Changes Come in Different Ways

As I have already mention in a previous post, our variable plans often bring about changes we never considered at the onset. Mine from even a few days ago have been re-adjusted to accommodate life's quirks that have come our way as of lately. I do not believe at this point that I will be able to complete my plans on the house as I would have liked. Mom and Dad are coming for a short over night visit this weekend. So the underlying need to wrap up the decorating in order to have unlimited time to visit is foremost in my mind. I know how Mom loves the holiday decorations and she loves to come and be surrounded by mine. Especially when she has stated that they will not be putting out very many or putting up a tree this year. It is hard for me to think of a time to come, when I would choose not to put up a tree nor decorate this time of a year. But the reality is that it could happen, as we never know what circumstances we may find ourselves, in the future. I take comfort in the fact that over half of the house was deep cleaned before hand and the rest will easily wait till a future date. Cleaning is always a part of home maintenance, a fact that never changes, unless you chose to hire someone else to do it for you. For me I think it is a portion of what God intended for women, in the roles as Wives and Mothers. We are not called "keepers of the homes" for no reason. He knew that to provide stability in the homes, someone needed to be present at all times to exemplify His love and grace to those within it's walls, to create a haven for the souls under it's roof. I have always seen this as my calling in life and have been honored in trying to fulfill HIS plan for me.

I was able to wrap up the decorating in all the rooms by late Saturday. There are a few items that needed to be completed in order to be as close to perfect as I can pull off. But if they are left undone it will only be my eyes to see them. So why worry! Perfection is not the key to enjoying the celebration, it is the willingness to be content with what we have, that will bring a fullness to our lives.

Another type of change came into our home today that has nothing to do with the Christmas celebrating activities. A type of change that has been considered for many, many years. One that has been a constant companion of mine for the past year in trying to decide what to do about it. One that was a step of courage on my part. A change that required that I embrace the statement to the right of this page. Of being true to who I am, of embracing the real me, quirks and all. I chose this past Thursday to stop coloring my hair. For 50 years I have been a brunette naturally and by way of a bottle of hair color. Gray hairs started developing in my middle 20's, much to my dismay. They have steadily marched across my scalp and have joined hands for many years now. Developing headaches and migraines at each coloring session this past 6-9 months have been a signal to me that maybe now was the time to let go and go gray. After all I am 52 and by all societal charts fall into the senior years of life. Though I still believe that you are as young as you think you are, regardless of what the calendar says. I don't feel old and I certainly did not want to look it. I still have a lot of life to live and needed to convince those around me that I am still capable. Today was my coming out of the "coloring" closet, so to speak. Amazement was had by all at the results of uncovering my "crown of glory". It was a sure sign to me that I should have done this earlier than I have. Everyone so far has loved the new look, saying it has taken years off my face and the compliments are still flowing in from every direction. WOW! All of it has astounded me and the freedom it will bring to my life will be a blessing I am sure. I have only been a blond one other time in my life, at the age of 2 or so. But even then it was more white than blond, courtesy of Mom's youthful hair color genes and the bleaching affects of the sun, when we lived in Florida for a couple of years. I have come full circle now and am heading back to my roots. (Yes, pun intended). Thankfully God has blessed me with a gorgeous color of silver for my graying years. I plan to shine for HIS glory and as a testament to HIS faithfulness to me.

This change comes at a time in my life when He has brought me to a point of acceptance, for the life I have lived thus far. Tomorrow marks the 34th anniversary of my terrible wreck on December 5, 1974, one caused at the hands of another driver. I have always been and always will be thankful for the Lord's hand on me that day. It could have easily taken my life and I felt and still do, that I had been blessed by God to be alive, despite the amount of damage to my body. Several good things came out of that challenge, that have brought me blessings over these past 34 years. Plenty of writing subjects for future revelations. I don't know what kind of person I would be today if I had not gone through it all. So to count all the years given to me from that day forward and to acknowledge the life I have lived. It seems only fitting to celebrate the gray hairs of a long lived life.

Celebrate your life it only comes around once.

Deborah

Best Laid Plans

The best laid plans are often those you set aside for awhile. We can plan all we want to, have our to-do list made out, even start in on them. Only to find that they no longer fit the structure of our day. Ever had that to happen to you? How we respond to the new direction of our day will determine how peaceful the day is. Mine this week have needed to be altered due to some strange dots circling through the house. My plan to daily clean and decorate were set aside due to a needed medical test for myself that was only to take 10 minutes, Yeah, right! And a certain little angel that was broken out in dots. Chicken pox? Hives? What?

Leah started on Tuesday morning breaking out with spots and continued to developed more, with some other symptoms yesterday. A trip to the doctor revealed she was having a allergic reaction to an antibiotic started over a week ago for an ear infection. Whew! No need to quarantine this bundle of energy. A few days of benedryl and she should be spot free. Hurray!

