Fun times

So our family was suppose to meet up at the zoo this past Saturday. It was yucky weather and Olivia was not feeling 100% so we went to plan B. Plan B was meet at a mall in a central location and hang out and have lunch. We did and it was fun. We laughed and kissed Olivia, shopped and kissed Olivia, ate and kissed Olivia, looked at the pet store and kissed Olivia. You get the picture. Since we were close to a good barbecue place we all ate dinner together and then parted and went our different directions. A spur of the moment plan but oh so fun to be with family and friends.

beach

So Alisha asked me since I wasn't working to go to the beach with her while she was on her spring break. Hey, I am up for whatever these days. My life is an adventure. So I got us a place to stay(for free). Not the Hilton mind you, but free! Emily had a few days off too, so we went. It was a little chilly as you can see from the picture. Not the summer lay in your bathing suit type weather, but it was fun. We shopped and walked and slept and watched movies and ate donuts and had good food. It was fun mother daughter time. My only regret is that Sheila couldn't come. Life is a gift. I love it.

Easter

Easter is here! I love this time of year. I love spring and the flowers and the sunshine and the trees getting buds. It all reflects new life. How appropriate that we celebrate the Lord's ressurection during the spring season. New Life! That is what we have when we believe in his birth, death and ressurection. I am grateful for the cross, and the empty tomb! How about you?

Time for work?

I honestly don't know how this happens, but I am not working right now, although I am spending a lot of time on the computer looking for jobs and faxing my resume etc. I have so much that seems needing to be done around the house. How did it get done when I was working full time? I DON'T KNOW!!!! I have errands to run, like grocery shopping, shopping for wedding and shower gifts. The list goes on and on. I guess because I am around here, I notice the things that need doing. I told you in my last blog about the yard work. That is always a given in the spring. I have my normal cleaning and then I am also doing some sorting and giving away. When Alisha moved out it sort of pushed me to clean and organize. It seems like it is a never ending process, or maybe it is just because I move things from one room to the next and then I have to eventually deal with the junk. I hate junk. As I have aged, I have really purged my stuff. I emptied the attic for the most part(there is still more stuff) I cleaned out my closet, and things that I don't use much I am really getting to the point that if I haven't looked at it in a year I am giving it to Goodwill or someone who needs it. I am even to the point of selling most of my precious moments. If you are looking to buy some or all of them, let me know. I have given lots of stuff to the girls when they moved out. It is quite freeing. If you have trouble letting go of stuff that you don't even know you have, just take the plunge and let it go. It feels SO good! Plus it can help others greatly. What can be better than that?!! God didn't create us to live here and be stingy. If He has blessed us with so much that we cant even use it all, that is probably a sign that you should bless someone else who needs it.

Unemployed

Here's what happens when you are unemployed! You start making work for yourself!!!!

working hard?

I have been having a very nice time not working, but as I am home more, I see all the things that need doing. I am turning into a crazy woman. I cut down these huge bushes that are now as big as trees. They line the back yard and were so overgrown. Tom and I did half last year. I started to work on the other half. I have them cut down mostly, but I still have to cut them into manageable sizes for the city to haul them away. That seems to be the most work. Tom and I are gonna work on it together tomorrow. (His day off) The spring weather always gets me in the mood to do this kind of yard work. I pray for rain this year our lawn took a beating last summer. Anyway, I am enjoying my hard work for no pay!

Life is a gift

What a special Gift God has given me in my granddaughter Olivia

And Olivia's mom

And aunt Alisha

And her Aunt Emily

We have so much fun together as a family. Laughter is ultimate, Eating is important, sharing time is so awesome. Shopping is good too!

Back in town

I am back. I had a wonderful trip home to visit family. It was cold and I worked helping my brother in the barn and hoisted up my muscle performance a little. (carrying heavy milk pails to the bulk tank) I made some meals for my parents and brothers and played lots of games and took lots of naps. I visited some friends and just enjoyed looking at the farm where I grew up. I walked in the snow and breathed the fresh air. I enjoyed the sunsets and sunrises. In the city you dont see them most often. I feel renewed and refreshed even though I am a bit tired. I feel that I have a new perspective. I have to find a job and I know I will. It's not a race and it's not the end of the world if I dont find one today. I am embracing the farm life attitude of slow down, take time to talk and play, enjoy some laughter, and eat yourself silly!

MINNESOTA

Guess What! I am in Minnesota and out in the country on my parents farm is not much chance to see what's happening in cyberspace. I went into town and thought after a week, that I need coffee. I went to the Coffee Company. (only coffee shop in town, that I can find) They have internet. I am sipping a white chocolate mocha, decaf and surfing the net. Life is good.

job hunt

Here I am today looking for a job. I have my first interview in 15 years. I dont really know how this works anymore, but I am doing a group interview. (Whatever the heck that is) I wonder if I have to wrestle all the other prospective job hunters. Maybe we do rock, paper, scissors. Who knows. I dont, but I thought this would be a good opportunity to brush up on my interviewing skills.

