Making a Comeback

 In my quest to simplify and attempt to become a sort-of minimalist, I have let go of quite a lot of “stuff.” I dropped off another bag at the Goodwill yesterday. I am a sentimental hoarder and therefore I have lots of photos, a few treasures from my parents, cards from loved ones, and some clothes with strong memories attached. 

I need to let go of the mother of the bride and groom dresses that I’ll never wear again. I will probably take them to the “Brides for a Cause” shop. Last year I donated my wedding dress to our high school’s theater department and I got rid of almost all my “formals.” Back in the day, Mike and I would attend hospital gala fundraisers about once a year. I did hang onto one simple, but pretty long back dress.

When I found out that my firstborn is getting married next month I started hunting online for an appropriate mother of the groom dress for Vegas. I was getting frustrated and remembered I had a dress bag in our guest room. I found the dress mentioned above and imagine my delight when I discovered the dress fits (15 years later-yay!) and will totally work for the celebration. It’s making a comeback!…

It’s sometimes hard to decide what clothes or items should be “keepers.”

Is it classic? Would it work 40 years ago or 10 years from now? Is it well made? Marie Kondo would have us ask if it “sparks joy.”

Joy is what I feel whenever I look at the stroller I purchased over the summer at a consignment shop for 25 cents. Yep, one quarter. Each Friday when our weather cooperates, I take my youngest granddaughter on a stroller ride in my old-school black and white checked Graco stroller that has been given a second chance. It’s making a comeback…

My husband’s body is also beginning to make a comeback after his cancer battle. Sunday he was able to attend church with me for the first time since September. He is back to work part time and trying bites of soup and yogurt. It will take time but he’s been given a second chance by God’s grace.

As the fires rage in LA and I see images of so many that have lost ALL their belongings, I am praying for the firefighters, first responders and grieving families. It will take a long time and never be the same, but with grit and God’s Grace  I hope that the beautiful area can recover, rebuild and make its own comeback. 

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”

Isaiah 61:3 NLT

My favorite comeback of all time is Jesus. 

In His Grip, Jane

Shifting, Surprises, Questions and Even Some Marriage Advice

Apparently, the whole world has been experiencing wedding fever as the excitement over Harry and Meghan's nuptials grew into a frenzy. I LOVE weddings so since I couldn't watch the Royal Wedding last weekend, I finally had a chance to see most of it last night. Oh my! Megan was beautiful, (that veil!,) her Mom was so classy, Harry was smitten, the messages and music were perfect... I am that girl who watched Diana's, Sarah's, and Kate's weddings, I love watching The Crown and Victoria. I love all things British (except their food.) Perhaps that is what keeps those princesses thin-the unpleasant food options!

In our family, we only have 43 days until the wedding of our daughter. Her wedding dress arrived today, the invitations should be heading out soonish, and all the small details are starting to get accomplished. Besides working on wedding planning and gearing up for Bridal showers we've been rather busy around here.

We've packed, unpacked and packed some more: Since we decided to stay in our Harbor home, I've been trying to unpack the stored boxes in the garage. Our #3 son and his wife bought their first house and we went over to help them move this past weekend. Lots of packing, cleaning and carrying happened and we had a wonderful time participating in this exciting life event. They are settling in and it feels like home. 

Love my boy!

We've done a lot of shifting: 

Definition of shift https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shift

transitive verb

1: to exchange for or replace by another : change

2a : to change the place, position, or direction of : move

b : to make a change in (place)

After I graduated from college and got a job, I bought my first car; a 1981 blue Toyota Celica. I loved that car. It had a stick-shift but I didn't know HOW to drive a manual. 

I remember my Daddy drove it off the car lot for me and spent many hours on the hill near our home giving me shifting lessons. Shifting gears takes practice and it never helps to get frustrated or impatient. Apparently, I remember that skill.

