Nearly Three Years Later: Bitter Or Better?

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."   ... Colossians 3:23. 24

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While trying (and failing) to write a new blog post, I spied this one from nearly 3 years ago. Oh my. 

Now I'm asking myself, "So how well did I actually live out the pandemic, the self-isolation and all the wildness we've witnessed since? Hmm?"

I'll let you know later. Maybe. ツ 

But in the meantime, here you go, my post from April 13, 2020 with new links included at the end:

Way back (less than a month ago, eegads) when the powers-that-be first ordered us to burrow at home, I sat at the dining room table putting on my make-up. I called over to Tom in his recliner, "I'll apologize right now for just slapping on my make-up during the duration of all this."

He chuckled. I smiled. 

But the Holy Spirit? He rolled His eyes. "Really?" He asked. "You're aiming for mediocrity already?"

Gulp. He got me there. 

Hey. I know how mediocrity works. You start small, say, let the laundry slide a couple weeks, skip sweeping the floors, eat only carbs and chocolate and bam! Suddenly you're in stained, too-tight clothes stepping around sticky kitchen floors, searching messy cupboards for chocolate bars long ago scarfed down.

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Sloppiness always starts with tiny compromises.

So yeah. Next day I put on my make-up with care so I'll look pleasant for my husband who's locked-up spending his quarantine time with me. And for myself, actually. Daily I wear make-up so I'll look presentable for me during my one and only life upon Earth.

(I know, I know. You don't wear make-up. I get it. And if I had your scar-free, smooth, sweet skin I might not either. But I don't so I do, ok?) シ

Moving on.

I'm determined these coronavirus days will make me better, not bitter. That someday I'll step out our red door, not just free, but more educated, creative, skilled and compassionate.

That I'll have spent the majority of my hours focused on learning how to better keep --


our food pantry supplied
trying new recipes
meals cheap, but varied and interesting
the house running efficiently
the garden growing well
informed, but not overwhelmed (nor frustrated or scared)
exercising when I'd, ugh, rather not
encouraging everyone I know.


And also? Keeping the Holy Spirit, my for-everything healer(including a sometimes-too-conspiracy-minded attitude), so close. May He need only whisper--not shout--when I even think of becoming sloth-like because, hey, it's just home.

I have my excuses to be a slacker, of course. We all do. But there comes a time--and this is certainly one--when God expects us to practice what He spent decades teaching us.

And wow, what He's taught us. And taught us. And taught us.

Ninety percent of our lives is the everyday, over-and-over stuff. Why not discover new ways to absolutely love that 90 percent rather than only the special occasion 10 percent?

My favorite Youtubers are those who bubble over with joy in the 'small things' like homemaking and especially cooking. Oh, how I appreciate those who encourage this tired ol' meal maker!

Examples?  Julia Pacheco.  See Mindy Mom.  The Simplified Saver.

And as for the rest of creative homemaking, no one makes it more happy and joyful than Kathryn at Do It On a Dime.  ツ

Oh, and while out with covid, I watched lots of Dry Bar Comedy, keeping in mind that laughter truly can be the best medicine, especially when everything is tempting you to just sink and sulk.

     "Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind..."   --- Psalm 26:2

Never stop searching for those who God places nearby to inspire you to live a sweeter, more 'present' life. Oh to grow in gratitude of this precious life He gave us!

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

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 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

Where I Was

"However when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak from Himself, but whatsoever He will hear, that will He speak; and He will show you things to come."   --- John 16:13

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Oh dear.

Last month covid struck our Hobbit Cottage and even now Tom and I are rather zombie-like. (Naomi recovered quickly. We're thankful she was here to help.)

On the first night I thought,"I can go through this complaining and full of self-pity (like usual) or I can praise my way through with gratitude." And in all my so-exhausted delerium, I attempted to keep choosing thankfulness. What a battle, but I tried and felt emotionally better as I lay in my sweet closet room watching I Love Lucy dvd's in between dreams.

Which variant did we have? Ha! I'm thinking all of them. I read down the lists and can check every box. Oh, and for two weeks a cloud bank darkened our windows, worsening everything.

But you know? Always I'll be thankful that years ago the Holy Spirit told me to buy what I needed just in case. So back then I purchased liquid ivermectin, tonic syrup, all the recommended vitamins, juice, tea, cough drops, ibuprofen, canned chicken soup and pineapple. I had a list of instructions and tons of kleenex, some colloidal silver and easily we ordered eggs and things from Aldi.

Even so? Man, this was one rough ride. Extreme fatigue is the worst and I had to give myself permission to do only enough to get by. I slept for days and oh dear, lost my passion to help people. The strength to care was gone.

