Just Enough...

grace for today...that is all I need!  Well...sometimes...another coffee.  Today was another wintery mix of weather.  We had school!  Most people finally have power again after last week's icy weather.  

My little friends wanted to learn how to jump rope today!  I taught them how to do it and got them going.  We used the lines as a reference point.  It will take some consistent practice but they are learning the concept.  Maybe I can get another teacher to help twirl...that seems to be our wild card move that could prove to be harmful.  Oof.

I got home from school to let the dogs out and do a possible jaunt to the Big D...but then Ted called on an unfamiliar phone line asking me to come as soon as I could as he had locked himself out of the building at work...phone and keys inside!  Poor guy...had to walk to the plant next door in the pouring rain and call me...multiple times because my phone settings screen unfamiliar callers.  Lesson today...turn that setting off...there are too many things that we are juggling and people need to get a-hold of me.  I rescued my love and helped him meet his co-worker and get a key...which turned out to be a comical circle back because he gave us the wrong key.  We just laughed at the crazy...what else could we do?  Life has mellowed us out and I asked, "What is God trying to teach us with all this back and forth today in the yuckiest weather?"  Ted answered, "To just roll with it!"  Which made us laugh as we were slowly rolling to get on I-696...again.

I dropped him off and we made sure he could get in, and he gave me a key for us to keep at home!  Ted drove to the Big D to take care of the landlord thing and I headed home by way of Dunkin Donut...I needed a Charlie Cold Foam to chase away the yawns.  Then...I made a batch of cookies for my love.  

I tried a new recipe too.  Not sure how it will go over tonight...fresh roasted tomatoes and garlic, caramelized onions and chicken stock for homemade tomato soup.

Since my taste testers are not here, I have no idea if it is good or not.  But I have grilled cheese sandwiches to go with it.  It seemed like a good icy day to try a warm up meal like this.  If it is a bust...there are other leftovers just in case!

As I have puttered around home this afternoon listening to music, I found myself in tears as I listened to a song from Psalm 23...Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy.  I had finally slowed down enough for my brain to catch up with my heart needs.  Four years ago, I had to make a call to Mexico to tell Ted that his father, his friend and confidant was with his Heavenly Father.  So the last few days, music has been on most of the time reminding us of the joys of Heaven and to keep going on the path of what is true and right...when things are hard or when tears blind our eyes.  God meets us where we are each day and gives us what we need for that day!  Today...God gave me extra and unplanned time with Ted.  I'm thankful that God gives us those moments.  We never know when the last one on earth will be.  We are thankful...and we will continue to bless His holy name!  For He is Sovereign over us...compassionate and kind.

 

Thankful things for a Friday

Thankful for the gorgeous sunrise and I caught a glimpse in the rearview mirror on my way to school.  Since no-one was behind me, I slowed and took a picture.  Every day on the way to school God reminds me that He is at work in my life.  I talk with my Lord and He gives me Scripture to meditate on through the day. His music speaks to my heart.  My commute is all of a mile, but God meets as I drive and ask for His help for the day.  I shouldn't be amazed, but sometimes I am when someone comes for help or encouragement and it is the exact thing God gave me that morning.  Those "Be still and Know that I am God" moments with Him are so very important to right thinking and responding.

Thankful to see my little friend finally finding a resolve to make friends and play with others at recess!  It has taken a lot of reaching out by my little friends and encouragement from her parents and her teacher.  It is an important lesson to learn for life...you cannot do life alone!  You need people...to help and encourage and have fun with...and it goes both ways.  Satan has attacked that valuable part of life with covid and masks and mandates.  He has caused a lot of hurt and pain that is still affecting so many.  

God told Adam at the start it is not good for man to be alone...so He created a help-meet.  It is so interesting to me that that is where we are all being attacked with all harshness!  Life is now not precious.  Families are torn apart.  Relationships are limited.  Everything that God has created to bring glory to Himself, Satan is still going strong to destroy.  It seems that many have shrugged their shoulders and dropped their hands in defeat.

