Merry Christmas

It's been a very busy month .. one that has blessed us with the arrival of our wee little granddaughter, Rowan.

At nearly two weeks of age, she is still in the hospital after needing heart surgery .. and may be home in about a week.  Need I say that we are very blessed to have her and can't wait to hold and spoil her.

We had a lovely dusting of snow Christmas Eve and have plans to spend Christmas Day with our loved ones at home. 

Amid the hustle and bustle of this busy season, it's nice to remember why we celebrate.  In a few hours, there will be much chatter and tearing of paper as the young and old open presents.  Platters of food .. and sweets to be passed at the table.  It is good to remember that Jesus is ...

... a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
   and the glory of your people Israel. ...Luke 2:32

Ever Thankful

Nathan .. age 15

Thankful for one left in the nest.  After Ann moved out in May, I have come to discover it would be pretty lonely around here without any youngins at home.  Nathan (the possessor of an extra chromosome) is perpetually youthful and adds great joy to life.  To be so young at heart .. always .. is a gift beyond measure.

Every part of life is a season.  I think the empty nest phase would be quite .. well empty without our special needs son.  So thankful God knew we needed him before he was born.  Even with all of his challenges, life adds a richness that would be lacking without him.

In God's infinite wisdom .. He has blessed us and given us reason to have joy as we enter the golden stage of life.

Our Day, Plus 30 Years

 Old Irish Blessing:

May God be with you and bless you
May you see your children's children
May you be poor in misfortunes and rich in Blessings
May you know nothing but happiness
from this day forward

Today marks our thirtieth wedding anniversary.  We've been celebrating all weekend.  First with a lovely dinner out on the town Saturday, an overnight get-a-way, Sunday brunch  ... and dinner with our family last night.  

Mr. & Mrs. Mac - On This Our Wedding Day, 11/8/1980

Mr. & Mrs. Mac - 2010

With all of that merry making .. I'll return to my Monday night football widow status.  Mr. Mac has been enjoying a week of vacation time at home.  Rainy weather and a cold front moving in this week should make for a final end to the summer season. 

Closing In On Autumn

Today I plan on making my last run out to the local u-pick farm to get food to store away for the coming winter.  The days are sitting pretty at about 78-80 degrees this week with nights in the 40's (F).  In the winter, 40's would feel like a nice summer day.  In the summer, 40 degree temps feel cold.  The past month has been spent busily in the kitchen canning and freezing garden produce.  A lot of work .. but a $ and time saver during the cold weather. 

Hubby and I have made dates for one day each week during September and October. Our bikes have been fine tuned and have been getting some use as well.  He put his name in a drawing at the library and won two tickets for a lake cruise which took place last Friday evening.  Everyone aboard had won similar tickets ... so the boat was full of 'readers' and book club fans.  Mostly silver haired folks with great life stories to share.

With the cooler nights it's time to start feathering the nest with extra bedding, and hanging a few sweaters in the front closet for cool morning walks.   What's going on in your neck of the woods?

Graduation Time ...

... again.

Ann will be wearing her cap and gown on Monday night as she graduates from dental school at the local community college.  Then she will be 'hitting the pavement' with her resumes in search for a job.  Here's praying for a successful career Ann!
The sad part of it all is that we couldn't get a sitter for Nathan .. which means Mr. Mac will be attending the graduation .. and I'll be picking up Nathan from his first day of summer camp .. coming home and throwing together a light supper/dessert buffet.  The sacrifices we make at times are painful ... but we rejoice in the privilege of having Nathan .. at home .. and in good health.

Whatever Happened To ...

... Mrs. Mac's Hives?

After changing my diet by removing any and all processed foods (anything not in a whole state) my years (four) long battle with hives has come to an end.  In a way, I'm thankful for such an annoyance (the hives) because it/they were a giant wake up call to the toxicity of store bought, prepackaged foods.  Has it been easy?  YES (because I'm blessed to stay home and have the time to cook without the 'help' of prefab food.  Was the change in diet worth it?  YES!  With the awakening of the American populace about the horrific nutrition of ready made foods ... have you been tempted to include more whole food items in your diet?  Are you trying to eat more seasonal foods? 

