If At First You Don't Succeed...

Try, try again...Right?

So many changes. Allowing myself to put off much. Many false starts. Many revisions. Many recreations of self...definitely a work in progress.

Two moves. Several job attempts on both my part and my husbands. Two children, grown and flown. Parenting does not get easier as they get older...that's all I got on that right now.

Sometimes I feel like a pioneer in a covered wagon (but with a bathroom, a modern kitchen and a computer), traversing the land. Leaving fragments of my life behind. Dumping out what seemed so necessary at the start. Holding on to things I probably should have let go of.

There's a lot to do today, but I felt drawn to peek in here again. If you have a spare prayer, I would take one...there's a few hitches in my git-along and I really need to get moving forward.

This Lent has been an eye opener already.

I'd like to spend more time here again. That would be nice.

Today, from my table, I see mountains, hear so many birds, see one of my cardinals visiting a feeder and see a beautiful forsythia.

Counting it all joy,

Julie

I go away for a few days...okay, four years...and come back and things have changed!! What's up with that?

Very unsure if I remember how to do this. Pretty sure no one is looking, so I guess it doesn't matter.

But I'm back. Hopefully for more than a day. I'm going to go dust the cobwebs out of the corners and see how things work now.

If you remember me give me a shout.

HE Is Risen, Indeed!

Blessings, this Easter! The victory is won.

Monday, April 14

FOR TODAY ...April 14 , 2014

Outside my window...it is COLD!! And considering snowing...on trees that have budded and birds who were cheerful yesterday. Hrrrumpf!

I am thinking...how I came to be here. This day. This hour. This point in my life.

I am thankful for...my husband, my children, my faith.

From the learning rooms...the end is near! How do we finish strong?

From the kitchen...left over brisket from yesterday.

I am wearing...my old striped sweater.

I am creating...still working on a very beginner quilt. Pondering beads that have found their way into my collection.

I am going...back to work. Very likely this time next week I will start a new chapter.

I am reading...One True Thing by Anna Quindlin. Just finished The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo by Stieg Larson.

I am hoping...I figure things out one of these days.

I am hearing...chilly birds outside. A clock inside.

Around the house...I did not accomplish as much as I wanted to on my Lenten Spring Cleaning.

One of my favorite things...cool sheets, warm blankets.

A few plans for the rest of the week: tie up loose ends so my boys (all three, the tallest one, the first-born, and the one I married) can have a semblance of order in my absence.


 Have a joyful week!!


Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook to find more daybookers.

The Big Picture Interactive Bible

I received a copy of the Big Picture Interactive Bible to review. My first thought when the Bible came was "Wow!"

 Not sure what I was expecting when I agreed to review, but it was certainly not a full-sized Bible with a sturdy and very eye-catching cover. So out of the box (or mail bag, as it were) the quality was impressive. I was not familiar with the Holman Christian Standard translation, but some research allowed me to get acquainted and I must say the translation is one that I am very comfortable with--very easy to read, and yet with the impression that there are not "additions" to the Word.

This would be a great gift for an older adolescent, a tween or young teen.

Read my full review at Joyful Days Reviews & Recipes

From the publisher: Are our children really getting the full meaning of the stories as we read the Bible to them? When we read the Bible to our children, the stories are often in bits and pieces and focus on "being good." But children should get the message of "being saved" from reading the Bible instead. The Big Picture Interactive Bible (B&H Kids) is the first children's Bible of its kind-the Jesus story from start to finish, filled with features and interactive elements that capture the true meaning and significance behind all of the verses and stories.

Thanks to B&H Publishing Group for the Bible and the chance to review The Big Picture Interactive Bible.

Feast vs. Fast

How are your Lenten fasts/goals holding up? Are you the person who endures more than the forty days? Does every day count as fast or do you allow the "mini-feast" of Sunday? There are merits to both approaches.

I've practiced both this year. There were a few Lenten fasts that I've allowed myself to break from on Sundays and a couple that I've held tight to everyday. Then, if I'm being honest, there's one I've just not managed well.

The ones I've not allowed Sunday "breaks" are the one that seemed to me to control me in the area of time. They have the potential, I am sad to say, to consume my attention, to consume my better judgement. They are the ones that I am going to have to continue to wrestle with outside of Lent.

The fasts that I've broken on Sundays have been the ones that I felt I needed to see where I stood with. They are choices that I will probably continue to moderate during the year.

We live in such a rich and abundant society, I doubt we have to look very far to find something to "give up for Lent." First world problems...

