It is 7:15 P.M.
The children are now in bed. Beloved is now on the ladder painting out the last of the green. We are almost finished with the great room, foyer and dining room. We started this paint job last Saturday. We are both tired and yet excited about the future.The painting will continue for a few more days and into next week end.
It is a chapter closed in the Appellation green. That color was chosen in fond remembrance of the hike on the Appellation trail. Over 10 years ago now...We took our first trip , a "back Easter". It was so lovely green and beautiful!
So many things have been learned already on this our first 15 days into the decision to sell out and buy a family room more suitable to our means. I am looking forward to the future. We both find it a bit unsettling to not know where we are going. We are going to set a time aside to prayerfully approach the issue of where. We do not just want to assume or limit our selfs to one area. Yet it is surprising the safety that is secured in having even an imaginary home to go to.
The things that we have packed are not much missed at this point. However the rooms that are coming into the cue are more tender. The art studio is breath taking to dismantle. I find my resolve and faith more tested there, even though I have created very little art in some time.
I found myself pulled to the yard this afternoon to be close to my son. He was playing on the gym set. I weeding the walkway and enjoyed the warm sun. I think it was in the mid 60*'s f. He came and helped me and we enjoyed each other. I had grocery shopped today and set Dove up to prepare Dinner. She was startled. I had her open the boxed and pour the things on a sheet to bake. She had pre-heated the oven and even put some water on the frozen corn she had potted. It is hard to be torn between two children when both desire your attention.
The question of the last hour so lovingly posed was...
When the kids are excited and silly does it bother us because "we" wish we were too?
8:10 P.M.
I just got done with a hot shower for these tired mussels.
The wall is all but done now as is the trim. Brushes are washed and we both retreat to the computers and just rest a bit.
I dream of a time when we will be in our next home. I have visions of being different as a family. Much closer and intimate. Of times together forced perhaps by space. Funny thing we humans... space is our quest; then the truth sets in on us that togetherness is accomplished in a home that keeps its members together. I hope this is all the dream that is a pleasant future. We may be trading the stress of finance for the stress of environment to some extent. All I can and choose to do is trust that this is in line with what is right.
We deeply desire to owe no man except to love him. What a strange concept to this world.
It will be our 26th year of this union in March.
We have worked so hard to be at this time where we could imagine a deed in hand. it has been our life long goal and desire. We have waisted so much over the years that now we regret. If all the young marrieds could hear. Do not by what you are told you can afford. We are saved because of this wisdom. For we have been able to choose to stay here for 5 years or so at the change in income. Now we are relieved to let go. Everything is vanity and there is a time for all things. I have had such a vacation of sorts in this home. But it came at a price we are now not willing to pay any further. Free choice! Wow it takes gut to make choices.
It is so much easier to just keep the status quo.
I desire your intercession please. For we get week from the fatigue. The deep inner healing we are gaining in this quest are very real. I have boxes to pack, paint to lay and personal items to stow for an unknown time. It is a very real struggle of the flesh.
I must have courage define me not "My stuff".
I must find it cozy to be embraced in His presence and not surrounded by my stuff.
Oooo, It is a good thing to grow up. It just does not feel so good :)
Every morning I am greeted by Willy Wonka the Chocolate Lab who is so full of glee that he finds himself confused with a gazelle. Now this is very charming how ever when it is 6 a.m. and the house is still and the wood laminate floor noisy with the click and clack of the dogs nails...well Willy is noisy. So as quickly as I can I usher him and his Golden retriever pal (who is very much a Lady ) out the door.I then take Willy a big scoop of kibbles as "Rena, The Queen" slips in and has her moment of morning attention. I fill her bowl with her kibbles. Now by the time I am done with that Willy is fed and calmed enough that when I let him in ( before he barks and disturbs my husband last few seconds of sleep) Rena will then eat as Willy leaves her food alone. By feeding the boomerang dog quickly I get a few moments to start fixing the lunches for the family.Works for me.
click on the images to enlarge
Wow how nice.
Mr uncommon gave a kindness to a fellow with some hardware problems, he also assisted him with some software issues as well. The drop off place/pick up of the gift beloved made him was at the IL's house. Well I got a call that he left us a $50. gift certificate to a steak house dinner for the family as a thank you.
Wow a nice dinner out (maybe we will make it a date).
Good Morning...Oh the toll of a long weekend Painting...Well here is a part of the mess I have in the morning.
before
After:
I had therapy on my neck, I was laying there in the dark and the timer went off...
I thought Lord I would just love to lay here on this heat for a few moments I just don't want to ring that bell...
the door opened...
The fellow said I'll be with you in 5-10 minutes after I get this other fellow set up if you don't mint! HA!Trust me.. I did not mind a bit! :) Then I dropped by "Just a Moms" for a pasty (a sorta baked meat pie). We had a great visit. She is making baby quilts and we played with some color for the layout of one of them. You should go check out her work.
I came home to two wonderful messages from wonderful women.
Friends I love.
My heart felt so warm at the thought of them thinking about me. It is so good to be LOVED!
Got the dishes done and a nice rest I better get back to work.
The studio and kitchen have become the catch all for the left over stuff yet to be packed up. We cleared the living and dining rooms. The upper foyer is now empty and I will most likely place a silk plant or two back once the painting is finished. The tackle here is boxing things and clearing the clutter. I have to close down the home school supplies and decide what to
keep, sell or give.
