A Woman's Work Is Never Done

I have finally begun my detailed cleaning for this year. I can't call it spring cleaning since we are well into summer. Perhaps I could call it fall cleaning as at the rate I'm going I might be finished by Thanksgiving. I hate my kitchen flooring! It was here when we moved in, it's very light in color and has a texture that is intended to resemble stone. All the texture seems to do is trap dirt and the only way to get it clean is hands and knees type of scrubbing. I used to be able to do the entire thing in one day...it was a long day, but one day just the same. Now that I'm older and in pain more days than not I can only do a small section at a time. Wouldn't you know that as soon as I finished, my daughter took out the trash and it leaked all over my clean floor. Fortunately I saw it right away and was able to get it cleaned up before it settled into those awful grooves! I am a little concerned that by the time I finally finish the entire floor, the first sections are going to need another scrubbing.

That's where my cleaning started today. I managed to wipe down the walls in the kitchen as well as the upper cupboard doors, one section of floor and the steps that lead to the basement. My knees are red and tender and I'm sure tomorrow my arms will ache, but at least I've started. Up until now I haven't had the motivation to start and I really don't think I could have made it down to the floor and back up again. What made the difference? I finally have a new chiropractor and have been adjusted twice in the last week. It is amazing what I'm able to do when I am in good alignment. I'll rest from scrubbing for a day or two and focus on some less physically demanding chores, but it feels good to feel good again.

Well that's all for today, not very exciting or profound. How often do you do a detailed cleaning of your home? If you've stopped by please let me know you've been here. I enjoy comments, touching base with friends and meeting new ones.

Royal blessings, 

Wednesday Medley

Although I'm happy to see Terri is hosting this (thanks Terri), I'm not always very good at coming up with answers for these things, but I'll give it try. 

1.  Who is your favorite "Joe/Jo" and what can you tell us about him or her? 

I'm sorting through my mind looking for a Joe...can't find a favorite. I haven't known very many Joe's in my lifetime. I had a date with a Joe once...no, not a favorite, never again, YUCK!  My daughter has a Joseph in her life....no engagement ring yet, but I do believe one day it will show up. I guess my favorite would have to be a piano student I used to have who was named Joe. He learned so quickly I had a difficult time keeping up with him. He was also a hockey player and often came to his lesson in his hockey gear! One year his mother didn't sign him up, never gave a reason why and when I tried to contact her she never replied. I have no idea what happened. Sad. 

2.  Who were you named for and do you or did you know that person?  

I am named for my great-grandmother on my mother's Dad's side of the family. I have one picture of her, but no, I never met her or my grandfather for that matter. 

3.  Do you have a middle name and do you like it/use it? 

Yes, I do and I like it, it goes well with my name. I use the initial when I sign legal documents, but as a general rule I don't use it.  

4.  Have you ever named your car?  

No, but my husband has. I did name the organ I play though. Meet Sebastian, named after my favorite composer, Johann Sebastian Bach. 

5.  Tell us the name of a fictional character you have never forgotten and why you remember it so well. 

I honestly am coming up blank on this one.

6.  Share something random with us about your week.  

It's spring break here and all but one of my students have chosen not to attend piano lessons this week. It's ok, but I'm broke. I am trying to make good use of my "time off" but I have wasted two days so far but hoping to do better the rest of the week. Today is a good start. 

Prayer Warrior

Once again it has been awhile...a long while. I know I'm not a very consistent blogger and for that I'm sorry because I would love to be here regularly. Maybe if I were I would have more followers that I could interact with which would lead to more friendships but I simply cannot devote the time to it that some of you do. In trying to catch up on some of the blogs I like to frequent, one blogger said she'd be away for a while because she couldn't think of much to write about. I've known those days and have had many but lately it seems I am so busy and could write about so much but I just don't find the time to sit down and write or I can’t seem to find the mental energy to form the words.  Feast or famine and both it seems lead to inconsistent blogging.

Now to resume...

Have you ever had a prayer warrior come alongside and pray earnestly for you at any time in your life or have you been a prayer warrior for someone else? I hope you have been blessed by both in your life. Today I’d like to introduce you to my prayer warrior...it’s quite an interesting story.

