Apology

Hey, out there, I've been moving all week and still am.  We were also without Internet that whole time.  So even though it's the week-end, here's a new photo.  

It's called, "Bouquet".  May your Labor Day week-end be a grand celebration with family and friends, but take time to relax and smell the roses!

Breakthrough

Picture a lab rat trying to find its way through a maze; that's what our house looks like today.  If you would come for a visit, you would, literally, have to go around stacked piles of boxes, hit a dead-end, and turn around on a different path.  It's that tight!  Everything is packed and ready to go to our new home.  Tomorrow is our closing day, and by approximately 11:00 a.m., we will finally have the keys in our hands.  If you've ever moved before, you're probably recalling how at this point, the real work begins.  After all, those boxes don't get to the other house on their own.  Then, how long does it take to unpack?  And where, oh where will everything go?  Too many decisions!  But sitting here, trying to wrap this post up, it's occurring to me how very blessed we are that my husband and I are moving because we want to.  How many people out there, due to depressing circumstances, are forced to move out of their home?  I'm going to pray for them, take a deep breath, and lift those boxes with a smile on my face!

Making it to closing day is a real "breakthrough", and that is the title of this photo of beach glass.

Miley Cyrus

Soon after I turned on my laptop, Miley Cyrus appeared on this morning's headlines.  The next shot in the slideshow of pictures was Will Smith and his family.  Their faces caught my attention before the text did, as each one had a look of horror and disgust.  Their emotions came while watching Miley perform at the MTV Awards.  Given the chance to see the actual performance by a click on my computer, I decided against it.  I read  the paragraphs that followed and was saddened by the writer's words.  Does Miley truly think that shocking us with over-the-top sexually suggestive routines proves to the world that she is, "all grown up"?  Huh?  Really?  Well, as wack as that may be, on the other hand, it sure was refreshing to see the Smith family's reaction to it all.  Not everyone wants what Miley has to give.    

This sea glass photo is called, "Blues in Hiding".  I wish some of today's performers would keep some things hidden. 

Getting Ready

Does it take you a long time to get ready in the morning?  I watched my husband grab something to eat, brush his teeth, and run out the door.  Why can't I do that?  Right now, he is waiting for me to come and work on the house we are buying.  We've been blessed by being allowed inside before we even close, so I should get going.  Unfortunately, my "get ready" list is so long that at 11:30, I'm still not done with today's post.  I have, however, read my Bible, prayed, had breakfast, taken my vitamins, brushed my teeth, figured out what to wear, gotten dressed (Yes, these are two separate issues, aren't they?), put drops in my eyes, moisturized my face, neck, and arms, shaved and put tanner on my legs, put on my make-up, brushed my hair and put it in a braid, done the dishes, made the bed, picked up around the house, checked my calendar and my e-mail.  The problem is, like my husband always says, I just need to learn how to let things go.  I work too hard at everything I do.  Okay,............... I'll work on that.

"All Colors" is the name of this photo of wet beach glass.  I chose it today because, starting with the letter "A", it was the first one I came to, and I'm in a hurry!  Have a great week-end.

The Refrigerator Box

Does anyone out there have fond memories of playing in an empty refrigerator box?  When I look at old pictures of past Christmases, and take inventory of the toys of each year, I have no memory of any of them being my favorite.  Some look familiar, but none of them, with the exception of a Creepy Crawler set and Easy Bake Oven, take me back to hours upon hours of total immersion of my attention.  Take those hours, and multiply them by 10; that is my ranking of the refrigerator box!  Sure, the other toys were fun.  They provided some variation of choices, but none like the giant empty box.  It was a blank slate with endless possibilities.  It was down in the basement where my sister and I could play without disturbing our parents.  It was a clubhouse.  Unlike our bedroom, we could decorate it any way we wanted to.  We cut windows (no easy task with school scissors), hung scrap pieces of fabric for curtains, and used crayons to color the inside and outside of the box.  It was important to us, and we were proud of what we had done.  Recalling time spent with my favorite "toy", I'm surprised that I don't remember its passing.  There must have been a very sad day when it became necessary to dispose of the beloved refrigerator box.    

Memories of the infamous box were brought on by watching my grandson totally enjoying himself at the beach with another simple "toy", a shovel.

