Monday, January 18, 2016

What a week and a half!


Hello Folks ~ What a week and a half and I'm glad it's over. First of all I  had bought a wire cage to place Miss Rosie in, in the living room, as she was now in heat and I didn't want her outside, not even in the screened porch. Male cats were hanging around.  Miss Tork hissed at Rosie a couple of times, but for the most part stayed away from the cage. Our routine was not the same, but she did well considering another feline was in her space. :-)

I had emailed the Peggy Adam's pet shelter the week before and was put on a waiting list. I emailed back asking how long, got an email last Tues. saying about a month.  Made myself resigned to that. The next evening I got another email saying they could take Miss Rosie, so I made an appt. for the next morning. I took some selfies for a momento. I loved this little girl, and have prayed that she'll find a good home with people who will love & cherish her.








I had to have Miss Rosie at the shelter around 8. More traumatic for her than me, as she was in the cage for a longish van ride.  Bless her heart. Then taken into a place where she could hear cats and dogs.  She did well, I told her it was going to be ok and to be a loving kitty to someone, and I shed a few tears. As I left I had a feeling of relief, mixed with a little sadness. I had decided to use some Christmas gift cards on the way home since I was at the north end of town.  Went to Joann's and Walmart, then to Publix. I didn't get home til nearly 2 p.m. Exhausted!  

Miss Tork and I have more or less gotten back to normal.  Although I'll have to say she's been even more lovey-dovey than usual.

Here is Miss Tork on a lovely quilt made by my dear widow friend Maggie. It came Saturday. A beautiful gift after an emotional week. I love the colors and the whole thing has a Jacobean feel with the prints.  I'll take a better photo later.








Friday afternoon I was sitting here in my little space, when all of a sudden my smart phone started vibrating and screaming, scaring me half to death and making my heart pound like crazy.  I realized it must be some kind of warning and it was, a 'tornado' warning, and told to take shelter. Oh my gosh, I sort of freaked. Turned off the a.c., shut down my computer, closed blinds and curtains, prayed, and got out my Bible.  I was led to these two verses. ~ Psa 32:7  Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. ~ Psa 31:24  Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. 

My heart calmed somewhat, but I was still nervous. The winds were fierce with pounding rain, lasted about an hour. What a relief to have the storm over. 

Saturday was a mostly lovely day with lots of wind still. I took the following pictures.












I had another time of depression sweep over me,  Saturday late morning, and I cried as I wrote in my journal and told Jesus how I was feeling. I told him how I just want to hibernate and sleep so that I won't have to miss my DH. (Having to do things alone, and only for myself instead of him and us, really gets me down at times. It's just not the same. Grieving depletes and there's a lack of motivation.) Well, soon after that I felt this calmness and burst of energy and got up off my seat and started doing things. I never even felt like a nap and just kept going. I was oh so thankful for that change of attitude. God heard me. Then that afternoon the lovely quilt from Maggie came. I knew a pkg. was coming, but not what it contained.  What a delightful surprise.

The next morning, Sunday, very early, I was sitting here again, when the same thing happened.  I line of nasty weather was heading our way again, with a tornado watch.  The weather wasn't as bad and didn't last as long, but still got my heart pumping faster. The day turned out to be rather nice, although still windy. A cold front was headed our way. Right now at 9:34 EST it is 56 degrees and feels like it is 53. Later in the day I read that two people were killed in Sarasota because of a tornado there. It's not something we hear of here in Florida much. My heart goes out to family and friends of these two.

I've been reading and just finished a Christian fiction book by Lori Wick, 'The Princess'.  Yesterday I read the following: "Worry is a sin. ~ God is able to bear all that you are fretting about.  He has made a plan.  He has made a provision.  There are no shoulders larger or more capable than His.  Give that worry, whatever it is, to God." 

Then this morning I read this: " I love knowing God loves me & will never leave me.  God doesn't make life perfect for those who trust in Him, but He does promise to always be with us." 

I am ever learning and growing in my walk with Jesus, more so  now in this widowhood part of my journey.

Today is a new day, may I rejoice and be glad in it. 

Thank you all again for your love, prayers, words of encouragement. They and you mean a lot, and help me tremendously.

Have a great week ~ FlowerLady




20 comments:

Jean Campbell said...

You've had an emotional week, Rainey. You are blessed to find comfort.

organicgardendreams said...

Dear Lorraine, it must have been very hard to surrender the little black kitten to the shelter. But if you can't keep her it was the best thing you could do. I really hope that she will find someone who adopts and loves her!
And then the two tornado warnings, yikes, that is truly scary.
No wonder that you were not feeling well. Hope that things get easier for you this week and that your mood lifts up!
Warm regards,
Christina

Morning's Minion said...

Phones in our county are linked to an 'early warning' system. The several times that the phone has rung in the night to announce a storm approaching [and once the rupture of a gas pipeline] it does cause the heart to set up a frantic thumping. I confess I don't think well at such moments.
Our son phoned on Friday to say that he was off work due to the storms in their area of FL [Boynton Beach] and that his wife--texting from her job across town--had relayed that the electric had gone off at her work place.
I love the psalms for comfort and encouragement--David was able to give eloquent words to every situation whether fear, sorrow or heartfelt joy.
Your gift quilt is lovely--and very becoming to Miss Tork.
Wishing you a gentle week.

