The BEST green olives EVAHHHH!!!

Our first house guests!

Things are coming together = )

Ever since hanging up the baskets in the living room, we've made some other changes, moving furniture around, and the room feels much more spacious, homey and cozy. 

Two of Petey's co-workers came here today...drove in all that rain and flooding...it took them 2 and 1/2 hours to get here rather than the normal 1 hour. 

After eating my homemade pizza with fresh red peppers and these INCREDIBLE green olives from Costco (will post pic in a minute...it IS much easier to post pics from my phone!) and having snacks and coffee, I don't think they minded the extra drive-time too much.

We did a fair amount of cleaning and freshening up before they got here. They said they didn't smell cigarette smoke AT ALL when they walked in...YAY!!! SUCCESS!!

We had planned on going to the Palm Beach County Courthouse to look up our official plot before we start work on our garage. We spent the morning measuring and I got out the graph paper and started laying things out on it. LUV the graph paper  =))

Anyhow, Petey's co-worker, Tom, called and asked to borrow an old Windows laptop and wanted to come up and get it so we post-poned our trip to the courthouse.

Which worked out fine because it poured rain off and on most of the day so that would've been nasty to be driving in. And since it took them so much longer to get here than expected, I had lots of extra time to read my Bible and then crochet.

We just took the dogs for a neighborhood walk tonight instead of the trail walk. The trail walk is far for Buddy but he can handle the neighborhood walk. Plus Petey was having a good time examining everyone's carport/porch to get building ideas.

We've talked to a number of contractors and even scheduled appointments for 2 of them to come give us estimates but they never showed up. We've done this kind of work ourselves before so I was wanting us to build the structure but hire the cement floor poured.

We started watching do-it-yourself videos for pouring concrete and then Petey came up with some better ideas for flooring that would be easier and I liked them better anyhow.

But before we could head out to the courthouse, Tom called so we ended up staying home, rearranging, cleaning, spiffing and cooking.

We're thinking about going in the morning but Petey has to leave to go fly about 4pm so we'll have to see how things go after we get up. Plus we're supposed to have more rain through the morning...

Now that the living room has more space, I have the option of doing my Leslie Sansone Walk at Home DVDs again! I've missed her even though I do totally love the trails around here = )

Time for bed!

SomeBuddy put himself to bed early...

Country hangin' baskets!

Do I want a stronger faith?

Yes, absolutely!

But in going over some notes I took during Dr. Shockley's messages "God's Answer to the Thorn of Affliction...Part 1 and 2", I am reminded that faith in God is often built through trials, tribulations, and afflictions.

Oh boy...so I asked myself, "am I willing to go through trials, tribulations, afflictions...physical afflictions...if the end result is a stronger faith in God, a deeper trust, a surer foundation?"

I guess it's not so much a question of "am I willing" because these things are coming to me no matter what. It's just a result of living in this sinful, fallen world. But do I have the same attitude that Paul had...that these are light and momentary afflictions and matter not when viewed through eternity's lens.

Today was a tough day for me. A struggle to keep my mind and emotions where they should be. 

I recently read the story of Jonathan going up against the Philistines, just him and his armor-bearer. Did I tell ya'll about that already? Now THAT'S faith! So I've been asking God to give me a faith like Jonathan's...

...but if that faith will only come through trials...or if that faith can only be tested through tribulations...maybe I'm not ready...

Back in November...wow, that's 6 months ago!! It's almost 6 months to the day that Petey did his last flight for Evergreen! When this whole life-change thing started, I told Petey that God had enrolled us in Faith University and we were going to be good students and pass with all A's  = )

I had the scenario all planned out in my head...it would take awhile but Petey would find another job and then things would get back to normal. Maybe not exactly how they were before...maybe a different salary or a different schedule or something like that...but near enough to what we were used to.

Wow...was I WRONG! Actually, I was really wrong to plan out our future when that's God's domain and His alone. But I planned the trials and tribulations to be of a sort that would stretch my faith but not shake my world TOO much.

My world has experienced an earthquake of record-setting Richter-scale proportions! And to some reading this, you might be thinking, "so what? what's the big deal? why are you being so dramatic? you just had to move...no big deal! at least Petey has a job and you're not homeless and stuff".

