I think the Holy Spirit likes Pie!

Last night I was moved by the Holy Spirit. He was speaking to me through pain, fatigue & sadness. I carried through with a task that I had been so hesitant about & it lead me into a promise of quiet. I once told someone I would support anything they did because I believed in them. I had not done it yet as my feelings had been hurt & my trust challenged if not broken. But I am a woman of my word & I knew it was time to follow through on my word. This person had probably even forgotten I once said this but I did not. There is no greater force than the Holy Spirit.

In honoring my word spoken neon's ago, a bit of correspondence took place & within it was an apology that I wasn't sure I was ready to receive. I sent back a polite note of encouragement, spoke with my husband about it & then took myself to bed. This morning I sent a note back between myself & this friend & then I walked away from the exchange to think, pray & to receive any answer that may come.

I began my day with the same intent I have for the last 24 years, baking pies for the holiday meal. I love this day. I could cry happy tears for it, it means so much to me. As I was prepping for the second pie, I was surprised by a feeling that came over me. I was very familiar with this feeling. It was in fact the Holy Spirit moving me to a righteous resolve. After months of unrest and quandary, I had found my footing once again & my heart was no longer burdened by the issues that had hurt me so deeply.

The spirit is so strong that when it reaches out, it does so in an enveloping way. Much like a loving constrictor. The spirit just takes hold until you see what must be done and then it sets you free to carry on with love & kindness rather than pain & intent. Letting go in the in the trials of man & letting go in the Spirit of Christ are two very different things. One is a band aide, the other is a healing.

I am thankful for the healing that came to me today & to the kind soul who took the first step in showing me it's okay. I know all too well how short life is and how precious each moment is. This is a moment I will treasure. I know I will look back next year and fondly remember this day. Miracles are not always grandiose & loud full of fan fair. Sometimes it's a quiet exchange that allows two people to speak maturely, one reads while the other types and vice verse. Politely, maturely & with compassion to each other's pain & concern.

Today, I am thankful for a heart that continues to trust in the Spirit when mine has failed.

This is the other half of what I did today:

Blueberry

Cherry Apple And almost a whole Lemon Meringue....

I just couldn't wait one second longer... :)

Happy Holidays from OUR home to YOURS!!!

Thank you Jesus!

Sunday's Grattitude List & Giveaway Link

Don't forget the GIVEAWAY: Just click on the link and leave a comment~ http://forastitchinthyme.blogspot.com/2009/11/giveaway.html

First, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BABY!! 13 years and a lifetime to go. I love you much!

Today I'm grateful for:

The nap I seriously needed. The warm Bugzy Boy who slept on the bed with me and Oscar & Matilda for not wrestling & causing a commotion when I needed the rest.

Beautiful Christmas music.

The ability to move on & move forward from uneasiness & the cause of it.

Furnace heat ~ always welcome when I am cold.

Popsicles.... hence, furnace heat.

Cocoa... hence, popsicles.... I know but I like them all!! But I start out with cold hands & feet and a dry mouth so I need popsicle (well two actually, always two) then my lips freeze and I need cocoa........ well, you get the point.

Hand sanitizer... fabulous stuff.

Fresh Cat boxes at all times.

A selfless husband. I love you.

Thick quilts, sweat jackets and footies!

Knowing Christ is but a prayer away.

*****GIVEAWAY*****

In time for the holidays what could be better than a gift pretty enough for giving? A lovely lady adorns the front of this sweet smelling sachet. A touch of polka dots, bouquet roses, ticking and sprinkled roses complete the sachet. Inside is a full cup of dried lavender for a wonderful aroma. A loop has been added for hanging from a doorknob, bedpost or shelf hook. Some folks don't like embelishments so I left off for the giveaway. I will add some ribbons & embelishments on the front if you would like, just let me know when you send your mailing address.

All you have to do is leave a comment on ANY post from here forward til the drawing on November 28th!! If you would like to follow, by all means I'd love to have you, but it's not required. Come alone or bring a friend! Drawing is open to everyone!! Just remember to leave a comment(s) as your drawing chances increase with each submitted comment.

Happy Holidays From Our Home To YOURS!!

From Madison @ Fight For Your Life

I received this award from Madison & I need to list 10 things about me & pass it on to 10 other deserving people.

