Friday Letters

 

 

 

 

 

Friday Letters, January 30th Edition

 

 

 

 

 

Please visit Paula's blog to take part in Friday letters and peek in at other bloggers letters!

 

 

Dear Amanda, you are such a wonderful friend, and we have been through a lot together.  I so wish we lived closer together, but am also very thankful you are in a wonderful spot where you have slowly but surely settled in.  I am very thankful that you shared your heart and thoughts on depression and are open to helping others with the same issue ( goodness knows you are my cheerleader many times over).

 

Dear Mother Nature and Weather Man, Can you please stop sending us this very strange weather?  Snow, rain, freezing rain, ice pellets, frigid temperatures, huge wind gusts, tidal surges, freezing fog, next we will have volcanoes and who knows what else!  Also, Mr. Weatherman, please stop with the predictions of paralyzing blizzards and immobilizing apocalyptic weather.  Now no one here will prepare for storms because they do not believe a word you say, after this last "blizzard" especially.

 

Dear Jenna, thank you for sending me that secret box of my favourite teas from my favourite tea shop in the whole world.  It was such a wonderful surprise and brightened my day, and my week, as I deal with the remains of the anxiety that seeps in unsuspectingly when I think it has left. It was a wonderful treat and I love you for it!

 

Dear Right Elbow, I am sorry that I didn't listen to my sensei all the time in karate lessons and didn't always have a bend in my elbow when I punched. And carried things the wrong way, and hyper extended my arm. And whipped old apples out the window for the deer to eat.  I am very sorry I ignore you telling me you are hurting!  I promise I will ice you and add heat and the essential oil blend I made to get you better soon!

 

Dear Nathan, my sweet grandbaby boy.  You will be a year old soon, in just over a week.  Please don't grow so fast. It seems that just since Christmas you have grown and changed so much.  Now you are walking, and you can say a couple of words, and you are getting yourself in to all kinds of trouble! My how I love you!

 

Dear Paula, thanks so much for starting the Friday Letters, it is really such a great idea!  I enjoy writing them and reading the letters other bloggers are writing!

 



The Simple Woman's Daybook, January 26

 

Thoughts for Today

 

 

 

Outside my window...  It is bright and sunny and cold.  The wind is calm and all the birds are hiding out today, finding cozy shelters from the storm heading our way.

 

 

Sun just starting to hang low in the sky at the beach yesterday.

 

 

Sunset at Sambro, after collecting sea glass.

 

I am thinking...That I hope they are wrong about the severity of this storm coming up the Eastern Seaboard, and really hoping my hubby doesn't have to go into work if it is bad.  We now have a blizzard warning!

I am thankful...Our son is flying home this evening from his vacation in Ontario.  He is very sick with a cold virus, so I hope his flight is smooth and safe.  I will be so thankful to have him home!

In the kitchen...Blueberry muffins, and cookie baking if I get time before we go to the airport.  We need some food in this house if the power goes out ( they are already calling in hydro crews from Quebec to help!)  We are having leftover "Who hash pie" - our name for shepherds pie - for supper.

 

 

Yummy!!

 

The recipe for these beauties can be found in this book HERE.

 

I am wearing...Blue jeans, and the same shirt I have worn the past few Monday's, lol!  It is comfy! I do change my clothes, honest!

I am creating...My rag garland is finally finished, so on to my next project, sewing up my burlap sacks for pillows perhaps, or painting some cards with words of encouragement.  More on that in another post.

I am going...To batten down the hatches outside, as we are set to get wind gusts of 110 km per hour tomorrow!

I am wondering...If Jeremy will like the changes I made in his room ( I love to change furniture around!)

I am reading...Nothing at the moment actually, skimming through Country Living magazine, and trying to get back into God's Word, which I never should get out of in the first place!

 

I am hoping...That maybe this anxiety is subsiding and I can get to the airport without having to rush to the nearest bathroom.....Oh what joy to have sensitive insides!

I am looking forward to... Hugging my son!!

