Of Mice, Women and Cars

I had pretty much decided that, at my mature age, there was nothing I hadn't heard about before, in some form at least. However, I was sitting in my recliner, with my laptop, just enjoying a quiet Saturday afternoon, when my hubby came in with this very strange look on his face. He said, "Donna, I have to tell you something". (he seemed so serious and tentative). He proceeded to say "you've had a mouse in your car". OK! So NOW maybe I've heard everything. I thought at first he was trying to pull my leg, but I should have known better. As much as he likes fun, he wouldn't have thought this one up on his own.

He proceeded to explain that he (being the good hubby that he is) had taken my new license sticker tag out to put it on my car, and then was going to put the registration in the glove box. When he opened the glove box, there were bits of paper torn up, a pair of gloves eaten through with many holes, and mouse dirt! He found a little place in the carpet that the mouse had eaten through. (Although I still don't totally understand it, he explained where the little opening is that the mouse came through).

Now, mind you, I've had my share of experiences with mice. And I felt I was fairly objective about them. After all, I didn't get all emotional at the sight of one. In fact, when my hubby and I were cleaning my dad's house, we caught many mice--once even catching two mice in the same trap! But I digress. All of this to say, it was kind of freaking me out that I was driving around with a mouse in my car!

Lynn had of course cleaned up my car and glove box. (Did I mention--I'm really thankful for a wonderful hubby who looks out for me!) He said he would set a mouse trap in my car overnight.

Sunday morning, I am once again relaxing in my recliner with a cup of coffee. Hubby comes in, with sort of a half smile on his face and said, "Well we caught your mouse!". I couldn't believe it! My next thought was, "I wonder how many friends and family he has?!" I encouraged Lynn to set some traps in the garage, as that is where my car is always parked; so surely this mouse had to be in the garage, before he found my car.

I slept in a little bit this morning, but when I got up there was a sticky note on the table where I usually sit to eat breakfast. It said "There was no mouse in the trap in your car this morning. Maybe there was only one. Your lover".

I got up in time to see him off to work this morning. He was kind of laughing, and said, well at least the mouse story will give you material for your blog. What was he thinking? It's hardly worth mentioning!

This Is Scary!

As is my usual routine, the other day I made coffee, prepared my cup with a little milk in it, and went to brush my teeth while it brewed. (It seems to take longer to brew if I'm standing there waiting on it)

I poured my coffee, brought it in and put it on the stand by my recliner, and sipped on it while I started checking e-mail on my computer. But, as is also very common, I got busy on the computer and my coffee got cold. S0-o-o, time to go get another cup.

What is this? It is the filtered water that we keep in the frig. All of the sudden I found myself by the frig, with my coffee cup in position, starting to get some water! What? No, No, Donna! You were coming for coffee!

I poured out the water, filled my cup with coffee, added cream, and came back to my recliner and computer.

I once again placed my cup of coffee on my table, but made sure I spent a little time enjoying it, before working on the computer again.

Oh my goodness! I'm way too young for these things to be happening! Just thought it might be encouraging to anyone who has had a similar experience.

One of the best old-age forgettfulness stories I've heard was from my Dad. I don't know if it actually happened, or if he was just sharing his wonderful sense of humor; but he said, "I was on my way upstairs, and sat down to rest a minute; when I got back up, I couldn't remember if I was going up or coming back down".

To those of you too young to truly appreciate these things, you will probably be able to relate some day.

Choices--A reflection for the new year.

I wrote this poem last February, and I posted it then. I haven't thought about it for many months, but came across it again as I was going through my journal. (True confession--I started journaling again last year about this time, but didn't keep it up--only about 2 months.). As I was thinking about the events of this past year, and some goals for the coming year, it seemed to me that the paths we find ourselves walking through and many of the circumstances we find ourselves in are a result of the choices we've made.

As we begin our journey through 2010, may we seek the Lord's guidance and wisdom in the choices we make.

CHOICES

In God’s perfect plan, He made a way,
For us to make our own choices each day.
Sometimes we chose well, sometimes bad,
We surely often make His heart sad.

