Hide and Pounce

Warning- for those who might ever visit our home. One of our residents likes to play "Hide and Pounce". This is a game this clever little person plays at very unexpected times, night or day. I am not sure if he came up with the idea of the game himself, or was taught it by the other male resident of our home (aka known as hubby)
The idea of the game is to hide behind a wall, bed, couch, fireplace, or any object that will hide you from the unsuspecting person approaching, then at the appropriate time jump out and scare said unsuspecting person. He is not always very clever about the hiding part- he might leave his tail poking out from under the bed for instance. In other words I usually have fair warning that the game is being played so that I can prepare my nerves.
However last evening I was quietly minding my own business, heading into our room from the hall. At this point it was rather late in the day, I was rather tired, and unusually unsuspecting. Next thing I knew this person jumped out from his hiding place, attacked my foot and in general made it known that it was play time. I was amused...after I got over the shock and surprise.
It can be very interesting having a cat that likes to play games. But not always easy for one's nervous system.

Still Thankful

At the end of another week, I find my heart once again full of thankfuls:

• Successfully finishing another week of work- learning more, and becoming more relaxed, and actually enjoying my days.
• Knowing that my next scheduled work is not until October 5th- my part time work really is only part time, even if I have been working full time the last 2 months.
• Finding a new Mexican restaurant and really enjoying the food.
• Still savoring the marvelous truths in the first 3 verses of Psalm 23.
• Having my hubby do the vacuuming, including spot cleaning the carpet where it needs it.
  
• Anticipating a trip to a colder climate in a few days.
• Having the weather cool enough here so that I could actually eat my lunch outside some this week.
• Finding a good heart connection with a co-worker - she really loves the Lord and it shows. We can share verses, and experiences, ....and some great laughter.
• Starting to read "One Clear Call".
• Enjoying some lovely colors in the sky as the sun was rising yesterday morning.
• Really grateful for the falling gas prices. $2.07 was the latest low that we saw!!!!!!

Falling Prices

We are really enjoying watching the price of gas continuing to fall. Today hubby noticed it down to $2.13 a gallon. Wow!

We were wondering what prices were doing around other areas of the country.

Let us know!

Thankfuls From Another Week

I am very thankful for:

• Spending time with friends at dinner last evening and enjoying good food and Christian felowship. That was an unexpeted bonus in our week.
• A hubby that loads and unloads the dishwasher.
• Finding out that I am finally relaxed and enjoying work more, and recognizing that I have a congeniel group of co-workers.
  
• Coming home last evening to see more progress in the process of weed killing and fixing up our landscaping, thanks to hubby, and DA.
• Enjoying meditating on Psalm 23 and reveling in the fact that my Shepherd does care and leads me to the places He knows I need to be in. And, finding that green pastures and still waters abound, even in the midst of challanging things.
• Two library books to read this weekend.
• A lovely day of rain one day this week. And enjoying the sound of rain on our roof in the middle of the night.
• Having a Sabbath day so that I can relax and get refreshed and renewed.
• Enjoying some wonderful Dark Chocolate one evening after a quick stop at the grocery store for a couple of things we needed. ( I just "happened" to see the chocolate as I was waiting at the checkout.....)
  

The Price of Gas

Last evening hubby and I were doing some errands, and we noticed something startling.

Gas was $2.29!!!!! Amazing! It has been very interesting in recent weeks to see the prices creeping downward. A few short weeks ago we were paying $3.00 a gallon.

May the downward trend continue.

My Thankfuls

• Taking time to enjoy a fresh picked rose from our white rose bush. There was a little pink on the edge of one or two petals, the aroma was delightful, and it was such a joy to me to hold that rose, and marvel on the goodness of my Heavenly Father that created all that beauty, and allowed me to enjoy it. God is Good.
  
• Realizing that there are many aspects of my work that I really enjoy. It is tiring, and can get frustrating, but I am so thankful that the Lord provided what He knew I needed, not what I thought I needed. I was able to have a good talk with my manager this week, and that helped as well. God is Good.
  
• Enjoying Women's Bible Study/Fellowship at our home this past Wednesday evening. I am so thankful for each of the ladies who attended, and the way the Lord blessed the time. God is Good.
• Enjoying seeing the results of hubby's work in the yard. I am impressed. God is Good.
  
