Not Exactly What I Planned

On Friday I was to be alone at home for 24 hours, so I planned to work on my son's room. It's a room that my 10-year-old considers her personal Island of Misfit Toys. When she cleans her room and the closet floor is already covered, she dumps her currently unused items in the doorway of his room. Cleaning out his room - that was the plan.

I arrived home at 2:30 p.m. ready to tackle the job. Then I saw them. Ants! Covering every kitchen counter, inside several cabinets and the dishwasher. Ugh! I spent 30 minutes trying to find their trail and what they were after. The prime suspect was a bottle of pancake syrup, in which they somehow crawled into the lid. I sprayed, scrubbed and cleaned. 

When I got to the sink, I decided I needed to replace the washers on the dripping faucet, which I had put off for quite a while. Turning off the water started a leak under the cabinet. Repairs came the next day when my Dad cut the pipe and replaced the valve. (He hates plumbing, but knows what to do. Yay Daddy!) By Sunday I was really tired of finding ants. I sprayed, scrubbed and cleaned again. Now I've set out ant bait. I do hope this is over.

Proverbs 6:6-8 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.

Perhaps next weekend, I can really be like an ant, instead of fighting them.

Summer's Last Hurrah

As of Friday there were 2 weeks of summer vacation left for my child. This past week, she seemed to cram in everything possible. Even with me working, she managed to get 7 other adults involved in her last hurrah for summer.

My mom took her shopping for school supplies and shoes. My best friend let her volunteer at the History Center with her, as well as treat her to a movie. My mom, along with her cousin and granddaughters, have taken her to target practice at Bass Pro, painting at the library and skating. She had a sleepover mid week with one friend and just yesterday attended a dance recital and had a sleepover with another friend. Today she's at another movie.

I remember those days when summer seemed so long and boring, but suddenly it was time to return to school and you just didn't want to give summer up. This is her time to embrace it so she can feed off the good memories as her summer comes to a close.

Ecclesiastes 3:5b A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 

I think I need to take some notes from her about embracing each day. Summer is too short and life is too short to let it just slip away. 

Healthy Goals

On a typical weekday, I work 8 1/2 to 9 hours, pick up take out for both lunch and dinner, and sit in my lounge chair each evening to read until it's time for bed. I'm like a sloth. I want to physically feel better. I need to exercise, eat better and increase my energy. I need a plan.

I want to ride my bike a few times each month, working up to at least weekly. I'm going to look for a bike rack to transport my bike for those rides. I want to eat out less often, so I sat down with my 10-year-old and planned out a menu for the upcoming week.

I've spent this past week researching and I've decided to try some natural supplements designed to maintain a good weight, good health and increase energy. They are plant-based and I'm hopeful that a return to natural foods and herbs will help me reach my health goals.

Hebrews 6:7 For the earth which drinks in the rains that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;

I'm afraid that I'll get lazy and give up, so I'm writing about it here and I've posted my plan on Facebook. I'm hoping that this public accountability and even having others on the same journey will help me reach my goal. I'll keep you updated.

On my Summer Vacation I...

On my summer vacation I went to Jekyll Island. It had been 16 years since my last visit and it changed quite a bit, yet very little. There were more hotels, more shops, a conference center, a putt-putt course, a water park and 20 miles of biking/walking trails. But, somehow it was still quiet and peaceful.

We drove down on July 4th and saw both a distant storm and fireworks on the beach. We took our new bikes and rode for miles each day, around 25 miles in 3 days. The bike trails took us along  ocean views, through swamps and under Spanish moss hanging so low from the trees you could touch it. We walked on the beach, played in the pool and found a really fabulous restaurant (Driftwood Bistro). We played Pictionary one evening while a thunderstorm rolled by. We laughed at silly stuff, took photos of ourselves sitting in giant Adirondack chairs and walked through a maze of driftwood on the north end of the island. 

Isaiah 28:12a To whom He said, "This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest," and, "This is the refreshing";

It was relaxing and fun. It was the good, non-work-related vacation that I desperately needed.

America turns 240

July 4th, the birthday of our homeland, Independence Day, freedom. It seems fragile until you acknowledge Who holds the future.

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. 

If He is our Lord, God will bless the USA. It's not just a song, it's an action reciprocated by putting God first.