Should I or shouldn't I?

Hi everyone,

How's your week going so far?  I hope everyone's answer is "great!"  Mine is going about like normal, except I'm ready to see this rain leave us for a few days.  I know we need the rain, but I'm tired of the dreariness that comes with it.  But, since I can't do anything about the weather, I guess I'll put up with whatever comes our way.

As to my title, "Should I or shouldn't I?" refers to whether or not I should be thinking about starting to write another novel.  I do love to write, that is true.  I suppose I haven't given it much thought lately, because I've been working on my little "security blankets" which will be given to children who are in hospitals.  I now have 34 finished.  I just hope and pray that they will bring so peace and wellness to those little children who have to be hospitalized. 

As for the new novel, I guess I'll have to give it some more thought.  If you're interested in reading any of my novels or booklets, you can read them electronically, by going to www.Amazon.com and entering my full name in the search block.  I currently have about twenty to choose from.  I sincerely appreciate everyone who takes the time to purchase one for electronic reading. 

My reason for writing, besides it being something I love to do, is to make someone smile or learn something about God or their health.  God has truly blessed me throughout my entire life and I am so thankful for His always being with me.  After all, He is the reason I'm still living, even though I was born with a heart defect.  I am so thankful for Jesus' presence in my life, that's one of the reasons I am hand embroidering the security blankets for children. 

I have a pressing need to give back for all the times I've truly been blessed.  Since my life pretty much consists of a little energy in the mornings, and then me on the sofa, with my feet up for the remainder of the day.  But, I am not complaining about the way my life is.  I just give thanks to God that I am still living. 

How about you?  Do you thank God for all the many blessings He's given to you?  Or perhaps you are one of the very many people who always want and expect more?  I hope you don't fall into the second category, for your own sake.  I can't imagine living every day of my life always wanting and expecting more in life.  That seems an entirely poor way to have to live.  We all have truly been blessed.  If you woke up this morning, had enough to eat to live, and have some kind of a job to go to, you are blessed! 

I hope your week goes well for you and perhaps you will think about my words to you tonight.  Don't forget, true happiness comes from within you, NOT from exterior things!  Be safe and may God bless you always.
Susan

Some food for thought...

Hi everyone,

I was wandering if any of you younger folks ever stop and wander what old age will be like?  After all, every person  will get old, at some time.  Old age is sometimes pleasant, but often it's hard.  Like anything else that gets old, an old adults body starts to break down.  Oh, you can have a face lift or some other procedure,  but there's not much you can do about old bones, old body organs, old skin, old teeth or a lot of other old body parts.  They've never come up with a cure for "old age" problems. 

That's okay with me, but for most younger people, they don't understand.  Many times, they are impatient with a aged parent because they are slow walking, slow eating, slow getting up, or because they have so many illnesses, or because they are just plain too tired to do much of anything.  Of course, for all of us older people who live with illness every day, our whole lives have changed.  We can't do all the things we used to do. 

Younger people don't always understand this.  I am thankful that my daughters do understand that I am not able, any more, to do the things I used to do.  They may not like it, but they accept that I have to do only that which I am capable of doing now. 

I do put my illness before anything else in my life.  Basically, that's because if I don't, I will be responsible for helping to kill myself.  I will not do that for anyone, including my family and husband. 

I'm writing about this tonight, because I just watched a video about an elderly gentleman who had to move in with his son, daughter-in-law and grandson.  This gentleman, either because of dementia or some other illness, had little control over the shaking in both his hands.  Consequently, when he tried to eat or drink, a mess sometimes followed.  The son and daughter-in-law had no patience with his behavior.  (Which by the way, he had no control over),  They made him sit by himself in a corner of the kitchen where the mess would be easier to clean up. 

This couple had a son of their own.  One day he was using some wooden scraps to make what looked like a bowl.  When asked what he was making, he explained to his Mom and Dad that he was making bowls for them to eat out of when they sat by themselves to eat their meals.

The moral of this story is:  What comes around, goes around!  Or: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!  Or perhaps it's: We learn by watching our parents!

So, tonight I ask all you folks in your thirties and forties to be kind to your parents.  Show they compassion and love so that your children learn from you.  You can tell your children how to be good and what is bad behavior, but actions still speak louder than words.  They always will!

Enjoy the rest of your week.  Take care and may God bless each of you.
Susan

Happy Thursday!

Hi everyone,

We, here on the North Eastern coast of the US are still trying to dig our way out of a horrendous snow storm which fell on Tuesday.  We had about 16" to 18" of snow.  My hope is that since it's already past the middle of March, that it won't stay around for very long.  I love to see the sight right after a snow, but that's about it for me.  It's also been very windy and cold here.  I just stay indoors and enjoy the warmth. 

My husband did the shoveling that needed to be done.  We had a gentleman approach us to see if we wanted to hire him to help with the shoveling.  So, my husband did, which made me very happy.  You see my husband isn't a young man any longer, even though he hates to admit that.  I worry about him and his health. 

Well, as far as I'm concerned, spring can arrive at any time.  Although I'm not looking forward to the heat and humidity that the summer brings.  At least during the summer months, there's no snow to shovel and no slippery roads, causing car accidents.

I'm still working on my security blankets for young children, although I have taken a little break from them to work on my Christmas gift card/money holders.  I'll probably switch from one to the other for a while.  I just have to do something constructive while sitting on the couch with my feet up most of the day. I can't tell you how thankful I am, that God blessed me with strong creative abilities.  He knew just what I needed so that I wouldn't let my illness depress me.  I thank Him every day for His many blessings. 

