choir (and knowing all but one song); Sister Joanne and Brother Simon; a peaceful car ride with friends; knowing Matt and I are loved; a sweet boy who is so patient with this old Mommy; a dear friend from my past adding my on facebook; getting Avon fundraiser into computer; a peaceful neighborhood; my pillow

19th~ Matt's sleepy little boy voice; school clothes and work clothes laid out ahead; a simple bowl of grits with a bit of sugar; hot coffee; a minute to breathe; my parkway coming back to life and looking better than I could have dreamed; turnip greens ready to harvest; May Apples up looking magical in my rain garden; 104.7 WBGL; Lady Pat; getting youth group up and running soon

20th~ the promise of Spring; a quiet day; a hike with Lady Pat and Matt; laundry hung out; a peaceful neighborhood; Brea offering a washer and dryer to replace mine that died

21st~ work (having a job); a new Bible (cute and compact to carry along); a quick bath; Lady Pat and Pastor Wallace; Avon being delivered; getting Avon fundraiser items to customers; lady Pat and LaCreshia's help sorting and bagging Avon; a long chat with a friend in Homer Glenn; Matt being so good; my pillow

22nd~ a comfy bed; my pillow; a morning breeze; Matt being sweet; driving Matt to school as that gives us time to really talk; customers being patient as not all the Avon orders were bagged correctly; finding all the 'missing' items so they can be delivered quickly; Candi being so sweet; Aiden spending time with me and not wanting to leave me; playing cars with Aiden; Boys and Girls Club; Abid stocking my favorite green tea (my tummy's upset and I needed tea); unexpected letter from a friend and it's unexpected tone

23rd~ quiet morning; my soft pillow; Pooh Bear; night rain; Matt's sleepy voice; my job; Avon; my salvation; my cute new Bible; the promise of a 'new' washer and dryer this Saturday; watching Matt read his Bible most of the day; some pop cans getting crushed by Matt; salad for lunch; 'a coke and a smile'; mileage logs; customers; hope; an evening of 'double scrubbing' my house tonight; my cute new Bible; watching everything play itself out; staying on track; the staff at Joliet Boys and Girls Club for taking such an interest in Matt's future;

24th~ a sweet boy; a 'new' washer; a friend who responded to our need (Thank You!); a scavenger; valves holding; Matt doctoring my toe after I dropped the washer on it; a chance to deep clean behind washer and dryer (hadn't been done for three months); a quiet evening at home; snuggling with Matt

25th~ Sunday school children and all the hope they hold; Ashante's letter to Mueni; Youth Group falling into place; Lady Pat and her friendship; a working washing machine; my clothesline; knitting hats for MorningStar Mission; Matt reading Proverbs 26 to me; my DVD player and DVDs; getting a letter written to a friend

26th~ fresh hot coffee; bacon and eggs; Matt sewing a patch on his Boy Scout uniform; salad for lunch; Avon orders (hope); groceries gifted to us; listening to Matt's chatter while I work; cold coca-cola; Boys and Girls club; Will County Center for Community Concerns

31st~ hope; true friends I can count on; my Jeep; Avon; my clothes line; opportunity; groceries; a sweet man; Lady Pat; my blog; permission to start youth group; 1000 youth group ideas running through my head; Matt helping Teri & Del clean their apartment for his Sunday school homework;

