I'm So Over Technology!

Give me the good old days with party line rotary dial phones!  No computers sucking the life out of my brain!  Actually .. a couple of tin cans and some string would be a big improvement to what we've had as phone and internet service of late.  Living in the mountains has it's plus sides .. and it's drawbacks .. technology here is dismal at best!

To counter the fried brain and pulled out hair, I've been ripping through the underbrush in the backyard to help reduce fire fuel.  My chainsaw and metal blade shrub cutter buzzed and sawed for several hours today .. and now I have a big mess to clean up ... but the mental tension is gone!

After seriously considering smashing my not so smart phone .. and dropping my brand new laptop computer out the second story window, I paused for reflection and decided I'd be a grown up and just take a moment to pray.  Walk away from the (junk) problem .. sit on the front porch rocker, water my flowers .. and tease the cat with some cat mint .. gather my composure .. reenter the house with all of the techie gadgets on the fritz .. only to find out that they are now working ... HUH!  My computer service is working (fingers crossed) .. and I updated a software on my telephone antenna .. that restored my home phone service ... All I needed to do was to remember to give my problems to God .. how could I forget that??? 

To My Pop

Thank the Lord that: 

• My Pop is a Godly man and stood up to claim my fatherless family and mold it into his own. 

Thank the Lord that: 

• He loves my mom and together they have made a house a home.

I Thank the Lord For:

•   Being rescued from a broken home and placed into one that has nurtured and filled my life with direction and promise.

Thank the Lord that:

• My children and their children have been able to know and love my Pop.

A Letter To Fatherless America

It's Been A Year ...

Since we kissed and said our goodbyes to our little granddaughter Rowan.

 You know .. we have this little wonderful way of remembering her .... every day we spy a heart somewhere along the way ... in the shape of a stone, cloud, pattern in wall plaster ... you name it .. our hearts are bent on never forgetting her .. and our hope is in one day being reunited when we pass from this world into the loving arms of the Creator. 

Now our days are blessed with another wee grandbaby AND his big brother.  I LOVE being a grandmother and try each time we're together to imprint a little bit of family knowledge, tradition and love for God upon their hearts, minds and souls.  These are wicked days we're living in ... and there is a struggle to preserve history, truth and wisdom in this next generation.

Dedication Day

 

 

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14



Bowled Over

Not being one to engage in watching the Super Bowl .. I did subject my eyes to about 60 seconds of the rather X-rated gyration of a so called 'pop star' wiggle and wreath on stage during half time with all the lust of a porn star.  That was enough!  Why does such a national event that is watched around the world have to be about selling sex?  If I had young children, they would not be allowed to watch such a program .. and yet, how many parents had their children with them watching?  This is a day when our nation should be putting out the best for the world to see .. not smut.   I'm glad we do not have cable TV and can only get a few channels on our rabbit ear antenna; which at times is even too much.  

Gearing Up for Retirement

The Mr. is planning (once again;) to retire (for good) at the end of 2013.  That gives us one year to adjust our budget (and attitudes) for life on his pension(s) and what savings we've squirreled away.  He deserves to hang up his badge after 25+ years of community service.  We have plans .. and then the Lord has plans .. hopefully some will be the same.

You can bet (Lord willing) we won't be sitting around (much).  We have fire wood to gather this summer, mini vacations to take (Glacier National Park), family to visit (us), and odd home repairs not to put off. Grandchildren to fuss over.

We've worked like dawgs paying off debt the past few years (knock on wood .. ) and have learned to be content not needing the latest or greatest gadgets; this all on one income.

We won't be jet setters or pet sitters.  We have a special needs son, Nathan, that will keep us young at heart and close to home; he's a blessing.

So with the New Year about to begin, may the good Lord prepare our hearts, minds AND finances to be adequate and sustaining.  May He give us peace and servant's hearts to give of our time and help to others.  Welcome 2013

We Shall Overcome!

Last night Nathan and I had the privilege of attending a homecoming type basketball game for the local special needs community.  The event was sponsored by Real Life Ministries AND North Idaho College.  This evening was all about the participants!  They were out there on the gym floor as bright shining stars!  Each person had a grin from ear to ear as they hustled across the basketball court playing and giving the game and their teams their all.

As many of you know my son, Nathan, has Down syndrome and has only recently come out of his shell.  Loud noises, auditoriums, crowds and over stimulating events would keep him at home in the safety of his room.  With much hard work, practice going out in public and dedication, he has developed much greater tolerance for such events.

Many hours were spent into getting this event put together.  There was a high school band, cheer leaders, precision drummers, dim lights .. a tunnel of blue smoke the athletes ran through to start the game.  Any single one of these is a triumph .. put them together and we have VICTORY!

Go Nathan!

Head 'em up and move 'em out ...

We just returned from a mini vacation in Sandpoint, Idaho.  About an hour north of us, we were delighted to spend time with family at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch.

 This is a working 'guest' ranch that has many options when planning your stay.  They have all inclusive packages that include horseback riding, skeet shooting, meals, etc.

We opted to rent two cabins and just enjoy the relaxing scenery.  A few opted for horseback riding (which included a riding lesson).

The cabins have kitchens so we brought up pre-planned meals.

The area is surrounded by mountains, streams and Lake Pend Oreille.

Schweitzer Mountain is just a short drive from the ranch.

We took a trip up the mountain and had lunch.  The ski lifts run most of the summer and you can ride down some of the trails on mountain bikes.

Hubby wants to do this soon.  I say we take the easy route down and not go for the double black diamond trails :)