What I Learned This Fall

Happy December! Only 22 more days until Christmas! Our family is rejoicing over our own little gift from heaven; Gracelyn Love Vanderlinda, who arrived on November 20, eight days past her "due date." I'll share more details below. In just a few hours she'll be a whopping two weeks old!

I'm joining Emily P. Freeman and other bloggers, to share "What I learned this Fall." Below are nine things I learned:

Our town has free lending libraries just like in "Chesapeake Shores!" If you've watched the Hallmark series, you know I'm talking about the cute little book holders where people donate a book and take a book. I love this more than schlepping over to Half Price Books in Tacoma hoping to get a bit of money for my books. If your town doesn't have them yet, check out this post on how to make one.

Photo source: Pinterest

Hazelnut shells keep slugs away!
While looking for some new plants at a nursery for our side yard, I noticed hazelnut shells were surrounding the potted plants and trees. They are a chemical-free solution to a big problem here in the PNW. 

Don't judge too quickly:
While in Spokane this Fall, I went shopping with my son. We put money in the parking meter and were floored when we came out and found a ticket on our windshield even though we still had time left.

I snapped photos "for proof" and we went in search of the mean/misguided traffic policeman. Well, we found him and we plead our case. He listened patiently, and then calmly explained that the ticket was given because my son's license plate tabs had expired-back in February! Yikes...

The Fall purse search is over! 
I have a hard time finding a purse due to my must-haves. Do you call them purses or handbags? I don't really like the designer's name on the outside of the bag (unless it's a Kate Spade, which I can't justify spending that much on...) I do need it to be of a small-medium size, it must zip closed, and I want both wrist handles and a cross-body strap. I know that my list can be challenging on a budget. Trust me, I've been on the lookout since my birthday in August. I was in Kohl's last weekend picking up nursing bras for my daughter (great place to buy them!) and I took a peek in the accessories department. I looked for a while before spotting "the one" in the clearance section. It had all the necessary criteria, was marked down from $69 to $20, and Lauren Conrad kept her name inside. Score!

Missing church leads to missing church:
For various reasons, or perhaps excuses or laziness, I've missed three or four Sundays at my church home. This is unusual for me. I LOVE worship and my husband and I have been regularly attending for the last thirty years of our marriage. Anyhoo...whatever kept me away left me feeling unsettled during the week. Something wasn't right. Duh, I hadn't spent intentional time in the presence of God with my church family. Whoever claims they are a "believer" but doesn't really show up to join others to worship and hear the word taught, is only hurting themselves. I MISS it when I miss. Advent started yesterday, and I loved seeing our Sanctuary gussied up with beautiful trees and lights to honor the birth of Jesus. (Our Tuesday morning lifegroup had fun decorating it together last week.) If you don't have a "spot" to call your own, I hope you'll consider popping into Chapel Hill on a Saturday night or Sunday morning to get to know Jesus. We'll all do our best to make you know how welcome you are!

There are LOTS of go-into-labor suggestions:
My daughter was eight days overdue when the baby arrived. She never did end up going into labor but needed an unplanned Cesarean. As the days marched on past her due date, she was given lots of interesting ideas. Did any of the following work for you? Eat fresh pineapple...eat salty meat like salami...run or crawl up and down stairs...do deep-knee bends...play music down near your private area...

Her name fits:
My sweet Grandchild was named Gracelyn Love and she was born at 12:08 early on a Tuesday morning. She is SO loved and her first name is a version of her Great Grandma Grace and the middle name of her Mommy's sister. She is already bringing our family so much joy! I smiled when I reread  this old poem:

[Monday's child is fair of face

Tuesday's child is full of grace

Wednesday's child is full of woe

Thursday's child has far to go

 Friday's child is loving and giving

  Saturday's child works hard for his living

 And the child that is born on the Sabbath day

Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.] 

My favorite view has changed in the last two weeks:
It used to be the view out my window. I love the Harbor, mountains, trees, and boats. 

Now I prefer to spend all my time gazing at my Grandbaby's sweet face. Isn't she adorable? 

Despite everything, God is STILL in control:
Things have seemed a bit out of control lately. My Mom was put on hospice back in August, and yet she's still on Earth and she just celebrated her 92nd Birthday. I thought for sure my daughter would deliver her baby by her due-date, and SHE thought she'd be in the Midwifery building when the time came, not the OB/ER. The citizens of Anchorage did NOT expect to end their Fall with a massive Earthquake last Friday. The people of California did not think the wildfires could move so quickly and devastate so many. 

We all have hopes and expectations that don't always line up with circumstances and our reality, but we can trust that God is with us through it all and knows how the story ends. Sending prayers to all who've been affected by the recent natural disasters.

What did you learn this Fall?

In His Grip,
xo Jane

Life Lately and Some Favorites

Still no Grandbaby news... Our sweet Sarah is five days past her "due date" and we're all feeling a little impatient. We've been taking walks, getting pedicures, continuing to nest, and getting lots of suggestions on how to convice this baby to put her pretty Mama into active labor. We hope tonight's Cajun Tator Tots help!

