A Lazy Wednesday Hodgepodge

 1. "Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." Sam Keen

Do you feel less guilty relaxing in July than you do in January? Elaborate. 

Not really.  It's my summer break and I have more than enough time to relax and enjoy the stillness of the season.  Also, I never feel guilty about relaxing.  It's important for the human mind.  

2. What's a telltale sign you're upset? 

I shut down.  I don't talk.  I stay to myself.  I cry far too easily.  If I'm upset, you'll know.  

3. July 16th is National AI Day. What are your general thoughts and/or experiences with AI? Have you purposely used it? Does it excite you, scare you, or worry you? What do you see as a benefit? How about something relating to AI you see as a negative? 

I guess AI can have it's benefits but I don't see it as a good idea.  It's making doing life way too easy.  It gives children the opportunity to cheat on school assignments rather than using their brain.  It's giving all of us less need for brain power.  I don't think it's beneficial but it is pretty neat how we've come that far in technology.  

I hear people are using AI to write books and I think that may be in the same category as plagiarism, is it not?  I actually played around with an AI story generator just to see what it was like but I won't use it for my own publications.  The stories we write should come from our own hearts and minds.  AI takes away creativity and self imagination.  

4. You're invited to a summer pot luck and are asked to bring an appetizer, salad/side, or dessert. Which category do you go for and what are you bringing? 

Probably potato salad.  My mother gave me a recipe that everyone seems to love.  Or cookies.  

5. It wouldn't be summer without the blistering heat that makes my skin feel like it's going to melt off my body. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Our air conditioner stopped working last night and it was 90 degrees in the house.  We all suffered with a horrible night's sleep.  We slept with the windows open and fans running.  Today my husband is working from home while the a/c guy came and fixed it.  It's working now but slowly cooling off.  My poor Siberian Husky who naturally has two coats and was not made for this weather.  She's miserable.  

Monday Musings

 Hello on this 83° Monday here in south central Pennsylvania.

I started the day early, woke up while my husband was getting ready for work.  Matthew had already left to go for a morning run.  I took my usual summer morning spot outside with a cup of coffee and the Bible.  

When my daughter, who prefers using these summer mornings to sleep in late, woke up we went to a nearby park where we walked a mile to break in our new trail shoes.  Getting ready for our upcoming trip to West Virginia where we will be hiking.  

Then came home to laundry and housework.  Pulled some weeds and found the first lunchbox pepper of the season is ready.  Isn't she cute?  Brianna ate it and said it was good.  So far there is no success to the bell peppers and I think I'll just continue to grow just the lunchbox ones in the future because they do so well.  Then I can add more tomato plants, which are also growing slowly but surely.  

I will be another heat wave this week.  I guess that's what summer is all about.  I'm drinking as much water as possible.  

Over the weekend we stopped at my parents house.  This is my mom eating ice cream straight from the container.  It wouldn't be like her to do this normally because she was always one who had strict manners but my dad told her to just eat out of it since there was a little left.  She asked for a bowl.  My mom, despite her Alzheimer's, seemed to have a good day.  It's difficult watching her go through it.  

Trusting Through Uncertainty

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -- Philippians 4:6-7

At last Wednesdays Bible study at church, the pastor gave us a homework assignment of reading all 4 chapters of Philippians and then getting in contact with the group we were put into and describe what we got out of the context.  The point was to show that even though we are reading the same Scriptures, the Holy Spirit can speak to us differently.   Aside from this assignment, I found some things within this book that helped with our current trial through the uncertainty pertaining to Matthew's college.  I don't like uncertainty.  The unknown of what the future will bring gives me anxiety but in just those verses in Phil 4:6-7 I'm reminded to give those feelings to God.  

The book of Philippians was written by Paul while he was in prison.  I can sense the joy and thankfulness of his heart, even while held captive and not knowing the future outcome.  He knew that God was with him through life and in death.  I desperately needed that reminder.  

