Holidays... AGH!

Thanksgiving has come and gone and now the focus is on Christmas. Having been unemployed for the past two years makes it challenging for gift giving, but I have come up with a solution. A purely homemade holiday. I'm no Martha Stewart, but I am handy with a needle (cross-stitch, sewing and knitting), and not to shabby in the kitchen. So I should be Okay. Now to organize the time...

As Christmas becomes more commercialized and pressure to spend money bears down, the more I rebel. I don't like being pressured, confined or controlled. I also don't fall for the horrendous barrage of 15-30 second commercials blaring their sales at me when I'd rather continue watching the program I was enjoying. Since when did commercials last longer than the TV program?? Thank heaven for DVR. I can enjoy my evening without missing anything and fast forward through the carnival barkers.

My charity project is going slower than I'd like. I'm knitting hats for children in Head Start and have sent out the word of the need. I know there are a lot of charities, and funds are precious, but there are more ways to help than writing a check. Investing time and energy and caring means a lot, if not more. I'll keep moving forward!!

I've decided that if I don't find a job by year's end, I'll return to school and learn something new. Perhaps if I get a degree in something, I could work for the State. I know I could do a lot better than some of the people working in the Food Stamp office. YIKES!! Haven't needed it for years, but still...

Internet time is up! Now to do some tidying for an hour, then knitting, then... well, you get the idea... need to schedule just about everything these days!

My, how time flies when you're living life...

Our July 4th was cool and mostly quiet. We decided to flee the 90 degree heat of Portland and head to the coast. Netarts, Oregon was our choice this time. The Terimore wasn't quite what we expected, as we have stayed in more modern digs, however it's quaint, rustic feel was a breath of fresh air. My dear husband gets an idea of how things should be in his head, but reality kicks him in the behind. He's not as flexible as I have learned to be, but by Saturday, he came around. I think I surprised him at my getting up at 6:30am and going for a 2 mile walk on the beach. The trail to the beach could be seen as a challenge; my knees and right hip make things a bit difficult, but I put the discomfort out of my mind and enjoyed the fresh, salty, morning air; the fishermen starting out in their boats, and the low tide that shared the sea floor. The sand was smooth and littered with pieces of crab and sand dollars.

I've found that the Pacific isn't as warm as the Atlantic. Clouds rolled in that prevented us from seeing fireworks, but folks on the beach set off some that we could catch a glimpse of. No organized shows were on. No matter to me. I don't really care for crowds. I prefer to set them off with the family. It's not the same without Ramsey, Joanna and Brandon. I hope, next year, we can spend the holiday together and have a picnic, enjoy each other's company and set off some awesome explosives!

Ron cooked out on our little grill and it was a tasty dinner. We enjoyed a cup of tea and a glass of wine on the deck outside of our room while the sun set. The clouds finally cleared enough for us to experience a calm, amazing evening.

Perhaps, this autum, we'll go back and look for whales. That is the one thing I still long to see.

Later, y'all.

How long has it been?!?

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared/StaticFiles/animals/images/primary/sea-anemone.jpg

Finding time to blog between watching grandkids, knitting, crochet, housework, training the dog, cleaning up after the cats, cooking, laundry, etc., and crashing into bed at 10:00pm isn't easy. Perhaps I need vitamins or something to help me keep my energy up. I needed a nap at 5pm today! Didn't get it, though. Needed a little "relaxation" time and was sitting outside knitting, but then pup was digging in the dirt and pulling out soda bottle caps, sticks, stones, plastic toys buried long ago by a forgetful child... and broken glass. Who the heck lived in our apartment before us?? It's like an archeological dig back there! I think I'll get some sod and lay it down so that we have grass instead of dirt. And if I get a sandbox, then Rockie will have a place to dig and bury her toys.

I finished two crochet projects; am almost done with the second wrist warmer I've been knitting for myself (yeah, right. I'll end up giving it away. LOL) and I am SO excited to get started on a new project. It's a shawl by Fiber Trends that captures everything the Northwest has at the shore. Waves, fish, evergreens... can't think of it all right now. And I got gorgeous yarn - 50% wool and 50% silk from Corvallis, MT (didn't know there was a Corvallis, MT). It's hand painted and deep blues, greens and purples. I thought it represented the sea and a specific sea anemone I've seen in the rocks in Lincoln City, OR. It's going to take a bit, as I'm new to lace knitting, but I think it will be very rewarding.



That's it for now. It's 8:17 and I can barely keep my eyes open. I've got lots of organizing to do (purging more stuff and putting things in order) either later tonight or early tomorrow, then a cookout in the back yard with the kids (I hope!)



A safe and happy Memorial Day to you all.

Sufficient

"Divine Love always has met, and always will meet every human need." Mary Baker Eddy

During what have described as difficult financial times, I find the above statement becoming almost a mantra for me. Monetary supply has been demonstrated, through prayer, for over a year now. In one form or another, when there has been a need for money, it showed up in abundance - either an overdue payment that was owed to me from insurance payments, back child support, or my husband doing well at his sales job. No matter what the "human picture", Love provided the means to meet the bills, help purchase a second car, a computer and other things that will allow me to work from home in one form or another.

One reason this demonstration came about is because of a change in my thought. I went from seeing lack and no way to fill it, to seeing what I already had. Family, home, food, and clothing. "Are we grateful for the good already received?... Then we will be fitted to receive more." But what exactly are we grateful for? More money? More stuff? Or is more love, more joy, more peace, more assurance that God IS Love and through that Divine Principle we already have everything we need.

Other metaphysical thoughts are that what we ask the Universe for, we shall receive. Visualization, sending out positive thoughts, speaking with kindness, good intentions, doing good deeds, paying it forward - all that is still the same thing. It's expressing Love.