Joy Dare March 2012

1) 3 gifts at 3:00pm~ peace; a kind word from a friend; fire wood from a friend
2) 3 gifts green~ daffodils; Avon money; peas
3) 3 gifts wore~ bandana; cuddle duds; humility
4) 3 gifts hard to give thanks for~ unexplained blessings; child early to bed; chickens in a happy home
5) 3 gifts found~ a true friend; a caring solid leader; strength
6) a gift bent, a gift broken and a gift beautiful~ fence; financial plans; freshly made bed
7) 3 gifts in the kitchen~ hot coffee; green tea with honey; my church family
8) 3 gifts loud~ Jeep radio playing 104.7 WBGL; wind around my office window; McDonald's Playland w/ Matt to catch up paperwork :)
9) 3 gifts carved~ doubt from my heart; firewood; the hill my house is on
10) 3 gifts in Christ~ a kind word from Lady Pat; Matt reading Proverbs 10 to me; World Vision
11) 3 gifts read~ Sunday school homework; Bible; 'Have a New Kid by Friday'
12) a gift in wind, in water, in white~ warm breeze; laundry done; socks mated
13) 3 gifts round~ Matt cooking homemade 'egg mcmuffins'; God's never-ending love for us; coffee pot
14) 3 gifts found in silence~ peaceful neighborhood this morning; my office (where I'm not allowed to talk); focus on my family's future God's way
15) 3 gifts given away~ my heart; my plans to be replaced by His plans; the other half of my bed and time to myself (as Matt curled up next to me)
16) 3 hard Eucharistoes (daily pursuit to recognize His blessings)~ isolation (even though I see what it is preparation for); my job on a day I'd rather be in my garden; choir practice
17) a gift turned,a gift folded, a gift hung~ oatmeal in microwave; new clothes for Matt; pretty dress for church tomorrow
18) 3 gifts red~ Matt's shirt for church; head piece; choir robe lapel
19) 3 gifts eaten~ coffee; home made grits; Bumble Bee Chicken Salad with crackers
20) 3 gifts that made you laugh~ Aiden; Matt at Pilcher Park; chatting with my sister
21) a gift salty, a gift sweet, a gift just right~ bacon; fresh, hot coffee; an unexpected phone call from a friend
22) 3 gifts found in His Word~ my head covering (1 Cor. 11:10); "Train up a child.." (Prov. 22:6); "... let him deny himself..." (Matt 16:24)
23) 3 gifts found in women today~ humbleness; humor; hope
24) 3 gifts spoken~ Avon orders over the phone; words of a visiting friend;
25) a gift sung,a gift written, a gift painted~ hymns; Ashante's letter to Mueni; the sanctuary
26) 3 gifts almost gone~ the wait; milk; disorder
27) 3 gifts redeemed~ my will; my plans; feeling lost
28) 3 gifts entwined~ hearts for Jesus; love for eachother; church family
29) 3 gifts of His promises~ calling; salvation; safety 
30) 3 gifts uncovered~ a fun job; true friends; inner peace 
31) a gift heard, a gift held, a gift hoped for~ a dear friends' kind voice; my son in a sleepy hug; his faithfulness

Day 91/ 366


Wedding preps :)

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Day 91/ 366



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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Day 87/ 366



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Grey Water Garden


Hi! Here's my grey water garden...
It's prettier in bloom, though! ((hugs))

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Day 87/ 366



Almost done mowing out back.
Trying to figure out why the laundry water isn't flowing through my grey water garden!
(I had the laundry water draining into the sewer, not the grey water garden~ because I wasn't paying attention when I installed the new washer!)

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Day 87/ 366



A bit of yard work while the sun shines! Raking and mowing out back while I wait for the weed eater battery to charge. Carried in 5 loads of laundry to fold (after dark while I watch a movie) and hung out 2 washed comfortors. A load of towels waits to be hung and a load of darks has just gone into the washer.
Funny how so many ordinary bits and pieces come together to make a happy comfortable home!

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Day 87/ 366



My lunch!

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Day 87/ 366



Matt's lunch~ lettuce w/ pieces of chicken and tomato-bacon salad dressing~ Yummy!

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Monday, March 26, 2012

Be Grateful Challenge~ March 2012



March 2012
6th~ true friends; my pillow; the wind; my house; my job; Grant at 'H and R Block' in Sears in Joliet
7th~ my son's hugs; my daughter's smile; my customers; coffee; washing machine; 55F in the morning; Avon being delivered; bookkeeper at home office being consistently friendly; kind words from coworkers; God; my salvation; Lady Pat; an unexpected opportunity; Michael visiting our church for Bible study; Eme and Idara; a young lady being good at Bible study so she can join us in Sunday school; my church home and how welcome every visitor feels!
8th~ morning snuggles with Matt; silly waving; rain; a light breeze; text from a friend; coffee; 'left-over omelette's'; toothpaste; my clothesline not blowing away/ getting twisted in knots; Jinn being there to answer my Avon questions; an unexpected opportunity; Matt's friend from school being at McDonald's playland

9th~ a long chat with Jinn (love you); peaceful day; love of God; happy son; my freedom; being free through submission (or trying to); firewood; a reality check; a helpful state employee; Biblical truths I can stand on; Avon and the hope it brings; choir practice; Lady Pat's friendship; 2nd Ave Apostolic Church; my bed and pillow; Pooh to snuggle

10th~ a sunny morning; Matt's sillies; caramel frappe; refocusing on people/ things that really matter; hearing Matt read proverbs 10 and explain how it applies to his life, then watching his behavior change; a poke from a friend; my daughter being kind; the beginnings of a new plan; Matt cooking me Sloppy Joe's from scratch for lunch; a lot of spring cleaning getting done; finding the right program for our Sunday school kids to sponsor a child :)

