Get with the program

I put in a long day at work today. When I got to my car and saw that the windshield was covered with ice, I realized I didn't have an ice scraper in the car yet. Time to get with the program. It is November and winter weather is here. First thing I did when I got home is put a scraper in the car. Sometimes I am just slow.

I need to let go

I have feelings of resentment toward someone in my life. I know these are not feelings that God approves of. I know I need to let these feelings go but I am really struggling to do that. The hard part of this for me is I haven't shared the feelings with the person. If I did, it would only cause them pain. I think they can sense these feelings I have for them and that doesn't feel too good. Have you ever had feelings of resentment against someone? If so, were you able to let them go? If so, how?

A word of advice

So many times Gerrell told me I should back up the files on my hard drive. A few years ago he bought me an external hard drive to hold all of my pictures, iTunes music. He encouraged me to copy everything to discs in case anything happened to the hard drive. Well, that was something I kept putting off and putting off and never got accomplished. Now it looks like the hard drive is shot and I have lost my pictures and my music. Why don't I listen when good advice is given?

Season of dread

Yesterday I went to say goodbye to my Grandma who is dying. This is the 3rd year in a row I have had to say goodbye to someone this time of year.
November 5th 2008--said goodbye to Grandma
November 4th 2007--said goodbye to Gerrell's uncle Harold
November 9th 2006---said goodbye to Gerrell

I think I am going to dread Novembers arrival for years to come. It has just been a really sad time of the year.

Real reason for blogging

I think one of the reasons I haven't really gotten into blog writing is because I didn't think anyone read my blog anyway. Tonight someone told me they are still checking my blog so I guess at least one person does. After that, I began to think about the real reason to write a blog. Maybe it shouldn't be just for others to read but instead be a way for me to write my thoughts, feelings, etc--my own personal therapy. I think that is how I will look at if from now on. And maybe I will do it more often.

I'm back

Wow--it has been almost 4 months since my last blog. Where did that time go? The summer went by fast but I must say I love fall and am not sad to see the summer end. I have so much to write about and hopefully I will be able to make this a regular practice. Thanks to my fellow bloggers for keeping me entertained through the summer!

Sibling Love

Growing up, my sister and I didn't get along very well. We would have frequent fights as most young siblings do. It wasn't until I went off to college that we became closer. I think she actually missed me! Now she is my best friend. I have been telling my niece and nephew that they too would one day actually love each other. I think that day is getting closer. This picture was taken at their senior prom. I think the smiles tell it all!

Sometimes it's hard to be a women

I must admit that most of the time I am able to fend for myself pretty well. However, the past couple of days I have been put to the test. On Saturday as I was leaving to do some errands, the low tire pressure light came on in the car. I abruptly turned around as I didn't want to be stalled on the highway. As I leaned down to check the tire when I got home, I could hear the air slowly leaking out. Now, I am sure I could change a tire if I had to. I have just chosen not to and instead purchased a AAA membership. I had to call them on Sunday to put the spare on for me. The situation was not yet resolved. I still had to get the tire fixed.

If that wasn't enough, my small garage door would not close using the opener. Could the fact that I hit the sensor with the grill as I was putting it away have anything to do with it? I tried everything I knew how to try and fix it. No such luck. I decided I could live with lifting that door open manually. I just stuck a screwdriver in the little hole so the door could not be lifted by anyone outside. Pretty smart thinking if I do say so myself.

I decided to go into work late today and go and get my tire fixed. I don't like the thought of driving around without a spare. Well--as I was leaving the big garage door wouldn't open. IS THIS A JOKE? WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME?? I actually said out loud "I miss you so much Honey in times like this. You would have taken care of all of this". I couldn't help it. It is times like this I hate being a woman living alone. Well, I took out the Yellow Pages and found a garage door repair place. In the end, God was looking out for me as 2 very nice guys came to my rescue. The spring on the garage door had broken. So....$169 later I was able to get out. (As a bonus--they fixed the small garage door too!)

Oh, by the way--I got the tire fixed today too.

Aldi

I have read on other blogs about Aldi. I figured out through what was written that Aldi is a grocery store. Now I have seen a couple of commercials for the store. Can someone tell me about Aldi?

