Trying to get in - great!

It started Sunday - when opening the garage door after church.
I was greeted by a huge black spider sitting on top of a pillow. Finding my handy spray insect eliminator, I sprayed this huge invader and he simply walked away. UUGGGHHH!
Two hours later, I saw another one on the other side of the garage - UUGGHHH! I broke my broom trying to shoe that one out of the garage.
So, I called my pest management team. They had sprayed a week ago - what was happening?
They could come on Thursday at 10. Great!
Thursday at 8:30 - just pulled into the garage from a work out - and another one on a floor - UUGGHHH! I froze in my car.
What is it about these spiders? I can take care of little ones, but this critter is huge. So, I do what any brave woman would do - I called the exterminator and asked him to come an hour earlier. I could sit in my car till then. He couldn't.
So, I called neighbors. Two darling women came over in minutes - I hoped one of them did not share my uneasiness with these critters.
I moved the ladder in front of it, Pam slammed a piece of cardboard on it and did a dance. She called it a spider dance! It worked.
So, at 10, Chad, the exterminator, was kind enough to throw out the cardboard and identified the critter - a wolf spider - even he was surprised at the size - wondered why it was so large in this area. Could it be all the corn fields in Aurora??
Chad sprayed my basement again - and crawl space - but did not see any webs.
He said they were probably trying to get inside for the warmth - not coming from inside out to my garage.
Trying to get in - not out - that was good news.
Now, I hope the rest can find shelter underground somewhere down the block - and that they stop trying to become my house guests!
Blessings,
Mary

18 years ago and today

Yes, it was 18 years ago today - October 8, 1994 - that I took a walk with Erin and cried - telling her how I had to break up with David that evening.
And, all the while, he had purchased a ring and asked her and my other children for permission to marry me. How difficult it must have been for her to watch me cry knowing the joy that the day would bring.

Life can be funny. We can spend a lot of tears on something that is not real.
Our emotions can control a minute, an hour or a day - depending on how long we
"camp" with them.
I started out that day in sadness - and had trouble falling asleep that evening due to overwhelming joy.

So, what does today hold for each of us?
I have a plan. Instead of starting out with sadness, I choose to start out the day with an expectant heart! I do believe that Our Lord has joy planned for me today - in fact, He is probably speaking to someone on my behalf right now - and I may have trouble falling asleep tonight due to overwhelming joy!

And, to all those with overwhelming circumstances that do not yet see a ray of light - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
We really do not understand how much He loves us and the plans He has for us.

With an expectant heart - God bless you with Joy today.

For Jesus' Glory,
Mary

Feeling Normal!!

Wow! Can a little bug really affect our bodies. Thinking I had a head cold, I decided to cancel some appointments - good call - only to come down with a fever.
Now, if you have not had one lately - I do not recommend it. Besides your head feeling like it is moving without your help, everything from tile floor to sheets becomes freezing! Trying to consume fluids - keeping cold compresses on your head - the remedies help, but until you experience that wonderful sweat that means it has broken - it is a "trip" as they would say in the 60's :)
And, then comes the morning! Glorious! Very weak, yet thrilled to not experience the freezing tile, I walk gingerly - testing the waters. My head is back to normal - oh - this feels good.
So, I wonder - do we really ever appreciate these tremendous bodies? I think I take mine for granted sometimes. Waking up and moving about normally - what a blessing!
I appreciate the little things this morning - desiring a bowl of cereal - doing laundry - actually, any movement that allows me to go from point A to point B without dizziness!
So, I thank God for my "earthly tent" that houses my spirit - and the way He designed it to carry me about my day.
May you enjoy your body today - the complexity of such a gift amazes me and I am so grateful for the design!
Blessings!

Conscience

Friends! Painting the laundry room - yes - a beautiful shade of "sandy beach" so I can do laundry while near the ocean :) - my mind keeps focusing on one thing: Going back on this site to apologize - my conscience requires it!
Words are amazing - they can do so much good - and yet, can also be confusing.
So, just to be sure I am writing correctly, I am grateful that I now know laws
of cell phones in construction areas.
In fact, it has been a long time coming for me to take using my cell phone while
driving seriously.
Think about it - if I am on the phone, I am not giving my full attention to either
the phone call or to my driving - two very important things - because they involve others. I truly desire to give my full attention to anyone I am on the phone with and I really want to give my full attention to other drivers - or pedestrians - because I would want the same from them while operating a huge vehicle!
So, there it is - joking about it may have been a little "over the top" and if so, I apologize. I do want to enjoy life and I love to joke -
but, driving is serious business.
Love you!

$.75 or $120?

It started by having my credit card statement say "$40 for Replenishing I-Pass" way too often. So, I called the I-Pass office and found out that every time I go onto I-88 or 355, the minimum - yes minimum cost is $.75 or $1.50 for a round trip to Villa Park, Lombard, Lisle or Elmhurst from Aurora. I thought we were still paying $.40 each way - or a total of $.80 for a round trip.
Now, I have often believed that if we take care of the pennies, God will take care of the dollars and I am accountable to Him for how I spend what He has entrusted to me. I have truly believed it all belongs to Him - and try to spend accordingly.
So, I decided to take Ogden, Butterfield or Roosevelt Road lately - avoiding the costly expressways. Yes, it takes a little more time - but I decided it was worth it.
Until today.
Coming out of a restaurant on Butterfield Road, just west of Naperville Road - where the longest construction project ever is still taking place - I passed Naperville Road (avoiding taking the expressway home - HA - saved $.75) and, as I continued west on Butterfield Road, noticed a police officer looking at me. I checked my speed and was happy to see that I was going the limit, so I continued on - talking to my brother on my cell phone. It was rare that I did not plug in my hands free cord to speak while driving - but knowing I was not in Chicago, I thought I was okay.
When I saw the lights - I knew I was caught - but not sure for what. He instructed me that talking on the cell phone in construction or school zones was illegal - OUCH!
He said I could use my cord attached to my phone - and thus be on it - anytime - anywhere - even around the airports in Chicago - as long as my hands were free.
And, the ticket issued for $120 not only taught me a lesson on the rules I was not aware of - it also made me long for the expressway :)
Blessings!

Do Trees Remember?

It has become holy ground to me.
As I look at the worn down pavement which has long lost its black color and the great expanse of a rich green grassy field, I see myself in many memories.

It was here that I first skipped as my toddlers tried to walk to the huge swirly slide now replaced with a sturdier, smaller one. It was here that I sat outside and listened to concerts in the warm August air as the children giggled to the music. It was here that I spent more hours than I could count playing baseball with them - first teaching them to hold a bat and later years celebrating a good game, all the while laughing as the dust and green stains covered our bodies. I can still see the team pictures being taken near the scoreboard - each year the children changing in their height next to their coach. The concession stand became a favorite stop on a summer evening with nachos and licorice. On many nights, working the stand helped me treat the children to special portions ;)

It was here that I walked around and around in a square - I think 3/4 of a mile in all on the exterior proximity, first pushing my babies in strollers, then running alongside the back of their bikes as they learned to ride a two wheeler. One segment of the pavement was nicknamed for its dangerous drop - the "screaming eagle" - yet it is simply a small decline to the adult eye. And, this pavement on Halloween - oh, such special costumes have walked here - carrying bags of treasured treats.

When I became a single Mom, I would walk around this exterior twice - taking time to clear my head and think. This pavement has witnessed many tears of failure - but just as many light bulb moments of revealed hope.
This 3/4 mile jaunt also became a favorite area to stroll on a Sunday afternoon when a new friend, David, began to date me. It was walking this pavement that really allowed us to get to know each other, as we shared some of our past experiences and future hopes.
And, it was here that I met and kept some of my most cherished friends - precious gifts from God - who shared - and continue to share - many seasons of my life.

I remember the Veteran's Memorial being built here - it became a sweet tribute to the great sacrifice of so many. The many memorial services held here, along with the parades that trumped past it, always reminded me of the celebration of life and the precious gift it is, which can fly by so quickly.

As I look toward the magnificent trees bordering this slice of land - as I gaze at their expanse, I wonder - do they remember?
They have seen me here before - many times.
I remember. I want to hug them for they witnessed it all here - on this holy ground.

Enjoy today and the holy ground you walk. Love you.
Mary

Bean Bag League??

Well, I have been living in this community since October, so I decided to sign up for something. It is a very active community with plenty of activities listed in the club house. I have tried a Bible Study and enjoyed that, but wanted to participate in an activity - like sporting - of some kind.
So, I saw an advertisement for "Saturday - Bean Bags" - and signed up. I have played the game with my children and can pitch it pretty close to the intended hole in the board :)

Yesterday, I received a notice to pick up my schedule - schedule?? Yes, schedule. I did not sign up for a day of bean bag tossing - I signed up for a league!
So, for the next six Saturdays, early in the morning, I will be tossing bean bags alongside others - 15 teams in all, so 30 of us - and hoping to pitch some of them in the correct direction - hopefully even falling into the hole in the board.
We will see if any of them make it.
I think I need to read a little further when signing my name to lists :)
Have a blessed day.