Another Joy in the small things post!

Today would be one of those days, I just don't want to focus on Joy and Thanksgiving!  Let me call it quits.  60 posts, almost 400 items (between two tabs) is good enough, right?  Just a bah humbug type of mood!

The thing is, the more you dwell on anything, good or bad, it becomes a habit, a way of thinking.  Dwell on the negative to long and it almost becomes a pit to hard to get out of.

Given that, came over here, to scrap out a few joyful things, things to be thankful for.  Not a whole lot to write about at first, really thought it would be just one, but here's my list:

• ladies, on a homeschooling board, sharing good wisdom.  Not bothered by the load of questions asked or how to handle something.  They are not showing signs of feeling drained by my questions of help.
• phone call from a local friend to check in on how I am doing
• SNAIL MAIL ~  wow, that alone speaks volumes.  Someone took time to go buy a card AND write a message in it AND look up my address AND sign it.  It is a dying art and I am truly thankful when someone does that for me.  It's not over looked.
• seeing the numbers go down on the scale ~ thing it's about 43 pounds on the scale.  For once I do not weigh significantly more than my husband.  I am sure I will loose more as I recoup from surgery
• learning to plan ahead, both in events and meals ~ it saves time and frustration later
• great exchange of homeschooling ideas on Face Book
• kid seeing his savings account grow by choosing not spend, but save instead

There, 7 things without to much effort!  What can you come up with to be thankful for!  Would you share, in the comments?  A link to your own blog post, a picture, a phrase.  Let's share in the good things in life!

Sharing in other's Joy

Some days, it is just hard to find your own joy.  It's easier to see other's joy and rejoice with them.   That is what I've seen and experienced, in Face book, of all places, over the last couple days.  Because the bible encourages us to rejoice with others, even when we may be down, sad, or whatever, I will do my best to do the same.  Below are the two passages I was thinking of.

and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says,

‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

Luke 15:6

And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says,

‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 

Luke 15:9

So, you may be wondering what I read that made be rejoice with others.  Here is what I've read:

1. A blog post, by a friend Christen, who blog/journals thankfulness as well.  Read here if you care.
2. Secondly, a friend on face book, wrote a great tribute to his father, our churches Children's Pastor.  It was a wonderful read to see a child honor their parent!

I will rejoice with these friends as they see the good in their lives!

Reflections on Joy

One day I may get back to blogging about joy and country, just not sure when.  Very random thoughts on Joy lately, over the last few days.  I am finding there is always something to be thankful about, to be joyful about.  It really should not be to hard to find a few.  Here are some of what has been running through my head:

• actually having had a C-Section with youngest kid almost 12 years ago.  The memories of how to get out of bed, from that, served me well over the last few days
• enjoying vegetables is a good thing, when in a liquid/soft food diet
• kids that are trying to get along
• a husband who is picking up the "slack" that I've been dropping the last few days
• cool weather so we can have the windows open
• enjoying just vegging

Joy Through Color ~ Again!!!

Color can be a beautiful thing, in rainbows, sunsets or sunrises.  For me, there are times when it is to much, for example, some of the new Vera Bradley are to bold for me.

While I am slow moving, from surgery, I am trying to use the time wisely and get caught up on personal devotions.  I forget, possibly to easily, what a color person I am when it come to my highlighters and pens!  I would drop everything to find the one missing.  To pick out just one or two colors is a challenge for me.

I'll leave you with a picture of my colorful stash of pens and highlighters ~ my joyful thing that is helping me learn and apply the bible.

Just plan JOY!!

Home from surgery!  Feeling a bit sore and tired.  Thankful for some pre-cooked meals, thankful for Kevin helping out.  Thankful for Kevin's parents helping out yesterday.

Thankful for my own bed and clothing that doesn't leave a draft up the backside!

I will get back to writing longer thankful and joyful posts.  For today, this will have to be good enough.

Joy Through Friendship

Hard to describe this post, other than friendship.   Today, I'll be having surgery to repair a hiatal hernia.  Google if you care to know more.  It has not been a fun road figuring out all that has been going on over the last year.  Only bright side is that I have lost almost 40 pounds as a result!

Anyway, the joy behind all of this is that, I have friends who keep wanting to make sure we have meals covered.  I've been able to coordinate the boys getting to co-op, their class pictures being taken even if I forget about the forms, a point of contact while they are at co-op, my class being covered, other friends sending in prayer requests.  Many friends are looking out for me through actions and prayer.  I am truly blessed by these ladies and love them greatly!

Thank you friends, you know who you are!

Joy Through Country ~ Blankets

Just a quick blog post today.  Crazy busy with a crazier day tomorrow (there may or may not be a post tomorrow!)

Blankets ~  a wonderful thing.  I've sewn, surged, knit, and bought many blankets in my adult life.  Lost track of how many.  Know I've made a few for our boys.  There are a couple different styles, though, that speak a bit more "country" to me than the others.

First, years ago, I bought fleece in three shades.  One is red with black bears and other things on it.  A blue with darker blue bears on it.  The third is green, with darker green evergreens running down the side.  Our boys have claimed the blue and green ones and are part of their winter bedding.

The two blankets that came to mind, for this post, are the woven kind, usually with at least two colors, if not upwards of 6.  I was given a blue and white one, just before college that says "All Things Bright and Beautiful"; loved this during college as it made home feel a bit closer.  Another one has a variety of cows on it.  Yet another, I just remembered has sunflowers on in.  Think it has been packed away with a spring quilt I haven't used in awhile.

Another favorite country thing ~ blankets!