Blessings

Step Right In

| lillmi

1986.  The house was quiet when I arrived home. I opened a little Coors light and flipped on the TV. Then, the mailman called. We talked about the weather (it was hot) and the rain (it was muggy) and about mowing the yard.  That phone call lasted for two hours and two minutes, but it seemed like two minutes.  He asked me out, and to make a long story, short…  we REALLY liked one another.

Here’s the tricky part.  Children. Children of a previous marriage. Children of a previous marriage – on both sides.  And, a couple that fell head-over-heels in love and fascination — all in two weeks!

What fun we had trying to plan “dates” around “kid-weekends” (they were opposite weekends).

Most of the “dates” consisted of picnics, fishing trips, dinners at McDonalds – you know the kind of things kids love to do.  A few dates were actually in adult venue’s… but not many. With two full time jobs and 4 step children, we had a great adventure!

I hope you’ll enjoy the visit. Ask some questions-cause we’ve been there. I hope to share our family with you and want you to share your “step” adventures with me. So, Step In, and join the fun!

Morning Retreat

| lillmi

I love the new routine!

Wake when I choose, go through the usual morning stuff on the way to the kitchen and grab that glistening bottle of water I left on the cabinet last night.  I set it out at night to let it warm to room temperature. The rest of the day, I LOVE a cold bottle… but first… it needs to be room temperature.

Tear open some green nutrition and head for the great outdoor retreat (my office). Yes, the “office” has become the retreat instead of the cave I once enjoyed. Can you believe that?

I actually ENJOYED the cave.  It was a place of quiet contemplation, pouring over numbers and opportunities (they call it) for improvement. THAT desk was piled high in notes, books, reports and half-filled bottles of water.  I answered every issue and opportunity with positive encouragement and recommendations, and some guidance.

 

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Today’s retreat is a little different.  Green all around me.  Crickets and locusts singing and an occasional helicopter taking someone for much needed care.  The sun is gentle from this point of view thanks to the shade of the beautiful trees!  They lock branches to keep the sun filtered and the air cool. The grass needs mowing, as we’ve been blessed with an abundant amount of rain this season.  God’s blessings are right in front of me. I don’t even have to look for them or imagine what He may have meant for me to see. This miracle of nature that I call my office is provided, just for me!

 

Sometime before I go in, I’ll answer emails, send a few messages and check my blog for private messages. I’ll finish writing this and pack up the car for tomorrow’s event.  Two more people to check on and I’m done.   The rest of the day belongs to me.

My morning simplicity makes the day go well. As a friend shared … “doing the things that makes her heart sing!”

Off to the piano… work is done for the day!   What makes your heart sing?

 

Blessings

| lillmi

Today I asked my friend how she was doing.  She said, “I’m Blessed”.  I’m accustomed to hearing the usual… “fine, thanks”… “great, how are you”, and plain ‘ole “ok”. I can almost tell you who will respond in which manner because they are my friends and co-workers and we begin everyday in this manner.  With coffee in hand, we make our way to our offices and chit chat about the evening before or share the latest gossip… always beginning with “morning… how are you”.  And, responding… “great, how are you”.  The sentences never just end with talk about oneself, but express genuine  interest in the other person.  

Lately, more and more people have decided they need to tell me that they are “blessed”.   And not “I’m blessed, how are you?”… or “blessed… are you ok today”?   Just “blessed”.  Rather self centered, don’t you think? 

Do they do that to make me know that they have more money, a bigger house, or fancier car than me? Or do they say that to demonstrate that  they are closer to God than me… or, maybe, it’s  to make me feel like I’m behind in the newest lingo?

I always thought being blessed was when God looked down with favor. I guess I didn’t learn to tell everyone about it.  I was taught that it was rude to brag about our possessions or good fortune.  Maybe, if they answered that they were Blessed, but then expressed a little bit of interest in me…  I’d be blessed by their attention!