I have learned to like the snow

I used to dread the end of Fall. The bare trees seemed so ugly to me

after the beauty of all the glorious color.

As I look out my window

and see the frozen landscape, I now see the beauty there.

The over all color is a soft blue/grey.

The snow is white and the cloudy sky is white

but buildings and the trees have a soft grey tone.

To some it may be boring or ugly

but if you really look,

the monochromatic color scheme is actually lovely and peaceful.

Quiet

Maybe it is my age but I have come to appreciate

the slower pace of Winter.

The quietness and stillness.

I use this time to slow down and rest.

Breath

The animals hibernate, the fields sleep.

All is at ease.

We too need to listen to the seasons

take some time to recharge.

Stop the rush and relax in the slowness of Winter.

Soon Spring will be here and we will begin

to feel the surge of new energy.

Then, we can be full of action.

But now, just...

Rest

Up Date!

Well, as usual God is in control and He can be trusted.

As of last night we have a place to live! A wonderful friend who lives alone in a large house, offered her finished basement for us for free. She has been passing a sign posted at a church that says,

"God blesses people so they can be a blessing to others."

She has been asking God who she could bless. When I called her last night she said she knew we were the ones. I went to see how much room we would have and was stunned by the beauty of her property. Even buried under 5 inches if snow I can see what a wonderful place this will be. Cooper will have a large country yard to run in and I will have beautiful nature scenes to look out upon each day.

This is not the way I imagined the blessing to be but I have learned that it is important for us to learn to be the receivers, with grace and thankfulness, as well as being the givers.

My husband still needs prayer to be encouraged and patient. I know God has a job out there for him and we will continue to trust. Thank you all for your prayer support. I will post photos as soon as we get moved in at the end of the month!

We Need a Miracle

As most of you who follow me know I try really hard to be inspiring here on my blog but today I feel a desperate need to ask for prayer support. I have learned over the past 2 years how wonderful this blog world is and how much support you all give.

So, I am requesting prayer for a miracle.

We got the notice today we have to be out of our home Jan. 24th. I have a new part time job and could pay rent but nothing more. My husband has yet to find any kind of job. His confidence is very low which makes it hard to be optimistic when seeking employment.

So, I am asking prayer for:

1: We need up lifted. Strengthened. We trust that God is in control and has a plan. But we are running out of time. (Me beginning to worry and trying to hold on and not panic.)

2: I do not want to go on assistance so I pray he gets something, anything, anywhere so we can provide for ourselves. The miracle would be a job before Jan. 23rd.

3: A reasonable place to live that we can afford until we can turn things around.

This is a big world and I am going to just put this info out there. My husband is a self-employed sound and lighting technician. He designs and installs all kinds of sound and or lighting related systems. Lately his jobs have been large systems for airports. He is als one of the best sound mixers around. He has extensive concert and studio work experience. The other thing about my husband is that he can pick up any manual read it and then do it.

If anyone knows of any opportunities that he can apply for I would greatly appreciate it.

This is just so unlike me but nothing ventured nothing gained. I'm just putting my prayers out here in blogland and now I will leave it in Gods hands.

I really appreciate all of the prayers you have said for us already and the support I have received since I shared our problems earlier.

One more request, My brother-in-law is loosing his battle with cancer and will probably die this week. My sister and her girls could use some prayer support also. We are all ready but it is still hard.

Thanks,

Sherri

Adventure

I just came across my written thoughts for my blog entry for my word for 2010. Having seen other bloggers choosing a word to represent their thoughts and hopes for the new year I figured I'd do the same.

A year has passed and it was very interesting to read what my thoughts were back then.

Did I remember my word?

No...I did not. LOL

Well, it was an interesting read. (smile)

Life is still up in the air for us and actually less settled in some areas than it was a year ago. The bank bought our house back so we will be moving in the next few months. We are still waiting for a job for my husband. (please, keep praying. I know God has something for him.)

I, on the other hand was able to get a part time job last week that I am enjoying. If we stay in the area I hope it will become full time.

As I revisited my thoughts and feelings I see that God has not forsaken us and has provided; food, clothing, and shelter but most of all a drawing closer as a family and stronger faith in God. We have seen what truly matters and that is our love for one another and those who God has put into our lives.

I guess I am going to take a leap this year and choose as my word for 2011 as...

Adventure!

This coming year, I feel, will be full of adventures.

We will have to move

I am closing my business after 26 years

I am starting a totally different job

I am pursuing new avenues to express myself artistically

Our youngest just turned 18, will graduate high school and leave for Miami Florida in the fall for College.

(That alone would be enough for some people.)

Our oldest will turn 21 in the summer and graduate from college.

(Praying she will be able to find a job that will allow her to live independently)

Instead of looking at all these changes in a negative, fearful light. I will continue last years outlook in hopeful anticipation, waiting to see what God has in store for us!

Adventure

Sounds like a lot of fun!

Now to leave you with a bit of humor.

This is a startled tree on the golf course I walk Cooper on. I guess he just figured out he was the only naked tree there!

Is this not natures way. Giving us humor as well as beauty.

My challenge to you is to keep your eyes and heart open every moment of every day to see what God has for you. He has a since of humor too :)

Book Review

I got my 4th book to review through Library Thing!