We thought we were moving to Spokane; shift and stay. I had become accustomed to working retail; shift and become a Nanny.  My husband studied to become a financial advisor; shift and return to medical sales management. I had accepted the fact that I wouldn't be a Grandma for a few more years. Well, surprise! Our bride-to-be is expecting our first grandchild in November.  We made a shift from surprise to joy and we're very excited for this sweet addition to the Carver Clan. Thanks to Nannying baby Hazel, I feel way more prepared. We considered turning our lower level into an air bnb, but now we are shifting to prepare for the newlyweds. Yep, more packing. Our youngest daughter and her fiance' have decided to move back over to the West side of the state right before their wedding. They're going to stay with us for several months before finding their own place. Our empty nest is about to be full. Did I mention that they have two cats and we have a cat and a dog? Hmmm... Meet Mimosa who will be hiding.  Layla May the crazy kitty I chose wisely:  As all these crazy days of packing, unpacking, shifting and surprises take place I am ever-mindful how blessed I am to have my husband.  Not only do I love him, but he is my best friend and helper extraordinaire.  Despite a new job and busy travel schedule he still manages to organize this family.  If I may, here are some questions I believe women falling in love should ask themselves about their future lifetime mate: Does he love God? Will he be a fun addition to your family dynamic? Will he be excited to plan the wedding with you and be THRILLED to find out he's becoming a Daddy?  Does he have a good work ethic? Will he support you if you hope to be a stay-at-home mommy for a while? Can he multi-task and is he good at logistics? Will he drive five hours to visit kids on a regular basis? Is he strong and capable of packing, loading UHauls and moving a billion times (for you and your children; homes, dorms, apartments, etc.) Will he share air miles with all the kids when they want to fly home? Does he help cook or wash dishes? Our 35th wedding anniversary is coming up next month and it still amazes me that I got such a catch even though our "courtship and engagement" was only 6 months long. My husband continues to amaze me at the way he can navigate this season of encouraging and supporting our four young adult children. I had NO idea he would be so good at everything! Granted, he didn't want to watch the Royal Wedding at all and he isn't perfect...but pretty darn close! All those questions above can be answered with a YES by my husband. (My two sons are following in their Dad's footsteps, and my daughter's fiance' has great qualities too.)

God obviously knew ALL the details we would be dealing with this Spring and thankfully He equips us one day at a time. Although I trust, I still wake up during the night trying to figure out how I'll get everything accomplished. Ugh!

 "We may make our plans, but God has the last word."

Proverbs 16:1

This Memorial Weekend: My oldest and his wife arrive tonight, my daughters, daughter-in-law, and sisters arrive tomorrow and we'll be celebrating with Sarah at two Bridal showers. After all the fun parties next Saturday and Sunday, my sisters and I are headed to Oregon for a girl's get-away! It's our first sister trip ever!!

Is your month turning out busy too? Will you tune in to watch the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday? I am a born and raised Hoosier girl so listening/watching the race was a thing. Whatever you're up to on Memorial Weekend, please pause and remember our military men and women who lost their lives serving our Country.

As always, thank you for reading SJL and I love to read your comments.

In His Grip, 
xo Jane

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How About You?

It's only January, but on my walk the other day I discovered a Forsythia in bloom! For all of you who live in the Midwest or on the East coast, I'm so sorry for the awful Winter weather you've been enduring. I'm flying back to Indiana next week and my fingers are crossed that the roads won't be too treacherous since I'm out of practice driving in anything but rain. Around here it's been in the 40's and we've had quite a bit of rain and some sun-breaks. Typical PNW weather.

Here's what I've been up to the last few weeks:

I attended the "Gathered" women's retreat at our church Friday night and Saturday. The teaching was on Isaiah 43,44 and 55, and everything about the talks, food, worship, fellowship fed my soul. I love learning more about God's love story for us! We also were inspired by Kelly Welk from Cider Press Lane to do what we love and allow God will use it to bless others. Check out her website here and see how their joy of hospitality has grown into a way to fight against human trafficking.

Around my town: It was like a ghost town at Safeway the other day. Where have all the shoppers gone? EVERYONE in my town has decided to check out the new Fred Meyer. As someone who doesn't deal super-well with change, I'm not in love with them closing MY Freddie's and closing Main and Vine (miss my Wednesday $5 salads!) and then opening a mega store. No more zip-in and zip-out. Now you have to pray for a parking spot and weave your cart around a billion people. Who are you? Where did you come from? 

Around my home:
How come I've gained weight since my husband has been unemployed?! Well...we now eat lunch together and it's probably more calorie-laden than I used to eat, plus at night our dinner portions are about the same size. He goes to the YMCA every day and burns lots of calories through lifting and cardio.  I take walks. Shoot. This can't go on! There are only 166 days until my daughter's wedding!

We finished season two of "The Crown" on Netflix. I won't spoil it for you, but it has definitely caused us to discuss healthy and unhealthy parenting and marriage relationships, and the Monarchy.

I grabbed what I thought was a matchbook out of my husband's bathroom drawer so I could light a candle for my bubble bath. Upon opening, I discovered not matches, but toothpicks. Is this a new thing? Now that smoking is no longer allowed in most places (thankfully!) are restaurants giving out cute toothpick packs? When trying to research, I did find an article on the history of matchbooks.

Did anyone else ever read the former online magazine called "Matchbook?" I loved their tagline; "Field Guide to a Charmed Life." I miss it! Bring it back!!!

I'm knitting again! Yay for yarn and little projects! I sent the girls of my family this blog that talked about the value of creativity and The Creator of all.

I'm back into menu planning and trying to use what we have in our freezer and pantry. Last night's Chicken Marsala was yummy, and I made One-Pot Kielbasa Pasta for a family who just had a baby. 

We've moved my husband's office upstairs to what used to be the guest room, and that is now on the lower level. We have some more projects to complete and then we're possibly going to make a stab at having an Air B and B. 

How about you? What have you been up to this month? 

In His Grip, 
xo Jane