We are all trying to wait patiently on the "little woman" which made me think of  the Brad Paisley song. We are also trying to wait patiently for our kitchen to be finished. It's looking doubtful that it will happen before Thanksgiving.

Tomorrow I'll be heading over to the "Festival of Hope," the fairtrade marketplace at our church. Please check it out! It's such a great way to shop and help others around the world.

Here are this week's favorite things:

Book: I finished The Bookshop at Water's End, by Patti Callahan Henry. It was SO enjoyable and delved into the relationships between friends, mother and daughter, love, and small town life in the South. The story went back and forth between the present and past. (Sort of like "This is Us" does.)

Worship Song: "The Breakup Song," by Francesca Battstelli. Fear you will never be welcome here, and yes, there is somebody out there like you!

Quick Campbell's Soup Recipes: Since our daughter and son-in-law live with us, he mentioned some favorite meals his Mom made him. I've done two of them this week (Easy chicken and rice, and beef stroganoff) and they were both a big hit although not super low-calorie. You can find the recipes here on their website.

Friendsgiving: What fun it was to join a lot of my girlfriends from bible study and their husbands for a delicious early Thanksgiving meal. The atmosphere and food were delicious and the company was fantastic. Thank you Lott family for your hospitality! Have you participated in a Friendsgiving before? We've also been hosted by dear friends in the past when we didn't have a working kitchen and/or were in transition. (Thanks Davis and MacIntosh families!)

Holiday Blog Tours: OK, so if you know me, you know I'm kinda/sorta addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. While I watch them I am knitting baby girl's little blanket. If I have time to search around on the computer, you will find me getting decorating inspiration from bloggers. I love seeing their homes. Check out "Home Stories A to Z." At the bottom of Beth's post are 15 other homes you can peek into. I like how they often share where they found their products. I won't really need to purchase ANY decorations though, because last week my daughter and I went through ALL our Christmas boxes and took inventory. Then we had to put it all back in the garage because I live with a man who doesn't believe in decorating for Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving. I recommend everyone do this before heading out to any Holiday stores or to buy any new decorations. I realized I don't even have room in my home for what I own, let alone anything new! I do hope to switch up the way I use my sentimental collections of Santas, Nativity sets, Snowmen, trees and Nutcrackers.  

I am counting my blessings, and praying for California. I am trusting that God will show his faithfulness to all the victims and their families.

"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

Thank you for reading "See Jane Learn" and I wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

In His Grip,
xo Jane

I will leave you with a photo of my happy husband in his brand new recliner chair that we named "Mr. Comfy." We haven't picked our couch, but at least HE is happy! It should be interesting to see all the guys "fighting" for a turn over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Let's Talk Numbers and God's Timing

Back in the day, when I taught a two-year-old Sunday School class, one particular song stuck and often runs through my mind. 

"Tick, tock, goes the clock,

tell me what it's saying?

Time to ________

That is what it's saying."

The blank can be filled in with many options; pick up our toys, read a story, gather for circle time...

Right now I'm filling in the blank with~ HIRE MY HUSBAND PLEASE!

Yep. We're still waiting to hear our good news. We "pulled the trigger" despite NO news, and leave for a get-away to Florida on Saturday. We are looking forward to a change of scenery. Tuesday at my bible study we were discussing the Israelites wandering in the desert, feeling trapped and not being able to enter the "Promised Land." You can read more about that in the Bible Old Testament books from Exodus to Joshua. We want to honor God while we wait and stay grateful for his continued provision.

I am not a current fan of H.R. policies and procedures, but then I've never really been a part of the corporate world. It just takes sooooo long for companies to go through the process. Mike continues applying, connecting with SO MANY kind people on Linked In, and sends email follow-ups, but that doesn't take eight hours, five days a week. 

He has kept his daily routine of working out at the YMCA, devotions each morning, he cooks us dinner each evening, walks our puppy dog, Sydney, keeps our yard tidy when it's not raining, watches his shows or goes to the cheap Tuesday matinee. I finally realized it was time to buy him a new puzzle. Puzzling to him is like knitting is to me; therapeutic.

You'll notice a tiny puzzling-friend in the photo that is also a great distraction; baby Hazel. I care for her two days a week and bring her over to our home for a couple hours mid-day. It is hard to be impatient and bored when you're snuggling or attending to a sweet baby.

Mike also enjoyed being beat in Connect Four with one of my friend's Kindergartners. Since we have an empty-nest, it's nice to have the kid-distractions like we used to have when our four were in our nest. 

"While I was focusing on the speck of time I found myself in, God was busy writing a greater story than I could have ever imaged."
(Maria Furlough, Breaking the Fear Cycle, which just released on March 6th.)

God's timing is not like ours. Time marches on and the countdown we are excited about is the summer wedding of our youngest daughter. Yes, employment will help make PAYING for the wedding much easier.

120 days to go, Jane & Mike!

Sarah and Nick are really the engaged couple, but The Knot website thinks we're getting married because I signed up to get information. Ha! I get messages asking me when I'm going to start planning ... They think we haven't even begun to figure out the venue, website, budget, guest list, registry, dress, etc. We really DO have almost all the planning done. The dress drama might be cleared up at the end of the month. 

