Ribbons, laces, journals, van info

Well, the van news first. I’m getting a rebuilt transmission. Not what I wanted to hear, but I am going with the flow. I won’t get it back until Thursday afternoon or Friday.

I got the urge to work on another Give Thanks journal today, no doubt where that urge came from, my Creator, to keep my mind on positive and lovely things.

Before I got the news, I set the journal down for a minute to walk out to check the mail, and there was a little gift from Nicki Lee, of Ravioli Dreams.  I knew it was coming and got the ribbon off, and was about to take off the wrapping when the phone rang with the van news. Delayed gratification.  And what a lovely gift for me to create with.  Thank you Nicki.  She had seen the ribbon roses that I’d made and in her note, she said these ribbons make lovely spider roses, so I can hardly wait to make some. Nicki hand dyes and sells wonderful laces.  She is also quite the wonder with her crazy quilting pieces.  Her work is exquisite. A year or so back I won some of her laces in a give away and have used them here and there in projects.

I laid some of the laces from before and now on journals to get ideas and am looking forward to working on all of these.  On the one I was working on today is a crocheted flower that I made.

I’m working on another one, but can’t show it because it is for a widow friend of mine and I don’t want her to see it until she gets it.  Then I’ll share it with you all.

I did shed some tears today, as this is a major deal for me to go through. My boss was encouraging, gave me a ride home, and said things will work out. He told me not to stress. Even in my devotional book ‘Jesus Calling’ the past couple of days have been all about turning my cares over to God. 

I will close with the following and wish you all a lovely time wherever you are, whatever hour of the day it is where you are.

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whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

Phillipians 4:8 KJV

A peaceful project

Good afternoon everyone ~

I hope all of you Mom’s are having a love-filled day.

Well, I didn’t tackle my indoor creative workspace yet.  I had to get outside for my sanity.  So, I decided to paint the gateposts as we had just recycled some 4”x4”s that we had and didn’t paint them, when we did this project in 2009.  While I was at it, I decided to freshen up the little sign I had made soon after we put up the gates.

Gate beginnings 1

Here is my DH working on the arbor over the iron gate that leads from driveway to front courtyard. May 2009.  Oh how I miss this mannish boy of mine.

We were in extreme drought conditions at this time and I was not wasting water on keeping grass green.

Below are pictures taken this morning.

Before

After ~ which blends in with the wood and looks good with flowers and greenery.

The house needs pressure washing and repainting ~ all in good time. The walls have faded out, more in some places than others.  I’ve got almost a 5 gal. bucket full of this paint, and I’m itching to get it onto the walls.  I don’t mind painting at all, although, the last time I did this was maybe 6 years ago.   If there is another way than pressure washing walls please let me know. Like white vinegar and water and a brush on a pole. My BIL has his own life to live and I want to do as much as possible by myself to take care of our place. I know how to use a caulking gun, so can caulk seams, and I know how to wield a paint brush. DH always did the pressure washing, I just stayed close by to move the hose when he went to next wall.  I cannot do pressure washing by myself. I don’t have a lot of $ to spend either, so am trying to do things as we always did them, only by myself and not together with DH.

I just painted in the light color. It’s funny how it does not look purple like it does on the gate posts or on the house either for that matter. Doing this made me feel happy, and more in love with DH than ever.

This van business has me flustered to say the least. I am going to go to the mechanic I have an appt. with tomorrow morning, just take things slow and easy to get there, which is about 30 minutes away.  It may be just the wheel bearings causing the van to feel like it does to me.  I did check the transmission fluid after looking up how to do so on google, and after I figured out how to get the dang hood open. Sheesh.

The things I am having to learn as I go. Amazing, and rattling at the same time.  I say a prayer as I do things, and a thank-you when done. God is seeing me through every step of this new part of my journey here on earth. Without Him I would be a total basket case.

I am so thankful for the 43 years Mark and I had together. A time of learning and growing, through ups and downs, falling deeper in love as time moved along.

Have a great week, count your blessings, ask for strength and help from God when you need it, ask for His guidance too as you go about your daily business, no matter how small or mundane you think something is. He is always there for us no matter what. He loves us unconditionally, from the beginning of creation, now and forever.

FlowerLady

The saga isn’t over yet

Well, on the way home the noise started up again and the transmission really didn’t seem to be running right at all, so I again prayed, and made it home safely.

I remembered hearing about an automotive place on the radio the other day, that is not too far from me, closer than work, and hope to have an appt. with them on Monday.  I don’t trust the van to not blow up on me if I had to go all the way to work.

I emailed them just now and explained my situation and will go from there.

I will try to relax tomorrow and do something pleasant and not stressful. My life has been turned upside down, not being what it was at all. Tears are ever ready to spill. I feel strong sometimes and like this morning, I really felt positive and thankful to God for the new day and then wham, vehicle noises and strangeness that I’ve not had to deal with before.  Then thinking the problem was solved, now that doesn’t seem to be the case at all. Dear God, be my strength as I am weak. Fill my heart with your peace.

I heard some thunder earlier and it’s really windy out and rain is showing on the doppler so if we do indeed get any, the gardens will be appreciative.

Below is a Grand Duke Jasmine.  This is absolutely wonderful, another scent right up there on my list of favorites like the gardenia.

Look at my messy overflowing work area, and my desk.  For Pete’s sake, that is depressing.  I hope to tackle both tomorrow.  I started yesterday morning and made a little bit of a difference.  I’m also working on the bedroom too, some remodeling there.

Dragonfly.

Thank you all so much for your kind comments, your emails, your love, prayers and support. All are gifts to me from God and I am thankful.

FlowerLady

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Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference in your tone.

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without affect, without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same that it ever was. There is absolutely unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.

Henry Scott Holland

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I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.

They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make.

Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.

We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.

Leo Buscaglia

Thank you and not as bad as I feared

The  mechanic just called and it’s two wheel bearings. It will cost under $150, parts and labor.  I am to bring it in Mon. morning at 9.  He’ll drive me back home and pick me up when it’s ready, as it will take 2-3 hours. He couldn’t get the parts today it being Saturday.

Anyway, what a huge relief!

Thanks again for your prayers.  They helped calm my anxious spirit.

FlowerLady