HEADING EAST

It was a chilly day in November as we experienced more rain (our winter’s in Oregon on the coastal range). My windows of opportunities were diminishing as I was landscaping my daughter’s side yard. With the past 22 months behind me of cleaning up the old to replace with the new, my son, Tim requests my physical presence at his new home in the EAST. Pennsylvania to be exact.

My immediate response was NO. I had projects to finish, (never done), and plans were made to work at my Avon business, and publish my YA novel. Being widow 18 months and living with my daughter and family of seven, I felt comfortable enough to hang around longer. I did not feel the urge to uproot my life at this point as my daughter was embarking on a new endeavor of her own and I felt needed to some degree. My grandson, Jordan was my responsibility as I was his PSW as was his mother.

But as life happens on His terms, I was released of known responsibilities, was instructed to “Go Mom, and be Happy”.

Oh, no, not yet! My project was not done. Still needed the 3/4 inch minus gravel hauled in and the bark trucked in and spread. The projected date to leave the West was January 22, 2018 a known date to be remembered as it was my 48th wedding anniversary. Married in Lynnwood, WA and living on the West Coast most of that time, the children considered it HOME, as did the grandkids.

So the plans were laid, and the rain came and went, the ground was covered with cardboard to kill the weeds/dandelions(oops sorry bees) and some patches of grass. The perennial, as many as 12, were still in their decorative planters, waiting for permanent placement by Rachel, or not. The two trees, an hydrangea, and a Quince were placed in the best location if they survived.

The gravel was requested with the use of his truck, needing 7 loads a possible 10 as the ground was prepped to receive it. With an helping hand, I unloaded the first load as my helper spread it out back to front. Black surface appeared as the contrast was amazing against the brown cardboard was being covered. The old was now new. I saw an end in sight as the days flew by.

I loved gardening and landscaping was it was in my DNA, as a farmer’s daughter. I wanted to help my daughter beautify her unused yard and create a cool sitting area as she enjoyed her later years at her home. My labor of love was received as I made plans to move on with her blessing.

I had my room to pack into shipping boxes (12) unpacking from all the hiding places I tucked away my keepsakes. This was no time to be nostalgic or in need of money for a moving sale so many trips to the Goodwill truck was made constantly, as William and I became great “friends”.

Christmas Market’s were in full force as I sold my Avon stock at awesome prices. I found a transitional girl’s home to donate the lipsticks and eyeshadows plus the lotion for gifts to give to each other. Even some earrings were put in for a very special lady. It was Christmas for everyone.

What was happening to me, was extremely liberating, as I had unloaded what was weighing me down and I didn’t even notice how I had accumulating so fast in a short time. My wants were scaled down and my needs were few. Starting over was not my mindset as I moved to PA but an adventure of new beginnings as I had stepped into real estate investments with my son and fiance.

As my plans are not His, the Lord opened more doors to bless us as we are getting established in this small community in east central PA. Similar terrain of many rolling hills of parts of Oregon with the community flair of Minnesota “nice”, the four seasons yet to enjoy as Oregon was just green.

Settling in my small office/bedroom in this duplex split house, it has a country feel from the 40’s with aflair of the techy era that I need to embrace in this 21st Century. My YA is emerging to the surface after 8 years as I find a niche of time to self publish.

Many more adventures in store as the other ocean awaits my appearance. As does the history lessons of our founding fathers expound their truths from the halls and steps in the state capital.

My days will be full of new memories. This is one dream that is coming true. From sea to shining sea I shall behold.

You are where He wants you!

July 2018

Didn’t remember posting this so this the same but different. You can find the difference if you like but I decided to keep them both. Blogging is just fun, not to be perfect script for the editor to critique. Thank heaven!

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you did not plan your next move?

As I flew across the continent to Nashville, my plans were to experience everything I could possibly think of which included renting a car to travel to my sister’s place in (Mason) Cincinnati, OH. By renting a car, I could meander up the state of Kentucky after spending time in Nashville with 6,000 other Avon ladies and visit my sister for a week or so.