No TV

We wondered how we would make it without TV for fifteen days.  Our reception came from a gigantic antenna that the buyers of our house didn't want, and now it's gone.  Not gone for good, it's in storage until we close on the new house.  That's okay; we're not addicted to TV, but there are a few shows we miss.  Plus, I had already gone through a bit of a withdrawal from my HGTV programs when we changed from satellite to antenna.  So now, it just doesn't matter that much.   In fact, it's even been a little more romantic without the television, not because of what you are thinking, but because my husband and I have to sit close together to watch something on his Nook tablet.  (If you have never seen "Corner Gas", you have got to check it out!)  Admittedly, the togetherness part of watching the tube hasn't really suffered.  I guess I just miss being able to hit the remote for that background noise that keeps me company when I'm engaged in mindless household chores.  Hmmm, I do seem to get a lot more done lately, though.

This wave filtered form of my sea glass photo called, "Favorite Pieces",  reminds me of what happens to the pivotal ending of my favorite shows during a windstorm.

Sleeping In

Do you like to sleep in?  I'm sure a better question for most people would be, do you wish you could sleep in?  My brain let's out a silent, "Yippeeeee!" when I don't have to set my alarm at night.  I always sleep better when I'm not waiting for it to go off.  Then, in the morning, isn't it nice to be able to roll over and sleep a little bit more?  Although, for me, "sleeping in" is any time after 7:00 am, because even a regular non-eventful day has a schedule.  Side note:  Does "sleeping in" mean, "to sleep into the day"?

You have to get up pretty early in the morning to find nice colors like these.  The title is, "Pink Ones".

Moving and Coffee

Whew!  I'm a little out of breath.  Sometimes that praise music can really get me dancin'!  It gives me the energy I need that I used to get from my old friend, Mr. Coffee.  Thankfully, a very good human friend told me that when all the stress of moving is done, she thinks I'll probably be able to handle caffeine again.  As she is a nurse, I'm quite happy to believe that my friend may be right.  Hmmmm, to be able to sip all of those wonderful dark flavors with the mocha aroma sailing up my nose....... Okay, back to the real world, where I am currently enjoying freedom from heart palpitations, horrible burning down my throat, constant peeing, and the jitters, maybe I'll just buy a coffee-scented candle.

 
This photo contains authentic sea glass (brown, like coffee) and manufactured sea glass (fake, like decaf).

Help for Joe

Please pray for our mail carrier.  I'll call him Joe, as I haven't asked his permission to write about him.  Around two weeks ago,  he fell on his wrist.  This alone would be bad enough, but to make matters worse, he landed on a nail.  I'm not sure of all of the details, but I was told that his wound required 19 stitches.  I'd be grateful if this were the end of the story; too bad it isn't.  While recovering, a menacing red line traced its way from Joe's wrist to his elbow.  Infection had set in, and he has been in the hospital for the past week.  That doesn't sound good, but I know God works miracles everyday.

To Keep or Not to Keep

If you've ever moved, you know how much is involved in getting to your new home.  A lot goes on before you even load up the truck, especially if you are sentimental.  It's hard to part with things, not because you are miserly, but because some items open the curtains on the stage of your memory.  When that happens, how are you supposed to throw away such treasures?  Sure, you've held on to them for a very long time, and who knows when you'll look at them again, but there is something to be said for keepsakes.  To actually keep something is so contrary to the world we are currently living in.  The word, "disposable" comes to mind.  If something breaks, that's okay, we'll just get a new one.  Or how about changing styles, upgrading, and those must-have fads that come and go?  To keep something that is only valuable to you, for the sake of the memories it holds, is worth the extra space it will take to store it.  So I'd say if you have any doubt about keeping something, just remember, once it's gone, it's gone.  Instead, to speed up your packing, put all of your treasures together into one giant bin, label it, "Keepsakes", and move on. 

This photo is called, "Fossil Friends", so I guess you could say that rocks are keepsakes, too.

Mushy Green Beans

Do you like green beans?  Probably not as much as I do.  The farmers' market is open today, and I'm excited to get as many fresh green beans as I can carry on my walk home.  Then I'm going to cook them the way I had them as a kid, simmered for a long time in a big pot with bacon and potatoes.  Yes, that makes them a little mushy, but their flavor is still better than what any upscale restaurant usually offers.  Leaving the beans unsnapped and cooking them just slightly in olive oil may turn out a product that is visually pleasing, but if I want my green beans crispy, I'll just eat them raw!  Besides, summer isn't summer without some time spent "snapping" green beans.  As I spell it out, though, it sounds a little silly; I realize some younger folks may not even know what I mean by snapping green beans.  Put simply, when I sit outside with a bowl full of beans on my lap, as I snap them into smaller pieces, it adds another dimension to the words "comfort food".  The comfort comes from the prep time rather than the actual eating time.  It takes me back to the past, and I feel young again.  Besides, have you ever not liked something made with bacon in it? 

