Election Day and other tidbits!

I tried a couple times last week to write, but one time Blogger was messing with me and another, my work computer blitzed out just as I was ready to hit post! It's so hard to write a nice long post and then have it gone - I began to rewrite, but it's really tough to write all over what you've just finished, so I gave up.

Halloween was good, I went to Franklin with some friends and the boys went trick-or-treating - they were a knight, a pirate and Scooby Doo! I brought some special treats from the Cocoa Tree in Franklin. If you've never tried them, and you live in the area, you've got to look them up! They are on 3rd, north of the circle about a block on the left. They are expensive, but ohh so worth it.

Not much going on at the moment. It's rainy and dreary and has been since sometime yesterday, but at least the temperatures are reflecting fall now - thankfully!! Natures beautiful canvas has turned a corner though, unfortunately the fire is gone from the reds and the glint from the golds. It was gorgeous while it lasted and I enjoyed it immensely as I do every year...

driving around or just standing looking out my door...
able again to take a deep breath...

of colder... cleaner... crisper air...
then letting it out on a sigh...
and a smile...
joyous... just to see God's handiwork.

I'm continuing to work on Christmas gifts and reading quite a bit. I've been re-reading some old books from my childhood recently. Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, The Borrowers, The Boxcar Children. I started in on it a couple months ago when I started taking The Borrowers and the Boxcar Children books to Ethan to read. I decided that I'd re-read them too so that I could talk to him about them and just for the enjoyment. Of course, they are much easier now and don't take real long. I've finished all of The Borrowers series and am up to the 7th Nancy and the 3rd Trixie. I also bought some used books of older mysteries too - Ellery Queen, Lord Peter Whimsey and also a few of the Bobbsey Twins (more kids' easy reads).

I also took the boys bowling this past Saturday and yes, we finally got there when they had some open lanes! We bowled one game, Isaac 118, me 101, Elijah 76 and Ethan 64. Of course, the little ones had the help of the ramp or Aunt Debby and Ethan did his all by himself!! Oh, and we all had the help of the bumpers and thus, no gutter balls. Little did I think though, about how exhausting it would be for me. Am I that out of shape? I guess so - but it was a blast none the less! The boys had fun and Mom and Dad got a little bit of a break.

I also began watching a history series that Mom and Dad bought and gave me when they were done with it. It's on the Civil War. I'm not too far into it (have only listened to the first two), but so far it seems pretty good. Each lecture is 30 minutes. I'll keep you posted as I go along.

It's Election Day today. I so hope that you exercised your privilege of living in this great country of ours and went to the polls. Democracy only works if we all take the responsibility to make our voices heard. There is a lot at stake right now in our country, and though I'd never be confused with a "politically-minded" person by any stretch of the imagination, I do think it is important to know the issues on the ballot and vote on them. I also think it is a good reminder that we definitely need to be in prayer for our nation, for our nation's leaders, and our nation's law makers. I'm in agreement with Dr. James Dobson, when he said that he still believes that God's word is true and He will keep His promises, and if we would get down on our knees, as individuals and as a nation, in humility and cry out to Him, He will heal our nation (II Chronicles 7:14).

And, it's almost Thanksgiving - who'd have believed it! With the turn of the month it also became official... I've now lived in the same house for 5 years, which by the way is the longest I've ever lived in one abode in my entire 37+ years. This is quite an accomplishment, let me tell you. As you might gather from this... "home" to me is not a place, but a gathering of the people I call family, wherever we happen to be at the time. Over the years I've learned to appreciate this more and more. I guess I still have a small amount of envy of those who grew up in the same place, with the same people all their lives, they always seem to have a connectedness that I've never known. But I also know that it reminds me much more often that this world is not my "home", I'm just an alien here and am passing through. I'm looking forward, more with each new day, to going where I know that I'll feel more "at home" than I ever could have here, even if I'd lived in the same house every day of my earthly life. Christ is preparing my mansion in His "home" and I can't wait to see it and to have the privilege of singing His praises around the throne for eternity.

All that said, I've had several rough weeks lately and though I won't bore you or bring you down with all of it here, if you think of me say a little prayer for me. I'm struggling with a few very heavy things right now. I'm trying to stay focused on the blessings, but they are seeming far outweighed these days. Thanks.