Today I'm wearing my UVF t-shirt.  One of the things my husband and I both thought about was the money we already spent on all of this college gear.  I'll still wear it, regardless, and even if my son never gets the opportunity to earn a degree here UVF will still hold a special place in our hearts.  

I still remain hopeful, but the more I learn about the college's predicament, the more I'm realizing that there is no easy way out of it.  It's going to take a big miracle.  Like a multi-million dollar miracle, and even that may not be enough.   

He was accepted to another Christian college and they are ready and eager to take him on.  This was his second choice and it's a great school but it's not what he originally wanted.  Sometimes God has a better plan than we do.  Trusting in his provision and guidance.  

Blueberry Hodgepodge And Fasting

 1. What's something you enjoy now that your younger self would never have appreciated? 

Getting up early.  As a child I stayed up late, even if it was laying in bed because of my early bedtime - I was still awake and thinking of how I couldn't wait to be an adult where I can make my own rules and set my own bedtime.  Now I enjoy going to bed early-ish and waking up early.  The morning before the sun comes up offers a gentle quietness that I once took for granted.  

2. What was peaceful about today? 

I woke up early and sat outside with my Bible, prayer journal and spoke intentional prayers to the Lord.  We have found ourselves in a tough situation and today I am joining others in prayer and fasting.  The sounds of the birds chirping as the sun rose from behind where I was sitting and hearing gentle whispers of assurance from the Lord was absolutely peaceful.  

3. It's National Blueberry Day (July 8). Will you celebrate?  You can have one of the following right now-a slice of blueberry pie, a warm blueberry muffin, or a stack of blueberry pancakes...which do you choose?

Oh goodness!  What a wonderful time to be fasting (sarcasm).  Blueberries aren't my most favorite of fruits but I do enjoy a blueberry muffin or blueberry pancakes.  No pie, no thank you.

Last night I made this Blueberry Cake I found on Pinterest.  

We had some for dessert, as you can see, and it's delicious.  Unfortunately, due to fasting, we won't be enjoying it today.  I'll indulge tomorrow.  

This or that-blueberries or raspberries? blueberries or strawberries? Strawberries

4. Do you need a break? From what? 

I am in the midst of a work break right now, all thanks for being part of a school district and having summers off.  The break is much needed as it gives me that opportunity to wake up when I want and move slowly through the day.  It also gives me quality time with the children.  

5. What has surprised you most about getting older? 

The fact that it's not as thrilling as I thought it would be.  As a child I told my mom I could not wait to grow up and now at 47 years old I realize that adulthood isn't all it's cracked up to be.  I mean, there's so much good in it, yes, but there's also a lot of stress and unpredictability.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Today I am joining my son and the staff and students of the University of Valley Forge in a day of prayer and fasting.  My son is enrolled and ready to attend next month.  When he visited months ago he felt the Spirit moving in the place, immediately found a connection with the cross-country team that accepted him, and found the staff to be incredibly kind and filled with wanting to serve God.  He already has many friends, met his roommate, saw his dorm room and a schedule of classes ready to go.  I have been so happy to see him moving in this direction.  But maybe it was all too good to be true?  We have recently found out that due to financial reasons they may be forced to shut down.  As of now they are open and moving towards finding a way through it.  In this time of uncertainty, we are asking for God's provision.  If you are a believer, I ask if you could please say a prayer - even just a quick one.  I believe God is the God of miracles and UVF definitely needs a miracle right now.  

Thank you Joyce for this week's Hodgepodge 

Celebrating 250 Years of America

 I hope you all had a fun and eventful Independence Day but more importantly, I hope you were able to take some time to reflect on how amazing this country is and how lucky we are to have so much freedom.  I thank God for allowing me to be an American every single day.  To be an American is not a right, but a privilege - and a privilege I will never take for granted.  

Sure, she's not perfect and it's easy to get wrapped up in all of the things we hear surrounding us that feel as though we are quickly being divided but it's also easy to focus on the fact that, even in those moments, we are still the best nation around.  We have the freedom to live as we do.  We have the freedom to feel as we do.  This country is what it is because of the men who believed the importance of being one nation under God.  I am grateful.  

