Trekking with Me

SNOW DAY!  But I have yet to see one snow flake fall in my yard.  I am still hopeful... and very thankful for a day at home.  A snow-day, even without snow, is a wonderful blessing.  Today I have hunkered down after cleaning up Sasha's feather mess.  That use to be the swing cushion: This is what it USE to look like: So what does one do on a snow day without any snow? I have actually been quite productive and tackled a few things I have been wanting to do but weren't exactly on the top of my list.  Here are a few: Renewed my passport!  It's expiring in a few months and I hope to go somewhere on a plane this year.  A few of my hopeful destinations include Uraquay, Ireland and who knows where else.  So, my wishful thinking made me proactive today!   Print my money challenge for the year.  I saw someone post this: I thought it was quite the creative plan.  So, I printed it today, finally, and checked off...

IMG_5201 , a photo by tamigirl814 on Flickr. 1. Sleeping in and waking to natural light and singing birds wafting through my bedroom windows. 2. Having a coffee and an everything bagel with cream cheese at Panera Bread. Oh Yum, such a treat! 3. Enjoying my time at Panera with a sweet friend. 4. Hearing Truth resonate in my Spirit, bringing me into more and more freedom! (This of course tops the chart, but these are not necessarily in order.) 5. Bittersweet goodbye, a dear elderly friend has entered the Gates of Heaven, and met Jesus face to face this morning. She is walking with Him now, Hallelujah!  6. Another day I sense my Kingdom Perspective being enhanced and sharpened. We are here for His Glory, His Kingdom and His Design. 7. Spring weather is here: a friend calls it "Sprummer" as SC's tempts rise quickly.... I love Spring.  8. Going Grocery shopping: love to know my kitchen is ready to be used appropriately! 9. Naps.... headed for one rea...

It's five till 2 AM as I begin typing out these words.  Reason in being awake is a certain low grade ache in my ears, a channel of pain on either side of my nostrils running up to the inner corners of my eyes, a left nostril which is officially clogged: simply a general inability to breathe while my head is in the horizontal position. After a few hours of almost asleep, waking to attempt to relieve the pressure by blowing, attempting to find slumber again, scrabbling to find that nasty already-been-used tissue that fell out of my hands (again) and loving Vicks Rub more with each application, I decided I would surrender, sit up and blog. Winter seems to avail plenty more opportunities to get such an ailment.  This time I am highly suspicious of the lovely elementary kiddo's I substituted for earlier in the week.  Those snotty nose kids shared their germs and I did not wash my hands enough.   It was worth it. As I sit here in my misery, I am notably aware the ble...

It's an adventure being a single woman, especially when it involves car maintenance and mechanic shops: not my favorite hang out.  G.R.O.S.S. I prefer the local Sears automotive shop connected to the mall.  Starbucks and I have at least an hour long date.  It is great. Until my phone rings and I hear the inevitable. "Hello, This is Tammie." "Ah, yes, Miss Hull, we have not finished rotating your tires because we wanted to let you know that the insides of your wheels are in bad shape because they are not aligned properly.  We recommend new tires and alignment." "What!?" "Ah, yes, ma'am.  Do you want us to go ahead and put new tires on?" "What!? ..." So, the conversation digressed until they knew I was about to have a heart attack, they better NOT change my tires, just do what I came in for - a FREE service and give me a quote! Please and thank you. When they handed me the quote, I honestly felt nauseous as I read ...

At this very moment, I am reclining on my bed, in the middle of the day, the sun is shining in my open window, a breeze is flowing through the house, as Pepper is all sprawled out and snoring under the natural light.  I hear birds singing in the trees... a delicious quiet stillness envelopes my house, my room... Sometimes, we just need to listen to the cry of our hearts... the little child inside of us... and allow them to tell us what to do. Reading homework on the swing in the back yard... Getting a soft-serve ice cream cone at McDonalds, eat it as slow as you possibly can with the sunroof open... letting the wind be your orchestra. Drinking a chai... savoring it's warm spicy calming complexities, as you walk through Lowes shopping with your favorite person. Enjoying a warm affectionate hug with your sweetie... in the middle of the pasta section at Publix... just because. Play... laugh, sing and dance. Matthew 18:3  Jesus said, "What I'm about to tell you...

My heart is very grateful tonight.  God has given me so much. 1.  Each day is designed by God, somedays we actually notice it.  Today was one of those days.  I am grateful to see His Loving Fingerprints over each minute of this day. 2.  I am grateful for some wise mentors God has placed in my life.  God has put two amazingly gentle, loving, grace-filled and wisdom-filled ladies to walk by my side as I experience my internship phase of my program of study.  Seriously, as I prayed for "supervisors" - I did not want someone who would simply help me check off a list, but women who I could be mentored and trained through - by their LIVES and not just their words.  God has done that and I am truly grateful for these women: He has blessed me abundantly more than I even dreamed. 3.  I love my new job.  Oh, I guess I had not shared that little change in my life.  It was a process getting to where I am working, a scary process because i...

I had a little fun this morning on my walk.  I was dying to get out in the woods and take my clippers to cut back some vines so when spring REALLY springs I will still be able to find my way through the 100 acre woods.  I took my camera this morning... here are a few shots I got... I did not edit any of these either!! This was fun.... then guess who popped up on the other side of a big pile of railroad ties... Sasha! "Hi Mom! What a cool place to climb!" "How is this pose, Mom?" :-) I could not have gotten her to pose more perfectly... A few flowers are peeking out... the neighborhood is blossoming more, but this is  back in the untouched area...  We did see a LIVE doe, she was a good size too.... this is remains from a buck...  Not sure what happen to him.

For this little FL chick the last few days have been "Brrrrrrrr!!!" here in South Carolina! I had to turn on the heat to get the chill out of the house a few mornings ago. I tried holding out...to save money... and I made it the whole month of October plus a few days on either side without heat or AC. But when the top of my head and my ears get cold when I am sleeping and I wake up shivering, IT IS TIME FOR THE HEAT - and my flannel sheets. My flannel sheets are ONE of my FAVORITE things about the temps dropping. There isn't anything much cozier than snuggling down into my sweet bed wrapped all up in my flannel sheets. It is as snug as a bug in a rug.... It is a Beautiful day this November 8th. I am kinda feelin' like a slug because when it's cold i just like to curl up and stay warm; so this morning I did not walk Sasha, though I did go to the gym, but our class was canceled so I did not push myself near as hard - cause I am a wimp like that when no one ...

Having fun with my New Camera.  I had an idea to chronicle my day.... these are a few things that delighted my heart this morning on my walk with Sasha. Some Morning Glory! These plants/weeds/colors are so cool... not really flowers but specks of orange to make it so pretty! Brilliant Fushia Sweet friends... this is one of a handsome set of twins... the other guy did not like the camera! :-) Love the view...  Where is that squirrel!!? Singing with Raffe :-) Smile Mommy  Garage Sale finds... lovely :-) I have a handsome brother - don't tell him i said so. ;-) One of my most treasured blessings.... The picture can't even capture the amount of talent happening here... God is so good to allow me to worship with these peeps. "Thank You Lord for Giving to me...."

It was over 60 degrees today and full of SUNSHINE! It was a great day today; I got up and had a short jog/long walk with my Sasha and a friend on my favorite trail here in Columbia. I was HAPPY to have to take off my sweatshirt as we enjoyed the morning - even though it was still in the 30's, it was a beautiful morning. I believe I see hints of green in my yard... grass?! I saw buds birthing... in a few weeks those buds with birth FLOWERS! And... tomorrow... sailing is on the docket. It is suppose to be in the upper 60's, a beautiful sunny day; the sails need some airing out! Amazing what Sunshine does for the Soul! The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Proverbs 4:18

Lately I have been so thirsty for time with God. I have noticed I have been having a hard time focusing lately. When you have a "routine" for so many years - even though it is a very significant routine - you may find yourself falling asleep because it is so routine. Well, over the last few months I felt I wanted to do something new with my quiet times with God, so I bounced around trying new things.... but then I wasn't focused and i lost some depth that I usually enjoy. So, I knew I needed to pull back and do what I have always done....and enjoy HIM. Last night I went to bed knowing and purposing and desiring to spend quality time with Him today. I pulled out my familiar tools, a cup of coffee and drew up close to Him. I opened my Chronological Bible and picked up a few days behind where I should have been but I didn't care which date it said, I was just thirsty! Psalm 40 was the second Psalm for the date.... I didn't get much farther that that! He bega...

How thankful I am to feel the warm spring breezes blow through the house today....Oh how tired I have grown of the coldness. I know, it wasn't as intense as they have had out west or in the Northeast, but it was still more bitterly cold than I am use to and I was getting weary of the cold days. Trees and bushes are starting to bloom...it is so pretty. I love Spring. A few years ago, a friend of mine gave me a note on the first day of Spring; I don't think I have stopped before that day to notice the official first day of Spring but it loved the thought - winter is OVER and NEW Life is bursting forth!!! Time to celebrate Easter - Our Risen Lord has conquered Death!!! What a WONDERFUL TIME OF YEAR!!! Old things are made NEW! Yes!! So, I want to be more mindful of this time of year; anyone want to have a SPRING PARTY? I had a good day today; little things made it nice - waking up early, enjoying the morning sky, rollerblading with Sasha, meeting a friend for coffee - ha...

Yesterday was a great day. I couldn't NOT make a note of it. I have been making a mindful effort to work on memorizing scriptures - two a month. The LPM blog sent out this challenge as our new years challenge - to make this truly a JESUS year, to be transformed daily - this means, washing out minds with the Word of God. I can testify that as I have made this effort, I have felt more steady in my days and hope and joy are bubbling over the rim of my heart. So, yesterday - I woke in a happy mood but i had a few strings of "worry" that were trying to keep the wings of my heart from experiencing the beautiful winds of the New day. I had one of those "moments in time" as i was getting ready for my day. You know, like when it feels like someone pauses everything, the scene is frozen and etched in your mind, and God speaks Life - and you have a choice to receive it or ignore it. I was in the hallway between the bathroom door and my office door and the words of...

How I wish I had a digital camera so I could have captured the lovely snow today! This is about the best I could do - use my webcam! It was SO pretty; it snowed softly until about 2pm. I was like a little kid when I woke up this morning - and powder covered the yard! I almost ran into my roommates room and shouted for her to wake up and see it! Sasha and I had a fun romp! She was game for a few ball tosses!

After posting such a post as yesterday, I knew I needed to report on how God made my day today a Great day! First, last evening I heard some news that put a fear in me about my finances. These days can be scary if we focus on the economy - but we are to set our hearts and minds on things above. Well, because of that news, I had a bit of a fitful night, my soul was calling out for the Lord to do something and show me what to do, if anything. He promised to take care of us - and the verse I am memorizing reminds me that He watches over me and where I am. I am standing on that! So, this morning, I went before the Throne of Grace with a heightened need. Lord, help me and guide my steps today! So, I had a focused purpose today, to move on the need to find a solution to my problem. As I moved, believing God was leading me to do what needed to be done, my Spirit sang within! Yes, I believe God met me and moved me. I enjoyed this day and I believe He lead me in some divine appoi...

Tonight I enjoyed going shopping with a friend. She and I shared the same disdain for shopping so we made a good pair - IN & OUT, "what's the next item on the list?" okay, list done! I have been called "the purpose driven shopper" - let's make this as fast and painless as possible please! Our last stop was a notable book store and as she found her last item on her list, I meandered around; a bookstore is an pleasant and interesting place to wait for someone. As I made my way through the calendar section, getting a few laughs from a "BAD CAT" calendar - (hilarious!), my eye caught a little coffee table book called: "14,000 things to be Happy about!" It was sweet and simple and gave me an idea of this post! So here are a few things, but not nearly as many as 14,000, I found to be happy about JUST today!! --hanging clothes on the line, a cup of italian coffee, two handsome toddlers to love on, sunshine, flip-flops, the sound of ...