My June Cleaver Summer. Well, Sorta. (And 15 Years Blogging!)

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."   ... Philippians 4:7


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Back in 2017 our carpet was cleaned by a motley crew that left us a flea infestation.

Gah.

An annoying summer followed. Weekly baths for the cats (yes, as fun as it sounds), also Tom (who hates all tiny insects to my annoyance) and I searched madly online for natural flea remedies, our favorite being these flea lights--

Bless you, the person who invented these! You've enabled us to do battle while avoiding dangerous chemicals.

This summer? More battles, though, plus extra babying for our poor old long-haired cat, Sammy-- I'll spare you the details. (We've decided no more cats with long hair for us, like, ever.)

Basically since mid-June this has been my part time job: systematically cleaning my house (and cat), hoping to swish away every last flea. You know, dusting/washing all those areas one tends to let slide forget.

And this is my test: to keep my mind in a good place, rather than in a these-stupid-fleas-are-spoiling-my-summer one.

Disciplining ones mind--never easy (is anything worthwhile, easy?). Yet with God's help, ideas and Grace we can keep our head space pleasant, anticipatory. Yes, even in 2019. 

Even while fighting what we, personally, must fight.

So as an aid, I'm titling this another June Cleaver Season. Rather than cursing the fleas' effect upon my summer, I'm--


picturing June, her peacefulness and her pretty home. And aiming for that.
I'm playing the Singers and Swing tv radio, 
wearing aprons, (no pearls or dresses, though), シ
relying upon my master task list (which keeps me balanced at this no-longer-a-spring-chicken time of my life).


Oh, and happily collapsing upon the red couch, smiling, beholding my (albeit slow) progress. And rejoicing when I feel my house is no longer bossing me around, rather, fancying myself in charge.

Always tell your head to appreciate how far you've come, ok? Life's sweeter, more encouraging that way.

And now (thankfully) it's time to move on to the next part --- 



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Oh wow. Having fresh food delivered from Aldi's? It's changing my life. 

Now, Tom didn't mind picking up groceries, but now we must start saving his back however we can (not a great last visit at the doctor). 

So there's that.

And when he'd bring groceries home after 5:00 pm, ol' Debra would whine while pulling them from the trunk, "Why'd you buy so much? You know by this time of day my back is sooo tired and now I've got to put these away?" (Then she'd moan while crossing the lawn all bent over, the big baby).

But those days are gone. 

My Aldi groceries arrive mornings, right to my door when my back feels absolutely fine. And oh! The last lady knocked on the red door, handed groceries to me, then we chatted about how we'd have loved this service when our kids were young.

And later inside a bag? I found a thank-you card from her, my name on the envelope and 2 pieces of candy included (cinnamon, even. A favorite!). Now, that is excellence, which you know I love. 

Made my day. Made me smile. And reminded me that old-fashioned kindness is still here these crazy days.

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And hey! Tomorrow marks my 15th year of blogging. Can you believe that? (Even I can't.) 

What a wild ride! A huge learning experience. A way of friend-making (and ok, friend-losing in some cases, but let's not go there). 

Always I'll thank God for this custom-made opportunity, a responsibility I try never to take lightly.

And yes, in honor of the 15 years I'm going to do a giveaway, but uhm, some of you may not like it. (Though you will if you're big on feeling happy for others when they are blessed. Which I hope you are. heh.)  ツ

What am I doing?

I'm giving away two $35 Amazon gift cards, one each to Betsy and Pam who've commented after at least 95% of my posts for years. Years! I almost know the hour each will comment and I believe in rewarding such faithfulness. So there you go. What I wish to do this time.

Betsy and Pam! Your faithful comments encourage me more than you realize. You discuss my ideas, note when they're timely and you share them. You always make me feel that what I'm doing, matters. Thank-you so much. (And I'll email each of you.)

And for those of you who sometimes comment here (and at Facebook), please know I appreciate your words, also. God made us to need each other and words of response can be so beautiful and timely, you know, like this ---


"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver."   ... Proverbs 25:11



So for each of you who read here year after year, I extend my gratitude today--and always. Truly.

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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