Our Independence Day started with the kids doing a 5-mile run.  I'm not sure how they did it but they did.  My son, along with my husband and I, have been fighting a bad cold for over a week now.  Yet, he still insisted on running.  With the sickness and the heat he did not do as well as he knew he could but he still made the top 10.  I'm proud of them both.    

We opted out of having family over for a barbecue this year because, well, three of us have been sick.  But Brianna made us these yummy cookies to celebrate.  

Then she went next door to celebrate with her best friend and family at their party.  We heard the fireworks until 11pm.  I stole this picture from her friend's Instagram because it's too cute.  I'm glad she had a good time.  

While she was next door I suggested we take a drive to Gettysburg to give Matthew something to do.  It was just the three of us and right before making it to the battlefield it started to pour so we took the auto tour.  The storm moved in quickly, causing a lot of down trees and power outages in the area but thankfully, the rain broke the terrible heatwave.  

Then we stopped for some ice cream.  

On Sunday we headed to church to hear our pastor give an awesome patriotic sermon.  Ever year our church puts a lot of emphasis on celebrating our country for Independence Day.  Then we were back for the evening service and a firework show after.  The church's firework display is the best I've ever seen.  Unfortunately, it was raining and storming so we had to wait a bit before they started the show.  The pastor was determined to make it happen, despite the weather.  So we stood in the rain and watched the fireworks.  It was still beautiful.  Grateful to be part of a church that refuses to let the enemy win ... but we do think of the rain as a blessing because we were drying out to the point of a burn ban.  

I wish we could have done more celebrating for the big 250th year but it was enough.  With the three of us fighting something terrible there really wasn't much that could be done.  

Now we are back to Monday and a week ahead that may be filled with more rain.  At least it's a break from the excruciating triple digit heat.  I've always been a summer girl but the older I get the harder it is to be in this heat for a long period of time.  That makes me sad because it was always my favorite time of the year.  

Hello Heatwave

 Happy July!  We are starting it with a triple digit heatwave here in south-central Pennsylvania.   How about where you live?  I'll be staying in the air conditioning fighting what I hope is the end of what has been a terrible cold.  

I forgot to share the strawberry moon from the end of June.  Did you see it?  My hubby captured it with our new Cannon camera.  I love anything that involves space.  

Yesterday, at the start of the heatwave we took a trip to Baltimore.   The Orioles were playing my husband's team, the Chicago White Sox.  It was miserably hot and there were moments I thought about passing out but we survived.  

The Orioles won, though.  

Then we headed to the Towson Mall to walk around.  None of us bought anything except for Auntie Annes, which we've established is a requirement for any and all trips to the mall.  Yummy pretzels and lemonade. 

I'm not sure where my kids get their quirky weirdness from.  

In the Macy's is a small section of Toys R Us.  That store was a huge part of my childhood and my childrens.  It was sad when they closed but also a relief because it caused my dad to stop spoiling them with more toys than we had room for.

And that was our first adventure for July.  The next few days we'll be keeping cool indoors.  Hoping the rain holds off for the weekend of celebration for America's 250th.  

I would also like to ask for prayers for my new friend Tiara.  She's a homeless girl in Baltimore who asked if we could buy her lunch.  She said she had nothing to eat in 4 days.  It's not for me to judge or question her sincerity, especially on a day that was so hot.  She's been in my heart and prayers since.  

Moments From June

 My son ran into the house to tell me there was a toad in the backyard that our dog was trying to catch.  so I moved this little guy to the front flower bed where he went on to live a life safe from the husky (or it's a she, I can't tell).  

My kids enjoyed a week of teen camp with the other teens from our church.  They grew closer to those teens while making friends from different churches.  They heard sermons, sang songs, ate food that my daughter said was gross, played games and went swimming.  Some kids were saved.  I screenshot this picture from a video my church posted.  It was supposed to be something silly Bri was doing with friends.  She took her hair straightener and interviewed some of the teens and asked them what their favorite part about camp was.  These are my two.  I'm glad they had that experience and I'm glad, as much as I missed them, to have a week of quietness in the home.  

