Simple Woman's Day Monday 8/25/08

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FOR TODAY (August 25,2008)...
Outside My Window...I am seeing bright blue sky filled with sunshine. Our days are showing signs of the changing season and the crisp morning air and cooler evenings. We were not living in Colorado last fall so it should be fun to experience all that is different from California.

I am thinking... About last nights church service and how powerful it was. The message is life changing and I need time to digest it all. I am also thinking that my day has gotten sidetracked already, I am running a bit late.

I am thankful for...For the many blessings in my life, from my Savior to my hubby to my daughters and their families. I am also thankful for our pastors who preach the Word with passion. They are changing lives. I am also so thankful that Kim made it through another week of pregnancy, each week is one step closer to delivery.

From the kitchen... I am wondering what to fix with the fresh pork chops we are having tonight. Kim and her family will be joining us as her hubby was given the chops from a co-worker.

I am wearing... light blue capri's, a tan shirt and will wear flip-flops when I leave. I wonder how much longer I will be able to wear carpi's.

I am creating... a legacy of love for our family and an inheritance in the Lord to be passed down to future generations.

I am going... to Kim's this morning,Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday we will be leaving for a 5 day vacation up at Bear Lake in Utah; another new spot for us. Unfortunately, Kim and her gang won't be joining us due to her pregnancy.

I am reading... Grown Up Girlfriends by Erin Smalley and Carrie Oliver and also ready to begin the Bravehearted Gospel by Eric Ludy, a dear friend of the family.

I am hoping... to be able to walk this week so I can honestly tell the doctor I do try to get out daily.

I am hearing...crickets outside.

Around the house... I am seeing dog hair. I bathed the dogs on Sat. and this has created a lot more hair being shed. I hope it ends soon.

One of my favorite things... spending time with family and friends.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Walking each day, taking new pic's to post and spending time enjoying life in Colorado. I will also be packing for our trip to Bear Lake.

Here is picture thought I am sharing- Last March we found this bridge along the highway to the volcano on the island of Hawaii. It was tucked back, almost hidden from sight and we pondered how many native peoples traversed it when fleeing from the lava flow. We love finding hidden treasures amongst the landscape and I love to wonder what type of person walked this way before.

Go on over to the Simple Woman blog and visit...she has great posts.

Funtastic Friday

I am no long working, at least out in the world, but Fridays still excite me. It is the end of the week which signals that there may be some different activities ahead. This morning I went over to my daughter's house to help out with her two little ones and mid morning dear hubby called to ask if Shannon and I wanted to go to an estate sale with him. Of course I said yes, we love antiques-especially cameras, furniture, golf clubs and quilts. So after piling into hubby's car the three of us headed out. Initially we had a hard time finding it and cruised by a local park; Shannon immediately started pleading to go to the "orange" park-the slides were neon orange.
We finally found the estate sale and were very disappointed but then turned our car in the direction of the park. We don't take this girl out to the park enough and she had a great time.
After quite awhile we were able to go grocery shopping by bribing her with the "race car"shopping cart. She was such a good helper with a great attitude...and anyone who has a 3 yr old knows how challenging grocery stores can be with a child in tow.
We returned to our daughter's house and hubby departed with groceries. I was able to help with lunch and get them all settled for a nice nap.
This afternoon I am hoping to make a peach cobbler for a get together tomorrow evening. I'm using Colorado peaches, better known as Palisade peaches and can't wait to get started on it.
So my day has been full of fun things and spending time with some of my favorite group; I am hoping to spend time with the the other grandchildren today as well.
Oh yes, it has been very windy here today and it feels like fall is definitely in the air. It should be fun to experience fall in Colorado and venture to the high country to see the Aspens change.

Have a joyous weekend and don't forget to take time to Worship the King!

A Joyful Spirit

These two beautiful little girls are my precious granddaughters. They are the youngest of the group and bring joy to my heart. How can a Nana not be proud of these girls?

What I am always amazed at is their joyful spirits and how happy they are. Yes, they are typical little ones, Mackenzie16 mos., has some special needs and comes unglued if life changes for her. Olivia is 8 mos old and although a very content baby she can holler like a banshee if one of her siblings gets too rough with her. All little ones have good days and bad but on a whole I would have to say that these two are filled with smiles and giggles.

It makes me think twice about complaining and whining and have a grateful heart instead.

So today I am thankful for these two little lives the Lord blessed our family with and the rest of the gang and I am thankful that I get to be a part of each life.

