April 29

It's hard to blog when you're out in the wilderness camping.  We enjoyed a weekend with another couple camping at Blue Springs State Park.  We decided to venture out Friday early evening to "scout" out what we would like to do on Saturday.  The setting sun left us with some stunning photos.



Hmmm, the water didn't seem too cold for tubing for Saturday afternoon.



But, how will it be swimming with all the alligator gar?



The Thursby House, which was the home of the original plantation owners
back in the day might be a neat thing to tour.



I don't know what this plant is, but I just liked the way the red popped out amongst
the browns, greens, and golds of the landscape.  It was pretty.

When we got back to camp after wandering around for an hour and a half,
we settled in playing games until bedtime.

Saturday morning, Clif and I headed out for a 7 mile hike.  The trail had been moved to
a fire vehicle road which made for a boring and HOT time on that part of the trail, but the
fun was identifying all the bear tracks!



The front pads...



Notice the claw marks above his hind paw?  Too bad we didn't see the bear.



I enjoyed hiking through the hammocks most of all because of the shade.
I was sweating like a hog, hiking in 90 degree weather, and it was only 11am.



Clif in his element.



Trish in a fern patch.



The cypress swamp.



Saturday night, this bunny was just outside our site on the main road.

It was a fun and adventurous weekend, but it's also nice to be home in the
comforts of the air conditioned home. :)

April 25

Today I am grateful to get off of work a half hour early.  This allowed me an earlier workout which in turn left plenty of time to get in some grocery shopping before cooking dinner, cleaning up, and going to choir practice.  It has been a satisfying, productive day. :)

April 24

Aaahhh, the refreshing cool air in late April is a real treat.  I have been in hog heaven for 2 days!  Thank you God for such a nice reprieve.  I am grateful because I know by week's end it will probably be toasty, not to mention what the summer will be.  Just gotta love it, and I do. :)

April 23

I am sure you have noticed I haven't blogged for quite a few days.  I was in Clearwater with my dad, helping him along in his recouperation since his operation last Monday.  I tried to get onto the Blogspot, but for some reason, his computer had a block for my account.  Not sure how all that works.  Anyway, I am grateful that his recovery that is going well.  There are a few minor issues, but nothing to blog about.  They are being taken care of.

Yesterday however, was the best of our days with unexpected blessings.  I was able to get communion for him to bring home after Mass.  I went early (6:45am) so he'd still be sleeping while I was gone.  But after lunch, Indigo Buntings invaded his backyard.  They are the most spectacular blue we've ever seen!  I had to email my cousin who is a bird watcher to help in the identifying because my dad, nor myself had never seen one before.  There were about 20 in all a mix between male and female. 

                             



Next to appear on scene was a yellow warbler, then 2 brown thrashers, finches of many different markings, then the old faithfuls...cardinals, bluejays, mocking birds, and a morning dove.  We were just wondering what phoenomina brought such a variety for our pleasure!

April 16

Today I am grateful my dad's surgery was successful.  He had an aortic anuerism.  All Glory Be to God who hears and answers our prayers! 

April 15

Not much happening today.  It was truly a day of rest.  I thank God for that.  I did have an opportunity to go back to the church at 3:00 to participate in the Divine Mercy Sunday.  It was moving, and brought tears to my eyes.  I had gone to http://www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/ website that I've been using this season.  I clicked for today which is Divine Mercy Sunday, and got an education and a wealth of knowledge on what this day is all about.  I was glad to have read this which inspired me to spend extra time with Him today. :)

April 14

Today I am thankful to have been able to go outside in this windy, cloudy weather and harvest some of the crop before the storm moves through.  We have been blessed with another bountiful harvest! :)

April 13

I don't know why they always have hype on "Friday, the 13th"!  People think the day is a horrible day, but for me, they have always been a normal, uneventful day.  Today was no different.  I was thankful today that first, I had an easy day at work.  It was an assignment as a paraprofessional.  For this job, I was required to be one on one with a student who has accomodations for his learning goals.  The teacher wished me luck, and showed me bruises she had received this week from his outbursts.  I let her know I wasn't anticipating any problems as I had said my prayers this morning, but on the way to picking up the children from the "waiting" area, I decided to also call upon St. Michael the Archangel who defends us in battles just in case.  Well, neither let me down.  The teacher (and his mother) were shocked that he such a wonderful, productive day.  I was not surprised at all.  After all, isn't it God who answers our prayers?  All Glory be to Him who intervened throughout the day and directed our thoughts and actions.  It was a peaceful day indeed. 