Counting it all joy,

Julie

The fifty yards of tulle has left the building.

A young dancer friend, a budding choreographer, was promised access to a professional company's costume shop and then in the eleventh hour that was changed and he was left with a lovely piece of choreography and no costumes. Two tulle skirts and some dyeing of leotards and tights later, I am grateful I had the chance to be of help. It was fun to play with the fluffy stuff, but I need to get back on the track of Spring Cleaning. I am grateful to be done, as well.

The boys have been pretty good about keeping their rooms in good shape. That was where the cleaning began. The younger is a minimalist and so that takes him very little time. The oldest reminds me of....well, me at that age and if I look at it in that context, his room is awesome. It still may teeter precariously on the fire code's desire for clear exits, but it's not bad, I guess.

We are coming to the realization that the oldest will most likely be leaving us in the fall. He is definitely leaving for part of the summer, but it looks like he may have a chance at a boarding situation to pursue his dream. We are focusing on getting him prepared to be a little more responsible and able to feed himself, make healthy decisions, maintain clothing and necessities.

He's also earned a learner's permit for driving and we are dealing with that. I am grateful my husband has taken that teaching hat for the beginning portion. I'm sure I would be able to do it, but I'm a bit more reactive and emotional. And...nervous. Yes, I admit, I am a Nervous Nellie. Once he gets going I will be fine (relatively) in the passenger's seat, but it's better I don't sit there for a while.

Random occurrences, thoughts and observances:

I scored some drapes for the dining room at my favorite thrift store!!

I've had a lot more scrutiny than usual on the homeschool aspect of our lives.

I have a lot of stuff...Moving has always been good for getting rid of stuff, it's just that we stayed in the last place nearly ten years. So, I'm wondering if I can get rid of some more stuff without moving to help...I guess that means I'm pondering a garage sale...sigh...

Many thoughts about what "acting one's age" means to me. As I near the half-century mark I'm looking forward and backwards quite a bit. Asking myself how the road led here and where does it turn over the next hill.

It smells like Spring outside.

Counting it all joy,

Julie

Re-Entry

How many days does it take you to recover when you get home from a trip?

Trips (both fun and otherwise) exhaust me. It takes at least two or three days to get ready. I like to come home to a relatively clean house. I like to have the only laundry in the pile be what I am bringing back. I like to not see forgotten dishes in the sink.

And then I've come to the conclusion that for every day I've been gone it takes me at least one, and maybe two, to "recover." What I want to do when I come home is flop in my chair and veg for a bit. What I need to do is all the things that got left undone while I was gone.

Since I left the three boys...my dear husband kept the kitchen in good shape. But they still wore clothes (I am grateful for that) so the laundry was waiting. The boys spend a lot of time in their room, so the general public area was still pretty nice. And we needed a few odds and ends that I forgot to pick up before I left.

Yesterday involved shopping with a good friend for fifty yards of tulle (yes fifty) and some other sundry items. Shopping at the great "Stuff Mart" that I try to avoid. Resuming the chef's toque...okay cook's hat. I do realize I'm no chef. Putting back on my teaching tiara. Wrapping round my metaphorical laundress's apron. And sitting down to do the paperwork that is involved with being my eldest's secretary and personal assistant.

Not as much Pintrest time as I would have liked...just saying...

Today involves my chauffeur's cap, and continuing paperwork. Meatless menus. Long list-making. And fifty yards of tulle.

So I better get in gear...

Counting it all joy,

Julie

When We All Get to Heaven

After a long four days, I am home. Home to my chair, my bed, my kitchen, my coffee mug. Home to my sweet guys who missed me. It's not that where I was, was a bad place. It just wasn't home.

HOME.

My earthly home brings comfort and relief from the wearying world. Can you imagine our real home? There is a deep and real longing in my heart for my my real home. My heavenly home.

 Going to leave it at that. I've got some catching up to do.

Counting it all joy,

Julie

St. Patrick's Day

Posting has been and will be limited for a few days. Traveling. Left the three "boys" at home: the big one, the bigger one and the old one. They seem to think it's party time with me gone. Pondering how that makes me feel.

Today is St. Patrick's day. A saint's day turned Hallmark holiday and excuse for bad behavior in the United States.

The verse I am pondering on is from today's Terce reading:

 Lord, you are merciful to all, because you can do all things and overlook men’s sins so that they can repent. Yes, you love all that exists, you hold in abhorrence nothing of what you have made. Wisdom 11:23-24 

Hope you have a lovely day and find a blessing!