Holy Week 2017

*What I am reading this week:

The Triumphal Entry, Jerusalem, Sunday (Palm Sunday)
Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus curses the fig tree, Monday
Matthew 21:18-19

Jesus clears the temple, Monday
Matthew 21:12-13

The authority of Jesus questioned, Tuesday
Matthew 21:23-27

Jesus teaches in the temple, Tuesday
Matthew 21:28-23:39

Jesus anointed, Bethany, Tuesday
Matthew 26:6-13

The plot against Jesus, Wednesday
Matthew 26:14-16

The Last Supper, Thursday (Maundy Thursday)
Matthew 26:17-29

Gethsemane, Thursday
Matthew 26:36-46

Jesus' arrest and trial, Thursday night and Friday
Matthew 26:47-27:26

Jesus' crucifixion and death, Golgotha, Friday (Good Friday)
Matthew 27:27-56

The burial of Jesus, Joseph's Tomb, Friday
Matthew 27:57-66

The Resurrection, Sunday (Easter)
Matthew 28:1-10

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!

Easter blessings to you and yours!

*from my archives - an annual reading tradition

New Discoveries in 2015

2015's three big technology finds for me:

1. "The Skimm" - delivered to my email inbox Monday-Friday (unless it's a holiday). It headlines the news from around the country/world and links are included if I want more indepth reading. (It keeps me current on current events.)

2. Podcasts - loving them. I wrote about them here.

3. Netflix and Amazon Prime - Young Sweetie (our daughter) and Wonderful Husband are members and I reap the benefits. I can watch documentaries, original programming, and can receive free two day shipping. Score!

Do you have any new discoveries from 2015?

I'm linking to Emily P. Freeman and What We've Learned in 2015.

A New Favorite

Podcasts!

I'm listening to a podcast called "Start-up" hosted by Alex Blumberg (from "This American Life").

And he finally defined for me what I like about podcasts.

They are about storytelling.

Then I think Really? It's like listening to the old radio shows before television took over as entertainment in the home.

But it's simplified entertainment. No busy-ness for my computer-tired eyes. The stories must be descriptive enough to help me visualize with "my mind's eye." (Less eye strain you see.)

Creative enough to capture my attention, hold it, and reveal some sort of information that I hadn't before known. Information I walk away with and it's made me think or re-think my opinion, educates and/or entertains me.

Here are a few I subscribe to:


http://sortaawesomemegan.tumblr.com/



http://www.kathilipp.com/podcast/



http://jamieivey.com/category/podcast-2/



http://knoxandjamie.com/

I hope you'll listen to a couple episodes and get back to me with what you think about podcasts.

I love the portability listening on my iphone because one day I cleaned out my closet and dresser drawers and when all was said and done, it didn't seem like a huge chore. It was a win-win that day!

(By the way, my 3 year old granddaughter asked me, "Grammy, are you listening to your codpasts?" I just loved that!)

And please share...do you already listen to podcasts and if so, would you recommend any to me?

July 2015

Summer life has been hard.

In July our daughter (Young Sweetie) had shoulder surgery to tighten her tendons and ligaments. She's been in a sling ever since and goes back to the doctor tomorrow to hopefully get an OK to go back to work.

We took a family vacation in July to Wildwood Crest, NJ.

Wonderful Husband, the Teacher (our son), Young Sweetie, Youngest Sweetie (our granddaughter) and I had a wonderful time. Beach, pool, Boardwalk, golf and just the right amount of a cloudy/sprinkley day for our stay so no one came back with sunburn.

On the Boardwalk

Since we've been back, Wonderful Husband got bronchitis then a few days later I'm sitting here with bronchitis and ear infections.

I read this post from Emily Freeman: "What Everybody Ought to Know About Stress"

http://emilypfreeman.com/everybody-know-stress/

And it made me acknowledge that our being run down probably explains our bronchial issues. Our bodies are telling us that stress is wearing us down.

I find Emily's words (both written and spoken) to be wise and comforting.

And I'm looking forward to August and good health.

How's your summer been?

