I'm not the only one to blog about my dad...
http://stokoefarms.wordpress.com/2009/03/29/in-memorium-bob-krenzer/
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Truly Thankful
Working in a public office and being connected to the County Court system, one can tend to see the darker side of people. Not every day or all the time, but SOME days I can't wait for nothing more than to get home and turn off the phone and hide! No matter what our jobs, it is often too easy to forget about the goodness in people. We are so rushed and busy we find ourselves upset with others for driving to slow or standing in the wrong place in an isle in a grocery store. Whether it is something as minor as that or the horrific things we see on the TV news; it's really difficult in this life to follow the Lord's command to love others. Then there is that moment...
My family and I have had many of those moments this year. People giving of their hearts and their time. Neighbors, church friends , family & even strangers showing their love at our time of need. When my dad died it was the darkest time of my life but I saw the absolute best in people. They still continue you to bless us. No, it wasn't just lip service when they said, "we are there for you". People meant it, they followed through. They bless me so much when they help my mom. She is 62 years young, but for 40 years, she had a helpmeet, her other half; and as often happens in marriages, the work was divided. Suddenly, it's all on her shoulders or at least it feels that way. My husband, our two teenagers and myself are only 15 minutes away but we have work and school so sometimes are weekly visits are not enough. Sometimes we just haven't had the talents to make up for all those handyman talents my dad had. Sometimes we just got to say, "we don't know how". And when we have felt we are at the end of our rope emotionally and physically; someone comes and helps us along. God just won't leave us there overwhelmed.
There are more examples of the goodness of giving that has blessed my family this year than I count; they all mean more than words can express to us. I just happened to have here a visual journal of a special day that shows what I am trying to say.
Dad built this garage/barn back in the mid-eighties. He tinkered on cars and tractors and who knows what in there! This summer it need a fresh coat of paint and although the job was a BIG one, we had more than enough help. Then men who volunteered with my dad on our church's parking crew showed up early and did a phenomenal job. They organized everything, from how much paint to purchase to brushes, tee-shirts and painters hats!
It truly reminded me how selfless people can be; how blessed my family is. It's been a difficult year; but I can sit here and say I am thankful. Thankful for the legacy my dad has given me, thankful for a family I can turn to, depend on, love and enjoy. And I am thankful for the goodness of people that will sacrifice their time to do for others.
May you all be blessed this Thanksgiving
My family and I have had many of those moments this year. People giving of their hearts and their time. Neighbors, church friends , family & even strangers showing their love at our time of need. When my dad died it was the darkest time of my life but I saw the absolute best in people. They still continue you to bless us. No, it wasn't just lip service when they said, "we are there for you". People meant it, they followed through. They bless me so much when they help my mom. She is 62 years young, but for 40 years, she had a helpmeet, her other half; and as often happens in marriages, the work was divided. Suddenly, it's all on her shoulders or at least it feels that way. My husband, our two teenagers and myself are only 15 minutes away but we have work and school so sometimes are weekly visits are not enough. Sometimes we just haven't had the talents to make up for all those handyman talents my dad had. Sometimes we just got to say, "we don't know how". And when we have felt we are at the end of our rope emotionally and physically; someone comes and helps us along. God just won't leave us there overwhelmed.
There are more examples of the goodness of giving that has blessed my family this year than I count; they all mean more than words can express to us. I just happened to have here a visual journal of a special day that shows what I am trying to say.
Dad built this garage/barn back in the mid-eighties. He tinkered on cars and tractors and who knows what in there! This summer it need a fresh coat of paint and although the job was a BIG one, we had more than enough help. Then men who volunteered with my dad on our church's parking crew showed up early and did a phenomenal job. They organized everything, from how much paint to purchase to brushes, tee-shirts and painters hats!
It truly reminded me how selfless people can be; how blessed my family is. It's been a difficult year; but I can sit here and say I am thankful. Thankful for the legacy my dad has given me, thankful for a family I can turn to, depend on, love and enjoy. And I am thankful for the goodness of people that will sacrifice their time to do for others.
May you all be blessed this Thanksgiving
Saturday, November 14, 2009
What Do We Have Here..
Seems that the mood to talk & write again has come back and you are not gonna be able to get me to hush up! I do have some pretties to share. Mom & I have filled some of our time together prowling through some thrifties. She had decided in April that I needed a china cabinet for my birthday that was in August.
