Likes & Dislikes #2

Things I like...  

• listening to the wind prowl around the house, knocking at the windows looking for a way in
• getting lost in a book so good it makes you forget the world around you
• watching dance mash ups on You Tube
• a house full of plants
• watching old cartoons from my childhood
• going somewhere with no agenda and discovering all its hidden treasures.
• antiques
• mid-century modern
• new journals, planners, pens, and stickers
• getting to hunt for treasure in thrift shops and flea markets to my heart's content
• singing silly songs in the car with one of my clients
• swimming in a pool
• sitting by the ocean

And things I don't...

• sandpaper kitty kisses
• being guilted or shamed
• scary movies
• liver, tripe, and pretty much any organ meat
• being bored
• the current rate of inflation
• a little, tiny rock in my shoe
• shoes that suck my sock off
• undecorating after Christmas
• packing for trips
• that one hair that gets in your eye or your mouth and you cannot get hold of it and get rid of it
• stinkbugs

Thankful Thursday

Thursday has rolled around again. Is it just me or does it seem like the weeks are getting shorter? I mean, wasn't it just Thursday a couple of days ago? Well, time warps, wrinkles in the space-time continuum and the rest aside, I'm linking up with Rebecca Jo for Thankful Thursday.

Perfect timing. My Monday client texted me Sunday evening. He cancelled for this week because he didn't have any money. Today I got a call from my employer letting me know that he has Covid (he woke up Monday morning feeling under the weather). His quarantine ends on the 22nd, next Tuesday. My week is full and each client has their time slot so I will not be able to see him again until the following week. Plenty of time to make sure he is no longer contagious. 

My daughter's niece is back.  To everyone's surprise (and relief) our son-in-law's brother returned his little girl to my daughter's care. I was there when he brought her back. She was sooooo happy to be back. They were just in time for her to receive her Valentine's Day gift from Tim and I and from our daughter and her husband. One can't help but wonder what was going through his head as he watched her excitement at being back, getting gifts (he totally neglected Valentine's Day), and calling me Nanny. We all kept trying to encourage her to show her gifts to her dad, but she wasn't having it. She could not have cared less about him. He made her come over so he could say goodbye. She was not interested and he hasn't come back to visit her or called her. Nothing. Our daughter and her husband have decided they will not call and pester him to visit or take her on the weekends. If he comes, he comes...but who knows if he will.

Hope.  My daughter told me she is at least thinking about giving my church a try and that she was talking to a friend who said if she does, she just might come with her.

Surprises.  We were into the first song at church this past Sunday when someone slipped into the chair beside me and said "hi!" I was so surprised it took me a second to realize it was a friend of mine from high school. I had told her about the marriage conference and she had asked me about the church. I had no idea she was searching for a church or that she'd be visiting.

The marriage conference.  It was a huge success and everyone who attended expressed how much they enjoyed it and how much they learned. We are hoping seeds were planted among those who were not believers.

My Valentine.  My sweet husband's planning ahead this year to take me out to a popular Italian restaurant...one that reservations are very much needed for any time, let alone on Valentine's Day. We both chose to start with wedding soup and follow with the lasagna. Delicious! I even indulged in a "Sweetheart Sangria."

My silly cat.  This is how he chooses to spend nearly every evening.

I love that he's grown cuddly and actually likes me now. It's not exactly conducive to anything I'm trying to do, though. Especially since he's usually purring loudly in my ear and occasionally "making biscuits" or licking my chin or nibbling my ear.

Today's weather.  It was 60 degrees today. In Pennsylvania. In February.

And of course.

Currently

In my neck of the woods...

The weather is a frosty 15* with clouds. No snow in the forecast and a high of only 24* today. Most of the old snow and ice is finally gone...only some large piles made by plowing remain. We did get a light dusting overnight.

I'm reading Is It Me? Making Sense of Your Confusing Marriage: A Christian Woman's Guide to Hidden Emotional and Spiritual Abuse by Natalie Hoffman.

