A Day At the Beach & Life Lessons

Weeks ago, we decided that it was time to bless our kids with a trip to the Lake Erie beach that we love the most.  With all of the cleaning and packing we've been doing, it was time to stop, grab a friend, and go to the beach.

Lake Erie when we arrived and set up to relax.

It was such a beautiful day! 

I could barely see to take the picture, but here is one where Mr. G and I were sitting in the shade under the tree.  I take medication that makes me photosensitive, so we spent most of our time under the tree.

After spending over 3 hours in the sun, the kids were sufficiently crispy--even with 70+spf sunscreen--we went to Panera Bread before heading home.  It was something new for a couple of us, something familiar for others and just fun to pick out some neat treats that we don't normally have.

On the way home, my hubby didn't take pictures because he wasn't feeling well, but he did get a couple on our way up to Erie.

Small town with American flags waving.

Lonely old silo

Small grassy area on the hill

The valleys and scenery is breathtakingly beautiful.  I love looking as far as the eye can see and see hills and trees with an occasional splotch of green grassy patch.  It gives me a chuckle.

Upon arriving at home, we found a phone call from our Georgia realtor waiting for us.  We called and left her a message and within 5 minutes she returned our call.  The house that Mr. G put an offer on last week, we had been counter offering with 3 days in between each offer--it's a bank owned/HUD property thing where they get 3 days to reply to an offer.  The last offer, the bank/seller did not accept.  We are taking a step back and praying about how to word another counter offer, if at all.  The bank/seller would not budge on the price, but to come down $1,000.

We need to take a step back, regroup, get some things done here on our house in Pennsylvania, then see if there have been any other offers on this house.  We're waiting 2 weeks, then starting with the offer process again.  If the Lord wants us to have it, then He will make it available.  

For now, we get ready for a "Moving Sale" next weekend.  I'm getting so many things ready to sell so that the things we have to move will be limited and as small as we can possibly get it.  We are selling curriculum, too.

This journey through life is by far the most important time because it builds character, helps us to enjoy our time in the here-and-now, and it makes us linger to ensure the needful lessons are learned--sometimes whether we like it or not.  Our attitudes on the journey can be ones of thankfulness, or selfishness in which case it causes great heartache and stress for those who love us due to our own selfish responses to the unfamiliar.  

For now, though, we rest in God's will.  It's a good place to be.  Learning to rest there is difficult for many, but a very important and integral part of the journey.  I often visualize sitting in the passenger seat and letting God be the one in charge of my car.  How much I actually trust Him is directly related to how much I rest while He is driving.

It feels good not to have to drive this car through life, but to rest and let Him take the wheel.

God Bless,

And So "IT" Begins

                                      

As March blows in like a lion and continues to roar, we are tucked quite tightly inside our toasty home with lots of things to do.  There are things to clean, paint, flooring to replace, vehicles to replace and the list continues. 

I decided to begin backing our "Religious Books" first.  I'm going through them to decide which ones I want to keep as a part of our library, those I want to donate to our church's library, then ones to sell and others to donate to Good Will.  The interesting part of this particular job is that I'm not bent over at the waist, but sitting on the floor with my wonderful helpers bringing me books to pack.  

Next on the list of books to pack would be my music books.  I love them, but it is time to get them packed.  I need to clean and clear out the books and there is no time like the present.  

The progress I'm making on the shawl I'm working on for a Christmas 2015 gift is slow.  I have problems with nerve damage on my left hand, so I work as much as I can and put it down for and do something else for a while.

Visiting with dear friends is also on the agenda.  My dear friend Mrs. S falls in love with my animals every time she comes to our house to visit.  I'd venture to say that they love her too.  :0)

Ever since my surgery, I have been eating ice every day.  I know that I love the coolness on my throat, but nothing soothes my throat like generic lemon lime soda.  I fill up a mason jar with ice, then usually cover it with lemon lime soda.  The picture above, I decided to add some blueberries to my drink.  I love the slight flavor and the color.  

One problem I am having is sitting still.  I feel so much better than I have in a very long time, but I don't that if I do a wee bit too much--like driving or a few chores--I get tired and it is time to rest.  From what I understand it is common to feel that way.  I rest daily, closing my eyes even for 20 minutes helps.  

I'm pacing myself with painting and packing right now, so I don't over do.  I've been trying to do some each day.  Some days it works and others it doesn't get done, but tomorrow is another day.  

I'm trying to hold my plans loosely.

God Bless,

Regina