1. I love the color Red, the number 3 & hot water. I love friends who inspire, who help pick me up & who would rather be honest than right. I love Heavenly Father, my husband & children & the family I chose to be in my life. I love Jane Austen, Phantom & decorator mags. I love learning new things, taking comfort in the old & being content with just being me. I love animals, hot cocoa on a cold day & coffee with my sweetie. I love friends who share their knowledge, embrace their authentic self & don't care who knows they are my friend. I love wood stoves, fireplaces & warm winter socks. I can live with almost any thing, avoid what I must & make peace either way. I love laughter.

2. I do not edit my feelings when I post. It's all or nothing for me & I choose all to view myself more honestly & openly. I can learn from reading what I write & avoid that which intends to hurt me.

3. My walk with God did not come as easily to me as it has to many others. I've had a challenging life to say the least & many times have questioned His purpose for me. I had to lay down my anger & pain to receive His teaching in whole. I do not profess to be a perfect, near perfect or even every minute of every day practicing christian but, I know He exist & knowing that makes my life more whole.

4. The single most important "wish or want" in my life is: To spend a whole day with my mother as an adult so she can see I'm doing okay if not great on most days. I would welcome her advise, long for a hug & end the day with a laugh. My mother had a wonderful laugh. Loosing my mother so young has had a profound impact on my life. I miss her so very much.

5. Taking risks is part of life, choosing which ones to take is part of maturity.

6. I don't like mice in my house, bats in my attic or a bee on the end of my nose. I don't like palmetto bugs in my hair, slugs on the bottom of my feet or sand in my underwear. I don't like garlic breath, onion eyes or wheat bread 4 hours later. I don't like fair weather friends, people who intend harm or sneaky self righteous people. I don't like being cold inside, hot outside or numb either way. I don't like abuse, neglect or pain. I can do without bad memories, sleepless nights & pain that sits you up straight out of a dream.

7. I love wine, it hates me. This is one time hate wins.

8. Things I think about: Prejudice pisses me off, racism hurts & class segregation is ridiculous. Having a college degree makes you no wiser than the homeless man on the street. Going to church every Sunday does not make you a better Christian nor quoting or paraphrasing the bible. Lead me with a Christ like heart & I'll be more inclined to follow. I can smell a phony 10 blocks away & the self righteous won't get a foot in my door. Trust me the way you would want to be trusted. Do to me what you would readily have me do unto you. Love me the way you want to be loved. There is too much pain in the world. It hurts me.

9. I hate cartoons except for, MR. Magoo. I love the jungle book to this day. I almost vomited watching Passion of Christ. A movie that left a mark on my soul, "Schindler's List". T.V. is not necessary but music is. I do not go to movie theaters but love outside symphonies (especially the Boston Symphony Orchestra). I love cross word puzzles. Love to push mow rather than sit & ride. Love water, can't get enough. Puppy breath, fuzzy kitteh's & wild horses.

10. Sobriety is only as safe as my prayers are constant. Honor is the most valuable character within myself, living up to it is my journey.

Thanks for coming along for the read.

Pick ten people to pass this onward...

Steve @ http://woodysshed.blogspot.com/
LeeLaurie @ http://asouthernrose.blogspot.com/
Jeanette @ http://bombshellblissnow.blogspot.com/
Syd @ http://fine-anon.blogspot.com/
Mona @ http://wsprsweetlyofcottages.blogspot.com/
Amias @ http://magicofintegratedcircuits.blogspot.com/
Sharon @ http://sharonscottagequilts.blogspot.com/
JoJo @ http://myrandominsanities.blogspot.com/
Anne @ http://elmilagrostudio.blogspot.com/
Inky @ http://allaboutmeandmylikesanddislikes.blogspot.com/2009/11/true-love-never-dies.html

Music, Memories & Mesiah

Today as I was loading my Christmas music playlist I realized how quietly important the next six weeks are to me. I am in love with Thanksgiving & the Spirit of Christmas. Tomorrow night my beloved & I will go shopping for our Thanksgiving dinner. I always go the week before no matter what else going on. We don't miss it and haven't for the 13 years of our marriage. I love everything about this season. Maybe not the vast amount of dishes, but I love to cook for my family on this day & reflect on my blessings. We trim our tree at night which thrills me to no end. I love the blinking white lights & the glistening of the ornaments. I love turning off the lights early to just enjoy them.

