tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90240182012-01-28T16:43:41.908-05:00The Adventures of Tom and Debra (And the Lessons We Learned Along The Way)Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.comBlogger22821100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-65886388281896454452012-01-28T08:13:00.014-05:002012-01-28T13:01:40.634-05:00

So. Yesterday was Naomi's 32nd birthday. Oh wow--every January 27th I get that Methuselah feeling. :) And like last year, Naomi's band played at the restaurant where she works and Tom and I slipped in our ear plugs while the music played (making the decibels just right) and clapped and woo-hooed with all the other parents, grandparents and patrons for our daughter and the excellent musicians 

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-77795048856230349412012-01-27T08:29:00.004-05:002012-01-27T10:41:52.676-05:00

Gah. Another actor passed away. I hate it when that happens. Of course, I also hate it when pretty much anybody dies. Anyway, this time it was Robert Hegyes and he was only 60. Back in his Welcome Back, Kotter days, a 17-year-old me had such a crush on him. Such. A. Crush. I'd watch the show and just stare at him, dwell upon his cuteness, making me unable to follow the plot (which says much

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-64558698725201019802012-01-26T06:15:00.003-05:002012-01-26T06:53:43.284-05:00

Hmm... Things feel a little quiet around this ol' blog so perhaps it's time to toss in some fire, something which some of you will deem controversial. Me? I see it only as truth, truth which has encouraged my heart and confirmed some unspoken things within me since I first read it. What this article speaks of is never far from my mind, but it's a part of me I almost never show you here. But

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-19072717214068388082012-01-25T09:11:00.012-05:002012-01-25T10:34:03.815-05:00

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed..."  ... James 5:16 **** Well, that verse certainly works! I mean, remember that post from last week where I confessed Tom's tv habit was making me bonkers, not to mention a nag? (A post, by the way, I, personally didn't want to write, but God made me. heh.). Well, ever since writing that post,

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-44001528951101325622012-01-24T10:19:00.014-05:002012-01-24T17:16:21.783-05:00

So. I just watched the latest Hoarders, the Carrie/James episode. Oh dear. I realize Hoarders isn't for everyone (especially those with a weak stomach), but every week, I'm grateful for it. Why? It s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-s my compassion. Helps me more seriously consider "the why behind the what," chips away at my judgemental tendencies and builds a stronger sense of patience within me for people who

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-70556606638855970812012-01-23T18:00:00.019-05:002012-01-28T14:02:10.988-05:00

I was thinking... (uh-oh!). Sometimes when I mention watching a tv series through the instant view option on Netflix, some of you tell me you didn't know that series was available. So in this post I'll make a list of various tv series I've enjoyed watching whenever I wish, day or night, at Netflix through the years or only recently as they've become available. A few of these Tom prefers more

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-81988916766813964922012-01-23T08:31:00.008-05:002012-01-23T10:12:32.943-05:00

This weekend I glanced over at my blogroll list and saw Coffee, Tea and Me's blog post title, Come Saturday Morning. I thought, oh! I remember that song from eons ago. So I zipped over to Youtube and listened to the song, one with some perfectly-chosen nature photos, too. And wow. Suddenly it was 1975 and I stood behind the 16-year-old me gazing out the large window of my bedroom in the town of

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-62771482716669634362012-01-22T08:48:00.010-05:002012-01-22T10:34:51.266-05:00

As you may remember, each time we move I do a major, ruthless culling of my books. Of course, there are some which I (now, anyway) plan never, ever to give away. One of those books is The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio  (How My Mother Raised Ten Kids on 25 Words Or Less). I discovered it the week it came out (2001), ordered it and have probably reread it 15 times. I own the movie, even.

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-88446289138998719782012-01-21T09:51:00.006-05:002012-01-21T15:33:58.837-05:00

"That was such a happy supper that Laura wanted it never to end. When she was in bed with Mary and Carrie, she stayed awake to keep on being happy... A splash of water on her face dimly surprised her. She was sure it could not be rain, for the roof was overhead. She snuggled closer to Mary and everything slid away into dark, warm sleep."  ... Laura Ingalls Wilder *** Ah, it's back to that

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-12933038031889401732012-01-20T07:12:00.019-05:002012-01-20T13:38:32.262-05:00

"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community."  Proverbs 6:16-19 **** Probably 20 years ago God convicted me to knock-off making broad,

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-70247543671484817612012-01-18T08:45:00.011-05:002012-01-18T09:31:24.527-05:00

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love."  ... 1 John 4:18 *** Of course, many different types of Bad News Stories (as I call them) sadden me. The murders, the sinking ships, the deadly earthquakes or tornadoes, etc. But what ranks high in my personal Top 5 of bad news? When I hear that an elderly couple

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-9103550272869109742012-01-17T09:33:00.013-05:002012-01-17T16:15:52.871-05:00

Oh! Since moving to Hobbit Cottage my passions have all happily resurrected themselves. I find I'm passionate about: Spending time with God Encouraging others through writing in this blog Searching for online coupons, supermarket shopping for great deals Emailing friends and those who need encouragement Reading for pleasure Learning new things, especially how to live cheaply, though well.