Nancy J said...

Wee Rosie will capture another family's heart, and be happy there, I'm sure. Tornados, rain, you will weather the storms as you have done this past year and before, and what a wonderful friend to send you the quilt. Comfort all wrapped up in fabric and stitches, and made with love for sure. Hang in there, your faith, Miss Tork, and us out here in the blogland nether-nether are always with you. Hugs. XXX

Janneke said...

Your friend Maggie really gave you a wonderful gift, it's a gorgeous quilt. I hope so that the sweet Miss Rosie finds a good home. I understand you live in a tornado area, I should be very scared too with all these tornado warnings.
Hope that the calm has restored again. Take care of yourself!

Rebecca said...

Bless your heart! Thankful you're safe. Courage, my friend!

Unknown said...

I agree, it's been a nerve-wracking week weatherwise. I'm sure glad that's over. I'm happy to hear you didn't receive damage, but I'm sorry it was uncomfortable waiting out the storm and warnings. It's scary trying to figure out where to go inside the house and what to do. Your quilt is so lovely, what a nice surprise to get to lift your spirits.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Whew! I'm exhausted just reading about your week of ups and downs.In all of this ,God is good and He is still in control.That quilt you got looks gorgeous.I also loved the pictures of the rain covered webs.

Janice said...


My goodness, it sounds like a you've had a bit of turmoil. Hopefully, now the 'calm after the storm'.
I like the roses and webs, especially with that beautiful blue sky for a background.
Take care, enjoy our cooler weather.

lil red hen said...

I pray God continues to be with you when you're in need of comfort. Miss Tork must be a wonderful companion. I loved the picture of the spider web being blown by the wind ~ unusual photo!

BeachGypsy said...

Thats a rough week my friend. Trust in God all you can and rely on your faith and stay busy and have friends. I saw the tornado on the news and had no idea where in Florida you are

L. D. said...

We were at Petsmart and saw a couple carry out two cats in their arms. The had just adopted them and the cats looked so contented. You black kitty will have a wonderful home.
You don't have a shelter to climb into during a tornado. I wished you had something. They tell people to get into a solid closet with a door or the bath tub. Holding your emotions inside is so bad for anyone and expressing them is a part of the healing process. Take care.

Rue said...

I was so scared for you the day of the tornado, I clicked over here to see if you'd posted, but you hadn't. I'm so glad you're okay, Rainey! That was one of the worst things about living on that side of the country.

I'm so sorry you've been feeling down and that you had to give up miss Rosie, but I'm glad you're better.

I'm sending bug hugs your way and hope your good feelings and energy stay with you, my friend.

(((hugs)))
rue

Susan said...

It sounds like you definitely have had a very emotional week. I'm so glad that there wasn't any serious damage in your area, and glad that you were able to find comfort. Sending hugs your way!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Hi Rainy
What an emotional roller coaster you have been on. As you have learned, you can't worry but turn your worries over to the Lord. It's all out of your hands anyway.

I'm sure that beautiful kitty will find a wonderful forever home. Glad you made it through the tornadoes. We have them a lot in Northern Indiana so I know how scarey they can be.
xx, Carol

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Glad you are okay.. Storms can be SO scary... Last winter when we had our horrible Ice Storm ---I was petrified especially during the night when that heavy ice was hitting our home and windows... Hope I never have to go through that again.

Hope Rosie finds a good home with people who will love her like you do... BUT--I'm sure that Miss Tork is happy to have 'her' home back again!!!!! ha

Stay safe.

Hugs,
Betsy

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

That quilt is beautiful! I'm sure your sweet kitty will find a new family. Miss Tork and you are a good match.
Scary with the tornado warnings. I'm guessing you don't have a basement. Bathtubs or closets are some protection. They make above ground shelters now and ones they can put in your garage floor. Two couples we know qualified for FEMA tornado shelters. They had to wait as there was a list, but feel much safer knowing they have a place to go. They both live in OK where they've had so many storms. Take care!

Jessica Jarrell said...

I was sorry to hear that you are feeling down again. I don't know about you, but my bouts are so cyclical. I go through 3-4 a year. Then it's always one day at a time, one foot in front of the other. I'm always really down after taking an animal to a shelter, it's one of the hardest things for me to do. I just try to remind myself that this too shall pass. There's only rainbows after the rain. Take care FlowerLady, stay safe. You'll be in my thoughts :-)

A Joyful Cottage said...

Rainey, as one who has journeyed through the grief of losing a spouse, you know I understand 100% the challenges you face each day. Wisely, you are drawing your strength from the only One who has more than you need. His reserve is endless. I know you'll continue to give your pain and loneliness to Him, and you will learn more and more about His faithfulness, love and compassion as you do. I love the scripture He gave you in the midst of the storm. He is our "Hiding Place" and under His wings we find shelter. Love you dear Lady. Hugs, Nancy

M.K. said...

The quilt is so very lovely -- elegant and rich in color and texture. I'm sorry Miss Rosie had to go live elsewhere, but sometimes, even though we love our pets dearly, they simply do not love each other, and they cannot live together. I'm sorry about the troublesome weather and the bout of depression. It does scare me so about being a widow someday, but you are encouraging -- God does lift you up and provide comfort and give you desire to keep going. I can't imagine life without my dear Adam. May God fill your heart with His love.