We are still fighting those attempts by the enemy as we spend time discipling our big chair-fillers.  

We fight at home to follow God's ways...it starts at home!  And we protect our relationship as husband and wife.  

We use the God-given differences to challenge each other and grow through the life lessons that He has brought to us.  

Thankful for thoughtful gifts from friends...stuck in the cupboard.  Ted asked me last night if I had made "something sweet".  In truth, I had not...not even thought about it for our Friday night at home.  What is wrong with me?!  Yes...sometimes I slip!  I then remembered a gift I was given for Christmas.  Cake in a mug...two different flavors!  Vanilla for me...I added fruit.  Chocolate for Ted.  And to make life sweeter...ReddiWhip.  I snapped a picture as a reminder. 

Little things matter. 

Different is good.

Don't stop making things special.

Because satan does his best to destroy all that is good and true in our lives.  

You fight every day...we know who wins!

 

Forecasted yet unexpected

A day off due to an impending ice storm!  Ted and Alisa still had to go to work...real world facts.  Since I was awake and we needed groceries and the weather was still calm, I got going early and got the errands done.  I came home and made a yummy lunch to take over to Ted

Quick Italian beef sandwiches and a salad with a treat of Sprecher's root beer and cream soda.

He was the only one at the plant today.

The building is huge and they are getting ready to add a big machine this summer/fall.  It is fascinating to see what they do.  It all starts with these little plastic pellets!

By the time I headed home, the rain/sleet/freezing rain had started.  It was time to cuddle with the pups.

They are sweet companions on a snow...ice day!

Chica was watching for Alisa and Ted to get home.

Ok...maybe it will turn into something to be concerned about!?! 

It was so pretty though!  Our power flickered twice as we headed to bed.  We slept through it all.

We woke up to another ice day for me and a good coating of ice all over everything!

It is so pretty...from inside the warmth of our home.

I think we lost the top off the middle tree!  I will have to go back and look at other pictures to be sure.

More fun with Mom...

I got to brave the melty ice and take lunch to my love again.  I am so thankful for the chance to do this for and with him!  It takes about 10 minutes to get to him from our house.  Through the last eleven years, I have not been able to do lunch with him with work and mom schedules.  It was worth the wait...and it is abundantly above all that we could ask or think.  I think back to the hard parts of last year, but God helped us and sustained us.  He provided then and He has been faithful to provide yet again.

Instead of fighting or grumbling, we have learned to embrace the circumstances that we are in and move forward because we have NO IDEA what God is doing.  We still do not know the why of the what and when, but we know we CAN TRUST God.  "He works all things out for our good...so He gets the glory!"

A little salt, a little chopping, and a little scraping...

 

Wearing different hats

We had school on President's Day!  We celebrated Great Americans in our K5 as we look ahead to our K5 graduation program.  This year will be a patriotic theme.  These little friends were so cute.  Their parents helped them know about the person they chose.

With the snow day, our 100 day was moved.  We had fun looking at all the fun things we have done and learned since September.

100 circles on each clown face...I love art with my little friends!  So many different outcomes from the one idea.

This is what a K5 teacher looks like after a fun day of 100 activities and probably 100 decisions too.  I got in the van and fired up the gps and sighed...a mental switch to landlord mode and headed to handle things for Ted. 

Not our neighborhood...I guess we are part of the revitalization of this neighborhood.  Seems daunting when there are so many abandoned and empty and a mess.

We have not been able to fill this property yet.  

Things have been slow the last couple months which is abnormal from what we have been told.  Where has everyone gone?  Supply and demand may have balanced out?  We are finally ready for a tenant inspection...we hope...with a favorable outcome!