This as you know is a bit , bitter sweet for me. 
So much to do here.
The laundry has once again piled up,
I have this to wash.
Undone
Undone
This to fold.
A load or two of clean kids clothing on the sofa to fold.
The sofa is clear and the living room clean :)
Ya!
I had to have a least one clean room to keep sanity :)
The South wall in the living room is...
Free from Green.
It is 6:35 P.M. We just finished the wall that was our target for the day.
The children had a surprise to learn we had no Hockey today. When we arrived at the rink it came to our attention that the schedule skipped a week!
We all went out to Taco Bell be a family lunch out.
Then some very thoughtful and generous friends took the children for a play date for three hours and we hit the task full on.
I had purchased all the supplies except the paint on Friday. Beloved went up an acquired the 10 gallons of eggshell in "swiss coffee" for the walls, and 1 gallon of semi-gloss for the floor boards.
Dash has had a bath and is watching a movie in our bed. And Dove in on her way to her bath.
Mr Uncommon and I are uncommonly tired! Wow that was just one wall but it had the most detail work to do and the highest ceiling.
I just got in here at noon. I left at 8 A.M. . Had a good few moments to center myself at therapy in the darkened room with the kindness of a young technician who tapped on the door with two warm towels from the dryer...too sweet or maybe just perfectly sweet. He even tucked in my feet. It just touched my heart with the kindness. I felt so much more calm afterward.
I had time to overcome the ainks of the morning. I was able to see myself into my day as to what path to follow in the tasks of the adventure I am on.
I had an awesome discussion of the things of the spirit and the tri- unity of our beings. We spoke of great things of the heart, deep and meaningful. He is a beautiful young man with a heart exiting religion and finding relationship with God, as his new adventure. He is searching. Having many times spoken with him and listening to him share without correction or judgment he is now more readily opening his heart up. He said he really enjoys our visits and always want to ask my take on things. What promise this young man has. To search ask quest after a relationship rather than a set of rules. He wants grace I think and just is learning more about it. I felt like I had some time in a garden scattering seed and trimming the hedge row.
I went to the Home Depot a large home improvement store for home owners. I was able to learn about a 20% off sale they are having on paint this weekend. So I got the samples of the various whites and some basic things. I got two 12" wide rollers and cheep pans for them for the faster coverage they offer. Perhaps another man may come to help roll it out. I will use the 9" rollers for they will not be too heavy. I'll just be doing the lower walls. With my knee I can't do the ladder any more. I was able to get the primer to knock out the deep rose in the master commode stall. I got all I need except the paint. We can choose what white to use tonight and I might go up and have it mixed tonight or early morning. We have a fellow coming over tonight with a son, and or maybe with his sweet wife and both children, I'm not sure yet just who is coming or how many so I have to get up from here and set to task.
I stopped by the stuff mart and got some painters tape on a clearance! Too cool!
For lunch I enjoyed that meat loaf...MAN! I'm a good cook! :) It really was enjoyable!
Our day is full of dark clouds ,
cumulus deep grays and powder silvers and a fair bit cooler that it was yesterday.
It is so pretty.
I trust it will dry up real soon so we can have a day or two to get some of the painting done.
Beloved and the children will both be off on Monday so we have a three day weekend to work.
I would love to take the children up to the snow country to play. Maybe Sunday? They have Ice Hockey on Saturday. We paint in the afternoon on Saturday and Monday. That will give our bodies a day of rest and the kids some needed attention.
We took the pictures down in the kitchen.
The nail heads look like flies on the wall.
Sorta funny the way things sometimes look so much different than they truly are.
Just got to pull the nails...
Sorta like the lies that flood ya
when you brave the battle fields you face.
Mental note...
Keep thinking about the things that I have heard and witnessed in Him. All of the amazing miracles that happen every moment of every day.
Do not be moved by the reports of fear and terror and dread among the nation. God id God!
Just wanted to give
your heart a squeeze.
Older women likewise teach the younger women...
• how to love their husbands• how to love their children• how to be self-controlled• how to be pure• how to be keepers at home• how to be kind and submissive (not subservient) to their own husbands. (See Titus 2:3-5)
By Maya Angelou
'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean living,'
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!
Words have power. Here are a few of my favorite sayings.
- A warm cup of tea is like a cuddle with a friend.
- The North American Indians have a more eloquent word for ‘friend’ than we do in English. In their language, the word for friend literally means, “the one who carries my sorrows on his back.”
- Return with Honor
- The sage anticipates things that are difficult while they are easy, and does things that would become great while they are small. All difficult things in the world are sure to arise from a previous state in which they were easy, and all great things from one in which they were small. Therefore the sage, while he never does what is great, is able on that account to accomplish the greatest things."
- "HOME IS WHERE YOUR STORY BEGINS"
- “Live so that when your children hear these words they think of you… Fairness Caring Integrity Honesty Love Trust.”
- "O Lord help my words to be gracious and tender today, for tomarrow I may have to eat them."
- "No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes"
This was given to me for the third time in just a few weeks.
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
"For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song."
What warm hearts you all offer
Thank you all for the kindness you have shown me with every Award. I am embraced. You Are a blessing.