What if I Survive Corona Virus Pandemic

  

These croci are blooming in the front yard of the white house.   They are naturalized there under the crabapple tree.  I just discovered them this afternoon.  They were presumably planted by a former resident of the white house.  I took this picture with my new camera.  It is part of my preparing for retirement.  To have a hobby.  I am determined to have my hobby ready so that when the STP and I retire I will have something to do.  It has taken me 3 months to take a picture on automatic mode and move it to my computer.  I was feeling quite bad about my slow progress until the CorVID-19 virus ate up half of my retirement savings. 

Next adventure--Instagram.

Seems I have plenty of time now until I can retire.  

Gratitude Interrupted

I started this month of thankfuls off quite well and then I got a little lost.  But in the hopes of actually documenting 100 things I am thankful for I am pressing forward.
81.  Thankful for my dog.
82.  Thankful for perspective.  And that I can choose my perspective.  We are selling our house.  I am sad to see it go.  I am sad that it is selling at a lower price than I paid for it.  Discouraged in general. But thankful that it will be sold.  Thankful that we had it to live in and minister from for 11 years.   Thankful for the memories.
83.  Thankful that movie theaters are dark.  Went to see A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood last evening with my two favorite guys.  I think it afforded us all a well needed cry.
84.  Thankful for tears—and the ability and freedom to express emotions.
85.  Thankful for prayers.  Dr. Tingle used to pray before meals a heartfelt ‘Thank you, Lord, thank you.’  A simple three word prayer for when I don’t feel like praying.  Thank You , Lord.
85.  Thankful for wood projects well begun and the chance to work together with the STP.
86.  Thankful for the start of a new week.  Thankful for a week to focus on thankfulness.
87.  Thankful that Abi and Amanda and Alex will be here this weekend. Been quite awhile since we have hosted a family Thanksgiving.  Thankful for this house.
88.   Thankful for my new bench for the dining room table.
89.  Thankful for a sewing project completed.
90.  Thankful for slow quiet days.

Thank Full, Gluten Free

76.  Thankful for gluten-free flour mixes that I can substitute one to one in recipes.
77.  Thankful for gluten-free lasagna noodles that are good enough to eat.
78.  Thankful for new recipes.  Skillet spinach lasagna.  I thought it was yummy.  Even gluten-free. The Goob did not try it.  He was offended that I would make lasagna in a pot on the stovetop.  He is a cooking snob.
79. Thankful the Goob has learned to cook.  Although his soul sucking job schedule precludes him from cooking very much and he has regressed to eating a lot of pop tarts, pizza, and Mac and cheese.
80.  Thankful for old recipes.  Pumpkin bars ready for tomorrow when my favorite sister and my mom come to visit.

Super Thankful

Traveling is good for the soul, but put me behind on recording my thankfuls.  Thankfuls may not actually be a word, but it should be.
61.  Thankful for my phone maps and GPS technology.  Travelled by myself to see the littlest grand babies.  A little over 4 hours non-stop. No problems.
62.  Thankful for my car.  Because I am still irritated by its lack of heated seats, adjustable intermittent wipers, and fog lights, I have to remind myself to be thankful for it.  Such is the sad spoiled person that I am.  Forgive me.
63.  Thankful for forgiveness and the ability to forgive.  Glad I don’t have to carry around a load of guilt or a load of bitterness.
64.  Thankful for my oldest daughter and the quality time we got to spend together last week.  It is a joy to see the beautiful person she is.  And to reminisce about her childhood.
65. Thankful that she thinks I was a good Mom.  Selective memory has its rewards.
66.  Thankful to spend time with the little ones. Two and four year olds are delightful creatures especially if you deal don’t have to deal with them 24/7.  Thankful to be close enough to really spend time and the opportunity to get to know them.  Really.
67. Thankful for tickles and giggles.
68. Thankful for projects completed.  Sewing room valances and pumpkin pie banners.
69.  Thankful for my number 1 son-in-law.
70.  Thankful to be home.
71.  Thankful for my church.  Felt a little more like home this week.  Thankful that I can greet people by name. The Goob said that ‘Good morning Doris’ was the most Pastor’s Wife thing he has ever heard me say.
72.  Thankful for the Goob.  He keeps me honest.  And humble.
73.  Thankful that the Former King and Queen of Queens turned left instead of right on Rt. 17. Such a serendipity to have Sunday supper with them.  Thankful for spontaneity.
74.  Thankful for my number 2 son-in-law.  Thankful he knows that 2 is simply ordinal.
75.  Thankful that we will see each other again in two weeks. So thankful.