My mission...replacement appliances that I was to go and procure at an establishment on 8 Mile.  "Put your big girl pants on and your do not mess with me face, act like you know what you are doing,  and you will be just fine!  I wouldn't ask you to do this if I thought you couldn't handle it.  You could also carry if you want."  Ok then.  I went and did what I had to do...checked the fridge temp...and then went and bought a fridge from a new friend.  I encountered a strong, new perfume to me...called weed.  Whoa, was it strong to this naive palate.  I'm hoping my hair doesn't hold the smell too long!

I stayed around to get things taken care of Tuesday because of a "winter storm warning bringing ice".  The guys were able to deliver today so I was willing to sit around and wait...and ponder all the hard work that has gone into this property.  I'm wondering if the new tenant will take care of the place or be as nasty as what we had to clean up this summer/fall.  Yes...I still get the shivers when I think about what we had to do.  "It's all part of the rental game."

All the work of cleaning the other ones...all for naught!  They were not working correctly.  Hmmm.  Now...two working appliances ready to go!

Two new friends who spoke Spanish and expertly worked a strap rather than an appliance dolly.  I am forever learning new ways of doing things!  I was also treated very nicely by the three guys I met today.  "Oh yeah, I talked with Ted today!"   I wonder if it is because Ted keeps telling people that "the boss is coming by to pay and arrange delivery with you."  Oh boy!  

Or maybe it was because the sun is shining finally and lifts peoples' spirits. 

She is a little friend...no matter what!

 

Well...that's a twist!

We went to bed hearing freezing rain falling.  I woke up to a text that said school was cancelled!  There was a nice coat of ice all over everything.  Ted checked to see if I wanted coffee or if I was going to go back to sleep.  "I'll take it!  I'm awake now!"

It was a pretty start to the morning.  The cold weather came back and kissed Michigan again.

So...a little disappointed this morning to have to post-pone Muffins with Mom and 100th day, but thankful for a cozy morning at home.  Now to try to be productive.  Ted is at work.  Alisa left for her job.  

I'll enjoy the quiet and catch up on some laundry and grading in my jammies...

after we cuddle for awhile!  I can't disturb them when they are snoring peacefully on my lap.  Time to sit and be thankful and be still.  Last year, I flew to Atlanta to be with Ted.  Six years ago, we moved into our house and made it our home.

Now the sun is peaking out and making the world look like it is covered in diamonds...and showing all the smudges on the patio door.  I guess I should add that to my to do list too.  When the sun hasn't shone for so long...you don't see the subtle marks/dust/cobwebs/smudges that the clouds cover!  

Another life lesson for me to think about on this icy Friday.  Be open to look and search for those things that God's Word points out to you.  Follow the Source of Light that shines with truth that does not change.  Let His words challenge your frail thinking...not the other way around.  Then get up and do something about it.  Psalm 139:23, Ecclesiastes 1:13, 7:25, Jeremiah 17:10, 29:13, Lamentations 3:40
 When we walk away from what the Light shows us and do nothing about it, the ugly mark stays and gets bigger and attracts other dirt and is more noticeable to us...and then to others.  Often more glaring...because I have been living in this house and using the patio door multiple times a day to let the dogs out...I stopped seeing the smudges in my haste.  Others walk in and notice "Oh my, she hasn't cleaned that in forever." I can fool myself into thinking it isn't a big deal and no-one will think twice about it.  BUT yeah, yeah, they do and then they can't unsee it.

"It's me...I'm the problem...it's me!"  It is the new saying people use when making reels and it is easily laughed off.   But that is the foundation for all our problems...ME, MYSELF, I...my proud, sinful heart.  My problems are not because of others...that is blameshifting.  My problems are not because of what is happening...that is excusing.  My problems are because I am refusing to deal with my heart...a lack of surrendering, forgiving, forgetting, and thanking.  I am not responsible to fix others.  I am responsible to fix what God shows me in His Light.  And as I sit and type these thoughts, the song "In Christ Alone" is playing.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand