Adventure #1

Little did I know when I posted my last article, that we'd be faced with our first major adventure of the year, just a few days later. On the evening of January 7th, my husband came home from work and told me that his boss had given him two options that day: take a $5 an hour pay cut or be laid off! Now, one might say that any pay check and health insurance is better than no pay check and no insurance. But, along with that pay cut comes a change in position within the company - namely, giving up his desk job for a physically laborious position out in the shipping department. On top of that it's ten hour days! For a 60 year old man who's had back problems and open heart surgery, it's not all that appealing. However, Jim didn't really feel like he had a choice in the matter, because who else is going to hire an older guy in this economy?



Those of you who know my husband well might already have guessed what kinds of things he would have said to me that evening. Things like: "God is not surprised by this. He just might know what He's doing :) I'm just thankful that I still have a job when so many are unemployed."



So begins, our first great (scary) adventure of 2009. What a way to start the year!

Looking back . . . .

. . . . at 2008 and what inspired me to become a blogger. So much to tell and too little time, but here goes (please keep in mind that I'm a rookie at this):

Last year brought a lot of changes, upheavals, surprises, you know the drill - but with God's help we survived, and we're looking forward to the next adventure. That's what we seem to be experiencing during this stage of our lives, one great adventure after another. Thus the term, well seasoned, or at least that is what it means to us (my sweet husband and I). We're not done yet, that is to say God isn't finished with us yet, but He sure is pouring on lots of seasoning along the way!

Loss of income and a forced move define the changes and upheavals. The surprises could be better defined as blessings, since they include being reunited with children, grandchildren and a multitude of friends, which were not happy when we moved away three years ago. We are also blessed to be back at our old church, which we missed more than we thought possible. Last, but not least, Jim got his old job back and we really needed that!

A personal blessing for me last year, was spending a month with my Mama and attending a family reunion. That allowed me to reconnect with cousins I haven't seen or communicated with in years! It was during that visit that I decided to make every effort to stay connected, so I gathered email addresses for cousins, aunts and uncles. My daughter gave me the idea of creating a blog and has been very helpful and encouraging in the process of getting it started. Lord willing, I'll be dedicated to keeping it updated and my relatives will actually read it - hint, hint! :) You can see Cathy's blog by clicking on the link at the right side called, Dancing In The Rain. You won't be sorry if you do, and you'll see why her blog idea is so effective in staying in touch.

Not long ago I had a wonderful grandkid day, and here's some pictures to prove it:

This is Will having his afternoon tea break. There's not many things he'll sit this still for.

This is Emma, frosting her fresh baked "pupcakes!"

This is Lincoln and Mimi, coloring and smiling :)

Aren't they the cutest kids you've ever seen? This grandma sure thinks so. Living near to them is huge in the blessing department, and they never get tired of spending time at Papa & Mimi's house!

The next two pictures were taken at our church right after the Christmas eve service, and this concludes my writings for looking back. It's time to look forward to the new year and the new adventures, which will be highlighted along the way - all the better to keep you all updated! :)

Emma, Billy, Will, Cathy and Lincoln.

Just the two of us!