But as fate would have it, that was not to happen. My plans were not God’s plans. My driver’s license and phone was misplaced by me in Seattle on the layover and not realizing it happened till landing in Nashville.

After spending five more days in Illinois, celebrating a delightful birthday with two sons Patrick and Timothy in Chicago suburb, I was ready to head to the west coast.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you “thought” you had everything under control; relaxing, as the day went by; people mingled around you knowing where they were going only to find out they were at the right place and you were not.

Does the panic button get pressed or does God step in and take over?

Have you every experience such perfect peace knowing you ARE where you are supposed to be and don’t know why, only to realize, He has ordained your every step.

Knowing God walked before me was the most real experience I had every witnessed as I was at the Chicago O’Hare Airport for 24 hours.

I was at total peace about my surroundings unknowingly I was about to miss my connections to Portland. He did not let me panic. He ordered my steps and others directed the way.

The icing on this cake was the foreknowledge KNOWN only by God, that a young man from Jordan was about to embark on the USA soil for his first time to witness the solar eclipse.

I was at the wrong gate. As we met at the supposed correct gate the plane was gone. As he panics; wondering what to do next; my thoughts veered to the customer service desk only for them to say they were closed. Going to “K” we were greeted to say our plane was still boarding but we had to run to the end of the corridor.

As we sprinted, he says he couldn’t go any further. But we had to and we did to find 7 more passengers boarding.

My restful day at the wrong gate was only interrupted when God deemed it necessary to help a stranger in our land of the hope and the free. The stranger was extremely grateful I was there to assist.

Praising Jesus out loud for being with us as we ran the distance. God’s Spirit is alive and well even in Chicago!

The lost phone case with ID was never retrieved, but I did land safely in Oregon only to find a dead battery with a faulty ignition ON letting the battery drain for 20 days. Missing the total eclipse by not being there; not where I was.

You are where He wants You!

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you did not plan your next move?  As I traveled across the continent to Nashville, my plans were to experience everything I could possible think of included renting a car to travel to my sister’s place in (Mason) Cincinnati, OH.  By renting a car, I could meander up the state of Kentucky after spending time in Nashville with 6,000 other Avon Ladies and visit my sister, Lynn for a week or so.  But as fate would have it, that was not to happen.  My plans were not God’s plans.  My driver’s license and phone was misplaced by me in Seattle on the layover and not realizing it happened till landing in Nashville.

After spending five more days in Illinois, celebrating a delightful birthday with two sons, Patrick and Timothy in Chicago, I was ready to head to the Oregon coast.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you thought you had everything under control and relaxing as the day went by and people mingled around you knowing where they were going only to find out they were at the right place and you were not?  Does the panic button get pressed or does God step in and take over?

Have you ever experience such perfect peace knowing you ARE where you are supposed to be and don’t know why, only to realize, He has ordained your every step.  Knowing God walked before me was the most real experience I had ever witnessed as I was at the Chicago O’Hare Airport for 24 hours.

I was at total peace about my surroundings unknowing I was about to miss my connections to Portland.  He did not let me panic.  He ordered my steps and others directed the way.

The icing on this cake was the foreknowledge KNOWN only by God, that a young man from Jordan was about to embark on the USA soil for his first time to witness the solar eclipse.  I was at the wrong gate; as we met at the supposed correct gate the plane was gone.  As he panics; wondering what to do next; my thoughts veered to the customer service desk only for them to say they were closed.  Going to “K” we were greeted to say our plane was still boarding but we had to run to the end of the corridor.

As we sprinted, he says he couldn’t go any further.  But we had to and we did to find 7 more passengers boarding.

My restful day at the wrong gate was only interrupted when God deemed it necessary to help a stranger in our land of the hope and the free.  The stranger was extremely grateful I was there to assist.  Praising Jesus OUT LOUD for being with us as we ran the distance. God’s Spirit is alive and well even in Chicago!