"Blue and Green Sea Glass", just like bacon and green beans (well, okay, not really).

The Moving Madness Continues

"What?  1:30?  Sure, not a problem.  That's fine", was all I could say to our realtor before quickly hanging up the phone.  Forcing my feet to stay still instead of running around in circles of indecision,  I came up with some order for today's moving madness.  After all, I was given a full two hours.  It's just a re-inspection.  I can do this! The half-loaded boxes and open cabinet doors didn't bother me, but oh dear, the back yard really needed to be mowed.  So I did a speedy kitchen cleaning, bathroom touch-up, window smudge removal, and wiping of the dog hair off the back stairs before attacking the lawn.  After thanking God for little miracles of timing, I think I'll even finish this post before the doorbell rings.  Just a quick look at my pictures..........Ding, dong!

This sea glass photo is called, "Blossom".  Mowing our back yard makes the flower gardens stand out much more than when the lawn is long, so I couldn't think of a better choice for today. 

Healthier Joes

After watching the last few minutes of a nutrition segment on PBS, I had a rethink about tonight's sloppy joes.  Apparently, onions and mushrooms are the new super heroes against heart disease and just about everything else that gets worse as we age.  Okay, I usually put onions in the joes anyway; I'll just double them.  Next, I guess I'll throw some sliced mushrooms in there.  Not being a fan of turkey burger, I'll try doing a half turkey, half beef mixture.  (Although, as a side note, I've gotta say that my dad lives on turkey products, and at age 77, he still goes to the gym.)  If all goes well, I'll work my way to 100% turkey burger when I make this concoction again.

Well, the last thing I would call myself would be a "cook", but after simmering the above ingredients, along with some ketchup, chili powder, a little mustard, water,  aged white balsamic vinegar, and some salt and pepper,  my healthier version of an old stand-by tastes pretty good.  And, no, I didn't use organic ketchup or vege's, but I did drain the grease.  Baby steps.

Back in 2011, I named this, "Sea Glass Salad". 

South Haven Blueberry Festival

If you've ever had trouble finding a parking spot in South Haven, Michigan, try coming here for our Blueberry Festival.  Whew!  I'm not trying to dissuade you from joining us for this special event, just preparing you.  Although we have lots of free parking in town, and paid parking at the beach, you will probably end up walking a few blocks to your destination.  Once here, though, you'll be glad.  Even if you don't like blueberries and the endless variety of baked items they come in, there is still plenty to do.  From fake Beatles and other tribute band concerts, to sidewalk sales, volleyball tournaments, and the Arts and Crafts Fair, there truly is something for everybody.  Naturally, in town, there are many booths selling blueberry pies, muffins, turnovers, and coffee cakes.  Along the river towards the lighthouse, other food venues are available.  Water street is closed off to cars for the children's activities, and North Beach is holding a sand sculpture contest on Sunday.  You've got to check those out!

Tomorrow, I'll be working in a non-profit booth for "Blessings in a Backpack".  If you're near here, stop by and say, hi!

This is my "Float Your Boat in South Haven" poster.  Did I mention Lake Michigan?

Home-selling Minutiae

After a late-night blueberry pie bake-a-thon for our church fundraiser, I needed a nap.  Imagine how startled I was to wake up with a stranger in my back yard!  He was doing his best to step through a gigantic pumpkin plant without crushing it, and I appreciated his concern, but why was he here?  In the fog of nap-awakening, I finally noticed that my uninvited guest was wearing one of those orange and yellow glow-vests.  Ah-hah!  He must be the surveyor, sent by the buyers of our home.  But wasn't he not supposed to be here until next Monday?  This must be a good thing, meaning that this morning's pest inspection went well!  Why else would the surveyor come five days early?  Let's see........do we have any more appointments for the house?  Oh, yeah, the heating and cooling expert is coming tomorrow.

If you are currently buying or selling a home, take heart.  Just remember the old saying, "What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger."  

