Turning the page

For a little while now I've been feeling a bit 'betwixt and between'? I'm sure it's because of this 'empty nest syndrome', that I recently have been faced with. Suddenly it seems that the way I used to define myself, my life, no longer makes sense. It seems that I am experiencing an ending. And while I realize that I am not the first, nor will I be the last women on this journey, it sometimes feels like I am alone in this.

We’re all on a journey, I guess, but my journey has taken me into territory that even though I knew it was coming and perhaps even looking forward to, I'm still struggling through the process. And now that I am here I wish to go back; because going forward is unknown and it's somewhere I've never been. I've a feeling of being in ..... Limbo, which can be an uncomfortable place. It's a feeling of being on a winding path that is heading somewhere but nowhere close to being finished. At least it means there IS a forward motion in effect, a transition of sorts to new beginnings.

To help me prepare for this "The Next Chapter" of my life journey I've been journaling in hopes of understanding the transition process. Keeping myself to busy could undermine the processing, because it's in the reflection and contemplation that I am able to stop spinning my wheels long enough to examine the overflow of my heart and take my "spiritual temperature," so to speak.

Blessings

Lectio Divina

Heart to Heart is a women's ministry offered at the Zurich Mennonite church. It's open to all women, young, old, married, single, with or without kids. Each season (fall & spring) the committee plans faith studies during the 1st hour, and craft electives for the 2nd hour with a half-hour coffee break in between. It's a great opportunity to connect with many different women, it's open for any women that are able to go.

Joining this year was a big step for me, as I hadn't been a apart of this ministry since I started my job. The Lectio Divina faith elective that was offered though really caught my attention. What is Lectio? I hear you asking..... Wikipedia describes it ~ Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading, spiritual reading, or "holy reading," and represents a traditional Christian practice of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote communion with God and to increase in the knowledge of God's Word. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray and even sing and rejoice from God's Word, within the soul. It's an art that begins with cultivating the ability to listen deeply, to hear “with the ear of our hearts”. In order to hear someone speaking softly we must learn to be silent. We must learn to love silence. If we are constantly speaking or if we are surrounded with noise, we cannot hear gentle sounds. The practice of Lectio Divina, therefore, requires that we first quiet down in order to hear God's word to us.

The outcome or so I'm hoping for me is that, I have a deeper knowledge of scripture, of myself, of others and God, and to see all these in gradually increasing light of my faith.

Blessings

?Monday?

As I was perusing over my blog, I noticed that I seldom seem to blog on Mondays. I'm not anti-Monday or anything, in fact I really like them. No, there not my favourite day, but still..... I think it might be that I'm not often on the computer on Mondays. You see, Mondays are my day at home; to do laundry (although without the kids living here I am now looking for clothes to wash), baking (again without kids here, there doesn't seem to be much point), cleaning (the house really doesn't get too dirty with just two of us).

But with all the changes that "life" has given me in the past few months, I'm still trying to figure out a new routine. I found this from another friend's blog. Ironically it was on the exact day I needed to read it too.

So there you have it, my Monday blog - nothing profound or anything, but I felt I ought to show Monday there were no hard feelings. >.<

Blessings

Being Sick

is absolutely no fun.

I've been fighting with a flu bug of some sort for the past two days. I think I'm losing....... and so I sit, bundled in a warm blanket, sipping hot water with sliced lemon and a taste of honey, watching Disney movies hoping that this too shall pass.
Blessings

Autumn Indulgence

ahhh it's my favourite time of year.

Today was the official first full day of Autumn. And it was perfect. I just love this time of year – with the cool, crisp mornings… and warm, sun-filled afternoons, it's about as close to perfect as it could be.

Before we know it the fields will be empty and lady harvest will done another year. But until then I aim to enjoy each beautiful day we're given and savour them. To slow down a little more and celebrate each moment.

Blessings

Salsa Making 101

With the cool weather of fall it seemed that today was the perfect day to be in doors making Salsa with Krystle.

Aunt Ginny's recipe:
8 cups peeled, chopped tomatoes (scald in boiling water for 10 seconds, put in cold water and peel)
1 cup each of green and yellow pepper
6 jalapeño peppers, no seeds
2 jalapeño peppers with seeds (Remember that if you use habanera peppers, you will not need as many hot peppers)
2 cups chopped cooking onion
3 – 4 cloves of minced garlic
Mix together and add
¾ cup vinegar
2 tbsps salt
2 tbsps basil
¾ tsp pepper
¾ tbsp sugar (optional)
1 tsp parsley

Combine and cook uncovered for 1 – 1 ½ hours until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 2 small tins of tomato paste. Pour in jars and seal.