I am learning...To hold on to words of truth and not jump ahead.  Uhmm, let's just say it is a work in progress!

Around the house... Charging flashlight batteries, getting candles out, taking out extra blankets, baking goodies, filling the bird feeders, making sure shovels are close at hand, cleaning and rearranging Jeremy's room.

 

 

Battery operated candles are terrific!

 

Water ( and 6 big jugs in addition to this) and canned fuel.  The propane on the barbeque is full too.

 

Excuse the dust, we are sanding our stairs and this has been right in the path of the dust storm!  But LED lamps are handy too!

 

I am pondering... Encouraging women.  I have an idea or two.  I like to work where no one knows it is me.  I need a lot of encouragement right now, but feel a lot of women, and people in general actually, need that these days.

A favorite quote for today...“When we’re anxious, disconnected, vulnerable, alone, and feeling helpless, the booze and food and work and endless hours online feel like comfort, but in reality they’re only casting their long shadows over our lives.”

 - Brene Brown  (OH this is an ouch quote for me!!!  I spend way too much time online and not enough with God and doing what I love here in the real world, trying to escape it and these awful feelings of fear and worry)

 

One of my favorite things...Walks at the beach on windy days.

 

 

This was a tiny wave in comparison to some that came crashing in. 

 

The waves sounded like thunder!

 

And my hubby got a little too close, hehe!

 

Meet Wilbur, he is a 6 month old pure bred bloodhound.  This is my very favourite dog breed, oh how I would love one.  They are slobbery and stubborn but so amazing!  Wilbur is brand new to Nova Scotia, he arrived two weeks ago from Missouri.  Wilbur's owner just had to put her 11 year old bloodhound, Clydesdale, down a couple of weeks ago.  He was 140 pounds of sweetness.  I cried when she told me he had to be put down, we often walked with him at the beach.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week...Well, it will depend on the weather, but grocery shopping at the end of the week if it is clear enough to drive across to Dartmouth.  Emailing friends.  Catching up with Jeremy after his trip.

A peek into my day...

 

 

This is our dog, Mixie. And she will need to go for a nice long hike after I finish this post.   That was the name she was given at the shelter and it stuck!  I have no clue what breed she is but there is hound in there, likely beagle.  She is crazy.  But we love her!

Please join The Daybook by clicking HERE

 

 

Friday Letters

 

 

 

 

 

I am trying a little something new.  On Friday's I will be posting Dear Friday Letters, I think it is such a great idea.  If you would like to take part too, please visit Paula's blog at http://smidgensbitsandsnippets.blogspot.ca/  and you can write letters, or check on what others have written.  Here goes!

 

Dear Jeremy, (He is my oldest son, visiting my family in Ontario right now), I am so sorry you have come down with this cold and are not feeling well.  I cannot wait until you come home on Monday, I miss you so much!!  Try and rest and have fun though!

 

Dear Oil Man, I really hope you can fix our furnace so we stop going through oil like it is water, it is getting too expensive.  And I hope you can fix it without charging us an arm and a leg!!  On that note, thank you oil prices, for dropping so low right now!

 

Dear Anxiety, Please go away.  I know you are going to hang around and clobber me every so often but lately your visits have become more frequent and I am sorry, but you are not moving in on a permanent basis.  Even though the doctor told me yesterday I need to learn to cope with you because you will never totally leave, and that upset me, I am still determined that God has my back and will give me strength. Oh yes it is a challenge to fight through my chest pounding, headaches, stomach aches and frequent trips to the bathroom, shaking, and disassociation from my surroundings, the gifts you so thoughtfully give me. And the many other issues that hang around with you. But I intend to keep moving forward.  Even if they are baby steps.

 

Dear Nor'Easter.....Please go away and don't come in our direction!!!

 

 

 

 



The Simple Woman's Daybook for January 19

 

 

 

FOR TODAY MONDAY JANUARY 19

 

(I wrote a novel here today!)

