Wow... can it really be a new year? 2015! The year that Marty McFly ventured to in "Back to the Future", one of my all-time favourite trilogies. We don't have the many futuristic conveniences of Marty and Doc Brown's 2015, but we definitely have come quite a ways since 1985. In 1985 I was a 20-something single woman, starting off in life with my first major job, my first car and my whole life before me. Today, I reflect on a life that might not have turned out according to "my plan", but a life that is rich with love, the Lord and adventures.
2014 was a year of highs and lows, losses and gains, goals reached and bucket list items ticked off. We said good-bye to colleagues, and prayed in earnest for loved ones fighting the dreaded "C" word.
2014 was a year of work travel for both the Hubby and myself. For Hubby it was his regular rotation of Connecticut, Texas, California and Puerto Rico mainly. For me, I experienced my first Disney Cruise (HIGHLY recommend even without kids!), sailed the Carnival Breeze to the Caribbean and spent 17 glorious days in Paradise, touring the Hawaiian Islands to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.
My business really took off this year (hence the terrible blogging history) with sales of just under $300,000. I surpassed my first goal and almost reached me "dream big" goal, missing it by only $6,000. I learned a lot about myself through my business this year. I am definitely a Type B temperament so my job takes extra brain power and concentration as juggling the many balls of my clients' travel details takes a ton of energy for me. Unfortunately, that extra brain power robs me of the ability to be the homemaker I imagine myself to be (unrealistically I aim to be June Cleaver). I also find that with so many travel details rambling around my brain constantly that I have become somewhat of an ADD victim.
All in all though, 2014 was a good year. As I reflect on the new year dawning, my goals are to find better balance between work, home and church life. I long to work smarter so that I can reach my work goals and learn to shut my "office brain" off at a certain time and not feel the guilt and pull to work around the clock (as I sometimes feel I need to do). I long to dig deeper into my walk with God, getting that back to where it used to be. I long to cook more meals (healthier even) and lose the extra weight that the menopausal years have snuck onto my bones. I long to love deeper, give of myself more freely, judge less and be the Light of Christ that I'm called to be.
How about you? How was your 2014? What are your hopes, dreams, goals for 2015? I hope to blog more - forcing myself to slow down and concentrate more and on something other than work.
God bless you and your loved ones as we begin this next chapter of our lives - the chapter called 2015!
Showing posts with label daily doings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daily doings. Show all posts
Friday, January 2, 2015
Friday, August 15, 2014
Farewell Forties
Today is my last day in my forties. I am in denial that the big 5-0 is here at exactly 1:06am tomorrow morning.
When I think back to the eve of turning 40 I remember it being such a bitter-sweet time. I was sad because 40 would be my first birthday without my Mom here on earth. It was somewhat sobering to realize that she wasn't here for that milestone in her baby's life. It was a sweet time as we escaped to my sister's house in NC so I didn't have to face my birthday at home.
I generally like to escape for my birthday. It somehow makes it more fun and celebratory when I'm not at home cooking, cleaning or doing "normal" day to day things. I don't know about you but I believe birthdays are a big deal and deserve to be celebrated in extra special ways.
When I think about turning 50 I have to be honest, I get a little scared. If I thought 40 was the "straddling life" milestone, I sort of feel that turning 50 is like looking the down the barrel of a gun. I fear that all the bad habits of my youth are going to catch up with me in the decade. Life is not going to be as sweet. Life is well over half-way now, particularly when my father-in-law passed away at 60 and my Mom at 72. Heaven is getting closer than I realize ... and although on one hand that excites me, on the other hand it frightens me.
This summer we have been bombarded with bad news of the dreaded "C" word (cancer if you hadn't figured that out) hitting many of those we care for - my BFF's hubby, my Monday-morning colleague/travel buddy, my precious online friend on the other side of the world, a lonely single-man friend of Hubby's from church. So much pain. So much sorrow. It gets depressing if we think about it too long.
Thankfully in spite of the fear, the sorrow, the pain... of watching those we care about suffer... and turning 50, we have One who casts those cares away. He replaces the darkness of the situation we encounter with Hope... with Joy... with Purpose.
I will choose today to embrace this new decade and to attempt to live each day to the full... in the fullness of all God has planned for me.
Until next time...
When I think back to the eve of turning 40 I remember it being such a bitter-sweet time. I was sad because 40 would be my first birthday without my Mom here on earth. It was somewhat sobering to realize that she wasn't here for that milestone in her baby's life. It was a sweet time as we escaped to my sister's house in NC so I didn't have to face my birthday at home.
I generally like to escape for my birthday. It somehow makes it more fun and celebratory when I'm not at home cooking, cleaning or doing "normal" day to day things. I don't know about you but I believe birthdays are a big deal and deserve to be celebrated in extra special ways.
When I think about turning 50 I have to be honest, I get a little scared. If I thought 40 was the "straddling life" milestone, I sort of feel that turning 50 is like looking the down the barrel of a gun. I fear that all the bad habits of my youth are going to catch up with me in the decade. Life is not going to be as sweet. Life is well over half-way now, particularly when my father-in-law passed away at 60 and my Mom at 72. Heaven is getting closer than I realize ... and although on one hand that excites me, on the other hand it frightens me.
This summer we have been bombarded with bad news of the dreaded "C" word (cancer if you hadn't figured that out) hitting many of those we care for - my BFF's hubby, my Monday-morning colleague/travel buddy, my precious online friend on the other side of the world, a lonely single-man friend of Hubby's from church. So much pain. So much sorrow. It gets depressing if we think about it too long.
Thankfully in spite of the fear, the sorrow, the pain... of watching those we care about suffer... and turning 50, we have One who casts those cares away. He replaces the darkness of the situation we encounter with Hope... with Joy... with Purpose.
I will choose today to embrace this new decade and to attempt to live each day to the full... in the fullness of all God has planned for me.
Until next time...
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
In Transition
Lying in bed the evening of January 30 I couldn't help but think of that night's sleep as a "new year's eve" of sorts as January 31st was to be a day of irreversible change. It was that day, the last day of January 2014 that we would take possession of our second home as a married couple.
While waiting for the call from the lawyer's office Friday morning, Hubby and I went to pick up the elements of our new walk-in closet and kitchen pantry.
While waiting for the call from the lawyer's office Friday morning, Hubby and I went to pick up the elements of our new walk-in closet and kitchen pantry.
We then returned home to find my Mother-in-law who was almost as excited as we were for the day's exciting events. After a bite of lunch and more waiting, the call came in at 2:21pm. "Congratulations on your new house" the law clerk said. "Your keys are ready to be picked up". I told her we'd be right there and we all jumped in the car and drove the 15 minutes to the lawyer's office. We were SO ready to check out our new place!
Our weekend was spent first ripping out the old original carpet before painting our master bedroom, taking it from a dark dramatic blue to our tropical oasis of bright "green grape" and gentle "quiet blue" like in our present home.
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| Before (taken before possession) |
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| After (pre-carpeting) |
We also ripped apart the closet and assembled our new closet organizer pieces:
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| Taking down the closet bars |
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| New Closet elements |
We also painted our new ensuite but I don't have the pictures for that yet… stay tuned for that ;-)
Monday morning the contractors came in and ripped up the old carpet from the main floor and ripped out the original kitchen. They cut a new kitchen doorway and prepped the original doorway for drywalling later in the reno. They screwed down the floors in preparation for today's big task which was placing the tiles in the hallway, powder room and kitchen. I can't wait until tomorrow to check it out.
I wasn't planning to do any other painting for awhile but yesterday I decided to repaint the guest bedroom, freshening it up and taking it from the girly bedroom feel. I had mistakenly bought more "quiet blue" than I needed for our room so that was the colour I decided to go with for the guest room. It really is a gorgeous blue. In some light it almost looks periwinkle. I did the first coat and trim yesterday afternoon and this morning I got over to the house at 8am to paint the second coat before the tile guys showed up.
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| Guest Room (before we took possession) |
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| Fresh new look (this is much brighter in this picture than in person) |
Tomorrow I will finish up packing while the tile guys finish up their work on the hallway floors. Grout day is Thursday and then Friday our carpet installers arrive and the kitchen cabinets get assembled. Woot Woot! Every day is feeling like Christmas as we "unwrap" a new phase of our reno! Exciting days!!
I'll keep you posted as we go! Until next time...
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Coming Up For Air
Life feels like I'm in the swirl of a tornado these days. Barely time to sit and think. Running between new home planning, old home packing and a travel business going crazy! It's ALL GOOD so I don't want to sound like I'm complaining but holy smokes… this lazy butt just wants to sit and sip a cold drink in front of a chick-flick!
This week I have barely had time to squeeze in packing as I have been working countless hours trying to please all of my clients asking for quotes and booking vacations. I wish the days were longer so I could get everything done. My desk looks like a bomb went off - manilla files everywhere!
This morning I decided I would put home stuff first so I got up and head down to the carpet store to make my final decision on carpeting for the bedrooms in the "new" house. (I tell you… by the time we have everything done this will FEEL like a brand new place!). I couldn't decide between the super soft 50oz silk carpet which we could only afford to place in our bedroom, or go for the less-soft 40oz silk carpet which we could put in all 3 bedrooms. At just the right time my sister-in-law texted me and I was able to grab her advice and Hubby's advice over iMessage while at the carpet store. Gotta love technology! We … all 3 of us… finally decided on the 40oz in all 3 rooms. That way we can have it laid before the furniture gets in the room. Now just have to go to Staples and pick up the mat for my office chair to lay over the carpet to preserve it! I decided on a nice light taupe that will look like a gorgeous soft sand beach in our master! Sigh… is it February yet??