Photo credit:  Carl Larrson

Thankful For Not Much Snow

... this winter.  Now eager for spring to arrive to green up the landscape.  Without a cover of snow this winter, brown, dead, crunchy landscape has been the view from my windows for quite some time.  OK, I won't complain ... no snow to shovel off our roof ... no gutters to fix ... no snow piles that take until June to melt ... no waking up an hour early to blow the snow off the driveway.  With such a winter reprieve, I've grown fat and sassy;)  Sorry about sending the snow to the four corners of the globe ... but ... winter is what it is:  Fickle ... just like the Snow Queen!

Top photo: Mr. Mac and Jacob ... sledding on two inches of snow ... taken in December, 2009

Bottom photo:  Mrs. Mac's unplanted garden ... oh so brown

Happy Dance

Today is a good computer day. We now have a high speed connection. To be honest ... I started hating even checking blogs (not the writers) due to the s...l...o...w bouncy signal. And my iPhone is fine for quick checks for directions or getting calls ... but not for 'surfing' .. All we needed was a high power router. So easy! Still checking for a good deal on a laptop.

... On Being A Keeper At Home

I have to confess, since we got rid of our cable TV, life has taken a much slower, less hectic pace! Either silence or beautiful Christmas music fills the air ... and the pitter patter of my grandson's little feet. Reading books, knitting, writing letters, baking and occasionally watching an old movie have been rediscovered. A friend and I get together once a week for prayer time as well. Then there's my weekly trip into town for perishable groceries. Exciting life, eh? But it suites me well. There's no place like home, aaaah!

Sunday's Praise

Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord.
Praise the name of the Lord
From this time forth and forever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
The name of the Lord is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations;
His glory is above the heavens.

Who is like the Lord our God,
Who is enthroned on high,
Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in heaven and in the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust,
And lifts the needy from the ash heap,
To make them sit with princes,
With the princes of His people.
He makes the barren woman abide in the house
As a joyful mother of children.
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 118

Psalm 118

¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

² Let Israel say:
"His love endures forever."

³ Let the house of Aaron say:
"His love endures forever."

⁴ Let those who fear the LORD say:
"His love endures forever."

⁵ In my anguish I cried to the LORD,
and he answered by setting me free.

⁶ The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

⁷ The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
I will look in triumph on my enemies.

⁸ It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.

⁹ It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.

¹⁰ All the nations surrounded me,
but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

¹¹ They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

¹² They swarmed around me like bees,
but they died out as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

¹³ I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the LORD helped me.

¹⁴ The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.

¹⁵ Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
"The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!

¹⁶ The LORD's right hand is lifted high;
the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"

¹⁷ I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the LORD has done.

¹⁸ The LORD has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.

¹⁹ Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.

²⁰ This is the gate of the LORD
through which the righteous may enter.

²¹ I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.

²² The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;

²³ the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

²⁴ This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

²⁵ O LORD, save us;
O LORD, grant us success.

²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
From the house of the LORD we bless you.

²⁷ The LORD is God,
and he has made his light shine upon us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.

²⁸ You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.

²⁹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

I received this Psalm in an email today from Felisol. It spoke to my heart in many areas, especially in regards to our bankrupt political system.

Photo: by & digitally 'mastered' by Mrs. Mac. October 24, 2009. Taken aboard a fast moving train in Northeast Washington State.

The Road Today

... was met with peace and rest. Not one minute in the garden. Two hours on the sofa with a soft blanket covering me. With the gas/wood stove keeping me cozy a nap was in order. It is good to rest once in a while to restore the mind and body. The weather outside was on again off again. Warm sunshine one minute ... and rain, hail, and wind the next. I feared for my tomato plants in the pounding hail. But, after inspection, they seem to have fared for the better. This weekend will be busy enough with planting the rest of the garden. For now, I shall enjoy the view from my window. When one works too much outside, you tend not to notice the landscape view from the inside. It is a grand view today. Green spring growth as luscious as the Emerald Isle. Blue skies dappled with swirling white clouds. Birds flitting here and there enjoying the seeds placed in the feeders. Humming birds have returned and enjoy drinking the nectar we've provided. The hammock sways empty today with a stiff breeze pushing through the pines. In abundance, God has given us provision.

