ponder this ....

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
—Luke 2:39

Everything in life is "for a time." When the time is over we move on, we do something new, we find a new way, we return to an older way, we start a new chapter.

When we are in a bad situation in life, when our hearts are broken or we are not where we want to be, it seems as though the time will never end. All we want is to find the door through which we came in so that we can go out again.

There are also times when we are full and happy. There are places in our lives we want to experience, that invite exploration—encouraging us to look around to see what else might be there. We aren't looking for the door out, because we are enjoying where we are.

All times, however, will end. We will go out the doors that we came in, and then we will enter new doors. This is the adventure of life, and in every coming in and going out, God is there with us. There is no need to be afraid. There is no need to push out of the bad or hide in the good.

All we’re called to do is be present and do all that we can do where we are. And know that we do not do it alone. When the final time is over, we like Mary and Joseph, will return to the place that we call home.

Gracious God, help me stay awake and present to all the times in my life that you give me.

I had to share this .... it pierced through my heart ... what do you think??????

planning for a new decade .... 2010

something about a new year excites me .... and yes, being in a new locale makes it even more exciting! but getting a new dayPlanner ... yes, I use the old-fashion paper ones!! I love paper b/c I can add photos, comments, embellishments, glitter etc. a place to keep my todo's, reminders etc. and then to transfer last years's info into my new one excites me also. Got your dayPlanner?? I know that most of you are techno and I respect that ... but the pens, pencils, colored ink, papers, paperclips, quotes & sayings ~~~~ oh, ..... to have a new planner! xoxox, m

finishing STRONG ....

 
 
 
almost DONE ... finishing work and electrical plus plumbing to be completed. We'll be home owners hopefully by the end of the week ~ end of the year! and the first week of 2010 will be when we move in. Yea!! Only to finish STRONG!!

Merry Christmas 2009 Visalia CA

 
 
 
Truly a blessed Christmas!!

Mr. Sandman BLASTING!!

 
 
 
NOT every day do you hear about a sand storm nor drive through one. However, on the way home that is exactly what happened. Scary, Frightening and incredible all AT THE SAME TIME. A LOT of damage done to my truck (darn-it-all!!) but, what's a car when lives are involved??! YES! there was a major 4-car pile up with an overturned vehicle on the side of the road. Mr. Sandman BLASTED everyone. So, if you ever need advice about driving through a SANDSTORM call me!!

SANTA with a message

 
 
 
not everyday do you see this .... SANTA with a message on the corner of Mooney & Walnut in Visalia CA. He's got it right ... JOY TO THE WORLD and PREPARE HIM ROOM. Merry Christmas, m

M i c h e ..........

okay, I have loved loved loved the Miche handbags/purses/pocketbooks. Several reasons: 1. my nickname from a beloved GF in Boise (Idaho Falls actaully!) calls me Miche .. and some in Boston too! 2. they are the bags that have the changeable outershells. 3. They now sell them at Hallmark stores (yea!!) and 4. I saw one with a Christmas motif. So .... I bought one for me. Yep, that's right ... I did!! and I love it!! xoxox, m

my desk ..... my space!!

 

I can barely stand it! This is my built-in desk. I've never had one of these! You'll have to come over and scrap with me! I even have a closet in my new workspace! YippPPeeeEEe and today they installed it. Double Bubble YippPPeeeeee

ta-da ...... surprise!!

 
my darlin' husband decided to surprise me on Saturday night .. and this was my surprise .. a real tree with the kind of lights I love love love and it's so pretty!! He did all of this for me ... it looks like Christmas around here!

friday progress

 
the front doorway .... slowly making forward progress due to the weather!! I thought it never rained in S. California?!! have a great weekend .... remember December!! xoxo, m

remember December ...... long long time ago

I'm a brat! yep, an AF Brat and damn proud!!! anywho ... one year in Dayton OH (Wright Patterson AFB) all the neighbors got together for hot chocolate and fun!! simple entertainment!! and everyone .. I mean EVERYONE built the largest snowman I've ever seen in my life ... it was taller than the apt. buildings!! It's was a blast!!! how are you remembering December?? past, present even future????? xoxox, m

Merry Christmas ... vintage style

 

I have become addicted to vintage ANYTHING!! I found this ... it reminded me of all my dutch friends in the area!

HooooooRay ... TODAY!!

 
 
 
worker bees ...... yea!! TODAY .... stone being added and the grout!!!! Who would've thunk ... I'd get excited over grout????? I am easily amused!!

tile delay .... gone on way too long!

I get the concept!! and I am so ready to move into 'our' house. Building a home is a huge project, something I thought we'd never ever do ... and we are doing it. I am so hoping the tile gets delivered very very very soon!!! and so I continue to wait. The weather here (central CA valley) is supposed to change ... uuUggGhhhhH and that may delay ~ but it can't ... everything will be delivered from IDAHO January 8th ... and and and ... KWIM?

s t o n e .... finally!

 
 
 
the major delay has been the stone and tile. FINALLY, the stone was delivered and somewhat being installed! oh the wait. It is supposed to rain all next week ~~~> not good for construction! so, we wait and see!

December = playoffs!

yep, that's right college football time! I so enjoyed watching it ... and tomorrow is an all-day event!! Remember December does include football for me ... watching Paul, then off to another sports that involves a round ball ... and now watching it on TV .. remember december. How are you doing? with remember december?

remember December!!

 
one year ... we ALL DECIDED .. that anything we bought had to come from the dollar store. It was a hoot, everyone got creative and we laughed and had a ton of fun!!! from that year, stemmed the giving in honor of the person through Samaritan's Purse (Franklin Graham's organization) .... Happy December. m

Remember December ..... happy December

This is the truth of the matter & of my circumstances. ALL, EVERYTHING we have 'is in storage' .... so, what is a decorating diva to do in December without ANY decorations? Buy more ~ NEVER! Live vicariously thru her GIRLFRIENDS ~ yes! and
R E M E M B E R December!! I've purchased a cheap (dollar store) journal and decorated the cover ... and EVERY DAY December 1 -25 I will reflect on Christmas's PAST & FUTURE .. and those tiny glory-story moments throughout this wonderful time of the year!!! so, to all of U ~ what are some of your memories?????? I'd love to hear them, here or a telephone call or an email. TODAY begin REMEMBER DECEMBER 2009
xoxox, m