Also, in this classroom was the student who was in the horrific accident last month on her way to school that ended up taking the life of her mother.  I had an opportunity to play with her and the child I was assigned to during PE.  Her eyes are the most beautiful blue.  And when I look at her, I sense the Holy Spirit within her wrapping her in His love.  She is so peaceful, and seems to have adjusted wonderfully.  I inquired to the teacher how things are going.  She said great for the child, but not for dad.  So, I have offered prayers on his behalf that he recognizes and seizes God's love through this time of grief.

The third thing I was grateful for was a good workout.  I had more energy than usual, and was able to increase the weight amounts as a result.  Even my cardio was kicked up a notch!

Last, I was happy to have been asked to keep Dolly (Michael and Valerie's dog) for the evening and tomorrow.  I had been missing my Cocoa this past week.  It's nice to be able to have the opportunity to love a dog for the short term instead of a long term commitment.  It was just what I needed. :)

April 12

Yes, the same story repeats itself yet again.  I've missed 3 days of blogging "something to be thankful for".  I did have a heart of gratitude these past few days, but found myself waking up around midnight with the laptop sleeping on my lap, just for me to close the lid and head off to bed.

Monday, I was grateful because the Kindergarten class I taught was well behaved.  I thought they would be "wild" due to excessive candy left by the Easter Bunny.  That didn't happen.  They were focused, glad to see me as I was glad to see them, and a day a fun learning took place.

Tuesday, I was grateful that we had our first ladies prayer group session beginning our new book, Living God's Will.  We were also able to enjoy fellowship and share in our Easter Joy.

Wednesday, I thought I was going to have the day off as no work came in early.  I had called Stephen to let him know I would be able to hem his new FHP pants, only to call him back 10 minutes later to let him know I had to go to work.  I was able to hem his pants last night...choir was cancelled so we could recuperate from our busy Holy Week and rest our voices.  I was relieved to get an assignment as work is sparce this week and next due to statewide testing. But, the teacher I had taught for the week earlier had never gotten better, and during her observation, the Principle wanted to know why she was at work when it was obvious she wasn't well (possible stroke).  I now have work the next 5 days while more tests are being run.  Please offer prayers on her behalf as the doctors haven't been able to diagnose what is causing the numbness on the left side of her body.  I'm thinking it's a compacted disc.

Today, I was grateful to have had a night to finally relax.  I actually spent the past 3 hours going through the 100 emails I had neglected since Monday of last week.  It is amazing what you can live without when your priorities are realigned.  But I do enjoy reading, viewing PPS, the jokes, devotionals, etc.  It is nice entertainment if you know what I mean.

My morning prayer has continued into the Easter Season, and it is my hope that I will make it a life long priority.  My days have been so much more blessed since I have "wrapped" them in prayer. :)

April 8

It was a Happy Easter indeed!  Clif and I went to Clearwater to my sister Barbara's house to celebrate.  The boys were each doing their own thing, and we had an invite so took advantage of it.  We had a wonderful time.  I especially enjoyed the laughter!  We ate, shared stories of our journeys, and played games.  It was a gorgeous day.  We spent it entirely outdoors on the back deck.  The breeze kissed our cheeks, and the sun warmed our souls.  I was so glad to have been able to spend the day with family.  Family is so important to me.


From bottom, and continuing around clockwise...
Pete, Jennifer, Clif, Diane, Barbara, Vicky, and Krista.  Not in picture were Dad, Jimmy, and Mark.  They were inside watching The Masters tournament.






Looking down upon us was this adorable little owl made from scrap metal.  He just made me smile every time I looked at it!  Thanks God for a wonderful day and safe travels. :)

April 7

Today I was grateful for perfect weather.  The house was opened all day, and a fresh Spring breeze filtrated throughout.  I have now moved out of Lent, and into Easter mode.  I had to go shopping for treats.  I don't buy any during Lent.  Clif has surely missed his chocolate!  The decorations are up.  The eggs are filled with candy, and placed in a centerpiece Clif made when the boys were little.  Jelly beans have filled the candy jar on the side table, and Clif has been munching all day. :)

April 6

Good Friday.  And it has been a Good Friday.  For the first time, when I venerated the cross tonight, I was totally able to bring my Cross to Jesus'.  What a feeling that was!  After that, the next two songs we sang brought tears of joy to my eyes.  Never has a Good Friday celebration been so meaningful.  Thank you Lord for the revelations You have given me this Lent.  I will be caring them long into my journey beyond this Lenten Season. :)

