Joys of February

 I took a few days off after my tsunami of January posts. But now it's Friday Fave Fives time, so I'm back. The link will take you to Susanne's blog and you can join us in finding five blessings from your week to share with us.

A friend posted a Dolly Parton quote about thankfulness on her blog yesterday.  I loved the last part... "Keeping my eyes open for the unexpected joys..."  YES!  If we focus on finding the joys, we find more joys.

1.  I finished the sewing project I have been working with for a couple of weeks and mailed it off to PAL today!  A pioneer dress.  I can't wait to receive some photos of her wearing it when she attends the Pioneer Museum with her homeschool group later in the month.

2.  On Saturday, we joined extended family for the first birthday party celebration for little M.  Chuck.E.Cheese was the location.  Little M had fun but his two big sisters probably had the best time.  The fave in this?  We got to be there and watch the little ones having such a fun time and having their photos taken with Chuck.

3.  What were we doing seventeen years ago?  Celebrating the birth of our first grandson!  Yes, Tall Boy's birthday was yesterday!  He's seventeen!!  How is that possible?

Well, he sure doesn't look like that anymore...  Happy Birthday, Tall Boy!

4. It must be birthday week.  Yes, another birthday to celebrate.  S, of S and T our Coffee Couple.  Her birthday was Wednesday.  We celebrated at the coffee shop where we met them four years ago. I am so very thankful for our friendship with them.

5.  We had ONE day of warm weather this week.   In fact, it was so warm outside that we took a three miles plus walk with Younger Daughter and her friend and the dogs along the same path and in the same woods as last week.  The snow was gone.  After our walk, we ate lunch outside on the patio of a local restaurant.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Outside.  In the elements.  But, the rest of the week we have had rain and ice and temperatures below freezing.  I am thankful for that one day to encourage us that spring will come.

I hope you are having a good month of February so far.  Keep your eyes open for the blessings!

Bad News Good News

Is it really April??  Wow.  This fast pace (on one hand) is making my head spin.  The slow pace of being at home (on the other hand) is also making me lose track of days.  It seems like our world is full of Bad News/Good News.   I am trying to focus on the Good News part.  Here are my Bad News Good News Friday Fave Fives.

1.  Bad News.  We are fighting a pandemic.  Good News.  We're all working on flattening the curve.

2.  Bad News.  We can't meet with friends and coworkers.  Good News.  You tube Sunday morning church services.  Zoom small groups.  Skype calls with some of my besties.

3.  Bad News.  Some people can't get out to shop.  Good News.  Our community, neighborhood, church are banding together (metaphorically speaking) to make sure people have what they need.  Example:  I just now had FRESH STRAWBERRIES dropped off on my door step.  Bliss!!

4.  Bad News.  Our health workers in the county are struggling to have enough masks.  Good News:  Some people in our community have banded together to make masks.  Personal detail here:  my friend (the same one who dropped off those strawberries) is providing fabric to make the masks. I think people are going through their stashes.  Some people are cutting the fabric.  Others are delivering it.  After burrowing around in our storage unit, we found the box where my sewing machine is packed.  I brought it home, set it up, and made fifteen masks yesterday--almost done; I just have the ties to sew on.  Also, we've ordered fabric from a store (drive by store pick up) so I can make masks for ourselves since our county is starting to require everyone to wear masks out in public areas.

5.  Bad News.  No.  I jut can't do any more bad news.  Good News.  The Professor and I are safe and well.  We have plenty of food to eat.  We are feeling the love of our community and are able to give back some of that love.

How are you handling the Bad News and Good News?