Also this week I went and ordered the closet organizer for our main floor closet which will become my pantry. SUPER excited about this. I just happened to find this little nugget of information this morning in my email that will help me to organize the pantry once the shelves (and we) are all set up:
So much for balance this week in my quest to find it… but once the move is over and wave season has passed, I should be able to get all my ducks in a row and life in better balance. How are you doing with your OneWord365 this week?
Until next time...
This week I have barely had time to squeeze in packing as I have been working countless hours trying to please all of my clients asking for quotes and booking vacations. I wish the days were longer so I could get everything done. My desk looks like a bomb went off - manilla files everywhere!
This morning I decided I would put home stuff first so I got up and head down to the carpet store to make my final decision on carpeting for the bedrooms in the "new" house. (I tell you… by the time we have everything done this will FEEL like a brand new place!). I couldn't decide between the super soft 50oz silk carpet which we could only afford to place in our bedroom, or go for the less-soft 40oz silk carpet which we could put in all 3 bedrooms. At just the right time my sister-in-law texted me and I was able to grab her advice and Hubby's advice over iMessage while at the carpet store. Gotta love technology! We … all 3 of us… finally decided on the 40oz in all 3 rooms. That way we can have it laid before the furniture gets in the room. Now just have to go to Staples and pick up the mat for my office chair to lay over the carpet to preserve it! I decided on a nice light taupe that will look like a gorgeous soft sand beach in our master! Sigh… is it February yet??
Also this week I went and ordered the closet organizer for our main floor closet which will become my pantry. SUPER excited about this. I just happened to find this little nugget of information this morning in my email that will help me to organize the pantry once the shelves (and we) are all set up:
So much for balance this week in my quest to find it… but once the move is over and wave season has passed, I should be able to get all my ducks in a row and life in better balance. How are you doing with your OneWord365 this week?
Until next time...
Thursday, January 16, 2014
New Home High
The countdown is on… two weeks tomorrow we get possession of our new home… not "new" new, but new to us. They say that moving is one of the top 10 stressors of life. I would totally agree with that, especially when doing a big renovation the first few weeks of owning the new home (and moving in half way through that) and also during the busiest season of work. Phew… I'm exhausted. Well, actually, most days I'm exhausted but not tonight. Nope… tonight I'm on a HIGH. A New Home High!
Tonight I met with my real estate agent, my plumber (brother-in-law), a carpet-guy and the selling agent over at the new place. I have to tell you… every time I step inside our "almost" house I get SO excited. I never want to leave… even though tonight the selling agent wasn't thrilled to be there and made me feel rushed to get everything done in record time.
Tonight's agenda was looking at plumbing in the basement to move the laundry tub to a more functional spot (and figure out the water rental company so we can get a better/bigger unit), measuring the bedrooms for new carpet (instead of the 28 year old present carpet) measuring the closet on the main floor so I can order the organizer to make a pantry, and measuring the powder room for a vanity (instead of the pedestal sink). By the time we're done I think we will have a "new" home.
It amazes me how all the stress of this week, juggling all my clients/house/reno/ and packing balls, has melted away from one little 30 minute visit up the street. I feel like a kid Christmas morning.
I can't wait to show you all the before and after pictures, but you'll just have to wait… like me… until we get into our place.
Until next time...
Tonight I met with my real estate agent, my plumber (brother-in-law), a carpet-guy and the selling agent over at the new place. I have to tell you… every time I step inside our "almost" house I get SO excited. I never want to leave… even though tonight the selling agent wasn't thrilled to be there and made me feel rushed to get everything done in record time.
Tonight's agenda was looking at plumbing in the basement to move the laundry tub to a more functional spot (and figure out the water rental company so we can get a better/bigger unit), measuring the bedrooms for new carpet (instead of the 28 year old present carpet) measuring the closet on the main floor so I can order the organizer to make a pantry, and measuring the powder room for a vanity (instead of the pedestal sink). By the time we're done I think we will have a "new" home.
It amazes me how all the stress of this week, juggling all my clients/house/reno/ and packing balls, has melted away from one little 30 minute visit up the street. I feel like a kid Christmas morning.
I can't wait to show you all the before and after pictures, but you'll just have to wait… like me… until we get into our place.
Until next time...
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Just Breathe
Ever After is one of my favourite chick-flicks. I could watch it over and over and over again. Drew Barrymore is "Danielle", and Ever After is supposed to be the "real" Cinderella story. We know the story of Cinderella well from our girlish childhoods. Orphan girl is abused by her step-family… fairy godmother comes to the rescue… she meets handsome prince… they fall instantly in love… clock strikes 12 and the exotic date with the prince is over… prince desperately tries to seek his new-found love by tracking her with a glass slipper.
You might be wondering why I bring this all up today. The fact is that the past week or so has been so out of control … or out of "balance" that yesterday I had to remind myself to breathe. In my haste to run from office to Sears in search of a fabulous deal on a garage door opener for the new house my little ole ticker was racing and I needed to slow down and remember to breathe.
In Ever After, just before Danielle enters the ball in her fabulous angel-winged costume she reminds herself to "Just Breathe". How often do we take that moment to catch our breath when life is spinning out of control?
I was reminded yesterday in my frenzy that instead of just taking a breathe I need to breathe in Jesus in those moments of crazy. He is the One who calms my anxiety heart. He is the One who is able to assist me in juggling all the balls I have flying around me between packing, Wave season at work, setting up things for the new house. Alone I will lose my mind but with Him… breathing in Him… I will be able to not only survive the craziness that is moving during the business work season, but I will thrive because He will replace my anxiousness with peace and calm.
So… this morning… as I begin another crazy day of quotes and bookings, packing and lunch with my BFF… I will choose to breathe… breathing in the fragrance of Christ and hopefully emitting some out there as well!
John 14:27 says it best: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid
May God's peace fill my life today… and may His peace fill yours whatever you have going on!
Until next time...
You might be wondering why I bring this all up today. The fact is that the past week or so has been so out of control … or out of "balance" that yesterday I had to remind myself to breathe. In my haste to run from office to Sears in search of a fabulous deal on a garage door opener for the new house my little ole ticker was racing and I needed to slow down and remember to breathe.
In Ever After, just before Danielle enters the ball in her fabulous angel-winged costume she reminds herself to "Just Breathe". How often do we take that moment to catch our breath when life is spinning out of control?
I was reminded yesterday in my frenzy that instead of just taking a breathe I need to breathe in Jesus in those moments of crazy. He is the One who calms my anxiety heart. He is the One who is able to assist me in juggling all the balls I have flying around me between packing, Wave season at work, setting up things for the new house. Alone I will lose my mind but with Him… breathing in Him… I will be able to not only survive the craziness that is moving during the business work season, but I will thrive because He will replace my anxiousness with peace and calm.
So… this morning… as I begin another crazy day of quotes and bookings, packing and lunch with my BFF… I will choose to breathe… breathing in the fragrance of Christ and hopefully emitting some out there as well!
John 14:27 says it best: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid
May God's peace fill my life today… and may His peace fill yours whatever you have going on!
Until next time...
Friday, January 10, 2014
Riding the Wave… and Crashing!
January is the beginning of "Wave Season", a three month selling season for travel agents. Our "Christmas" if you will. It is when the cruise lines in particular start shelling out amazing deals and offers for winter getaways and summer cruises to Europe and Alaska. Normally I would be thrilled for the busyness and excitement of this frenzy of selling activity but I have to say that "riding the wave" this season is killing me!
Today was a prime example of my crashing during this season… and the season of moving. I was up early (for me) and after a slow start I got up and started working right away. I had ticket issues I needed to confirm from the night before's purchase with one of our consolidators. All the while I was tapping away on my computer, the packing boxes in my home were calling out to me. Pack me… pack me! I planned to get to those in the afternoon.
While I continued some travel business, I kept getting calls about the move. The bank re: the mortgage, Hubby about insurance issues. I thought my brain was going to explode from the quick shift it was repeatedly making going from one focus to the next. When I got up stairs after a quick lunch of Greek yogurt, I was fighting with a packing box, trying to jam my baking supplies in one single box when the phone rang again with Hubby wanting me to do something else for the insurance company… or the bank… or the lawyers… I forget now.
Like a rubber band about to snap, I lashed out at Hubby in my frustration, and he kindly took it but I knew he was not thrilled with the stressed out woman on the other end of the phone. Not long after I called to apologize for being such a freak. I decided at that point I needed some "balance" in my day and I made myself a cup of tea, grabbed my journal and began documenting my day and eventually having a visit with Jesus. Journalling often helps me in finding perspective and right relationship with God. Do you find that? After my time with God I took another quick moment to watch an episode of Last Man Standing on Netflix. Tim Allen's "Mike Baxter" always makes me laugh as does the rest of the cast. I remember my former doctor telling me to have at least one good belly laugh a day. I was just following doctor's orders at that point.
Before I got back to packing (and preparing our house for the new buyers to stop by for an hour's visit tomorrow) I started to prep for dinner in between calls and emails for business. I had a roast I'd taken out of the freezer so I cut up onion, carrots and potatoes and placed them around the roast. Easy breezy dinner… and delicious to boot!
The rest of the evening was again a mix of packing, cleaning and business. Little by little the house is filling up with boxes while the cozy-factor declines. I feel badly for the buyers when they come in tomorrow. This place looks NOTHING like the place did when they first came in ;-) Hopefully they will understand… we're doing this all for them after all - ha ha.