I finished reading Murder as a Second Language by Joan Hess.

I'm celebrating Valentine's Day, of course! Tim is coming home earlier than usual today and we are going out to dinner at a popular local Italian restaurant. I will also see the kiddos at some point. I have little Valentine's bags for them.

I'm thinking about so much stuff!

**The little girl who stayed with our daughter's family last week. Her father did finally come and get her late Friday night to spend the weekend with her...though no one really believes he paid that much attention to her.

If (and that's a big if with his health and mental state) he went to work last night, he had to bring the girl back to either his mom or Megan. Since he has refused to answer calls or texts from Megan or Cody it was probably his mom. Megan expects to get her back today, however, even though no communication with the father. I had told her last week I didn't think she should have nagged the guy to take her for the weekend...Megan is trying so hard to believe and push him into be a good father. Sometimes that just isn't the case. She says if she gets her back this week she isn't going to call or text at all...just wait to see how long it takes him to ask about his daughter or to come see her. It will be better for the girl. She did not want to go home with her father and she was so happy and thriving with Megan and Cody.

**My head is still spinning from my church's marriage conference this past Saturday. I was on the planning committee so it was a busy day (and night before) for me. It was a great day! We had a good crowd, yummy food, generous prizes, and excellent speakers.

We had everyone from a couple married for 52 years, to newly engaged couples, to single people, to one going through divorce. There was something for everyone and as the singles and the divorced one said, they were hoping to learn how to do things right if they get married in the future.

Megan and Cody went and they were surprised. Everything the speakers talked about resonated with them and their situation. When we broke for lunch, they stayed talking to the speakers for at least 20 minutes! The only thing Cody struggled with was how friendly and nice everyone was. lol What a great problem, right? Seriously though, he is very shy or has social anxiety so it was a bit overwhelming for him. I think that was a good thing. He was raised in a pretty closed off, dysfunctional family. Seeing what warm, friendly Christians are like  ('cause you know not all of us are and those who aren't are the ones coloring the world's opinion of all of us) was a blessing. He and Megan both seemed amazed by it.

I only heard one sad story from the whole thing. One woman had invited a young woman she works with who was newly engaged. On Friday the woman was very excited about her fiancee coming home from working out of state. She called at the last minute Saturday morning to cancel. Apparently, the fiancee only came home to break up with her. On Valentine's weekend. Ouch.

Work isn't happening today. My client sent a text last night saying he didn't have any money this week. I asked if he wanted to hang out or do something that didn't cost money, but he opted to wait until next week. I'm pretty much okay with the bonus free day. 

I'm feeling relaxed, happy, and content.

I'm focused on today's to-do list. Valentine's cards and gifts to deliver, time slips to turn in, a messy desk to clear off, a wedding rsvp to return, and dinner to get ready for.

A quote to share:

Sunday Stealing: From the New York Times

Thanks goes to Bev for finding the questions and keeping Sunday Stealing going week after week.

Stolen from the New York Times

1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?  Wow, given the state of the world these days and the fact that I'm not really a fan-girl type, that's a toughie. I think maybe I'd choose Lysa TerKeurst. She is a Christian teacher and author who has written painfully candid books about the betrayal in her life and the process of finding the path to forgiving those who hurt her.

2. Would you like to be famous? In what way?  I would not like to be famous, because as an introvert all that attention would be my worst nightmare. However, if I found fame thrust upon me, I'd hope it was for doing something that helped others or made the world a better place. 

3. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?  I'm sure I probably have in the past, but I can't actually think of a specific instance. I'd guess I rehearsed because I was nervous and the call was important so I wanted to be sure I expressed myself correctly.

4. What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?  A day to myself to read, write or whatever, dinner with family or friends, and great conversation. 

5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?  I sing to myself just about every day. I do not sing to anyone else. I am terrible! Okay, I'll sing to babies or my pets, but that's absolutely, positively all.

6. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?  As long as the aging mind isn't lost to dementia, I'll take the young, pain-free body, thank you.

7. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die?  No and I really don't care to know.

8. Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common.  Our core values, our taste in television shows, the kind of foods we like.

9. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?  Knowing Jesus Christ and having the peace that comes with it...I don't know how folks manage without him because this world has to be pretty depressing without the hope of heaven waiting at the end.

10. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?  I would choose to have known my biological father all along, not because I think life with him would have been better, but I would have liked to know my half-siblings while we were growing up.

11. Describe your life in one paragraph.  I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, and a follower of Jesus Christ. I work as a companion to adults with developmental disabilities. It is challenging and rewarding and I love it. I try to love all; forgive all; serve where, when, and how I am able; and do all I can to make life better for those around me. 

12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?  I would dearly love to be a good singer. Singing ability is such a wonderful gift. I'd love to be able to express myself that way and touch others.

13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?  Nothing. As Garth Brooks sang, "I'm glad I didn't know the way it all would end, the way it all would go. Our lives are better left to chance. I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance."

14. Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?  Writing a book. I didn't keep practicing the craft and the skills just aren't there these days.

15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?  My family and maybe the fact that I'm still here and kicking and hopefully wiser and not just older.

Thankful Thursday

Linking up with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand for Thankful Thursday.

A Successful Group Activity: So I tried something new this week. I took two of my clients bowling and to lunch at the same time. They are both high functioning (a condition of being allowed to take both) and both are in situations where they are living in private homes, but they are still a bit isolated and lonely or bored. Client one is a 26 year old man and client two is a 38 year old woman. Both agreed to give it a try and they had a blast bowling together and chatting. They want to do more together.

Daughter's Big Heart: If ever there was anyone plagued by stress and anxiety, it is our daughter. Her emotions are on the surface and she wears her heart on her sleeve. Absolutely EVERYTHING is a big freaking deal. It can be exhausting for an introvert like me, but I am so proud of her for stepping up in a difficult situation. 

Our son-in-law's brother has been having some very serious health issues for at least a few months. He is also pretty severely depressed. He has a 4 year old daughter who he has had the sole responsiblilty for since the mother abandoned them a couple of years ago (and she really wasn't much of a mother before that). Unfortunately, with the state of his health and his mental state, he has not been being a good parent, either. The little girl has been neglected and left to run wild much of the time. She is smart as a whip, but behind in many ways. She is also completely resistant to rules or being told "no." She hasn't been seen by a doctor for at least 2 years and there is some concern that there may have been some abuse in the past (not by the father...he does love her, he is just overwhelmed).

Anyway, knowing all this and already having her hands full with her own 2 1/2 year old and 5 year old, our daughter pretty much begged her brother-in-law to let her take the girl in. To everyone's surprise he agreed. The grandmother bought some groceries and said she'd help, but she's already grumbling about having to watch her for an hour or so tomorrow. 

Our daughter and all three kids have spent several hours here the last two days. It gets a lot chaotic. A lot. But the girl is adapting and she is so eager for positive attention rather than neglect. She pours over books, loves to sing songs, and she's just jumped right into letting us know she wants something. She gives us hugs right along with Colton and Leah and today she started calling us Pappy and Memaw (even though I am Nanny...Megan said she only recently began to call her actual Memaw anything at all) and she calls Megan and Cody Mom and Dad. 

No one knows how long it will last, but my bet is on a while. Her dad was supposed to come visit her today and didn't bother. He also hasn't brought any clothes (says he can't find them) or brought her car seat. She is so happy and thriving after just 3 days. Getting to stay with Megan would be the best thing for her. If it turns out that she stays with them, the next step will be trying to get the father to agree to allow them legal guardianship so they can take her to the doctor and enroll her in school.

Pretty Good Weather: We've had some pretty yucky weather this past week, but we've had a couple of days that felt like spring, as well. It was 55* today! It's sort of a roller coaster. Tomorrow will be 40* and Saturday is supposed to be in the mid-50's again, then Sunday we hit the deep freeze and might see snow Sunday night or Monday. I hope the last of the old snow and ice finally melts before we get more.