Outside my window... Today was a stormy, rainy, foggy day!  Yesterday there was snow and ice, this morning when we woke up, the snow had all but melted and there were just icy tracks from our car in the driveway. The wind gusts were 70 km per hour, and it unnerved me when I watched the living room window moving around every time a gust hit them.  It even made my desk shake!

 

 

Oh oh, red sky in morning...it sure was true today, what a stormy dark day!

 

This was taken yesterday, we were walking across a lake at a local hiking trail and park.  I think it will need a few more days after today's rain and warm temperatures for me to feel like walking on this again!

 

 

We took Nathan with us, the fresh air did me good!  But being with him helped even more!

 

I am thinking... That I cannot manage this anxiety disorder well, even with medication.  I thought things were getting better, but just when I think I have maybe turned a corner in this, it is back with a vengeance. Evenings are just horrible right now, after supper the panic is worse, and I tend to dread it all day.  I am exhausted.  The problem with "I am thinking" is that I never stop! 

I am thankful...That I have a bigger God than this, but right now, I am scared of everything, and just need to hear Him.  To do that, of course, I need to push all the negative thoughts out so God's truth can take root.  Pushing the bad thoughts out is so tiring, over and over and over again. Constantly.

 

 

Flowers to cheer me up, my youngest son asked my hubby to bring them home for me, from him.  My hubby contributed a bouquet as well, they are bright and sunny and springy!

 

In the kitchen...I have trouble eating when I feel like this, and have stress related IBS, so I am trying to be bland for a while until my appetite returns.  Tonight we had home made chicken noodle soup, and chocolate cobbler for dessert. 

I am wearing... The same teal blue long sleeved shirt as last Monday, lol! I love this shirt, so comfy! Also wearing a denim mini skirt and black leggings.

I am creating... A journal of sorts, of favourite things and clippings from magazines.  I started it quite some time ago, when we lived in Ontario actually, and thought I would add some writing and thoughts to it before I continue adding photos.  I have enough photos cut out that I can fill 20 books!

I am going... To go for a walk down the road with my hubby after I finish this, I hope that helps me feel more settled.

I am wondering... If I will ever feel like me again?  I am not even sure who me is right now! Someone has told me not to fight this anxiety but to ride it out, I guess like I am surfing?  Well, I am really not sure how on earth to do that! I want to curl up and just sit and do nothing but feel better.  Sorry...I don't mean for this to sound like a sob story.  This is the loneliest feeling, and I feel so trapped.  Even worse is feeling like this when you have a relationship with God, it makes me feel like I am such a failure.  Especially after my blog post I wrote last Wednesday!

I am reading... Country Living magazine, and Psalm 139 ( that a friend sent me in a message).  I need to commit that one to memory!

I am hoping... To get this house more organized, as I deal with stress and anxiety, it tends to make me flit around and just leave piles of books, papers, craft projects, etc, on every available flat surface!

 

 

Case in point.... the results of our library trip today!  Oh how I love the library!

 

 

This is my stack!

 

I am looking forward to...Our son Jeremy coming home, next Monday.  He has gone to visit family in Ontario, and I miss him!  Having him gone has been a hard adjustment, and makes me wonder how I will ever cope when the kids all leave home. I have to say, I don't much like it!  When our daughter got married, I was so happy for her, and so glad to get a dear son in law.  But I cried and cried and cried, and got myself in quite a state. I was not prepared for it to be so hard actually.

I am learning...That I cannot handle things on my own, and I need God's help every single second.  To accept who I am, but trying to be better.  That sleep is so important, even when I don't feel tired.

Around the house... Mike is sanding down the stairs to prep them for painting ( though that may mean waiting until spring, when we can have the doors open), taking the Christmas greens out of the containers outside while the weather is warm, trying to get into some sort of school routine, rearranging Jeremy's room before he comes back home.