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-40333324223300523302012-01-15T09:33:00.016-05:002012-01-17T12:20:09.228-05:00

Ahoy! I've reached a happy medium with Facebook. You may recall someone hacked my account and suddenly my Facebook friends began receiving annoying emails saying they'd won contests I'd recommended, or other such nonsense, and the hacker began an account which appeared exactly like mine, etc. Sooo annoying. So eventually I deleted all my friends (not easy nor pleasant) so to save them from

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-49761683873746511042012-01-13T07:56:00.021-05:002012-01-13T18:27:03.760-05:00

Oh! Earlier this week, Spring arrived for a short visit. I swept the front porch (where squirrels snack from the compost boxes) before John and Donna arrived Wednesday for lunch and I just wanted to remain out there in the sunshine, blue skies and cool-but-not-cold fresh air and sweep, sweep, sweep forever. The sun shone through all the windows during our visit and we chatted and laughed and 

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-88863400121501096822012-01-11T07:14:00.010-05:002012-01-11T09:15:20.530-05:00

Oh happy day! We are back to 'Baby Cable'. Twenty-two stations is more than enough for me (Tom might answer differently), especially since we also have the Internet and Netflix and dvd's galore around the house. More. Than. Enough. *** Did you know that Pauley Perrette, "Abby" on NCIS is 42-years-old? Eegads! I thought more like 30. NCIS is my current favorite show, the only one I knew I'd

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-63004352185774592802012-01-10T08:02:00.003-05:002012-01-10T08:48:48.288-05:00

All over the Internet I keep spying articles about the vital importance of sleep. So how've you been sleeping lately? I must say, one of the many reasons I'm so wildly happy at Hobbit Cottage is that I sleep so well here. And as Internet articles (here's a short one) tell us, it's vital that we do everything possible to sleep at least 7 or 8 hours.  As I've grown older--rather than just

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-85472977652967436672012-01-09T10:30:00.012-05:002012-01-09T17:43:51.880-05:00

"Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else..."  Galations 6:4 *** Frankly, insecurity is exhausting. Trust me, I know. Let's see... while a teenager, I felt insecure about my clothes, my height, my weight (sometimes), my family (who usually I felt at odds with), the way I didn't appreciate the same 

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-11089991665599736282012-01-08T15:52:00.004-05:002012-01-08T17:44:08.826-05:00

My, my, my... Could the weather folks be more wrong? I don't think so. Months ago they told us--they insisted--this would be the longest, coldest, snowiest winter we'd had in years and years. A real horror story. Ha! So far we've had the easiest, sunniest, most beautiful winter I remember in all our nearly 19 years in Western New York. Lesson totally, totally learned. When weather people

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-85268751883644511442012-01-07T07:29:00.004-05:002012-01-07T07:53:21.481-05:00

"Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." .. 2 Timothy 2:15 **** Oh, we get into such ruts in our thinking. These brains of ours can be so limiting. Dense. I mean, consider the verse, above. We read it and always translate it into, "Study the Bible so you won't be embarrassed either here or in Heaven." And yes! It

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-57853581922648905532012-01-06T16:12:00.007-05:002012-01-06T17:00:23.715-05:00

I nearly always try to take Saturday's off and either Friday or Sunday, too. I've been trying to take today off, but there's a suspicious amount of work getting done by me. Hmm... So today I just want to include some coupon links for you, but one other thought, as well. If you've chosen to take a day off? There is no such thing as doing an activity which is a complete waste of time. It's your

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-76982549094538092782012-01-05T07:30:00.013-05:002012-01-05T17:47:54.757-05:00

Usually I don't visit the public library during the whole winter because, always, my books seem to be due on the snowiest, freezingest day of the year or a day I just long to stay home. So instead, I choose books from my own dearly-loved home library. Well. Yesterday I realized my current book had become boring to me, dead if you will, and I'd been avoiding it. So I walked over to my darling

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-33522208919898519042012-01-04T06:47:00.025-05:002012-01-06T08:57:59.819-05:00

"Therefore if any person is in Christ he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!" ... 2 Corinthians 5:17 *** Many years ago, Tom and I volunteered to help our pastor with his tiny 'city mission church' which he also pastored. So Tom sang and played the guitar on the worship team and I taught kids' church and a women's home

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-74034281813349178912012-01-03T13:21:00.004-05:002012-01-03T18:04:47.298-05:00

A bit of snow today and just 12 degrees, but that's ok. This is winter in Buffalo and we've gotten by so easily thus far. No complaints from me. Not today. No, Today I'm grateful for this Hobbit Cottage from God and a sweet email from Naomi. Good books in my tiny library up here in Debra's World and lovely vintage music playing on my retro-looking radio. The occasional slant of sunlight through

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-55778019548387878902012-01-02T04:26:00.004-05:002012-01-03T09:35:14.222-05:00

Aww, some of you in my comment box had questions about "my book" which I mentioned in my last post. This blog is my book. My 'letter to the world' as Emily Dickinson said. Over 2,300 posts in seven years! True, I've not published "this book" upon paper, yet nowadays in this electronic age does that really matter? Nah, I don't think so. For still, even so, God gave me the discipline to write

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-53090513538457293532012-01-01T13:56:00.005-05:002012-01-02T15:02:01.305-05:00

Ah, don't you love looking at that date, January 1st?! A new year. Freshness. Starting over. Believing for good things as yet unseen. I am happy sighing, even after last night when, during a sound sleep, I awoke suddenly to loud booms over in one direction and a woman shouting, "Happy New Year!" off in another and someone ringing a cowbell across the street. Oh, I loved all that! I got to

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-23456019832894273232011-12-31T09:33:00.006-05:002012-01-01T14:24:22.582-05:00

