I am ending the year strong with several posts and a few more readers, at least that is what the stats show. And posting makes me happy, so here goes--
I haven't participated in 7 Quick Takes in a long time. I am not even sure who is linking it these days. But, I can do my own 7 quick takes and it doesn't matter if I link. These are 7 takes for the past year.
1. A year ago I was finishing up selling a house and I was living in a rental house. It was a relief to get the burden of the house off my back and have that money in the bank. My 90 something year old mother was quick to say that the house I rented was a very strange house. It really wasn't that strange, but my mother took exception to the fireplace in the corner by a door that was frequented to get to the bedrooms. The part I thought strange was the kitchen with its dark blue slate walls, black counters, and zebra wood cabinets. The dishwasher didn't work well, it turned on and ran cycles but I think I could have gotten the dishes cleaner spitting on them. But it had a pantry and an upstairs laundry and attached 2 car garage, so it was good enough for me for a year.
2. A year ago a traded in the limping Camry with its 100,000 miles and check engine light that I paid lots of money not to get fixed. I love my little SUV. It has been so practical for the many things I have wanted to do with it.
3. During the past year I have tapered off of the anti-depressant and have handled my problems very well, thank you very much. I have learned to turn my thoughts away from sadness over the wasted years when I tried to change someone else instead of focusing on my own happiness.
4. During the past year I retired. My job was getting intolerable. I was not allowed to be a librarian much at all. I dealt with broken Chromebooks. Haven't touched one of those things since I retired. Being retired has its own challenges, but I can meet them. It is fun to be in charge of me.
5. I bought a house after I was done with the "strange" rental. I love my house. It is calm and peaceful and challenging all at the same time. I picked the paint colors and I love them. I get to make changes as I can afford them and have time for them. I am learning who I am and what kinds of things I like. I blessed the house with some of my friends way back in October. I am learning to be the person God made me to be.
6. I made some quilts, picked up crochet again, and worked on a writing a book with my sister. I have been productive, in my way.
7. And the quote to ponder given to me by my spiritual director is this--"Do not worry overmuch. Grace has its moments. Let us abandon ourselves to the providence of God and be very careful not to run ahead of it." St. Vincent de Paul
And I am already running ahead of grace thinking of a trip to the Holy Land I have coming up, a friend who is passing away by inches, a surgery scheduled right after that trip, a grandbaby lost as part of twins and a singleton to come with rejoicing, a trip to Chicago on the train, the verdict on the annulment, quilts to make, and on and on....but, grace has its moments, God has it all worked out.
I haven't participated in 7 Quick Takes in a long time. I am not even sure who is linking it these days. But, I can do my own 7 quick takes and it doesn't matter if I link. These are 7 takes for the past year.
1. A year ago I was finishing up selling a house and I was living in a rental house. It was a relief to get the burden of the house off my back and have that money in the bank. My 90 something year old mother was quick to say that the house I rented was a very strange house. It really wasn't that strange, but my mother took exception to the fireplace in the corner by a door that was frequented to get to the bedrooms. The part I thought strange was the kitchen with its dark blue slate walls, black counters, and zebra wood cabinets. The dishwasher didn't work well, it turned on and ran cycles but I think I could have gotten the dishes cleaner spitting on them. But it had a pantry and an upstairs laundry and attached 2 car garage, so it was good enough for me for a year.
2. A year ago a traded in the limping Camry with its 100,000 miles and check engine light that I paid lots of money not to get fixed. I love my little SUV. It has been so practical for the many things I have wanted to do with it.
3. During the past year I have tapered off of the anti-depressant and have handled my problems very well, thank you very much. I have learned to turn my thoughts away from sadness over the wasted years when I tried to change someone else instead of focusing on my own happiness.
4. During the past year I retired. My job was getting intolerable. I was not allowed to be a librarian much at all. I dealt with broken Chromebooks. Haven't touched one of those things since I retired. Being retired has its own challenges, but I can meet them. It is fun to be in charge of me.
5. I bought a house after I was done with the "strange" rental. I love my house. It is calm and peaceful and challenging all at the same time. I picked the paint colors and I love them. I get to make changes as I can afford them and have time for them. I am learning who I am and what kinds of things I like. I blessed the house with some of my friends way back in October. I am learning to be the person God made me to be.
6. I made some quilts, picked up crochet again, and worked on a writing a book with my sister. I have been productive, in my way.
7. And the quote to ponder given to me by my spiritual director is this--"Do not worry overmuch. Grace has its moments. Let us abandon ourselves to the providence of God and be very careful not to run ahead of it." St. Vincent de Paul
And I am already running ahead of grace thinking of a trip to the Holy Land I have coming up, a friend who is passing away by inches, a surgery scheduled right after that trip, a grandbaby lost as part of twins and a singleton to come with rejoicing, a trip to Chicago on the train, the verdict on the annulment, quilts to make, and on and on....but, grace has its moments, God has it all worked out.