11th~ supportive adults at church; Sunday school kids picking a child to sponsor and truly embracing what that means; a good long hug from Lady Pat; quiet afternoon at home; Matt chatting with Antone

12th~ peaceful day at work; true friends; Boy Scout meeting and maybe making friends there; early to bed

13th~ being able to call off work when I am sick; sleeping until 11:00am; Matt making me breakfast in bed; Matt and I snuggling and blowing our noses together all day; Matt being such a good boy; nice conversation with Nancy at Will County Code Enforcement~ she's so sweet :)

14th~ sunny morning; sparrow on the empty chicken run; daffodils blooming; 2 newspapers at the end of the drive; coffee; breakfast; Matt being so sweet; real friends; Dr. Carpenter at JFK; Livingsocial Deals; an apple in my fridge at work; cup of hot green tea with real honey; a church home where we are safe and loved unconditionally; Bible study @ church

15th~ scent of hot coffee brewing wafting down the hall; huge good morning hug from Matt; peace in my heart; a breeze through my office; bills paid; Avon orders coming in; a friend on the phone; a long chat with Mom; Matt being good

16th~ my little snuggle-bug; a quiet neighborhood; sound of a rooster from blocks away; a nice chat with a trusted friend; a surprise planned for Matt; the peace of knowing "This is not my home, not where I belong. Just windows and rooms I'm passing through. This is just a stop on the way to where I'm going. I'm not afraid because I know, this is just my temporary home!" eventually God will move me forward out of this; juice from Abid's store and his sincerity; choir practice; visions; sitting on my bed quietly knitting; bills paid

17th~ pop cans crushed and taken to Berlinsky's by Matt; rent books balancing; Matt's Bible study done; hot oatmeal a la Matt; peaceful office; Teri getting better; Avon order put in early~ then we added to it; visiting Teri at St Joe's Hospital; Irish festival in Plainfield (yummy dinner!); Matt liking the meal at the Irish fest ( Ooooo! I can cook that!); home; fresh sheets; captain attitude in bed in his own room; adding to my Avon order~ again; knowing there has to be some good coming out of this sore throat; new clothes and sheets for Matt; wearing my hair in a pony tail 'cuz I'm only as young as I feel; St Patrick's Day and being Irish

18th~ a sweet boy; coffee; making it to church in time for breakfast; Sunday school children (they make me grow!); innocent letters to Meuni; learning to love eachother and lift eachother up; church service; serving meals after church; hugs & kisses x 1000 (love church); dinner from church (yummy!); down time at home with my son; visiting a sister church to honor their founding Pastor and First Lady; singing with choir (and knowing all but one song); Sister Joanne and Brother Simon; a peaceful car ride with friends; knowing Matt and I are loved; a sweet boy who is so patient with this old Mommy; a dear friend from my past adding my on facebook; getting Avon fundraiser into computer; a peaceful neighborhood; my pillow

19th~ Matt's sleepy little boy voice; school clothes and work clothes laid out ahead; a simple bowl of grits witha bit of sugar; hot coffee; a minute to breathe; my parkway coming back to life and looking better than I could have dreamed; turnip greens ready to harvest; May Apples up looking magical in my rain garden; 104.7 WBGL; Lady Pat; getting youth group up and running soon

20th~ the promise of Spring; a quiet day; a hike with Lady Pat and Matt; laundry hung out; a peaceful neighborhood; Brea offering a washer and dryer to replace mine that died

21st~ work (having a job); a new Bible (cute and compact to carry along); a quick bath; Lady Pat and Pastor Wallace; Avon being delivered; getting Avon fundraiser items to customers; lady Pat and LaCreshia's help sorting and bagging Avon; a long chat with a friend in Homer Glenn; Matt being so good; my pillow

22nd~ a comfy bed; my pillow; a morning breeze; Matt being sweet; driving Matt to school as that gives us time to really talk; customers being patient as not all the Avon orders were bagged correctly; finding all the 'missing' items so they can be delivered quickly; Candi being so sweet; Aiden spending time with me and not wanting to leave me; playing cars with Aiden; Boys and Girls Club; Abid stocking my favorite green tea (my tummy's upset and I needed tea); unexpected letter from a friend and it's unexpected tone