And you know what they say - "What goes around, comes around." I'd rather it be Love.

Have a Blessed day!

It's been a few weeks since it officially turned to Spring. But it also took a while for our blossoms to catch up.

The weather has been mostly wet and cold with a few gorgeous, sunny ones tossed in. Now it's sunny, but chilly. This coming weekend will be pure liquid sunshine! Not such a bad thing; I have much work to do in the house. The nicer weather beckoned and we had to follow, so housework suffered.

I also have several new projects in the hopper. The finishing touches on a baby gift for my cousin's new baby girl should be completed this evening and mailed tomorrow. I am working on two writing projects for my mom and step-dad. My writing has been on the back burner for a few months. I'll get that up and running this summer. My babysitting days will cut back to about three, so that gives me more time for my hobbies and interests.

It's also time to dust off the old sewing machine(s). I have two, so I need to clean them and see which one works the best. I've ordered Balsam Pine from Maine to make scented pillows that I hope to sell at a local Farmer's Market, or online. Three pounds of the wonderful stuff should work out nicely.

The nice thing about the seasons changing is a sense of freshness. No matter what the time of year, it feels like I get another chance to do something different. I'm praying summer isn't too hot this year. Humidity and I don't like each other very much. I would like things a bit drier to get rid of the mold and mildew. They take up residence like visiting relatives that won't leave. I'm thinking of buying Mold and Mildew Remover by the case.

Another unwanted "pet" leaves shimmering trails across my carpet in my office. Slugs are strange creatures. I can't find any when I search for them. Cleaning up their slime isn't a fun chore. They look weird, too. And their purpose?? Bait for fishing?? One was in Rockie's food bowl last night. It was flipped into the grass with a stick by me - after I first inspected it and looked at it's spots, little nobs on it's little head, sort of cute little face... if it really has a face. Still.... ew. I suppose a trip to the local nursery to buy some slug bait that is safe around pets is in order. Don't cats eat slugs? You'd think they'd at least try to earn their keep, furry little beasts that they are. And I almost don't dare mention the ants. We are at war with them. I'm winning.

No complaints. In Montana we had racoons, porcupines, coyotes, all kinds of interesting critters - oh yes, the darling deer that loved to eat my garden. Every part of the country has it's blessings and curses. I'm still waiting for an earthquake I was told happen frequently. There was one a few years ago, but I slept through it.

Time to tidy my wee apartment for the evening. The sun is setting and the golden light is peaceful. Perhaps, tomorrow evening, I'll go downtown to the river to watch the sun set. It's supposed to be the last "nice" day of the week before the rains come back. To sit on a grassy hill, watch boats on the Willamette River and sip something delicious would be just right.

Our Brother's Keeper

Things happen around us that are unusual, sometimes interesting, sometimes not so harmonious. This evening was one of those times.

Around 6:30 this evening, our apartment parking lot was filled with police, sheriff's and SWAT. We've had some neighbors that had activity that would have police banging on their doors, but since they've moved out, we were wondering what was going on. Not much was shared with us. We stood around watching them prepare for something a few blocks away. Turns out our place was the staging area. I started to pray. There's been too many things in our area lately ending in shootings between police and suspects. It hasn't ended well for the suspects.

Officers were putting on vests, masks, helmets and were armed with assault rifles. One sheriff made us giggle as he came around the SWAT van eating, yes, a doughnut. The Police Chief was here directing things. It was very organized and guarded. I did get a little video, but after the last one I took, I was a bit gun-shy (no pun intended). Brandon got some good video, though.

One woman involved needed a restroom and used my daughter's and we offered to watch 4 small children until things were resolved. They didn't need it then. About a half an hour later, though, they did. So the kids came to my home. Ages 4, 3, 2 and a baby. I gave them cookies and milk and put cartoons on for them. We made a tent from a box, table and chair and they played happily, then settled down on the couch, thumbs in mouths and became mezmorized by the TV. They have now gone home - three sweet children with their grandparents and a darling little girl home with her mom.

The peaceful evening I was looking forward to had a different turn, but taking 4 frightened children in and seeing them laugh and play made it much more worthwhile.

The situation, which could have had a violent ending, has ended with a calm surrender to the police and that individual will get the help he needs. It's been an interesting night.

My, how time flies!

I hadn't realized how long it's been since I've last posted. Life has been busy with the grand children, crafting and just plain life. I've been trying to find lost pages of my book that I started writing a few years ago. I need to make the time to work on it. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained", as they say.

We've since added Flicka to our family. She's a darling cat. Very loving and playful. She and Cap'n Jack are good friends. Her mortal enemy is Rocky, but I know they'll grow on each other soon. Rock wants to play and Flicka wants no part of a dog!

My purging of unnecessary junk in my office seems to be an ongoing project. I'll put things aside that I think I'll use, and a few weeks later end up tossing it anyway. I've got a bin for Goodwill, much to my husband's dismay. He's rather put it in the dumpster. But they have much more life in them - and I know they'll meet a need somewhere.

Today started off rainy and cold, and now it's sunny and very windy. Now that I have a car, I worry about trees falling on it. It's older, so insurance won't cover major damage. Lots of rain to soften the ground, then high winds make our tall pines topple easily! Living in Oregon you have to choose where you live carefully - check out for flooding, landslides. I'm still waiting for the earthquakes I've been told happen around here. I slept through one of them. Boring. Nothing like the ground moving to shake things up a bit. I'm craving adventure. We had it in Montana. Lots and LOTS of adventures. Here - not so much.

Perhaps I'll go out and make one of my own!