Holy Week 2015

*What I am reading this week:

The Triumphal Entry, Jerusalem, Sunday (Palm Sunday)
Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus curses the fig tree, Monday
Matthew 21:18-19

Jesus clears the temple, Monday
Matthew 21:12-13

The authority of Jesus questioned, Tuesday
Matthew 21:23-27

Jesus teaches in the temple, Tuesday
Matthew 21:28-23:39

Jesus anointed, Bethany, Tuesday
Matthew 26:6-13

The plot against Jesus, Wednesday
Matthew 26:14-16

The Last Supper, Thursday (Maundy Thursday)
Matthew 26:17-29

Gethsemane, Thursday
Matthew 26:36-46

Jesus' arrest and trial, Thursday night and Friday
Matthew 26:47-27:26

Jesus' crucifixion and death, Golgotha, Friday (Good Friday)
Matthew 27:27-56

The burial of Jesus, Joseph's Tomb, Friday
Matthew 27:57-66

The Resurrection, Sunday (Easter)
Matthew 28:1-10

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!

Easter blessings to you and yours!

*from my archives - an annual reading tradition

First Day of Spring PA Style

Welcome to Spring 2015!

Last week we were on the Grand Cayman Island and the beach view was this:

Today in PA the tree outside my front door looks like this:

What?

And my van is stuck in the driveway.

Did you experience Spring where you are?

I'd love to hear and to live through you vicariously!

Musing

It's been a while since I've posted anything here.

Wonderful Husband and I were talking and he said that he figured my blog was about my thoughts. I didn't tell him I hadn't blogged in months but it got me thinking. Does that mean I haven't had any thoughts in months? Ha!

We've been living intergenerationally since April of 2014. I thought it would be harder than it has been. But it isn't easy either. Our daughter lives here full-time. Our granddaughter lives here 1/2 time.

Holidays are more fun with a young one in the house. She is three and brings excitement and humor into our lives, as well as more toys than we've had in our family room in many years.

In December, I celebrated my four year anniversary at work.

I've been reading more and thought I'd list the books I read in 2014:

 1. The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions - Jeff Manion
 2. A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet: Southern Stories of Faith, Family and Fifteen Pounds of Bacon - Sophie Hudson
 3. Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples - Francis Chan
 4. An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess - Jen Hatmaker
 5. Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize when He Speaks - Priscilla Shirer
 6. Appointments in Heaven - Dr. Reggie Anderson
 7. Fearless Daughters of the Bible: What We Can Learn from 22 Women Who Challenged Tradition, Fought Injustice and Dared to Lead - J.Lee Grady, Margaret Feinberg
 8. This Is Where I Leave You: A Novel - Jonathan Tropper
 9. Anything: The Prayer That Unlocked My God and My Soul - Jennie Allen
10. Miracle in the Museum of Broken Hearts - Talli Roland
11. What Women Fear: Walking in Faith that Transforms - Angie Smith
12. I Need Some Help Here: Hope for When Your Kids Don't Go According to Plan - Kathi Lipp
13. The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League - Jeff Hobbs
14. Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer - Max Lucado
15. Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World - Bob Goff

Snow and cold weather hit Pennsylvania but the good news is that we've dodged some huge storms so far! Hooray!

Wonderful Husband and I are planning another warm weather March getaway. Last year was Puerto Rico and I think it saved my sanity. This year is the Grand Cayman Island. I applied for a passport for the first time in my life. (Now you know that I am not usually a world traveler.)

I still read The One Year Chronological Bible and visit Wendy Pope's blog for her daily video vlogs. She is writing a book and I am a member of her feedback group.

My Bible Study group is currently doing Beth Moore's "Children of the Day: 1 & 2 Thessalonians" study.

My One Word is the same as last year's: Trust. I believe I have more to learn about trusting God in every aspect of my life so an encore is necessary.

And that's about it for an update for now.

March - August 2014

Wonderful Husband and I traveled to Puerto Rico in March departing Philadelphia early on a Tuesday morning when the temperature read a frigid 16 degrees!

We arrived in Puerto Rico where the high displays 83 degrees and the low rests at 73 every evening.

We hopped on a shuttle bus and 50 minutes later arrived at the resort where the trade winds greeted us with open arms.

The view outside our hotel room.
Picture postcard perfect?

And if you were wondering....the answer is "Yes."

I think Puerto Rico saved my sanity.

This was a working trip for Wonderful Husband who attends meetings during some of the days.

I linger for 5 days and soak up the warmth like a sponge.

Deep into my memory and my soul.

Beautiful flora made my eyes and heart happy!

At the end of March, our daughter and granddaughter moved in with us.

We are now an intergenerational home.

April brought Easter with excited egg-dyeing

and an Easter basket.

(The funniest part while taking this photo was Youngest Sweetie saying, "Cheese," and of course I couldn't see her smile.)

May brought another birthday celebration for me and Wonderful Husband.

You know the years do fly by.

June celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary and my in laws 65th.

July was our vacation in Wildwood, NJ,

A storm rolling in.

and a bridal shower for our niece.

The four girl cousins from Wonderful Husband's side of the family.

August ends with a wedding of Wonderful Husband's cousin's daughter.

Yummy cake!

And now I'm ready for September.

How about you?

Joy on Easter Sunday

Thank you Ann Voskamp for reminding me of this video!

Second Baptist Church in Houston, TX

Holy Week 2014

*What I am reading this week:

The Triumphal Entry, Jerusalem, Sunday (Palm Sunday)
Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus curses the fig tree, Monday
Matthew 21:18-19

Jesus clears the temple, Monday
Matthew 21:12-13

The authority of Jesus questioned, Tuesday
Matthew 21:23-27

Jesus teaches in the temple, Tuesday
Matthew 21:28-23:39

Jesus anointed, Bethany, Tuesday
Matthew 26:6-13

The plot against Jesus, Wednesday
Matthew 26:14-16

The Last Supper, Thursday (Maundy Thursday)
Matthew 26:17-29

Gethsemane, Thursday
Matthew 26:36-46

Jesus' arrest and trial, Thursday night and Friday
Matthew 26:47-27:26

Jesus' crucifixion and death, Golgotha, Friday (Good Friday)
Matthew 27:27-56

The burial of Jesus, Joseph's Tomb, Friday
Matthew 27:57-66

The Resurrection, Sunday (Easter)
Matthew 28:1-10

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!

Easter blessings to you and yours!

*from my archives - an annual reading tradition

My Cure for Winter Fatigue

Today brought more snow.

About an inch when all was said and done.

My brother in TX sent me a text message:

"How are you?"

My answer?

"Snowing again."

I have winter fatigue.

And here is my cure for my winter fatigue:

Next week Wonderful Husband and I leave for Puerto Rico,

where the high is 84 degrees and the low is 73 degrees.

This trip could possibly save my sanity.

No pressure.

Is February the Toughest Month?

After the winter we've had in PA so far.....

I would say yes.

Last week began with a snow measuring 9 inches deep.

Mid week was 3 inches of ice and the loss of electricity for 31 hours.

Here is the ice left over from Wednesday on the front walk.

Don't come to my front door for a visit or you'll land on your "tooshie" for sure. (Ha! I borrowed a vocab word from my 2 year old granddaughter!)

I took a picture of the front yard this morning encased in snow and covered with ice.

During a conversation with a co-worker I remembered the first snowfall of this winter with fondness. It made me happy. Snow covering everything looks pristine. Snow can be playful and outline tree limbs so while I'm driving down the road it seems like I'm in a fairy land.

But then I look outside a few minutes ago and see a few flakes begin to fall. And all I can think is, "Are you kidding me?"

The snow dusting begins on the back patio steps.

This winter has been brutal and February (for me) is the toughest month so far.

Has winter been tough where you are?

Winter Laughter

Happiness is getting bundled up for sledding in freezing temperatures!

Yes there is one person who enjoys the snowfall in PA lately.

Life is just grand when you're two!

The Groundhog

Current Event:

Today Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow which means his prediction is six more weeks of winter.

Really Phil? Six more weeks?

The National Climatic Data Center has put Phil's forecasts to the test and found them sorely lacking, declaring the groundhog has "no predictive skill."

Really? The groundhog has no predictive skill?

Stop this merry-go-round! I want to get off!

Bottom line: If it's cold, I'll wear a coat. If it's warm, I won't.

Do you believe the groundhog?

The Roof Over My Head

We've lived in our home for 18 years and are planning to sell it someday. So when I noticed a small circle of water damage in our son's old bedroom ceiling, I knew it was time to replace the roof.

We requested two estimates and no sooner signed a contract on December 4th, the snow and brutally cold weather arrived in PA. It figures.

*****
Finally there was a break in the weather and we had supplies delivered one foggy January morning.

A large dumpster appeared in our driveway blocking our garage door entrances too.

May I whine about how much I missed parking in my garage during all the snowy and icy mornings?

Snow crystals on my passenger side window.

I know.

I am a baby.

But defrosting my van before going to work was tiring. And the snow removal was awful!

*****
The roof was completed while Wonderful Husband and I were at work during the days. So we never heard the shingle removal and pounding.

And one night I came home and the dumpster was gone.

Hooray! We could park in the garages again!

*****
Fast forward to today....Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. when I heard two male voices outside then pounding as they removed the chunks of ice from the old gutters.