23rd~ quiet morning; my soft pillow; Pooh Bear; night rain; Matt's sleepy voice; my job; Avon; my salvation; my cute new Bible; the promise of a 'new' washer and dryer this Saturday; watching Matt read his Bible most of the day; some pop cans getting crushed by Matt; salad for lunch; 'a coke and a smile'; milage logs; customers; hope; an evening of 'double scrubbing' my house tonight; my cute new Bible; watching everything play itself out; staying on track; the staff at Joliet Boys and Girls Club for taking such an interest in Matt's future;

24th~ a sweet boy; a 'new' washer; a friend who responded to our need (Thank You!); a scavenger; valves holding; Matt doctoring my toe after I dropped the washer on it; a chance to deep clean behind washer and dryer (hadn't been done for three months); a quiet evening at home; snuggling with Matt

25th~ Sunday school children and all the hope they hold; Ashante's letter to Mueni; Youth Group falling into place; Lady Pat and her friendship; a working washing machine; my clothesline; knitting hats for MorningStar Mission; Matt reading Proverbs 26 to me; my DVD player and DVD's; getting a letter written to a friend

26th~ fresh hot coffee; bacon and eggs; Matt sewing a patch on his Boy Scout uniform; salad for lunch; Avon orders (hope); groceries gifted to us; listening to Matt's chatter while I work; cold coca-cola; Boys & Girls club; Will County Center for Community Concerns;

Joy Dare~ March 2012

1) 3 gifts at 3:00pm~ peace; a kind word from a friend; fire wood from a friend
2) 3 gifts green~ daffodils; Avon money; peas
3) 3 gifts wore~ bandana; cuddle duds; humility
4) 3 gifts hard to give thanks for~ unexplained blessings; child early to bed; chickens in a happy home
5) 3 gifts found~ a true friend; a caring solid leader; strength
6) a gift bent, a gift broken and a gift beautiful~ fence; financial plans; freshly made bed
7) 3 gifts in the kitchen~ hot coffee; green tea with honey; my church family
8) 3 gifts loud~ Jeep radio playing 104.7 WBGL; wind around my office window; McDonald's Playland w/ Matt to catch up paperwork :)
9) 3 gifts carved~ doubt from my heart; firewood; the hill my house is on
10) 3 gifts in Christ~ a kind word from Lady Pat; Matt reading Proverbs 10 to me; World Vision
11) 3 gifts read~ Sunday school homework; Bible; 'Have a New Kid by Friday'
12) a gift in wind, in water, in white~ warm breeze; laundry done; socks mated
13) 3 gifts round~ Matt cooking homemade 'egg mcmuffins'; God's never-ending love for us; coffee pot
14) 3 gifts found in silence~ peaceful neighborhood this morning; my office (where I'm not allowed to talk); focus on my family's future God's way
15) 3 gifts given away~ my heart; my plans to be replaced by His plans; the other half of my bed and time to myself (as Matt curled up next to me)
16) 3 hard Eucharistoes (daily pursuit to recognize His blessings)~ isolation (even though I see what it is preparation for); my job on a day I'd rather be in my garden; choir practice
17) a gift turned,a gift folded, a gift hung~ oatmeal in microwave; new clothes for Matt; pretty dress for church tomorrow
18) 3 gifts red~ Matt's shirt for church; head piece; choir robe lapel
19) 3 gifts eaten~ coffee; home made grits; Bumble Bee Chicken Salad with crackers
20) 3 gifts that made you laugh~ Aiden; Matt at Pilcher Park; chatting with my sister
21) a gift salty, a gift sweet, a gift just right~ bacon; fresh, hot coffee; an unexpected phone call from a friend
22) 3 gifts found in His Word~ my head covering (1 Cor. 11:10); "Train up a child.." (Prov. 22:6); "... let him deny himself..." (Matt 16:24)
23) 3 gifts found in women today~ humbleness; humor; hope
24) 3 gifts spoken~ Avon orders over the phone; words of a visiting friend;
25) a gift sung,a gift written, a gift painted~ hymns; Ashante's letter to Mueni; the sanctuary
26) 3 gifts almost gone~ the wait;
27) 3 gifts redeemed~
28) 3 gifts entwined~
29) 3 gifts of His promises~
30) 3 gifts uncovered~
31) a gift heard, a gift held, a gift hoped for~

Day 86/ 366



Doing a bit of re-organizing and cleaning!
More to come.

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Day 86/ 366



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Day 86/ 366



Matt's report card!

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Saturday, March 24, 2012

Friday, March 23, 2012

Day 84/ 366



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Day 83/ 366



Office in a box!

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Day 83/ 366



I love Avon!