Advice needed

A few weeks ago, I wrote about an experience I had in church of hearing a voice. The voice told me not to forget about Gerrell's friend Neal. Gerrell was concerned that Neal didn't know Jesus. So...on the advice of one of the pastor's at my church, I wrote Neal a letter. Here is a part of what the letter said:

"So...I am convinced that the voice that spoke to me in church was telling me I needed to move forward with Gerrell's desire. I have to admit I am not very experienced with talking to those who don't know Jesus. All I can do is share what is in my heart. The basis of having a relationship with Jesus is believing that He died on the cross for the forgiveness of my sins and in that, I have the hope of salvation. In return for that great gift, we are to live our lives in a way that would be pleasing to God--serving him in every way we can. I believe that all believers will, when we leave this earth, live forever with Jesus in heaven. I truly believe that is where Gerrell is now. Part of his concern for those he loved that didn't know Jesus was that he wasn't going to see those people in heaven."

I ended the letter with this:
"The purpose of this letter was not to try and force you into anything. Instead I wanted you to know Gerrell's desire for you and that I am here to help in whatever way I can. I will continue to pray for you that your heart will be stirred."

I haven't heard anything from Neal. It has been about 2 weeks since I mailed the letter. I am not sure what to do next. Neal is not a close friend of mine--I grew to know him through Gerrell. I am struggling with what to do now. Should I follow up with him? I don't want him to feel like I am pressuring him at all. Should I do nothing? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Maybe the deer aren't so smart

This morning on my way to work I had a little chuckle. As I was driving by Willow River State Park, a deer ran across the road at high speed. Why the chuckle you might ask? When Gerrell and I would be driving around Wisconsin and see deer, the deer would always stop before getting to the road--just like they were checking to see if a car was coming before they crossed. Gerrell always said the deer in Wisconsin were so smart because they did that. Well, looks like at least one of them missed that lesson at deer school.

What next?

I just read an article in the Star Tribune. I'm not sure why I read things like this but the headline intrigued me. The article talks about a British study that was done that shows what a women eats prior to getting pregnant can help determine the sex of her baby. What? I don't know about you but I don't believe that for a second. Why can't they put the money that goes into a study like this to help find a cure for cancer or some other horrible disease? I just don't get it.

Spring is here!

I finally think spring is here. Some true signs---
1. The plants are starting to sprout through the ground.
2. Convertibles driving with the top down.
3. I actually went for a walk in shorts and a tee shirt
4. I heard thunder tonight
I am always reminded of the wonder of God when spring comes. It is a miracle how everything appears dead and almost overnight the world comes to life. I love that!

Insane?

Sometimes I wonder if I have lost my mind. Today I left work early and drove 100 miles to attend my nephew's track meet. He runs the 100 meter dash and the 4x100 relay. The 100 is over in less than 12 seconds and the relay in under a minute. I then had dinner with my family and drove the 150 miles home. I have blogged about my niece and nephew before and how they are just like my own kids. I would do anything for them--even drive lots of miles using plenty of gas when gas went up to $3.39/gallon. Am I insane?

The Voice

Before last weekend, I had never had the experience of hearing "a voice". I know it happens to people and totally believe it can happen. I was in church on Saturday night and heard a great message about needing to share the gospel with all who don't know about Jesus. As I was sitting there preparing my heart for communion, I heard a voice. Now I'm not sure if it was the voice of God or the voice of Gerrell but it was real--as if someone was sitting right next to me. The voice said "don't forget about Neal". Neal was Gerrell's best friend and before he died, he had shared his concern that Neal didn't know Jesus. I believe the baton has officially been passed on to me. I need to make sure Neal hears the gospel. I don't have a lot of experience sharing the gospel with those who don't know. I am praying that God gives me the words to say. I have now heard a voice--and I must say it was a moving experience.

A great experience

Last month I had the privilege of traveling to Maui for a vacation. Now this truly was a vacation---not a trip. I have decided there is a distinct difference. When you go on a trip, you do a lot of sight-seeing, traveling around , etc and often come home more tired then when you left. In contrast, a vacation is a time of rest, relaxation, and coming home truly rejuvenated. I decided a few months ago that I needed a time of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. My body, mind, and spirit were feeling the affects of all I had been through the past couple of years and I finally listened to what my body was telling me. I know I won't be able to make this trip too often but am so glad I did this time. Maui is a place of true beauty where God' splendor shines through. Here is just a piece of the experience...

It's been a while

I am not someone who gets inspired very easily--especially when it comes to writing a blog. However, I have decided to give it another try. I think part of my problem was I compared my silly writings to those of the other blogs I read. I must say some of you are have the true gift of putting your thoughts, feelings, experiences, etc down in print. Here goes another try....