Sitemeter

Those of my faithful readers who are very observant will have noticed that for the last week or so, my blog has not had sitemeter up and running. When I made some changes on my blog last week, I somehow lost my trusty little counter. Checking out this device lets me know that people do actually read my blog, even if they don't comment.
Well, I really wanted to have it back on my blog, but had no idea how to do that. I thought I would have to ask the advice of my brilliant son.
But, lo and behold, with lots of going back and forth between blogger and sitemeter, (drum roll please) I actually figured out how to do it all by myself! (insert applause here.) Course I had to start a new counter, but that is OK. Now I will know how many people have visited since I set up the new sitemeter.
So satisfying to figure out something new!
You can rejoice with those who rejoice.

Sunny days, grilled chicken and comfy shoes...

My heart is full of things I am thankful for:

• Lovely warm sunny days. Yes, we really need rain, and I trust it will come soon, but meanwhile I am enjoying the sun.
• I like grilling chicken! I like eating grilled chicken. I really enjoyed being outside last evening, using my grill, and having us enjoy the results for dinner. And, grilling extra so we can have grilled chicken quesadilla's for dinner tonight. Yum.
• I realized yesterday that I had not noticed sore feet at all on Thursday, my long work day. How thankful I am that the Lord prompted me to get new shoes for work, and had me go to a shoe store I would not normally go to. Those shoes are such a blessing.
• Hubby's delicious meal that he cooked this week. His version of chili...hot dog chili! Very unique and one meal I hope he does again.
• Good laughter at work this week. I am so thankful for the co-workers that the Lord has given to me.
• Enjoying playing "tag", and learning all sorts of random facts about my friends.
• Delighting in the antics of our mocking bird family.
• Treasuring the beauty of hummingbirds. What a joy it is to see those tiny creatures. I am thankful that the Lord gave us hummingbirds.
• Knowing that I can trust God...He is so faithful and trustworthy.
• Enjoying ladies fellowship this week at our monthly women's Bible Study.

Thank you Father for your many blessings.

Tagged

Thanks to the kindness of my daughter, I have been tagged. Here are the rules. I am to share seven random things/facts about myself and tag seven other people, listing them on my blog, and leaving comments on their blogs to let them know they have been tagged.

1. I worked 4 hours this morning, all tucked away quietly in a nice private office. Lovely.

2. I just bought a new plant today, planted it in a fresh pot, and it is now residing on my mantel.

3. I have been 1n 48 states.

4. I learned to spell Massachusetts when I was in 6th grade.

5. My grandmother was blind.

6. My father was born in Jerusalem.

7. I love the color purple.

I now tag Kimberly, Kim K, Mary A, Elaine, Fritha, Brandon, and Rachel A

And, I echo Penny's disclaimer...if you really don't like to do these things that is OK...I will still like you.

Thankful for ....

I am so thankful that the Lord gives us the ability to enjoy things...especially His incredible creation. I have been getting such joy watching birds this week. Those tiny little hummers...this morning one was just sitting on the feeder for the longest time and I got so much blessing just taking time to watch him.
And, our little mockingbird family...we found out there are actually 3 babies, not 2. I feel quite honored that the mama feels safe enough in our back yard that she is bringing her family to enjoy it. She is acting like a typical frazzled overworked mother as she tries to watch them, feed them suet, catch worms for them, and in general training them in the way they should go.
And then there are the house finches, the gold finches, the meadowlarks, the red-winged blackbirds...what joy there is in seeing these all these birds. He is indeed Good.
Other thankfuls:

• Successfully doing nearly 30 hours of work this week, in 3 days. The Lord really helped and answered prayer as Wednesday looked big to me. I worked until 10 PM both Monday and Tuesday, and then needed to be at work by 8:30 AM on Wednesday. I prayed, He heard and answered, and really blessed the day for me so that it went much better than it could have.
  
• Finding some neat candlesticks for our mantel, painting them, and now enjoying the look, and enjoying the candles burning for awhile this morning.
• Lovely weather...not too hot or humid this past week. Perfect weather for being outside.
• Using my new grass clippers. It was actually fun to get out and do some trimming that needed to be done.
  
