Wedding Song - God Knew That I Needed You

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

DISTRIBUTIONS DAY

Ready to slay the day's Dragons.

Today was distributions day … not only at the local Food Bank, where I help, but the things I was hoping the Caring Pregnancy Center would accept …were accepted 😊

Caring Pregnancy Center: http://www.longviewcaringpregnancycenter.com/about-us/

They accepted everything - and were over the moon with the Preemie items.
I was blessed to have Bob in my life; I want to spread his encouragements around ...
Paul Anka – ‘You’re Having My Baby’ song:
Opt for adoption over murder; abortion is a self-serving action that destroys on all levels.
It is encouraging to watch – and participate – in growth.

On this issue, I stand apart from my daughter and granddaughters (Azariah is too young to have an opinion on the matter). We will never see eye-to-eye on this topic. My stance on abortion is this: you are either for abortion … or against abortion; stating that you are pro-choice is to be FOR abortion. It’s that plain, and that simple – standing on the fence doesn’t work when it comes to murder of innocents.

ALL LIVES MATTER – that includes the unborn lives.

So, for those brave souls who actually opt to bring life into this world, I want to do what I can to help that choice be a confident and comfortable one.

After leaving the caring Pregnancy Center, I stopped at Dr. Tack’s Office, and gave generously there, too, when I ordered my prescription sunglasses … and was relieved when they said they could use the frames I wanted to use 😊

My coming sunglasses lens’s will be housed in the colorful frames Bob chose for me. HAPPY!
The frames that will be used ...

I had just enough time to grab a quick bite, before getting to the food distribution location on time 😉

I stopped at El Ranchero because I like the food – and I like the owners: two pluses 😊

I really like the look of this retro Coke machine.
I like this colorful, hand-painted, wall mural; my favorite booth.
Coke over pepsi ... yes, please!
I like the designs on these booths.
Super Nachos w-ground beef; Yum-YUM!
It never gets easy to remind people that Bob resides in Heaven, now.

The two hours spent at the Food Band locale went very quickly; and everyone was in a good mood (helpers and receivers); the sunshine was welcome and warmly soothing, and laughter/jokes/sharing flowed smoothly amongst everyone. It was a good day in the neighborhood, today.

I am only one person doing what I can to make life easier and happier for whoever, whenever, doing whatever it takes. I may not be setting the world on fire, but a spark is welcome for those who have need of kindness’s warmth 😉

Distribution of kindness is always rewarding.

When I got home, I started and finished another little 15-inch Angel Baby Blanket (I only have another Boy’s blanket to make before I can mail the box off); and I’ll end my evening by playing a few games of Jewel Quest (addictive game) before turning the lights off, and turning in – the mural at El Ranchero, earlier triggered that competition between the game and myself 😉

Forget-Me-Not crochet stitch; 15-inch Angel baby Blanket.
Jewel Quest Game.

It’s been a busy day, today.

It’s been a rewarding day, today.

I’ll get a good night’s sleep, tonight 😊

‘SPRINGY’ ACTION

The predicted thunderstorm did not show up last night.

And all day, today, was quiet too.

We did get rain though – but not enough to keep me indoors 😉

I’ve been awful sleepy though; deep yawns, and practically sleeping on my feet. No joke.

ALL I want to do is sleep: this may be a result of being stuck indoors 25 days out of 30/31 days a month … or it could be an age-related occurrence. I’m claiming the gray clouds, overhead.

I slept in until 10 AM this morning; but I didn’t get to bed until after 3 A.M., so I didn’t feel like a lazy peel when my eyes focused on the digitized clock. Seven hours of sleep isn’t “wasting the day”.

I noticed that a clear and dry 2-hour window was available: so, I got dressed, tied my hiking boots on, and planned a short 2-mile walk before the afternoon rains arrived.

Halfway to my destination, a squirrely thought passed through my brain – and I altered my route. I have some things that I need to get around to dropping off at the Caring Pregnancy Center – but first, I needed to know how the heck to get there. That squirrely thought was prompting me to figure it out this afternoon.

So, I sprung into action 😊

I pulled over and punched the address into GPS (I’m still learning the streets of Longview). After going down several zig-zagging rabbit trails that included one-way streets, and four-way stops where everyone engaged in ‘blind man’s bluff’ and ‘chicken’ maneuvers, I finally “arrived” at the building.

Caring Pregnancy Center.

Pulling into the old Medical Strip Mall parking lot, I knew where I was (by the surrounding landmarks), and was shaking my head and wondering why GPS had taken me on such a convoluted zig-zag route – it would have been much easier to lead me straight through Nichols Boulevard onto Tennant Way, and hang a left at 11th street. That is the route I will take next time: it is much simpler for me, and will take me right to the building without all the overhead stop lights the GPS route weaved me through. Landmarks are recognizable; addresses throw me.

Backtracking, and still hoping to get my walk in, my attention was snagged again. By a vehicle in front of me – with a sentiment I understand all too well.

A recognizable sentiment ...

