Friday, December 15, 2017

Beginning to Look Like Christmas

Friday Greetings from a grey and frigid East Coast.  Snow has fallen and melted twice in the past week.  And now it's snowing again.  Yeah.  This Southern California girl is confused.


This week's Friday Fave Fives may be a bit confused, too.  I am thankful even in the midst of a bit of chaos and cold.

1.  Although I have visited Washington, D.C. a few times, I hadn't seen anything of the US capital except the National Mall and a few museums.  Last weekend, I stayed in DC with a long time friend who has moved there.  We were homeschool and church friends in Oregon, in a far away time and place.  We always connect if she is in California or I am in DC, but this time it was just the two of us hanging out at her home and drinking tea and talking.  We had planned to hike and explore (yes, there ARE hiking trails in DC!), but the snow and freezing cold wind changed our plans.  Sunday morning, we attended her church, and that too was a blessing.

Best House in DC


complete with guard dog


2.  Driving through residential neighborhoods and along two lane roads gives one a very different feel than the official areas.  And of course the snow added another layer of perspective.



3.  Daughter #2's moving schedule has changed a bit as she found out through 'chance meetings'* and 'chance conversations'* that the military will indeed pay for the move although her husband is a!ready retired from the Marine Corps.  I can't adequately express what a blessing this is!  AND, the movers will come in and PACK everything, too!  This has taken so much financial and physical/emotional pressure off.  *I don't believe in 'chance'--these were God orchestrated events.

4.  I love my cell phone.  The Professor is in California and I am on the east coast.  We can still talk at least twice a day.

5.  Some knitting is happening.  I finished a pair of socks for my daughter using that yarn from HER stash that I mentioned last week, and since there is plenty left over, I'm working on a matching pair for me.


Update on the home county fires:  still burning, still windy.  Please pray for Ventura County!

9 comments:

Karen said...

I've been thinking of you as the fire reports continue to come in on the news. Still praying!

Washington DC has so much to offer. How nice for you to spend time with your friend, just the two of you! What a treasure!

Great news for your daughter. And technology sure has its pluses.

Faith said...

My small group has been praying for all you SoCal folks!!

Isn't the east coast interesting in the winter?? Two weeks ago i was hiking in 60 degree temps and today's high was a whopping 26!! But...winter arrives in one week and some snow on the ground makes everything so picture postcard perfect for Xmas!

God has indeed moved regarding your daughters move!!! Praise His Name!!

Enjoy the weekend. when do you fly back to CA?

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Oh the fires are just terrible. You were fortunate to see such pretty snow!

Barbara H. said...

My husband has always wanted to visit DC, but so far it hasn't worked out. My two oldest have gone, though, on class trips. Glad you got to go!

What wonderful provision for your daughter and her husband!

I love how cell phones make it so much easier to keep in touch.

nikkipolani said...

Have wanted a return visit to DC, but it hasn't happened yet -- glad you could go and be with a friend and see the city from her perspective. I was thinking about you and the fire areas as roomie and I made our annual trek to Santa Barbara to visit friends. The air quality is amazingly bad -- enough to consider evacuating! Yes, all those folks and firefighters are in my prayers.

ellen b said...

How wonderful to be in D.C. with a friend. The best way to visit any place. So happy to hear about the moving help for daughter. What a blessing. So sad to see the photos of the fires in Ventura County and Santa Barbara, too. Ugh.

Jocelyn said...

I have been thinking of you and keeping a close eye on those fires. My thoughts go out every day to the firefighters and residents. I'm glad that you're having such a lovely and peaceful trip! Stay warm :)

Tracy said...


Prayers still on the way for California... And so glad you & yours are still OK there... It has been so heart breaking to see the raging fires in the news every day... *sigh*... So glad all has ironed out so well for your daughter's move--what a bonus that they won't have to pay for it all themselves! God is sooo good at ironing things out! ;) Love seeing pics from your East coast stay... Makes me a little homesick, in a good way. LOVELY socks! Here's wishing you & yours a very BLESSED & BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS and all the VERY BEST in 2018! ((HUGS))

betty-NZ said...

I love seeing God's hand in our lives! Still praying about the fires. Merry Christmas.