• Enjoying our healthy looking rose bushes. I am thankful the Lord created roses! We are still learning how to take care of them in a different climate but it is sure a fun project to be working on. Worth all the effort.
• Finding chocolate creme horns on sale at the store this week. I didn't even know they had the chocolate ones!
  
• Continually being reminded that I can indeed trust my Heavenly Father. I don't have to understand, or like what is going on, but I can trust Him. I am safe in the shelter of His wings, and He is lovingly watching out for - and meeting - my every need.
  

Things that make me happy...

l. Watching hummingbirds at our feeder. And finding out that this feeder is by far the easiest one to clean that I have ever had.

2. Watching a Mama Mockingbird and her two half grown children enjoying life right outside our kitchen window. And having the fun of seeing her feeding them suet. This is one of the children.

3. Spending time today shopping with hubby.

4. Living where we can hear trains, and see them fairly often.

5. "Warm Spiced Apple" scented candles.

Things to be Thankful for...

• Enjoying an inner chuckle when someone asked me this week if New Hampshire was up there near Maryland.
• Three days of work this week.
• Being tired. That means I had things to do, and was busy, and now it is OK to be tired and to have a lovely chance to rest.
• Getting new shoes for work. I figured that coming home from work with very sore feet, and having them ache for a good part of the night afterwards was just the way things were. Then, I got new shoes. Expensive new shoes. Comfortable new shoes. My goodness. What a difference. Thank you Lord for Merrill shoes.
• Coming home from work on Wednesday to discover that hubby and Penny had hung my new mirror over the fireplace. I will have to confess it took me awhile to notice it, but what a fun surprise.
• Agreeing to work for a few hours at another facility for the company I work for. I do not do well in new circumstances, but this place is between receptionists, and the manager was feeling overwhelmed. So, as a favor to my boss I agreed to do it. And, I ended up doing computer work in a nice quiet office by myself, and it was wonderful. Thank you Lord for helping me to step out and do something out of my comfort zone. (Again)
• Having hubby pick me up at work the last two nights and being willing to wait as we closed late both nights. And the nice conversations we had on the way home sharing our days experiences.
• Hubby fixing dinner for me on Wednesday....by taking me out to eat.
• Knowing that the Lord hears our cries and that He answers. I am so grateful for the answers He has brought this past week.
  

Of Pelican's and Gardenia's

We met this interesting resident during our recent visit to Tybee Island. Pelican's are sure interesting creatures.
Thankfuls for this week:

• A multitude of blossoms on my gardenia plant. What fun to live where I can have one in my yard.
• Working four days this week. Three days I only worked 9-2, and found I loved working those hours. Five hours a day somehow seems easier than 10. Hmmm.... But, the Lord gives energy for the 10 hour days as well.
  
• The joy of picking fresh roses to put around the house.
• Shopping with hubby two days this week.
• Really enjoying our purple kitchen. I catch myself giggling when I walk into that room now. Having color on walls is so much fun.
  
• My daughter's willingness to offer to paint rooms for us. Thanks again Penny.
• Appreciating the many ways the Lord shows His love and care.
  
• Rain.
• Chocolate Velvet flavored coffee.
• Warm sunshine.
  

Roses Again

Our roses are now blooming, and this gives you a little idea of what they look like now. It is such a delight to go pick fresh roses when I want to and to have vases of roses all around the house.

And, again, the picture does not do them justice...so, you must come to see them in person. Come on over, enjoy the roses with us.

From front to back, you are seeing Double Delight, Veteran's Honor, Gemini, Peace, Aromatherapy, and Blue Moon.

Of Purple Paint

Our kitchen is now two shades of purple. For my birthday my incredible, wonderful, talented daughter offered to paint some rooms in our home. This is the result of her efforts yesterday, along with the very capable assistance of Katie. What fun to actually have some color on our walls, and not plain generic white or off white. They did the kitchen and back hall, plus a little in the Master Bath. Thank you Penny and Katie!
And, for your info, the pictures do not do the colors justice. You really need to come and see it in person! So, come on and see it for yourself.