Spring 2011, Part One

Just to show that not everything in accounting is serious business

Our boss' office on April Fool's Day

Months of searching & dithering...

My Mother-of-the-Groom Dress

Easter/Passover/Birthday/Mother's Day Dinner in Berkeley

Grand M and Malia Mei

Rehearsal Day came in with pouring rain (remnants of the May tornadoes)...

that is a 6-inch deep "lake" on Siesta Beach


...and ended looking like Paradise

A year ago today...

...we met for the first time.
It was just an ordinary day, cool and overcast, filled with the usual activities, and ending with another in a long line of interviews~ who knew that love was coming into my life.
I can't say I was won over by stunning good looks~ first impressions said "modest, plain, and dated". After a few minutes getting to know each other, I was able to see beyond the outward appearances into a heart full of welcome, comfort, peace, and friendship.
As I drove away, I knew that we were meant to be together.
A year has passed; I have seen God's grace become manifest, convoluted and treacherous paths made smooth, promises made and fulfilled, dreams and hopes made reality. We are together each day, morning and evening, and I am humbly grateful for the unexpected delight and friendship I have found.
I have found my House of Belonging

Oh, all right *sigh*

Have to give in~ it is Winter.
I am a fan of Winter in theory~ home nesting, snowy landscapes, hot buttered rum all sound wonderful.
In reality? Not so much.
I can never seem to keep warm~ which is surprising, given my ample layer of natural insulation.
It's been well over 2 weeks since I've seen sunshine~ partly because I've been going in extra early to cover vacationing co-workers (yes, that is plural~ whoever approved that should be boiled in oil), but mostly because we've had thick tule (ground) fog & overcast skies.
While we don't often see snow here in the Central Valley, the temperatures get quite nippy~ particularly at 5:30 am, when I'm out walking when I'd much rather be snuggled in bed with the cats.
This morning, it was 27 degrees; thanks to some dimwit who still has their sprinklers on summer timer, I did a passable impression of Scott Hamilton gliding down the sidewalk when I hit a patch of black ice. No injuries, thank goodness~ just a few jarred joints from the energetic windmills I did to keep upright.
One positive aspect of the season~ I can indulge my inner "homebody" without anyone expecting me to be going and doing in the bad weather; when the guys get cabin fever, I can send them off and have the house to myself. Reading, knitting, blog browsing, napping~ all the things that comfort to an overworked spirit.
But I am still counting the days until Spring.

Home Keeping Mission Statement

My goal for today, prompted by a visit to Home Sanctuary (click here, or see the sidebar), was to focus on what I want to accomplish with my homecaring tasks; it's a work in progress, but I'm pleased with how it is coming along.

“To treat my home like the precious Gift that it is

To take care of the little things right away, instead of putting them off until later (which rarely comes)

To make each room an organized, tidy, and peaceful space to truly live in by completing one "small thing" each day.

To clear out items which are no longer useful, and establish a "place" for everything in my home.

To apply gratitude, simplicity, order, harmony, beauty, and joy to each aspect of my life

To set aside the ideas of perfection, and enjoy the Blessing that is my Home”

Prayer for a New Year

Lord,

There are many uncertainties in our world but what matters most will never change. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

We believe You are with us, for us, and surrounding us with Your love. So do not fear, for I am with you... I will strengthen you and help you. Isaiah 41:10

No matter what happens, You will guide us and fulfill Your purposes for us. He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Even in hard times we can be confident that we will have victory through you. In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37

We trust you will take care of us and bless us in more ways than we can imagine.
God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

We give each moment and every day to You. Most of all, we give ourselves too.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 5:10
Amen.

--by Holley Gerth

At the end of the day...

Well, that's not quite how we are spending this New Year's Eve~ tonight we're garbed in flannel & sweaters, watching the Marx brothers, & enjoying the delicious dinner my darling hubby made while I was at work~ pork loin, roasted veggies, & mashed potatoes, paired with homemade wine & Greek Fortune bread from our kind neighbors.
~~~
I hope you enjoy a blessed and safe celebration~ I can hardly wait to see what the Good Lord has in store for us in the New Year

Image(s) courtesy VintageHolidayCrafts.com

Joy to the World

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love

~
My mother-in-love is home
My children are home
I am in my own home
God is Good

Prayer Request

My mother-in-law was admitted to the hospital today, with severe bronchitis and congestive heart failure~ please hold her up, along with her sons.

Autumn Adventures

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Are you ready for Christmas?

Well, the house is mildly decorated inside & out, the first of the holiday parties has been enjoyed, & I have an idea what I'm going to do to get ready for guests that arrive in less than two weeks~ beyond that, I am not even close to being ready.
Shopping is on board for the next few days~ I need to replace a lamp (Angus, the new cat, got a little too rough & tumble), put some blinds in the craft/guest room (my MIL likes the room dark at night), & look for some inspiration regarding the youngsters & in laws.
Wish me luck!