Oh wow. Many years ago at a thrift shop somewhere, I found a falling-apart paperback copy of the book, Intra Muros. First published in the 1890's, it's an account of a "visit to Heaven" which author Rebecca Springer had while she was in a coma for weeks. My, my, my... For me, that book changed everything. Instead of dreading death (mine and others') suddenly I became nearly impatient to get to

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-53732043800990949012011-12-30T10:26:00.009-05:002011-12-30T14:18:48.038-05:00

" She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life."  ... Proverbs 31:12 *** So. While Tom worked a few decades and I did the faithful little homemaker thing, I pretty much waited on him hand and foot (as they say). A real Proverbs 31 woman, that was me. He'd drive home after working the usual 12-hour shift to a very-straightened, kinda-mostly-clean house and to me, the woman in the

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-2696355493844026192011-12-29T19:02:00.004-05:002012-01-02T08:31:11.471-05:00

I've been hearing and reading that one out of every six people in America is finding food hard to afford, so well, I'd like to do my part to help out via this blog. So at times I'll include hints and coupons as to how to buy groceries cheaply. Frankly, I love trying to conquer the supermarket game. My own supermarket keeps track of how much I save each year by purchasing their items which were

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-79457987373035460332011-12-29T07:33:00.008-05:002011-12-29T11:42:44.563-05:00

"So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble."  ... Matthew 6:34 My, my, my.... Now there's a fitting verse for an upcoming 2012! Ever since Tom was laid-off, whenever I'm tempted to peer into our future (financial, health-wise and otherwise) always I hear, "Just obey Me Today. Today's

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-80257832994105048662011-12-28T08:21:00.008-05:002011-12-29T10:30:50.679-05:00

So! On Monday Tom texted back and forth with his best buddy from his former job and oh my... Since they laid-off Tom and three other men, they've been working the few remaining (young, strong, verile) guys into the dirt. There's no way Tom (he with post-polio and shoulder and back problems) could have kept-up all these 16 months later. He would have had to quit, and hey, that would have meant

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-86347871430119548612011-12-26T09:55:00.006-05:002011-12-26T12:44:32.793-05:00

Happy day after Christmas! I awoke this morning feeling so contented after our first Christmas in Hobbit Cottage. Naomi arrived around 2:30 yesterday and even brought one of our grand-kitties, Sammy, her huge Tuxedo cat. And oh, now I'm a few inches closer to okaying two new cats of our own--watching Sammy rolling around in glee (with his Christmas catnip) just looked and felt so right. Tom

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-40227871111914549882011-12-24T11:51:00.002-05:002011-12-24T14:37:37.899-05:00

Can you believe tomorrow is Christmas already? My, my, my... Could time race past any faster? I'm already contemplating New Year's resolutions and one of them will be to make the most of each day--stretch it, appreciate it, learn the most within it, come away changed from it, celebrate it. Life sails by so quickly... and I intend to make it all count, even the days of rest and fun. Everything

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-30922596394803449662011-12-22T07:23:00.004-05:002011-12-22T07:44:21.028-05:00

Today I have something fun for you (though my idea of fun and yours may vary.) heh. Anyway, for years I've occasionally tried locating online my old Jr. High music/choir teacher from California. He stands out in my mind because I still recall everything he taught us in our general music class (a miracle, indeed, that I can remember anything from 1973) and because he was a Christian. He told us

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-6414445028159901392011-12-21T08:24:00.005-05:002011-12-22T08:57:41.241-05:00

"I bring you tidings of great joy..."   ... Luke 2:10 ********* So this morning I watched my favorite Christmas show. Was it Christmas in Connecticut? A Christmas Carol (one of a bazillion versions)? The Bishop's Wife? It's a Wonderful Life? Nah, it was A Charlie Brown Christmas. In my opinion? That's the one that gets it most right. (Your opinion may vary. That's ok.) At first, Charlie

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-6615697652059401742011-12-19T10:45:00.008-05:002011-12-19T16:30:53.303-05:00

Never let your imagination grow rusty. Or discouraged. A couple weeks ago I walked to our local Rite Aid for some vitamin C. It's located on the street at the end of ours which, when we mention the street name to friends, they wrinkle their noses and shudder. In places, it's downright sad and rundown, you know, with visual reminders that moan, "

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-88301906448587007632011-12-18T09:42:00.000-05:002011-12-18T09:42:27.722-05:00

So I came across this photo of my former room in the old farmhouse and thought, hmm! I like that. So rather than copy ideas from a magazine, this time I copied ideas from myself: The tablecloth is nice for a cozy winter look and helps cover the icy feeling of the iron bistro table. So happy sigh. Then I moved the eucalyptus swag thingy from over the window to over the dresser mirror and I

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-30827624311765725472011-12-17T09:14:00.009-05:002011-12-17T12:56:57.027-05:00

Actually? The 'regular people's cable tv'--in some ways--has proved helpful. How? Well, Tom's watching all those kitties and puppies has helped him realize, firmly, that he loves animals and perhaps he'd enjoy volunteering at our local animal shelter. And with his love of learning about history, also, maybe he could develop a hobby/job/club around that. Whew! I was so relieved to hear that

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-45904227487865117682011-12-16T13:53:00.006-05:002011-12-16T18:47:50.687-05:00

So remember when Tom signed us up for "regular peoples' cable" so he could watch the remaining Nascar races? Well, as of January 2nd we're returning to "baby cable." I can hardly wait until January 2nd. Basically, all those extra channels are too big a temptation for Tom and me. Especially for Tom. :) Even with all the extra HD stuff downstairs, all day long with Tom it's Animal Planet/