Honey, that part was scary. Yet it taught me the importance of staying healthy so that never again do I venture there. Anytime we stop caring about encouraging folks, something is wrong.

Anyway, you get it.

Just know we're so grateful we survived this. The sun finally burst forth two days ago and immediately I felt 20 percent better and could dance on the inside.

Oh, and don't worry about any quick return to working too hard and relapses or anything. Even during the best of times no one takes more rests than I do. No one.   シ

"Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise."   --- Jeremiah 17:14

"Complain and remain. Praise and be raised."   --- Joyce Meyer

Oh, and a few funny things happened over those 2 weeks, like this as I wrote to a friend:

"The fatigue is the worst. The other day I came down the stairs and told Tom, "Well, I finally feel caught up on rest." Then I looked at the clock and said, "Man, it's just one hour before my bedtime!'"  シ

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I read 4 books last month and here is one you can read, as well. It's a middle grade book, short, but is well-written, has awesome illustrations and is thought-provoking, a book that sticks with you.

Ariel posted at least another 2 videos! Go here to check them out.

Here's another NYC apartment I enjoyed touring. And while we're at it, one more.

A huge thanks to those of you who prayed for us! This was yet one more time I felt grateful for Facebook and the ability to give everyone updates.

Has everyone bought or made their Valentines yet?

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. *** "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

Want a Good Life As You Age? Know Thyself.

"Know thyself." Yes, do that. Well, if you want a sweeter life, that is.

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So I'd not done an online search of our old farm's address in months and when I finally did? I discovered the owners sold it last September.

Quickly I clicked upon each 'for sale photo' and oh dear, kept repeating, "What were they thinking? Who paints the majority of their walls dark brown and dark grey?" I mean, yearly I view hundreds of local houses for sale and only in around 3 percent do those colors appear (maybe that's an exaggeration, even).

I felt sad for our poor old 1880's farmhouse, you know, going from this:

To this:

And from this:

To this:

And yes, I realize when you sell a house, you totally release it to the new family, even after pouring so much of yourself into it.

Well, anyway, perhaps the new owners immediately repainted all those walls. Yet even if they didn't, still, I'm deciding to discipline my mind to  only recall how I painted each room. The light, happy colors I used as well as the cute wallpaper (which our buyers ripped down).

But back to the 'know thyself' thing. For me, I know I cannot live happily inside a dark-walled house, especially during winter. I mean, these past 12 days we've had only perhaps 3 hours of sunshine! 

Fortunately that's rare for us, but oh my, that's had me doing all my winter survival hacks:

Sitting beside large windows. 

Using my like-sunlight lamp to read by.

Stepping outside for a few moments (hey, it's cold out there).

Reading summery-type books.

Keeping up with my vitamin regimen, especially Vitamin D3.

Thinking happy and grateful thoughts.

And while using our new air-purifier I felt so improved that I thought, "Hey! Maybe I can eat/drink a few cow-milk products this winter. But no. After a few days my head felt all heavy and I ended up feeling like this on the inside, wandering from room to room:

I backed off, got honest with myself, left dairy alone and immediately felt better.

Know thyself. Really, know thyself. 

What do you need so to live and feel well?

How much alone time do you daily require?

Which colors work best on your walls? 

Which foods can you eat? Which should you avoid--and when? (I can have dairy the other 3 seasons. Yes, that sounds weird, but when spending time 'knowing thyself' you learn odd things.) 

Years ago I had to release real coffee if I wanted to feel and sleep well. Now, I could've sought pills for headaches and also sleep aids, but for me? Creating hot drinks I enjoy even better was wisdom.

Then in 2022 I had to give up onions, Buffalo wings, hot sauce and my weekly kombucha. Did I sulk? Well, ok. For awhile. ツ But then I pulled up my big girl pants, went on a search for substitutes--and found tasty ones.

Valiantly push through the complainy head thoughts and seek to, instead, know thyself. That's my message, my advice, my key to a still-lovely-though-older Lifestyle which I, myself, am learning to always appreciate--and--maneuver around.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”   ... Joshua 1:9

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
― Joseph Campbell

Honesty! So much honesty with ourselves is required as we age.

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After listening to many music playlists at Youtube, I believe this is my favorite of all.

Oh my. Randi Lynn Reed's latest video was worth the wait. So lovely. How to Make Ordinary Life Feel Extraordinary.

Yesterday Tom and I watched a sweet, hilarious, thought-provoking movie called Family Camp. I think we viewed it free at Prime. (We search all over the Net for movies these days since we've seen just about everything, so I lose track where they all are).

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."   ... Jeremiah 29:11

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Please remember: My posts are always about more than they appear to be. 

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 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15