I am pondering...What it is to ponder......"To think about or consider something carefully" ( Merriam Webster Dictionary).  So to that note, I am pondering the amount of time I spend online, as it is taking up a lot of my time, and in some cases, makes anxiety worse. The one think I truly love is blogging, so that stays.  But I do need to limit time on Facebook, etc. and use it more wisely.

A favorite quote for today... I don't remember this quote word for word, as I heard it in the car this morning, but basically "You can't have true intimacy with God if you do all the talking".  It was on Charles Stanley today, (In Touch Ministries)  Sometimes we need to be quiet and listen.  It is important to pray for others of course, but just as important to be still and quiet.

One of my favorite things... Reading once I hop into bed for the night, snuggling in under quilts, with my warm rice bag at my feet, falling asleep while reading and then my dh tucking me in.

 

 

You always need a few teddy bears ( and in my case, a monster!) to sit on your bed!

 

A few plans for the rest of the week...Haircut tomorrow, grocery shopping with my daughter, doctor appointment to renew prescriptions, decluttering closets, finishing a rag garland.

 

The sun came out tonight, just in time for it to set, but oh, it was beautiful, and the light outside was sort of surreal.  It was so pretty!

 

Cloud bank hanging over the ocean.

 

Here's hoping  and praying

this cloud bank in my head clears up soon!

 

 

 

Please stop by Peggy's blog to participate in the Simple Woman's Daybook and to read what others have to say!

Snowfall and snowy branches, lesson learned on the trail.

 

 

Today has been a long day.  We were up at 5:30 AM to drive Jeremy, our middle child, who just turned 20, to the airport.  He has gone back to Ontario for 2 weeks and is visiting family and going to Monster Jam, a monster truck show.  I am missing him A LOT.  I prefer to have all my chicks close by, and IN the nest if possible. As I write this, I have the light turned in his bedroom so it doesn't seem so dark and empty.  Devin and I accomplished a bit of school today, but we were both feeling tired and deflated.  Missing a big part of us really.

 

I decided to go out for a walk along the trail we made on our property, the first loop around I had the dog with me.  She was very interested in the rabbit tracks we found.  On the way back, I thought I should have taken my camera, it was so pretty and peaceful,  so once we got back home, I left the dog inside and grabbed the camera and did the walk more slowly and deliberately.

 

 

 

 

This is our first accumulation of snow this winter!

 

 

 

 

 

A little hit of colour with the property marker!

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"

-Matthew 11:28 ( New King James Version)

 

 

As I walked further along the trail, the snow seemed to get heavier on the branches of the fir trees.  As soon as I brushed against a branch, I was covered in a cascade of snow, as the snow fell off the branch and the branch sprung back into its rightful place again.

 

The more I walked, the more I observed, and the above Bible verse popped into my head.  The branches were heavy laden and burdened with snow, yet just a touch as I walked past released the weight of snow, and the branch popped back again, it didn't snap or break.

 

God wants to release the burdens, worries and fears that weigh us down, and all we have to do is come to Him.  His touch is gentle and He will give us rest so that we can be who He has called us to be.  Rest is not just sleep.  It is peace of mind or spirit.  It is tranquility, relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs. Sort of like the branches that were covered and laden with snow, with just a brush of a hand they were released and back in their rightful place again.  God will do the same for us if we allow Him to, and if we go to Him first.  It is so easy to want to look around for instant answers to everything, when really, the answer is right in front of us.  Giving it all to God, going to Him and letting Him take the burdens, resting in His care and love.

 

I just wish I was not as stubborn as I am, I tend to bend under the weight of burdens, until I feel I am going to snap. I need rest from the constant barrage of thoughts that rush through my mind. 

 

Just a visual little note from God to me today.  If I wasn't so sleepy I could write more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Simple Woman's Daybook - January 12th Edition

 

For Today, January 12

 

Outside my window... I am getting a late start today!  I am writing this after supper, it is dark, but the whole day has been dark, dreary, raw and drizzly.  There is a deep freeze on the way tonight, and some snow expected.

