Thursday, July 31, 2025

A gift that is ministering to my heart

as I have to refill my heart and mind to be able to help some dear friends that have asked me to help them.  I am using much of my free time to read, study, and think through truth that God is showing me.  I am finding that I am struggling and stumbling my way through choices that I  make each day as I try to follow God's way and not my own.  I have been asked some pretty honest questions that have made me blink, take a deep breath, and share hard truth.  My theme has been, "Life is hard.  Life is messy.  But God!  Be honest!"
Once again...God takes you through things in life, so you can help others.  So thankful for a friend who shared this book with me.  Just another tool to help me communicate clearly.  I don't want to waste the moments God is giving me.  If I do not share the hope we have in Christ, I am wasting so many valuable lessons and opportunities.  People need to hear our testimony.  They need to know that Gad can help them in their struggles.  God has helped me and He continues to this very day!

I've gotta get to JesusGotta get to JesusI know that He's the answer to my needsBring Him all my problemsOnly He can solve themMend the broken piecesGotta get to Jesus
When my world is torn apartI need healing for my heartI really don't know how much more I can takeTrapped inside a cloud of disbelief and doubtI only know one way of escape
I've gotta get to JesusGotta get to JesusI know that He's the answer to my needsBring Him all my problemsOnly He can solve themMend the broken piecesGotta get to Jesus
If the hem of His garment is all I can reachI know if I touch Him I will be free

I will be free 

I've gotta get to JesusGotta get to JesusI know that He's the answer to my needsBring Him all my problemsOnly He can solve themMend the broken piecesGotta get to Jesus

Date night

We had to go check on the central air-conditioning at one of the properties as it was not working.  We were hoping some new fuses would take care of it as we waited for the repairman to be able to make it there.  It has been so hot and humid, so we get in line!  The fuses were not the problem.  Thankfully, our guy could get there Monday morning.  As we headed back home, we stopped for a supper date at Bad Brad's BBQ.  We enjoyed the pig candy and sweet iced tea.  We shared a meal.  It was a treat after not going out since being back from vacation.

 

 


Company is coming...came...and went!

My Momma taught me to be a hostess years ago...and she did it well!  When company is coming, the house gets picked up, bathrooms cleaned, clean sheets on the beds and fresh towels, and yummy things to eat!  I looked to the pantry, made a list, and grabbed a few grocery items.  Scotcheroos sounded good to me, so I pulled out Grandma Jan's recipe.  And then made some fresh granola while I was in the kitchen.
Visitors from Illinois...to pick up Grandma and take her home for a visit.
We got to catch up on life and Barbies.
We shared time talking about the important things in life and puppy naps.
Asking questions and sharing insights over coffee.
A fresh batch of playdough on a cloudy day...
and an imagination that does not quit!
Auntie Kari likes to pull out the fun stuff!


This girl has plans for Grandma that included dinosaurs.  I am not sure if Mom is convinced the plans are a good idea or not.
Chatting about all the things...and Chica's response was a lick on the nose.  I'm pretty sure it was Chica's way of saying that it was time for bed...
because she was tired and had enough.  "We are not used to having little girls who talk and move around so much hang out with us."
Sunday morning after goodbyes were exchanged.  Sunday night.  All day Monday.  

 

Memories that make the ache a little stronger.

I appreciate technology for many reasons...and this is one...the memories that are brought up year after year.  When these memories popped up, I had instant tears.  Those days that are gone and we never get back, but remember the excitement and noise of the time.  Mom rode to Michigan with a couple from their church in Hillsdale for a visit.  The kids were all so young!  Now most of them are grown and flown.  I am so thankful that we took the time to gather when we did.  

No matter who fusses...take the picture...take forty of them...because one day...those pictures will stir the memories of those special times!

 

Some work...some play...makes for good days!

Wanting to be a help...Ted set Mom up with a brush to seal the new cement pad...
while I worked on laundry and office catch up.
Then we took off for an adventure to a yummy coffee/pastry place.  Tous Les Jour in Novi! 
Some savory and some sweet to share while we sipped our beverage of choice...strawberry lemonade...
and an Americano with cream.
Then the real reason for going out...a trip to Hobby Lobby!  We walked all over the store and looked at all the things.  I got a couple useful things and a couple gifts.  I think Mom found a few things to make her suitcase heavier!

Supper on the patio!  My favorite place to cook bacon now...because it doesn't trigger the smoke alarm like cooking it in the oven does!
A taste of summer...fresh tomatoes, thick cut bacon, fresh sourdough bread....

Time with a friend and a yummy salad!  I will be doing this again...with goat cheese.
Time in the sun in the morning with my coffee and my Bible study.  So thankful for the start of days that are not so hot and humid!
Love trying Aldi's array of summertime treats!
A Friday project...the next section of the cement pad for the generator shed.
Ted carried the 60 pound bags because I cannot lift them safely.  My job was to cut the bag open and dump.  I had cement dust everywhere!  It was so warm and humid that sweat was running off both of us.
We worked together to smooth out the dry cement to get it ready for spraying it down.  Ted found it interesting how many times I referenced icing a cake as we spread and filled in trying to get it smooth.
Uh...it is much the same!  And as he started rolling the dry cement powder, and it started pulling up on itself, I started to get the giggles.  Pretty sure the high humidity did not help.
The first two sprays are on the mist setting...which I did while he ran to Home Depot to get the hardware to anchor the shed.  He set the pieces, and then every 45 minutes, he soaked the pad for the next couple of hours.  "Not perfect, but good enough!"
Now we wait for it to cure before we move the shed into place.
 

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Catching up at home

The first few days we were back home, the dogs were very clingy!  The first morning...they cuddled in hard!  I had lots of things to catch up on...so they joined Grandma in her room.
An errand to Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area called for an adventure!  I took Mom to Zingermans.  We have lived here almost 13 years and I have never gone to their bakery.  

A yummy treat and fresh bread to take home.  I picked out a treat for my working man. Ted said my peach pie tastes better.
Chicken fajitas and homemade tortillas
A yummy quiche for brunch with a friend.
Running errands in pouring rain is always fun!  We are thankful for the consistent rain this summer.
Mom requested salmon while she was here.
Pretty little flowers from a seed packet.
Grandma insisted on mowing.  So I trimmed the tree.
Time on the patio every day to enjoy the sun and beautiful weather.  The cantaloupe looked so good...but was zingy!  Wowee!  We laughed and joked but got rid of it.  Thank goodness the watermelon was good.
Summer tastes so good right now!
Enjoying the sunshine every chance we get!
Fresh herbs from a friend.
Back to using the red light every day.