Me, God's Project

I never tire of hearing this promise.

Good morning son! A new day! And just how is it in heaven today? If you get tired of me asking that, tough! lol  I'm sitting here as usual looking out of the living room window and at the back profile as Jamison as he takes in what's happening outside this morning. The birds are getting more scarce every day at the bird feeder. The squirrel comes every day and sits on the railing looking up at the bird feeder. I can't read his mind but all too often he sits there and glares into the window at me and Jamison. I would bet that he's swearing up a storm because we've figured out the perfect spot that no matter where he climbs he's just a little too far away to jump and reach that bird feeder. For a few days we'd see him fly through the air, hear a thump and then in a few minutes he'd appear back on the railing looking through the window with that look in his eyes. But now, he just sits on the railing staring up at the feeder. But I know what he's thinking!

We haven't seen the fox in about a week now. The last time we saw him he was was calmly walking up the driveway, taking his time, and stopped in front of the porch looking up at the window just long enough to alert Jamison that he was on his turf and "ha, ha, you can't get me". The fox has certainly grown and he has a huge tail. His color was much more brilliant and coat shiny when he was younger. He looks more scraggly now. Of course, if I lived in a dirt hole I imagine I'd look old and scraggly too. Don't say it! I know, you're dying, well maybe not dying, I wouldn't want you to have to go through that again, but I know that would have been a one-liner lead-in for you on any day. I love you son. Miss your laugh and your jokes. I hope you're liberally passing out those hugs in heaven because I'd hate for them to go to waste.

 Last week I saw my first white-tail deer. She was so beautiful and appeared to be all by herself. She popped up in the trees and brush about 20 feet from the front of the car as I opened the car door. I watched her until she disappeared up the slope and over the top of the rise. What a beautiful site. I just sat there and watched the graceful movements and she made her way. In all the deer we have here and see in the yard this has been the first white-tail I've seen. I'd love to see another. 

A walk on a Fall day.

Our daily walks are getting much colder. You know if I have to put a coat, hat and gloves on, it's cold. We don't realize how cold it is sitting here in our little pocket. But when we get to the top of the hill as we take our walk and that wind whips around we notice it then. Jamison is even wearing his sweater. It's been in the 20's here some nights. It probably won't be long before we begin getting some snow. Auntie Di said they had about five inches in Groveland this past week. I'll be headed out for my visit in about two weeks. I've looking forward to it. Not the trip, but being there and visiting with everyone. And...Christmas is only six weeks away. Where has the year gone?

$40 hutch - before

and after!

I continue to work on my projects. I am so thankful to have the time and energy to spend on projects. Most have been waiting for over a year. They've been patient and so have I. I finished the kitchen hutch last week. It came out exactly as I wanted. Dad helped me reassemble it. It's much different working on a big project like a hutch now than it was even ten years ago. Our eyes don't work as well, getting down on our knees to rehang the doors is not even an option. Our shoulders don't work as well, can't get them over our head or hold them up long enough to get all the screws in the hinge at one time so we have to put one screw in, rest the shoulders, put another. When you're doing that 36 times it takes a while. It takes even longer when you put the hinges in backwards and have to take three of them out and reinstall. But, we worked together, accomplished the goal and had super fun and laughter as we laughed at ourselves, took the breaks we needed and accomplished the goal. We only paid $40 for the hutch on Craigslist. Just take a look at the difference. I'm so proud of what we accomplished with a little bit of paint and a ton of elbow grease.

Remember my old screen door that dad laughed at when I refused to leave it when we moved? That poor thing has been painted every color of the rainbow and then some. I've used it as a room divider, on the wall as a display for pictures and just standing in a corner as an architectural piece. Now I'm in the process of redoing it as a display stand for quilts and linens. I've painted it mustard and hot pink, added some mod-podge hydrangeas and hot pink hardware, putting it on a stand and voile', a linen stand. I'll have to include a picture next week because it isn't quite finished yet. Kinda like me. God isn't finished with me yet either. (He isn't is he?  Just kidding.) I am so thankful that God's eyes don't wear  out. His shoulder's don't give out. Whose shoulder would I cry on if His shoulders gave out? His knees always stay strong. That really important because when I fall, and I do often, He's still able to kneel down, reach out a hand and lift me up. A project I am and always will be while I am here on this earth. Someone that needs refreshing and re purposing. Someone who always needs a helping hand and sometimes, a firm hand. (I just added that before you did.) My life with the Lord has evolved into more of a quiet, peaceful one. It's not so much about being "out there" but more of a constant, mindfulness of His presence in my life. A thankfulness that I know He is with me. It's a wonderful peace. I know, without a doubt, that no matter what "project" I am, He is the master carpenter and will make all rough edges smooth and will keep the color in my life.

Until next week, be Aaron, love mom