Strong Bones: This past Sunday I took a crash landing on some black ice in the church parking lot. It was seriously sneaky stuff. Even as I was sitting on it, I couldn't see it, but couldn't get any traction to get up. I had to scootch off of it first. No one was around to help me up, but that means no one was around to see me go down...and that's another thing I'm thankful for. I'm pretty sure there was nothing graceful about going down or coming back up. lol  Anyway, in spite of landing on the same knee I messed up falling on ice several years ago, other than being a little stiff and sore I am fine.

Plans Coming Together: The marriage conference is this Saturday at church. We've been working hard on it and praying just as hard. Everything is coming together and it's so great to be able to see God at work in it all. I can't wait to see what He does at the conference!

I guess that's about it for now. I have to work first thing in the morning and then go pick Colton up from school, so I am posting tonight and I've stayed up way too late doing it. You all have a blessed and thankful day!

Likes & Dislikes

I shamelessly stole this idea from Billie Jo @ Afternoon Coffee and Evening Tea

Things I like...

...warm, chocolate-chip cookies...

...laughing until you can't breathe and your side hurts...

...being the first one to stick a knife in the new jar of peanut butter...

...the silence of an evening snowfall...

...a new purse...

...shopping on Amazon...

...walking on the beach at sunrise...

...fuzzy socks in the winter...

...flip-flops in the summer...

...garlic salt on my pizza...

...sugar on my tomatoes...

...that moment when children discover something new...

...bed sheets dried in the sunshine...

...sleeping with the fan blowing all year round.

And things I don't ...

...drivers who assume it is always them first...

...folding laundry...

...parking meters...

...being the first to arrive...

...the aches, pains, and other assorted bumps in the road as we age...

...being rejected by my adult child...

...how many friends I have who have been rejected by their adult child...

...being an introvert...

...sushi...

...any kind of nut...

...having my heart set on eating a particular leftover, only to find someone else has already eaten it...

...my cat's kleptomaniacal tendencies...

...tornado weather...

...and people who are so determined to be right about everything, they don't care how they make others feel.

Sunday Stealing: Colbert's Questions

These are the 15 questions that
Stephen Colbert asks his guests.

1. The Best sandwich. A classic BLT on toasted bread with mayo.

2.  Something you own that you really should throw out. So many things, but I will say the cowboy hat in my closet. I bought it for a country concert years ago. I love it. It's a really good looking hat...but the reality is that I'm never going to wear it again.

3.  The scariest animal. There are two that I am terrified of, but I don't think I could choose which one I'm more scared of so it will have to be a tie between snakes and sharks.

4.  Apples or oranges. I like both. It depends on my mood.

5.  Have you ever tried to get an autograph from someone? I have tried and succeeded with more than one person. I don't know what happened to some of them, but at one time I had, among others...Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby, David Eisenhower, Toby Keith, Senator John Heinz, Ronald Reagan, and quite a few of the 70's Steelers.

6.  What happens when you die? You either go to heaven or hell.

7.  Favorite Action movie. It will forever and always be Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.

8.  Window or Aisle?  Usually the window, but it might depend on who is sitting by me.

9.  Favorite smell. The beach...sand, ocean, sun screen...all of it.

10.  Your most popular app on your phone. I hate to admit it, but it's Facebook and solitaire is a close second.

11.  Least favorite smell. Over-ripe roadkill on a hot summer day.

12.  Cats or dogs? I have one of each. They both have their charms and their annoying habits, so I guess it's a tie.

13.  If you can only listen to one song over and over for the rest of your life, what would it be?  I would be torn between my favorite hymn, How Great Thou Art, and my favorite fun song, Piano Man.

14.  What number am I thinking of? (I will answer honestly) Nine.

15.  The rest of your life in 5 words. Enjoying it and doing good.

Thanks to Bev for the questions.

Join the fun at Sunday Stealing!