Rob wanted to get rid of a bunch of old paperwork so we decided to have a fire one night.  It was a pretty impressive fire until an unexpected rainfall came down.  

While the kids were away at camp I was chicken sitting for a friend while they were at the beach.  For the first few days I could not find any eggs until discovering the little nesting box tucked away in the corner.  I forgot she mentioned about that.  So, I had plenty of eggs to take home.  

And that's about it.  Seriously.  The month of June has been relaxing, peaceful and boring as my kids would say.  My daughter started cross-country practice so that's been taking up a few hours/three times a week.  They went to a friend's graduation party.  My husband has been working.  I've been hanging out at home.  The month ended with my daughter getting sick, then my husband, then me, and now Matthew.  Ugh!  It's been a terrible cold.  

Tomorrow starts July and the calendar is filling up.  My kids like doing things and I feel bad when we don't make that happen.  By the end of next month I should have several, more entertaining, pictures to share.  

Goodbye June!  

Breaking Generational Curses

 

I look at these two little ones with a heart that pangs with feelings of missing them just like this.  When they were sweet and innocent, unaware that the big world around them was filled with heartbreaks and challenges.  Before they experienced bullies who took away their joy and before worrying about knowing all the information to pass the next test.  When imagination ran wild while playing with either dolls and trucks.  When our days were spent borrowing books from the library and playing at the park.  When the hugs and "I love you, Mommy" were constant.  

The lady behind the camera was someone who promised she'd be the kind of mother who brought unconditional love and peace in her home instead of the chaos she grew up in.  She wanted nothing more than to create an environment in the home where they experienced kindness and felt comfort.  She did okay with it but also made plenty of mistakes and finds herself currently consumed with thoughts of all those mistakes with wishes of being able to go back and have another try.  

Unfortunately, I can't go back.  God did not design life to be that way.  I hope one day these two can look back on their lives and know that their mother tried, really, really tried.  And I hope they succeed at doing so much better than I ever could in their own lives and with their children.  

Lazy Days of Summer

 

Look at this girl all snuggled up.  That pretty much sums up what the month of June has been for me.  Slow, quiet, lazy and relaxed.

In the mornings after Rob leaves for work and while the kids are still sleeping I take a cup of coffee on the back deck with my Bible and spend some time reading, praying and reflecting.  One of the benefits of my job is having the summer off and I just love how it gives me a chance to go at a slower pace.  

We do have a lot of fun things scheduled for the rest of the summer but for June it's been full of rest.  My kids get bored but I enjoy the days that aren't so full.  Today Rob and my son headed to his college for a new student orientation day.  My daughter and I are at home relaxing and she wants to do some crafts with me later and she may get a chance to visit her friend for swimming.  The day will be good.  There is cleaning to be done, as usual, and it will be done slowly but surely.  

I hope you are all enjoying the lazy, hazy days of summer, too.  Even if you aren't a summer person like I am, I do hope you find peace within these days.  God bless!  

Father's Day Recap

 

Good Monday morning!

Another week is upon us.  The last full one of June.  Summer has been off to a relaxing start.  The kids are back from camp and had a great time but are still catching up on the sleep that had been lost.  I'm starting Monday on the deck with a cup of coffee and the sounds of birds around me.  I'm going to catch up on my daily Bible app because I'm a few days behind and then it's a day of typical chores.  

I hope the men in your lives had a great Father's Day.  Our day was busy but I did make a breakfast casserole in the crockpot and chili in the crockpot for dinner.  We had church, then took a trip to see my dad for a few hours, then to evening service.   The evening was spent at home eating and opening gifts.  My husband deserves more than I can give him and I'm blessed to have him as the dad to my children.   

Happy Father's Day, Rob!  Thanks for working hard and stressing yourself out so your family can have a home and all that's in it.  Thank you for showing our children what a man of God looks like.  I love you! 

