Where She's Fixing Her Life By Looking Backward (?!)

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."   --- Jeremiah 6:16

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So this gorgeous, color-filled-and-blue-sky weekend we drove over to our former town, the one with Autumn Cottage. 

We'd signed up for the big drop-off-your-old-paint-and-cleaners event and wow! We didn't even have to step out of the car, for they removed our items for us. How organized and nice the folks acted.

And you know? While driving around that vintage-looking town, I recalled my myriad days of just plain happiness, almost a giddy kind, those nearly 15 years.

And that bothered me. 

Why aren't I that happy now here in the town next-door where, frankly, we've mostly got it better? I mean ok, I'm 18 years older than when we moved away. I've experienced cancer, covid (twice), fibroid, thyroid and walking issues and various non-ailment, emotional stuff, but still.

When I recall our 15 years here at Hobbit Cottage, they're not heavily frosted with an equal amount of joy.

And what's up with that?

Well, later that afternoon at home I wrote a list called, Ways I Lived Differently In ________ (our former town) and oh my. Seventeen+ items popped onto that list! Gee, that's quite a lot. Just a few of those? --

We went to movie theaters more often.

I was waay more creative.

I took far more walks through old, picturesque neighborhoods.

We did lots more countryside drives and estate sales.

I spoke to many folks while out and about.

I read more books.

I often drove to the river's edge, read, and drank decaf while looking at the water.

There's more, but you get it.

And then I remembered; years ago, Joyce Meyer said something like, "If your life now feels wrong, go back in your mind to when things felt right. Recall what you were doing at that time, then do it and move forward."

Good, hopeful advice.

Now, am I meant to do all 17+ things on my list? Nah, not all of them, for changes do happen (as they should). But some, yes. These past few days I've returned to a handful and wow! Already I'm noticing a difference in my attitude and you gotta love that.

And well, to start checking things off the list, we actually, after 5 whole years(!) drove to our local movie theater. No stairs anywhere so Tom easily used his rollator, we got a senior discount, we shared a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup pack, just the two of us sat in the theater so we chatted freely, half the prevews appeared promising and oh yeah, Tom said it was the best dog movie he's ever seen which is saying something since he's watched them all.  ツ

(More about the movie, below.)

Anyway, we returned home energized. Felt different mind-atmosphere-wise, thankful our legs held out ok, and glad we'd made that decision to get out amongst our fellow townsfolk. 

For as Jesus would have us all remember, 

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."   --- Matthew 5:14, 15

And it's important to Him that we recall the lost ones and get out and spread that Light so they can live bright, joyful lives, as well.

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And the movie at the theater?

We saw Heart of the Beast and I'll always feel grateful we did, but I'm not sure I can recommend it due to 'language' (perhaps 7 instances) and many scary parts, like the one with the obviously-CGI-wild-wolves (kinda horror film level, that scene).  But the one great thing? Not a spoiler, but in the first minute of the film you see the dog standing in the road kinda 'flagging down help.' 

Then the movie goes back to how things started.

And that was reassuring right off the bat because Honey, I can't stand movies where you get oh so attached to the dog, then he dies. Heh.  😕

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This kept taking my breath away with its autumnal decor beauty. Wow. Lovely music, also.

Gorgeous, old-fashioned decor. Peaceful, too.

If you've ever wanted to visit Hobbiton, go here.

The cutest tiny (tiny-tiny!) house I've ever seen.

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And in returning to some of my old creative ways, I purchased this along with some pastel paint pens and colored pencils, as well:

Completed one page yesterday and enjoyed the calming peacefulness of it!

Don't you just love Autumn?

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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

But What I Forgot To Tell You Was ...

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken..."   --- Hebrews 12:28

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So my last post felt a bit Pollyanna-ish to me. I didn't mention some stuff.

Like how, since taking Keytruda injections every 3 weeks (rather than infusions), I arise from the red couch like a 99-year-old granny. You know, all bent over, slow-stepping-wobbly, and thus worrying Tom. But at least I can, in 2 minutes or so, walk that off.