The old gutters were removed and replaced with pretty, pristine ones.

Voila! A job well done!

I am thankful for the roofers' and gutter guys' hard work during the brutally cold temperatures we have been experiencing in PA.

I am also thankful for the new roof over my head!

Have you done any home improvement projects lately?
Or do you have plans for any?

One Word for 2018

Updated on January 7, 2018

This is the ninth year of my choosing a word:
Hope in 2010,
Grace in 2011, 
Fellowship in 2012,
Endure in 2013,
Trust in 2014 and 2015,
Peace in 2016,
Open in 2017,
and
Kind in 2018.

It is a new year and unfortunately instead of fully reading the instructions at One Word 365, I updated my word before doing a blog post and it linked to my 2014 post.

So here is the brief edit to bring you up-to-date to 2018:

I really was stumped on choosing a word this year so a couple days ago I took a simple seven question quiz at DaySpring and the result was "kind." The more I thought about it the more convinced I became that "kind" is the perfect word for my focus this year.

Thank you DaySpring!

Kindness from a Stranger

2013 has been a tough year for our daughter (Young Sweetie). She's in the midst of signing a custody agreement regarding her daughter (Youngest Sweetie) and faces divorce in her future.

Life. has. been. hard.

Imagine my surprise when she brought Youngest Sweetie over for our weekly Sunday dinner and said, "I have story for your blog."

(Young Sweetie knows that I like to write about real life but life has been "a bit too real" this year.)

*******

Young Sweetie was shopping with Youngest Sweetie at our local K-Mart finishing up their Christmas shopping and picking up the basics of diapers and wipes when a woman approached them and struck up a conversation.

The woman praised Youngest Sweetie for being so cute (I liked this woman already!) and asked if she'd seen Santa yet. She asked Young Sweetie how her holidays were going and Young Sweetie said she gave her the standard answer of "Everything is going ok."

The woman explained that her employer had sent out their employees to spread some holiday spirit and asked Young Sweetie if she could give her some money to buy something "for yourself, your daughter and others for Christmas."

Then the woman handed her a $100 bill.

Young Sweetie's eyes welled-up with tears and asked if she could give the woman a hug.

Which she did.

She thanked the woman and while she was still mentally processing the gift....she realized she didn't ask the woman's name or what company she worked for and the woman had walked away.

She looked for the woman and never saw her again.

*******

I believe that God places all people in our lives for His purpose(s).

Thank you Lord for your hand in this gift. Thank you for the woman who was sent out by her employer to pass on some holiday spirit. And thank you for her employer who gave the incentive to the employees.

I am grateful that at the end of a tough year our family experienced this miracle of love and kindness from a stranger.

Amen.

*******

Have you received kindness from a stranger this year?

Texas Family

In August I flew to Texas to stay with my mom while she was recuperating from hip replacement surgery. Although my brother and sister weren't able to stay with her 24/7, it provided an opportunity to spend time together that we haven't had for years.

My sister, brother and I posed with a picture that was taken around 30 years ago. Wow! We haven't changed much at all! (That's the story I'm sticking with! Hee hee!)

********

My sister was a great help running errands, picking up items and always delivering them with a smile. I told her that in 20 years I'm going to hire her as my personal shopper. She was amazing!

My brother was just as phenomenal because when we needed a handrail installed to the lower level of mom's home he had his crew come over the next day and boom! New handrail! He came over that weekend to sand and paint it too.

He was also my chauffeur to and from the airport and took me shopping the first day so I could pick up some items that I didn't want to lug from PA to TX. He showed great patience while I ran into Bath & Body Works and Walmart.

May I show you one thing I love about the local Walmart in Texas?

The state of Texas and a football made from cases of Coke Classic and Mr. Pibb. Creative!

********

It was a blessing to spend time with my brother and sister and our mom. We reminisced about our memories of our dad who died 21 years ago. It was interesting how the three of us each had unique memories of our dad too.

My brother had the "strict dad" who was trying to mold him into a man.

I had the dad who tried to "toughen me up" so I could face the world.

My sister (who is nine years younger than me) had the "fun dad" who was older, worked less hours, and found enjoyment in a multitude of hobbies.

Do you have siblings that although you were raised by the same parents....everyone seems different from each other? Have you ever asked yourself, "How are we all so different? We were raised by the same parents!"

Listening to each others' memories explained the quirkiness we each have and who we've become as adults.

And the delightful insight is that although we are different, we love each other and got along quite well.

We are family.