On turkey day we always have coffee & donuts in the morning and then don't eat the whole day. We will have our turkey of course, which this year it will be Harry #24. I have "call named" the turkeys since my daughter was born. He will be stuffed with apple-raisin stuffing and cooked for the better part of the day. He will have his mashed ta'to's or rice, veges galore and cranberry sauce to keep him company at the table. I usually hunt the whole city for my squash which is not readily carried at our markets. But, it makes it all the more special when I find it. I make 4 to 5 different pies (apple, blueberry, cherry, pumpkin & either lemon or chocolate meringue) which happens two days prior to dinner as a lead in. I used to make yeast rolls but have found they simply do not like me.

Steve & I usually go to the video store and grab a couple of movies the night before to watch as well. Hot cocoa at night fall and fur babies to snuggle up to. The older I get, the more I miss the true meaning of Christmas being celebrated. So many are in it for the presents. To me, that is my least favorite part. I don't mind giving at all & seeing the glee when opened, but it's not the high point for me. The stores begin the mad rush in October & for me it's a bit too much so it looses it's meaning too early. I much prefer the pace of going through the holidays in a traditional 6 week "get ready, get set, go" mode.

I love the music of the season, the smells all around me, the joy in my heart & knowing when all is done and said, God has loved & protected me & those I love through another year. I pray for our troops who serve without question, for those we've lost that their souls may rise up to meet God & for those of us who remain to be the best Christians, people & examples we can be in His name. I take some quiet time for myself for quiet prayers at night. I think I spend the last 6 weeks of the year truly appreciating the blessings I have received & the child that still lives within me. Yep, I sure do love this time of year, every year!!

Happy Holidays & Blessings to each & everyone one of you in blogland!!

Thanksgiving Reflections

This week my brain has been mush as my short term memory has taken an extra long vacation. This is the one side effect of Lupus & I don't know if I'll ever become accustomed to it. The hubs keeps me in Post It Notes so I'm good.

Each year at Thanksgiving I reflect on events in the year past, set goals for myself for the next year & take stalk of what I have learned & received. This was a trying year for me overall.

Two of our beloved pets, Jazzmine (addison's disease) & Boodles (old age & seizures), passed away. We opened our home & hearts to 5 others.

I received a diagnosis after 8 long years & I am making peace with that diagnosis & fighting it every way I can.

I've had to work through betrayal, abandonment & loss & in the process I grew & know what I won't do to those I love.

I have firmly accepted some families never recover from tragedy & trauma & PTSD should never go untreated (therapy) or minimized. I gave two years to therapy & to myself.

I have had to make peace with the fact that my Type A personality is a thing of the past & I have learned a slower more meaningful life held more bounty for me in the end.

I am prioritizing what is tangible & letting go of intangible "things" & I am happier & less stressed for it.

My sobriety is only a weak moment in the breaking or a prayer in the moment of maintaining.

I have wrestled with forgiveness this past year which is highly unusual for me & a trust has been broken which makes it harder, but I have made new friends and continue to share of myself without fear.

I have learned never compromise your beliefs to fit in, never hide from the truth in fear of retribution or outcasting & be proud of the life you have chosen & the one's you share it with. I choose to be around those who keep it real.

I continue my walk with God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit in manner fitting to them & only them.

Claiming to be a friend & acting like one are two different things. One is a noun,the other a verb. I choose the verb.

I realized with every down there is an up and with every doubt there is a confirmation.

In the last two years I have had to face a lot of my past & work through the tragedy & trauma & I'm still standing.

I still believe one should always speak their mind without fear of judgement or retribution & stand on faith & principle even when you may stand alone.

Never be afraid to stand up for someone when you know someone has done them wrong. You never know when it could be you next.

One should never be ashamed of their living arrangements, who they love or why they chose the life they have. Be proud of your life or change it til it feels right to you and those you love. Life is too short to live in the views of others.

The single most important thing I have learned this year is to trust in God above all else. To have faith that no matter what comes your way, there is a purpose for it. No matter how much pain one must endure, there is a way through and no matter how much your heart may ache, someone will lovingly come along and tender to it.

Is there honestly anything better....

than strawberry haagen daz? If there is, I haven't found it.

The problem with it is this.... now I need a wood stove or a fireplace. I'm freezing. The temperature is dropping outside, the hubs is at work and the dogs are too busy playing to cuddle.