If you love to read you should sign up to be a reviewer. I have their button on the side of my page so go ahead, click it and see what all is happening in the book world. Even if you don't want to sign up to receive FREE books, it is a good source for keeping track of your books and see what others say about books you are interested in and if you want discuss them.

Cocaine's Son

by David Itzkoff

Planned release date Feb. 2011

This review is coming from a daughter of an alcoholic, who also blamed him for the anxiety disorder and abandonment issues she has. I could relate with much of what David was trying to say here in his book "Cocaines's Son".

As a young person, I found it very painful that my father chose bars and buddies over attending dance recitals and school functions. The dread of wondering if the funny, easy going Dad or the angry, foul mouthed drunk Dad was going to come home each night. And on some nights I lay awake waiting to see if he would make it home safely if at all.

David's Dad is a hard man to like and live with high or sober. The beginning of the book starts out from a child's perspective, where as most kids, we want our parents to be our heroes. David's Dad falls sorely short. David has to endure many let downs and embarrassing moments by his father. Growing into a healthy, let alone loving, respectful relationship is more than likely not going to happen but nonetheless they try.

David does not have a lot of harrowing tales for us to wade through and his book does not leave you with dark depressed feelings. As you move through the book you mostly feel the disappointment and desire for a better relationship for them or for David to just give up already!

I am very pleased with which he chose to close out his memoir. It is very emotional and heart warming.

After going through a very difficult emotional time myself, at one time I felt that I'd rather be dead. Then realizing my children were not enough to keep me here was a startling revelation that helped me reconcile my feelings toward my father. I was able to understand the emotional pain he lived with and I was then able to forgive. Unfortunately, he had already died but I found peace and a different perspective in how to view my childhood.

This book is not a heavy downer. If you have experienced disappointments from a parent and not reconciled, you may benefit from this book.

Gratitude

I received this as my daily devotional and thought it was well worth passing along.

After a long pregnancy that generated more questions than

congratulations; that nearly led to a marriage ending before it started; that included a painful and arduous journey; that culminated in her son being born in conditions fit for animals but not for humans, how did Mary respond? Luke tells us that she "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (2:19).

In Bethlehem, among the animals, she found joy. She could have complained that God was doing nothing good for her, but instead she declared the "great things" God had done (Luke 1:49).

This is central to the Christmas story - and the joys and challenges of our modern holiday - remind us that gratitude changes everything. Whether there are gifts stacked to the ceiling with your name on them or your aren't sure anyone is going to give you anything, stop and give thanks to God, the Giver of all good and perfect gifts.

You'll receive a special blessing in your spirit and discover you have everything you need.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

My girls and Cooper this morning.

How NOT to test your dogs shock collar

So, Today I was planning on doing some over due cleaning.

Cooper had other ideas.

As I kept on doing my work, Cooper kept on whining. His whine is more like a whistle through his nose.

It's a dogs equivalent to your child saying Mom, mom, mom, mommy, hey mom, mom.

It can become really annoying. Like this morning.

Now, last night it snowed, the temperatures dropped and going outside wasn't high on my list, at least not until after I got my work done since a long walk in the cold makes me sleepy.

I kept working and he kept... whistling.

(sigh)

Who wants to clean house anyway

so, I called my walking friend and she was ready for the trek to the quarry.

The quarry in summer

Today it did not look like this.

Anyway, back to the walk prep. I had to put layers and layers on, find my headband to cover my ears and put on my cool orange boots that are great in water. We had lots of rain yesterday before the snow started so I knew we would have to walk through a lot of water.

During all of this, Cooper's excitement escalated! He knows my walking clothes. He proceeds to jump and bark and get all excited.

I hate this and just want to hurry up and get on the road so he will stop.

I have to explain here that we use the "Pet Safe" electronic pet containment system, which is a very nice system by the way. But early on, the actual shock freaked Cooper out to where he wouldn't leave the porch, so I turned off the shock part because just hearing the tone sent him running back with in the boundary. Well, over the past year he has figured out that the shock wasn't coming and has been wandering the neighborhood stealing other dogs bones. (Another story for another blog). I had to change the settings last week to put on the shock. I didn't want him getting hit by a car or going to dogie jail for theft.

I wanted to get the point across so I didn't start with whimpey 1 or 2

I went up to the next to last level #5!

I don't believe in wasting time teaching a lesson.

Well, in my hurry to stop the excitement my dog was experiencing I forgot to take off his shock collar....Woopsie!

As I began to back out of the driveway Cooper began to yelp very loudly and persistently. Over and over and over.

OMG!! I forgot the collar, I had on thick gloves so I couldn't get it undone.

He kept yelping, I started to panic.

I drove forward back into the boundary but it wouldn't stop!

Finally I got it off and out of the car, because even though it wasn't on his neck anymore the sound was freaking him out.

I got back in the car and he was trembling. I felt so bad. Did I traumatize my poor baby? Was he going to have a stroke?

Nah. After we pulled out on the road he began his excited whistle, whine of excitement about going to the quarry, which he loves.

Please don't turn me in to the dogie police. I love my dog and hate that this happened but I have to tell you I was laughing quite a lot as I retold the story to my husband when we got home and now I am sure the shock part is working.

Don't worry, we had a nice long relaxing nap on the couch when we got home.

He is a very pampered dog.