Hugs,

My Trophy Wall

... is blank! The Mr. recently hung all of his 'paraphernalia' from his law enforcement career; plaques, awards, official looking certificates, notes of congratulations from the White House and State Capitol. An official portrait in uniform holding 'my' shotgun, a vintage wooden night stick, retirement this and that. Then immediately next to his wall of fame is my blank wall. Not one trophy, award, picture, or congratulatory note. I once was nominated by my daughter for 'mother of the year' ... but didn't receive that award. Hummmm, it's a wonder I don't have an inferiority complex or bad attitude. Naaa, my awards and trophies are carried around in my mother's heart. I remember each scraped knee I've bandaged, every night I sat up with a sick little one, cleaned up bodily fluids up the wazoo, and have been complimented for pulling off some great family get-togethers. My best reward is knowing my kids have been instructed in the Good Book and each have a personal relationship with Christ. I ask you, what more of an award could a mother ask for?

Cloud Nine

I'm walking on the clouds this week. Soldier Boy has been home for a few days now and, boy, it's great to have him home. His manners have improved ten fold since he left home in 2000 for parts unknown with the Army. He's been most helpful and always asking what he can do. There's lots of 'yes ma'am' being said ;) A job landed in his lap this week (Thank you Lord)!

On the home front: Nathan is partaking in swimming@ the Y and a trip to Spralmart to buy the three items on his list. God bless those special ed teachers for having so much patience and all. One of these trips (swimming or shopping) with him would do me in ... but two in one day, I think these gals are all saints!

Spring is calling ... can you hear it?

Just for the record ... Patrick was not sent to Iraq. He volunteered to go three times and just missed going by days numerous times between transfers to various forts and overseas locations. He served proudly as a tank crewman for over eight years.

Soldier Boy Makes Mom's Day

It snowed 4-5 inches yesterday ... Soldier Boy is home for all the holidays now. I'll let the pictures speak.

pictures: snow 'bombs' falling, Home Coming for Patrick, Mrs. Mac & Patrick, sister Ann with Patrick, replica of tank Soldier Boy 'played' with.

Happy Juice

The other day I was speaking with my daughter about how my brain is wired. I told her I have happiness going on all the time inside my head. She gave me a funny look ... then I explained that I just can't shut off my optimism. I can feel certain areas just overflowing with joy. Sometimes I think something might be wrong. Other times I am thankful to have a joyous outlook. What's a mom to do? I started doing a little research about brain chemicals and found out what I've suspected for quite some time. Our brains are capable of producing certain drugs that can reduce stress. Endorphins, gama gobulins, and interferons are such chemicals our brains produce to help fight stress, pain, disease, and boost our immune systems. With natural drugs floating around in my head like these, who would ever want to shut them off? (Big happy smile.)

Perhaps this 'happy brain' effect started when I was thrown into the world of being the mother of a special needs child. The stress placed on me years ago could have started the ball rolling. I have learned to shut out stressors ... and believe me there are plenty being Nathan's mom ... the wife of a law officer ... mother of a soldier .... etc. Now don't go thinking that I'm an ostrich and have my head stuck in the sand. The world around me may still be falling down, but I'm not going to stand falling down with it. Not on my watch. If I turned these 'happy brain drugs' off, and started getting depressed, I would not survive one day with what is on my plate. So if you think I'm a little too over the top savoring the beauty of winter, the smell of skunks, the delight of getting up a million times at night to help a little boy that needs his mom ... now you know why such things just don't drag me down. If you are not fortunate enough to have this 'happy brain juice' ... I'll be glad to give you a little bit of life off my plate to sample ... maybe then you could get your own 'happy brain juice' flowing.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
It is amazing to think about.
Your workmanship is marvelous
... and how well I know it.
Psalm 139:14 TLB

To maintain a less stressful life, here are some suggestions: Laugh, find humor in situations, plant flowers and garden, seek out friendships, volunteer your time, eat chocolate (that's my favorite one).