Before I fall asleep every evening, I spend some time with my Lord.  I don't know if I'm doing all that He wants me to do to help others, so I ask Him to let me know what His wishes are for me.  It's funny how He always lets me know in one way or another.  Usually, it's a thought that comes into my head and I just know that it's God speaking to me.  I have been so blessed though out my life. 

Don't think that because I said that, that I've never experienced any sadness or losses.  I have had both, many times over throughout the years.  But, I am still alive and I am thankful for that.

How about you?  Do you realize just how many blessings God has given you through out your life?   Or do you concentrate on what you don't have?  He gives us what we need, but not always what we want. Remember that no one knows what is best for us, except God.  Put your trust in Him.

I hope you all are safe where ever you live. Have a good Friday tomorrow and stay safe.
Susan

How's your weekend going?

Hello everyone,
How's your weekend going thus far?  It's cold here in South Central Pennsylvania, but at least it's not snowing.  Although I am seeing reports that we are to be hit with a heavy snow storm come Tuesday.  I am not looking forward to that.  Perhaps the weather reports are wrong.  Wouldn't that be nice?

One of the newest movies which just came out is called "The Shack."  Have you heard of the book before?  It came out about ten years ago.  It was about a year after my health took a turn for the worse.  I wanted to just get out of the house for little while.  So, I drove to Walmart and just walked around a short time.  I am a frequent reader, so when I noticed their magazine and book section, I walked over to see if they had anything I might be interested in reading. 

I have to admit that 99% of the books I read are hard bound books.  There's two reasons for this.  The first is because I worked at a local book bindery for two years.  I did the accounting and then I did some hands on work on the books.  I started to realize exactly how much went into publishing a book.  The second reason is because I read every morning, while eating my breakfast.  I can eat and drink my coffee while letting the book lay open on my lap.  You can only do this with a hard bound book. 

Well, Walmart really didn't carry hard bound books, just soft cover ones.  I did notice one in particular that caught my attention.  It had a picture of a run down shack on the cover.  The title was "The Shack".  I picked it up and read some of the reviews and then placed it back on the shelf.  I started to walk away, and for some reason, I went back and decided to purchase it.  Something just told me that I needed to read this novel, which by the way, is fiction.

I started reading it and soon the tears started to flow.  There was no way I could read this book without crying.  After I finished it, using up a lot of tissues, I decided that I needed to reread it once more.  Of course during this reading, there were more tears, but I spent more time actually thinking about what was said in the book.  I later reread it for a third time, highlighting many of the remarks that I thought were note worthy.  This novel was so moving to me, more so than any other book I'd read. 

So, now the movie is out.  A few days ago my husband said, "I guess you want to go see that movie!"  My answer surprised him.  I said, "No, I don't."  He asked me why and my answer was, "In the past, I've read novels and later saw the movie.  They were always a disappointment to me, because the books were so good."  I understand that they can't put everything into a movie that runs about 2 hours, that's in a full novel. 

This happened to me with the movie "The Titanic."  I have always been interested in what happened on that ship.  I read several books written by survivors and I learned many things about the sinking of the Titanic.  After seeing the movie, I was so disappointed and let down.  Yes, it was a good movie but it wasn't factual and that's what I was looking for in the movie. 

If you've not heard of the novel, "The Shack" I'm sure you'll enjoy the movie.  If you have the opportunity to purchase the book, it was written by William Paul Young.  Oh and by the way, I am now re-reading it for my fourth time and it's still starting the tears flowing.

Enjoy your Sunday tomorrow and stay safe.
Susan

Happy Tuesday!

Hi folks,
How's your week going thus far?  I hope your answer is, at least, an "okay".  Mine is going just fine.  It's been a dreary day here in South Central PA.  I don't know how the weather is where you are, but it's been an up and down winter.  It seems that for about three to four days we have very cold temperatures with either rain or snow; and then for the next three to four days we have above average temperatures.  We've also been having some heavy winds with the rains.  I told my friend, a few days ago, that I can't even imagine what the weather will be like this summer.  We'll probably have temps in the 80's and 90's for a few days and then temps in the 50's for a few days.  Kind of makes me wander if God isn't telling us something.  Unfortunately, not many folks are listening!

It's hard for me to believe that today is already the 7th of March.  This Saturday, before going to bed, we turn our clocks ahead one hour.  This introduces us to Day Light Savings time.  I'll be messed up for a week or two after doing that.  I'll be waking up an hour earlier than I want to, every morning, and ready to go to bed an hour earlier each night.  It will be good for the children who get on school buses very early in the morning. At least they won't be waiting in the dark anymore.  So, that's a good thing.

I think I'm starting to have less energy these days, not that I ever have much.  It seems all I do is a little of something and I'm so tired.  I imagine some of that is my age, but most of it, I'm sure, is my health.  I'm not complaining, not at all.  I'm so thankful that God permits me to wake up each morning, and that He lets me accomplish the few things I do.

I'm still working on my security blankets for young children who are in hospitals.  I now have 24 finished.  I work on them every day, as they are mostly done by hand.  Here's two of the last ones I've completed. 

 I'm finishing up two with a cow on each one.  I'll post that one later.  I sincerely hope  these blankets will bring these hospitalized children some comfort.  

Well, I hope your week will continue being an encouragement to you.  Be safe and may God bless you.
Susan

Blankets

Hi everyone,

I thought I'd take a minute and post some photos of a few of the blankets I've finished for young children.  this is my "Giving Back" project for 2017.  I will be giving them to a children's hospital later this year.

They are approximately 30x36" in size.  I do hope that the children will love them.  Maybe they won't feel so alone while in the hospital.

Have a wonderful day and God bless you all. 
Susan