So… today I felt like I crashed riding the wave of life… and wave season. I was not the Spirit-filled woman I would have liked to be. I let exhaustion and overwhelm get the best of me. I was a woman of in-balance today and I don't like that. As Scarlett O'Hara said though… "I won't think about that now. After all… tomorrow is another day!"
Until next time...
Today was a prime example of my crashing during this season… and the season of moving. I was up early (for me) and after a slow start I got up and started working right away. I had ticket issues I needed to confirm from the night before's purchase with one of our consolidators. All the while I was tapping away on my computer, the packing boxes in my home were calling out to me. Pack me… pack me! I planned to get to those in the afternoon.
While I continued some travel business, I kept getting calls about the move. The bank re: the mortgage, Hubby about insurance issues. I thought my brain was going to explode from the quick shift it was repeatedly making going from one focus to the next. When I got up stairs after a quick lunch of Greek yogurt, I was fighting with a packing box, trying to jam my baking supplies in one single box when the phone rang again with Hubby wanting me to do something else for the insurance company… or the bank… or the lawyers… I forget now.
Like a rubber band about to snap, I lashed out at Hubby in my frustration, and he kindly took it but I knew he was not thrilled with the stressed out woman on the other end of the phone. Not long after I called to apologize for being such a freak. I decided at that point I needed some "balance" in my day and I made myself a cup of tea, grabbed my journal and began documenting my day and eventually having a visit with Jesus. Journalling often helps me in finding perspective and right relationship with God. Do you find that? After my time with God I took another quick moment to watch an episode of Last Man Standing on Netflix. Tim Allen's "Mike Baxter" always makes me laugh as does the rest of the cast. I remember my former doctor telling me to have at least one good belly laugh a day. I was just following doctor's orders at that point.
Before I got back to packing (and preparing our house for the new buyers to stop by for an hour's visit tomorrow) I started to prep for dinner in between calls and emails for business. I had a roast I'd taken out of the freezer so I cut up onion, carrots and potatoes and placed them around the roast. Easy breezy dinner… and delicious to boot!
The rest of the evening was again a mix of packing, cleaning and business. Little by little the house is filling up with boxes while the cozy-factor declines. I feel badly for the buyers when they come in tomorrow. This place looks NOTHING like the place did when they first came in ;-) Hopefully they will understand… we're doing this all for them after all - ha ha.
So… today I felt like I crashed riding the wave of life… and wave season. I was not the Spirit-filled woman I would have liked to be. I let exhaustion and overwhelm get the best of me. I was a woman of in-balance today and I don't like that. As Scarlett O'Hara said though… "I won't think about that now. After all… tomorrow is another day!"
Until next time...
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Bitter Cold
As I sit in my office after a long evening of work, booking my first cruise of 2014 for friends from church, the temperature outside is 1F, feeling like -22F. It is a BITTER COLD day here in Southern Ontario! Brrr. (Can you hear my teeth chattering).
Despite the cool temperature in my office though, I am profoundly aware that I have it good tonight. There are many who are literally freezing to death in North America tonight because they can't escape this arctic blast from Old Man Winter… who by the way can go back to wherever he came from!
I heard on the news tonight about an escaped convict in Kentucky today who actually asked to be arrested, just so he could head back to prison. Guess escaping in winter wasn't the smartest move, huh?
I wish I were anywhere warm tonight, but I'm not. Instead I am here, in Canada, being super productive today, both vocationally as a travel agent, and as a homemaker, packing up her house for moving soon.
Today I worked on the storage closet under the stairs. I packed up the kitchen appliances that we store down there, plus some other stuff that makes it's home hidden from the naked eye. I suffer from "packratitis" and haven't thrown out hardly anything yet, but I am making a nice 'donation' pile of some things I don't want anymore.
Now that January is in full swing and the holidays are behind us, balance is going to be more necessary as in the travel agent world we enter "Wave" season… the busiest time of the year for agents. This bitter cold weather can only help business but with packing looming overhead I will need to guard my time closely so I am able to handle both major "jobs" I have right now.
I realize in my need for balancing these two contrasting worlds that my time with God is even more important. Through staying balanced in Him, I will be able to juggle the balls of packing and planning vacations. Without Him I will crumble to the ground in a lump and neither job will be done well. Can you relate or are you someone who juggles well?
Tomorrow I'm off for a much needed chiropractor appointment before heading out to help other friends plan vacation time. Have I told you lately how much I love my job?! When all my hard work develops results and I help people make their vacation dreams a reality, my heart sings. La la la!
Well I think I'll close off for tonight. My eyes are buggy from staring at this screen for two days and I need to take some much needed… balanced… rest.
Until next time...
Despite the cool temperature in my office though, I am profoundly aware that I have it good tonight. There are many who are literally freezing to death in North America tonight because they can't escape this arctic blast from Old Man Winter… who by the way can go back to wherever he came from!
I heard on the news tonight about an escaped convict in Kentucky today who actually asked to be arrested, just so he could head back to prison. Guess escaping in winter wasn't the smartest move, huh?
I wish I were anywhere warm tonight, but I'm not. Instead I am here, in Canada, being super productive today, both vocationally as a travel agent, and as a homemaker, packing up her house for moving soon.
Today I worked on the storage closet under the stairs. I packed up the kitchen appliances that we store down there, plus some other stuff that makes it's home hidden from the naked eye. I suffer from "packratitis" and haven't thrown out hardly anything yet, but I am making a nice 'donation' pile of some things I don't want anymore.
Now that January is in full swing and the holidays are behind us, balance is going to be more necessary as in the travel agent world we enter "Wave" season… the busiest time of the year for agents. This bitter cold weather can only help business but with packing looming overhead I will need to guard my time closely so I am able to handle both major "jobs" I have right now.
I realize in my need for balancing these two contrasting worlds that my time with God is even more important. Through staying balanced in Him, I will be able to juggle the balls of packing and planning vacations. Without Him I will crumble to the ground in a lump and neither job will be done well. Can you relate or are you someone who juggles well?
Tomorrow I'm off for a much needed chiropractor appointment before heading out to help other friends plan vacation time. Have I told you lately how much I love my job?! When all my hard work develops results and I help people make their vacation dreams a reality, my heart sings. La la la!
Well I think I'll close off for tonight. My eyes are buggy from staring at this screen for two days and I need to take some much needed… balanced… rest.
Until next time...
Saturday, January 4, 2014
New Beginnings… New Blog Name
Happy New Year, fellow Bloggers!
2013 was a crazy year for me… getting my business off the ground, travelling, family weddings, etc… it has really challenged my blogging mojo, hasn't it? Well I am back in 2014 with a renewed desire to blog and a new name!
New Beginnings is the theme for my new blog and our life beginning in 2014. I am so grateful to God for allowing me the ability to "make lemonade" of the circumstances of infertility but that all feels miles behind on life's highway. Not only do I feel like I've turned a page on that chapter of life, Hubby and I are about to embark on turning the page on a new chapter… moving to our second home (finally!).
In November, life was plugging along as usual, nary a thought of moving on the horizon… until a 2 car garage, 3 bedroom, end unit town home in our complex (on the same side of the street as our current home… with no neighbours behind except the police station) came up for sale. I had always been keeping an eye out for a 2 car garage unit so I was interested in taking a peek when they held an Open House one weekend in early-November. Hubby and I took a look around the place and were intrigued by the possibility of purchasing this slightly larger unit, without having to take a large mortgage again. The day after we toured the home, Hubby was off on a business trip to California. His union was contemplating a strike at the time so house-hunting wasn't maybe the best idea at that time of uncertainty but Hubby and I both felt the prodding to move forward with considering this house. I decided to visit the Open House the following day, with tape measure in hand, to see if logistically our furniture and things would fit and we could truly make this "home". On the following Tuesday I visited Ridgeway Kitchens, to speak with my brother-in-law's, nephew-in-law who owns the renovation company to see if reworking the kitchen at the new town home would be a possibility as the current kitchen as is was a deal breaker in moving forward. Marcus needed to measure to see what options we might have and miraculously (thank you Jesus!) our real estate agent was going to be in my neighbourhood right around that time and was able to get us into the house to measure.
I won't bore you with each detail but that week while Hubby was in California, we prayed about God opening and closing doors. There were huge hurdles to jump over (like the union strike) and we kept asking God to show us His will for this house by moving such hurdles. By Thursday, God had answered prayers as the strike was being averted and ratification was scheduled for Sunday. We had decided with this news that we would go look at the house again at the coming weekend's Open House before putting in an offer.
Sometimes God puts obstacles in our way to test our faith and that Friday we encountered one such obstacle. I got a call from our agent, Linda, telling me that someone was coming to put an offer on the townhouse that evening at 7pm. Hubby was literally unreachable as he was in the airplane heading home from California. We would have to forego putting in an offer too and we would have to let the house go. It was strange as this was happening though. Similar to 20 years ago how I felt after my first date with Hubby, I had such a strong sense that this house was "ours" but I trusted God and held it loosely. Our agent told us that sometimes deals don't go through and that she would contact me the following Friday to update me on the status of the sale. "Okay God… I will trust in Your will!"
Fast forward to the next Friday. I was out shopping when I got a call from our agent. "The buyer's financing fell through. You can put in an offer if you're still interested". Hubby again was preparing to board an airplane home from his business trip to Massachusetts so again I had to tell Linda that we were on hold. Saturday morning, after a myriad of questions, we began the process of moving towards an offer by visiting the bank for a deposit draft and later that evening meeting with our agent to "get the job done!" After a few pass backs between us and the sellers, at 10pm on Nov 23, 2013, we purchased our second home (conditional on home inspection).