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-17363137586519975412011-12-16T10:08:00.021-05:002011-12-16T12:21:08.349-05:00

Got up again at 4:00 this morning, even though I stayed up till a whole 8:15 last night. heh. Well, long about 5:00 I felt like numbering the ways that Hobbit Cottage is better than Healing Acres and the list became long: The way the bird feeders stand closer to our windows so now we don't need to use binoculars. How we're closer to shops and businesses of all kinds (thus saving gas

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-36560321033608129812011-12-15T15:12:00.000-05:002011-12-15T15:12:03.063-05:00

Ok, I confess. In all the craziness of changing my whole lifestyle, moving back to the 'burbs, creating a home for Tom and me at Hobbit Cottage and recovering from a difficult year of too much death-- it's been rather nice not having any cats to deal with. I mean, I remember while packing up the ol' farmhouse I'd step beside an empty packing box and think, "Oh! Better close that up lest a cat

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-19592365754831117322011-12-14T08:12:00.001-05:002011-12-14T08:20:07.047-05:00

Oh! I caught this piece of loveliness in the wee hours of morning on TCM, was enchanted, and longed to share it with those of you who also remember and love the old days of Hollywood. Go here, click on 'full-screen,'  turn up the sound, then lean back and watch the exquisite beauty of times long-gone captured on film. And remember. ***************

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-2777264240813577492011-12-13T07:33:00.005-05:002011-12-13T08:14:30.039-05:00

Maybe I'm just a nosey person or one whose eyes need stimulation, but I prefer the scenes from our suburb windows over the natural ones we had at the farm. The easy comparison is that--on the farm--I'd get up at 4:30 a.m. and what would I see outside our kitchen window? Black. Just black. Well, I could often see the moon and a few stars, but after awhile, I wanted more. More variety, more

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-86756543096866776742011-12-12T10:49:00.001-05:002011-12-12T10:50:42.781-05:00

Oh wow. At 16 , I decided my favorite Christmas song was Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. And you know? All these eons later I think it still is. So anyway, last week while washing dishes and listening to my kitchen radio to cover-up Tom's tv show pretty much in the same room (things get kinda loud and crazy here sometimes...heh...) -- I heard this version of that song. My, my, my.

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-38545637380111081412011-12-11T09:42:00.003-05:002011-12-11T13:36:49.971-05:00

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."  ... Galations 5:1 ****** Last year I didn't even decorate for Christmas. (Gasp! Is that even legal?) Tom said he didn't care. Naomi didn't even notice. And it was one of the sweetest, calmest Christmases, ever. This year? I'll probably decorate a tad, that

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-11669861944655602062011-12-10T13:47:00.003-05:002011-12-10T14:32:41.452-05:00

So! I walked around Hobbit Cottage minutes ago with my camera looking for something to show you which I've not shown you already. My, my, my. I was, like, "Oh! How about....? No, they saw that already. Or what about....? Nah, they saw that, too. Or what---? Nope, been there, done that." But then, alas! I recalled that you hadn't heard our doorbell story. See back on the farm, our driveway

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-11028686450519440472011-12-09T12:59:00.006-05:002011-12-09T15:35:56.423-05:00

Finally got our first snow today. For a month, forecasters have announced our first winter in Hobbit Cottage will be the hardest, longest winter in years, but hey! November was our fourth-warmest ever, with no snow, so oh well! The threat of a long, long winter is valid no more. It can't happen since we got through November so easily. That's what I say, anyway. Sometimes you've just got to let

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-43487598628412052752011-12-07T13:29:00.000-05:002011-12-07T13:29:47.901-05:00

Another Debra has more important thoughts than I do today so I'd rather you zip over and read her post, instead. Terrific and as relevant as it gets! Loved it... needed it, too. Again, find it here. ****************

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-52009397991470481222011-12-06T09:50:00.005-05:002011-12-06T11:21:21.831-05:00

Well, my twin-separated-at-birth, Sara, beat me to it and wrote about Christmas cards today. So though it appears like plagiarism, I'll do the same. How many of you still send snail mail Christmas cards? I do. Sending Christmas cards, to me, is like being 10 again and slipping Valentines into handmade heart-shaped envelopes taped to your desk. It's a giggly, rejuvenating sort of thing to do.

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-59743366210358468422011-12-05T13:32:00.011-05:002011-12-05T20:06:48.487-05:00

I must confess that I'm absolutely thriving on trying to save us money during this season of unemployment. It's like I was made for this. I mean, during our early years of marriage I also thrived on pinching pennies. Oh the creativity of it all! The couponing, the sewing of clothes, the crocheting of blankets and the studying of library books dealing with how to make the most of what little you

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-44790210394600955842011-12-04T13:10:00.001-05:002011-12-05T14:02:13.429-05:00

Aww... all you other mama's out there who told me perhaps Naomi will get to Tennessee, decide she doesn't like it, then come running back home, well, thank-you. I realize you were trying to encourage me, to give me hope. But you know? I cannot allow myself to even think such a thing. Why? Because that would be like hoping Naomi will fail, that things won't work out for her, that she won't be

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-68245943152622076922011-12-02T13:25:00.008-05:002011-12-05T14:02:13.429-05:00

Well, I forgot to tell you that Naomi is all obsessed and wild about moving to Nashville in March. Her newly-married friend from Toronto moved there and loves it to pieces and when Naomi went to visit the happy couple, she found her own personal Promised Land. Naomi is all about music and so is Nashville (as everybody knows) so it should be a good fit. Already her boss says he can easily get her

