Thankful Thursday.. February 27, 2014

"It doesn't matter who you used to be, it only matters who you are right now."  So thankful that my "history" didn't keep me from "His story".

"...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Cor 5:17)

Thankful Thursday February 20th

Thankful today for my husband.  Thoughtful and hardworking.

Hardworking:  He works hard all week to provide for us, and when he gets home he does what needs to be done around the homestead.  For instance, he went to work today as usual and when he arrived back home he went to work clearing all the roofs of snow before the rain and freezing mix comes tonight. 

Thoughtful:  These last couple of days I've been finding little handwritten notes.  "Hi.  I love you" on my pillow, and "Nice!!  I love you!" on the kitchen counter after dinner, and "I love you!" on the dining room table.  <3 br=""> 
Blessed!  Loved!  Encouraged!  Thankful!  That is how I feel tonight.

Another thankful Thursday....

Last Thursday, I posted a status on Facebook...  "Have a "Thankful Thursday"! That's my plan...", and Michelle ran with the idea of blogging her thoughts on the thankful Thursday theme.  I loved her blog, and even thought it would be a good idea to blog on it as well.  I have had many say to me that they are thankful for so much that they wouldn't know where to begin...  So, I am going to sit here and blog about what I am thankful for...  some are silly, some are thoughtful, some create memories...  So here we go, I hope you enjoy my thoughts.

I am thankful for so much, you know, we all say we are thankful for food, shelter, warm homes...  all of that, and I am thankful for all of that and so much more, but I am thankful for some of the things in my home that go unnoticed or taken for granted maybe.  I am thankful for what they are, what they do, what they remind me of, memories and laughter....  here are some pictures of those things that have made me smile and reminisce.

The dog door Dad added to the back door of the "homestead", that the dogs never used.  It is still there, and every time I look at it I smile.  I see a face, 2 little eyes, a nose, and a mouth.  It just makes me smile, that surprised look staring back at me.

And I am sure that not to many people have one of these in there home, or that is used.  We do...  and I can remember Mom sitting at the kitchen table with her coffee chatting away with one of her sisters and laughing famously.

The shelf that Dad built for Mom to display her S&P shaker sets.  Now displaying the treasures she had hidden away in the cupboard.  Only pulling out for special occasions.

The very little gas stove that I cook on and in.  24" of faithfulness to this kitchen.  There have been many delicious meals and baked goodies cooked and baked on and in this "little" wonder.  And many pots of water heated for coffee, cocoa or tea as we gathered around the table for meals or games. 

A beautiful framed needlepoint handed down through the years.  Reminding me of family now gone.  They will never be forgotten.

The 8-track player that sat on a shelf in the corner of the living room.  Mom and Dad would be sitting in their respective glider rockers, feet up, sipping whatever...  singing along to the old western classics or gospel hymns, depending on how they were feeling. 

Family

Family

And yes, even a dancing singing snowman.  Emmitt and Maddison used to love this little guy..  especially Emmitt.  But now it is enjoyed by our grandsons.  Just a little memory treasure.

So, there you have it.  My thankful Thursday blog.  As I typed this I was smiling, remembering...  and that makes my heart feel good.

What are you thankful for on this beautiful Thursday?

Vacation Part 2...

Okay, so remember I said I would not answer the telephone…  well, I did.  It was the meals on wheels guy looking for Bessie.  She wasn’t answering her door…  Oh Bessie, what are you up to?  So, I began the phone calls to find her…  after a half hour and dialing her home again, she answered the phone.  She decided that she needed a couple of prescriptions and a few things at Hannaford’s, so she called someone to take her.   Phew!  I then called the senior center to let them know as they were very concerned.

Now that that crisis was over, I went back to vacation…  yes, a trip to Lowes was definitely in order.  But first, breakfast for lunch at the local Center Harbor Diner.  Delicious!!!    Off to Lowes with a list of everything David needed to finish his project (or I thought).  Once we returned back home, David went back to work on his project, and I went upstairs to relax…  I did nearly nothing all day…  and that is exactly what I wanted to do on vacation. 

Thursday, I slept in until the telephone rang at 8:00am (right Michelle?)…  David had gotten up earlier and was already working on his project.  We had a busy day ahead with a doctor’s appointment, and another trip to Lowes.    Why not stop at Pizza Hut for the pizza buffet for $5.00?  We haven’t been to Pizza Hut in so long, and it was really really good.  And then time off from vacation to go to CBC and print up the bulletins, inserts, and then stuff the bulletins so that they will have them for Sunday.  I got scolded by a very good friend when she saw me there.  So, I finished up as fast as I could…  and got out of there…  Thank you Dona Lynn! 

So, now I am back on vacation for good…  David will have his project completed soon…  I must say he is doing a fantastic job on it…  and I have all the laundry done so that I can repack the suitcase for our next little excursion…     

Our last excursion of the vacation was an early start Saturday morning heading south to Mansfield Center, Connecticut to visit Melissa.  We had a wonderful time, took her out to eat, did a little shopping, and visited at her apartment for a while.  I helped with her dishes (I love doing dishes), helped hang a piece of artwork she did, helped with hanging some new curtains in her living room and bathroom...    she loves her apartment, and it is looking quite homey...  we chatted a while as David took a much needed nap.  Then it was time to say our goodbyes, the visit never seems long enough, and we are already planning our next visit in one month...  

We decided to head to Sturbridge and find a place to stay the night, and then Sunday morning head over to Oxford to attend worship at Oak Hill Bible Church.  This time we surprised Pastor Glenn and Cindy with our visit...  and we were pleasantly surprised to sit next to Pastor Jim and Miriam Loghry.  What a wonderful service!  And then it was time to head on home...  a stop in Concord for dinner at Newick's...  a stop at Market Basket for some much needed groceries...  then home to unpack, do laundry, get some food ready for our Super Bowl dinner...  and just sit back and relax.  

David and I both agree that this vacation just wasn't long enough...    

On the road again...

I just love the architecture of the old buildings in Worcester

A favorite place to eat when visiting Melissa. 

Leaving 111 Mansfield Hollow Road

Cool carving in the lobby of our Inn

Very nice accommodations in Sturbridge, MA.  Really nice continental breakfast included.

Pretty cool hay bale snowman on our way to worship.

Great worship, message, and communion with the Oak Hill Bible Church family.  Always blessed when we visit.

Back in NH already?  At least we have the rest of the day.

And of course, dinner for two in Concord.