Thanks Be To God

Heard on the radio today that gratitude involves humility and dependence.   Because in order to be thankful for something or someone I have to admit that I was not capable of meeting my own needs.  Interesting thought.
Philippians 4:19 says, “and my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”
No one I would rather be counting on to meet my needs.  Just sayin’

51.  Went to prayer meeting this evening.  Thankful that I have access to my Heavenly Father, Who is the Almighty Creator God.
52.  Accepted a job offer today.   Robert Packer Guthrie Hospital lab.  Thankful that I will not have to wear olive green scrubs—unless I want to.  (Which I won’t.)
53.  Went to Joann’s today to buy 9 pieces of fabric.  Found two more pieces that I didn’t go to buy, but they were 80% off so I bought them.  Thankful for sales and coupons.
54. Thankful for flamingo print fabric. Even though I do not collect flamingos, they make me happy.
55. Thankful for washi tape.  Because it is repositionable.  And colorful.  And 50% off.
56. Thankful for hot tea on cold evenings.
57.  Thankful they sell stamps at the grocery store.  I told the STP and he said good thing I didn’t have to drive all the way into the ‘city’.  I think he was making fun of me.  I guess I will put ‘learn to parallel park’ on my things to do in 2020 list.
58.  Thankful for google maps. With the help of google maps I got to Joann’s and ALDIs today.  And back home.
59.  Tomorrow I am going to load the grand babies address into google maps and have lunch with them.  Thankful to live just one state away from them.
60.  Thankful my blog is still here

Things to be Thankful Four

41.   Lunch invite to Phil’s Chicken House.  A local favorite.  Not sure I am impressed by the place but it is very fun to say.  Phil’s Chicken House.  Try it.
42.  Stories.  Thankful for people to share their stories and listen to ours
43.  A job offer.
44.  A visit to a cemetery.  That conversations and contemplations of death are not fear filled
45.  Monuments. Because some things are worth remembering for generations
46.  Project ideas.  And living close enough to stores that sell things I need for projects
47.  Prayers.  And answers to them
48.  Reminders that revenge is not mine.  And not necessary
49.  Colored pencils
50.  Quiet evenings

Great, Full

Had a good full day today.  Let’s just work our way through it together. 

Let’s just number as we go. 

31.  Up early and spent some time with my love bible project.  Thankful for my ‘I am’ study.  Today I was reminded that I am not alone.  Hebrews 13:5b

32.  Hair cut appointment. Finding a good hairdresser is a scary challenge associated with moving.  I think I found a good one.  Happy with her personality, conversation, and capability.  Thankful for a good experience and a good haircut.  

33.  Baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies.  A little crunchier than I like them, but they have a great taste.  Thankful that I had all the ingredients on hand and for a house that smells like fresh baked cookies. 

34.  Thankful for leftover potato soup.  Had some for lunch with the STP.  Thankful for time to spend with the STP.  Love that guy. 

35.   Thankful for laundry done today.  Some is still unfolded on the bed, but it will be folded and put away before bedtime. 

36.  Second job interview today.  Went better than first job interview.  Thankful for possibilities.  

37.  Cooked some venison steaks for supper.  Thankful for recipes from Spring Creek, deer meat from the freezer, and the instant pot. 

38.  Thankful for my girls.  Talked/texted with them all today.  Going to see them all this month.  

39.   Cleaned up the kitchen before supper.  The STP cleaned up after supper.  Thankful that we will wake up to a clean kitchen. 

40.  I’m singing in the community choir Christmas concert.  Practices on Monday evenings. This is a new thing I have never done before.  I am not any good at it.  I will never do it again.  But every once in a while I hit a couple of right notes in a row.  Thankful to sing Christmas songs before Thanksgiving. 

Wrote out a few thank you cards this evening.  It’s good to be grateful.  And it’s great to express it.  

Thinking Thankfully

Today we had a guest speaker at church who shared his testimony. An amazing story of an African refugee who traveled through 8 nations to arrive in Buffalo, NY, and the part an Operation Christmas Child shoebox played in his story.  Truly amazing and inspirational.
I was reminded of my own story.  Not nearly as remarkable.  No war, abuse, rebellion, drug use, or trauma in my story.  I have what a pastor once described as a ‘good girl testimony.’  But it's really no less miraculous that I once was lost, but now am found. (In Owego, NY.)  That there is a God that saves from sin.  A God that changes lives and hearts.
Thankful to have been raised in a stable family
Thankful I have never been hungry
Thankful I have always been loved
Thankful for a generous church family
Thankful that God knows my past, my present, and my future
Thankful for electricity, clean running water, heat
Thankful for health
Thankful for the promise of a new week—this week I am getting a haircut, licensing the SLD, going out for lunch, and having a job interview, getting my car serviced
Thankful for plans
Thankful that Kelsey D. taught me so many years ago that I need to be open to changing my plans

That’s 30 things I am thankful for this November.  Just in case anyone is counting.