Full-On Christmas Season

Hey y’all. Just checking in. This is my version of a blog these days. I will also post this on my blogspot, too, so I can keep track of it.

I write for fun, because I love it, but also to share the love of Jesus and hopefully encourage and spread some joy here and there.

Usually late at night like this I’ll get inspired and just ramble on and on. It’s currently 11:34 pm, but I’m retired so who cares? I have no appointments tomorrow. (I love that!)

Ok. So….It’s after Thanksgiving, so those of you who really know me realize that it’s full-on Christmas everything now:

I’m wearing some type of Christmas clothing or earrings every day, (my cousin Peggy got me started doing that that over 20 years ago), Christmas music is playing in the house (when I’m not watching a Christmas movie), Christmas music plays in the car, and my humble abode is fully decorated for the season.

Well, all but the last one, anyway. I’ll get there.

I used to be a real grinch, but something shifted in me a few years ago. I have slowly begun to realize His truth. I know the true meaning of this season and it brings me great joy. I’m happy, ok?

I’ve also found freedom in just being me. I have no agenda; I’m not out to prove anything or impress anyone. My decor is simple, maybe even cheesy, but it’s heartfelt. It makes me happy. I am not a decorator by ANY stretch of the imagination, but I put a little seasonal decor in each room.

The tree is up and the house is *almost* all decorated. Yes, it’s only a 2 bedroom duplex, but I’ve been busy. I’m working on it, but I’ve also been reading some great “un-put-down-able” books this month. Priorities, y’all. I’ll report on that soon.

I should be finished “Christmas-ing” the house in a couple of days. Until then, keep calm and carry on (as the Brits say).

I love this time of year!

#ilovechristmas

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” Matt. 2:10

Seasons on the Patio

I haven't posted from the patio in almost 2 weeks. I took pictures, but never managed to get the writing done. Then, the time change. Ugh. I don't mind it either way, but please, can we stick with one or the other and not change it anymore?

It's been so interesting (to me, anyway) to record the path of the sunrises; well, at least the moment the sun tops my barrier of trees in the backyard and invades my morning coffee time.

In the summer, the sun came up in the northeast, the far left hand side of my backyard. By late October, it was coming up in the southeast, the far right corner of my yard. It was also coming up later and later, giving me more time to get my coffee and get out there before the "sunrise."

I guess I'm easily entertained, LOL.

I haven't made it out there this week, but I have pictures from last week and the week before. The first picture, from Oct. 31, shows the sun bearing down on my trusty umbrella, which allowed me some shade for a little while.

The second photo of my coffee (which actually had steam rising from it) was taken last Wednesday, November 2.

I've really enjoyed this season of sitting on my patio in the mornings. I'm not sure how it will go once it's colder out. I may take pictures from inside, out the window in my bedroom, which faces my backyard (and the good 'ol morning sun). Thank God for blackout curtains. 

For the first year that I lived here, I was not sitting on the patio. I was a little discouraged that I didn't have an actual deck, but just a little patio which is seven steps down from my porch. It didn't seem ideal, having to tote my coffee, journal, Bible, etc. down the steps. "I'd really like to not fall getting to the patio," I grumbled inwardly.

So I went on for almost a year in this state of discontent.

Then, just before I started posting from the patio, I felt the Spirit reminding me that this is where God has placed me for this season of my life. He has put me in a duplex in a good neighborhood, situated on a cul-de-sac, so there's hardly any traffic. As He has a way of doing, He has shown me in ways I can't divulge here that I'm where I'm supposed to be.

Of course, after feeling convicted, I repented and resolved to make the best of where I am in this season. I have been much more content in the months since I accepted where I'm living. Someday I will probably buy a house, but for now, this is home, and I am starting to really like it.

As for the inconvenience of the patio location, I have discovered I can put my Bible, journal, phone, etc. in a small tote bag. I can then hold on to the handrail with one hand and carry my coffee in the other.

In other news, I went for a walk in a nearby park just before dark tonight. The sun set at 5:06 according to Weather.com, but the sunsets come fast in the mountains. It seemed like it was a little before 5.

I took a few pictures on my walk, which was timed perfectly with the sunset. I didn't plan that; it just turned out that way. This park is a great place to walk, and I try to go there at least 3 times a week when the weather permits.

Thanks for reading my lengthy ramblings. It means a lot.