Renew

It's official

my natural color is grey!

My hair has grown out enough for me to tell.

I'm OK with it.

I will get it done again. Soon.

But no longer fear the unknown.

It's just really light in some spots...

dark in others.  

So maybe it hasn't fully morphed yet.

I'll give it more time. 😉

Things are slow and simple-ish here.

I've hunkered down before.

Simplified.

Isolated.

This time it was with the world as a whole,

and I didn't feel so alone.

I just continue to learn how to take good care of my mind,

body, heart, and soul.

Pretty much the same as before only different.

Meditate, spend time alone, take walks or cycle,

and explore nature with my senses.

I journal my thoughts and feelings,

I stay in touch with my friends,

find things to make me laugh,

make ordinary moments something special,

turn on the music,sing out loud, and dance.

I read a lot, sometimes out loud.

I talk to my animals, the birds, and God.

Weird ? Maybe.

I'm a little weird, playful, and childlike.

I've found peace with it.

I want to do those things that make my heart sing...

those things that make me happy.

"Treat yourself with kindness, love and compassion

and learn to express your gratitude for the many gifts life offered you

up to this moment. "

do...

Trust that God wants for you what you want for yourself.

Accept that you don't know everything.

Open your heart, even after it's been broken. Repeat.

Praying you are staying safe and well.

💖

Manifesto

On February 17 2014

I posted these words to Facebook.

They came as a memory today....

" Sometimes when I get sidetracked and busy,

I lose focus on the truths that are deep inside of my heart.

This morning as I start my day, (and a challenging week)

I am going to hold on tight to what I know to be beautiful and true for me.

Loving my God,

my family and friends,

learning to do things for others without expecting anything in return,

simplify.

I am going to focus on the things that I can control-

my attitude,

what goes into my mind and heart,

and taking care of my body.

The people I spend time with,

and the time I spend alone.

I do believe life is what we make it,

and I want life to be beautiful and peaceful."

That was six years ago.

At a quick glance over those years,

I'd say, I've done a pretty good job of living that way.

Not intentionally so much, 

but more because that is part of my truth.

Sometimes I fail! 

Most often with my attitude,

but also on things I can't control.

I think I let go of control...

until I find myself struggling again.

If I'm struggling....I can pretty much search my self

and see where I am trying to hard to make things work out my way.

I am getting better at that.

I think.

I'll let you know in another six years. 😉

" Many are the plans in a man's heart,

but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails"

-Proverbs 19:12

💗

Healing

I used to think that all I had to do 

was find someone to love me

and I would feel good about myself.

Now I know I had to learn to love myself
(not in a weird creepy way...but accepting who I am....flaws and all way....always in progress....)
to feel good 
to know true love
and to be receptive to it.

~God makes a way~

" If you do not take responsibility for bringing love to your own wounds,

you will not move out of the vicious cycle of

[self]-attack

[self]-defense

[self-imposed] guilt

and 

[self-imposed] blame."

Love and hugs ! 💗

I want to leave a special note of thanks to my dear hubby....

you stopped me from the habit of running away

you have supported me as I learn to walk through (not around) my struggles...

and even at times when you're left scratching your head, and somewhat confused

your patience & steadfastness

has helped me to heal wounds I didn't even know I had...

and the ones I had pre-warned you about.😉

You have seen and dealt with the ugliest in me...

and have loved me every step of the way.

God knew exactly what I needed...

when he gave me you !

I love you Mr!

Always! 

💖

Sweet

The warmer days.

Your big hearty laugh while we watch a funny sitcom together.

The way you proudly promoted

your bacon sandwich concoction

until I finally agreed to try it....

and knowing that sometimes, you'll pick up the camera

to capture me in some of my moments too. 😊

It's the little things that made the day seem sweeter.

~us living life~

Love and hugs !💖

Truth

" Often people attempt to live their lives backwards:

they try to have more things, or more money,

in order to do more of what they want

so that they will be happier.

The way it actually works is the reverse.

You must first be who you really are, then,

do what you need to do, 

in order to have what you want. "

My prayer is that this year, we discover more

about ourselves.

Accept others to be themselves.

Find the beauty in the ordinary.

The lessons in the frustrations.

And try to live the authentic life that we each have been created for.

Happy New Year!!

Love and Hugs 💗

Slow

It was a gorgeous weekend !!

Cooler temperatures were so welcomed !!

We were finally able to spend most of the day outside

with out melting.

So I came up with a great plan to move really slow,

hoping that maybe it would make our weekend last

a little bit longer.

Sounds good huh ?

Truth is,

I played out the whole

"ram-your-little-toe-into-the-chair-at-full-speed"

act first thing Saturday morning.

So slow was all I could do.😉

"Slow down and enjoy life.

It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast -

you also miss the sense of where you are going and why."

Love and hugs !! 💗

Prayer

Dear God:

Thank you for reminding me that while I have made mistakes,

I have learned from them things I needed to know about myself.

Thank you for being patient with my impatience.

Thank you for being so gentle and compassionate with me

when I am beating myself up.

Thank you for showing me that when I focus on what is missing,

I miss the opportunity to be grateful for what I have.

 Thank you for your Mercy & your Love !

Amen!

💗

Sending *hugs & love to you !💕

Feet

" What your Feet would say if they could talk....

If  you want to get from here to there,

put one of me in front of the other.

If you're reaching for the moon

keep one of me on the ground.

If the ground slips away,

use both of me to find your footing.

But if you want to make a quantum leap,

use your heart--

& if you follow your heart,

we promise to find you a road."

Sometimes, when you can't go forward,

backward,

or sideways...

just go up.

Meet up with God.

He gives the best directions !😉

And I am pretty sure, it makes him happy when 

He gets you all to Him-self. :)

Hugs & love 💗

Challenge

" God is as close as I want Him to be, 

and as close as I will allow Him to be,

every second of every day. "

I can't say that my life is simple or easy,

but it is blessed.

Even in the messiest moments,

when things seem to be falling apart...

I know I need only to pause & pray.

His strong arms are always there.

Hugs & Love 💗

More

" The more life you let in,

then the more life you have."

More has been unleashed in my world.

Horse nickers and hooves at the farm.

Flowers blooming in the yard.

A fantastic reunion, along with a nice little get-away 

with some friends that I haven't heard from in 40 years.

And then... along came Molly!

I may have mentioned a time or two...

 " A rabbit would be nice!" 

And... I did watch Peter Rabbit,

and spout out...." That makes me want to get a rabbit !"

Which was hubby's cue to declare,

"we don't need no damn [insert animal here] rabbit!"

So I guess I shouldn't have been surprised, when two days later....

 I find a baby rabbit lounging... stretched out,

 in the middle of the parking lot of our local market.

I did the only thing I could do....

I  pulled along side, to check on her.

But...

when I opened my door...

she ran for shade...under my car!

I couldn't get her to come out.

I tried. 

I ended up having to phone a friend.

Luckily she was working at the market at the time.

She came darting out the door, like a super-hero.

She even managed to grab a guy,

 out of his car at the near-by car wash,

 [for back-up]

 as she was running by.

So, after the...

 three of us squirmed around on our bellies under my car...

 in the MIDDLE of a parking lot..

on hot pavement....

Donning re-usable grocery bags for gloves.

Then catching her & trying to find her a home...

Molly came along.

And Rex ?

Well it's been a  little hot to ride,

but I DO go visit him,

 and give him some lovin's

 and pick him some clover, 

and maybe try to take a selfie or two with him.

He doesn't do selfies very well.

We're still practicing. 😉

So grateful for the Love from God, who provides

for these sweet creatures & blesses my 💗

with these beloved friends.

XOXO