• Enjoying an unexpeted visit with friends last evening- they were coming out of the restaurant that we were heading into, so we had a lovely long visit. God is Good.
• Making more firm plans for our upcoming trip to New Hampshire. Yeah! God is Good.
• Enjoying a day of rest. God is Good.
• Wishing that I had taken a picture of the spider that was on the wall last Wednesday. He was not small. Hubby was fast asleep. I was not happy. Hairspray only momentarily stops spiders. Thick paper towels applied with enough pressure over spiders is very effective. Sigh. (yes, God is Good even for giving us spiders)
• Enjoying a wonderous bright full moon on my way to work yesterday morning. Getting to work by 7 AM means I arrive while it is still dark. But, that made it possible for me to enjoy that view of the moon that I would not have been able to enjoy if I had been still at home sleeping! God is Good!
  

Another Week Finished

My Thankfuls for this past week:

• A very stressful week has been completed.
• Actually having two days off in the middle of the week- what luxery! I was fighting a sore throat/cold, so it felt really good to not have to struggle with work for those two days.
• The joy of a cloudy cooler morning so that I could enjoy my Wisteria scented YC - it has been awhile since I burned it - it smells so good!
• Two-yes, two- Krispy Kreme creme filled chocolate iced donuts for breakfast this morning.
  
• Living near a Cracker Barrel restaurant/gift shop.
• Enjoying small portions of Psalms, and meditating on a few verses. Sometimes I tend to take in too much of His Word at once, so it has been a great joy to stay focused on just a phrase or two
  
• Actually having a whole hour for lunch yesterday and having it cool enough to sit in my car, eat lunch, and enjoy reading a book in the peace and quiet.
• Finding out about a marvelous coffee shop and enjoying the same with my daughter. Three cheers for iced mocha latte with raspberry flavor.
• Realizing that it is possible we will be able to go to NH the end of this month. (Even if it will be much colder than I am used to at the moment!)
• Enjoying "color week" on various blogs- so much fun.
• Rejoicing that in spite of what I have read on a couple of other blogs, I have as yet to see a cockroach since we moved south. If I found one in my shoe as somebody I know did, the scream would be heard for many miles I am sure.
  

Friday - White

Well, here is my offering for white/black day. This has been fun finding things to take pictures of around the house. Thanks Liane for giving us color week.

Thursday - Blue

Another one of my mugs from Victoria, BC. One of my favorites!

And, since I couldn't decide which of my blue photos to show, I am including two today. I figured if Liane could post more than one, I could as well.

Actually I am posting this Wednesday evening, as I am leaving for work at 6:35 AM in the morning and don't want to be posting at that time of day.



I love the blues and whites on this shelf. These are collected from various places, including Holland! (Thanks to Penny for that one!)

Wednesday - Red

Happy red Wednesday. This is my favorite mug- which I found in a lovely china shop in Victoria, BC.

Tuesday- Green

My lovely big green plant. Wish you could see it - the picture does not do it justice. Enjoy!

Color Week: Monday-Yellow

I have decided to participate in Liane's Color Week- posting a daily picture of something in my house that shows the color of the day.

Here is my choice for yellow- a color not much found in my house!


Come on over for a cup of tea.

Thankfuls-Again

• Dark Chocolate candy bar for Sabbath treat.
• Enjoying some good southern comfort foood- chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes with white gravy, fresh biscuits, fried apples etc. (Thanks to a lovely local restaurant)
• Hubby buying an edger for our yard and having the energy to use it. And now we are enjoying lovely edged lawn!
• Spying a new pansy plant in my back yard! I pulled the old ones out weeks ago, as they do not do well in the summer heat. What a surprise to find a new healthy looking plant with lovely fresh blooms.
• Picking fresh roses.
• Good Christian fiction at our local library- and being able to put on reserve the ones I want to read.
• Finding the comfort and help I need when I take refuge in the shelter of His Wings.
• Exploring some more local roads on our way home from the library today.
• Thinking about planting some fresh flowers for the fall and winter.
  

Things To Be Thankful For This Week

• Seeing Bluebirds in our back yard a few days ago. (And, no, I did not take this picture! ) It was such a lift to my spirits to see those beautiful birds.
• Visitng with friends from the north on two different evenings. Friends are so encouraging!
• Having hubby help out with cleaning and doing extra things around the house while I am working every day.
• Having the Lord help us to find the solution to what has been causing hubby's cough, and seeing a big improvemnt this week.
• The Lord protecting my mother when she fell again this week.
• Eating lunch outside yesterday at work, and having good fellowship with co-workers.
• Enjoying the lovely fresh paint on my daughter's walls. She did such a great job! I love the stripes she did.
• Knowing that the Lord is in control, and I can trust Him and need have no fear. He is so good, and His timing is perfect.
  

