Oh how I love these two creatures that I have invited in to share my life with me. That was a very wise decision on my part and surely heaven sent.
I had not bought dryer sheets in a very long while. I had read that they were bad for the dryer once upon a time, and I suppose I thought that it must be true, but earlier this week I read some really interesting plus's about this indispensable disposable.
-They help to cut down on thread tangles when sewing. Just run a dryer sheet over your thread.
-They wipe up fine, dry spills such as talcum powder and flour more efficiently than a paper towel or damp cloth can.
-A used sheet makes a great dust cloth, especially for television screens, where static and dust combine.
-Wipe window blinds with a used sheet and the blinds will stay dust free longer.
-Since used sheets retain their scent after use, use one wherever you want light freshening. Tuck them into gym bags and linen closets, slide them under the litter box and floor mats of the car, or cut them into pieces and place between the pages of books that have begun to smell a bit must. (Always handy when you have a collection of older books.)
-Wrap a dry sheet around your hand and ust it to brush pet hair from clothes and furniture.
-Not all creatures love that subtle fresh scent. It repels mice and stuffing used sheets into crevices they might use as entry points will keep you from hearing those disturbing rustlings in the middle of the night.
-If you plan on spending time outdoors, tuck one in a pocket or tie one to a belt loop - mosquitoes and other summertime pests will leave you alone.
-When you don't feel like scrubbing the pa with the baked-on food, add a dryer sheet fill with water, and your job will be easier in the morning.
-Wrap one around the head of a mop or broom and use to sweet dust and cobwebs from high corners and gently dust ceiling fixtures.
One of my goals when I started to settle into my own place was that it be a place of comfort and welcome, a place that I felt totally at ease and where I longed to return to whenever I left it. I think that for the most part I have achieved that. I love my little place here in the Valley of my ancestors. Nestled within the bosom of all who came before. It was always my design to return here to end out my days, just not under the circumstances in which is happened. But nevertheless here I find myself by whatever means and manner and I am where I have always wanted to be.
This is the first time I have found myself living in a place that is entirely my own. I have never lived on my own. I went from my father's home to my husbands, back to my father's, and then to another husband's, to my mother's and to another husband's, and then to my sister's. Now finally, I am in a place that is just mine and that can reflect all that I love and hold dear to my heart. I am free, finally, to be me. Usually people start out their adult lives in a place of their own, but that's me, doing things backwards! I am ending my life a place of my own for the first time ever!
In many ways it has been a blessing not to have to find space for the many things I collected over the years. Getting to start fresh without a lot of baggage gave me the freedom to fill my space with the things I really love and which bring me joy. And I know that I have said that before, and I am sorry for repeating myself. I have created a space for myself that is totally "me" and I love that.
And I have collected new treasures. Special gifts from much beloved friends that have found their place not only in my heart but in my space. Every time my eyes fall upon these objects, or I pick up one to use it, I am reminded of the love of friends and the love of my Heavenly Father who so wonderfully put such caring and kind people in my life. They delight all of my senses, but mostly they delight my heart.
I don't know how long I will have to spend in this sweet, sweet space of mine. Does anyone? One thing I know for sure though is that I am surrounded with love. Faith, family and friends. The three legged stool of all that is truly important in life.
I live in a space that loves me back. That is a great blessing to me.
It had been softly snowing when I went to pick up Cindy yesterday morning. The dirty snow from the days before, having been covered with a fine pristine layer. I wondered at the tiny footprints left in her space. Tiny bird feet and paw prints . . . left behind by all of the wildlife that dwells in her little world. She has red squirrels, a plethora of birds, deer, etc. all year round, and in the summer, chipmunks. And they make their presence known in wonderful ways . . . in the winter leaving the imprints of their presence in the snow. It is hard to miss that they have been there.
The thought occurs to me this morning that we are the same. We also leave vestiges of our presence behind us wherever we go. Small leavings that say we were there. Maybe they are not as visible to the naked eye and other senses as those tiny prints in the snow are, but they are there all the same. God willing they are positive prints. Kind words spoken. Good deeds done. Examples of care and positivity. A perfume that is not obvious to the nose, but rather more to the heart.
Do I want people to feel good having spent time with me, or around me . . . or do I want people to be happy that I have gone? What fragrance will I leave behind . . . what imprints in the snow of life? Each day I pray that I will leave my best and be the best example to others that I can be. And, if I fall short of that mark . . . that others will be generous of thought towards me and forgiving. And I to them.
There is enough unkindness in this world without us creating more.
How do you walk into your days? With anticipation and excitement, a bit of hope . . . or with dread? I am a pretty positive person all told. I try to enter my days with anticipation and hope. With a bit of wonder and I am, to be honest, never really disappointed. I think you find what you are looking for. If you look for the bad, you will always find it, and if you look for the good and the positive, then that is always there as well. I am a seeker of joy, which is not to say that I am always happy and on the up. For sure, I have my moments where I feel blue and under the weather, but I don't let myself dwell there. I keep moving upwards and forwards. Anticipating that better things lay ahead. Maybe I am a bit of a Pollyanna, but I have been blessed by being so. My life is much much better for seeking out and sitting in the joy. I open my eyes each morning and I breathe out my gratitude to God for giving me one more day to enjoy, and my prayer each night, as I end my day, is also one of gratitude for the day I have spent. I see each day as a gift and I approach them with hope and with faith. Good, bad, and everything in between. The cracks are how the light gets in. I remind myself of that fact often.
I have something really special to look forward to today. I have a bit of work to do this morning, but then this afternoon we are all going as a family up the valley to New Minas, where Dan is treating us to a meal out. We are going to Boston Pizza. He has wanted to do this for a while and had this planned for us. I am really looking forward to it. I have never been to Boston Pizza before, so this is a first for me. The nicest part will be being there together as a family. I never really got to go to places like that as my husband did not like pizza or pasta for that matter, two things which I really love. This will be a real treat for me! I don't really go out to eat unless I have someone to go with. Just as misery loves company, so does joy. Joy shared is joy multiplied! And I am really looking forward to this meal out together. Monday is a Bank Holiday here, known as Family Day and we are celebrating Family Day today, on Saturday. Yay!
I wonder what I will have? I hope I don't have too hard of a time making up my mind! How very kind it is of Dan to treat us all like this! Thank you Dan!
And with that I best leave you with a thought for the day . . .
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In The English Kitchen today . . . 4 Ingredient Lemon Loaf. I was intrigued and so set out to make this. It is a good lemon loaf. Not the best, but also not the worst. Fat free, simple to make and quite lemony. Nice with a hot drink.
I hope you have a beautiful Saturday no matter what you get up to and a lovely weekend! Whatever happens, don't forget!