There is a small Village Missions church in the next block and several years ago they purchased the house next door to us to be used as a pastors house.  Over the past few years I have enjoyed getting to know the pastor and his wife...she and I chat over coffee on her deck from time to time. Two years ago when things started really falling apart at church I needed to talk to someone outside of my church who could offer me Godly counsel, so I went to her and was welcomed with open arms. When the new pastor at my own church almost had me doubting my own beliefs I found confirmation with her.  When we first met we added each other on Facebook and she discovered that we had many friends in common yet we had never met. While comparing notes we found out that many of my friends from the Christian college I attended had spent time serving at a Bible camp where she used to cook. We thought that was pretty remarkable until we talked more and found out that we used to live in the same town. When she asked my address, we soon realized we used to be neighbors...living back to back with each other in a suburb of Denver. Neighbors now neighbors again! What are the odds? This is my neighbor's house...her backyard is connected to my side yard. It will be a while before we're enjoying coffee on her deck again!

Last summer we visited my neighbor’s church. It was nice to get away from the drama, but we weren’t sure it would ever be a church home for us. After that she has made herself available to me anytime I need to talk and has put me on her daily prayer list. She invites me to fellowships and ladies events and Dear Husband and I  joined a Bible Study at their church this fall and have enjoyed the in depth study that we have been missing at our church and the rich fellowship also now missing from our church. Anytime any new development arises she is right there by my side praying me through and suffering with me. We bumped into each other in the grocery store one day and had an impromptu chat and prayer right there in the store. She is amazing and I am so very grateful for her diligent display of Christian love.

We are still at our church...drama and all. Some would ask why in the world, but there are a few that still appreciate my ever shrinking ministry and though it becomes more and more inconsequential, for now we don’t feel the call of the Lord to leave. We know that I am no longer wanted by the leadership and if I left my position I would free the leadership to complete the transformation of the ministry there. For that reason we will most likely leave soon but there is so much to think about, so much to leave behind and starting over is not something I relish either. In the meantime I try to be there for those friends that need me...I am often a sounding board of frustration and sadness. If/when we leave we will plan to start over at my neighbor’s church...at least I know I’ll have support. She says “just come, let us love on you while you heal”.  

God bless her!

In other news the blizzard of 2019 left us with quite a large load in our yard. Yes that is what is left of my clothesline pole...note the 6 foot high "privacy" fence between our property and the yard behind us! 

But it's going to take a while before it looks like spring around here! 

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and
on earth derives its name,
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened
with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your
hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be
able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and
height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,
that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Walk with a fellow believer today or let someone walk with you...

Royal blessings, 

Summer Update Part Two

Happy Fall! Seeing fall arrive is always bittersweet. It’s my favorite season by far, but I also know
what’s coming next and fall in this area can be much too short. Before we get too deep into the new
season, I need to finish updating you all on my summer. My first look back on summer can be found
HERE in case you missed it.

My summer certainly didn’t turn out as I had planned. I had a long list of projects I wanted to accomplish
as well as some time to really get my health and well being back under control. For the first time in many
years we were able to obtain health insurance which is all well and good except I was sent for all kinds
of tests because I had never had them. Labs were done as well as a colonoscopy. Without going into
too much personal detail my labs weren’t completely clean so I was sent for more tests and specialists.
All this as well as catching up on my dental and eye appointments. Instead of working on what I had
planned I was running the highway to and from the hospital. The good news is after all that, nothing
serious was found but I have to return in six months for some re-checks just to make sure.

In other news our garden was a bust. Very little came up, we think the Father’s Day storm that flooded
our area washed away most of our seed. We did get a few green beans, carrots (enough to fill two
freezer bags full), some lettuce and about eight or so beets that we lost when something or someone
broke into the garden and took every single one, leaving the greens behind. We certainly are not going
into winter at all prepared.

Today I did finish the projects I had to get done before the bad weather set in. I feel accomplished with
that. In the coming weeks in between my teaching and practice schedule I will be focusing on my fall
house cleaning one small project at a time. We've had a lot of gray, rainy days already that just make
me want to curl up next to this guy and forget everything else.

I still have a lot to catch up on, be watching for part 3.

Heart Ache - Summer Update Part One

A big hello to anyone out there who's still out there. I have so much to catch up on as the summer certainly didn't turn out as I had planned. I'll get to all that in the next post but for today I'll share the first of summer's disappointments.

I think I mentioned my friends plans to move. I'm going to miss them so much...here is a little bit of their story. About 15 years ago I was driving through downtown when I noticed a new sign on a storefront and the paper lined windows said something about a scrapbook store. I had picked up a magazine on scrapbooking a year or so earlier and was in the process of teaching myself the art. I was so excited to actually see a store move to town that would have supplies for my new found hobby. I remember walking by everyday and trying to see through the cracks between the big sheets of paper in the windows. I couldn't wait for them to open and it seemed to be taking them forever! Somehow I think I missed opening day, but I was still one of the first customers in the door and I won a door prize at the grand opening that I still have and use.

I met Mary first. I remember her greeting me and asking me if I did scrapbooking. I told her I did but was still learning and she assured me they could help me with that. I had no idea at the time the extent of what that meant.

Mary and Jeanne were a wealth of information and encouragement. They new so much about paper and stocked many different kinds that I didn't even know existed! They taught me new techniques and gave me tips and tricks to make my scrapbooks look their best, they inspired me with projects they were working on and encouraged me to try new things always supporting me in whatever I was working on.  They would offer table space in the shop for us to take our projects and work on them there. I used to love to take in what I was working on and spend the afternoon crafting and talking with Jeanne. Mary was usually working at the bank next door but she would pop in on her breaks and lunch. If one of them couldn't help me with something the other one could. I spent so much time in there we began to become friends and share more that just scrapbooks.

Due to the financial depression of our small town, they were forced to close their store. Gone was not only a great source of information, help and supplies but also the connection to other friends I had made through the crops and workshops I attended. As a result I formed a Facebook group to stay in touch with everyone and from that we formed our bi-monthly craft days where we gather together as we used to at the crops to work on our projects. It's been wonderful until now that our founders have decided to move to be near family.

Their house sold quickly and they found a new house right away. Before I knew what happened I was attending their final yard sale. We had a farewell party with as many of the crafters as we could pull together on short notice...what a bittersweet time. I miss them terribly, but those of us left behind have banded together to make an effort to keep crafting together. So far it's working well.

We're hoping for many opportunities to visit them and they promised they would be up for vacation at least once a year. One of those changes that life brings...takes a little getting used to. 

Stay tuned...I have a lot to catch up on. If you stopped by, please let me know so I can visit your blog as well. 

Nostalgic Hodgepodge

I can't believe I answered the questions to this weeks Hodgepodge and then forgot to return and post it. Well, I'll post anyway and see if anyone shows up. 

1. What's something in your house you'd like to get rid of but can't?
My husband's bow-flex because he never uses it and it takes up a lot of space.

2. When is the last time you experienced a sense of nostalgia? Elaborate.
I'm often nostalgic...last time, well...today. I had to say good-bye to two very dear friends last night and I'm remembering so much of the good times we spent together. Today is a very difficult day.

3. You're only allowed three apps on your smart phone or tablet...which three do you keep?
1. Gmail 2. Facebook 3. Messenger

4. July 11th is National Blueberry Muffin Day. Who knew? Do you like blueberry muffins? If you were going to have a muffin would blueberry be your choice? What's the last thing you baked?
I love blueberries and most things made with them so blueberry muffins are near the top of that list. Yes if I could have a muffin right now, it's highly likely I would choose blueberry. I honestly cannot remember the last thing I baked. I rarely bake anymore because I can't have the temptation in the house. Does bread in the bread maker count? I bake that for my husband every week.

5. What's the biggest way you've changed since you were a child? In what way are you still the same?
I'm more willing to try something new on my own. I'm still an introvert, still very emotional and sensitive.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

God bless

                                 Happy Independence Day!

How are you spending the 4th of July holiday? I spent it trying to stay cool. It's been unusually warm for us up north...84* is too much for me. Fortunately Husband put in a small air conditioner so as long as I stay in the same room with it I can function. I did manage to wash and hang out 3 loads of laundry, do my usual cleaning and do several "puttsy" type jobs around the house....working on some of my smaller goals. It does feel good to get even little things accomplished. I'm trying to celebrate even small victories.