I would agree with you. My logical side (yes, I DO have one!) tells myself that kind of stuff all the time! But my heart, my emotional side, is struggling mightily. Not just for what we left behind and the adapting to a new home life...it goes deeper than that. It goes so deep I don't even understand it and I don't know how to deal with it to make it better except to realize that my faith is weak and if it were stronger, I would not be so shaken by this. Or by anything if I had a faith like Jonathan's and Paul's!

So I do ask God to strengthen my faith even though I know what I'm asking. And I'm working hard to "count it all joy" as I go through this time of trial. And I'm taking every opportunity to spend time in God's Word because that is where He reminds me of HIS faithfulness over and over and over.

And I spend time in prayer, lifting up those who are also going through a time of testing or trial or affliction. And I'm still keeping my thankful journal. Every day there are more blessings to be thankful for than I have space to write them down!

And now it's off to bed...I didn't sleep well last night and haven't felt well today so I'm hoping tonight's sleep will be more restful. Petey should get home about 3am...

4 mile run to start the day!

YAY!  I did 4 miles at an average 11:24 per mile pace. Walked some in the first 1/2 mile, then ran with no walk breaks for the next 1.5 miles. Did one running mile in 10:08 so I guess I haven't lost all my running fitness! 

Had a light bulb moment when I realized the Publix (grocery store chain here in Florida) at the 2 mile point might have a water fountain...they did!! Got a nice long cold drink of water and then headed out again.

Walked for a bit then started running again and ran another mile straight with no walk breaks. This one was harder...and slower...I was getting tired. Then ran and walked the last .8 to home.

I didn't wear my normal running clothes because I only expected to do a bit of running here and there. But the first long running bit felt SO good that I just kept going! I wore running shorts for the first time in years...felt a little funny since they're quite a bit shorter than my running skirts.

Then I saw a girl in Publix who had on shorts WAAAAAAAAAAY shorter than mine... indecently short in my opinion. I don't want to see ANY part of ANYBODY'S bum, thank you very much!

Anyhow, I had a really good time, am looking forward to doing it again tomorrow except not 4 miles, and will wear my full-on running clothes = )   The other thing I'm feeling is more tired than usual. I'm fighting the urge to lay down cause I know I'll fall asleep and I don't want to!

I unpacked 3 or 4 more boxes in the craft room. I ordered some more banker boxes but these are stackable drawers...not ones to go on the metal shelf. I wanted to get the boxes unpacked in the corner where the new banker box stack will go.

I also put my House Mouse stamps out on one of the shelves Petey hung up for me yesterday. I love how objects remind me of people. I totally enjoyed thinking about Phyllis Dunavent while I positioned the House Mouse stamps. And then the guinea pig stamp reminded me of Carol Crabtree.

What a blessing to have a memory and be able to attach that fond memory to an object I treasure...along with the person I treasure! My new home is filled with wonderful memories through my cherished items!

I was thinking about this this morning as I was reading the Bible verse in the card box that Lori Schweers made me over 10 years ago (almost 10 years ago???). Giving someone a gift of God's Word is the very best gift you can give them. His Word is active and alive and WILL change your life when you read it, submit to it and obey it!

I have a couple plaster plaques that Petey made with his dad when he was a boy. My gramma had the same kind of plaques in her house. The plaques are meant to be painted and I've always MEANT to paint them but never got around to it. NOW I WILL!! I want those verses hanging on the walls somewhere in this house as a reminder to me of what God is speaking to me and also as a reminder of Petey's childhood and his father. I just need to ask Petey what kind of paint I'm supposed to use to paint them  = )

I've been crocheting in between working in the craft room. I'm gonna have to make dog blankets or something cause I'm not seeing a big need for scarves here. They don't keep their stores, offices, churches, etc. so freezy-cold like they do in Texas! Right now I'm working on the shawl for my mom. 

I do need to do the dishes and I'll be taking the boys for a walk tonight. Petey's gone on a flight and won't be home until Wednesday or so. 