This is one of my earliest compositions, "Another Sea Glass Heart".  Stay strong.

Teeter Totter

Remember those scary plank-on-a-fulcrum playground rides?  Uh-huh, the ones that could either result in giggles and fun, or a bitten tongue and a bruised tailbone.  It was all a matter of leverage and trust when you boarded a teeter totter, because it took two people to make it work.  If the other person got you to the top too suddenly, you flipped over.  Now and then someone would do a hasty dismount from the bottom, sending the partner crashing down.  Either way, you can see why we don't find too many teeter totters in parks anymore.  And, yet, while I did suffer the consequences of a few rides gone bad, I survived.  We all did. So, I guess, when I compare my up and down ride in the world of real estate to a teeter totter, I should probably remember that I will survive.  My husband and I do have each other, and no matter how hard moving may be, it will be worth it.  I don't think we'll want to get back on that ride again for a while, though.

I chose "July Glass" for the pieces that are teetering.

Inspection Day

Ticktock.  In 15 more minutes, I'll be allowed back into my house.  The buyer's home inspector has been there for over three hours, and I'm fighting hard against feelings of paranoia.  "Does anything in the house not work?", after a pleasant greeting, those were Mr. Inspector's first words to me.  He took me off-guard, and I had to think about it.  "No", I replied, not 100% sure.  Even now, I can't think of anything major that could be wrong with our little house, other than it is super small.  That's the reason we're selling, after all. 

It is now 12:37.  Seven minutes past the safe zone.  I can unplug my laptop from the library wall, and finish my business at home.  I hope everything went well.  I hope that no matter the outcome of the inspection, the buyers still want to be the buyers, and that they will love our house as much as we have.  

Ah, the logistics of real estate.............

The title of this sea glass picture is, "Chimney Smoke".  I'm choosing it for today because our little house has a beautiful fireplace, and we're going to miss it.

Yes

Do you ever think that you say "yes" too often?  I don't mean, "Yes, I'd like more coffee" or "Yes, you may borrow my shovel".  I'm talking about all of the "yes", "sure", "okay", and "I guess so" answers that after leaving your mouth, put a dunce cap on your brain for not going there first.  What?  Think before speaking?  Huh!  Sounds logical, but it doesn't always happen.  Even though I'm thankful for waking up for another glorious day on this beautiful earth, I do have to wonder how many more days will be overflowing with the consequences of  "yes".  But as I sit here, with a mile-long list of commitments, a shadow of guilt sets in.  I wouldn't have been asked to do so much if I wasn't able, and the more I think about it, the more grateful I am.  Yes!  I can do this. 

 

This photo called, "Beach" is perfect for today, because I'm too busy to go there.

Coffee Again

Coffee, here I go again about coffee.  While I still carry a deep affection for my first morning sip, and every delightful one that follows, I've been forced to switch from "high-octane" to "why bother".  In other words, from the darkest, strongest caffeinated coffee, to a regular run-of-the-mill decaf.  Sure, I still add delicious additives to my cup. I wouldn't want to change too many variables.  I want to be absolutely certain that caffeine is bad for me before I give it up for good.  I'm almost hoping I'll still have gastric troubles and heart palpitations without coffee, but then the sensible part of me takes charge and says I'd rather give something up than go on a myriad of prescriptions.  So for now, I'll just be thankful for the unzappy substitute, and be glad that there is such a thing as decaf.

This waved photo of sea glass is perfect for today.  The coffee colors, along with creams, sugars, and mocha flavorings are a little too much on my mind.

Sounds at the Beach

The yellow flag was flying at the beach today.  With its place in the middle, between green and red, it signifies a small sense of danger combined with the okey-dokey to go into the water.  I'm more of a green flag swimmer, so I set up camp on the hill overlooking the day's excitement.  Sure, it's a beautiful sight, but closing my eyes brought a whole new level of pleasure to my senses.  Oh, the sounds.  Have you ever stopped what you're doing to be still and listen?  You most likely have, but go a step further, and literally count the sounds.  It forces you to listen beyond the first few, and with the yellow flag flying, there were many more sounds than three.  The crashing waves slapping against screaming children were the obvious sounds.  Seagulls going berserk over breadcrumbs and popcorn could be heard over radios and boats.  But I could actually hear happiness on the beach today.  Laughter, applause, encouragement, all involving activities among friends and loved-ones in the water and on the sand.  It makes me glad I live here.