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Be Grateful Challenge~ March 2012




March 2012
6th~ true friends; my pillow; the wind; my house; my job; Grant at 'H and R Block' in Sears in Joliet
7th~ my son's hugs; my daughter's smile; my customers; coffee; washing machine; 55F in the morning; Avon being delivered; bookkeeper at home office being consistently friendly; kind words from coworkers; God; my salvation; Lady Pat; an unexpected opportunity; Michael visiting our church for Bible study; Eme and Idara; a young lady being good at Bible study so she can join us in Sunday school; my church home and how welcome every visitor feels!
8th~ morning snuggles with Matt; silly waving; rain; a light breeze; text from a friend; coffee; 'left-over omelette's'; toothpaste; my clothesline not blowing away/ getting twisted in knots; Jinn being there to answer my Avon questions; an unexpected opportunity; Matt's friend from school being at McDonald's playland

9th~ a long chat with Jinn (love you); peaceful day; love of God; happy son; my freedom; being free through submission (or trying to); firewood; a reality check; a helpful state employee; Biblical truths I can stand on; Avon and the hope it brings; choir practice; Lady Pat's friendship; 2nd Ave Apostolic Church; my bed and pillow; Pooh to snuggle

10th~ a sunny morning; Matt's sillies; caramel frappe; refocusing on people/ things that really matter; hearing Matt read proverbs 10 and explain how it applies to his life, then watching his behavior change; a poke from a friend; my daughter being kind; the beginnings of a new plan; Matt cooking me Sloppy Joe's from scratch for lunch; a lot of spring cleaning getting done; finding the right program for our Sunday school kids to sponsor a child :)

11th~ supportive adults at church; Sunday school kids picking a child to sponsor and truly embracing what that means; a good long hug from Lady Pat; quiet afternoon at home; Matt chatting with Antone

12th~ peaceful day at work; true friends; Boy Scout meeting and maybe making friends there; early to bed

13th~ being able to call off work when I am sick; sleeping until 11:00am; Matt making me breakfast in bed; Matt and I snuggling and blowing our noses together all day; Matt being such a good boy; nice conversation with Nancy at Will County Code Enforcement~ she's so sweet :)

14th~ sunny morning; sparrow on the empty chicken run; daffodils blooming; 2 newspapers at the end of the drive; coffee; breakfast; Matt being so sweet; real friends; Dr. Carpenter at JFK; Livingsocial Deals; an apple in my fridge at work; cup of hot green tea with real honey; a church home where we are safe and loved unconditionally; Bible study @ church

15th~ scent of hot coffee brewing wafting down the hall; huge good morning hug from Matt; peace in my heart; a breeze through my office; bills paid; Avon orders coming in; a friend on the phone; a long chat with Mom; Matt being good

16th~ my little snuggle-bug; a quiet neighborhood; sound of a rooster from blocks away; a nice chat with a trusted friend; a surprise planned for Matt; the peace of knowing "This is not my home, not where I belong. Just windows and rooms I'm passing through. This is just a stop on the way to where I'm going. I'm not afraid because I know, this is just my temporary home!" eventually God will move me forward out of this; juice from Abid's store and his sincerity; choir practice; visions; sitting on my bed quietly knitting; bills paid

17th~ pop cans crushed and taken to Berlinsky's by Matt; rent books balancing; Matt's Bible study done; hot oatmeal a la Matt; peaceful office; Teri getting better; Avon order put in early~ then we added to it; visiting Teri at St Joe's Hospital; Irish festival in Plainfield (yummy dinner!); Matt liking the meal at the Irish fest ( Ooooo! I can cook that!); home; fresh sheets; captain attitude in bed in his own room; adding to my Avon order~ again; knowing there has to be some good coming out of this sore throat; new clothes and sheets for Matt; wearing my hair in a pony tail 'cuz I'm only as young as I feel; St Patrick's Day and being Irish

18th~ a sweet boy; coffee; making it to church in time for breakfast; Sunday school children (they make me grow!); innocent letters to Meuni; learning to love eachother and lift eachother up; church service; serving meals after church; hugs & kisses x 1000 (love church); dinner from church (yummy!); down time at home with my son; visiting a sister church to honor their founding Pastor and First Lady; singing with choir (and knowing all but one song); Sister Joanne and Brother Simon; a peaceful car ride with friends; knowing Matt and I are loved; a sweet boy who is so patient with this old Mommy; a dear friend from my past adding my on facebook; getting Avon fundraiser into computer; a peaceful neighborhood; my pillow