End result, a basement shelf full of Salsa.... YUM! Thanks Aunt Ginny - the recipe is super yummy.

Blessings

Sweet Surprise

As I got to the office today, I was greeted with this sweet surprise. With the note that said ~ Throughout the day I had different people in the office. They would obviously notice the huge bouquet of flowers on my desk and I was asked, a couple times in fact, if it was my birthday. "Nope not my birthday", I would reply, "just because." Thanks Krys ~ your gift totally made my day, who am I kidding, this will make my week!

Blessings

Weekend Whirlwind

This weekend Darcy came home from school as he was scheduled to work at the Inn. Sasha & I picked him up at his residence on Friday and now it's already time to take him back. Where did this weekend go?

Time can be a funny thing. It seems when one is enjoying oneself, time moves along quickly, sometimes too quickly. Other times, especially during those dull moments, time can d-r-a-g on. It's also quite interesting the timing of things. As I drove home tonight I was deciding which way to go. Should I go home the quick way? Or should I go through Exeter with the hopes that Krystle is home and would like a visit. In fact all the way to Exeter I wasn't sure what I was going to do. As I approached their corner who did I happen to see heading down the street to the Library, none other than my dear darling daughter. Apparently my timing couldn't have been better either.

We went to Coffee Culture and treated ourselves to a Chai Tea Latte, sat on the park bench and chatted and chatted and ..... well you get the idea. Some would like to believe our meeting the way we did was just luck, but not us, we believe our meeting and time together was God ordained. As it says in Matthew 6:8 "your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

Blessings

Just the two of us

... we can make it if we try, just the two of us .... you & I. After 23 years of having our kids around, Wayne & I find ourselves as empty nesters.

Wikipedia describes the empty nest syndrome:

A general feeling of loneliness that parents or guardians may feel when one or more of their children leave home; it is more common in women. The marriage of a child can lead to similar feelings, with the role and influence of the parents often becoming less important compared to the new spouse.

A strong maternal or paternal bond between the parent and child can make the condition worse. The role of the parent while the child is still living with them is more hands-on and immediate than is possible when they have moved out, particularly if the distance means that visits are difficult.

With Kyle & Darcy both moving out within a day of one another and Krystle getting married in June, our nest went from full to empty in a matter of months. That could explain the emotional roller coaster I've been on this week.

Blessings

Moving son #1 to College

Another day and another son has moved to college. Thankfully we only had two boys as I am not sure this mother's heart could take another day of moving.

We moved Kyle to Orillia, as he's enrolled at Georgian College in the 2 yr Police Foundations program. Since there is no residence at the Orillia campus we moved Kyle into a house that we had found for him back in June. He too only had a few boxes so the moving in was easier, but saying good-bye was alot harder. With him so far we likely won't see him until Thanksgiving - thankfully it's only 5 weeks away.

Since every post needs a picture, (and silly me forgot my camera) I thought this Willow tree angel of a mother & son was appropriate since that's what Kyle gave me for Christmas last year. Blessings

Moving son #2 to College

We moved Darcy to residence at Fanshawe College where he begins the 2 yr Law Clerk Program. What a wide range of emotions I went through today; sad, nervous, excited, scared, happy, proud, anxious, and I could list more but I think you get the idea. Anyone who has moved one of their kids out of their home knows how I'm feeling. Moving Darcy was a wee bit easier than moving Krystle for two reasons, 1) I've been through it before so I knew what to expect and 2) there was half the stuff ^.^

Darcy had been growing a beard and hadn't cut his hair in four months. He decided that to help him get ready for school it was time for a shave and a haircut.

Before& after. One of his co-workers commented "gee Darcy, you leave work looking like Wolverine and come back the next day looking like Ferris Bueller!"
I think this looks more like a college kid.

Blessings

Kyle's Birthday

For Kyle's 22nd birthday, he chose Cheesy Spaghetti with Meatballs, Garlic Bread and Caesar Salad, and for dessert....Cherry Cheesecake! We gave Kyle a "George Foreman" grill, something that will help him cook his own meals once he's at College. (he bought himself a present too - see bottom photo) I'm sure many must be wondering why he has tissue paper on his head and here's why ~ he can be so silly sometimes.

Having everyone home for dinner has become more difficult with everyones' busy schedules, so it was a real treat that Krystle & Gerard were able to join us for dinner, and Darcy and Wayne didn't have to work. What a great way to celebrate!

Happy Birthday Spike! Blessings