Sunset

Recently I enjoyed looking at a lovely sunset through the glass on our front door. The colors were so special- I am glad I have some pictures to remember the beauty. God is good to give us so many neat colors and shades and beauty around us.

Max

Max wanted to wave to everybody and say hi.

Sabbath Thankfuls

• I am so thankful for a day of rest. After a busy week, it is such a blessing to be able to slow down and take it easy. God is good.
• I am thankful for the reality of the truth. Isaiah 41:10 has been so precious to me this week. I need have no fear, and He is with me, strengthening me where I need it. This verse has meant so much to me in the past, and it is so awesome to have it all fresh and new and alive again this week. God is good.
• I am thankful for a cat who loves to sit in my lap and purr his little heart out in his contentment to be with me. And that he puts up with my combing his fur- actually seems to love it! It amazes me how much hair I can get with a few swipes of the comb!
• I am thankful that the one computer program at work that seemed to be stumping my intelligence (or lack thereof), finally clicked this week. (hubby did some extra praying, and the Lord graciously answered)
• I am thankful for some lovely colors in the morning sky yesterday. God is good to give us such incredible colors to enjoy.
• I am thankful for blogs which help me to keep in touch with friends and relatives that I love. I enjoy hearing about escapades on roller coasters, camping trips, whale watching, bowling and all the other wonderful things that appear. (I won't try to give examples from everyone or this would never end! But I do read many blogs!)
  
• I am thankful for a wonderful Christian lady at work - I really enjoy working with her.
• I am thankful for supplies to make cards with - it is a great stress reliever to sit and relax and design some new cards, and then make them.
• I am thankful for the Lord's love and forgiveness and mercy.
  

A New Post

I have been sitting here trying to come up with a wonderful exciting new post, but alas, nothing earth shattering comes to mind, so this will be more of a ramble I guess.
This has been a busy week at work learning some of the 5,670,970 details needed to be learned. ( I might have slightly exaggerated the number....it might be only 4,978,432) I am actually finding out that when I answer the phone at work, I do know some of the answers!
My brain is on overload, but I am so thankful for the weekend and some wonderful down time. Three cheers for the Sabbath.
This morning hubby and I went to the libary, and explored some new roads. It is so neat to find new short cuts, to get out on some back roads, and see new sights. There sure are lots of places to explore. One nice benefit of living in a new area- lots more back roads to explore!
And, I continue to have so many things to be thankful for. God is good, bringing along just the right verse/verses to meet up to date needs. He does hear us when we cry out to Him.
So, Praise the Lord for another successful week....and my first paycheck!

More Thankfuls

• The sound of rain pounding on the skylight of the lobby where I am working.
• My first full week of training finished.
• Knowing that I know much more now about the job than I did at the first of the week, and am feeling much more comfortable answering phones and working on the computer.
  
• The people at work are very patient with me even when I a make mistakes.
  
• Having my hubby take me out for dinner last evening so that I didn't have to cook at the end of a long week.
• Having my hubby help with cleaning. He does a great job vacumming the floors, and even spot cleaning where it is needed.
• The fun of having Max come sit in my lap purring his little heart out after I have been away all day. He really seems to like to have me home.
• Having fun using Firefox and figuring out tabs. I am impressed.
• Having good library books to read.
• Reading blogs and feeling connected with so many friends. I do not comment much, but sure do enjoy every one.
• Our son who celebrated a birthday this week. What a wonderful gift from the Lord he is.
• Picking a fresh white rose to enjoy.
• Last, at least on this list, I am thankful for God's Word, and the aliveness of it each day.
  

First Week at My New Job

They say the first week at a new job is always the hardest. So, I have lived through the first week! I am sure it will get easier, and I will be more relaxed when I go back in on Monday. And, I am amazed at what I have learned already.

Monday was my first day, and was just orientation. A day full of policies, rules, etc. We even had to practice with fire extinguishers! And they carefully went over the dress code. (If you think the dress code at F......... is hard you should see this one! Absolutely no denim at any time is one of the rules!) They did give us lunch brought in from Chick-Fil-A which was yummy and a definate plus for a day that was not very exciting.

Then Tuesday and Thursday I spent at the clinic observing, and doing some simple things, and finding I really love it! It is good to be back doing something in the medical field. And it is such a bonus to not have a long commute to work. The Lord is good.

Thanks for all your prayers.