On Saturday night we enjoyed a fire with some smores until an unexpected rainfall came down.  It was a great weekend.  Busy but great.  

Dam Hiking and Chickens

 We made it to Wednesday and it's day three of camp for my kids.  I hope they are having fun!  We'll be going to church tonight for Bible study so hopefully I can get an update from the pastor.  

I have been cleaning and reorganizing and I also had to take a 6 hour driving training course for work, and I broke that into two days.  It's kept me from doing more of what I wanted to around the house but I wanted to get it done while the kids aren't here.  At the end I had to take an exam and I got 100 percent.  

Today I took a break and visited my husband for lunch.  Just down the street from his work is this man made dam.  

It took a little bit of a hike to get there.  

We were joined by a dragonfly.  

I've been watching my friend's chickens while they are away at the beach.  I always wanted chickens and now I know what it is like.  They are messy but easy to care for.  They are also quite inquisitive.  

And they leave plenty of eggs.  She said I can keep what they hatch.  This isn't even all of them.  

Back when egg prices were high they decided to get chickens.  I truly wish we could have them but not on my property.  It's not allowed.  Maybe if ever we do get another house we can get one not in a neighborhood.  

Tomorrow Rob is taking off work and Friday I will be going over to my parents house and the kids will be home by that evening.  I can't wait to hear all about their experience at camp.  

A Week Without Kids

 Good afternoon and Happy Monday.  Before I talk about what's going on today I'll give a recap on what was a fun weekend.

On Friday night our church had a drive-in movie night featuring The Forge.  It's a movie we had already seen but the intent of the night was to help the teens raise money for their camp.  Camp was $300 per teen.  They had a car wash that took the cost down to $150 for each teen and this was to hopefully help with the rest.  While our teens worked Rob and I sat in the back of his Ford Escape.

There were a lot of technical difficulties and the movie ended up having to be displayed on this television screen.  They started the movie before the sun went down so it was hard to see but once the sun went down it was fine.  Like I said, Rob and I already saw this movie so it was no big deal to us.  We were there for the teens.

Then when we left we caught this gorgeous sunset from the back of the church.  God's design is so breathtaking.  

On Saturday Bri and I went to see the recital for the dance company she had moved to last year.  This year she decided not to go back.  Giving up dance was a tough decision for her and I could tell how heartbroken and regretful she was while watching.  It could have been her on that stage.  It felt weird having her in the audience with me.  But she's thriving with cross-country and marching band.  She can't do it all and that's what's frustrating.  

Also, my friend and her family took a trip this week to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and she asked if I could take care of their chickens.  I have no experience with chickens but she showed me everything and it seemed simple enough.  I've been going there in the morning, afternoon and at night.  So far so good. 

And this morning I dropped the kids off to the church for camp.  I'm not sure if they arrived yet but I am praying it will be an uplifting week for them and that their hearts and minds are open to hearing God's word.  I also pray that friendships will be built.  Last year at camp really changed Matthew.  He decided from there to dedicate his life to serving the Lord and it's been amazing to see how strong his faith is growing.  I have been wishing and praying my daughter gets that experience this year.  They will be back Friday evening.  I miss them already but am taking this time to get the house clean and organized.  It's easier without distraction.  My husband and I will have the evenings together and it will be nice to be able to focus solely on our marriage without the distraction of being parents.  

An exciting thing, is the other day I received an unexpected Facebook message from a cousin I had not talked to in years.  In fact, she was a baby the last time I saw her and now she's grown with three children of her own.  My uncle left his marriage and gave up the responsibility of fatherhood as well.  None of us were happy about that.  At the time she was a baby and her older sister was a very small child.  I was at the hospital with my grandma when her sister was born.  I feel so bad for what happened.  She wanted to reach out to members of his side of the family and start a relationship with us, which I am thrilled with.  For years none of us knew where my uncle was living and he died a few years ago.  He was my godfather and my dad's youngest sibling.  They didn't have a relationship either.  I did forgive him and pray his daughters and my father can do the same.  

