Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

It’s hard for me to believe that the days are flying by at the rate of speed that they are, and that tomorrow is the 15th of the month of JUNE.  JUNE!   Where have the days gone?   I know this isn’t the first time that I’ve mentioned how fast the time seems to be flying, and trust me- it probably won’t be the last. 

Over the next few months, I have so much to look forward to.  Granted- I look forward to each and every day, as it always brings something new, and usually something unexpected.  I also usually learn something each and every day, useful tidbits of information that I can pack in my suitcase of knowledge and carry with me on this continued journey called life.

Marcel and I are still undecided about a vacation this year.  We have a few ideas, but with the new car and other expenses, I’m just not sure we want to fork out the cash- but we’ll see what happens as the days and weeks unfold.

In less than three weeks one of my oldest, and dearest friends will arrive for 11 days of fun!  I’ve already begun the countdown and been planning things that we can do on her arrival day, and the subsequent days that follow.   She’ll turn 40 while she’s here, and I’ll turn 42.  It will be great to celebrate my birthday with someone from home for a change, and we plan to do it in style, with lots of photographs to follow.

Next Sunday, I have the opportunity to meet up with someone I went to high school with.  He and a team of five others are flying to Rwanda on a missionary trip and have an almost 12 hour layover here in Neverland.   I’ve offered to spend most of the day with them, show them around, and give them a little feel of the city.  It will be fun, plus I’m really excited about seeing Chris again after more than 20 years.  

There is also the possiblity of meeting up with another friend that I know from online in October, because she may also have a layover here.  She’s a wonderful person, and I hope we’ll have the opportunity to finally meet after all these years of knowing each other online. 

Also in October, a friend of my brothers is going to be in the area.  He and his wife are possibly going to add A’dam to their list of travels, and if they d0, Marcel and I will spend some time showing them around, plus getting to know them.  I’m looking forward to it, and hope that the opportunity presents itself.   I’m always excited when I get to spend time with people from home.

Right now, I’m going to pour myself a cup of java- head outside and spend some time in the sunshine.   I need to vacuum, and I may do that before I go, but the rest of the day is mine- and I plan to enjoy every second of it.

My Gratitude List for June 14, 2009

Today I’m Grateful for:

• My dear friend Maggie, who is celebrating her birthday today.
• All the little things in life worth celebrating.
• Factory rebates on both my camera AND Marcel’s TomTom. Yeah!!
• Finally getting my updated budget done, which has been on my ‘to do’ list for a long time..
• Downward movement of the scale.

I have so much to tell, but so little time the last few days. Wonderful things have been happening to people that I love- with my parents celebrating their 44th anniversary yesterday, to my friends Maggie and Kimmie celebrating their birthday’s tomorrow. It’s times like these- those wonderful celebration moments, that I wish I could zap myself from one place to another, to share in these special moments with these people who mean such a great deal to me.

I have also been splurging a little the past couple of days- buying a ‘fold-up’ hammock for myself, a new camera, and a Tom-Tom Navigation system for Marcel. I figured since he has the car, he needs to make sure he doesn’t get lost along the way.

I hope to have more time this weekend to spend on the computer, but right now, my coffee awaits.

My Gratitude List for June 12, 2009.

Today I’m Grateful For:

• Sleeping late, and the cut in my mouth finally healing a little.
• My new camera, which takes awesome photos- and will be great to carry with me everywhere I go.
• Friendship.
• Birthday’s and anniversaries of people I love.
• Ice Cold Green Tea.

I’m home alone this evening- the second of two while Marcel is off working.  I had big plans of how I was going to spend my time, but somewhere I lost track and two hours have passed and I’m not sure where they went.  

Well, I shouldn’t say that I’m not sure where they went, because I’ve been trying to play ‘catch-up’  because I haven’t spent that much time online lately, and while I’ve made some progress, I’m still not fully caught up with emails- but there’s tomorrow.  

 I did make tenative plans to meet up with an old friend from High School who will be in the area for a layover while headed with a group of six for a missions trip.  I’m excited about meeting up with them and showing them around a little.  I’ll find out more details later this week.

I also made plans to meet up with my friend Vivi who lives several hours away.  We’ve been talking about getting together for a while, but our schedules haven’t allowed- but we’ve finally been able to work something out.  I’m looking forward to it.  Even though we’ve only met once,  I really like her and I know we’ll have a blast.  

Since I’m talking about travels- and friends-  I’m on the countdown until Samantha arrives for her trip.  Just a little over three weeks and she’ll be headed this way. I can’t wait!!   I’ve been planning and plotting, and I hope to make this trip not only special but memorable for her.  I love visitors from home!!

Since it’s getting late, I guess I should drink a glass of milk and go curl up on the couch and watch a little television.  That shouldn’t take long to lull me into sleep.  

Tomorrow, I’ve promised to make some of Marcel’s favorites for dinner.   Homemade fried chicken breast strips, italian seasoned breaded zucchini, and potatoes.   I know- it isn’t exactly what I’d call ‘healthy’  but he’s been asking for a while, and I decided that tomorrow I’d make it for him.  The moment I told him, his face lit up with excitement- and that makes it all worth the effort of cooking two meals.    I’ll stick to baked chicken with fresh zucchini, mushrooms, peppers and grape tomatoes.  YUM!

My Gratitude List for June 8, 2009.

Today I’m Grateful For:

• Making plans to spend the day with my friend Vivi.
• Notes on menapause from my friend Maggie. (Thank you!)
• Sleeping late this morning, and Marcel getting enough rest after working all night.
• One of my favorite shows starting a new season next week!
• The circus coming to town-  I’m going visit the animals!

Even though I’ve been extremely busy as of late, the one thing that has been equally as busy is the gray matter. I’ve been doing alot of thinking (what else is new?), and the more problems I see arise in the world, the more hate, the more discontent, the more wars, the fighting, the INSANITY-

…..The more I’m convinced that the world needs more LOVE.  Not Hollywood, feel-good-ooey-gooey-unrealistic-love, but real, true love.

I don’t care who you are, we ALL need love.

My Gratitude List for June 4, 2009.

Today I’m Grateful For:

• People who notice, and by doing so inspire and encourage.
• An afternoon spent shopping with Desere.
• Unexpected blessings, both large and small.
• Homemade chicken soup
• New life- Sheila’s baby was born yesterday.