I am thinking...That people have become very cruel and mean.  More so than ever before.  I am not sure why, is it because people are tired, stressed out and too busy? There are so many good people in the world, kind hearted and loving who will help others. But lately, maybe this is just me, I just seem to feel a sense that things have changed, or bumped up a notch on the "this world is going crazy" meter.  It appears that people are finding it so hard to be encouraged, and are at a breaking point, which turns into anger and mean spiritedness. Where once people would bite their tongue and not say something, or they would apologize, now it just seems like they let whatever they want to say fly.  It bothers me.

I am thankful...That I am a child of God.  I cannot imagine getting through each day without Him, even though more often than not, I mess up.  I am also thankful He is forgiving and loves me just the way I am!

In the kitchen... Cheeseburger soup for supper, a homemade apple pie for dessert, and two loaves of banana bread, one plain and one with cranberries.

I am wearing...Jeans, grey tank top, and purple jersey knit sweater. 

I am creating... Primitive rag garlands and soap!

 

 

 

 

I have a matching window frame which is going to go above the stairway, as you turn and go downstairs.  I have some old driftwood which I would like to make signs out of, I may attach them to the frames too.

I am going...To wash dishes, put laundry away and have a swim in the bathtub. I have tendonitis in my elbow, and it needs a good soak in hot water! 

I am wondering...About painting our bedroom and what colour to choose.

I am reading...Mother Earth News magazine.  I really like this particular magazine, it has some great ideas, though some would be hard to implement here with our rocky soil.

I am hoping...To get back into a rhythm of getting up earlier in the morning and having a quiet time, a devotional and taking time to sit and pray. Of course, that means I have to get to bed earlier at night...

I am looking forward to...Our son being back from Ontario...and he hasn't even left!  He leaves on Wednesday morning for a two week visit with family ( grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins).  I am very happy he has this opportunity though!

I am learning...To use a rotary cutter and self healing cutting mat. Wow, so much faster than cutting things out with scissors and the mat amazes me! 

Around the house...I still have to paint some trim and doors, but the wall painting is done. I am trying to declutter.  I also need to find a spot to keep my youngest sons Lego creation, which is 3 feet long!

 

 

 

The long awaited, scrimped and saved for Lego London Bridge is here!  And someone is very happy ( and finished it in one day!)

 

It is absolutely huge!

 

 

He is pretty proud of himself, and I am super proud of him, he worked so hard on this!

 

I am pondering...Why I feel so downcast and weary.  Soul weary.

A favorite quote for today...“If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.”
― Corrie ten Boom

(Oh how I love her - her book "The Hiding Place" is a MUST read -and oh how I needed to read this quote today!)  THIS is a great website where you can read about Corrie.

One of my favorite things...We had a huge bonfire yesterday, and I sat all toasty while piling wood on and poking at the embers.  Even though it was very cold, it was nice to sit out in the fresh air and quiet.  I love sitting by a fire and just being still.  Listening for God's sweet voice and just being quiet before Him.

 

 

The fire was so hot I could barely stand by it to poke it!  And then when I sat back down, I froze, lol!

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... We just started back to school today, and I would like to make some good progress with that this week.  I would like to start some rag dolls  as well, but have to finish the rag garland first.  A grocery shopping date with my daughter later this week, and a trip out to the airport. 

A peek into my day...

 

 

The pink soap is bubble gum scented, and it is going to my niece, who loves pink, glittery, sparkly things.  The brown soap is cinnamon bark essential oil with oatmeal and shea butter, and it smells so good!  I sure do prefer using essential oils, for soap making, skin balms, cleaning etc.

 

Please head over to THE SIMPLE WOMAN'S blog, to check out other daybook participants!

 

Simple Woman's Daybook, January 5th Edition

 

Daybook for Today, January 5th

 

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...I am getting a late start, in fact, supper is over and the dishes washed up and dried!  It is pitch black outside and the wind is howling around the house, the windows are creaking and I can tell we need to do some work on the windows to keep the cold air out!