Now came the crazy process of preparing our current home and getting it listed for sale. God miraculously gave me supernatural energy and endurance and I was able to get the house ready within the week. In that week another townhome in our complex came up for sale… a unit similar to ours with 2 bedrooms and 1-1/2 car garage. This home was refinished to the max and ended up with a bidding war, making it the highest selling unit in our complex. Again, I saw God's timing in this because in the time frame between us purchasing Unit #8 and getting our unit on the market, the "value" of our home was able to be increased by $10K due to the sale of that similar unit.
On Wednesday, Dec 4 our unit was listed and officially on the market! I was leaving for a Seminar at Sea aboard the Norwegian Breakaway cruise line out of NYC on Dec 7 (Sat) and Hubby was leaving for Connecticut on the 8th (Sunday) so fortunately we weren't inconvenienced too much with showings and the Open House held on the Saturday. By mid-week, while we were both away, two offers came into our agent with one offer sticking around. There I was on the high seas off the coast of NC on Friday, Dec 13 signing a copy of offer to be faxed back to our agent. Our house was sold conditionally! Only God can move things this quickly I believe! By the following Friday the SOLD sign was on our front lawn and we could relax over the Christmas break before starting the massive job of packing up by our January 31st closing date.
So… we come to the meaning of the new blog theme which comes from our new home. When I told Hubby's twin sister the unit # of our new place, she mentioned to me the spiritual significance of the number 8… "New Beginnings". I got chills when she told me because not only is moving into our second home a "new beginning", closing the chapter on this home with it's reminders of broken dreams and hopes that never came to be (and leaving our Noah's Ark "nursery" behind), it is also the year Hubby and I both reach the milestones of turning 50 and celebrating 20 years of marriage. New Beginnings… absolutely!! So join me as we pack up the past (with both good and not so good memories) and move up the street to our new place and our New Beginnings!!
2013 was a crazy year for me… getting my business off the ground, travelling, family weddings, etc… it has really challenged my blogging mojo, hasn't it? Well I am back in 2014 with a renewed desire to blog and a new name!
New Beginnings is the theme for my new blog and our life beginning in 2014. I am so grateful to God for allowing me the ability to "make lemonade" of the circumstances of infertility but that all feels miles behind on life's highway. Not only do I feel like I've turned a page on that chapter of life, Hubby and I are about to embark on turning the page on a new chapter… moving to our second home (finally!).
In November, life was plugging along as usual, nary a thought of moving on the horizon… until a 2 car garage, 3 bedroom, end unit town home in our complex (on the same side of the street as our current home… with no neighbours behind except the police station) came up for sale. I had always been keeping an eye out for a 2 car garage unit so I was interested in taking a peek when they held an Open House one weekend in early-November. Hubby and I took a look around the place and were intrigued by the possibility of purchasing this slightly larger unit, without having to take a large mortgage again. The day after we toured the home, Hubby was off on a business trip to California. His union was contemplating a strike at the time so house-hunting wasn't maybe the best idea at that time of uncertainty but Hubby and I both felt the prodding to move forward with considering this house. I decided to visit the Open House the following day, with tape measure in hand, to see if logistically our furniture and things would fit and we could truly make this "home". On the following Tuesday I visited Ridgeway Kitchens, to speak with my brother-in-law's, nephew-in-law who owns the renovation company to see if reworking the kitchen at the new town home would be a possibility as the current kitchen as is was a deal breaker in moving forward. Marcus needed to measure to see what options we might have and miraculously (thank you Jesus!) our real estate agent was going to be in my neighbourhood right around that time and was able to get us into the house to measure.
I won't bore you with each detail but that week while Hubby was in California, we prayed about God opening and closing doors. There were huge hurdles to jump over (like the union strike) and we kept asking God to show us His will for this house by moving such hurdles. By Thursday, God had answered prayers as the strike was being averted and ratification was scheduled for Sunday. We had decided with this news that we would go look at the house again at the coming weekend's Open House before putting in an offer.
Sometimes God puts obstacles in our way to test our faith and that Friday we encountered one such obstacle. I got a call from our agent, Linda, telling me that someone was coming to put an offer on the townhouse that evening at 7pm. Hubby was literally unreachable as he was in the airplane heading home from California. We would have to forego putting in an offer too and we would have to let the house go. It was strange as this was happening though. Similar to 20 years ago how I felt after my first date with Hubby, I had such a strong sense that this house was "ours" but I trusted God and held it loosely. Our agent told us that sometimes deals don't go through and that she would contact me the following Friday to update me on the status of the sale. "Okay God… I will trust in Your will!"
Fast forward to the next Friday. I was out shopping when I got a call from our agent. "The buyer's financing fell through. You can put in an offer if you're still interested". Hubby again was preparing to board an airplane home from his business trip to Massachusetts so again I had to tell Linda that we were on hold. Saturday morning, after a myriad of questions, we began the process of moving towards an offer by visiting the bank for a deposit draft and later that evening meeting with our agent to "get the job done!" After a few pass backs between us and the sellers, at 10pm on Nov 23, 2013, we purchased our second home (conditional on home inspection).
 |
| SOLD… TO US!! |
Now came the crazy process of preparing our current home and getting it listed for sale. God miraculously gave me supernatural energy and endurance and I was able to get the house ready within the week. In that week another townhome in our complex came up for sale… a unit similar to ours with 2 bedrooms and 1-1/2 car garage. This home was refinished to the max and ended up with a bidding war, making it the highest selling unit in our complex. Again, I saw God's timing in this because in the time frame between us purchasing Unit #8 and getting our unit on the market, the "value" of our home was able to be increased by $10K due to the sale of that similar unit.
On Wednesday, Dec 4 our unit was listed and officially on the market! I was leaving for a Seminar at Sea aboard the Norwegian Breakaway cruise line out of NYC on Dec 7 (Sat) and Hubby was leaving for Connecticut on the 8th (Sunday) so fortunately we weren't inconvenienced too much with showings and the Open House held on the Saturday. By mid-week, while we were both away, two offers came into our agent with one offer sticking around. There I was on the high seas off the coast of NC on Friday, Dec 13 signing a copy of offer to be faxed back to our agent. Our house was sold conditionally! Only God can move things this quickly I believe! By the following Friday the SOLD sign was on our front lawn and we could relax over the Christmas break before starting the massive job of packing up by our January 31st closing date.
 |
| Our First House SOLD! |
So… we come to the meaning of the new blog theme which comes from our new home. When I told Hubby's twin sister the unit # of our new place, she mentioned to me the spiritual significance of the number 8… "New Beginnings". I got chills when she told me because not only is moving into our second home a "new beginning", closing the chapter on this home with it's reminders of broken dreams and hopes that never came to be (and leaving our Noah's Ark "nursery" behind), it is also the year Hubby and I both reach the milestones of turning 50 and celebrating 20 years of marriage. New Beginnings… absolutely!! So join me as we pack up the past (with both good and not so good memories) and move up the street to our new place and our New Beginnings!!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
My Smart Hubby!
One day a few weeks ago, while Hubby was away on one of his many business trips, out of nowhere 4 electrical outlets in our house stopped working... two in the living room and two in our bedroom. Hubby suggested, when I emailed him, to try the breaker downstairs but when I did, everything looked fine. We contacted two separate electricians, never hearing back from either. We were stumped. What was going on behind these walls? My biggest fear of course is fire so I wasn't overly confident that the problem with the electrical outlets was something simple and not a huge safety issue.
Last week, Hubby sat down on the sofa in the living room and out of nowhere, the light in the corner of the room popped on. Weird! He moved and the light went off. Once again he tested it, tested the breaker box. Still nothing. Around the same time the light by my bed started working for the first time in weeks. Again we were perplexed. WHAT is going on?
Tonight Hubby finally figured out the issue. Our sofa that backed onto the outlet closest to the window apparently was causing some sort of short in the wires when the sofa was pressed up against the outlet. Hubby opened up the outlet and there it was. Even though the light switch on this side of the room was constantly working, the power wasn't leaving the outlet into the other outlets. Once Hubby did a little tweaking, Eureka.... problem solved! We now can take the power bar from one side of the living room and plug the tv into it's rightful outlet! What a smart hubby I have!!
Power issues aside, today was a fabulous day. My niece "R" and her two adorable kiddies came for a visit to "Auntie Sue's". "R's" sister "K" came to join us for lunch from her office that is just down the street from my place. Laughs and giggles filled our lunch time as we munched on quesadillas and caesar salad. After "K" left to go back to work, "R" and I took the little ones to the pool for a quick dip before naptime. It was super hot and humid out today so the dip in the pool was a welcome treat. In order to prevent "R" from driving home in the ridiculous traffic, she and the kids joined Hubby, "S" and me for dinner. My heart is full as I enjoyed the company of THREE of my beautiful nieces all in one day!
Tomorrow is a busy day as I prepare myself in the morning for an afternoon work shift at the office and then off to the wedding rehearsal of our friends'. More about that to come!
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
A Day in the Life
I've only been back to blogging about a week and already I'm struggling in what to write. What has happened to my blogging mojo? Is my life really this boring??
I don't feel like my life is boring but perhaps why I struggle with what to write is because I fear boring you to death with the ins and outs of my life, which mainly, it seems, is focused on my business these days.
I love my job and every day I plug away at building it, nurturing it and enhancing it. This morning I met up with my clients who just came back from an Alaskan cruise last week. They LOVED their first cruise experience and shared with me pictures from their vacation as well as stories of the things they experienced, both positive and negative. Fortunately, the positive FAR outweighed the negatives and hopefully someday they will want to book a vacation with me again.
