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. 

 

We had to take our car for its yearly MOT test last Thursday.  I was really dreading it. Our car is 19 years old, so she's really getting on in years.  We both knew that if it needed any work doing we were going to have to take it off the road as we just don't have the funds for repair work. We were really hoping we didn't have to do that. We are responsible for transporting a family to church each Sunday and they would be scrambling to find another ride, plus with my knee being the way it is I would become pretty much housebound.  The old girl passed her MOT with flying colours!   We felt so blessed!  Barring unforseen circumstances we have Bessie at our beck and call for at least one more year!  God is good!

 

With any luck my book should be published soon.  I saw the final draft two weeks ago and it was looking great! Fingers crossed it won't be long now. 

  

I got to meet one of my teen idols yesterday and I didn't fall to pieces, or go gaga.  I think I was quite normal actually. He said to me, you sound American, where are you from.  I said, Nova Scotia, Canada, the best part. And then his wife and I started talking abour Yorkshire puddings and I told her I knew how to make really good ones.  I also told them that we needed to have them over for tea sometime and I would show her how.  DUH.  I am such a dummy. As if  . . . 

Well, maybe now that the meeting is over, I can stop 

worrying about it happening.

Do ya think?

...

Very nice, very normal.

  

We were called, sustained by the Ward and set apart yesterday as Sunday School Teachers at church.  Todd and I will be teaching the Temple Preparation Class.  I have also been called as the FB Page Administrator and will be doing the monthly Newsletter again.  I hope that I will do a good job at it. Will try my best anyways!  We are looking forward to teaching together.  We have never done that before and I think both of our strengths working in tandem will be make for some great lessons. We will see.  I can't wait to get started!  I love teaching.

This sweet young couple invited us over for a meal and we went.  We had so much fun.  We miss having Ariana in our home and Jose is such a great guy.  She made lasagna and I brought my peanut butter picnic cake over for dessert as it was always her favourite.  They are so cute together and have built such a lovely home together. They both work so hard.  I am so happy for them.  It was great! 

 

I had a pretty good week with my knee last week.  The pain was not as bad as it had been and I was actually able to get into town one day.  I was feeling rather hopeful about it, but the last two days have seen it go back to worse than it was before, and I am in a lot of pain, despite taking ibuprophen.  I was taking two 400mg tabs in the morning and they kept me going through most of the day.  These past couple of days that hasn't even touched the pain.  I was so uncomfortable in bed last night I didn't think I was going to be able to fall asleep, but eventually I did. I hate taking pain killers, but I may have to start taking more.  The pain as it is, is pretty debilitating.  I read a book once that was called "Parenting isn't for Sissies."  Well, I think getting old(er) isn't for sissies either!  It could be worse however.  I could have it in my hands and so far, they are not too bad in comparison to my knees, hips and back.   I work a lot with my hands and I hope to do so for a very long time.

Many other blessings as well.  Talking to my mom, talking with Eileen, Amanda's team winning the Nationals in Ultimate, puppy cuddles, a husband who loves and cares for me, etc.  This week sees all my grands returning to school and I am hoping it will be a great year for each of them!

Postscript from above, I just had an e-mail from my Editor and he said they will have the next layout draft to show me hopefully on Thursday.  This book publishing is a very long process!  Much longer than I anticipated!  Whew! Every night I pray that I will live long enough to see it!

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day.  A picture one for today.

 

Sounds like  a plan.

God grant me the serenity to

accept the things I cannot change.

The courage to 

change the things I can,

and the wisdom

to know the difference.

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Pear & Saffron Jam.  Makes just one large jar.  Enough for a small family and uses 4 to 5 pears.  Perfect for us!

Have a great week.  Hope it is filled to overflowing with many small and wonderful things.  Don't forget along the way!

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And I do too!