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-30611951744132927202011-12-01T10:02:00.003-05:002011-12-01T19:29:49.096-05:00

Well, I realized this morning that I hugely missed sitting at a table in front of my window, so I grabbed a bistro table from our front porch (leaving one out there, though it's not like we'll be sitting outside till next spring), lugged it upstairs and now all is extremely well. I mean, I'd been putting on my make-up, paying bills and clipping coupons at this tiny (needs to be cleaned) footstool

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-12410048895822692552011-11-29T10:29:00.006-05:002011-12-03T16:58:01.195-05:00

I keep telling you how much I love our supermarket, but I can't help it. It's become My Place, you know, where I go to have fun. And to think that during our three farm years, I hated supermarket shopping! Hated. It. Just one more example that what is true for you today may not be true tomorrow. So hang in there. Well anyway, the other morning there at the supermarket before 8:00, the doors

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-89578629301630503032011-11-28T07:52:00.012-05:002011-11-28T10:58:18.270-05:00

So I've reached a rather odd period of my life. Namely, I've achieved all of my realistic, true dreams and desires (as opposed to childish, whim-like ones) and now what is left but to choose new goals? Like I said, it's all rather odd. I think most people moan how they had to drop certain dreams along Life's Road and now fear they cannot be picked up again because of Time's passage. Yet here

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-57515072468420997542011-11-27T16:01:00.006-05:002011-12-05T14:02:13.429-05:00

So on Thanksgiving Day in our area, at least three radio stations begin playing Christmas carols 24/7 till around December 27th. I used to complain about that, but now? I love it. I even created a yearly tradition of cooking my Thanksgiving dinner while listening to radio Christmas songs in my kitchen. What changed? My attitude. I used to get all flustered because people didn't adhere to my

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-52473024919329341222011-11-26T10:25:00.005-05:002011-11-26T10:57:24.509-05:00

Forgot to share a great deal with you. Just a few days ago I ordered 140 free address labels from VistaPrint, the same people who sent me the free business cards for Healing Acres (our former farm). My labels arrived yesterday! (Another special blessing for our anniversary. I even received a lovely Thanksgiving card, too, in the mail from a special online friend). Hurry over here if you'd

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-25484591239034471662011-11-26T08:09:00.009-05:002011-12-05T14:02:13.430-05:00

So as I said, yesterday was our 33rd anniversary. The day before, Thanksgiving, Naomi gave us a gift card for the fancy movie theater in town so that we could watch something in comfort rather than sitting in 60-year-old lumpy seats at the retro, cheapo theater. You know, the one we love, though yes, I do usually squirm into 6 pretzel positions trying to find comfort during the average

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-41842081554352727782011-11-25T11:39:00.003-05:002011-11-25T12:11:48.915-05:00

My, my, my... As of today, Tom and I have been married 33 years. How can this be? Seems like only yesterday... And you know? The real miracle is that both Tom and I still prefer to spend time with each other over anyone else. Wow. Blows my mind. Life with God is oh so good. *************** The picture? When Tom went with me to Auburn, California to meet my parents for the first time, he 

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-5488327186281421922011-11-23T15:27:00.000-05:002011-11-23T15:27:49.615-05:00

This year, oh! I'm so thankful for my new little home. Tiny, sweet and low-maintenance. Close to shops of all kinds, even a supermarket that plays my favorite kind of retro music. Surrounded by happy, busy sparrows and huge trees, sidewalks to walk upon and a river at the end of the street. A sane-sized yard, a bright basement laundry and a huge room upstairs of my very own.  More, even. And

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-84134301659706479812011-11-21T12:23:00.007-05:002011-11-21T15:55:51.650-05:00

Still here! Just in one of my moods to live my life without feeling I must write about all the details. And working on the 'being excellent thing' with the daily stuff. And too, sometimes we all need breaks from our blogs or voicing details with Real Life friends. Sometimes we just desire to do some major pondering, to keep things to ourselves. For awhile, anyway. But I will share this: I

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-32852856126135653562011-11-18T10:41:00.008-05:002011-11-18T14:30:22.692-05:00

"For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."  ... Matthew 11:30 Ok, I confess. Sometimes I send my brain on vacation. I mean, see that verse above, the part where Jesus says, 'the burden I give you is light'? Well, the burden I give myself is downright heavy. I nag myself a lot. "Shouldn't you be doing more?" I ask myself. "Aren't you resting quite a bit lately? Yes

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-32206493584657637252011-11-16T14:21:00.009-05:002011-11-18T07:35:31.481-05:00

Darn. My crock pot broke. Oh, I didn't drop it or anything, it just stopped heating the water here upstairs which was keeping my sinuses ever so happy. Tom looked at it for me (he's good with small electrical projects), but said it was hopeless (probably the switch). So right now he's down at Salvation Army hunting for another one. That's the neat thing about most men--they enjoy hunting so

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-66754936783296610162011-11-15T10:32:00.007-05:002011-11-16T18:02:58.121-05:00

So you know about Bucket Lists, right? Well, a few weeks ago Tom and I began making daily Productivity Lists. What are those? They're a list of productive things we accomplished each day. Oh, not huge, world-altering deeds, but rather, tasks each of us sees as daily obediences to God, things which will also affect our future. Tom aims for five daily productive activities, I aim for seven. I

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-53645287476279000972011-11-13T14:17:00.002-05:002011-11-13T16:15:36.020-05:00

Oy! We must have made Hobbit Cottage too weather-tight because already, in early November, I was experiencing dry air sinusitis symptoms, even after leaving the window next to my bed open a tad. Even after occasionally leaving some water on the stove to steam. Even so. So there I was, my nose 'a runnin', and little scrunched-up kleenexes atop the furniture in my room when aha! A light bulb

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-26444780052588663652011-11-12T08:52:00.010-05:002011-11-12T09:40:14.855-05:00

So Sarah asked after my last post whether we have room in our new yard for a clothesline and yes! Technically, we do have room. But. That space lies in the part of the yard open to the eyes of anyone walking past and well, I'm thinking a clothesline there would appear more like a sore in what's already a pretty boring backyard. We can have a clothesline here (the neighbors behind us have one

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-37266346672668547172011-11-11T14:59:00.007-05:002011-11-11T16:52:33.129-05:00

Ran back over to Dollar Tree and bought more of those peel and stick stencils. I love how this one looks with the painting below it (it says "Dwell in Possibilities"). As Goldilocks would say, "It's just right." And this one: ... I put above our dining room table: For me, those stencils add instant personality and encouragement. I have one more that will probably go in Tom's office

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-52260308649098883262011-11-10T14:09:00.010-05:002011-11-11T18:27:40.245-05:00

So hooray! Tom The Milkman finally got things right yesterday. Whew. I was close to canceling the service but, at least for this coming winter, looks like we'll still have a real live milkman. As for my own Tom The Nascar Nut.... On Monday he began a sentence with, "I know you won't like this, but I want to do it anyway..." so of course, I knew that couldn't be good. What he wanted was to--for

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-91727101596236777052011-11-09T11:52:00.009-05:002011-11-10T18:40:04.778-05:00

So I've not even told you that in the same shopping center as our supermarket, there's a Target store. And yet? In the ten weeks we've lived here I've not been there even once. No, I've way more often visited the Dollar Tree between these stores and guess what I found there today? It's in this photo, above. Give up? It's this: Oh wow.  Since I'm always preaching that concept, I thought I'd better

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-36785858224125388432011-11-08T05:45:00.012-05:002011-11-08T14:01:52.407-05:00

Amazing! Hours after writing that post yesterday God swooped by with a clear instruction: "A great 'stepping out of the boat idea' would be to become more excellent in those things you're certain I've already given you to do." Well, that was an "ouch" but a good ouch and yes! He's so right. I'm certain He wants me to stay married (alas!) so it would be quite nice if I'd stop nagging Tom and

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-89779733913698389432011-11-07T07:34:00.007-05:002011-11-07T10:20:54.632-05:00

I'll address the goofiness of that title, but first, some of you asked if any houses near me are for sale and yes! You can have this one for just $49, 900. Honest, that's what they're asking (all 3 bedrooms and the 1 bath are upstairs). It's on the street behind Nostalgia Avenue (as I've named it) with this across the street: And this at the end, on the other side of the cross street: (

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-64180517737209976442011-11-04T14:35:00.008-04:002011-11-04T19:02:05.464-04:00

Autumn in New York. Lovely, lovely thing, even in my neighborhood. Even with a thruway at the top of that hill. Even outside my own kitchen window. I lie upon our couch and stare at the window glass filled with dancing gold leaves. Gold with tiny flecks of blue sky. Love this multi-colored confetti look, too, at the end of my street. And I love awaking each morning feeling as though it's

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-79147988924944833162011-11-03T14:17:00.001-04:002011-11-03T16:36:01.315-04:00

Took you with me on my walk today and this is what you saw. :) I see these post-War houses and think of all the young 1940's couples who were thrilled and grateful to own them. And I try not to think of couples who I'd see on House Hunters (when I used to watch it) who'd step into gigantic master bedrooms and sigh, "I'm afraid it's just waaay too small for us." (Don't get me started....) 

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-50774154794952734572011-11-03T11:36:00.004-04:002011-11-03T13:12:49.287-04:00

You know that commercial where we're asked, "What's in your wallet?" Well, I prefer to play, "What's on your refrigerator?" On ours is a sort of collage and, truthfully, my favorite part is that old photo of Eunice, Esther and Ella, all sisters out for a special day back in the early 1900's. I also enjoy the button next to it given to me by Wilma, my buddy. It says, "The men of Mayberry" and

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-31734137988609028832011-11-02T13:11:00.013-04:002011-11-03T04:37:27.919-04:00

(Smile while you're reading this, ok?) ************** Every once in awhile a person just has to complain. Today it's my turn. Gah! You know how there's this big cell phone craze going on? Well, I just don't get it. Could be because I've always hated making phone calls (receiving them is fine). Didn't like making them as a child, a teenager, a young mom or an anything else. My reasons are

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-49884724198639752152011-11-01T09:29:00.007-04:002011-11-01T10:19:43.922-04:00

So Lucy Ricardo's grandmother made-up a word for when you're not really sick, but just feel lousy--dauncey. And well, that's how I felt yesterday. Just plain dauncey. But today I feel incredible. How good to feel good again! And speaking of feelings, you've probably noticed I'm not big on writing about elusive, come-and-go feelings, as in, letting them influence our decisions. I'm more into

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-38449746347101458052011-10-29T12:02:00.002-04:002011-10-29T17:34:06.150-04:00

The photo? The entrance to Nostalgia Lane which I introduced you to yesterday. One thing I never tire of back here in the East--the overhanging trees which meet in the middle of the streets. Always makes me feel as though I'm entering a special place beneath a canopy or a doorway into a time machine. Or something. And today? Today I'm sharing some of Susan Boyle's latest songs with you. Oh my.