19th~ Matt's sleepy little boy voice; school clothes and work clothes laid out ahead; a simple bowl of grits witha bit of sugar; hot coffee; a minute to breathe; my parkway coming back to life and looking better than I could have dreamed; turnip greens ready to harvest; May Apples up looking magical in my rain garden; 104.7 WBGL; Lady Pat; getting youth group up and running soon

20th~ the promise of Spring; a quiet day; a hike with Lady Pat and Matt; laundry hung out; a peaceful neighborhood; Brea offering a washer and dryer to replace mine that died

21st~ work (having a job); a new Bible (cute and compact to carry along); a quick bath; Lady Pat and Pastor Wallace; Avon being delivered; getting Avon fundraiser items to customers; lady Pat and LaCreshia's help sorting and bagging Avon; a long chat with a friend in Homer Glenn; Matt being so good; my pillow

22nd~ a comfy bed; my pillow; a morning breeze; Matt being sweet; driving Matt to school as that gives us time to really talk; customers being patient as not all the Avon orders were bagged correctly; finding all the 'missing' items so they can be delivered quickly; Candi being so sweet; Aiden spending time with me and not wanting to leave me; playing cars with Aiden; Boys and Girls Club; Abid stocking my favorite green tea (my tummy's upset and I needed tea); unexpected letter from a friend and it's unexpected tone

23rd~ quiet morning; my soft pillow; Pooh Bear; night rain; Matt's sleepy voice; my job; Avon; my salvation; my cute new Bible; the promise of a 'new' washer and dryer this Saturday; watching Matt read his Bible most of the day; some pop cans getting crushed by Matt; salad for lunch; 'a coke and a smile'; milage logs; customers; hope; an evening of 'double scrubbing' my house tonight; my cute new Bible; watching everything play itself out; staying on track; the staff at Joliet Boys and Girls Club for taking such an interest in Matt's future;

Joy Dare~ March 2012

1) 3 gifts at 3:00pm~ peace; a kind word from a friend; fire wood from a friend
2) 3 gifts green~ daffodils; Avon money; peas
3) 3 gifts wore~ bandana; cuddle duds; humility
4) 3 gifts hard to give thanks for~ unexplained blessings; child early to bed; chickens in a happy home
5) 3 gifts found~ a true friend; a caring solid leader; strength
6) a gift bent, a gift broken and a gift beautiful~ fence; financial plans; freshly made bed
7) 3 gifts in the kitchen~ hot coffee; green tea with honey; my church family
8) 3 gifts loud~ Jeep radio playing 104.7 WBGL; wind around my office window; McDonald's Playland w/ Matt to catch up paperwork :)
9) 3 gifts carved~ doubt from my heart; firewood; the hill my house is on
10) 3 gifts in Christ~ a kind word from Lady Pat; Matt reading Proverbs 10 to me; World Vision
11) 3 gifts read~ Sunday school homework; Bible; 'Have a New Kid by Friday'
12) a gift in wind, in water, in white~ warm breeze; laundry done; socks mated
13) 3 gifts round~ Matt cooking homemade 'egg mcmuffins'; God's never-ending love for us; coffee pot
14) 3 gifts found in silence~ peaceful neighborhood this morning; my office (where I'm not allowed to talk); focus on my family's future God's way
15) 3 gifts given away~ my heart; my plans to be replaced by His plans; the other half of my bed and time to myself (as Matt curled up next to me)
16) 3 hard Eucharistoes (daily pursuit to recognize His blessings)~ isolation (even though I see what it is preparation for); my job on a day I'd rather be in my garden; choir practice
17) a gift turned,a gift folded, a gift hung~ oatmeal in microwave; new clothes for Matt; pretty dress for church tomorrow
18) 3 gifts red~ Matt's shirt for church; head piece; choir robe lapel
19) 3 gifts eaten~ coffee; home made grits; Bumble Bee Chicken Salad with crackers
20) 3 gifts that made you laugh~ Aiden; Matt at Pilcher Park; chatting with my sister
21) a gift salty, a gift sweet, a gift just right~ bacon; fresh, hot coffee; an unexpected phone call from a friend
22) 3 gifts found in His Word~ my head covering (1 Cor. 11:10); "Train up a child.." (Prov. 22:6); "... let him deny himself..." (Matt 16:24)
23) 3 gifts found in women today~ humbleness; humor; hope
24) 3 gifts spoken~
25) a gift sung,a gift written, a gift painted~
26) 3 gifts almost gone~
27) 3 gifts redeemed~
28) 3 gifts entwined~
29) 3 gifts of His promises~
30) 3 gifts uncovered~
31) a gift heard, a gift held, a gift hoped for~


Day 83/ 366

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Day 83/ 366
Joliet Boys and Girls Club has taken an amazing interest in Matt's success and I just want to say a heartfelt, "Thank You!"

