A Prayer for Growing Old Gracefully

   Lord, Thou knowest better than I myself that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.
Realease me from the craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems pity not to use it all; but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends in the end. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details: give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains; they are increasing and the love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
  I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility, and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memory of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.
   Keep me reasonably sweet, for a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the  devil. Give me the ability to see the good things in unexpected places and give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so. AMEN
 

TGIF

We all know what TGIF means, don't we? Thank Goodness It's Friday! That is so true, and my husband can really relate to that one.... but I found  a better meaning that I would like to share with all my friends! I saw this expression at a very dear friend's house and I might be posting this every Friday for a while.
                                                                         TGIF
                                                             Thank God I'm Forgiven!

Isn't that wonderful? We are forgiven! Praise God!!

Happy Marriage

 Do you take time for each other? I remember too well when our kids were little, that we did not take enough time for each other. There were always legitimate reasons, we thought.. the children needed me, we didn't have any money, the Mr. was working two jobs, I was worn out, etc, etc. Yes those were all reasons for not doing it, but thinking back now I realize that they could have been easily overcome.
The children would be fine without me/us for a few hours.
No we didn't have any extra money, but a walk in the park, and ice cream cone somewhere, window shopping at the mall, a quiet drive in the country, just a walk around the block... any of these require very little to no money to do. it would have enriched our marriage a lot if we had done these things. Now we have no kids at home and we can run away occasionally! It is fun! So, go make a date with your honey.. you will be glad you did!
It is true, especially in these tough economic times that many are working two jobs. When there is added stress, it is even more important to make time to spend with each other. So hubby( or wife) comes home at 10PM...can you go anywhere...can you spend any extra money? No to all! So, what CAN you do? When he/she come home late do your best to make things pleasant for them. The house is straight and there are delicious aromas coming from the kitchen. The children are ready for bed and just waiting for a few minutes with Mom/Dad. Give them that time because that is important too. Then, get them in bed and finish preparing the dinner for your spouse. Spend an hour or two just sitting together on the sofa sharing your day with each one another... Go outside and sit on the porch together, snuggle on the porch swing.......
So many time at the end of the day you will be worn out.. totally exhausted... I can't put one foot in front of the other tired. You don't feel like doing a thing! That is the time to not do anytime but take the time to plan something for in the future.. It can be so much fun to take a few minutes to plan an outing for some time later. Then the anticipation of that time can carry you through the rough days you are both having!
None of these ideas are wildly exciting. Life isn't always going to be exciting, but it can be fulfilling and rewarding if you take the time to make it so. It is the little things, many times, that bring the most enjoyment, so take a minute and make things happen!!

Welcoming Fall

Isn't fall the most wonderful time of the year?!! I think it is my favorite! I made this for a friend of mine and I think I would like one for myself. It would look so pretty on my front door.

Have you ever longed to have a luxurious top-of-the-line motor home? Sometimes I have thought it would so much fun to be able to just get in and travel wherever I wanted to go.. I don't think it will ever happen though. Yesterday my husband and I went to a "county fair", called Field Days of the Past, outside of Richmond, VA. It was the epitome of the old fashioned county fair from years ago. One of the displays was the first motor homes ever made, I think. Take a look at this!

This vintage motorhome had everything you could want... a  bunk that converted into a sofa, a tiny wood stove in the corner... cooking and heat! Don't let me forget to mention that towed along behind was  your own private bathroom. Your washing machine hung on the side along with your water supply. I mean this was first class!!! I bet it got a lot better gas mileage!

Oh yes, I forgot! If you bought this at the fair they had an incredible deal! They would throw in 3 dozen eggs and a chicken!! If I had needed eggs I might have been tempted!

Happy Marriage

Guess what!!! Marriage is work!!! But it is fun work. Having a sense of humor, playing some jokes, laughing a lot, loving a lot, praying a lot...making a journey of memories. My husband and I still laugh at the jokes we pulled on each other when we were first married. Now he knows I DON'T LIKE FROGS... He came home one night with his lunch box in hand. When I opened his thermos, out jumped a tree frog and landed right on me. I was not a happy camper then, but it is so funny now when I think about it. I got him back... One morning I crept into the bathroom as he was showering, knelt down in front of the tub, reached under the shower curtain and grabbed his ankles.. OHHH, I can still hear his yell!!!!! I thought he was coming over the top! We are still married, and it has been almost 40 years of fun, work, laughter, tears, sorrows and many, many joys!!

Relax and let me share a few tips.

• Say, "I love you". Say it when you leave the house, say it on the phone, say it in a note, say it when you go to sleep. You can't say it too many times! It will be a soft whisper in the heart of your loved one throughout the day.

Say, "I am sorry." Ohhhhhhhhhhh, this is hard!! We all have an over-abundance of pride and we don't want to say these three simple little words. Maybe you aren't the only one who is wrong. Guess what, someone has to be first. Go ahead, swallow your pride and SAY IT!! What healing it will bring!

Come back for more. It will be exciting as we work through ways to make your home the "Happiest Family on the Block".

Welcome Wednesday

Come join the fun! Sign up for Welcome Wednesday Blog Hop and meet new friends! Grab the Welcome Wednesday button on your right and have a great Wednesday!

Our Wonderful Economy!

I am wondering... are all of you out there feeling the hit to your budgets as we are? Are you having to tighten your belts, put off retirement, forego the home improvements you wanted to do? Give me your thoughts. We have really felt it this year!!! I am trying to do all I can to help make ends meet, but it always seems we have too much month left over at the end o our money.
Here are some of the things I have tried to do:
Stay at home as much as possible
Make sure I consolidate all my town trips in to one trip a week.
Drive slower
Buying less convenience food
Eating out less
Purchasing clothes on e-Bay or at secondhand stores
AND, Selling on e-Bay, selling on Etsy, selling on Amazon, selling on Barnes and Noble... selling, selling, selling!!
Give me your ideas! I would love to hear them!

What Can I Say?

I cannot believe it has been almost a year since I have talked to you all! What happened, you might ask? Well, this last year has been one I never expected! Our beautiful, courageous daughter and her 2 precious little girls came to live with us, we had a granddaughter born in April and a grandson born in May, we survived an earthquake and a hurricane plus many more minor unexpected events. We are also waiting to meet a new grandchild, due in November!!

I will get back in the blogging mode shortly.. until then, these are my 2 newest grandchildren!