I never had any desire to take an Alaskan cruise, that is until I started planning the cruise for these clients. Seeing their pictures made me realize even more just how majestic and breath-taking this area of God's creation truly is. One day Hubby and I will venture out that way and embark on our own Alaskan adventure! In the meantime, it was wonderful to catch up with my clients and hear how much they enjoyed their first vacation in a very long time.
This afternoon I sat out on the back patio in the intense summer heat listening to a live webinar on Selling Destination Weddings. This is a niche I am really interested in getting into - the Destination Wedding/Honeymoon business. Not only do these types of vacations earn you more money as you book groups of people for destination weddings, it also interests me because I had toyed with the idea of being a wedding planner years ago. Recently our office manager/owner signed up for a partnership with a local David's bridal shop. We plan to go into the bridal shop and become destination wedding/honeymoon experts, there to help young brides with any wedding/honeymoon dreams they have for tropical and exotic nuptials or honeymoons.
My workday ended this evening with the booking of my very first "FAM" trip. A "FAM" trip is a "familiarization" trip for travel agents wherein we are invited to book trips to certain hotels/resorts/cruises for significantly lower rates than the public. The purpose of these trips is getting ourselves familiar with the destination so we can come home and sell it with confidence and conviction. My first FAM will be at the Iberostar Bavaro resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I've invited a niece to join me in this adventure since Hubby has business that week. A mandatory site inspection where the manager or staff give a tour of the facilities, highlighting amenities and features is required and then the remainder of the trip is spent enjoying the facilities so I can come home and give an honest review of the resort. It's a tough job but someone has to do it! As I look at the reviews and pictures of the resort I am SO excited about this first FAM!
Tomorrow morning before my niece and her kids come for a visit I need to give a "Welcome Home" call to my friends/clients who are coming home from their Disney vacation. I can't wait to hear about their trip!
Have I mentioned how much I love my job?? ha ha
Until next time...
Friday, July 12, 2013
I Heart Family!
Ever have one of those days where you think you're going to do A, B & C and then something totally unexpected comes to send you in a new direction? This morning was one of those mornings.
I had a list as long as my ... arm finger of "to do" things I needed to get done for work and home. I needed to put together a package with luggage tags and the gift I bought for my August Alaskan cruisers to deliver... and I needed to run to the grocery store for some much-needed staples like bread, milk, O.J., etc. Things weren't going as smoothly as I'd hoped but I was plugging along when I heard a tap, tap, tap on my back window. I look out to see my neighbour three houses down in my back yard. We live in a townhouse complex with a common area/back yard so there are no fences around our entire yard. Any ole person can wander up & down into each back yard. It can be a nuisance at times, but today it turned out to be a bit of a blessing.
"B", my neighbour had come to call on me to see if I was free for a cup of tea. I quickly ran to put my kettle on while she grabbed the cushions for the chairs out in the backyard. What a lovely visit we had as we caught up on what's being going on in each other's world's and the things God has been teaching us. I'm not 100% sure where B's relationship is with Jesus, but she is open to God. Hopefully God will continue to open doors to discuss Jesus and salvation.
After our tea party I hightailed it out to do my errands. It was a gorgeous sunshiny summer day which always makes my heart sing!
Once back home, as I was putting groceries away, I got a call from a friend who needed some encouragement. I was happy to listen and give what little godly advice I could. After about 30+ minutes talking, we prayed together before we said good-bye. I felt glad for this other opportunity God had presented today.
Hubby and I had a dinner date with one of my niece's and her precious Hubby tonight. Before I could get myself ready for that though I needed to do some business. My client from yesterday had decided that Europe was out... how about a Canada/New England cruise. I called Holland America and placed a couple of cabins on hold for her and her family before heading out the door for our dinner date.
Can I just tell you... I Heart my Family!! We enjoyed delicious Greek cuisine over fabulous discussion about what God's been doing in our lives, where He's been challenging us and spurring one another on in our faith. We left the evening feeling encouraged, blessed and longing for another night like tonight. Isn't it just a gift to not only be blood family but family in Christ?! I truly love and admire my nibling and nibling-in-law!
It's been a full week and tomorrow we are looking forward to relaxing. Perhaps we'll head over to the complex pool to soak in some sunshine... or not. Still need to finish things up with my client in the morning before relaxation can become reality! Until next time...
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Hello Out There... Is This Thing Working??
Don't fall off of your computer chairs or sofas ladies (and men if you're out there reading this too)... I am actually here... writing in this long forgotten blog. It's not that I've truly forgotten it of course, or you my precious online pals. Life has just ramped up in speed over the past 9 months and I am coming up for air - finally! I've missed you and missed visiting all of you!
As I read my last post I was saddened to realize that not one single "resolution" I wrote about back in January came to be. How sad considering it's only the end of March. I guess it's true. I truly stink at resolutions and I am far more undisciplined than I care to admit. Anyhoo... that's the facts! There's always next year.
The biggest hurdle I've had to leap over in the last fast-paced three quarters of a year is finding balance in life. In my heart I know and understand that a godly life is a balanced life. Unfortunately, I believe I missed that gene called discipline! When I started my new career as a travel consultant (which I am LOVING btw), I didn't realize how much this little "part-time" job was going to take over my life. I guess that, in some ways, is to be expected when the learning curve is so steep. Now that I'm "more seasoned", I seem to be quicker at quoting clients and better able to balance the ebb and flow of this industry. (Right now I'm in an ebb I think). This ebb has afforded me the time to actually catch my breath and think a little clearer. I've come to realize the other areas of my life that have been horrifically out of balance since starting this job.
Cleaning my housewell (okay... confession time... AT ALL) has been one of the areas that got tossed aside as I diligently worked at my desk each day and evening. Who would have thought that sweeping and washing my floors would bring such delight. This morning I was able to pull out my beloved Norwex products and clean my home in preparation for my in-laws to come for Good Friday Easter dinner... and it felt GOOD! (Tackling my cluttered kitchen is top on the agenda this week... or next!) I'm super stoked about making time soon to do "Spring Cleaning"too... my windows are in desperate need of a little TLC and the house could really use a little shovelling out!
Mostly though, it is my spiritual life that has been most out of balance. Do you ever find those times where you are SO busy "living" that you forget about "abiding"? That's where I've been and my soul can feel it. My prayer life feels rushed. I hurry through my daily Bible reading just to check it off the "to do" list. I hate when I get like this. I feel cranky, miserable and out of sorts. Not the most enjoyable person to be around. (Poor Hubby!) I am so grateful for our ladies' Bible study at church. Right now we're working through Jennifer Rothschild's "Missing Pieces" and just being IN the Word regularly is fuelling that longing for more of Him.
As Easter weekend approaches, I hope to take time to quietly reflect on Jesus' incredible sacrifice. This week I have been abundantly aware of my sins and each loss of temper and unbridled word from my lips (and mind) has reminded me that it in part it was MY sins that nailed Jesus to that cross. Oh how amazing is His grace, that saved a wretched sinner like me!
Thank you Jesus that in spite of my selfishness and sins, You still choose to love me. Thank you that You were willing to pay the punishment for my sins that first Easter weekend! Help me to be mindful of Your great sacrifice not only at Easter, but each and every day! Amen
As I read my last post I was saddened to realize that not one single "resolution" I wrote about back in January came to be. How sad considering it's only the end of March. I guess it's true. I truly stink at resolutions and I am far more undisciplined than I care to admit. Anyhoo... that's the facts! There's always next year.
The biggest hurdle I've had to leap over in the last fast-paced three quarters of a year is finding balance in life. In my heart I know and understand that a godly life is a balanced life. Unfortunately, I believe I missed that gene called discipline! When I started my new career as a travel consultant (which I am LOVING btw), I didn't realize how much this little "part-time" job was going to take over my life. I guess that, in some ways, is to be expected when the learning curve is so steep. Now that I'm "more seasoned", I seem to be quicker at quoting clients and better able to balance the ebb and flow of this industry. (Right now I'm in an ebb I think). This ebb has afforded me the time to actually catch my breath and think a little clearer. I've come to realize the other areas of my life that have been horrifically out of balance since starting this job.
Cleaning my house
Mostly though, it is my spiritual life that has been most out of balance. Do you ever find those times where you are SO busy "living" that you forget about "abiding"? That's where I've been and my soul can feel it. My prayer life feels rushed. I hurry through my daily Bible reading just to check it off the "to do" list. I hate when I get like this. I feel cranky, miserable and out of sorts. Not the most enjoyable person to be around. (Poor Hubby!) I am so grateful for our ladies' Bible study at church. Right now we're working through Jennifer Rothschild's "Missing Pieces" and just being IN the Word regularly is fuelling that longing for more of Him.
As Easter weekend approaches, I hope to take time to quietly reflect on Jesus' incredible sacrifice. This week I have been abundantly aware of my sins and each loss of temper and unbridled word from my lips (and mind) has reminded me that it in part it was MY sins that nailed Jesus to that cross. Oh how amazing is His grace, that saved a wretched sinner like me!
Thank you Jesus that in spite of my selfishness and sins, You still choose to love me. Thank you that You were willing to pay the punishment for my sins that first Easter weekend! Help me to be mindful of Your great sacrifice not only at Easter, but each and every day! Amen
Friday, January 11, 2013
New Year's Resolutions
Hello Blogging Friends... I hope you don't mind but considering I am SO behind in my blogging details I am going to neglect to finish our London tour from "last" year. It's ridiculous how bad I've become at blogging.
