Now We Rest...

Work went really well yesterday. I did what I said I'd do when I got home...immediately changed into my sweats and took off my makeup. Teresa made an excellent batch of broasted chicken that came up just in time for me to leave for home. So we had a hot meal ready to eat when Handsome brought me back to the farmhouse. It was perfect. As you can see, the girls were down with the resting program, too!

Today, I have a few "office" things to do, and then I'm going to finish my bluebird feathers. Handsome and I are going together to my classmate dinner this afternoon. The weather is supposed to take a turn for the worse with record low temps late today, but we'll be settled back at home by then, and not going anywhere again until I work on Friday evening. Our plan is to stay tucked in and safe here until then.

If you're in for some of this bitter cold and snow in the forecast, please stay indoors as much as you're able, and please don't take any chances outside. I'll be praying for everyone's safety. I'll be back tomorrow with our monthly classmate dinner photo. See you then!

Four More Finished Feathers...

Well, technically, they're not finished until they're finished. I still have to put the backing muslin on them, cinch them into the hoop, attach the felt back, ribbons and verses. Then, they'll be finished.

It was dangerously cold outside yesterday, but sunny, so it was a perfect day to plop myself in front of my favorite window and stitch the day away.

Today, I'll be going back to work. We'll see how that goes. I'm feeling much better, and I'm not gasping for air when I walk around, so I think I'll be fine. Even so, I'm planning to come home, change into my sweats and share a meal with Handsome that my coworker Teresa prepared in the store before I bring it home. I don't want to work all day (my first day back), and then come home and make dinner, too!

It's good to have a plan. Don't you think? See you tomorrow. 

I'm Back!!!...

I think it's appropriate to describe the first few weeks of 2026 like this. I feel like I was on an out-of-control Big Wheel careening down a hill. Don't ask me what I had. I have no idea. I can tell you it began as a mild sore throat with a bit of a fever that quickly morphed into full-blown cold symptoms. LOTS of coughing. Extreme fatigue and aches. I mostly slept to try to recover. Just about the time I was feeling better, some of the symptoms returned, and yesterday...YESTERDAY, I finally started to feel human. I haven't been ill in over ten years, so this really hit me hard. (I take good care of my health, too, which made this even harder to swallow.)

I haven't been to work since before New Years Day, and until yesterday, I didn't even feel like doing needlework. I made a couple of Facebook and Instagram posts, thinking that if I acted positive I could just will all this away, but I was wrong. I set everything up for doing a bit of needlework, and then either went back to bed or settled into the recliner. I can tell you that after the first ten (bad) days, it made me stir crazy! I'm really praying it's all behind me now.

I'm still taking Mucinex DM™, which has helped immensely, along with my regular daily meds and healthy meals, so I'm hoping they support me as I try to get back to a normal life.

One of my coworkers has been stepping up to cover my Tuesdays, and another on Friday nights. I've missed three weeks of my shifts, so - barring anything catastrophic - I'm planning to go back tomorrow. One more day of taking it easy (I have been stitching more feathers), and I should be good to go. Of course, I'm not planning to go overboard, but I'm going to cover my own shift for a change and plan to swap out my work clothes for sweats as soon as I get home. I'm sure it will be an early night, with a cup of hot tea to send me to La La Land. 

I'll be sharing photographs of more feathers tomorrow - just to show "proof of life". lol I'm ready to get back to normal, and I have a list of things I want to do. I'll save the canning and heavy lifting for a couple weeks from now, but I do plan to share a few needlework projects as soon as I can.

It's good to be back. Thank you for all the notes, cards and gifts while I was sick. I read them all, but just didn't have the energy to respond. If you sent something and haven't heard from me yet, you will soon. I hope you understand. See you tomorrow, my friends.

Sunday Scripture...

Numbers 6:24-26

 

Sunday Scripture...

Luke 10:9

 

Sunday Scripture...

Deuteronomy 31:8

 Sorry for my absence. Don't worry. I've been knocked flat by the same nasty cold that gripped Handsome. I'll be back asap. 

Happy New Year...

Today is the beginning of a brand new year. A year filled with hope, possibility, and promise. May the next three hundred sixty five days bring only the best to all, peace for our world, and creativity and good health to every heart.

I've chosen my Word of the Year and am ready to share it with you. I actually found it in a scripture a friend shared. It's from Isaiah 43:18...

"Forget the former things. Do not dwell in the past."

My word for this year will be "Release". I'll be releasing everything that does not serve me well...tangible and intangible. Time to release all the old burdens, and look ahead. 

Do you adopt a new word to guide you each year? If so, what is your new word? How will it manifest for you? What are you looking forward to in 2026? 

Thank you for once again joining me on this journey. 2026 marks fifteen years that I've written a near-daily post. I'm so glad I changed settings so that we could converse when you leave a comment for me. They really are the highlight of my day! 

I step into the near year immensely grateful to be sharing my life with you. May God bless each of you richly in the coming twelve months (and beyond) with good health, happiness, and enduring love.

Always,