Where were you?

September 11, 2001

Where were you?

There are those moments in life, when we can pinpoint exactly where we were when we heard tragic news. Whether it's when Elvis died, JFK was shot, Buddy Holly's plane went down, or when those planes crashed into the Twin Towers; most of us can tell you precisely where we were 12 years ago.

 

As I reflect on this day in history, I recall a conversation I had with my kids as they came home from school, that day.  We talked about this tragic incident and whether or not we should fear for our lives.  But I gently reminded them, that our God is the one who holds the universe and while this a horrible thing to have happened, God is in control of all things.

On this 9/11 may we be reminded of this.

Psalm 91:1 {New International Version {NIV}}

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Alimighty.”

 

Blessings

Overwhelmed

Ever feel so overwhelmed, that depression creeps in and pitches a tent and plans to stay?

Yeah, me too.

I tend to have a difficult time when life is so overwhelming {like now} and I know there is nothing I can do to change it. I love my life, my family and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. But the fact that I have several health issues causes moments of sheer panic and that these will not likely change anytime soon.

To say I've been overwhelmed is an understatement.

I've felt bitter that I can't do the things and complete the projects I'd like to.
I've felt sad that I can't be everything to everybody.
Even though I know I can't possibly be and am not created to be.

I've sat staring out the window, because I have no idea what to do with myself sometimes.
I've felt upset that I'm so worn out that I can't even stay up and enjoy myself.
Even though rest is what I really need.

There are days when I don't feel like I'm truly okay...life is spinning fast and there are things to do, places to be, friends to see, and on and on the list goes.

I feel like I'm not enough.

And yet ...

This is what He has for me.

I have faith that He will see me through by His strength. I still stink at having a good attitude sometimes. But, to the best of my ability, I will rely on Him. And this I'm going to do. For Him.

 Colossians 3:17 {New International Version {NIV}}
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Blessings

Just Peachy

Pie, pie, oh me, oh my!

My Auntie Arlene has the best peach pie! EVER!

Her recipe:
Peach Pie
Ingredients:
Peaches, diced
½ cup white sugar
2 tablespoons flour
Mix together sugar and flour and pour over diced peaches, stir and let sit until dissolved. Pour into an unbaked pie shell.
Crumb Mixture:
1/3 cup flour
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup {scant} softened butter
Using a fork mix together until crumbly.
Cover the peaches in the pie shell with crumbs.
Bake 425° for 10 minutes, reduce heat to 350° and continue baking 30 minutes or until crust is golden.

Enjoy!

Blessings

Mixed Review

Usually I am not one that likes to try new places, I like to stay in my comfort zone of familiar restaurants or pubs. But, each time we would drive by the Crossing’s Grill & Pub, I knew this was one place I was wanting to try. So, for our anniversary we decided to give it a go. I was super pumped!

As we arrived we were quite concerned that the parking lot was full, leading us to believe the place could be packed and without reservations, we thought we might not even get in. We found an open spot just past the “no parking beyond this point” sign, and since we could not find anywhere else, decided to nab it up. Praying we wouldn’t get towed.

The restaurant is located in a beautiful big old yellow brick house that sits majestically on a hill. The outdoor patio buzzed with excited energy and was comfortably full with seemingly satisfied patrons. You enter through the front doors and are greeted by the staff {all girls} dressed in what appeared to be a catholic school uniform, with skirts that were so short that if they bent over … well I’m sure you get the idea.

Once seated, we were quickly greeted by our server and we ordered a couple beverages, I was quite excited when they had Blackberry Somersby. She returned in a flash, and we ordered an appetizer as we were quite hungry. As we looked over the menu we noticed a decent selection of choices, however, it was mainly pub food. Fish ‘n chips, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salads, there was a small “patron's choice” page with trout, ribs, chicken et al, however the prices were quite steep. We soon decided a grilled chicken & brie sandwich with a side caesar salad for me and a bacon burger & fries for the hubs.

Our appetizer “Pale Ale & Cheddar Dip served with crostini” was served and we were soon dipping our bread and sampling the dish. Thankfully our server came back quickly to “see” how things were, and I asked “is this supposed to be hot?” and with her affirmative response, we then expressed some disappointment that ours was not. As she quickly whisked it away to, I presumed to reheat it, I said to Wayne “you know really they should give us a new one” . To my surprise she returned with a new order of our appetizer ~ hot and delicious!

While we waited for our entrees, we perused the dessert menu and I was holding out for the Oreo cookie vanilla cheesecake. However, once our dinner came I knew two things right away, 1) we not be getting dessert, and 2) I wasn’t sure I’d be able eat everything on my plate. The portions were huge and very nicely presented. Delicious!

While the food is obviously the main attraction of any restaurant, we were pleasantly surprised that even though it’s listed as a grill & pub, it wasn’t obnoxiously loud like most. The décor, while still sporting tv’s in the corners, they were neither loud, nor distracting.

As we finished our dinner, we declined the opportunity for dessert. Our server brought the bill and we were actually surprised that our appetizer had been removed from our bill.

While the dining experience was satisfactory, it wasn’t the WOW factor I had anticipated. Even though it’s listed as a grill & pub, I had an expectation of something a bit more refined. If you’re looking for an alternative to Jack Astor’s, Kelsey’s, Montana’s, Applebee’s, Crabby Joes and the like, then this is a great place. However, if you’re looking for a casual fine dining experience for those special celebrations in life, this is not it.

But you decide for yourself ~ the restaurant is located at 1269 Hyde Park Road London Ontario. Opened ~ Sunday to Thursday:11am-11pm and Friday & Saturday:11am-1am.

Blessings

Anniversary

Three months.

That’s how long we dated before we got engaged. And ten months after that, we said “I do!” Way to fast.

How do you know he is the right person?

Twenty-seven years later....

We’ve been married over a quarter of a century, and no matter how you phrase it, especially in our culture of divorce-made-easy, that's a l-o-o-o-ng time.

Watching the Disney Classics of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, I had this unrealistic image in my head of what a marriage was to look like. A fairytale right.

Because I started questioning myself.
Did I do the right thing?
Did I marry the right person?
How do I know?

What if I married the wrong guy and the guy I was to marry, married the wrong girl because I married the wrong guy. {You can get yourself sick over this question. Even if you have prayed and prayed, and knew God was telling you yes.} Then I started nit picking on him. I did the worse thing a wife could do… I compared him to other husbands, those who took off two weeks in the summer, those who weren’t tied down to their own business.

My fairytale didn’t look like a fairytale, in fact it looked like the evil witch. I started looking at all the wrong things about him. And selfishly I prayed that God would change him. To the guy, I thought in my mind, was the “right” guy. I went to God with this image and this list, on how I wanted my husband to be. Change this and this and that. And oh God I really hate that about him, so please change that too. I couldn’t believe how ungrateful I had become. Really the problem in my marriage wasn’t if I married the right person or not. The problem, was {gulp} me.

So often we focus on “finding the right person” that we forget to be the right person.

God likely enjoyed himself when he matched the two of us, opposites in so many ways ~ except for we’re both strong-willed and opinionated. I’d say we’re lovers and fighters. And when I look at our amazing children I have no doubt that he was and is The One.

Happy Anniversary darling!

Blessings

Fall Cleaning

I’ve been busy, {hence the quiet on the blog - has anyone even noticed?} with cleaning, purging, some major re-organizing and have done some fall cleaning too! My mother would be so proud!

In June 2010, our daughter married her sweetheart, that following September both Kyle & Darcy left for college. Going from a full house to an empty one in the matter of a short few months. When our daughter and her husband bought their first home, I went through this old farmhouse and gathered up all her “stuff”, and took it to her new house. The boys rooms, however I left alone.  Until this week, when I realized that I sincerely doubt they will ever move back home and it’s quite silly to leave their rooms looking as if they are just away at college. Both of them are now living with a chum at an apartment and have pretty well taken from the farm most of what it is they want to keep. The “stuff” that’s left behind is primarily old papers, clothes that no longer fit, some keepsakes, but mostly it’s just stuff that someone else could likely benefit from.

So, the last time the boys came home, I had them go through their rooms, dressers & closets; giving me an idea of what to keep, what to toss, and for the past few days I did just that.

I’ve taken 4 large recycling bags to the local thrift shop,

sold some of the furniture, two large boxes are waiting to be burned and the keepsakes are boxed up and ready to be moved.

Not only was I physically exhausted, I was also emotionally drained. As I was packing up their belongings, I was really struggling.  It somehow felt like I was erasing them from our lives. And then I was reminded of these wise words that had been spoken to me “you are not erasing them from your lives by removing their stuff, those are just things”.

For the rest of this year and through the winter of 2014, my goal is to go through each room of the farmhouse; cleaning, purging and organizing each cupboard & closet, until I am rid of the excess. After all, as I've told the farmer, when {not if} we leave the farm most this stuff is not coming with us, and if that’s the case, then why I am hanging on to it?

Blessings

It's about him

The ABC’s of him:
A - athletic
B - bouncer
C - comical
D - dependable
E - energetic
F - friendly
G - gallant
H - humorous
I -incredible
J - jovial
K- kindhearted
L - lovable
M - memorable
N - nifty
O - out-going
P - patient
Q - quiet
R - reflective
S - stylish
T - tattooed
U - upstanding
V - valiant
W- willing
X - xtraordinary
Y - young
Z- zombie-hunter

This is just few characteristics of our son, who is celebrating his birthday, today!

Happy Birthday, Kyle!  May you be blessed this year!
Love Mom

Blessings