My Mind Keeps Moving

Most of the Olympic athletes spent time imagining and executing their performances in their minds. Closing their eyes, they pictured every move...whether they were maneuvering downhill or spinning on the ice. Years ago when I was on a dance and drill team I did the same thing.

Now I find myself “moving into" homes. Since we’ve started looking at the rental home market in our area, I picture my husband and I living in each house we tour. Where will our sectional fit? Where will our kids sleep when they come home for a visit? Will the yard work for our dog?

Over the weekend we saw two possibilities; one was a “boo” in my book. Ugly, no view. It did have new carpet but no charm. The second one was definitely a "yay"! Granted, it had wood-burning stoves (rather than the gas fireplaces “her ladyship” has become accustomed to) and Brady Bunch gold bathroom counters, and tiny closets, but...this home had two decks with an amazing view of our harbor (note picture above), and was minutes from downtown. I pictured our porch swing on the lower deck. I imagined being just across the street from friends and minutes from work.

Yesterday, on my commute that is truly getting old drive to work (and yep, I was running late again) I got a message from my husband. The house was going to the other interested person. Really? I had almost started packing. 

We think we know how things are meant to be, but only God knows the plans he has for us. I thought our hope of being close to town was coming true. I was glad to have a new place to go to before we get handed the 30 day “move out” notice. And then I remember; this home we’re in wasn’t what we were expecting and it has turned into a blessing. 

One of my dear friends has a special needs son. She shared with our young MOPS mommies that having a baby with special needs is like planning a trip to Italy and having the flight crew say "Welcome to Holland!"  It’s different than what you imagined, but still special.

Proverbs 16:9 “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.”

Despite spending the rest of yesterday grumbling and disappointed, I awoke today grateful for another morning here on Carver Corner with my cozy fire lit with a flip of the switch. I will try not to pack and move until it's really happening, and I'll think about the saying; "write your plans in pencil and give God the eraser."

Have your plans changed lately?

In His Grip, Jane

Some Days are Rough

It was a sunny, beautiful morning here on Carver Corner although this Mama wasn't moving very fast. It must have had something to do with enjoying a girl's night here including Margaritas, tacos, watching The Butler, and staying up until midnight.

My hubby is on the East Coast today and I wasn't working, so after my walk with Miss Sydney I felt the need to do something productive and decided my pets needed a bath. (I realized this after I made a Vet appointment for Tigger and I was too embarrassed to show up with a cat who had dandruff and dirty ears... I also discovered NO ONE in the Harbor does cat grooming!) 

Here is Tigger Duncan on a better day. He was shedding fluffy red hair everywhere in our home.

Here he is after his torture shower. Thank goodness we have a hand-held shower sprayer and a glass shower door so he had no where to go. I put on my swimsuit and prepared to be attacked. Amazingly, I didn't get scratched! I'm glad I trimmed his nails first.

 He was NOT happy with me.

Sydney's turn was next. I think my hubby will be surprised when he hears that I gave BOTH animals a shower. (He might be able to guess by the "wet fur" lingering aroma that even my candles can't cover up...)

As if having his nails trimmed, a shower and not feeling well wasn't enough, I added to Tigger's miserable day by taking him to the Vet.

It's a good thing I took him in since he has a respiratory infection and his ears have a bacterial & yeast infection. So now I get the joy of dispensing very expensive meds to the real grumpy cat for the next week.

Some days as a Mama are harder than others. Showing love is sometimes deeds, sometimes words, and sometimes pointing them to the one who promises to always be with us...even on rough days.

"And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20

Sydney & Tigger are both asleep now, hoping it was all a bad dream. Unlike the animals in this house, the rest of us think baths and showers are relaxing and theraputic!

I'm feeling like I should be awarded some sort of Pet Parent Olympic medal today...or am I just being taught that sometimes we do things without expecting anything in return?

In His Grip, Jane

What Do You See and How Healthy are Your Eyes?

 I finally made an appointment this week with my Ophthalmologist since my left eye has actually started to interfere with my everyday life and sleep. It’s been bothering me for over a month. The tests showed no problem, which is good news, but how do you explain my discomfort? I went home with a prescription for an antibiotic in case it's a sinus infection and now I'm to give myself a week and hope for improvement.

I’m not the only person dealing with an eye issue. If you’ve tuned into the Winter Olympics you’ve noticed Bob Costas has had to relinquish his anchor desk for several nights to Matt Lauer due to quite an infected left eye. It apparently spread to the right eye too. The Olympics telecast just doesn't seem quite the same without Bob but somehow he contracted Conjunctivitis~imagine the frustration! Besides the fact that his eyes hurt, the Network decided people would have a difficult time paying attention to what he was reporting due to being distracted by his painful pink eyes. Pink is a great color for clothes or Valentines, but not good for reporters on camera.