I don't know about you, but anytime I think I have got my plans all laid out in a neat row. The Lord reminds me that HE already has them planned out as well. His plans should always takes priority over mine. Sometimes I jump right into them and other times I try to do my plans along with His as well. Only to find that they often fail and leave me frazzled by trying to do more than I am suppose to. His plans are simple, direct and successful compared to the crazy ones I try to pull off. So what is a girl to do?

Change directions, do the essentials like eating, dressing, providing diversion from discomfort, playing, watching Disney videos, snuggling together and lots of kisses. Tell me what else could I invest my time in that would have the same value of comforting a sick child? Nothing that I can think of.

Plans for Decorating Home

Monday: Master Bedroom and bath ~ done

Tuesday: Guest Room and bath, office (bath done)

Wednesday: Kitchen, Dinning Room, Laundry

Thursday: Den and ____________ (who put this extra time into my schedule?)

Friday: Living Room, (Christmas tree) and Porches

So that leaves me with a multitude of options for today. Do I continue on with where I left off in my plans or do I speed up and condense the schedule? Hmmmm? At present I am thinking that if I take it slowly (vs. sped up) and do one thing at the time I will be able to finish just the same. Maybe not on the appointed date, but close enough to win the race. The bonus will be sustainable energy for the job and the joy of the process. A house deep cleaned and decorate to be enjoyed in the weeks to come. Music inspires my soul, so putting on some Christmas music should get my feet to moving.

Dancing anyone?

Deborah

Day 2 of Christmas Prep

Today was day 2 of my schedule for cleaning and decorating for Christmas. I did not get started till after lunch, as this was the last day of the bible study I have been apart of for the last 3 months. The Patriarchs by Beth Moore was a wonderful study of Genesis, that I would recommend to anyone. Our group of ladies hated to see it end, but we only need to wait till January when the next study begins. I am confident that our lives will be quite busy between now and then, at least mine will.

Room of choice for today was our guest bath. I had hope to get to the guest bedroom as well, but ran out of time. Also a certain little homemaker needed some Nana time as well. I make sure to take the time to rock or hold her when ever she is needing some extra loving. Regardless of what my schedule looks like for the day. They only stay small for a short time and the realization comes quickly, that one day they no longer fit on our laps, nor do they wish to.

Windows and blinds were cleaned, baseboards washed, floor rugs washed and dried, were among the extras done beside the usual cleaning chores. Decorations were set out with fresh candles and little touches to remind us of the celebration to come. Leah loves to go from this room to our bedroom to "see the lights" on each of the small trees. It is so soothing to walk into these rooms and see the glow of the lights across the room. Your soul can't help but to pause and breathe in a slow gentle breath of peace.

How did you do on your plans today? Check in tomorrow for the newest update of the next room conquered for Christmas. Progress is made one step at a time. . . . . so go ahead and take the first one.

Blessings,

Deborah

December has Arrived!

Today marks the beginning of a new month and a countdown to the day we celebrate each December. Christmas is only 24 days away and I haven't given it a second thought yet. Well, maybe one or two in passing days. But no plans have been made or gifts purchased. This year feels different to me in a way that I haven't been able to wrap words around. Maybe it is due to the change in lifestyle we have embraced here. A simplified look at life will strip away those things that are unnecessary for true happiness.

So today I quickly formed a plan for the first week of December, keeping an eye on the calendar towards our Christmas celebration on the 24th. As both Lon and Jason will be working Christmas day this year...bummer! Our family will gather around the tree on the eve of Christmas to eat our holiday meal (unplanned as of yet), open a gift or two and share the love we have for each other.

Order of the day was to take one room in the house and deep clean it before putting out decorations. Today our Master bedroom and bath was selected. I am proud and exhausted to say mission accomplished. Blinds and windows cleaned, room dusted, vacuumed, winter linens put on the bed, ceiling fan cleaned and a fresh throw rug for the bath were just some of the things finished today. Decorations were put out and for now this room sports a holiday feel.

One of my favorite reading chairs

A special tree and Angel I created for our bedroom. . .


The plan is to take one room each day this week and repeat the cleaning and decorating appropriate for it. By the end of the week the house should be deep cleaned and decorated for Christmas, with our tree gracing our living room on the final day. I will try to post a quick note and pictures about my project for the day. Feel free to jump in and join me in getting ready for Christmas. Leave a comment below and let me know how you are doing on your to do list. Maybe we can keep each other accountable to do what needs to be done in order to have several weeks to leisurely enjoy the holiday.

Mirrored view of the decor for Christmas

Join me as I work my way through our home this week, marching onward towards Christmas. Remember the true reason for the season is not a decorative item in our homes, nor a present under the tree. But the gift that resides in our hearts, given many years ago in a manger in Bethlehem.

Blessings this Christmas,

Deborah