Thank You

The 'Girls' catching up . Zoey was very excited to see her friend Mini...a good chistian dog, who loves to share her treats and the wonders of the 'facebook' page of the corner fence.



It was great to meet Jeanette, Carol-Ann's sister from Colorado and their mom.





The Family


Kinza trying to 'arrange' the dogs for a picture. Good job Kinnie.



We also went to visit Maggie and Jon and Katherine where Zoey received this great present....in hot pink. Maggie tried to be a very good hostess to Zoe as well, but I'm afraid my Z. is still a bit overwhelmed with Maggie's size . Maggie even offered Zoe her very large chewy bone....so cute. Dogs are amazing social animals and I love watching how they relate and communicate with each other.



By the time we arrived home, someone definitely crashed from all the excitement of the weekend.



I just want to say thank you so much to all of you for making our visit such a fun event and for loving and welcoming us into your homes.

Time For Fun

In a few hours Zoe and I are hitting the road for Toronto to renew acquaintances. Canine as well as human friends and family.



There will be lots of catching up to do for all of us especially Mini and Zoe.



There will be chasing each other around and lots of laughter and hugs.



We will also visit Maggie again . Now that Zoe is older it should be more fun for her since she is not in the least intimidated by Maggie's size.



The only real challenge will be navigating the 401 during what is left of rush hour after work. Lord have mercy !!

While caring for Anneka and Aila last week I was able to watch this movie after the girls went to bed. I was an Abba fan way back when.

The funniest thing I found in this movie was Pierce Brosnan singing ....SOS !!! Never thought of him as a singer, but then I guess if he came singing to me that would be a different story.

I did enjoy the movie and Meryl Streep was so fun to watch in this role.

A Safe Place

"Listen to me.....

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you ....

I've been carrying you on my back from the day you were born, And I'll keep on carrying you. I'll be there, bearing you when you're old and gray. I've done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you. ( Is. 46:3-4 the message)

Sometimes, the cares of this life can be very overwhelming.
I have chosen to live my life in these later years , kind of in obscurity enjoying hiddenness.

After many tumultuous years I have been rescued by Jesus, and I am so very grateful. No longer will I sell my soul for the counterfeit deceptions the spirit of this age offers.

I have learned to put a high price on my purity, finding the clarity of heart that accompanies such a decision worth the mockery the world may send my way.

The truth is my choice to live for the Lord according to my faith is not difficult . Even during the times of loneliness and misunderstanding I don't mind so much.

Where I am tested is in the place of security like where can I afford to live ? How will I pay my bills ? What happens if I get sick and can't work and there is no one to care for me ? How long will I be a viable employee as I age ? Even though I get scared every once in awhile , compromise is not an option for me.

It's not an easy life when you are in the early years of becoming a 'senior'. Notice I said 'early years'. It's fun to get the discounts and all, but can become frightening facing the later years , even with a strong belief system.

Recently , as I was ranting on to the Lord about a bunch of totally unrelated things He led me to the above scripture .

The Truth is the Truth is the Truth. I still believe in absolutes in an age when that it not popular. One Word from the One who created it all and holds it all together by His Word is enough to calm the storms that rage within me and around me. Just one Word from You can shatter a thousand lies.

So today , I speak my heart , taking the risk . Oh well, He has broad shoulders and a very tender and loving heart where I am carried all the days of my life.

Longing

I am so desperate for You Jesus, words fail me.

Rise Up My Love

While our for our brief walk this morning I saw and heard these lovely birds. So brilliant and their song was strong in my ear almost demanding my attention. The promise of spring and better days ahead. I think this is a Scarlet Taninger.



And come away....

Adventures In Ottawa

Well I have been here in Ottawa a little over twenty four hours and so far it has been an interesting challenge.

Things were going well....Jason and Yvonne had left a beautiful vase of roses on the table and a lovely thank you note in advance.

The girls arrived with excitement . In the early evening we three plus Zoey watched a movie while reclining on my bed.
'Rattatoui' the little chef who just happens to also be a rat.

My little dog was whining a bit, but I just thought she was jealous of the children.

I am a bad puppy mommy ! Why ? For missing the signals my little dog was giving me.

I am sure all of us have had the uncomfortable experience of having to go to the bathroom but have had to 'hold it'. That is what happened to Zoey. She had to go, was telling me something was wrong, but I was not listening.

A bit later , while busy with Anneka at the computer, Zoey jumped up on Jason and Yvonne's bed (another no ...no...) and lost it! Suddenly there was a puddle where there should NEVER be a puddle !

To make a long story short,and after much freaking out, there was no way I could fit the king size duvet in the washing machine, so I decided the only proper thing to do would be to replace it. I will keep the soiled one, wash it in the big machine down the hill from my place, and maybe eventually I will actually have a big bed of my own that it will look wonderful upon.

Anyway... I digress...

Today, after doing a bit of special shopping for Anneka and Aila , we headed to IKEA to replace the duvet. While we were shopping I let Anneka pick up a few blank gift cards at Walmart, and then again at IKEA.

I told her I found the little plastic card really good for scrapping frost from my windshield.

On the way home in the car, Anneka says...'Gramma ? Can we go to your bank now and you can fill up my gift cards ?'



She is just too funny .....I laughed at her practical thinking and the joy she had over the thought of me loading her many gift cards with all my money.

Ha ha ha ha...that's me dying laughing.

All in all, it was a fun day in spite of the huge traffic jam on the 417. Her comment just made my day , so tomorrow we just might have to take a 'small' trip to Dollarama and MacDonalds.

After all it's only money, and I happen to be the daughter of a Very Generous Father God who supplies all of my needs as He continues to love me outrageously.

There And Back Again

Top of Skyline Hill for a taste of the lovely view.
It takes a few days for city to recede ,
allowing the grandeur of nature
to work her magic on my soul.



Good friends are a precious treasure.

Haliburton

This past weekend I was blessed to be able to drive north to visit my friends who live in the almost wilderness in the Haliburton Highlands. It is only about an hour and a half drive to the Old Donald Road.



This is the home of my dear friends, and the chap who repaired my car. It is so delightful to come visit and relax .



There is still quite a lot of snow on the ground, and the beauty is so lovely I just had to take some scenic shots.





We went for a brisk walk , though the sun was warm the wind was pretty cold. It was worth the effort and we were able to catch this little fellow nearby.



What I found most stunning was the silence . Not a sound can be heard except the ringing in my ears .

At night the sky was like black velvet and the stars shone like brilliant diamonds with the Big Dipper (my very favorite since childhood) right above appearing so near and promising somehow.

Loving fellowship was filled with laughter, good food, and many stories of Bear and Moose encounters . I would love to live in such an environment. Then there are the stories of the Black Flies and the hordes of Moths....yikes !!! Oh yes and the variety of critters the family cat has been known to leave on the door step for approval.

All in all Zoey and I enjoyed ourselves so much we are going again this coming weekend and we are so very grateful to have such wonderful friends to love us and welcome us as family somehow. Thank you Lord !