Lately it’s easy to get distracted and begin to focus on the wrong things.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:2

What have I been fixing my eyes on lately? Despite my achy eye I’ve been busy this week enjoying a surprise snowfall, scanning Pinterest, watching the figure skating, picking out Valentine cards, working, reading a good book, and doing my homework for bible study. Mostly though, I’ve been fixing my eyes on homes online. Too many homes...

My hubby and I have begun to scour the internet for available rental homes. We’ve been given notice that our island rental home is going to be put up for short sale. We have a bit of time, but we have to face the fact that we will have to pack up Carver Corner and move to a new spot. Due to tuition payments plus a lower different salary, a few moves, etc., we plan on renting for about two more years.

Location, location, location. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to keep in mind when house hunting? Our eyes have noted locations that are not good, and we’ve also noted homes without garages, and many places that don’t allow pets. (Maybe since we’re in the rental market I need to lower my expectation of a view and a gas fireplace, but I admit I’m a bit spoiled and a garage is sort of a necessity.) 

My eyes are getting worn out. I could possibly have eye fatigue which would make sense since I’ve been spending too much time on computer lately!

Now, I need to ask a favor. I would love to ask my friends in the Harbor area to keep their eyes open and let me know if they see or hear of any rentals close to downtown Gig Harbor. (Location, location, location.) In the meantime, I will attempt to enjoy this Winter and hopefully Spring in our current pretty place. I will also attempt to SEE things a bit more through God's eyes.

In His Grip (and sight!)

jane

Photo source: http://statigr.am/p/645855946047012688_864238374

What I learned in January

Seahawks dominated the 48th Superbowl and we are the champions!

I'm linking up with Emily Freeman from Chatting at the Sky. Here are some things I learned in January:

Skittles are definitely the newest candy craze in our town but I haven't located a pack at the store yet.

Occasionally the bell to alert us that someone has entered the store doesn't work.  A few weeks ago I was talking to my boss about a hardship a friend of mine was going through.  I practically yelled “it’s not fair!” and rounded the corner into the storefront with my mop. Suddenly I realized... we had a customer. It was embarrassing to say the least. I hope I didn’t scare her away and I'm thankful my boss was understanding. 

The Pantene "color of the year"is orchid.  Purple has been a personal favorite of mine for quite a while. (Apparently pink and purple were recorded as my favorites when I was six.) I have quite a few sweaters, tops and nail polish in different shades of purple and I even wore it at my son's wedding. Orchid is sort of in-between pink and purple. I might have started the trend.

The reason I sometimes wake up is me. My husband tried to tell me. As I traveled across the country with my daughter and we shared hotel rooms it was brought to my attention that apparently it’s true; I snore. Dang it!! I do NOT want to be that person. Can I blame menopause? (If you’ve ever roomed with me at a Women’s retreat, I am sorry. If you’re dreading the possibility I apologize in advance and I promise I’ll bring along packages of ear plugs. You also have permission to nudge me or yell at me...) 

No one likes red lights. Friday night a brand new Mama was describing a car ride with her newborn baby boy. All was copacetic until they would get stopped by a red light. Babies and adults like to keep moving. Sometimes our plans and comfort get interrupted~by traffic, others, even God. My #2 child certainly taught me that stopping for a while until she got the green light from God to move to Nashville was the best choice. His timing is always best.

Road trips are so much better with great company and the Audible app. Many of you already know I drove across the country with my sweet 25 year old daughter. As we enjoyed the beauty of our country, we were listening to The Light Between Oceans. The book was great and the time spent with my girlie will never be forgotten.

People in Seattle love more than coffee.  All over Puget Sound there are green and blue balloons, flags, #12 signs,  and people wearing Seahawks team apparel. Friends and strangers have been ending their conversations or written messages with "Go Hawks!" 

The Seahawks just won the 48th Superbowl with a 2nd year, 25 yr. old quarterback, an amazing defense and teamwork. Some thought Russell Wilson was too small to be a successful quarterback, yet this young man who isn't afraid to share his faith in God, brought our town its first Superbowl victory. The players felt supported by the love and encouragement from their 12th man fans. The excitement has been contagious.  

What if Christians were as excited about Jesus as we are about the Superbowl?

What did you learn in January? 

In His Grip, Jane