Time to get back to the cleaning.  I have goals for this week to get through a lot of what I don't get to usually.  But don't worry, there will be time for relaxation and fun too.  Have a great week!  

Gardening and Life With a Husky

 Good afternoon, friends and HAPPY FRIDAY!  

This is the first Friday of my summer break and I am enjoying the slower paced mornings.  Today my husband took off work to get some college loans started but right now he took our son to his foot doctor appointment.  My daughter is hanging out in her bedroom.  I remember the days of being a teenagers and keeping myself trapped in my bedroom for some peace.  Tonight the church is doing a drive in movie to collect the rest of the money needed for teen camp next week.  My kids will be working it and on their way to camp on Monday.  They enjoyed it last year.  

Here is just a random picture of my little indoor herb garden.  It's growing successfully but in desperate need of being transferred to bigger pots  Basil, oregano and mint.  I've never been much of a green thumb but doing good with these.  

Brooke had an annual checkup at the vet on Wednesday.  Before the appointment I took her on a walk in the park to get her energy out and it worked.  She had to be muzzled while getting 3 vaccines and a tick removed from her back.  She was a trooper, though.  

And yesterday was her Gotcha Day!  3 years ago we rescued her from the kennel.  I had an immediate regret, wondering if a husky was the right fit for us but over time I realized she's exactly what we needed.  She's bigger than I'm used to but she's gentle and an absolute sweetheart.  The one thing about huskies is they can be pretty stubborn and only do things on their terms.  

I was also excited to see some progress in my garden.  I'm not sure if you can spot some of the grape tomatoes.  They have not turned red yet but I'm excited for what's to come.  It's a small garden with only grape tomatoes, beef steak tomatoes, orange bell peppers and red lunch box peppers.  

It's been so hot here in Pennsylvania, reaching up to the 90s in the last few days with some scattered thunderstorms.  I love summertime but this has been a bit much.  

Enjoy the weekend ahead.  Stay cool!  

Monday, Monday

 I spy with my little eyes ...

Life in the garden.  

Can you spot the pepper?  There are tomatoes appearing too.  I was a little late to get it all planted this year so it's surprising to see.   

This morning I gassed up the school van and did the morning run.  Tomorrow is the last day for this school so the van will need washed and vacuumed before its return to the garage.  Then my summer officially begins.  After work I went to the store to get some things and bought some donuts and juice for the kids.  They woke up to the surprise.   

Saturday I watched my mom while dad went to an emergency dentist appointment.   She wasn't having a good day and that's typical for Alzheimer's.   Her neurologist put in a referral for a home care group to start coming in to help but they are backed up for several months so I'm praying they can soon help.  My dad can use the help and I, the only family in Pennsylvania, can only do so much.  

Well,  that's the update on this warm Monday morning.   Laundry is calling.  

Starting Summer with Horses

 We made it to Friday from a week that felt like it was taking forever.  Did you feel that too?  My kids are on summer vacation but the school I drive for still has until next Tuesday.  So, we really haven't done anything fun yet but yesterday since the school had an early dismissal I took the kids to their dad's work to have lunch.

His job is tough but the scenery is beautiful.  The building sits on the owner's property and farm.  There are horses everywhere.  We ate lunch next to this friendly guy.  

Then took a walk around a small part of the property.  It's peaceful and looks like a dream.  As I think about how lucky the owners are to have such an amazing business on this beautiful land it did take them a lot of hard work to get all of this.  The work part I could live without (ha ha) but to be able to live on this much beautiful acreage has to feel like quite a blessing.  

 

My daughter had received an offer for something that feels like an answered prayer and a wonderful opportunity but we decided to allow her to make the decision and it's a difficult one for her.  So many pros and cons will come along with whatever decision she makes.  If you could please pray for her on this decision we would appreciate that.  

The weekend is among us and I've been waiting for it.  Saturday morning my father needs me to watch my mom and Sunday is for church.  Today will reach 90 degrees so I'm grateful to have finished the mowing for the week.  I cannot wait to get summer vacation kicked into full gear.