Whew.

But then 2+ weeks ago, my up-from-the-couch worsened(!) because of, I thought, sciatica. Then I self-diagnosed piriformis. Now though, I'm thinkin' it's bursitis, for it fits the symptoms best. (Oh, and at times,  laying in bed feels actually painful. Gah.)

Youtube University (don't you love that?) says to rest, use ice, do gentle leg lifts while standing. (And avoid sugar and dairy, but everybody says that about everything.)  シ

Yet not walk around after my energy returned and it's so gloriously autumnal these days? So disappointing. This slow-motion life is beyond annoying while your energy inside bubbles and you wish to accomplish everything before Winter.

So there's that.

But figuring I needed a reminder not to moany-complain about my woes (making it worse), I purchased this--

There are no lines on the actual(so pretty!)sign and it's especially lovely leaning against the wood tones of our fireplace.

--so I can stare at it. Memorize it. Improve my life because of its truth by practicing it.

And you know? I think it's already working. Since yesterday the pain has calmed waay down as long as I walk slowly. So. Slowly. I'll take it!

But dealing with semi-chronic pain, right? Some of you know the challenge of that, of staying sweet and not switching every conversation into a grumbling complaint fest.

Seriously, who wants to live daily hours allowing the bad thoughts to shove down the grateful ones? So instead, I will choose to think about what's going right. The blessings, the trusting that everything will be ok, the loveliness of Life with Jesus even in the midst of setbacks.

And oh Honey, with Him I can do anything He places in my heart, even at a slower pace.

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing ..." --- Philippians 2:14

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So let's switch gears here, ok?

Did you know you can still order LL Bean catalogues via snail mail? I seem to remember they have lovely outdoorsy photos, especially during Autumn. Go here if you'd like a free old-school LL Bean catalogue.

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This weekend Tom and I watched Toy Story 5 and thoroughly enjoyed it And yeah, they went a bit heavy on the problems-of-too-much-tech lessons, but don't we all need it? Yes. Yes we do.  シ   Here's the trailer.

Oh, and we saw Young Washington. Though not for everyone (lots of battle scenes), it was interesting discovering more about Washington's early life. The young actor who played him (born in 2004!) did an excellent job, we thought.

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So when I began using our dishwasher as an extra cupboard instead, I bought a too-large plastic dish drying mat and lost nearly all the counter space next to our stovetop. It's wild how long we put up with things, right?

Well, finally I bought this:

The rack part is expandable and fits over less than 1/2 of the sink. The small dish drainer sits on the countertop for extra dishes and has returned to me my beside-the-stove counter space. Color me grateful, indeed. (Go here to see photos of it over a sink.)

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... and also finally, I bought a helpful storage solution for our 'skinny cupboard' (as it's known 'round here). Most likely it's a cupboard for baking sheets, but I turned it into Debra's secret gluten-free treats space (you know, so snacks don't mysteriously vanish. heh) 

I searched for pullout-shelves on a track, but it's too skinny even for those, so I bought this:

Fits just right! Now rather than pulling items out and watching them cascade and collapse upon one another, there's order. The chaos is gone. Whew.   ツ

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Oh, and can anyone recommend cozy mysteries where the protagonist returns home to a grandmother, aunt or parent? I've decided those are my favorite cozies. I already have the Farm To Table Series and the Apron Shop one and the first Bee Keeping Series book, but I'd love to hear more suggestions. Thanks!

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And as I wrote at Facebook:

"Small rituals kept the world from changing too quickly. At least, that is what she hoped." --- copied

Found the most gorgeous video this morning with that quote. It's as though the narrator was reading from an essay about his old, homey recollections as the camera panned each beautiful pink-and-book-touched room. Wow. This one was different. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkrTRWYsfxY&list=WL&index=4

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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

So How's Your Wonderful Life Going?