Did you have a good Christmas? Make any New Year's Resolutions?
I made a few resolutions this year and if truth be told, like millions of others I didn't make it past January 1st before I broke them. Ah the fun of trying each year!
One of the things that I NEED to resolve to do in this year is get back to losing weight and changing my eating/exercise habits. In 2011 I did an amazing job of losing 14 lbs but after 2 almost back to back cruises, good habits fell by the wayside in 2012 and those pounds came creeping back with a couple extras tagging along. Oh the pains of menopause and a halted metabolism. (That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!).
Another resolution I made this year is to find better balance between home, ministry and my new career as a cruise and travel consultant. I am LOVING my new job, but because I'm still new at it, the research involved in getting my clients off on their dream vacation takes me longer as I scan every possibility I can for them. Last Fall I felt like I was really dropping the ball with Abide, although my sweet team members didn't make me feel that way. It was my own perfectionistic pressures I think. But nonetheless, what began as a "part-time" job seems to be taking up "full-time" hours in my life and I'm trying to find the balance. I think the difficult part is that my "job" came out of my beloved "hobby" of researching travel. It's hard to NOT do what I love even in the evenings when I have what used to be "spare" time. Now it is just working hours. (Am I even making sense?)
One of my resolutions that I have been able to keep so far this year is getting into the Word every day. I decided not to read the Bible in a Year like I have in past years because I knew that I would fail at that so instead I'm reading a few devotionals each morning and pondering on those, as well as working my way through Angela Thomas' book "Choosing Joy" and writing in my prayer journal almost daily.
Have you made any resolutions this year? How are you doing with them?
I hope to be able to come back and tell you I'm doing much better on all counts. Truly that's what these resolutions are aren't they? Their check points in life. Goals to better ourselves. Some days we succeed while other days we fail. The key though is to keep moving forward and not be in the same place as last year. We aim to be in a better place. A healthier place in every aspect of our lives. That's my 2013 resolution. Not to be who I was Dec 31, 2012 but to be a better, all-round Sue by Dec 31, 2013... and the year after that... and after that... and so on and so on.
One last thing... if you have time, be sure to check out my new travel blog Vacation Dream Maker and/or my Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/SueHawkesExpediaCruiseShipCentersMississauga. If you need help planning your next vacation, whether in Canada or the U.S., let me know. I'd love to help!
Did you have a good Christmas? Make any New Year's Resolutions?
I made a few resolutions this year and if truth be told, like millions of others I didn't make it past January 1st before I broke them. Ah the fun of trying each year!
One of the things that I NEED to resolve to do in this year is get back to losing weight and changing my eating/exercise habits. In 2011 I did an amazing job of losing 14 lbs but after 2 almost back to back cruises, good habits fell by the wayside in 2012 and those pounds came creeping back with a couple extras tagging along. Oh the pains of menopause and a halted metabolism. (That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!).
Another resolution I made this year is to find better balance between home, ministry and my new career as a cruise and travel consultant. I am LOVING my new job, but because I'm still new at it, the research involved in getting my clients off on their dream vacation takes me longer as I scan every possibility I can for them. Last Fall I felt like I was really dropping the ball with Abide, although my sweet team members didn't make me feel that way. It was my own perfectionistic pressures I think. But nonetheless, what began as a "part-time" job seems to be taking up "full-time" hours in my life and I'm trying to find the balance. I think the difficult part is that my "job" came out of my beloved "hobby" of researching travel. It's hard to NOT do what I love even in the evenings when I have what used to be "spare" time. Now it is just working hours. (Am I even making sense?)
One of my resolutions that I have been able to keep so far this year is getting into the Word every day. I decided not to read the Bible in a Year like I have in past years because I knew that I would fail at that so instead I'm reading a few devotionals each morning and pondering on those, as well as working my way through Angela Thomas' book "Choosing Joy" and writing in my prayer journal almost daily.
Have you made any resolutions this year? How are you doing with them?
I hope to be able to come back and tell you I'm doing much better on all counts. Truly that's what these resolutions are aren't they? Their check points in life. Goals to better ourselves. Some days we succeed while other days we fail. The key though is to keep moving forward and not be in the same place as last year. We aim to be in a better place. A healthier place in every aspect of our lives. That's my 2013 resolution. Not to be who I was Dec 31, 2012 but to be a better, all-round Sue by Dec 31, 2013... and the year after that... and after that... and so on and so on.
One last thing... if you have time, be sure to check out my new travel blog Vacation Dream Maker and/or my Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/SueHawkesExpediaCruiseShipCentersMississauga. If you need help planning your next vacation, whether in Canada or the U.S., let me know. I'd love to help!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Norwex Junkie
Yep... still breathing over here and feeling really bad for how pathetic I am at blogging these days. Summer has hit and somehow finding the time (and brain power) to write something interesting has been placed on the back burner but once again, I will try & keep up!
Last Tuesday night, my friend Ellen came over, along with some family and friends for a fun evening of Norwex shopping. Have you heard about Norwex? It is an AMAZING line of cleaning products that is anti-baterial and allows you to clean your house with nothing but their cloths/mops and water! No more toxic cleaners. No more potent smells of "clean". Just quick and easy clean up that is motivating, at least for me, to keep my house spic and span (more often). If you've never heard of Norwex, check out their website and find yourself a consultant and get in on the addiction!!
I had a blast planning the party. Ellen and I decided to make it a theme party... a Flip Flop Fun party and I must admit... I went a little crazy!
I already had my annual summer "flip flop" door mat at the door...
Party City had the cutest flip flop plates, cups, napkins and tablecloths so I had to grab those. Then I found the cutest leis and grabbed a dozen of those so each guest would have one to match whatever they wore.
I hung flip flop decorations in front of the windows/patio doors.
On Monday I had baked and decorated flip flop cookies for the party too!
Last Tuesday night, my friend Ellen came over, along with some family and friends for a fun evening of Norwex shopping. Have you heard about Norwex? It is an AMAZING line of cleaning products that is anti-baterial and allows you to clean your house with nothing but their cloths/mops and water! No more toxic cleaners. No more potent smells of "clean". Just quick and easy clean up that is motivating, at least for me, to keep my house spic and span (more often). If you've never heard of Norwex, check out their website and find yourself a consultant and get in on the addiction!!
I had a blast planning the party. Ellen and I decided to make it a theme party... a Flip Flop Fun party and I must admit... I went a little crazy!
I already had my annual summer "flip flop" door mat at the door...
and found the cutest door "welcome" at Michael's to go with the door mat...
Party City had the cutest flip flop plates, cups, napkins and tablecloths so I had to grab those. Then I found the cutest leis and grabbed a dozen of those so each guest would have one to match whatever they wore.
On Monday I had baked and decorated flip flop cookies for the party too!
My flip flop fettish was satisfied for the night and overall the show was a great success both with my guests and with my "hostess" haul of goodies I earned in free Norwex product!
The goods should come this week and I'll distribute them out to my girlfriends and family during the next week. SO glad I had the show and made it fun for my friend Ellen as my consultant.
Speaking of consultants... stay tuned for an announcement coming up in the near future here on my blog!! (Have I peaked your curiosity??)
Sunday, May 13, 2012
MD Reflections
This morning, as I sit in my quiet, cozy little home, avoiding Mother's Day as per usual, I am pondering just how far God has brought me on this journey of being a non-Mom. Sure people with kids will say "Oh but you are a mother in other ways..." blah, blah, blah. And I get that... and I appreciate their trying to include me in their celebration. Yes, nurturing runs through my veins like most other female types, but having those with children try and appease you with thoughts (and often times best wishes) of being "in the club" ... it doesn't truly appease. Just saying.
The reality is, not being a Mom in this Mom-filled world, especially on this day dedicated to Moms is different. For me, it doesn't hurt anymore (for which I am forever grateful to God for sealing up that gaping wound in my heart), but the fact remains... I am not a Mom... and that's okay! Please don't feel bad for me. Really... I'm okay! God just chose a different life for me and although I can show "motherly" love to those around me, you don't have to try and make my boo-boo better. I'm really fine with it.
For me, I choose to avoid the day, not in a bitter way anymore. It started out bitter and an excruciating reminder of what I then perceived as my shortcomings as a woman. When my Mom passed away in 2003 the day just became void for me. I didn't have my Mom and I wasn't a Mom. The day became a reminder of what I didn't have and being "out there" in community (whether it be at church, out to lunch or shopping), it just became awkward while the flowers were being handed out to mothers and well-wishes were being said. It became easier to just spend the day myself, allowing my Hubby to celebrate his Mom however he wished (sometimes including me... sometimes not which was okay too). The first couple years after Mom died I would spend this day at her gravesite, journalling and thinking about how blessed I was to have such an amazing Mother, and missing her like crazy. I still think and miss her today, but I don't feel the need to be close to her resting place anymore as she resides more fully in my heart (and I'm too lazy and cheap to drive the 45 minute drive to her gravesite). Maybe one day this summer I'll go out to visit - we'll see!
I don't mean for this post to sound like I'm having a pity-party today. Actually, as I write this post I am thinking of a dear friend who is having her first Mother's Day but it is one filled with sorrow. Her precious little one went to be with Jesus shortly after birth. I can't imagine how painful this day is for her today. Thinking on her difficult day at hand I then think of the many women I know (and don't know) like her (and me) whose arms are empty today on this day dedicated to celebrating the joys of motherhood. Oh what deep sorrow comes from the ache of empty arms. Oh what sweet comfort comes when we take that sorrow to the foot of the Cross where Jesus can heal our hearts!
