January This and That

"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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1.) Mostly? December/Christmas leave me missing only one thing: the bright lights on houses outside our dining room windows reminiscent of a carnival boardwalk. 

This year, especially, I nightly anticipated Sue and Sally's tiny lights splashed across their huge outside wall like a green and red Milky Way of stars. Glorious.

Eventually, though, it all went away. 

But this year? Marsha, our new neighbor, hung a red and white lighted heart in her front window. Wow. That heart shines like a life-saving beacon during the swirling, blowing snow--and I smile. 

"Must. Have. One." I thought. So I searched online (and meant to ask Marsha about hers, but that kept not working out) and finally yesterday I found one that's close enough. I ordered it at Ebay--

-- and now can't wait to display my own shining beacon which I hope will gladden the hearts of our neighbors as Marsha's has mine.

(Oh, and I also bought an electric candle for our top story window, another light of welcome and comfort for our black, icy nights.)


2.) Speaking of Christmas, my favorite gift from Tom was a lovely old copy of The Edge of Time by Louella Grace Erdman.

Barely could I put this down and if you, too, love stories of young couples eking out a life on the 1800's prairies, you'll also enjoy this. The good news? You can read it at Open Library for free (via the waiting list).

If you'd like to purchase a copy, check here, first. Read reviews about it here.


3.) Tom's and my current favorite shows to watch together--


1.) Chicago Fire
2.) FBI
3.) The Rookie
4.) Blue Bloods
5.) Chicago Med
6.) New Amsterdam
7.) The Good Doctor
8.) Chicago PD
9.) Hawaii 5-0
10.) Magnum P.I.
11.) NCIS New Orleans
12.) NCIS
13.) Last Man Standing
14.) SWAT
15.) Seal Team

We're glad these are (mostly) back from their winter vacation and oh! Did you see the series finale of Timeless? Some folks are devastated bummed-out at its demise, but Tom and I have learned to just feel grateful that a good show appeared a year or two, rather like viewing it as a movie which lasted a very, very long time.  ツ


4.)  So does ol' Debra still believe in staying stocked-up and in all ways ready for anything?

Yes. Yes, Honey, she does. May sound a bit crazy but hey, in our wild world, not living prepared for any type of disaster sounds goofier.

Here's one of my posts with a ton of links to help you prepare for anything.


5.) Don't know about you, but I found this photo from The White House, gorgeous --

6.) Am I still loving the new treadmill? Oh yes! Especially since I'm not keeping track of improvements to my body (weight, inches lost, etc.), but rather, I'm daily recording the improvements to my discipline and stamina.

So much more encouraging, those.


7.) Oh! Remember those bath towels I recommended from Walmart back in August of 2017? Well oh my, they're practically giving them away now. Only $12.58 for a 6-piece set of good-enough-quality towels, hand towels and wash cloths. Check them out here.

Yes, even in 2019 there are great deals on items we need. All we must do is ask God to lead us to them--and then go there with Him.

8.) Once again I've been watching Youtube stories about people who died, went to Heaven, and came back. I find these shared glimpses/stories so encouraging! How wonderful (and comforting) to imagine what our loved ones there are experiencing.

Here are some videos to start you out (I tend to just stick with the CBN ones since they're 'safer' and won't go all new-age weird.)


9.) Found a creative, hands-on decorating show at Netflix yesterday, the type reminiscent of the old days at HGTV. 

It's called The Great Interior Design Challenge and is British. We also get to see such heart-stopping old areas of England so two thumbs up, except that the designer judges can go all picky, picky sometimes.

10.) And to end this, here is something to remember --

--and two things to make you smile--

Sue and Sally's dogs. Until I saw this photo I didn't even know you could have a picture taken with Santa and your pets. ツ


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Oh! What is that bright light out in the sky this morning?  シ

We've lived in the Buffalo area nearly 26 years and never do I recall so many mostly-grey weeks. Trust me, I celebrate like crazy inside my heart whenever the sun shines, even a little bit.


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"Walk ... with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love." ... Ephesians 4:2