March 3 2015

March 3 2015 Greetings My Friend Time marches forward we now are in March. This month spring will begin its journey taking away winter’s cold, white landscape and ice. Soon we will see the snow leave all together and little flowers begin popping up out of the dirt, leaves come out and feel the sun’s warm rays.; I have handled winter’s blasts this year better than I have in years. It isn’t because we had a mild winter either. We had both mild and the blast this year. I have found peace with it and I know that I know that spring is coming. Winter in SWVA is easier for me to deal with because we don’t seem to have weeks and weeks of snow followed by bone chilling cold. More often than not we will see a few 40 degree days after a few deep cold or snowy days. This has helped me cope. Being retired I also don’t have to drive through snow and ice. We seldom get enough snow to have to shovel. We did this year and we mainly needed to dig out where the snow plow covered the entrance to our driveway. We have a 4-wheel drive truck that can get us through most anything so that helps. We have also set ourselves up for potential power outages. With a propane fireplace, a wood burner/coal stove and a heat pump we are going to be warm. We have a generator for electrical needs and all of this makes me feel like we can weather most anything. This year I have focused on the comforting things about winter like a warm fire, a warm throw and a heated mattress pad on our bed. I have learned to be content not going out of the house all the time running here and there so the week here or there that I don’t leave I am not facing depression. This year has allowed me to work behind Junior more so. As he finishes rooms I am able to decorate, organize and begin daily housework routines. These things give my day definition. I also have learned that I will have my down days due to COPD, GERDS, arthritis etc. I have learned to move through my illness and in short order I am back to doing what I love, keeping house, cooking, writing and Bible study. The changes we have undergone since retirement has really helped me in the long run. During all of confusion I have had to rethink day to day life. In the end I am grateful for the upheaval. At first when we felt led by God to move I was unsure if we were hearing Him right. We kept moving forward and with each step we had no regrets. It has been a long hard journey one that isn’t finished since we are not done with the renovating yet but it is rewarding. I love this state, this area and our home beyond words. All of this is perfect for both Junior and I. We needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of city living. We love the woods more than lakefront property. We have 9 acres of which 8 is nothing but woods. We can hibernate or not as we feel inclined. Best of all the house is one level no stairs at all so our entire house is accessible to both us as we get older. The quiet allows me to write and study my Bible which helps me keep my brain active. God led us to this place and I am grateful even in the winter seasons. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet