BIG HONKIN' SNOW BLOWERS

                                       

I'm In Love!          

This beast conquers snow!

The sun is finally shining today after 3 days of snow leaving over a foot of snow in our "rarely see snow" part of the country.

I've got sore muscles and a weary body from far too much time spent keeping our driveway and walkways clear for our home business.

Thank God we have a snow blower!  But even with it there was too much work to do.

I guess I have been spoiled for too long now, living here where an inch or two of snow twice a year is about the max.

So why do we even own a snow blower you ask?  Well certainly for rare times like this but also because when it does snow it is usually very wet and heavy snow.

It was a Canadian who invented the snow blower back in 1925.  His name was Arthur Sicard and he was from Montreal.  He based his invention on the concept of grain threshers used in farming to gather grain.  His snow blower could throw snow up to 90 feet.  This was an industrial snow blower designed to clear city streets.  It was later, that consumer snow blowers were invented so that everyone could have the ease of clearing their driveways during heavy snow fall.

I'm afraid it was not until 1999, when I was living out east, that I was fortunate enough to own my first snow blower.  What a difference it made to surviving winter in Ontario!

Many from Ontario are known to spend winters in Florida to escape the snow.  This, of course, is a good alternative to snow blowers - just leave the snow behind!

Floridian snowbirds have a different take on the situation though......

"AT LEAST IT'S NOT

HURRICANES!!"

Give Thanks!

CARE-FREE SHOPPING

I must confess.  I am not a typical female. 

Why, you ask?  Well, I really dislike shopping!

 Yes, we do exist.  But I only know of a handful of others like me.

For me shopping is only a necessity.  It's not that I don't like getting new clothes or jewelry or shoes or electronics and more.  Of course, I do. 

I love all those things but I don't like going to the stores to search for them and buy them.  It is time consuming, there are line ups and many times I cannot find what I am looking for so I conclude that I have wasted my valuable time.  Hence, I do not like shopping.

But the 21st century has brought the solution right into our homes, with online shopping.

What could be easier, faster and more convenient then searching amazon.com for your newest book or kitchen appliance?  Or how about booking your next vacation online instead of going to a travel agent to discuss your options.  There are convenient online versions of many of our favorite stores like Walmart, Macy's, JC Penny, Home Depot, Toys R Us, Costco and more.  We can even buy our groceries online.

My husband recently bought the newest John Grisham book for his iPad online and I just received in the mail my new Cuisinart Ice Cream Machine to make delectable homemade ice cream.  Last year I was able to find specialty head scarfs online, for a friend of mine fighting cancer, and have them delivered to her door.

Shopping online means no traffic jams, easy price comparisons between stores, no gasoline consumption, no store hours to adhere to,  fast finding of unique purchase items.  And it can all be done while still in your pajamas.

But yes, there is a downside.  You won't be able to try on that new dress until after you have paid for it and returning online purchases can be a hassle.  Hopefully, the retail store is in the vicinity of your home so that you can take returns there.  But if not, reshipping it back to the supplier is costly and burdensome.  Of course, there is also the initial shipping fee that is added on to your purchase price.   Sometimes it is too high making the purchase not worthwhile.  

Furthermore, you must be careful that the store you are buying from online is reputable and verified secure.  This should be clearly displayed on their website, as should a promise to protect your personal information, including your credit card number.  If you have any doubt about the security of shopping online from a particular store, then don't.  Move on to another store that you are confident will protect your private information.

Well, I certainly don't do all my shopping online but I do enjoy the convenience and I love my new Ice Cream Machine so I am thankful for the option of online shopping.

Give Thanks!

MIRACLE BABY

His name is Malachi.   In Hebrew it means, 'Messenger of God'.

He was even a miracle conception.  His parents had tried for years to conceive, utilizing fertility clinics with their modern technology to increase their chances of having the baby they so very much wanted.  Family and friends were all praying for a child to be conceived.

Finally, they received the news of pregnancy and there was much celebration and gratitude to God.

The pregnancy was progressing with no problems.  Each prenatal visit and ultrasound proved all was well.

Then after 31 weeks of pregnancy, the water broke and a little boy made it known that he wanted to experience the world.  Only problem was, he thought a breach approach was most suited.

So, then a C-Section was planned.  Everything seemed fine for little Malachi to wait a little longer to make his grand entrance so there were a few more hours of waiting while other babies decided it was a good day to be born.

Then it was Malachi's turn.  He was delivered all pink with limbs moving and a cry of exuberance.  But then time stood still as for some unknown reason, little Malachi suddenly stopped breathing.

Panic ensued.  There had been no indication of any potential problems.  Suddenly every specialist was called in to help.  CPR on a tiny 3 pound 14 ounce newborn was performed relentlessly for 30 minutes while family anxiously, tearfully waited.

Finally he was breathing again but with tubes everywhere to help him live.

Now he had a 20% chance of survival.  There was no clear understanding of what caused his heart to stop.  His family began a prayer vigil around him throughout the night.  They refused to give up.  They refused to believe this miracle baby did not have a future planned by God.  As the hours passed they just kept praying while the medical staff witnessed their faith and hope in a loving God.

By morning, little Malachi had a 80% survival rate.  Gradually less oxygen, tubes and medications were required.  The prayer vigil continued but now included enormous praise for God's goodness.

The  next day tests were performed to see if any brain damage had occurred while Malachi struggled to live.  He  had a 100% survival rate now but would there be lingering developmental effects resulting from his precarious start to life.  The results soon revealed that Malachi continued to live up to his reputation of Miracle Baby.

That same day, brand new 'Mom' was able to hold her bundle of blessing and joy in her arms, outside of the incubator, for the very first time.  What a sweet and glorious feeling!

I thank God today that the little baby I have been praying for, since before his conception, has finally entered this world.  In just a few days,  he has already lived up to his name: "Messenger of God".

Give Thanks!

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE!

If you are at all like me, you do not like being told 

"Patience Is A Virtue" when you are in the middle of a 'crisis' 

that is stretching your patience to the limit.

Nonetheless, patience is a virtue and one I certainly need to improve on.

Why am I prone to be so impatient in so many different situations?  I think the primary answer is my tendency to being a perfectionist.  And I think for any of us who struggle with impatience, the first step to overcoming the struggle is recognizing the cause or triggering factors.

Once we recognize the cause, we can develop a logical plan for a solution.  For me the solution is changing attitudes and perspectives.  And the steps to achieve these changed attitudes and perspectives are many.

My incorrect attitude is that everything should be done correctly and in a timely fashion.  Well that is all well and good in a perfect world.  But obviously we don't live in a perfect world so as much as I can aim for perfectionism in myself (and fail of course), I cannot realistically expect it from others.  And it is the 'others' out there that are testing my patience.  

I need realistic expectations of those around me or I am fighting an uphill battle.  My spouse, my children, my friends, my colleagues are all wired differently.  So, I can't expect each of them to do things the way I do; and if I do, it will result in frustration and impatience.

Also, proper perspective keeps us focused on what really matters in this world and in the process minimizes situations that will cause impatience.  (Reminder to Self: "Don't sweat the small stuff")   Furthermore, my perspective needs to change and recognize that the world is a lot bigger than just me and I don't have control over all of it.  (Reminder to Self: "I am not God")  I can only control my actions.  

• Not the actions of the slow driver I am stuck behind when I am in a hurry.  
• Not the tardy arrival of an important parcel in the mail.  
• Not the flight delays at the airport due to bad weather.  
• Not the sale of my house when the real estate market is slow.

So what practical steps can I take to be more patient in these and many other situations?

There are several things I try that help, as long as I remember to do them in the needed moment (that's the toughest part of all).

First, I pray because God is in control and can give me some of His patience that is never ending.  I can also take some slow deep breaths, distract myself by reading.  Singing always has a calming affect on me, writing in a journal (or blog) can be helpful as well. 

A good thing to learn is to be a passive observer in situations that stretch our patience.  This involves consciously observing situations without judging or forming an opinion.  Instead of fuming with impatience at the airport with the extended delay, look around and acknowledge the situation without allowing it to annoy you.  This obviously takes practice but is worth the effort.

Remember too that being patient with other people shows respect for them.  And when we all respect each other, the world is a better and happier place.

Life is meant to be a beautiful journey, not a race.  So slow down and enjoy the ride.

For every minute we are angry with impatience, we lose 60 seconds of happiness.

I'm thankful that God has enough patience for both of us and He loves to share.

Give Thanks!

MUSIC THAT MOVES YOUR SOUL

I was driving in my car today listening to my satellite radio play my favorite music at a deafening volume.   I grew up in a musical home and appreciate a variety of music but what I love most is gospel music that moves my soul and lifts my spirit.  Well that's the music my ears were soaking in today while my eyes absorbed the beauty of the mountains and sunshine around me.    Alone with the rich worship music, my heart drew close to God.  As I sang along with the songs the words became my heartfelt prayers.......I LOVE MUSIC!

What's not to love?  It is hard for me to imagine that there could possibly be someone who does not like any music.  Surely there is something out there for everybody.  And I would think that music has moved most of us somehow at sometime.  Whether it be the words of Rap music that personalize our feelings in a given moment or the extravagant sound of classical music such as 'Handel's Messiah' during the Christmas season.

Music has been with us from the beginning of time.  It has evolved into such a vast variety and the kind of music we each enjoy, whether classical, rock n' roll, country or rap, ultimately reflects who we are.  As we age and as music evolves, our tastes can change but the effect it has on us does not.

Our world would be very different if there was no music.  I can't even imagine it.  What would a wedding be without music?  Who doesn't love a live band in a bar on the weekend?  How would we properly celebrate Christmas without the familiar Christmas songs playing wherever we go?  Without music there would be no dance.  Well that's another unthinkable altogether.

So whatever music it is that you most enjoy.....Turn it up!  Soak it in!  And....

Give Thanks!