 One fun little project was this. I needed a basket to carry my bath items to and from the bathroom. We have a small bathroom with limited storage plus it seems when I leave my things in there, certain other family members use them. Since body wash and shampoo can be expensive, I'm being a little selfish. I looked high and low for a basket that would serve the purpose without being too big or too small and couldn't find anything. Finally at a friends garage sale I found this:

Not very attractive for a queens royal chambers so I found some antique gold spray paint and got busy! Since embracing my "royalty" I'm having fun with bling wherever I can and still be tasteful.
This is how my new basket or bucket turned out. From baseballs to...just cute! I'm very pleased with how it turned out. What do you think?

Of greater importance than my bath basket was yesterdays lunch date! 

If you have read my blog in the past you would know that what of the most important people in my life was my organ teacher/mentor. Approximately 2 years ago he retired from his position of organist at a local Catholic church and as my organ teacher. I have felt lost in many ways since he retired. I miss his encouragement, I miss the way he had of making me tap into my best self...he was the one who brought the royal out in me in the first place.  We have stayed in touch via text message and emails. He has been there for me through all the drama at church and has helped keep me from feeling defeated and kept me from losing my crown completely. 

Yesterday we were both finally able to make and keep a lunch date. I cannot tell you how wonderful that was! We started right in where we left off as far as our connection goes...we are close and that close connection remains. We talked mostly about his family history that he's been researching and about my church issues, but for a few moments we connected on something deeper and it is so good to know that it still exists when we need it. It's not something we talk about anymore...rarely did, but we know down deep that we are there for each other. 

He continues to help me hold my head up and my shoulders back so my crown doesn't slip...at least not too far.  God bless him. 

Summer Has Arrived Hodgepodge

1. Summer is upon us this week in the Northern hemisphere. Tell us three things on your summer bucket list.
1. Clean house...every nook and cranny!
2. Weed the flower beds and plant wildflowers...I don't want to have to tend them again.
3. Work on my project list...there are so many things I'm trying to accomplish.

2. Something fun you used to do as a kid in the summertime?
Run the neighborhood with my friends. We'd play all day until supper time and almost like clock work we'd get rain during supper and when it stopped we'd stomp barefoot in the gutters for a while, then play hide and seek until after dark and the street lights came on or my mom called me home.

3. Rootop or backyard? Why?
Backyard. I'm not fond of heights plus I've never lived anywhere that had roof top access. The backyard has so much more to offer.

4. Do you read food labels? Place importance on them? Make an effort to find out/care about where your food comes from?
Yes I do.

5. A song you'll have on repeat this summer?
I'm not up on the current songs and I haven't put a song on repeat since I was a teen crushing on Bobby Sherman! What I listen to changes with my mood or what I'm doing.

6. Insert your own random thought here.
I've been absent for a while but it was so very sweet for a new friend here on blogger to come looking for me to make sure I'm doing ok. I often get busy and forget to check in on Hodgepodge, but how very nice it is to have be en missed!! 

Hodgepodge Down Memory Lane

1. April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes. Is there a flower you associate with a particular memory? Explain.
Two actually. #1 Red Roses because they were our wedding flower and #2 Pansies, they were my mother's favorite flower so they always bring bitter-sweet memories whenever I see them. 
2. Last time you helped someone? Tell us how.
Last week. Some friends of ours have a flooded garage so I let them borrow our wet/dry shop vac. Oh and Sunday one of our church members' hymnbook was losing pages so I taped it up for her. 
3. It's National Salsa Month (the food, not the dance) so tell us, do you like salsa? Hot, medium, or mild? Homemade, store bought, or from your favorite restaurant only?
We like salsa and have it often. I like all kinds but usually mild to medium. 

4. When I was twelve years old...
I spent all my free time with my best friend...we've been best friends since we were 6 and we're still besties to this day. I took piano lessons, sang in the school choir and was in love with Bobby Sherman so I spent a lot of time reading teen magazines like Tiger Beat and 16. 

5. It's the first of May so let's run with it-first things first, don't know the first thing about it, first dibs on something, first impression, first rate, first cousin, first string, first come first served, at first light-which phrase can best be applied to something in your life currently or even recently?
I will have to say 'first things first' as I'm always trying to get everything done and trying to make priorities in my life. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm late in posting my answers this week...I hope to read some of yours this evening.