Together Time

If you've been married for more than a year or two

you likely know what I am going to say.

Life happens!

It gets so hard to carve out time for 

each other....even though we see each 

other multiple times daily

so often it is as if we are roommates

sharing a house.

I may be exaggerating just a bit

but I think most will understand what 

I am saying.

Too few are the times where we just sit

down and share goals and dreams

as we once did.

It seems too often that we are just trying to 

solve all of the problems, keep our kids moving

and even keep the dogs from piddling in the house

to think beyond that day.

Are you with me?

Or are you disappointed I would

admit such things?

Anyway, 

when the opportunity came up to take 

Susanna to the airport I saw our chance

to get away.

Even if it is for less than 24 hours....

spending last evening together was worth it

all by itself.

We are in a hotel suite.

It sounds ritzy but in all reality the 

price wasn't bad at all.

After our horrible experience in Kentucky 

and finding this chain I have signed up for 

their rewards program and we are 

going to book these whenever possible.

So...anyway...back to the point of this post....

Last evening we sat for hours in our 

wonderful "living room" and just

talked.  Catching up on each others 

thoughts and feelings about where we are

and where we are headed.

There were no dogs climbing all over me....

I wasn't distracted by all the things that needed to be done.

It was good.

It was real.

We needed it so much.

I often long for those days back when we

were young and idealistic.

Before the reality of life and responsibility set in.

But, having said that, 

there is little I would change

in my life.

It is life.  

We are certainly living it!

But, we come away from this time spent 

together with renewed commitment to certain 

projects around the house which will 

help all of us live a better life.

We are planning to let go of 

a lot of stuff. 

Stuff that clutters and is hard to 

clean around.

Stuff that weighs us down.

Even better, 

we are going to work together to 

make it happen.

Because, in spite of the busyness that 

so often distracts we are a team.

When the kids are all grown and with 

families of their own,

if we are blessed 

to live long enough,

it will just be He and I again.

I want to be sure I don't have to 

become reacquainted with my sweet

Warren when the last one 

leaves the nest.

I want to be on the same page.

So, curiosity makes me ask....

If you care to share...
How do you stay connected with the 

one you married?

She is On Her Way....

Years ago Susanna and I became friends.

My children were younger and the oldest of her

ten children were around our boys ages.  

We had a couple of play dates with the kids

but life has a way of getting busy and we became

acquaintances who would chat when we bumped into

each other at the store.  

About two months ago their family walked into

church one morning and Susanna told me that 

they had decided that Sonrise was going to be 

their church home.  I was so thrilled.

We could reconnect.

And we did.

Joe and Susanna, as you might remember from

a prior post are in the process of adopting a little

sweetheart from Bulgaria.  Katie is nine years old

 and has Down Syndrome.  She is a tiny, tiny little

girl....about the size of an 18 month old or two year old.

Anyway, today is the day that Susanna left to go 

to Bulgaria to meet this little darling for the first time.

Warren and I were privileged to drive her to the 

airport and after a hug I walked away, leaving Susanna

at the bag check.  Uggghhh, that was hard.

But as it is a very large

International airport and security is tight

we could only park for three minutes and then we

had to move.

Please pray for Susanna and her family as they 

are separated for the next nine days.  This part 

will be so hard on them.  Also pray that Susanna has

the words to communicate with the director of the 

orphanage in Bulgaria.  She has hopes of discovering

ways that we can help improve conditions for the

children......

In just a couple of hours a plane will leave and fly

over the ocean to Europe.  It will hold many people.

Some happy, some anxious  and at least one who is

just bursting with anticipation at the days set before her.  

She is going to meet her fourth daughter!!!

Amazing!!

Candle Testing Weather

I am so thrilled to have a cool morning 

in which I can whip open the windows 

and light up the candles in my 

testing corner.
I don't want them to heat the house enough
to kick on the air conditioning......
(Smile)

When I stepped outside with 

the dogs early this morning

the air was nippy.

Those of us in the Northeast know that

feeling...its the one that typically happens

the first week of school.

I don't know how the weather can be that

consistent year to year but it seems to be.....

That first week of September

the mornings cool and the air gets 

a certain crispness that is like no other.

Testing shelf life...this one is four years old. 

 The air this morning is

glorious!

We are in for a couple of wonderful days

with temps in the 80's and sunshine.

Then soaking rains on Sunday.

That is just fine with me....

We still need the rain.

This is why I test..this one needs more wick.

So perfect for a wedding.  It is burning beautifully.

Have a wonderful day!

It Has Been Too Long....

It is time to pull out the fresh ingredients,

put them together....

Mix and knead.....Rise and Bake

some fresh homemade bread.

Too much on my agenda today...

but maybe tomorrow morning

That would be great!

Can I Just Show You.....

My new favorite candle creation?

I love this one!

It is stunning and is great for men and women.

