In the Storm

52 Weeks of Giving | 23

For this weeks giving I prepared dinner for The Sunshine Girls. This is a ministry through my church whereby a group of ladies visit the strip clubs downtown, interact with the girls dancing in the bars, befriend them, love on them, and share Jesus with them over time. The ministry has volunteers prepare dinner and dessert once a week for them. I made dinner this week of quiche and salad. I was so excited to do this and be apart of this ministry. Until my health improves I will only volunteer once a month with food but, I love cooking, I'm loving giving this year so it fulfills huge need.

Project Life 2017 | Week 25

You might have noticed that I have skipped slash missed a week here and there. Weeks' 17, 18, & 24 (two weeks ago). I have even completed several one-page weeks when I've had fewer photos. All this said, I have no worries about missing the weeks, and guilt-free about completing one versus two-page spreads.

We are still adjusting to Jeff's out of town work, me more so than Jeff, I think. Planning a weekend to join him instead of him coming home for a change of pace, plus I can visit his jobsite.

I had fun putting these pages together with a mini-eventful week. From Jarrod alphabetizing our over a thousand DVDs of movies and television shows, taking them out of their individual cases, and then inserting them into three single cases that hold over 500 each. This bit of organization sends me to a happy place.

I have also been 'practicing' Whole 30 off and on, trying out meals that are Whole 30 compliant to prepare me for my Whole 30 start date which begins July 10th. I'll be sharing here and on a Facebook Whole 30 local group about my progress. The meal above of chicken and vegetables will definitely go on my Whole 30 dinner rotations during those 30 days of eating whole and clean.

After work one afternoon, I went to the movies! By myself! I watched Wonder Woman which was fantastic! The theatre I went to and that Wonder Woman was showing in at 2:10 in the afternoon had recliner seats with tray tables and big aisles. It was wonderful watching a movie in the theatre, relaxing, with my feet propped up.

I have read some great books lately, but, one of my favorites thus far this year is definitely The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Such rich history written entirely through letters. A delightful story line. This book is vying for the top spot of favorite book read in 2017.

While Jeff was home we watched Lone Survivor, in memorial of those who lost their lives on June 28, 2005, many who were in Jeff's former military unit. We bawled our eyes out.

We made some delightful additions to our front porch: a few pillows, an outdoor rug, and two umbrellas. We've already enjoyed some wonderful, relaxing conversation - and time away from distractions - on our porch.

CURRENTS | JUNE 2017

writing for my #100 days project. I am almost half way done. The words are not glamorous or inspiring; simply pieces of me. Obviously, I haven't accomplished 100days in 100 days but I'm plugging along and not giving up with the stories

watching Stargate SG-1 while Jeff is at a jobsite. We began The Glades while he was home some weekends past so I watch those with him. Flying through Stargate, watching favorites, mostly. The other day I was perusing Netflix and for some reason I tagged Friday Night Lights. Man, glad I did! Really good show. It covers tons of issues; almost to the third season. Waiting anxiously for Madam Secretary's next season and Blacklist.

listing chores that have to happen before my daughters and grandchildren come for a visit. Many will have to be accomplished by John - his room is the dreadfully disgusting disaster zone (how's that for an alliteration!). Seriously though, I realized these are mundane and seemingly random to some but they are personal offerings to my family - aka, a cleaner house. New pillows and a new quilt for John's bed, first for Ashley's family, and then for John. Washing every single piece of linen in the hall closet, drying, refolding, and re-organizing, neatly and then adding an air freshener to remove any lingering mustiness, organizing all our DVDs into cases and in alphabetical order, cleaning the bathroom...

navigating this new season of Jeff working out of town. Finding my groove slowly, but surely.

experimenting with Yoga. I knew I had to do something. I would most like to swim. But, on the spur of a moment I bought a very beginners yoga DVD and began with the 34-minute warm-up. Man, it kicked my butt. But, it was so good. And hard. Good. Hard.

reading (or read) Peace Like a River, The Hate U Give, The Nightingale, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, all totally different genre, but all really good.

considering, heavily, Whole30, but, actually, have set a start date of July 10. I've been reading It Starts With Food and the first chapter hit me like a ton of bricks. Plus, I joined a local Facebook Journey to Whole Living group with a bunch of people I know. At a minimum I will be changing things up drastically.

studying Romans with the She Reads Truth community. I love Paul, the author and a bond-servant of Christ, though some might think he preached opposite Jesus' preaching, but Romans IS the gospel and Christians can't have the Gospels without Romans.

giving is becoming my jam. God is showing up big time! He is opening my eyes to opportunities, galore. Every week as I give, something, He is already preparing next weeks opportunity. It is amazing! Here are a few of the opportunities: I am a GED coach, made food for family with newborn twins, socks for the homeless, care boxes for foster care kids, paid for someone's meal in a restaurant and drive thru, gift bag of feminine care for underprivileged teen girls, and seriously, so much more.

planning some cool things for the grandkids when they come for a visit. A walking scavenger hunt is at the top of my list. I did this for the boys one summer and they had a blast. I made a scavenger list. We took a walk. They hunted. I took pictures of their finds and I made a scrapbook page, of course. And, best of all, WE had a blast. Plus, some fun outdoor games and painting. And, some things for the girls, too.

jotting down my menut for the first week Ashley is here (which is tomorrow!!!). I'll tackle the next week when Elizabeth and Ashley are here.

adding some sweet - and practical décor - to our front porch. As Jeff says, "Happy wife, happy life!" Two umbrellas, an outdoor rug, and some throw pillows. I want to add a planter and large plant and maybe some candles for evening porch gatherings. Jeff and I have already enjoyed life under the umbrellas - even in the heat it was wonderful.

 

 

 

 

 

stories 2017 | delight

Just some thoughts, my heart, words, delights. I am so looking forward to my girls coming for their visit with their kids, my grandkids. So. Ready. For. This.

Love seeing Samuel playing and can't wait to play with him. And, read to him. And, laugh with him. And, hold him. I wanted to record this time.

#100days | 45

#100days | 44

52 Weeks of Giving | 22

Project Life 2017 | Week 23

This was a tough week emotionally and just physically, too. Body is betraying me. So is my heart at times. I still documented our week, though. I completed another one-page spread and I am pleased as punch with the results. Jeff takes pictures occasionally, through the week and I try and grab a couple.

He came home around dinner on Saturday so we were able to make a dinner date night out at Crystal Beer Parlor, a favorite eatery downtown.

Digitally, I used mostly One Little Bird Designs, again. Because, I am trying to use the digital products I've acquired.

#100days | 43

52 Gratitudes 2017 | 22