For those of you who read this today who are Moms, if you would take just a minute to pray for the women in your life (some you may know well... some may be just acquaintances). Pray that Jesus would comfort their aching hearts on this day and that He would bring peace to their souls and minds. May He fill them to overflowing with His love and may they find joy amidst their sorrow today!
Before I go today I do want to thank God for the gift He gave our family 4-1/2 years ago when my Dad met and remarried our precious "new" Mom, Gelene. She has been such a beautiful and gracious addition to our family and today, as we celebrate God's healing of her cancer (she's in remission), I want to wish her a very Happy Mother's Day! She's up north and I'm not able to see her today, but I will call her later to wish her a blessed day. I love how God redeems the losses in our lives and Gelene is one way He's done that in our family after losing Mom!
Happy Mother's Day to my precious "New" Mom, Mother-in-Law, Sisters and Sisters-in-law... to my friends, both offline and online! I hope you know today how truly special you are!! Enjoy your day (and don't worry about me... I'm fine!!) Love you all xoxo
The reality is, not being a Mom in this Mom-filled world, especially on this day dedicated to Moms is different. For me, it doesn't hurt anymore (for which I am forever grateful to God for sealing up that gaping wound in my heart), but the fact remains... I am not a Mom... and that's okay! Please don't feel bad for me. Really... I'm okay! God just chose a different life for me and although I can show "motherly" love to those around me, you don't have to try and make my boo-boo better. I'm really fine with it.
For me, I choose to avoid the day, not in a bitter way anymore. It started out bitter and an excruciating reminder of what I then perceived as my shortcomings as a woman. When my Mom passed away in 2003 the day just became void for me. I didn't have my Mom and I wasn't a Mom. The day became a reminder of what I didn't have and being "out there" in community (whether it be at church, out to lunch or shopping), it just became awkward while the flowers were being handed out to mothers and well-wishes were being said. It became easier to just spend the day myself, allowing my Hubby to celebrate his Mom however he wished (sometimes including me... sometimes not which was okay too). The first couple years after Mom died I would spend this day at her gravesite, journalling and thinking about how blessed I was to have such an amazing Mother, and missing her like crazy. I still think and miss her today, but I don't feel the need to be close to her resting place anymore as she resides more fully in my heart (and I'm too lazy and cheap to drive the 45 minute drive to her gravesite). Maybe one day this summer I'll go out to visit - we'll see!
I don't mean for this post to sound like I'm having a pity-party today. Actually, as I write this post I am thinking of a dear friend who is having her first Mother's Day but it is one filled with sorrow. Her precious little one went to be with Jesus shortly after birth. I can't imagine how painful this day is for her today. Thinking on her difficult day at hand I then think of the many women I know (and don't know) like her (and me) whose arms are empty today on this day dedicated to celebrating the joys of motherhood. Oh what deep sorrow comes from the ache of empty arms. Oh what sweet comfort comes when we take that sorrow to the foot of the Cross where Jesus can heal our hearts!
For those of you who read this today who are Moms, if you would take just a minute to pray for the women in your life (some you may know well... some may be just acquaintances). Pray that Jesus would comfort their aching hearts on this day and that He would bring peace to their souls and minds. May He fill them to overflowing with His love and may they find joy amidst their sorrow today!
Before I go today I do want to thank God for the gift He gave our family 4-1/2 years ago when my Dad met and remarried our precious "new" Mom, Gelene. She has been such a beautiful and gracious addition to our family and today, as we celebrate God's healing of her cancer (she's in remission), I want to wish her a very Happy Mother's Day! She's up north and I'm not able to see her today, but I will call her later to wish her a blessed day. I love how God redeems the losses in our lives and Gelene is one way He's done that in our family after losing Mom!
Happy Mother's Day to my precious "New" Mom, Mother-in-Law, Sisters and Sisters-in-law... to my friends, both offline and online! I hope you know today how truly special you are!! Enjoy your day (and don't worry about me... I'm fine!!) Love you all xoxo
Friday, May 11, 2012
In The Small Stuff
I've been crazy busy this past couple weeks with baby shower baking, banquet prepping and oh... throw an emergency root canal in the mix too!
Last weekend I was baking up a storm once again in preparation of my new little great-niece, Maddison's baby shower. My sister, Maddy's "Grammie"and I were talking one day and she commented on how bored she was of traditional shower food. I suggested, "why don't you make everything baby-themed" and then I offered to make baby cookies.
Last week I also painted my front hall mirror to match the new table we bought for the front hall while we were in Berlin, Ohio the weekend before. Painting white "fake" wood was a little tricky but here's my finished front hall:
Last weekend I was baking up a storm once again in preparation of my new little great-niece, Maddison's baby shower. My sister, Maddy's "Grammie"and I were talking one day and she commented on how bored she was of traditional shower food. I suggested, "why don't you make everything baby-themed" and then I offered to make baby cookies.
Okay. So I'm not the most gifted handy woman out there, but the black looks better than the white mirror did so I think I'm pleased enough with it!
After the baby shower last Sunday I was in full banquet prep gear until I was awoken Tuesday night with excruciating, throbbing pain in my left lower jaw. Ahh... the familiar, mind-numbing feeling of a tooth in desperate need of a root canal. Blech! And here I was getting ready to call the dentist to work on the needed crowns. In some ways it was a huge blessing this happened first though so I could get it done before the crown was put on.
My dentist, who is wonderful btw, sent me to an endodontist who would do the root canal on Wednesday morning. They took x-rays but couldn't fit me in until today (Friday). He gave me a prescription of antibiotics for the infection under my tooth and pain meds to help me cope until I could get in for the RC. He also mentioned that if my tooth (which I hate to say is FULL of filling) ended up being cracked, I wouldn't be able to have a root canal but my dentist would have to extract the tooth and either put a bridge in or transplant (both options CHA-CHING!).
Honestly... all I could think of was being toothless. I was freaking... and regretting not taking better care of my teeth all these years. Why, oh why haven't I flossed religiously every day????!!!!
This morning I got to the office and was nervous (as I usually am at the dentist but even more so today wondering if I would become a toothless old lady). The dentist and his assistant quickly worked while I listened to worship songs and prayed. At one point they both left the room and my mind started to race. Oh no... it's bad. They can't do a root canal. I'm going to lose my tooth and I'm not even 50 yet!. They came back into the room and did a little more work and then the dentist told me he was done. What?? Really??!!! He told me there was no crack and the root canal was done. I almost cried in relief. Thank you Jesus!! I don't deserve your grace for my lack of looking after my teeth but THANK YOU!!
As I drove home with my face frozen (and a temporary lisp) I was in awe of God's goodness in even the small stuff of life! We have such a good Daddy! He cares even about simple things in life - like dental care!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
MentalPause and Other Joys of Aging!
I remember my Mom often joking about those mind-freeze moments in her mid-life years. She called those times "Mentalpause". At the time I kind of got that they had to do with that "change of life" moment for women, but I had no idea truly how it really affected women... until of course it happened to me.
Ah... the joys of "that" time in a woman's life... when nature stops it's usual "cycle"... the body starts to fill out like never before... and the brain stops cold. Then, of course there are the extra special treats like night sweats, hot flashes and insomnia. Oh the joys of being a woman!!
I'm not sure what exactly changed, but ever since we arrived home from our trip those little "treats" of this process have gotten worse again. It had been months since nary a hot flash would creep up my body wanting me to catch the nearest breeze. Oh to have just a stray sweat back then!
Perhaps the heat of the Caribbean boiled my blood to a new temperature. I seriously don't know what it is, but I am one hot non-mama mama these days! Some nights it literally feels like my mattress is on fire as I whip the covers off, gasping for air. One of those big industrial size fans that blow the model off the runway would come in handy about now! (Hubby is enjoying this to some degree as my old flannel jammies are now history!!)
With these night sweats comes the extra special delight of insomnia. I've always been a night-owl (I think it's genetic!) but this is getting ridiculous! Last night, I didn't wind down until sometime between 12:30-1am (even knowing I'd need to be up early for Abide). I couldn't fall asleep for quite some time (maybe 2ish?). Then... almost like clockwork, 4am rolls around and I am awake. Some mornings by 5-5:30 I am wide awake and could almost get up and start my day... but I don't. I do use that time to pray though. Then, when Hubby gets up at 6:15 for work, I am awake again, hoping and praying I can get back to sleep. Some mornings I do - others not so much. When I do fall asleep, I end up sleeping in longer than I'd hoped and my day slips away from me super fast.
I won't even start on the lovely effects this insomnia is having on my face. Let's just say on our next trip I won't need a suitcase because the bags under my eyes will be sufficient to pack in ALL I need! YIKES! Thank goodness for foundation!!
All this whining of mine is a little in jest I must say. In all honesty, although it can be unpleasant at times, and super difficult to know how to dress anymore because one never knows when you'll want to strip down to your skivvies in one brief moment (only to be chilled the next minute), it could be worse. I could have my period again! (Sorry men who may read this... TMI I'm sure!!)
Ah... the joys of "that" time in a woman's life... when nature stops it's usual "cycle"... the body starts to fill out like never before... and the brain stops cold. Then, of course there are the extra special treats like night sweats, hot flashes and insomnia. Oh the joys of being a woman!!
I'm not sure what exactly changed, but ever since we arrived home from our trip those little "treats" of this process have gotten worse again. It had been months since nary a hot flash would creep up my body wanting me to catch the nearest breeze. Oh to have just a stray sweat back then!
