A Thankful Moment

Blogger Sarah suggested the whole idea of reclaiming Thanksgiving. It means focusing on things I'm thankful for and not taking anything for granted. I love that idea, don't you? Sarah suggests living with an attitude of gratitude...or 'Thanksliving.' I decided to train myself to notice things differently in these few weeks before Thanksgiving and make a point to be thankful for them. It's easy to just march through the day, doing the things I need to, the things I'm expected to and the things that bring me from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Today was different. I saw stars through the fog before daylight...and I was grateful. And I continued finding little things and focusing on thankful thoughts. But, on my way home, for some odd reason, I took a detour...a longer, slower route...even though I was running late, it was getting dark and I had no plan for supper.

As I drove near the lakeshore, I was given a very unexpected gift. . . .a gift that brought me into the very presence of God...like nothing I've ever experienced!

I got out of my car, camera in pocket, and stood in amazement. The colors of the setting sun reflected on the calm water in such a way...that time stood still. I stayed there motionless to drink it in...I couldn't get enough...I didn't want it to end. It was overwhelming... powerful... peaceful. It was like a moment in heaven.

Thank you, God, for reaching down, pressing 'pause' and giving me yet another thankful moment.

"He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters." Psalm 18:16

The Little Plastic Car with the Paper Roof

I got my deer just a few days before the season officially opened this fall.

I didn’t really ‘get’ my deer…she got me! I was innocently heading home from a church meeting in my little plastic car with the paper roof. I reached in my pocket, pulled out my cell phone and called home to let Paul know I was on my way. It was almost 10 o’clock…and he was in bed. I started telling him that I had just left town... when out of nowhere came Bambi’s mom, halahootin’ across the road, followed by a herd of 5 or 6 more. Although I only hit one, it sounded much worse from the inside of my little plastic car with the paper roof.

The worst bloodcurdling scream came out of my mouth and shot into my cell phone, which exploded and flew from my hand, landing somewhere in the dark as I hit the brake. I pulled off the road and madly searched for my phone on the seat...on the floor...and even in my pocket.

I remember thinking that poor Paul must be scared to death after hearing that horrible scream and then total silence. But I couldn’t find my phone....to tell him that I was fine! I hate to admit it but panic set in quickly. Here I was on the side of the road, after dark, no other traffic, no phone, and a messed up car that might not be able to limp the 5 miles home. My mind started slapping together the worst case scenarios. (Why is it that human brains do that anyway?)

Then came the anger…Why in the world wasn’t Paul calling me? Did he go back to sleep? How could he have listened to that shriek of pure terror…and fallen back to sleep? How could he? Doesn’t he even care? If he’d only call me back, my phone would light up …and I could give him a piece of my mind…and then….everything...would be....okay.

And then the tears...

Long story short, I calmed down, found my phone, talked to Paul and made it home safely.

And the small two-stall garage has now become a nice hibernating place for the little plastic car with the paper roof.

Knit 2, Purl 2

" Finishing races is important, but racing is more important."

This past week I decided to sort through all my yarn and see if I could find something that would work to make a pair of mittens or a hat for the donation basket at church.

There seems to be a contest between the knitters and crocheters to see which group can make more items. I think perhaps whatever group had fallen behind would be the team I'd join.

And so it is, that even though I do more knitting than crocheting, I had a plan to crochet a quick scarf or something and do my part to help out the crocheting team...because they are behind!

I pulled bags, boxes and drawers of yarn out of hiding.

Gracious goodness! Where did it all come from? And the unfinished projects! I really didn't realize how many there were. Kind of embarrassing!

I decided to choose at least 3 of the unfinished projects and finish them. If that goes well, I'll choose another one or two and and work on them. Good plan. Time to choose.

Project #1

A colorful afghan. Wow, didn't get too far with that, did I? I think I quit because I didn't really like the colors once I got into it. I could rip this one up and try a new pattern.

Project #2.

Baby cardigan. Not bad! I could finish this for my grandbaby...might even fit him if I can get it done in the next month!

Project #3.

A dish cloth, I think. Hmmmm.

Project #4. Nice pink mittens. Nothing fancy.

Someone's cold hands might like to be cuddled by these.

Project #5.

Oh, yeah. I remember this. I used the wrong size needles and came up with King Kong's right hand mitten. Then I set it aside and made a pair using the proper needles and the same navy blue yarn. No more of this yarn left so this one goes to the Island of Misfit Mittens.

Project #6.

Hey, this one's almost done! But why would anyone make a baby sweater out of gray yarn? It's not even cute or anything!

Project #7.

At least this is the right colors for a little person. I bet my mom could help me sew this one up and make it presentable. It could go to the church basket. Darn, that would mean the knitter group would get another point...I better get my crochet hooks going!

Project #8.

What the heck is this?

Project #9.

A scarf? A test? Something for the cat to play with?

Okay, I've chosen my three projects. If this goes well.....I've got a winter full of sewing projects to tackle! Stay tuned!