I am thinking... About a dear friend who is having some issues with one of her children.  I wish I could do so much more to help her!

I am thankful...That on this cold, blustery winter's night, I have a roof over my head, food on the table, my family at home ( though my daughter is just up the road with her wee family) and a warm bed with lots of quilts.

In the kitchen...Tonight it was pork chops with mushroom gravy and cheesy mashed potatoes and a baby veggie blend.  I need to do some baking, as the last of the Christmas cookies have been devoured, and we need some pumpkin chocolate chip bread in this house!

I am wearing...Blue jeans, lumberjack socks, Birkenstocks, and a teal blue long sleeve shirt.

I am creating...Rag garlands and other primitive items for my newly redecorated living room/hallways/staircase.

 

 

Living room, before...

 

It was pretty tricky painting this stairwell, especially with a very bad back!

 

Living room, after.  Paint colour is "Antiquities", it is the Marquee brand by Behr, and I HIGHLY recommend it.  We thought we would need to go and buy more cans, but it was all completed, living room, hallways, and staircase, in one coat with one and a half cans of paint!  It is expensive but worth every penny!

 

Upstairs hallway.

 

 

 

Other side of living room.

 

I am going...To put on my warmest clothes and scarves and hats, and go out for a walk down our trail with my hubby, the dog and only a flashlight!  Now that the bears have gone, this has been a fun thing to do!

I am wondering...If I should apply at a new shop opening up in April, a store geared to marketing the wares of local people, who makes crafts, etc.  I was thinking of selling my rag dolls there, but need to apply.  I am a bit nervous about the whole thing.

I am reading...The latest edition of Country Sampler, as well as Mother Earth News.

I am hoping...That my hubby gets some much needed relief from his horrible back pain at the physiotherapist tomorrow.  He has a slipped disk, and he can barely roll over in bed.  I have to help him get dressed!  Prayers are appreciated!

 

I am looking forward to...This decorating being finished, though it has a while to go.  I will need to sand and paint the stairs, as we took off the carpet ( the only carpet in this house...on one set of the stairs, and it was WHITE! - what were the people before us thinking??)

I am learning...That relationships with certain people can be very difficult, and how I am to fit into their lives without always being hurt.

Around the house... Painting touch ups to be done, making the rag garland, hanging photos and other things in just the right places, getting ready to start school again ( my hubby has had the past week and a bit off and goes back Thursday - I am not happy about that!)  Dusting...so much drywall dust..ugh...

I am pondering...Painting my youngest sons room in a Minecraft theme.  but not just yet...I am painted out!

A favorite quote for today... Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." 

 

I need to remember that when there are jobs that I do not like to do, or when I procrastinate and put things off, that I  really need to focus on doing them for the Lord, He is the ultimate One I am working for and serving.  Serving others, my family and people God puts in my path, and doing so with a thankful heart, brings glory to God.  And that is amazing!

One of my favorite things... A long, hot bath after a day out in the cold.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Finishing touches on the decorating, spending time with my hubby before he has to go back to work, starting to do an exercise routine (I like Leslie Sansone Walk DVD's), and organizing school work to begin again on Monday. I also hope to sneak in a visit with my almost 11 month old grandson!  Writing more blog posts.

 

A peek into my day... We needed a bit of a break from being home and cooped up, so we went to the ocean and looked for some sea glass and driftwood, and froze solid!  Brrrr, cold and so windy!  My husband and youngest son have had such bad colds, and sometimes the salty sea air helps clear congestion.

 

Sandy Cove Lighthouse, Terence Bay

 

 

It was an angry sea today, the winds were howling, and I had to hold on to Devin for dear life so he would not blow off his feet! The wind ripped our breath away!

 

I hope you all have a Happy, blessed New Year!!! I am very thankful for the friendships I am making through the many blogs I have been reading, thanks to this wonderful weekly blogging event!

 

Please join me at The Simple Woman Blog to read more daybooks and to sign up to participate!