The Party Must Go On

Tropical Storm Danny made traveling less than enjoyable this weekend, but the party must go on. My husband was celebrating ( well, trying to forget how many this is:) his birthday along with 2 of our grandchildren. It was originally a pool party, but TS Danny changed the location to an indoor waterslide event. I woke up this morning at home to sore muscles from being in the car so long and tired with much to do. My first thought was that I am getting too old for all this traveling. But I know what will happen. The next time will roll around and I will forget all about the aches and pains in lieu of those hugs and kisses for Mammy.

Delightful

These are my granddaughter's size 10 sandals. I have always loved her feet. When they were tiny, I would kiss them and kiss them. One night this summer when she was staying here, her feet were black from going barefoot. I grabbed a washcloth and scrubbed to get them clean. This is a grandmother's perogative. Moms just say, "wash your feet." I couldn't believe that these feet had grown so quickly.
Her mother used to love to have her feet tickled. She would sit on the couch with her feet up and say, "Tickle my feet." What a joy:)
I came across a scripture today that talked about God delighting in directing my steps. It stopped me in my tracks. I looked up several translations. One says that He busies Himself with our every step. Can you imagine the almighty God busy making plans for your day? How cool is that? When I am worried about today or the future I can return to this scripture. He sees my size 7 1/2 feet and knows exactly where they will be today and even what mess he may have to get me out of:) I love it.
Psalm 37:23 if you want to take a peek.

7 Women and 1 Big God

I took an unusual journey this summer with 6 other women. Here in northern Maine, people take advantage of every summer day because it is often too short. Normally the regularly scheduled events close for the summer. This year a friend of mine suggested we meet for a Bible study but keep it flexible. I was skeptical, thinking noone would want to do this. We asked a few ladies and began. Last night was our final gathering and all 7 of us hardly missed a week.

The summer was a difficult one for several but every Monday night was a time of strength and encouragement. Here are the five principles learned in this study, simple but powerful:

God is who He says he is.

God can do what He says He can do.

I am who God says I am.

I can do all things through Christ.

God's word is alive and active in me.

7 Women + 1 Huge God = Anything is Possible!

Sweet Freedom

I've been thinking about freedom a bit lately. Our country seems to be in such turmoil and it's a bit scary to think how quickly things can change. While in church today, I experienced a fresh sense of the freedom we enjoy in this country to worship. It's always been a given. I am realizing that nothing is to be taken for granted these days. Therefore, worship was sweeter today for these thoughts.

Smile

This week my precious friend from Nova Scotia is here. We have watched DVD's of faith, shopped, gone to the camper, eaten out, and laughed our heads off taking this picture. God put us together 36 years ago. We used to write letters...now we facebook and use the phone:) And once in awhile we spend a week together. More and more I learn to treasure the friendships I have been privileged to experience in my life.

Help

I would love to have a picture here but I can't get anything to come up when I try to access my pictures. Is anyone else having that problem?

My Excuse

Here's my excuse for not blogging recently: my hubby and I took our motorcycle to the Island. Summer is finally here:)

New Addition

I hope I am not being too boring by repeating myself, but I love my flowers. it has been such a rainy summer that I have had little time to enjoy them. A couple of the hanging plants were looking pretty bleak today so I went to town to get some potting soil, hoping to breathe new life into them. I came home with the prettiest birdbath. I love it. What a joy these flowers are to me!

Legacy

Over the years, I have felt a certain sadness about the traditions I see left behind in this busy world. I used to bake all my own bread, garden and can, sew, make cookies, etc. My homemade sugar cookies and fudge are a Christmas tradition. There are weightier spiritual matters like prayer and Bibles studies with other women that no longer seem to fit into overloaded schedules. Within our changing world, women carry heavier burdens and many good things have gone by the wayside.
My granddaughter encouraged me this summer. She wanted to learn to sew. I actually thought it would be frustrating for the generation whose fingers fly in texting and various electronic devices. I was pleasantly surprised. She enjoyed it and spent several days practicing straight stitch, zigzag, making pockets and learning the basics. Perhaps all is not lost.
In this struggling economy, there has been much talk about getting back to the basics. I love my ipod and laptop as well as the next gal, but there is something to be said for the feel of the material gliding through my fingers as it takes a new shape or the smell of fresh baked bread permeating the house. It's that sense of creating something from scratch. I guess there are all kinds of ways to do that. I'm just happy that for a few moments another generation experienced a bit of legacy from a simpler time.

Empty Spots

What's with all the moving signs posted on my favorite blogs? I tried to follow the trail, but there were new accounts needed or something else. I did manage to salvage one from this shift. Change is here to stay, whether I like it or not.
I'll look at this as empty chairs waiting to be filled with ...who knows, someone delightful :)

Priceless

Oh, how I miss this face this morning! Have a good flight home my sweet girl.

Double

Ken and I went to our first purse party last night. Grampy gave her money to buy her own. I took the credit card. As we were going into the studio, I made the comment, "What happens if we don't see anything we like?"
No problem. I could not make up my mind.
The pink and brown purse will work perfectly for fall and winter everyday use.
The striped bag is just the right weight for traveling.
As you can see by the photo, both bags came home with me.
Did I struggle with guilt? are you kidding? I am the gal who searches and searches for the one I love at the right price.
I kept hearing the word- double- like it's a sign:)
When i shared with a friend this morning, she said, "All I can think of is the story Cathy L. told about the purse. Wow. Ok, enough already with the guilt. I am going to enjoy every minute with my new traveling companions.
(If you want to know more about the purse story, check out my blog info at the side under my pic.)