Passing Safeway on Ocean Beach, I had noticed earlier that there appeared to be intensive work happening there. Since this is the place, I use to refuel, I thought I’d nip in there and ask what is going on (this was a pre-planned side excursion: no squirrel involved 😉). I was told that the Fueling Station is undergoing a replacement of the underground fuel wells; and an upgrade on the pumps. Estimation time of completion is two weeks.

Guess I’ll be gassing up elsewhere for the next month.

Safeway Fuel Station is getting an overhaul.

When I got back home, the rain was still holding off, so I decided to pull my over-wintered Geraniums out of their bins and get them prepped for display on the front steps/front porch. I had to replace six plants – that’s why I always keep spare plants, over-wintered in the house, on hand 😊

Pulled the geraniums out of storage and got them cleaned up & set in place.

My Bunny Ear Cactus (I’d always called it a Teddy Bear) needed repotting, too: so, I did that after the Geraniums were set in place.

I got my cactus plant when we moved back to Longview, 27 years ago. We were enjoying a Sunday drive along Westside Highway and I noticed a Garage sale sign … so Bob pulled over and I hopped out of our 4x truck. I’m a sucker for terra cotta pots; so, when I saw the dried-up cactus in the pot that caught my eye (it was so dried up from neglect, it was brown and dead-looking), I asked the woman how much she wanted for the pot. She said, “you can have it for free: the plant’s dead.” I snapped that pot right up 😉 And, just to see what would happen, I watered that cactus every time the soil looked like it needed a drink. After a while I noticed life was fleshing the pads out, so I babied it back to life.

The original cactus plant thrived, and blossomed in about a 15-year-timeframe from the time I brought it home; a cute little yellow flower blossom 😊

My Bunny Ear Cactus blossomed; Aug. 3rd, 2009!
Bunny Ear Cactus bloom 15 years in the making - Aug. 3rd, 2009

I transplanted the cactus into a large clay pot, and eventually it grew to be a sizable 2-foot plant, with a 4-foot spread that I babied and hauled with a hand dolly, from the front yard to the garage every Fall to over-winter in safety – but it never blossomed again. A few days before we moved here, to Heron Pointe in 2017, I gifted it to the lady across the street who asked me what I was going to do with it. She was excited to get it. I hope it is still thriving.

But before I let her husband haul it away, I snipped a hand-sized chunk off to bring here, with me. It has flourished these four years here, but it has outgrown its pot … so, this afternoon, I upended it, loosened its roots, and repotted it in a roomier pot. I hope it blooms this year. A few pads fell off, so I potted those up, too 😉

I reshaped my Bunny Ear Cactus, and transplanted the clipped pads.

I also called Dr. Tack’s Office and asked to make an appointment for prescription sunglasses. I was told that I didn’t need an appointment, since they already did an eye exam for the every-day-glasses I am now wearing. She quoted me the price of polarized lens and frames – then she said, “if you have a specific frame you’d like to use instead, we could accommodate that.” As soon as I heard that … I sprung on the suggestion: I knew I’d use the glasses frame that Bob inadvertently chose for me four years ago 😊

I like them.

They fit my personality.

And I was keeping them anyway – I may as well utilize them, instead of keeping them in a drawer 😉

Aren’t they cute?

They're colorful ... and are special to me.

Now, I’m going to head down the hallway to bed, tomorrow is Food Distribution Day.

Monday, May 9, 2022

STANDING ON PROMISES~Mother’s Day 2022

 


I was just going to laze around this morning before heading into the countryside for Mother’s Day Supper with friends … but Elohim prodded me in another direction: Fellowship.

So, I went.

Enroute, I saw blue peeking through the gray overhead – that looked encouraging 😊

A bright spot of hope on the horizon ...

The message was good. The ambiance was good. Prayer over me was good.

More confirmation of what Elohim's been speaking to my heart.
I miss this ... and I was happy for the couple.

After fellowship, as I was sliding into the driver’s seat of my car, I got a message from my middle granddaughter: it made my day 😊

Four words that righted my Day!
This smile says, 'Feeling the Love' ...

I stopped at home before heading into the country; I needed to pick up my Supper contributions of dinner rolls and pie 😉 I also wanted to drop off the Mother’s Day Gift bag I had received earlier at Fellowship; the items received will be much used. The little flashlight went on my keychain … and I will be using the bandana while I am in the urban garden area, (Bob prepared for me in 2018) on my town lot.

Mother's Day Gifts - handy items.

Spending a Holiday day with friends, is something new for me; I get invited a lot, but usually beg off because holidays are hard for me as a solo lobo. But this year, I decided to give it a go – and I’m glad I did. It was an enjoyable 2-hour visit 😊

When I got back home fat and sassy 😉; I reflected on the blessings I am privileged to have enjoyed – and have every hope of continuing to enjoy.

Looking back in time to the time Elohim gifted me with a baby through my husband, I can now see the wisdom of how it came about. I was pretty adamant I would never have children (my choice for private reasons) – and I explained myself thoroughly to Bob before and after we got married.