Last night our pastor talked about being patient. I think he may have been talking directly to me. He also said do not SETTLE. Be patient and wait on God. I know he was talking to me. I dont have a job, but God sees my future and I am sure it has a great job for me otherwise maybe I will inherit a big sum of money and wont have to work.

So here I go........

Life can change at any moment

I have had a little time to reflect on change. I am recently unemployed due to a lay off from my most recent job of 6 months. For 14 years before that I was at the same job. I felt like I needed a change and God seemed to open the door for my most recent job. Now 6 months later I am unemployed and it is a very strange feeling. I am free to do whatever I want with my time and yet I feel imprisoned in many ways. I probably wouldnt have to go to work, but our finances would be very tight until college is payed for. So I have to say" God what are you doing? Why do I find myself in this position. Did I make a mistake when I thought you were leading me to take this last job, or is this all part of a bigger plan to get me from point A to point C?" I dont know. For now I have to trust God. I know I always have to trust Him but it just becomes more evident when my life is certainly out of my control. I wish I could see down the road and know that this job thing has a good ending, but then in a way maybe it would scare me to see the end results. So the days that I thought my life was so routine are over. I have no idea what tomorrow will hold for me. I guess we never do. Life can change at any moment and then you think "WOW " how did I get here?

"O" my

Need I say more!
Calling Grammy

Auntie Alisha

Me and mom

Auntie Emily

Poem from my sister

As I said in my earlier blog people have always made my birthday special here is a poem my sister wrote for me to celebrate my birthday.

Poem for my treasured sister, SHARON BURGER, on her birthday

Sister of mine is kind and dear,
Heart for God each day of the year.
Always thoughtful and so sweet,
Ready hands and willing feet.
One in a million, she is treasured
Never could her worth be measured.

Born this day when I was ten
Unique and special she's been since then.
Really a dear sister and beautiful too,
Good-natured and fun, pretty through and through.
Each day I thank God for a sister so dear
Remembered especially this day of the year.

Love from Janette for me. I love her!

My birth

Today is my birthday. I have always loved my birthday. For some reason it has always been special because people I love have always seemed to make such a great effort to make is so. When I was young my mom did things to make me feel like I was the most special one to ever be born. My friends would always do neat things for me. Then when I married Tom I hit the jackpot, because gift giving is his love language so I have always reaped the benefits of that. He has planned trips, gotten me flowers, taken me on great dinners and given me amazing gifts. My girls now that they are grown make a great effort to remember me on my day. I am so blessed to be born and chosen of God. My parents didnt abort me just because they had already 6 children. I love my day, January 31st. Last day of the first month. In the dead of winter how fun to have a special day to look forward to. God thank you for giving me life, salvation and alot of other extra's that I appreciate and thank you for. Happy Birthday to me!

Friday

Today is friday and that means the beginning of the weekend. I cant wait for it to begin. My family will all be together and I look forward to that very much. As the girls have grown up and moved away and become adults, I treasure the time I have with them. We dont have to do anything special, just being together is special. Eating a meal. Laughing and telling stories and remembering funny things from the past and maybe if I get my way playing a game or two. Watching Olivia do the newest things that she has learned is always a good form of entertainment. We can sit for hours and enjoy that. What a blessing family is. God sure knew what He was doing when he made the family! I hope your weekend will be as special as mine.

Feelings

How is it that feelings change so radically in me lately? Sometimes I feel on top of the world and sometimes I feel at the bottom of the food chain! As a believer I know that I should have joy all the time and for the most part I do. I dont however have happiness all the time. I have come to find out that when I am feeling down and like everything is wrong, I need to encourage myself in the Lord just as David did when everyone in Israel was against him. How do I do that?.....I start to praise God for all that He has done for me. I start to name and thank God all the blessings that I have seen and experienced in my life. It doesnt take more than a minute before I am back on top again. Not that I stay there, but at least I have a better perspective. Oh that I could live in that thankfulness and happiness all the time. For anyone reading this, please pray for me a spirit of joy and thankfulness all the time.

You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy!
Psalm 16:11

chicken soup

What is it about Chicken Soup that seems to make your worst day good. I made soup today for my sick Alisha. I know that it has been said that Chicken soup can heal your body. I think it can also heal your attitude and I like how it warms me up. So here's to chicken soup!

A mind at peace

A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh. Proverbs 14:30

Put your burdens in the Lord's hands and you will have a mind at peace and as a result your body will be healthy.

Anne of Green Gables

Over the last few days of Emily's break we broke out the old VHS movie of Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea. If you have never watched these wonderful films, you need to. They will make you laugh,cry, wonder and imagine. It is clean viewing and such and inspiration for anyone of any age. It inspires me every time I watch it. I wish there were more films made like these.