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Joy Dare~ March 2012

1) 3 gifts at 3:00pm~ peace; a kind word from a friend; fire wood from a friend
2) 3 gifts green~ daffodils; Avon money; peas
3) 3 gifts wore~ bandana; cuddle duds; humility
4) 3 gifts hard to give thanks for~ unexplained blessings; child early to bed; chickens in a happy home
5) 3 gifts found~ a true friend; a caring solid leader; strength
6) a gift bent, a gift broken and a gift beautiful~ fence; financial plans; freshly made bed
7) 3 gifts in the kitchen~ hot coffee; green tea with honey; my church family
8) 3 gifts loud~ Jeep radio playing 104.7 WBGL; wind around my office window; McDonald's Playland w/ Matt to catch up paperwork :)
9) 3 gifts carved~ doubt from my heart; firewood; the hill my house is on
10) 3 gifts in Christ~ a kind word from Lady Pat; Matt reading Proverbs 10 to me; World Vision
11) 3 gifts read~ Sunday school homework; Bible; 'Have a New Kid by Friday'
12) a gift in wind, in water, in white~ warm breeze; laundry done; socks mated
13) 3 gifts round~ Matt cooking homemade 'egg mcmuffins'; God's never-ending love for us; coffee pot
14) 3 gifts found in silence~ peaceful neighborhood this morning; my office (where I'm not allowed to talk); focus on my family's future God's way
15) 3 gifts given away~ my heart; my plans to be replaced by His plans; the other half of my bed and time to myself (as Matt curled up next to me)
16) 3 hard Eucharistoes (daily pursuit to recognize His blessings)~ isolation (even though I see what it is preparation for); my job on a day I'd rather be in my garden; choir practice
17) a gift turned,a gift folded, a gift hung~ oatmeal in microwave; new clothes for Matt; pretty dress for church tomorrow
18) 3 gifts red~ Matt's shirt for church; head piece; choir robe lapel
19) 3 gifts eaten~ coffee; home made grits; Bumble Bee Chicken Salad with crackers
20) 3 gifts that made you laugh~ Aiden; Matt at Pilcher Park; chatting with my sister
21) a gift salty, a gift sweet, a gift just right~ bacon; fresh, hot coffee; an unexpected phone call from a friend
22) 3 gifts found in His Word~ my head covering (1 Cor. 11:10); "Train up a child.." (Prov. 22:6);
23) 3 gifts found in women today~
24) 3 gifts spoken~
25) a gift sung,a gift written, a gift painted~
26) 3 gifts almost gone~
27) 3 gifts redeemed~
28) 3 gifts entwined~
29) 3 gifts of His promises~
30) 3 gifts uncovered~
31) a gift heard, a gift held, a gift hoped for~

Be Grateful Challenge~ March 2012




March 2012
6th~ true friends; my pillow; the wind; my house; my job; Grant at 'H and R Block' in Sears in Joliet
7th~ my son's hugs; my daughter's smile; my customers; coffee; washing machine; 55F in the morning; Avon being delivered; bookkeeper at home office being consistently friendly; kind words from coworkers; God; my salvation; Lady Pat; an unexpected opportunity; Michael visiting our church for Bible study; Eme and Idara; a young lady being good at Bible study so she can join us in Sunday school; my church home and how welcome every visitor feels!
8th~ morning snuggles with Matt; silly waving; rain; a light breeze; text from a friend; coffee; 'left-over omelette's'; toothpaste; my clothesline not blowing away/ getting twisted in knots; Jinn being there to answer my Avon questions; an unexpected opportunity; Matt's friend from school being at McDonald's playland

9th~ a long chat with Jinn (love you); peaceful day; love of God; happy son; my freedom; being free through submission (or trying to); firewood; a reality check; a helpful state employee; Biblical truths I can stand on; Avon and the hope it brings; choir practice; Lady Pat's friendship; 2nd Ave Apostolic Church; my bed and pillow; Pooh to snuggle

10th~ a sunny morning; Matt's sillies; caramel frappe; refocusing on people/ things that really matter; hearing Matt read proverbs 10 and explain how it applies to his life, then watching his behavior change; a poke from a friend; my daughter being kind; the beginnings of a new plan; Matt cooking me Sloppy Joe's from scratch for lunch; a lot of spring cleaning getting done; finding the right program for our Sunday school kids to sponsor a child :)