But Elohim took matters into His own hands … and nine months later, Bob and I welcomed a baby girl into this world. I’d had nine months to get used to the idea, so when I held our daughter, I was prepared to be a good Mom (to 1 only – I wish now that I had had those other 5 children Bob wanted).

With this one child … our love child, I would do Bob proud. Bob had a vasectomy, at my insistence because the doctor would not tie my tubes due to my young age: there would be no more babies. I loved babies, but my decision was based on a lot of issues which were valid, at the time.

At 18 years of age and blissfully happy with husband and children (Bob had a 5-year-old son by a previous marriage), it never occurred to me that having babies was a privilege some women are denied. Everyone I knew – including myself – was very fertile (hence the afore mentioned vasectomy).

1975. Bob, Me, Stacey - 4 months old, & Alex.

It occurred to me sixteen years later when our daughter was told during a physical exam that she’d never have “a natural child” of her own. She was devastated. I was stunned. I paid the tally for the exam, walked home with my daughter … and prayed: then, I started on a Baby Layette for the grandchild I believed would come. God had never failed me yet. I trusted the Word of God more than I trusted the doctor’s diagnosis.

We already had a 6-month-old granddaughter – Bob’s son and his girlfriend had blessed us with a daughter born in February, and I consider her my first grandchild.

Krisa; born in 1991.

But I also wanted a grandchild that carried my DNA too.

For years I prayed. And continued to add knitted and crocheted items to the expanding Layette Of Hope. By the time our miracle was taking form, the layette had grown to 100 items lovingly made with Belief in each stitch.

I received the phone call at work: Stacey was pregnant! I cried with happiness when I told Bob later on at home. We were overjoyed when Alyna came into the world … and our lives. I was there at the delivery; and she actually turned her tiny head towards the sound of my voice, and smiled at me (I used to talk to Stacey’s baby bump) 😊

It is a moment I never get tired of replaying in my head when her birthday rolls around 😉

Our first Miracle Grandbaby, Alyna –1996; 18 months old.
Alyna all grown up, & her husband, LIAM; fairly recent picture.

Our third granddaughter Brianna: Alex’s second daughter, was born in 1998.

Brianna; born 1998.

Alex was done with having children at this point; and Stacey had had ovarian surgery – again a doctor was echoing that “there will be no pregnancies”. I was sad for our daughter, but the news was not unexpected.

Bob and I were pleased with our three beautiful granddaughters. We were feeling very blessed and I kept reminding myself that we were incredibly blessed to have Alyna in our lives because according to {science} she should not be.

But Elohim was having another laugh at the pompousness of medical opinion.

ALL of us were totally caught off guard when Stacey gave birth to a boy in the Summer of 2014 😉 We were over the moon when we got the news.

Our family was blessed with a grandson! The last boy born in Bob’s lineage had been born in 1970: it would be 44 years before Bob would hold another baby boy. Stacey named him Azariah: “God has helped”. The Name fit 😊

Azariah was so much Bob’s mini-me: he looked like Bob’s baby picture, and his personality is totally Bob. He lit up our golden years. We didn’t know then that Bob and Aza would only get to enjoy each other for four short years ☹

Those four short years were packed with precious memories I hope Azariah will never forget. I am no longer a part of his life (Stacey’s choice), so all he will have to remember Bob by, is his babyhood memories. I hope they come on strong when they visit our grandson’s heart.

Our second Miracle Grandbaby; Azariah; newborn, 2014.
Bob & Aza; August 2014.
Grandpa & grandson sharing guy talk.
Most recent picture I have of my grandson; 2019. I MISS him.

Our bonus grandson is Alyna’s husband Liam; who officially joined our family in December of 2019, when he married our granddaughter. He had come to our home five years earlier and officially asked for Alyna’s hand in marriage – that sealed the deal for Bob 😉 Bob really liked Liam, and I know Bob’s spirit was present at their wedding: and I carried a small vial of ash with me, symbolic of Bob being there in a physical way too, kinda-sorta.

Liam has been good for Alyna. And he also made room in their life, and their home for Alyna’s brother and mother: that is a huge plus, by anyone’s measure of a good husband.

Liam; 2019.

Right now, things are not good between them and me. It hasn’t been good between Stacey and me for three decades … and that’s on her. I no longer engage in the fighting – I have found more productive ways to spend my time, and keep my sanity without Bob by my side.

I’ve handed the situation over to Elohei, and she can duke it out with Him.

Georgia Mas Chior – ‘Jesus Is A Waymaker’ song.

As for me, I know I was greatly favored to be granted the privilege of holding the Title of Mother; and blessed beyond measure to be pinned with the Badge of Grandmother. It’s up to the Will of Elohim to add a ribbon blazoned with Great-Grandmother across it 😉

I know that eventually everything will work out in the end for the glory of Elohim.

Lucifer is a Liar – he always had been, and he always will be.

But, praise be to the Most High God … Yeshua balanced the scales at Calvary!

Elohim gave me a promise in 1975. He set it in motion in 1995. And He will bring it to fruition in His timing: I am standing on the promise. And Elohei has never let me down.

I just need to be still.

And that is something beautiful to think on when I lay down, rise up, and go about my Day 😊