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-18489588974915828372011-10-28T15:00:00.020-04:002011-10-29T05:53:09.403-04:00

Do you remember when I lived in the 'burbs before and I'd show you photos like the one, above? My favorite street of houses like these was the one right beside ours and you know? Walking over to that street almost daily was probably the only thing I missed when we moved away. I so enjoyed strolling amongst those houses early mornings, getting my retro fix, then skipping back home and feeling like

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-73251289220977907622011-10-27T11:19:00.008-04:002011-10-28T04:28:28.437-04:00

So here's our corner, Tom's and mine. We live right behind that hedge at the left. Of course, the trees are everything in this picture and pretty much in Real Life, too. Heaven help us if they're ever chopped down (on the next street over, they were cut down to widen the street, the one I take to the supermarket. Doesn't look dreadful, just more modern and streamlined, two of my least-favorite

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-64173372978554468682011-10-26T16:37:00.005-04:002011-10-26T18:28:07.613-04:00

Busy, busy around here today. All the new glass block windows are in as well as two new storm doors. Tom and I are now as snug as proverbial bugs in a rug. Just in time--tomorrow we're due to be in the brrrr zone. And yesterday I did a bit of stenciling because a.) I'd been meaning to and b.) my friend, Donna, and our mutual friend, Marian, are coming over for coffee on Friday so now I have a

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-31482702648772539862011-10-25T10:29:00.003-04:002011-10-25T11:31:22.454-04:00

Well, finally I took a walk around our block. I'm embarrassed to say I'd waited a whole 7 weeks, but I have my excuses. heh. And I must admit some parts of our neighborhood are well, scary. I left-out those houses, though I may show them to you someday (in case you don't believe me about their scariness).  So anyway, here is part of my new 'hood. This is the tree outside our windows on the

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-50083424079366003492011-10-24T12:20:00.004-04:002011-10-24T13:08:40.296-04:00

See the little bird couple? Yesterday I painted the green square around them because I think just about everything looks better with a background of color. (So why will my livingroom walls most likely remain white? Because I'm not the young, zippy painter I once was. Alas. But I do plan to paint that archway a lighter green someday.) So anyway, I love that green square and would like to perhaps

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-26030426470276064742011-10-23T10:23:00.007-04:002011-10-24T05:03:34.800-04:00

Something I thought I'd never say? I don't miss Facebook. At all. Oh, part of me understands one reason why this could be.  Since childhood I've been--mostly--a loner. When I wanted to be one and when I didn't. It just always turns out that way and when I try to change it-- when I attempt to surround myself consistently with people, with friends--it never forms into a great thing. Always, I

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-28650674827356406352011-10-22T08:46:00.012-04:002011-10-23T07:45:56.583-04:00

So yesterday I just knew I'd find another delightful book at Dollar Tree and well, I did. It's called How To Fit a Car Seat On a Camel, edited by Sarah Franklin. As with A Matter of Choice, this book contains beautiful essays, yet these are stories about traveling with children, all humorous so far. Wow. Another keeper book and from Dollar Tree! As God's been trying (and trying) to teach me,

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-86376213881555821742011-10-20T08:16:00.014-04:002011-10-22T09:30:44.804-04:00

In seven years of writing in this blog I've tried to convince you of all sorts of things. But besides the fact that we all need Jesus, this is the other major thought I'd like you to carry away: It's up to us to make our lives wonderful. It's up to us to believe for remarkable days. So well, you can consider that while I share this: Probably the silliest photo and concept you've ever seen

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-4462287575605003602011-10-19T17:27:00.004-04:002011-10-22T09:31:14.259-04:00

Oh, this was such a sentimental story of an old-fashioned homemaker and her dear husband. Made me cry at the end, and well, I just wanted to share it with you all. Made my day. Go here. **************** Oh, and you can now sign-up to receive my blog posts in your email box. Glance over to the top of my right-hand column, add your email address to the box and go from there. Just

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-76100092214669754222011-10-18T12:45:00.013-04:002011-10-22T09:31:44.866-04:00

I forgot to tell you something pretty incredible about this new life of mine. While I shop at my local supermarket, they play Big Band era music. And stuff from the 1950's, like Doris Day and Nat King Cole and Rosemary Clooney. Weekends and weekdays. Oh. My. Goodness. And it's not like this supermarket is some local Mom and Pop set-up, either. No, they're a major chain in New York and

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-76991341519253675882011-10-17T05:32:00.008-04:002011-10-22T09:32:18.448-04:00

Gah. I had to bail out of my dearly loved Facebook. Something hacked my profile there and was giving me and my friends a royal headache. ThisIsJustATestThisIsJustATestThisIsJustATest....... Please don't share horror stories about Facebook in my comment box, ok? To me it was an encourager's dream come true. I'll miss it. Now I'll have to rely upon hearing from God more so to know when and

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-33099109789429845672011-10-15T08:59:00.013-04:002011-12-05T14:02:13.430-05:00

So I'm skipping around from essay to essay in A Matter of Choice, choosing by title the pieces which sound interesting. And chewing each one, slowly. But I felt sad for one of the authors this morning when she wrote this about arriving in Mexico for a vacation (of sorts), alone: "I realized that I had never, in my forty-seven years, had dinner alone in a restaurant...  When I think about