That's all for now...I'll try to post some pics of my treasures after awhile!

I love growing things =)

The bush beans are sprouting!

Isn't that fun?!

I thank God for allowing me to have a part in His marvelous creation =)

Another Cretia???

Week #100 - 111.8

Since my new Weight Watchers meeting is at an actual WW store, they have a computerized system. This morning a big ol' "below healthy BMI" warning popped up on the screen when the lady was recording my weight. 

I wasn't able to eat breakfast before I went and I wore my normal clothes without thinking about it. I weighed the same on my scale but didn't think twice about them possibly giving me a hard time. 

My WW leader in Houston and the ladies checking me in had gotten used to these numbers and knew I was healthy regardless of any number so I stopped trying to artificially inflate my weight for weigh-in.

I like what I weigh now...I like how I feel...I like how I'm eating. Actually, I LOVE how I'm eating!! I don't want to change that just to hit some arbitrary number of someone else's design as to whether I'm healthy or not. 

So now I just need to remember to wear my overalls and eat a big breakfast and keep my phone and keys handy in case I need to add "weight"  = )  I'll report the real number here so I have a record of it.

I do have some frustration over the whole "healthy weight" concept anyhow. I know I've talked about it before. I just read an article on Serena Williams. Amazing athlete...with a majorly atypical body type for her level of success in the tennis world! 

She's taken lots of gruff for being too heavy, too fat, too big, over her "healthy BMI" number. And it bothered her for awhile and she went on a diet to lose weight...just to change her looks or numbers to make someone else happy.

Then she said, "forget it! I know my body, I know when I'm at optimum health, I know when I feel strong. I know when I'm feeding my body correctly and when I'm not and that's not tied to any kind of number."

So I say the same thing! But I don't want to constantly be getting lectured at WW weigh-in so I'll artificially inflate my weight to make the computer happy. Anything below 113 is the danger number now.

And I still REALLY want to go to the WW meetings! I was thinking on the way there how effortless maintaining my weight has been for the past several months. Well, since the end of December when I started following Simply Filling. 

I know I've had the stress of the move and haven't been living my "normal" life for awhile so I don't want to get too cocky or over-confident about the ease of maintaining my current weight. Time will tell after I get totally settled in here whether I will start struggling again.

So...it was love at first sight with this lady this morning...hahahahaha  In a room full of Golden Girls, this one just exuded the "typical Florida older Jewish lady with a New York accent retired and living a life of leisure in the Miami area" vibe  = )

I just HAD to introduce myself and tell her how CUTE she is!! Her name is Rae, she's 95 years old, she's a spunky spitfire who lost 40 pounds 6 years ago and never misses a Saturday morning meeting!

I asked her if I could take her picture and she said "shu-oar" (say that in your head with a heavy NY accent). I told her I wanted to introduce her to the people who read my blog and she said "isn't that nice?!" hahahahahaha

I love the round glasses for some reason! And I love her attitude and zest for life and even though she asked me my name 3 times in 10 minutes, I'd love to get to know her better  = ))

And she made me miss Cretia BIG TIME  = (   Some of you will remember my AWESOME friend, Cretia...Carol Crabtree's mother-in-law. She also is in her 90's (97 I believe!) and has a spunky spirit and a zest for life. 

I think the thing I love and miss most about Cretia is that she always wanted to learn new things...me too! We had SOOOOOOOOOO much fun investigating and researching about anything and everything...anything that popped into our heads that we'd like to know more about.

She would tell me what she knew already, what she'd experienced in life, which was ALOT, and then I would read up on the subject, write down what I'd learned, write down questions to ask her and then we'd share what we'd learned at our next weekly lunch date.

A new subject would usually come out of the old one and we just went our merry way along from idea to idea, history to history, indulging our love of knowing stuff...maybe not even useful stuff but just the knowing and discussing was a BLAST!

I've never had another friend like her...I doubt I ever will...but Rae looks promising = ) 

Petey's off on another flight but should be home about 2am. This week has gone by much faster and now I get to go to church again! We haven't decided which church to go to tomorrow...we have 3 to choose from...the one Baptist church we visited already and then another Baptist church about 5 miles away and a Calvary Chapel that is 3/10ths of a mile away. 