*********

Finally, a picture of my sister, mom and me on the back deck of my mom's home:

I am thankful for our mom's successful hip replacement surgery! She showed great endurance while I was there and I admired her strength and determination during her recovery.

Yea Mom!

Yea Texas Family!

Texas Dogs Are Smart

Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God.
1 Timothy 5:3-4 NLT

My mother had hip replacement surgery in August. She lives alone. Well except for her dog and although my brother and sister live somewhat nearby, I volunteered to stay with her during the beginning of her recuperation since they weren't able to stay with her 24/7. My brother runs his own business and my sister works full-time and takes care of her young son and newish husband.

I grew up in Texas but haven't lived there in years. May I describe the August temperatures as "stinking hot?" 100s during the day and maybe dipping into the 80s or 90s overnight. I stayed for three weeks and it rained briefly one time. Ack!

I sweat like I had never sweat before.

It was not pretty.

***********

I arrived on a Saturday while Mom was still in the hospital. My brother picked me up from the airport and we went to visit her briefly before we went to her home. Upon arrival, we let Blondie outside and I read over the one full page of dog instructions which began with taking her for a walk each morning around 6:30 a.m.

Doesn't Blondie look like an angel?

Well she is not!

I read my mom's instructions very carefully about how Blondie knows her walking route and the next morning off we went: Blondie in her harness, me holding her leash and being oh so responsible. I had poop bags at the ready.

My mom lives by a lake which is the lowest point of the neighborhood. Blondie and I spent the beginning of the walk going uphill. She had a lot of enthusiasm being out for a jaunt and I was already sweating like a piggy and probably looking a bit purply too.

We went all the way to the top of the neighborhood, walked down an alley type street, wove our way down toward my mom's street and then....instead of taking a left turn toward home, Blondie turned right.

We walked to the end of the road that dead-ends at a locked metal gate which separates my mom's neighborhood from the neighborhood on the other side. Blondie looked longingly through the gate which had a huge lock on it and I thought, "What the heck?"

I was starting to catch on that something was amiss by this point so instead of wasting brain-power on how to pick the lock and go through that area, I tugged at her leash and turned her around where we wove our way back toward home.

********

A few hours later, my brother arrived with our mom and after getting her settled upstairs, I questioned her about the one hour walk I'd taken (?) Blondie on in the morning.

My mom look startled and said, "What? One hour?"

And then she started laughing.

Yes, that dog had "taken me for a ride." Her walks are usually 30 minutes tops.

Don't ever let anyone tell you that dogs are dumb.

They are actually smarter than some people.

Well....at least one person.

Have you ever been outsmarted by an animal?

I Need More Jesus

I have the best daughter.

I can say that because she is my only daughter and she is 23 years old of awesome!

For example, I can make a list of praise songs and she works magic in purchasing them in record-breaking-time from an online music store (with my credit card of course).

I burn them onto CDs and rotate them playing in my van.

If you ride with me, you get to listen to my music.

Lucky.

****

I drove Young Sweetie to the mall to shop for clothes one night after work. After visiting a few stores at the mall she was successful in finding black dress pants but we were both a bit tired and she suggested stopping at the coffee shop in the mall because she needed some caffeine to finish out the day.

I started thinking about the commercial I'd seen about a new blend the coffee shop had introduced, it could have been named some sort of hair color (Blonde) and I'm game to try it since I find their usual coffee to be a bit on the bitter side.

Let the adventure begin...

Young Sweetie ordered her frozen coffee concoction and I had a couple questions for the barista about the new blend of coffee. I could feel my excitement building.

Finally I'm ready to order, "I'll take a grande, Vanilla Blonde, iced coffee...." and he interrupted me to say that he couldn't ice the Vanilla Blonde coffee. It is only served hot.

I may have asked, "Are you kidding me?"

OK, I did ask and his answer was that he was not kidding me.

So I told him to ring up my daughter's order. I wouldn't be ordering anything after all.

****

Young Sweetie and I were exiting the mall and I'd worked myself up into quite a tizzy. Possibly heading toward a full-blown rant. I might have been saying something to the effect of "All you can serve me is bitter iced coffee? Do you want to see bitter?" (Picture me waving my hand in a circular motion in front of my face.)

Oh yes, I was in rare form and we got into the van, I turned the key, the engine started and the praise music began to play....and without missing a beat my daughter turns up the volume and says, "I think you need more Jesus."

That took the "wind right out of my sails."

****

I have the best daughter and she is correct.

I need more Jesus.