Yet, Another Snow Day

There's snow on the ground.  Again. It snowed the night before last and school was canceled yesterday as well as today. Add that to the fact that they didn't go at all last week.  And it's so cold out there the girls can't even go out and play, lest they freeze solid as an ice cube.  It's even been in the negative digits.  We all know that means we have to find something to do inside - besides stay in our pajamas all day - again.   So Goldilocks and I have been doing a book report.  It's due tomorrow - that is if they go to school. 

Here's the work in progress:

 
She had to use a shoe box - put the name of the book and the author on the lid - decorate the sides with scenes from the book (she really had to think on this one since the book wasn't illustrated) and she had to put six items inside the box that represented something from the story and tell how they were relevant.  She then has to summarize the book.  We are she is almost done.  Only one more item for the inside and the summary.  I hope I get she gets a good grade!

Reasey Peacy is working on a denim pillow for her bed. 

 

 

 

 She has to wait eons for the puff paint to dry before she can continue on!   But she's cool with it 'cause she's got "Bones" on Netflix, her knitting and that trendy rubber band bracelet thingy to keep her occupied.

All in all, it has been a peaceful day.  Cold, but peaceful.

Brick and Mortar

These three words have been my "Safety Net Phrase" for a couple of weeks now:

Brick.  And.  Mortar.

That's it.  That's all my house is made of.  Well, throw some wood, plaster, paint and a little blood, sweat and tears in there for good measure. 

I have to tell myself this while I'm traveling the most uncertain road I've ever been on.  I know not what lies around the bend or even the next step, but I do know Someone has been holding my hand
as I journey along.  Someone stronger.  Someone wiser.   Someone full of love and caring.    As this does comfort me, I still ponder the what ifs.  I can't seem to help myself, but I'm learning that that is OK, as long as I don't tarry there in the Land of Uncertainty. 

How can I claim those three words as a safety net?   I used to think that I would fall apart if this house weren't mine any longer.  A great amount of my life's memories are held within these walls, or, are they?    I am understanding more and more each day that "these walls" only encompass us physically.  ALL my memories are housed within my heart and soul.  Those are things that cannot be removed from me, short of death.  That is how I can claim those three little words.  Not to hold onto, but to let go of. 

It is the stuff between the brick and mortar that will soften my fall.  The stuff we cannot see or smell or touch.  The stuff  Hope invokes ~ such as Faith and Trust and Prayer.  Lots of faith, lots of trust and lots and lots of prayer.

So, when I feel as thou doom and gloom awaits on the horizon, or  uncertainty is at the door, I throw on a sweater of Hope and take the hand of my Redeemer, trust and pray, and remember:

It's just. . . . . .

Brick.  And.  Mortar.   

"Snow" Day

School was canceled this morning . . . . just in case . . . . it snowed.  "Why o' why?" my heart does ask.

The Apple Dumpling Gang was thrilled!  No school!  Yay!  Whoopee!  The odds were ever in their favor.

So, here's the low down on how it's going down.

Snow was suppose to visit around lunch time.  Okay, I'll go with that.  No need to send those rosy little cheeks to school just to turn around and send them back.  No sane person wants to wrangle with unexpected phone calls and a place to park those anxious little bundles of endless energy.  None that I know anyway.

So, my Apple Dumpling Gang decided to make it a "Pajama Day", complete with movies and lounging around all day.  (They weren't expecting me to make them clean their pen room).  Ahhhh, the joys of grand parenting! 

I did grant them their heart's desire after said punishment chore was done. Oh, and I'm not letting them bicker.   I'm nice like that.  Ahhhh,  the joys of grand parenting!

Hold up . . . . Bob needs to tell me a story.

I'm back.

 

Um, no.  I didn't drug Reasy Peacy.  And, no.  I don't know why she's doing that.

I do know they have full bellies and a complacent spirit right now.  Even Audrey Dog

got in on the snuggles.  The only thing bothering me is Itty Bitty's bare feet! 

 

At the time of this pic, about 1:30ish, the only thing going on outside is:  grey skies, wind and little drizzle.   Be still my beating heart!  I can hardly take the anticipation of snow.  Jolly good prediction.

 

 Hmmmm. . . . so much for complacent spirits.  I hear disgruntlement going on in there.  Movie is over and the natives are restless!  They are descending upon me, by the hoards.   There's no place to hide!  No.  Place.   Ahhh. . . . the joy of grand parenting!

 

Gotta run, 'cause I'm being overrun!

 

Catch ya on the flip side!

 

PS:   It is spitting snow, and Itty Bitty has scissors ~ rolling in floor because they've been removed from her grasp.  Ahhhh. . . .  the joy of grand parenting!

 

PSS:  Did I hear someone say "NAP TIME"?   Yes?   Okay!

Hope

I just finished reading my Kindred Spirit's blog.  I love her and her willingness to be right out there, up front, honest.  Unbeknownst to her, she challenges me in so many ways.

Most of the past few months I have felt like this:

That's Audrey under all those animals.  Just substitute me with her and every day life with the stuffed animals.  That would just about sum it up.  Life just piled right on top of me. 

Being reminded of how gracious, giving, understanding, willing and patient our God is makes that pile a little softer on my shoulders. It's not easy for me.  I am stingy with my problems.  No one can fix them but me.  No one understands but me.  No one cares about them but me.  I'm surprised God hasn't bonked me on the head with a brick by now.  But being reminded to pray diligently and earnestly helps me to "Let go and let God" handle them with me or for me.  It gives me Hope.

Hope.  My word for the year.

"But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."
Romans 8:25

Well, Now.

Well, now.  I feel as if it has been a hundred years since I've posted on any of my blogs!  One hundred long, grueling years.  It's not because of lack of material.  It's not because of lack of time ~ well, maybe a itsy bit there.  It's not because I didn't want to, because I did.  I truly did!  I think it was because my spirit and I were at conflict with each other.  We were totally out of sync.  Totally.  I feel I'm just rounding that corner to some kind of compromise with my self.  We aren't the friends we were a couple months ago.  And let me just tell ya ~ not being friendly with yourself is worse than fighting with yourself.  At least if you fight with yourself one side wins.  Kind of a "win, win" for me, or a "lose, lose" ~ depending on the mood I'm in.

But being at odds with myself, well, let's just say: "No one wins." and be done with it.  There's no compromise, no working through it, no give or take, no nothing!  So, coming around the bend is a big deal for me.  I don't know what has changed within ('cause all external problems are still here), but something feels better.  I will take it.  I will build upon it.  I will conquer whatever that conflict is.

I'm coming along.  Inch by inch.  Step by step.  Day by day. 

And. . . . . I'm looking forward to blogging away in this brand new year.