"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."   --- Romans 15:13

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The older I become (which happens speedily lately), the more I realize it's my responsibility to create a wonderful life. That is, if I want one.

And I do.

For me, it doesn't work to wait for anyone to give me a wonderful life. Oh, sometimes that happens, but it's occasional. No, usually it's up to me to create a life I especially love, me and the Holy Spirit who's the most creative person, ever.

Seriously.

So lately--to make up for 8 months wilting on the red couch--He and I have celebrated health and summer and books and gardening, cleaning house and mornings reading with my feet up on the sunny front porch.

And bookshelves in need of reorganizing and Pinterest and imaginative folks on Youtube. 

The ability to do laundry and climb stairs, flowers in pots and newly-poured sidewalk. 

Stocking-up on winter groceries, bottles and jars of food on glass shelves, trying new recipes. 

Groceries arriving at the door, snacks and drinks on the porch for delivery people and weekend meals carried right to our red door.

And Autumn's birth on Tuesday!

Sending gift cards or trinkets or books as surprises 

and praying for friends recovering from illness or discouragement or shock of losing loved ones. 

And still having this blog after 22 years when some have--whoosh!--lost theirs in a dreadful moment. **

Mine (and probably yours) is a simple life, but oh, the never-ending list of what is ours to celebrate, that is, if we always watch for the good.

What remains is for us to keep our steady balance when this world would shake us to the ground in a sad, worried heap.

And we need not go anywhere but to that straight road at whose end is a Heaven waiting with the most wonderful life of all.

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Well, it was a hot summer (big surprise, right?). My leggings felt too warm, so I bought these, below, and love them and do not wear them to bed as designed, but rather, around the house, porch and yard for all to see. heh.

They're part of my creative, repurposing projects and they look nice given the fact of all the weight I've lost due to intermittent fasting, cancer and hyperthyroid issues. Alas.  シ

Oh, and on cooler days they also look good with leggings or capris underneath. Highly recommended.

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** Oh dear! Kim's Daisy Cottage blog is gone. All those gloriously colorful posts showing her creative genius using primary reds, yellows and greens with a 70's flair. And the posts of the tours she photographed of her friends' homes, vanished as well.

Typepad is no more, that's why. Darn.

With wild eyes (well ...) I contacted Kim at Instagram, hoping with all my heart she'd downloaded those hundreds of posts elsewhere, but no, she hadn't she sadly told me. I felt so bad for her.

But at least we have her Instagram photos from these past few years as well as some of her older photos online here and there. I was able to gather some into a Pinterest folder here. (You're following me there, right?)

Life goes on, yes. But the place in mine where Kim's blog lived will always remain an empty, much-missed spot, indeed. Though yes, I'm grateful for the years her blog remained online whenever I felt like visiting her special, colorful world.

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Oh. My. Goodness. This man's home library! Give me one like that and probably I'd never come up from the basement for air.  ツ Unbelievable, .

truly. (And like one guy wrote, "The way my jaw dropped at 4:28." Yes, mine, too.)

A tiny house filled with beautiful antiques and paintings. Wow.

Have you ever watched Wise Living After 50? Her money-saving kitchen ideas are awesome, but I really love her vintage-style drawings. Fun and nostalgic!

If you prefer old-fashioned, soft-color decorating.

A Little Library That Time Forgot

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" ... recognize the fact that Life is a circle around you, tiny when you're a child, wider and wider ... as you grow older, and narrowing again when you're frankly old. You can keep it from shrinking for a long time, perhaps, but there comes a day when it's better to look on it as a small but enchanted circle and make it as pleasant a spot as you can."

-- from Bubbly on Your Budget by Marjorie Hillis

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September around here, so far, has acted very Septemberly. Oooo... love these cooler temps, school busses, musky scents and the occasional floating leaf.

Keep moving forward, one creative step at a time. You can do this!

... and I'd love to hear how you're making your life beautiful.

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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