Perhaps the heat of the Caribbean boiled my blood to a new temperature. I seriously don't know what it is, but I am one hot non-mama mama these days! Some nights it literally feels like my mattress is on fire as I whip the covers off, gasping for air. One of those big industrial size fans that blow the model off the runway would come in handy about now! (Hubby is enjoying this to some degree as my old flannel jammies are now history!!)
With these night sweats comes the extra special delight of insomnia. I've always been a night-owl (I think it's genetic!) but this is getting ridiculous! Last night, I didn't wind down until sometime between 12:30-1am (even knowing I'd need to be up early for Abide). I couldn't fall asleep for quite some time (maybe 2ish?). Then... almost like clockwork, 4am rolls around and I am awake. Some mornings by 5-5:30 I am wide awake and could almost get up and start my day... but I don't. I do use that time to pray though. Then, when Hubby gets up at 6:15 for work, I am awake again, hoping and praying I can get back to sleep. Some mornings I do - others not so much. When I do fall asleep, I end up sleeping in longer than I'd hoped and my day slips away from me super fast.
I won't even start on the lovely effects this insomnia is having on my face. Let's just say on our next trip I won't need a suitcase because the bags under my eyes will be sufficient to pack in ALL I need! YIKES! Thank goodness for foundation!!
All this whining of mine is a little in jest I must say. In all honesty, although it can be unpleasant at times, and super difficult to know how to dress anymore because one never knows when you'll want to strip down to your skivvies in one brief moment (only to be chilled the next minute), it could be worse. I could have my period again! (Sorry men who may read this... TMI I'm sure!!)
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
A Day Late for SWD
I can't believe an entire week has gone by since my last post. Where has the time gone? It seems that life has gone into high speed around here but I will try as best I can to continue posting as time allows. I'm a day late for this week's Simple Woman's Daybook, but here is this week's, nonetheless:
If you want to join in on the Simple Woman's Daybook, be sure to check out Peggy's site! I'll be back with this week's Tuesday's Top 10!
On this Tuesday, February 21, 2012...
Outside my window it is a gray day... no snow again as it all melted from the few centimeters we got Saturday.
I am thinking about my Sister-in-Law today as she celebrates her birthday! Happy Birthday Marlene!!
I am thankful that even as life doesn't go as we'd like, He is STILL in control.
In the kitchen I can hear the clock ticking as I sip the last of my morning tea
I am wearing my black yoga pants, long sleeve tee and green Izod zip-up fleece sweater (yep... my daily "uniform" it seems)
I am creating a baby blue blanket for... someone (not sure who yet)... although it pains me to say (pun intended)... that knitting throws my shoulders/neck/back out a bit so it is SLOW GOING
I am going to work out this afternoon... only a few days left before bathing suit time!
Music in my heart today is Our God by Chris Tomlin. This song is a great reminder that God is above and beyond all the trials and tribulations that come against us. Our God is GREATER and STRONGER! He is HEALER, AWESOME IN POWER. He is OUR GOD!!
I am wondering what all I still need to pick up in preparation for our upcoming trip
I am praying for my friends who are dealing with a VERY heart-wrenching situation due to complications in their pregnancy.
Fav blog post this past week is from one of my favorite online Mommy friends I've met (through another online friend), Lindsy. Lindsy is the Mommy to 2 precious little girls and is expecting her 3rd little one this year. Her post this Valentine's Day week was so precious that it was indeed my favorite post!
I am hoping for good weather Friday as I go cross-border shopping with one of my girlfriends
I am looking forward to having Hubby all to myself soon!!
I am learning ... or rather being reminded that joy and anguish can co-exist, anguish can be traded for joy, and anguish can totally be replaced with joy... thanks to Beth Moore in Session 3 of "James"
My favorite
find this week is this saying:
A peek into my lifeI am praying for my friends who are dealing with a VERY heart-wrenching situation due to complications in their pregnancy.
Fav blog post this past week is from one of my favorite online Mommy friends I've met (through another online friend), Lindsy. Lindsy is the Mommy to 2 precious little girls and is expecting her 3rd little one this year. Her post this Valentine's Day week was so precious that it was indeed my favorite post!
I am hoping for good weather Friday as I go cross-border shopping with one of my girlfriends
I am looking forward to having Hubby all to myself soon!!
I am learning ... or rather being reminded that joy and anguish can co-exist, anguish can be traded for joy, and anguish can totally be replaced with joy... thanks to Beth Moore in Session 3 of "James"
My favorite
find this week is this saying:
Around the house I am LOVING my new Norwex products!
I am pondering Abide this week as our lesson goes hand in hand with our Pastor's announcement of our friends' sad situation
A favorite quote for today comes from Angie Smith in her book "I Will Carry You"
He will redeem what seemed hopeless
One of my favorite things is feeling confirmation from God when we are headed in the right direction and He's one step ahead of us on the journey!
A few plans for the week
- prep for Abide
- exercising
- shopping with my girlfriend
- driving my MIL and her friend to the airport
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| Our Current Abide Study |
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Spoiled Rotten and Tuesday's Top 10
It seems I'm not the only wife missing her Hubby on Valentine's Day, as I just read on people.com that Princess Kate is alone this day as well. What lovely company, don't you think? Anyhoo... like her Prince, my Prince Charming left me some goodies before he flew out of the nest on the weekend.
On Friday afternoon, my sweet Hubby arrived home with a beautiful bouquet of long stem red roses... AND... a bouquet of my favorite mixed flowers (which included my favorite of all... purple stock with it's sweet cinnamon-ny fragrance). Before a romantic candle-lit dinner I had planned for my Sweetie, we snuck off to the late afternoon matinee of the new movie, The Vow. After the movie, we enjoyed a cozy dinner with an appetizer of camembert cheese and Murphy-Goode (by Kendall-Jackson) Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by a delicious main course of chateaubriand, roasted potatoes and mixed bean medley. To end off our festive feast we enjoyed fresh raspberries and real whipping cream. Mmm! Hubby opened his gift from me... a snorkel set for our upcoming trip to the tropics! (I grabbed a set for me as well).
Before heading to the airport in the morning, Hubby left for me, a bag with various wrapped gifts, one for each day of his absence up to Valentine's Day, with instructions of which to open on what day. Here's my "stash":
On day 1 (Sat), I opened the blueray of one of my favorite movies, Serendipity. Day 2's surprise was the book The Vow: The True Events That Inspired the Movie which I'll take to read on the beach. Day 3 I opened the latest book in the Hello, Cupcake series, Cupcakes, Cookies & Pie, Oh My!. Hubby picked this up on his last business trip at the bookstore at Harvard University. (Does this make me smarter in making these, I wonder?). This morning I opened the last of the gifts, a pretty pink "Chaps" nightie he picked up at Kohl's on his last trip. I feel abundantly spoiled and loved!
As I reflect on this lavish gifting by my precious Hubby, I can't help but think of how this is how God loves us... lavishly... freely... willingly. As I ponder that, the thought hits me, "how do I love back? Am I lavish in my love for God... for others?". I realize that I have miles to go before my love is anywhere near that of my God, yet I am challenged daily to make every day "Valentine's" in how I approach my interactions with my Hubby and with other people I encounter. I know in the weeks to come, God will challenge this more and more as I work through the Beth Moore study of James: Mercy Triumphs.
So... today, for the Tuesday's Top 10, I was originally thinking of one "Valentine's" day theme, but instead let me ask this:
Here are my answers:
(In light of being alone most of the day, my answers reflect my activities for the day)
How about you? What are your Top 10 for today?
On Friday afternoon, my sweet Hubby arrived home with a beautiful bouquet of long stem red roses... AND... a bouquet of my favorite mixed flowers (which included my favorite of all... purple stock with it's sweet cinnamon-ny fragrance). Before a romantic candle-lit dinner I had planned for my Sweetie, we snuck off to the late afternoon matinee of the new movie, The Vow. After the movie, we enjoyed a cozy dinner with an appetizer of camembert cheese and Murphy-Goode (by Kendall-Jackson) Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by a delicious main course of chateaubriand, roasted potatoes and mixed bean medley. To end off our festive feast we enjoyed fresh raspberries and real whipping cream. Mmm! Hubby opened his gift from me... a snorkel set for our upcoming trip to the tropics! (I grabbed a set for me as well).
Before heading to the airport in the morning, Hubby left for me, a bag with various wrapped gifts, one for each day of his absence up to Valentine's Day, with instructions of which to open on what day. Here's my "stash":
As I reflect on this lavish gifting by my precious Hubby, I can't help but think of how this is how God loves us... lavishly... freely... willingly. As I ponder that, the thought hits me, "how do I love back? Am I lavish in my love for God... for others?". I realize that I have miles to go before my love is anywhere near that of my God, yet I am challenged daily to make every day "Valentine's" in how I approach my interactions with my Hubby and with other people I encounter. I know in the weeks to come, God will challenge this more and more as I work through the Beth Moore study of James: Mercy Triumphs.
So... today, for the Tuesday's Top 10, I was originally thinking of one "Valentine's" day theme, but instead let me ask this:
Top 10 Ways To Show Love Today
Here are my answers:
(In light of being alone most of the day, my answers reflect my activities for the day)
- Spend time with God (so my heart is right)
- Be a courteous driver
- Smile at a stranger
- Write love emails to my Sweetie
- Tell family and friends how I feel about them
- Bring flowers to my sister (who I'll be hanging out with tonight)
- Bring in my neighbor's recyle box from the end of the driveway
- Call my Dad & Step-Mom to check in on them
- Clean the house for Hubby's return
- Praise God throughout my day
How about you? What are your Top 10 for today?
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