Teacups and saucers seemed to strike my fancy this summer; some of them I had, some we found in our meanderings:
A sugar & creamer set my mom has had forever (must remember to find out where she acquired it from)
The last thing here I'll show you for now are these cute little Christmas plates I picked up at Joanne's. I love that nostalgic look.
I could not resist the Christmas creamer and the matching sugar bowl seen in the forground!!
Not to sound like a broken record,but the loss of my dad and other family members this year has made me extremely sentimental. So when my urge to pay attention to my house came back I started this nesting, redecorating thing. Mom loves shelves and nic nacs. Bells, thimbles, odds and ends found over the years. I was already showing signs of the same symptoms, but now I had the urge to go back to my own child hood. I may regret this down the road and think it all looks tacky, but for now it warms my heart. I found the shelves I had stored away with nic nacs I had packed up from my youth and out they came. This one is in my freshly painted bedroom because I know it has no eye appeal to anyone but me!
I guess a look only a mother could love!
Mom, dad & I and a couple little trinkets he picked up for me along the way.
I know, I'm boring ya to pieces. But just a couple more, I promise. These are new but I just fell so in love with them. Funny there seems to be some "itty bittys" out there of the paper sort. These little bittys I just couldn't pass up. I don't know why I love tiny things so, but I do.
Well Blogger won't let me put the last one up with an itty bitty kitty and a quarter behind her to show the size; so I will leave well enough alone.
Thank you for visiting and and the encouragement!
~Blessings
Teacups and saucers seemed to strike my fancy this summer; some of them I had, some we found in our meanderings:
A sugar & creamer set my mom has had forever (must remember to find out where she acquired it from)
The last thing here I'll show you for now are these cute little Christmas plates I picked up at Joanne's. I love that nostalgic look.
I could not resist the Christmas creamer and the matching sugar bowl seen in the forground!!
Not to sound like a broken record,but the loss of my dad and other family members this year has made me extremely sentimental. So when my urge to pay attention to my house came back I started this nesting, redecorating thing. Mom loves shelves and nic nacs. Bells, thimbles, odds and ends found over the years. I was already showing signs of the same symptoms, but now I had the urge to go back to my own child hood. I may regret this down the road and think it all looks tacky, but for now it warms my heart. I found the shelves I had stored away with nic nacs I had packed up from my youth and out they came. This one is in my freshly painted bedroom because I know it has no eye appeal to anyone but me!
I guess a look only a mother could love!
Mom, dad & I and a couple little trinkets he picked up for me along the way.
I know, I'm boring ya to pieces. But just a couple more, I promise. These are new but I just fell so in love with them. Funny there seems to be some "itty bittys" out there of the paper sort. These little bittys I just couldn't pass up. I don't know why I love tiny things so, but I do.
Well Blogger won't let me put the last one up with an itty bitty kitty and a quarter behind her to show the size; so I will leave well enough alone.
Thank you for visiting and and the encouragement!
~Blessings
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Recharge...
Who knew it was so hard to get a little down time and recharge the ol' batteries! The work week is busy, the weekends are busy and sometimes no matter what the outer circumstances the MIND just doesn't cooperate and relax!
It just so happens that this week I have managed two days off in the middle of the week. Yesterday DD woke up with a fever, headache and stomach. Swine flu, you say? No to my surprise it was strep. So with my almost 17 year old tucked safely in bed with the appropriate medications in her system I found myself ALONE in a quiet house on a sunny uplifting day. Oh, I just can't tell you what a rarity that has been. What did I do, you ask? I cleaned, I reorganised; I went through all the junk I have tossed aside with little care to where it belonged the last few months. Talk about good therapy!
Today was a scheduled day off. Thank you Veterans for the sacrifices you and your families have made. I have more than enough because you protect me and my family. I was able to be quite self-centered today. Of course I am taking care of DD and she is on the mend. I put the finishing touches on a clean up project but then enjoyed the pleasure of catching up at www.maryjanesfarm.com and on some of my favorite blogs. Oh what a healing balm to share with some girlfriends down on the "farm" telling stories of loss of a parent and the process that follows. What a great bunch of REAL women I have found; they truly hold an important place in my circle of friends.
So tomorrow I will return to work for two days. I find it ironic that I have the most stressful job in my life at the most stressful time in my life. I'm sure God has a reason for that...
~Blessings to you all! Hope to hear from you!
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