Small and Wonderful Things . . .

 

"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny? It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. What you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard 

 A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best. 

I really love seeing this when I return home. What a cheerful welcome sight it is to me. I need to get a new door mat that reflects the feeling of welcome home now. There is nothing wrong with the old one. It works just fine. I just want something a bit prettier. You know pretty and I get along like peas and carrots!

 

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The cleaners did a wonderful job on Eileen's place and, because it is so small and was practically empty, they were done in not much more than an hour and a half. They only wanted $65 for cleaning it, but I gave them $100 because that is what I budgeted for and I was quite grateful that they were willing to come and do it in their off-time. And they did a super job. We were all very pleased. Especially Eileen.

But, here is a weird story.  That was Saturday.  Cindy called me at noonish yesterday to say that she couldn't get the key to work. (She has a key. I have a key. Eileen's dad has a key. Eileen has a key. Neither Cindy's nor my key work well.) Cindy had gone over with a few things to surprise Eileen and couldn't get in. So Eileen and I drove over. As soon as we went in, we noticed the place ponged. It smelled like someone had used the bathroom.  We all looked at each other and thought "what the heck?" Eileen and I decided to get some of those plug in air fresheners. Cindy dropped off her stuff, etc. We left.

Eileen and went back over a few hours later to take over the pots and pans, a few other bits and some things I had bought like flour, sugar, etc. and two plug in air fresheners. I went to wash the pots and pans (as they had been stored in my garage over winter) and there was an odd blue dish cloth hanging over the tap (That wasn't there earlier), and what looked like a (there is no other word for it) poopy finger smudge on the corner of the sink.  We checked with her dad. He had not been there. My sister had given Eileen back her key to have it redone. We (Eileen and I) had not been there since that morning when it smelled funky in there. 

SOMEBODY had been in the apartment and it wasn't anyone who should have been.  Talk about spooked. They might still have been in there when we were there earlier, but we had not gone into the back rooms to look. Obviously the lock has not been changed since the last tenant left. We are going to ask today that the lock is changed and if the landlord won't do it, I will pay a locksmith to come over and do it. Eileen is now afraid to live there unless there is a new lock on the door and I do not blame her.

Still, we are grateful that Eileen has an apartment. That is a great blessing.

 

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Sunday church. The keeping of the Sabbath Day holy by worshipping my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  I wasn't able to attend in person this week, but I watched it online. That meant I didn't get to partake of the Sacrament, but I still got to feel of the special spirit that was in attendance and to set aside time just for the Lord. Even God rested on the seventh day.

 

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I picked up some cotton balls on Friday and we soaked some in peppermint oil and stuffed them into the air exchanger intakes on the ceiling in every room on Friday night. I had to use my grab-it tool to do it but we got it done. We have not seen a wasp since (knock on wood.) Fingers crossed this will have dealt with the problem.  It is very scary sharing your house with wasps.

 

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Sunday dinner at Cindy's.  I love these family dinners. Cindy always cooks a lovely meal. Yesterday it was chicken and broccoli casserole which we enjoyed with rice.  The food is not the best part. The best part is getting to spend this time with family. Eileen really enjoys these dinners as well and we have both reassured her that they will continue even after she moves into her own place. I will pick her up to bring her over and bring her home afterwards.

And there will still be Wednesday nights to look forward to and family dinner's out.

I am grateful for the diversity and beauty of mankind.  All shapes, sizes, colors, ethnicities, orientations, faiths, etc. Are we not so lucky to all be so different and yet so beautiful at the same time. I think God for the ability I have to see the differences, and yet appreciate them, embrace them, and love them. 

Life would be so boring if we were all the same don't you think?

 

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I am grateful for my wee little home. Every night I thank God for it. There are so many people that are homeless now, even in my small area. That never used to be back in the day. I never heard of anyone being homeless when I was younger, not here anyways. This is a modern complaint. There, but for the grace of God go I. I am so grateful for my ability to work to put a roof over my head. That is another great blessing in my life. I never thought that I would find myself in this position at my stage in life, but it is what it is. Here I am, able to provide for myself, despite the challenges that life has thrown at me.  I have enough, and I have enough to share with those who need it.  God is good and has been very good to me. I am blessed.

The notes, cards, etc. and prayers that have been and are being offered up on Eileen's behalf. We are both very grateful for them. It cheers Eileen's heart to know that you are holding her in your hearts and it cheers my heart to know that she is being uplifted by your many kindnesses and prayers. We thank you all so very much. 

 

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I know that I say the same things each week. Faith, family, home  . . .  friends. My cup is truly filled and overflowing.  The windows of heaven pour out on us in abundance, and we are grateful. Life is challenging for everyone. I do not think anyone gets through it without having to face challenges of one kind or another. I am so very grateful that I have the tools to help me get through them, and to strengthen me while I am doing so. 

Life is good.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

☾ ° ★° * 。  

• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

*The experience 

of overcoming fear is

extraordinarily delightful.

~Bertrand Russell

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Crispy Fried Potato Salad. Deliciously different and a fabulous way to use up leftover boiled new potatoes!

I hope you have a wonderful day and that your week ahead is filled to overflowing with the abundance and goodness of the things in life which matter most.  Along the way of your week, do not forget!

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And I do too!