April 5

Today is Holy Thursday where we commemorate the Last Supper of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  The readings and reflections I did this morning were pretty intense.  Then again, this whole Lenten Season for me has been intense as I allowed myself to go deep into the desert to listen to God's promptings.  I have to thank Him for His revelation today because it was quite deep.  In a nutshell, I had journaled things from Scripture that were "talking to me" but they weren't clear in the meaning.  I had written a prayer, "Help me to understand the full meaning behind this."  Fast forward to tonight's Mass, the Homily of course was talking about the meaning behind the Readings (nothing new), it was stuff I've heard before (nothing new), but it was in line to receive the Eurcharist that I got it.  God was telling me that He has been presenting circumstances, situations, etc over and over again because He was giving me opportunities to LEARN the LESSON!  Well, I can tell you from past experience, it took me 7 years to learn patience.  People all the time comment on how much patience I have.  Now, I have to learn to love people who hurt me (and believe me, the hurt goes deeply).  This has been going on for well over 7 years.  Each time I love unconditionally, give according to my abilities and means, share my gifts and talents, I have great joy in what I am able to do.  The problem?  It's not good enough.  People let me know I can do better, or I am neglecting them, or I'm self-centered, I'm doing it with strings attached, etc, etc, etc.  As a result, they do something or say something to me that is very hurtful.  No need to go into details here because as my patterns are, everyone, and anyone who will bend an ear, will get an earful.  I complain about how unappreciated my efforts are, or better yet sulk.  Eventually I get over it, and become guarded with whomever the incident happened with if they didn't respond to my efforts of resolution so I don't get hurt again.  In others words, I know longer love unconditionally, but rather I am kind because that is what God asks us to do.  God let me know, until I learn the lesson to suffer in silence (not bend every ear that will listen) and continue to love deeply, He will continue to give me opportunities to learn the lesson.  His own Son said, "forgive them Father for they do not know what they do." He knew when He left this earth, He was going to be with His Father.   Jesus ALWAYS loved, helped, served, etc.  AND, He was the one who was mocked, scorned, and put to death.  If it happened to Jesus, why would I be any different?  I have my eyes fixed on the Lord.   He will just have to give me the strength to go through it, and NOT lose the lesson until I get it.  I know I will.   Hopefully it won't take too many more years!  :)

April 4

Thank you Lord for a fulfilling day.  I was able to see the kids I had been teaching the previous week, and wonderful new kids that are across the hall. Even though I was tired today, I thank You for giving me the motivation to work out anyway, steal a quick nap before heading off to a lengthy choir practice.  I am excited about spending the next 3 days in prayer, reflecting upon the Triduum.  This has been an amazing Lent.  You took me deep, and now I feel I am on another level.  I am looking forward to the growth You will inspire me to do. :)

April 3

Today I was happy to be back in a classroom I've been in several times before.  We had a wonderful day.  I love teaching kids who are excited about learning!  They wanted to know if I'd be back tomorrow, and I said, "no, you're teacher will be here."  The awh's were enough to satisfy my heart.

Tonight I am thankful to have had a session with Fr. Ben.  I went to him for spiritual direction.  With the kids now being totally on their own, having an empty nest, and being in a different stage in life, I wanted to get ideas as how to go about figuring out what to do with the future.  Many things in life I love, but there are some that I would like to change.  But when deciding, it can sometimes feel overwhelming.  He did not disappoint me, and gave me lots of points to ponder.  This should keep me busy for awhile.  I know God will have His guiding hand in whatever it is I decide to do. :)

April 2

Today I am grateful that the teacher I have been covering for recovered quicker than expected.  This means I am not needed for the remaining 3 days of the assignment.  I have learned not to be disappointed because God always has a plan.  I was told at the end of the day that the teacher directly across the hall unexpectedly went to the hospital, and that I am needed to cover her absence the remainder of the week.  This is evidently why the other is well!  God is so good in the way He orchestrates life.  Simply amazing.

I wasn't able to work out after work because of chatting with the school secretary over future bookings, picking up the new Bible Study book that came in while I was in Georgia (I was pleasantly to run into one of the girls in prayer group. She was there at the exact same time picking up her book too!),  and buying eggs at Walgreens. (This week they are on sale 2/$2.  What a bargain!).  I didn't get home from all this until 5:00.  This is when I am finishing up my workout, so I decided to fix dinner instead and go later.  Now  I am wondering if this shift in the schedule will be an opportunity to run into someone I would like to see at the gym. Off I go! :)

April 1

Thank you Lord for safe travels.  I am now back in Orlando safe and sound.  I thank the Lord that my sister was able to ride in my car until the service plaza on the Turnpike where she then got into Cathy's car for her ride home to Winter Haven.  We shared so many stories of our walk with Christ, laughed, giggled, etc.  We thought traffic would be horrible.  It was heavy, but we travelled the speed limit the whole trip.  Cathy was an easy driver to follow, and her kids were well behaved as well.  My Spring Break has come to and end, and Cathy's is just beginning. I wish them a great vacation. :)