 

Crossroads…Left or Right?

This needs repeating as I am at those crossroads again! 21 years later.

Reflections

Have you ever wonder if you took a different path in life how different things would be?  You know, the storybooks of selecting your own ending?  Well, suppose you could do that in real life. Oh, you  already chose your path…but what if it is the wrong path, wouldn’t you want to change it if you could?

I had a fork in my road one year and I chose the tine that gave me this future as I know it, today.  If I had chose the other tine, going left instead of right, would the outcome be better or worse than my today?  Let us suppose it would have be a zillions times worse. What would that look like?

Well, definitely there would have been a different husband or none at all…Let’s go with none for now.  Mr. Right usually is Mr. Wrong.  Being single, raising five teens, or near…

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Running In Circles

Jumping off this merry-go-round. Not so merry.

Reflections

I am told to walk the straight and narrow, yet I find myself running in circles. The circle encompasses a wide circumference touching many influences along the way.  The running is exhilarating.  It is a lot of fun to go fast and faster, even though I don’t know what lays before me on the track of LIFE. The jumping of hurdles; the avoidance of rocks; using caution on the slippery slope; watching for the potholes are the many hazards on this trek.

How does one enter this dangerous circle?  Do friends pull me into their hectic life and say “Jump on board! It is great running in circles”?  Do they have to coax me to join in their fun?  Do I see they are having fun and I am not?  Is it really fun or just pure craziness?

What is the enticement?  Not wanting to be left out; wanting to…

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Heading West!

Can going West mean anything more than seeking a new adventure and leaving the past behind, just as the Oregon Trail folks did in the 1800’s?  What did they take with them as they deemed a necessity?  Clothes, good shoes, maybe even two if they had such a blessing. Probably a warm coat, and one or two coveralls, underclothing was limited as the women had to wash laundry daily and hang it on the back side of the wagon as it whipped in the breeze;  or camped a few days to get the laundry done before pulling out before dawn.  They were more concerned about their food supply then what they had to wear.  Hunger can rip at the depths of your core more so than being cold.

Going West meant new terrain, mountains to climb and valleys to settle in to call it a new home if one chose to stop and stay abit; as some did not get the choice to see the Pacific Ocean.  But they still went west, all the same.  Stopping in the Rocky Mountains for a winter, would be a better choice than climbing those mountains even if it was spring time.  But,as one moved further west, more opportunities faces the young man with a new wife, trusting he would be the man he set out to be.

Moving away from the prairies of Oklahoma, or Minnesota, one would be challenged to accept the new adventure that layed before him. He would prepare his mind to seek adequate work to provide for his families needs; he would supply spiritual growth as he deem necessary.  He would plant food for the winter and store up the abundance for spring.  He would build his home with a solid foundation and teach his children to work hard as he learned from his father in the home land.  He never forgot his strong beliefs and upbringing to have integrity and fairness in all his dealings.  His harvest was proof of his hard work and his family was the pride of his joy as he saw he was a good teacher.

Life is good! As his next generation carrys on to make a better earth we call home, he can revel in a job well done.

Moving West; new adventures lay before everyone of us as we make changes in our lives to seek a better life not just a living.  Oregon, here I come.

Lady in the PINK!

When someone says they feel Blue, they may really mean they are feeling quite ill.

When someone says they are on Top of the World.  You know they are having a glorious day.

When someone says they really don’t feel like their usual self…you wonder who they feel like…someone else?

Have you heard they feel down in the dumps?  Wonder who put them there?  Could be the man feeling Blue.

It is amazing how one feels can rub off on someone else and make them feel NOT up to Par.  What is Par anyway for them may not be Par for you. Any Golfers?

Beware how you make others feel for they may be on top of the world and your attitude may have popped their bubble and deflated all their joy.

How would you respond if someone said they said they were in the PINK?  Rejoicing and joining in with the joy of being in the Pink.

Have a very Pinkish day and watch out for all those who want to be Blue!