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-16194937044326925242011-10-14T09:59:00.017-04:002011-10-22T09:33:46.350-04:00

Years ago I'd read Miss Read's book, Time Remembered, but these sentences in the foreword practically glowed in fluorescence this time: "As an unambitious child, I disliked this wearisome regime. I had no desire to do better than my neighbors and lacked any envy of their abilities, looks or possessions. I soon realized that what I really wanted was time to ruminate, time to observe and often

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-87533481710266643062011-10-13T16:05:00.004-04:002011-10-14T07:46:35.148-04:00

So I told you that for a year God's been giving me the ol' Never Assume Anything test and mostly I've been failing, but oh! Lately I think finally I'm getting it. At least I got it today. See, I needed to drive to our local Dollar Tree store for various and sundry items and I caught myself thinking, "Hmm... too bad the books they have there are no good, because I'm really in the mood to buy

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-45118807570848357742011-10-12T06:51:00.022-04:002011-10-13T19:51:41.696-04:00

So we'd lived here 5 1/2 weeks yet I'd not visited our local neighborhood library only one mile away. Yesterday I changed that. Partly to make up for the hairy visit to WalMart (where, truthfully, the people there didn't bother me--it was all the stuff) and partly for the overdue adventure of it all, I decided to finally drive to the ancient two-story brick library and see what was what.

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-78196100335947399692011-10-11T10:54:00.007-04:002011-10-11T15:57:44.544-04:00

This early morning I decided to drive to WalMart (forgive me, those of you who hate that place) just to check-out their prices since I'd not shopped there in three years. You know, just to stock-up on a couple things since I'm in the middle of my Annual Grocery Stock-Up So We're Not Braving a Snowstorm Just For a Can of Olives. Just a simple trip, you understand. Oh dear. I'd forgotten there is

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-11860690423909331892011-10-10T08:32:00.011-04:002011-10-11T08:02:16.691-04:00

So! God's given me this brand new life and I've had sufficient time to recover from the whole packing-and-selling-stuff-and-moving-and-unpacking-and-settling-in thing. Enough lolling around watching I Love Lucy re-runs and just staring gratefully at these Hobbit Cottage walls while murmuring, "I can't believe we're really here," like, twenty times a day. Yes, now God's saying it's time to

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-50878862414374794422011-10-09T10:08:00.007-04:002011-10-10T03:59:34.913-04:00

This past week Tom spent three days helping Naomi buy a new-to-her car, so he was gone a lot which meant ol' Debra was home a lot. So!  Yesterday I went supermarket shopping early in the a.m., but still felt like going out in the afternoon, and Tom didn't, but you know? I felt fine with that. Quickly, I looked online at the movies playing at our local back-to-the-1940's theater, found Midnight

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-79037091908096841612011-10-08T11:23:00.010-04:002011-10-09T07:23:08.359-04:00

So do any of you remember this darling little Dutch couple? They awaited us at the farm when we first moved there and since my grandparents had a very similar message box when I was a child, it felt as though my dear grandparents awaited us there, also. (My sister and I used to write silly messages in theirs until our parents would tell us, "Stop wasting all of Grandpa's and Grandma's tablet 

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-27945267785566236772011-10-07T09:26:00.004-04:002011-10-07T14:01:36.817-04:00

Sometimes I just sit in the center of my new little home library and feel cozy, downright good amongst my books which survived the last cut. Oh, I may have given away five boxes of books, but at least these I still own are dear favorites (give or take a handful which I'd not finished reading so I couldn't yet make an accurate decision). So since many of you also enjoy viewing the titles of 

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-41999559735602060362011-10-06T06:55:00.014-04:002011-10-06T09:29:56.869-04:00

My oh my. Thirteen months ago when Tom lost his job, God began giving me the ol' Assumption Test and I've been failing it ever since. Gah. I know God's just trying to make this adjustment of Tom's constantly being home easier on the both of us, but gee... this has been one of the longest, most frustrating tests ever. Examples? Months ago I told Tom how to make rice and then assumed he'd remember

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-66530289384000566872011-10-05T16:39:00.014-04:002011-10-05T18:25:58.784-04:00

So this morning Tom left for a doctor appointment and to also help Naomi find a car to buy and I have been playing house all day long. Well, that's what it feels like, anyway, especially with the sun shining in the windows and me going around in my house skirt, though I do keep forgetting to wear a vintage apron! But while I mowed the lawn our new milk delivery guy, Tom (remember Bob The

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-18316696154667463272011-10-04T17:28:00.005-04:002011-10-05T07:49:50.617-04:00

So I'm sure you recall my sorry complaining about the huge lawn back on the ol' farm. How you could practically stand at the window and watch it grow. How, if you waited one full week to mow it again, it grew so long that it made the whole house and property appear abandoned. Those acres of lawn grew at an illegal speed just to spite us. Well, here at Hobbit Cottage we may not have watercolor

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024018.post-84055366875509526302011-10-02T08:56:00.011-04:002011-10-02T13:41:35.193-04:00

So often people tell us to pack God into a pretty little box. Well, they don't use those words, exactly, but here's an example of what I mean. Probably you've noticed it's not getting any easier to survive on this planet--it's just one thing after another, it seems. And well, the Bible said all this would happen so it's not like a shock, or anything. But what I'm thinking today is how often

Debrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894174653208070320noreply@blogger.com5