So many choices we are allowed to make,
What career we’d like, and what way we’ll take.
Where we will live, city or country,
Who to marry, and who our friends will be.

In some things we have absolutely no control,
We don’t understand, and it grieves our soul.
We would never chose to suffer great loss,
Yet He chose to suffer for us on the cross.

No matter what the circumstance may be,
I know the Lord’s working it for good, you see.
As my love for Him grows greater still,
I chose to seek and follow His will.

So many promises we find in His Word,
When we pray, we will always be heard.
He gives peace and joy, we can’t comprehend,
And for every need, on Him we can depend.

So, I’m making a choice to give Him praise,
I want others to see Christ in me all my days.
Many times I will fail, but He gives strength to the weak,
He will guide and direct me when I listen to Him speak.

Thank you, Lord, for blessings you bestow,
With praise to You, may my heart overflow.
May I be an encouragement to others, I pray,
Help me to serve you joyfully each day.

Life is Precious--A Gift from God

Sometimes the best laid plans of ours can go awry. Lynn and I were planning to go out for supper on Saturday night; then on Sunday we had been invited to visit friends at their home on Lake Wawasee. We were really looking forward to it, as we hadn't been there for a long time.

Speaking of looking forward, Lynn's sister-in-law, Jan, has a terminal lung disease and is on oxygen 24/7. She was approved for the lung transplant list a few months ago, and was first on the list in Indiana. So she and her family have been waiting for a phone call to go to Indianapolis for her lung transplant. She had asked me a few weeks ago about helping to take care of their severely handicapped child when she goes for her surgery. She said, "We have home health care, and our regular person has said she would watch Cassie around the clock if needed. But when we get the call, we will have to leave in 30"; could you fill in, if necessary, until a care giver gets here. It would probably only be a couple of hours at the most?" I assured her I would.

Saturday, at 2:00 pm, they got a call. They had lungs available, and she needed to get to Indy immediately. Since it was the weekend, there were no regular care givers scheduled. Also, the regular care giver, who had said she would work around the clock, is on vacation this week. Jan called and said her kids were with Cassie, but that they were going to leave when Benji got off work at 6 pm to go to Indy to be with her. Could I possibly take care of Cassie Saturday from 6 pm through Monday morning, if I was needed that long. (She said they were trying to get a care giver for Sunday day shift, but didn't have anyone yet). Of course, I told her I would be happy to do that.

However, I was very disappointed that I would most likely miss out on going to the lake. I called Lynn and told him what I was doing, and that he should go to the lake without me. (We were planning to go early Sunday, about 7 am).

After I got to Jan's home on Sat. evening, I got a call from the Home health agency; they would have an aide there to take care of Cassie on Sunday from 9 am till 7 pm. So, I called Lynn and we decided we could still go to the lake; I would just have to be back by 7 pm to take care of Cassie during the night on Sunday.

(this isn't really lake Wawasee but once again I forgot my camara)

As it turned out, we had a wonderful day at the lake. Our friends have a pontoon boat, and the 6 of us--3 couples, spent a lot of time on the water, and did some swimming. Even though it was 92 degrees, the water was cold at first! But it was really refreshing and relaxing. What a nice time with friends, as well as 'getting away' for a little while.

I got back home at 7:30 this morning after staying with Cassie all night. We also got great news from Indy! Jan's surgery went well and by early afternoon on Sunday she was off the ventilator, breathing on her own, awake and talking to them.

This will still be a long recovery period for Jan. But what a great gift, to be given a second chance at having healthy lungs and a good quality of life again!

They are still working out a care giver schedule, hoping to get 24-hour coverage; but I may be back there tonight as well. I found these quotes and Bible verses this morning and thought they were applicable to this whole situation.

"One of the wonders of life is just that--the wonder of life!

"Sympathy says 'I'm sorry'; compassion says, 'Ill help'.

"Learn the joy of giving, for when you only receive you miss much of life".

Our Lord is the giver of life.

John 10:10,11 I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His own life for the sheep.

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy, at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.