We've done weddings four times before; our two sons, our first "original" wedding back in 1983, and the tenth-anniversary renewing of our vows. The pastor who renewed our vows is part of the couple we're going on vacation with. It will be refreshing to be with friends who have known us for over 35 years with all the ups and downs that come with marriage. I wish I had a photo to show you, but they're still packed up in "we thought we were moving" boxes. Should I mention that our wedding album has gone MIA?!

Here are some other numbers in my world:

Three batches of cookies baked this week.

Six people including our daughter coming to stay overnight so they can attend the Chapel Hill Celebrate Recovery Ministry training conference.

Two bridal showers to help oversee.

Two sleeps until Florida.

23 Days until cake-tasting and dress try-on. 

24 Days until Easter!!

122 Days since my amazing husband has had a job and felt productive.

95 days until our 35th Wedding Anniversary.

10+ pounds gained back that need to disappear.

ONE LOVING GOD WHO IS ALWAYS GOOD AND TRUSTWORTHY.

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Psalm 90:12

In His Grip,

xo Jane

Photo credit: http://www.1000thingsnyc.com/200-water-street-digital-clock/

This is the Week! Please...

I might have missed posting on "National Pet Day" but my pets are happy and spoiled. I also missed having a Margarita on "National Margarita Day" but made up for it last night when my husband whipped us up yummy drinks made with the muddled juices of grapefruit, lemon, and lime, Gold Tequila, Triple Sec and a splash of Cranberry juice.

OK, Winter is almost over. That means my husband has almost gone an entire Season without a job. Ugh. We are saying that THIS will be the week we hear good news! We've waited before; for two of our homes to be built, for 9 months times four pregnancies, for homes to sell, and for many other countdowns. This waiting has seemed so long. We are trying to keep our spirits up and our trust strong. Our unexpected time together has been sweet, but it would have been sweeter if we were on a sunny beach somewhere and we weren't paying bills with our savings. We are thankful for so many things despite our impatience, and it's actually been snowing in Gig Harbor!

Here are some of my favorite things that have been going on around here as the wait continues:

Delighted to be chosen! 
As I mentioned before, I am thrilled to be part of the launch team for Maria Furlough's new book, Breaking the Fear Cycle. I'm on chapter seven of eleven, and have learned SO MUCH! You will want to purchase this book, which releases on March 6th!

I LOVE my new job! 
I've been on-the-job as a part-time nanny for two weeks now. Getting to spend time with a baby girl is so much fun! We're getting into a rhythm and I spend time at her home and my house. It's been 24 years since I've been responsible for a baby but just like riding a bike, it comes back! When my daughters were tiny I think we had just one or two hair accessories. Hazel has a collection and you can bet I put one on her cute little head each day! I will share some of my favorite baby items soon. Look at this cutie!

No wine? Score! 
When I flew home from Indianapolis last month, my husband had upgraded my seat so I was in the "free cocktail" Zone. It was a long flight and I kinda/sorta was looking forward to a free glass of Red Blend while I flew across two time zones. My flight attendant kept forgetting my glass of wine. I didn't want to make a big deal out of it since safety trumps beverages, and the flight was full, but the crew just wasn't as friendly as usual, and their service just wasn't up to par. I have quite a few girlfriends who work for Alaska and they have set my service expectation high!

When I received a follow-up email from Alaska Airlines asking how my flight service was, I was truthful; it wasn't the best experience I've had. Alaska public relations responded by apologizing and gifting me a $50 credit for my next flight! What a lovely surprise! I wasn't expecting anything, I just shared my experience. IF good news about a new job for my husband comes this week, we have points on Alaska plus that credit, and an invitation to join some of our best friends in a beach house for a week in Florida mid-March. Fingers crossed!!

Old Navy has good sales!
With football season being over, I actually convinced my husband to accompany me to Old Navy after church. Their 50% off all jeans sale was worth the trip to the dreaded Mall. I had Christmas money from my sweet Mom that I've been saving. I decided to join the floral embroidered trend, and having them be on sale for $20 (this weekend only!) was a score. Quick! Check out the Old Navy website tonight if you're on the hunt for jeans. I really like the Rockstar line. I was reminded that "it's all relative." As I wished I was still a size 6 but knowing I'm an 8 and at the same time, the woman across from me was asking the clerk for a size 18. I was convicted that we shouldn't get wrapped up in numbers.

I got to be a "Good Samaritan" today!
OK, so my walk with Sydney was cut short today, but that's alright. I was walking down a hill to downtown, wishing I'd worn a hat on this blustery day, and listening to a good Beth Moore podcast when I noticed some items in the middle of the street. Thankfully it was a light traffic day. I spotted a cell phone and wallet. Someone was about to have a rotten evening. Thankfully their license was current and my husband drove over to their home. I guess the items had been put on the back of his truck and forgotten. So glad I spotted them and we could return them!

Thanks for reading "See Jane Learn." What have you been up to? Remember, Easter is coming!...

In His Grip,
xo Jane