Everybody SIT!! Good dogs.

Story: Oh wait, TRUE story. I received a custom order. Take a primitive lap quilt, cut it
to size and make two king size pillow shams. Sounds easy right? Well no problem. I get the quilt from hubs who brings home from work for co-worker. I see the quilt is held together by hand stitching. Okay a bit longer to finish but okay. Size is off. Well by gosh just take it apart and cut to size. Wrong, must take every single seam out of the quilt, period. So I deconstruct a quilt so I can make two shams. Still not a problem, I'm experienced a this. I cut everything to size, restitch every single seam to new size. Layer the top, batting & bottom layer and proceed for two days to hand stitch the shams. Done. I decide I'm going to wash them before hubs brings back to client. I put them on gentle and give them a nice cleaning. Then into the dryer they go on low/colors. 45 minutes later, proud as a peacock I go to retrieve my hard work from the dryer. HORROR! CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW... HORROR. The cheap *ss batting completely fell away from my stitching, my machine stitching and my triple closed seams. I was absolutely sick... no really, vomit sick. Hubs calls from work asking how everything was... I couldn't even talk... I was just devastated. I could not discuss them at all. Next morning I tell hubs to give a note to client and show her the shams. I give her two options. One, I can redo the entire sham with MY batting if there is no rush for time or I can cut a nice seam into the closed seam on the inside and reach in and pull out the wadded up ball of cheap *ss batting. He goes to work & brings shams with him. I get a call a 1/2 hour after he left. He says, "she loves them and she's not worried about the batting. With the pillows in them you'll never know". I freak thinking no way. He tells me he already explained to her that i'm a perfectionist (yes a blessing and a curse) and I was up 1/2 the night sick from it etc etc. She, the client, says "how much do I owe her, I love them".

So... back to the haagen daz.... two days later I am able to eat my comfort food that I needed that night but was too upset to even take a bite. It sure tasted a whole lot sweeter than my memory had recalled. It was good.

We'll close with beautiful Whippy tonight!

Take 40% OFF ALL ITEMS ON MY MARKETPLACE OR

make me an offer.

Now doesn't she reflect the feeling of "thank God it's friday". This is Matilda thinking

she is small enough to fit on our boot bench. I dont' have the heart to tell her she

doesn't really fit. She seems so bloody comfortable!!

Lets go for a Saturday Song this week.

Today is errand day.... done.

Few more items to list and inventory controlled.

Beautiful sunshine outdoors. God is good.

Turkey day is fast approaching & it is hands down my favorite holiday. I love to cook
the meal & all the fixing's & having my left-overs for days & days. Apple stuffing,
squash, fresh green beans, cranberry sauce... turkey, stuffing & happy bellyache to
go with it.

I think i'll make up some tote bags to sell. I have a couple of pet stockings to list, a
gift bag or holiday laundry/lingerie bag & a dog coat.

I had two of the best tuna sandwiches yeterday. I do not know why those sandwiches
tasted so good but darn if they weren't the best I've had. mmmmm

Thank you for your suggestions on the exercise. We do in fact have an add for it on
craigslist, will look into a light yoga and tai-chi dvd and walking can be tricky right
now due to side effects of med. Soon though as I have entered my last uptake dose
so now things hopefully should settle down a bit.

Gratitude:

1. My pets for without them, cable tv might be necessary. They bring us so much
entertainment.
2. My hubs help for without, I might have had to push my body harder than it is
capable of at this present time.
3. Autumn!
4. Friends who get you!
5. Sobriety.

Prayers needed for the families & friends of FT. HOOD, TEXAS

May God watch over the families & friends of those at Fort Hood, Texas Military Base.

My brothers & sisters of the military have given the greatest sacrifice to & for our country. It is very difficult to loose a loved one in uniform but to loose them on your own soil adds a horrible element for the families and friends of each of the fallen & wounded.

Please say a prayer for our military family & all those who may be affected. My heart is so very heavy & I pray, Oh Heavenly Father, please comfort those who's lives have been affected on this day.

Motivation, Medication, Man-I-Need-A-Staycation!