11th~ supportive adults at church; Sunday school kids picking a child to sponsor and truly embracing what that means; a good long hug from Lady Pat; quiet afternoon at home; Matt chatting with Antone

12th~ peaceful day at work; true friends; Boy Scout meeting and maybe making friends there; early to bed

13th~ being able to call off work when I am sick; sleeping until 11:00am; Matt making me breakfast in bed; Matt and I snuggling and blowing our noses together all day; Matt being such a good boy; nice conversation with Nancy at Will County Code Enforcement~ she's so sweet :)

14th~ sunny morning; sparrow on the empty chicken run; daffodils blooming; 2 newspapers at the end of the drive; coffee; breakfast; Matt being so sweet; real friends; Dr. Carpenter at JFK; Livingsocial Deals; an apple in my fridge at work; cup of hot green tea with real honey; a church home where we are safe and loved unconditionally; Bible study @ church

15th~ scent of hot coffee brewing wafting down the hall; huge good morning hug from Matt; peace in my heart; a breeze through my office; bills paid; Avon orders coming in; a friend on the phone; a long chat with Mom; Matt being good

16th~ my little snuggle-bug; a quiet neighborhood; sound of a rooster from blocks away; a nice chat with a trusted friend; a surprise planned for Matt; the peace of knowing "This is not my home, not where I belong. Just windows and rooms I'm passing through. This is just a stop on the way to where I'm going. I'm not afraid because I know, this is just my temporary home!" eventually God will move me forward out of this; juice from Abid's store and his sincerity; choir practice; visions; sitting on my bed quietly knitting; bills paid

17th~ pop cans crushed and taken to Berlinsky's by Matt; rent books balancing; Matt's Bible study done; hot oatmeal a la Matt; peaceful office; Teri getting better; Avon order put in early~ then we added to it; visiting Teri at St Joe's Hospital; Irish festival in Plainfield (yummy dinner!); Matt liking the meal at the Irish fest ( Ooooo! I can cook that!); home; fresh sheets; captain attitude in bed in his own room; adding to my Avon order~ again; knowing there has to be some good coming out of this sore throat; new clothes and sheets for Matt; wearing my hair in a pony tail 'cuz I'm only as young as I feel; St Patrick's Day and being Irish

18th~ a sweet boy; coffee; making it to church in time for breakfast; Sunday school children (they make me grow!); innocent letters to Meuni; learning to love eachother and lift eachother up; church service; serving meals after church; hugs & kisses x 1000 (love church); dinner from church (yummy!); down time at home with my son; visiting a sister church to honor their founding Pastor and First Lady; singing with choir (and knowing all but one song); Sister Joanne and Brother Simon; a peaceful car ride with friends; knowing Matt and I are loved; a sweet boy who is so patient with this old Mommy; a dear friend from my past adding my on facebook; getting Avon fundraiser into computer; a peaceful neighborhood; my pillow

19th~ Matt's sleepy little boy voice; school clothes and work clothes laid out ahead; a simple bowl of grits witha bit of sugar; hot coffee; a minute to breathe; my parkway coming back to life and looking better than I could have dreamed; turnip greens ready to harvest; May Apples up looking magical in my rain garden; 104.7 WBGL; Lady Pat; getting youth group up and running soon

20th~ the promise of Spring; a quiet day; a hike with Lady Pat and Matt; laundry hung out; a peaceful neighborhood; Brea offering a washer and dryer to replace mine that died

21st~ work (having a job); a new Bible (cute and compact to carry along); a quick bath; Lady Pat and Pastor Wallace; Avon being delivered; getting Avon fundraiser items to customers; lady Pat and LaCreshia's help sorting and bagging Avon; a long chat with a friend in Homer Glenn; Matt being so good; my pillow

22nd~ a comfy bed; my pillow; a morning breeze; Matt being sweet; driving Matt to school as that gives us time to really talk; customers being patient as not all the Avon orders were bagged correctly; finding all the 'missing' items so they can be delivered quickly; Candi being so sweet; Aiden spending time with me and not wanting to leave me; playing cars with Aiden; Boys and Girls Club; Abid stocking my favorite green tea (my tummy's upset and I needed tea);

Day 82/ 366



Sent from my Cricket mobile device

Day 82/ 366



Sent from my Cricket mobile device

Day 82/ 366



Sent from my Cricket mobile device
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