It has all of the beauty we ladies need

with all of the earthiness and colors that 

appeal to the men in our lives.

Every time I get a whiff of this 

candle I think it should be a cologne

for Warren.

Perhaps I'll sneak some of this fragrance

into a bottle and leave it on his dresser...

lol.

The fragrance oil company calls it 

Autumn Magic and they describe it 

as the sense of walking through an Autumn woods

with the wafting scent of campfires in the distance.

I can see where they get that...

but its better than that sounds.

Sorry for two posts in one day...

but I had to share.
It is $30, plus shipping,  at my Etsy Shop. 

Update:  This is now sold.
If you want one of these contact me and I will 
see if I can still get the mosaic container....

Poor Kitty

 

It must be so hard to be YOU....

sitting in the convertible as if you own it.

This makes Warren crazy....

He hadn't driven it for a while because it is 

waiting to get some work done.

However, this week he started driving it again and 

said that fur was flying as he drove down the road

with the top down.

I find it somewhat amusing 

but can understand his frustration.

The sad part for Tidbit....

Warren is driving the car to work

again so her daily naps here are over for now.

Dear Vee, You Enjoyed The Book Signing...Thought You Should Know....

My dear friend, Vee.

If it had not been for you I would not

have known that two of the wonderful ladies

who put together the Mennonite Girls Can Cook

Cookbook were coming to Lancaster.

I've seen much about this book on your

blog, A Haven for Vee, but I was not 

familiar with these lovely ladies.

Therefore, it only seemed fitting that you should

come along on the evening's adventures.

I hope you don't mind that Chelsea and I had to 

carry you...here and there.

 You seemed to like Subway pretty well.

I mean the Sunchips were practically plastered to 

your face you were so enthusiastic.

I hope you don't mind that we didn't get you 

a sandwich of your own...

but your appetite didn't seem quite up to par.

Maybe it was all of those chips....

 Mom and Georgia cleaned their plates, 

so to speak, and then we were all ready to go

to K-Mart to gather supplies for their upcoming

trip to Guatemala.

I know, it was news to you too.

These ladies and their Mission trips.

I can hardly keep track.

But we were able to get some crayons at a very 

excellent price for them to take along for 

distribution to the children when they go.

 Oh, and speaking of children,

I knew that you must be a very excellent 

Noni when you insisted on taking a ride with 

Bert and Ernie.

We thought it just a bit odd, but hey,

you are the hero here.

The life of the party.

Without you it would have been another 

night sitting at home 

cruising the web.

 So, when you really wanted to ride the dragon

too we just had to agree.

I mean you are just so cute, and all.

Your body seems to adapt to changing

conditions rather well.

I mean a smaller ride, 

a smaller you.

So, Vee, after you had enjoyed all you 

could stand of these exciting rides we were off 

to the Berean Christian Bookstore to 

meet up with our friends from
Creekside Cottage.

 Mrs. Rabe, Emma and Rachel were waiting 

patiently.  I guess we let you play just a bit too 

long.  Couldn't have been all of the time the Moms

spent in the Dollar Tree looking at 

little toy cars for the children.  

Not really.

Well, we walked into the bookstore and were 

so happy to see two lovely ladies just inside the 

door.  They were dressed to perfection and I had 

the definite feeling I recognized them from Lovella's blog.

Sure enough, 

There were Lovella and Anneliese!

We were greeted warmly since I had posted a comment

on Lovella's blog today letting her know we would be 

there tonight.

She was delighted that we brought you with 

us....you two being so close and everything.

I mean, when you are the force behind the book 

title you practically should have been signing those books

yourself!  I asked and was told the whole story about 

the book naming....Your story and Lovella's match

perfectly!  She gave you the credit!

I was so proud.

So, we tried several times to get this 

photo. Just look at how pleased Lovella

is to have her photo taken with you.

Other ladies just didn't understand

how awesome our plans were and they 

wanted time with Lovella and Anneliese too.

Sheesh!

Alas, finally we were able to get Mrs. Rabe's 

attention again.  Let me tell you, Mrs. Rabe in 

a bookstore is a fascinating thing to behold.

She loves them, I tell you.

But we were able to get her to join us.

 Be honest now, 

Does this look awkward?

 Maybe just a little.

But there were four cameras pointed at us.

Where were we to look?

There, that was a bit better.

 What fun this was!

My book now looks like this....

 Beautiful handwriting by both ladies.

After we helped Mrs. Rabe find a Bible

for a girl in our church who 

will love having one all her own

we headed out.

We were off to get ice cream.

The girls were so happy to spend time

together.....

 You and Deanna chose a Peanut Butter Cup Sundae.

It looked amazing...

I would have taken a picture of it if I hadn't had

my face in my own sundae filled with Chocolate

and peanut butter goodness.

Yum!!!

Dear Vee,

Thank you for inspiring a

very fun evening.

I owe you!!