Hidden From Sight

You would never know it by looking at this picture but Colorado and other states are dealing with Pine Beetle infestation that is killing thousands of acres of Pine trees. Last weekend we drove up the Steamboat Springs as a get away and were so shocked and saddened to see the devastation that this small little beetle is causing. It was definitely more noticeable on our trip and hasn't quite made it's way to our side of the Rockies, yet. My understanding is that about the only way to handle this problem is to cut down all the infected trees and then burn them. What a shame.

Looking at this made me think of how easily sin, be it inside and hidden or outside for all to see, creeps slowly in and before you know it has taken root there and spreads to infect the entire person. Often we too are so unaware of it creeping in or of being encouraged in us that it is almost impossible to withstand. Extreme examples can always be found; drug use, pornography, prostitution, theft, larceny, adultery are just a few that come to mind and although we may be innocent of those sins, lets take a look at some others: greed, lust, lying, laziness. Whatever the culprit, it wrecks havoc on a life and often spills out to those around us. Have you ever been around a person so entrenched in bitterness or hatred that they couldn't see it was destroying them more.

There is an answer for us though, the answer for all sin is the Blood Of Jesus. All we need to do is call upon Him and ask for Him to cleanse us from our sin. I am so thankful that it is that simple, maybe not always easy but He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from our unrighteousness. Sometimes we have to continue to go back and seek Him but He is always there for us. As an old hymn says, "Who can wash away my sin, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

May we daily look into our innermost beings and search our hearts and minds.

True Devotion

Dogs have been and will always be a part of my life. I love the devotion and companionship that dogs give us. They love us no matter what we do, look like or who we are. They just long to be loved in return. I've always owned "mutts", generally they were rescued from the humane society and although at different times I've wanted pure breds, mutts just seem to suit our family. I can't image my life without a devoted dog to make me laugh, cry, play and just to be a constant companion. Having dogs certainly makes some things more difficult, like traveling. We have always boarded our dogs but one of our last trips this summer was the undoing of our dog Sadie. Sadie is very noise sensitive and after going through our tornado and then being put in a new kennel and having a week of thunderstorms, well she ended up at the vets with stress induced nerves...which is a nice way to say it cost us a bundle.

Due to her age, 9-10 yrs old, the vets are hesitant to give us tranquilizers to give to her because it could be bad for her kidneys. So now when we want to travel we have to find a willing person to come house sit for us. Dear hubby seems to feel life would be easier without dogs and in some ways I would agree but I hope I won't ever have to forsake their companionship for traveling. Plus, if hubby wants to continue to travel yearly for golf tournaments we will have a dog; I don't like being alone.

So go give your pet a big hug or treat and tell them how thankful you are for them.

My favorite colors

Purple and green are some of my absolute favorite colors, especially purple. I have one quilt in the same color family that hangs in our guest room; I wanted it to evoke a warm, restful feeling for family and friends visiting. This fabric was purchased at Wine Country Quilt Show several years ago along with the pattern and it was stashed away until I had time. The last year or so I decided I couldn't purchase any more patterns or fabric until I had made some up that I already had. So viola...I got this together last week and I love it plus it goes perfectly with my larger quilt that adorns our guest room. I must have been on a purple kick that year, maybe two, because I have more purple fabric in my stash; different hues-dark burgundy and grape fabric but I am still determined to finish those projects I bought so long ago. Someday I'll have more wall space to use up but for now I need to get fabric for the back of this and start hand quilting it. I have three other quilts downstairs that also need hand quilting but fall and winter will be here soon and that will give me projects to work on.

Everyone should have a project or hobby; I sometimes think I am one of God's unfinished projects-still a work in progress and a work in grace. I'm so thankful He continues to grow me and teach me.

The Glory of God

The Heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His Hand. Ps. 19:1

On Saturday my daughter's family, my husband and I went to our first Colorado Rockies baseball game. We had such fun and although the Rockies lost the game it was wonderful to attend our new home teams field and watch. In fact they lost to the San Diego Padres and it was great to have Ben sit on my lap and I could point out what was happening. I also had Faith on my lap for the last ining and we got to cheer and yell and she had great fun wiggling around with nana. I am not a boisterous person but you take me to a sporting avent of any kind and I can holler with the best of them. My daughters have always known this and they just sit and laugh at me.

On the way home we were entertained by an incredible lightning storm from Denver up to Windsor. It was phenomenal to say the least and I loved it. I did worry about our dogs though who are terrified by the thunder.

We have been told that our weather this year has been unusual for Windsor but I think the entire country is having different weather. Each night the storm clouds roll in and we watch in awe at the lightning. I love it but truly feel for my dogs and other animals that are terrified by thunder.

What a glorious sky and world our Lord gave us to enjoy.
Enjoy your little spot of heaven today.