I would LOVE to be able to walk to church! Memories of my gramma in Kentucky...

We're asking God to give us direction on where HE wants us to learn, worship, serve and fellowship. 

Guess I'd better go do some kind of work now. I sure have enjoyed unpacking my craft room! Touching all those neat things, thinking and dreaming of the possibilities for future fun. I also need to unload the dishwasher and I could stand to vacuum...so maybe real work before pleasure work?

= ))

A new way of life to learn...

Wow...we never stop having to learn, adjust, adapt and accept, do we? I'm not that old but I'm old enough to want stability, sameness, simplicity...I want the same thing day in, day out, day after day...after day, after day, after day!

A new realization hit me an hour or so ago...this new job of Petey's with it's new schedule and new location and the big move and everything else also means a new way of housekeeping and scheduling of the day for me.

Let me 'splain...as Desi would say...

With Petey's old schedule, he would often arrive home jet-lagged and sleep-deprived. He would sleep some and then try to stay up to be able to go to sleep at our normal bedtime. He would try to get on Texas-time and home schedule as quickly as possible. 

Then we would both be on the normal sleep-wake cycle for the 2 weeks or so that he was home until he went to work again. My daily schedule pretty much stayed the same all the time except for the occasional middle of the night or really early morning drive to the airport to drop off or pick up Petey.

So Petey gets home about 10am this morning. He's flown all night long, only sleeping a few restless hours here and there. I could tell he was tired but he had an important doctor appointment so no time to sleep now.

He was nodding off in the waiting room...made it through the appointment ok...we've found a GREAT doctor for his psoriatic arthritis!! I insisted on driving home...he promptly fell asleep in the car and slept the whole way home.

I fed him lunch, which he kept nodding off during, and then put him to bed. I just woke him up at 5pm cause I thought maybe he'd like to be awake for awhile before our actual bedtime. I was talking to him a little while he sat on the couch and his eyes were rolling back in his head as he was falling asleep while I was talking to him. Back to bed you go!

Then it dawned on me...he leaves again tomorrow night and flies all night long to Amsterdam. There's no reason...no incentive...for him to go to bed tonight at our normal bedtime. It would actually be better if he slept for the rest of the day, was awake for most of the night, slept during the day tomorrow and then he'd be on the right schedule for flying all night tomorrow night.

While he's been sleeping I've been working hard to do quiet things and keep the dogs quiet. I've thought of a number of housekeeping chores I need to do but they make noise and might disturb Petey's sleep.

And that's when it hit me...this isn't just for today...this is how it's going to be! He's going to be in and out of here on a regular basis...a day gone, then home, then gone a couple days, then home, then gone a day or so, then home...not like with Evergreen where he was gone 2-3 weeks, then home 2 weeks.

So I'm going to learn a new way of ordering my days! When he's awake, I need to make it a priority to do the noise-making chores like emptying the dishwasher and vacuuming and such. 

And when he's sleeping, I'll do my quiet activities...which are awesome! I just sat and crocheted for an hour...ahhhhhhh  = )   I've been unpacking my craft room and I can spend hundreds of hours in there doing quiet things. Pretty please!!! hahahaha

But I can also pay bills online and straighten and polish woodwork and other quiet chores...doesn't have to be just fun quiet stuff. 

And doing this blog too! That's quiet...I should start a list.

Anyhow, I told Petey I wouldn't wake him up again...he could sleep until he woke up naturally. Even when he worked at Evergreen, he rarely slept more than 4-6 hours at a stretch. His body has been trained to sleep when it's tired and be awake when it's not and we've learned it's much better when he doesn't try to fight either of those conditions. 

The question now becomes, can Petey stay quiet when I need to sleep??? Might need to invest in a really good, comfortable pair of ear plugs!

Found a neat nature trail today

It's 1.5 miles from the house. There's only 1 mile total of trails but it's kinda neat. I didn't do any of the exercise stations. 

Still...kinda pretty and it did provide some shade. The wind in the pine trees sounded great!

Yeah...lots of rustling made me wonder about snakes!!