I would like your help blogger family. I am wanting to start doing some mild exercising at home. I would like to have some recommendations on tapes that would apply. I need a low impact workout due to a spine issue. That is the only requirement & I am open to all suggestions. I am wanting a treadmill but darn if those aren't quite expensive & It will be something we'll have to save for. In the meantime, I thought a cd with a good exercise program might be good for me (and maybe him too!).
My medication is brutal. The worse side effect I'm facing now is gawd awful tiredness & there is no snapping out of it. This is as strong as any sedative I've had in the past. I'm really hoping and praying it wears off as my body adjust. I would hate to think it will continue as it is now. I would welcome any prayers to help me get through this phase of the uptake. It is the last uptake & I now know why they bring you up slow. During this phase, I have had to accept a medication imposed staycation. I can't even focus right now. The biggest battle is giving myself permission to only do what my body and my mind can do at this time. The tired is different than the fatigue I've made peace with for the last 9 years. Fatigue I can fight my way through but tired is just what it is. With a house full of critters there is no such thing as a "lay in bed and rest" day. I do feel the inflammation has somewhat abated & truly hope this is as a result of the medication & not due to the end of a flare. Although, my blood work did indicate I was still flaring when we started the meds so this may be the best sign I have had.Hubs- I love you very much & simply can't thank you enough for all you do while I try to get right with these meds. I don't know how as yet, but I am sure I'll make it up to you in some way. Maybe I'll make your manicotti or lasagna, would that do it as a thank you? Or, I could save my energy to make up our traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

I'm inclined to agree with Oscar!

Swings, Smiles, Sitting & Solitude....

Ever since I was a young girl I have liked to swing or rock. Inside, outside, tree swing or wooden rocker. I was not picky so long as the motion was true. There is something so perfect about the motion in swinging & rocking that absolutely soothes my soul. I don't need a book or magazine, music or tea or even company to feel content. I only need the swing or rocker and the motion of it.If I do have company, usually a critter in my lap, I don't mind as they often help the motion that is so very soothing. Have you ever noticed how animals can anticipate the next physical motion of a thing. Our beloved Jazzmine would ride in the car with me while going to the park or doing some quick outdoor errands. I would say to her "right turn Jazz" & she would lean to the turn. Same for left, stop & here we go. Honest to pete she would have been superb on a motorcycle.Well, Jazzy was real good about laying her sweet head on my lap whenever I would swing or rock. She loved it & she too, seemed to find some serenity in the motion. She would readily fall off to sleep & wouldn't move a budge until it was time to get up. The same with my rocking chair. When she was a pup she would would want up in my lap whenever I was rocking. Right up until, oh I'd say 55 lbs, I would still rock her. Even as she grew bigger she still wanted up but she was just too big.

A bench is good too. Sitting outside on a weathered bench in more colors than any piece of furniture should have, you could find us in the fresh air. She loved to be at my side, especially outside with all the fall leaves rustling about. The smells of the air would circulate around us and we just took it in. Quietly, calmly & completely. We would do nothing. Just sit, smell & listen. It didn't matter if it was daylight or nightfall to us. Often the hubs would've called from work for one of his nightly chats & I would miss the call as we were outside. He knew what we were doing & he would patiently wait to call back later. I always called her my "babygirl" or "punkin head" as daddy mostly called her each night as he arrived home from work. There are still many days when I cry for her & miss her dearly but I'm okay with the tears as they come & go gently as they should. Allowing me my time & moments to grieve & then my emotions move to the promise of meeting again one day when my time has come. She was as much a part of my family as any human being. So I hold onto that promise & knowing, in HIS time, I will once again be made whole. Of that I am sure.

I thought on her again today as I do most days. I let the the three kids out to potty & that same familiar smell hit my nose. I thought about her quiet demeanor & still nature & I just smiled. Some days I still cry at the most inconspicuous moments when I think on her just shy of 11+ years of devotion to us. But today, today I smiled & thanked God for the beautiful memories that sweet, adorable & loyal girl left her mo-mo & po-po to carry on with.
It's fall "belle-belle", can you smell it? The leaves smell like the earth meeting the skies again, don't they? You must have sent them to me & daddy this day, special girl that you are. We miss you "punkin head."
For your daily dose of Oscar.... Oscar loves to play in any box I receive with either orders being shipped to me or supplies I have ordered out for. He likes to climb in the box and play hide and seek with the other critters.For those of you who inquired about Sadie-mae.... i give you the queen of cuteness & awww....

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