I’m just in amazement that life is so good right now. I’m so very happy. Both of my brothers were born in April. Does that make April awesome?

And as good as it is on some days, circumstances can keep me from fixing my eyes on the One that makes it all right.

The pollen that covers the earth now will soon be washed away thankfully. It reminds me of a cloud that can make life seems hazy. But April showers will soon wash the pollen away and that cloud will be lifted. It’s like the buds that are getting ready to burst open and shine in the month of May, making life seem less cloudy.

I write this on the last Sunday of this glorious month of April, praying for brighter days, family reconciliation, and all the grace and glory that our Lord provides.

It’s April 2021and so far it’s a beautiful month. There is some melancholy relating to the six year anniversary of George’s death, but I’m confident that is the way it’s supposed to be. He would be happy knowing we are moving on with our lives and that we are content in many ways. Grief is a fact of life and it’s different whenever it shows it’s face .

The Coronavirus Pandemic is seeing some light at the end of a long tunnel. I’m very thankful for the science that has produced three vaccines for those so inclined to get it, which I am inclined, and can’t really understand reasons others choose not to get it. It’s ok not to understand all those reasons.

I’m reading “Dusk Night Dawn” by Anne Lamont. She makes getting older so funny and interesting. At this time in my life I need funny and interesting. She says, “It’s frustrating to lose cognitive function, and for everything to ache the day after a hike, (in my case the Zoom exercise class.). I take some medicine at night but ten minutes later, I can’t be positive I took it or not, and I have to compensate in a dozen ways for my constant distraction.” I can relate to everything, yes everything she says! I’m sure that I will refer to the audible and book version of her book many times as I go down the “Third Third” of my life.

Spring flowers are everywhere except in my garden. What you see on this page is all that has bloomed so far-one daffodil and one tulip. I’m hoping that isn’t a sign of what is NOT to come. The weather is divine this April and it gives me incentive to get out there and do a little gardening.

I’m looking forward to the rest of my ‘Third Third,” especially my family vacations in July for as many of those years that I’m given.

February is the month of LOVE. I have a very sweet friend that reminds me that “Love Changes Everything.” Andrea Bochelli sings ‘ Love Changes Everything’ so beautifully it makes my heart skip a beat. It’s so romantic.

When I look at my beautiful granddaughters my heart sings and warms me like no other. The oldest is 16 yr. old. There is a ‘teenageness’ that I do not understand, but the sweet girl I’ve always known and loved is still there. In these changing times she is able to make me see things from a different perspective. Everyone needs that kind of person in their life.

Then there is Violet-the nine year old. She is such a joy, such a mystery with her Asian/American origin, but bottom line-she is the funniest and smartest little one I know. She keeps all of us on our toes, keeps us laughing and the love is deep.

And of course my dog makes my heart sing. She is a lot of work, but it is so worth it as she snuggles with me just about anytime I sit down. And the laughs she invokes from me are so surprising at times. She is learning to talk to me. Sometimes I do not have to say a word. Getting on my walking shoes makes her start dancing around me, “Yes, let’s get moving,” she says.

Now the Lord has blessed me with another love. He is considerate, smart, and very good to me.

Even in the midst of our country’s chaos, the world wide pandemic, the sad & violent political scene, I believe love for one another can change anything. It’s not easy but it is obtainable.

Life is good. LOVE changes Everything❤️

The new year 2021 has begun with a Big Bang. I’m still praying for peace and calm for our country as the drama unfolds. It just keeps keeping on and on!

Social media is a real drama initiative these days. I’ve blocked several people on Facebook that have posted nasty political posts. No matter the political affiliation I cannot with any conscience keep on diminishing my emotional health with plain ole meanness. And when a Bible reference is used to make their side look better— that is one of the worst offensives in my opinion. We all have an opinion. It’s just so difficult to understand.

I grow weary with any drama,’ but political drama is on the top of the drama scene for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Facebook when I see uplifting and positive posts, celebrations and updates on families experiencing hurt and trauma asking for prayer. Prayer needs are always welcome and the Covid outbreak gives all of us reason to pray for leadership, health care workers, caretakers and for our own personal mental & emotional health.

I have much to be thankful – for one thing I’ve received my first Covid vaccine. My doctor’s office called me, and I couldn’t get there fast enough. There does seem to be many discrepancies on receiving the vaccine. My 95 yr. old Dad lives in another state and the vaccine isn’t available at this time. He should have received his before me.

I’m hopeful and prayerful for 2021 to be an inspiring & healthy year for everyone.

I was having no part of having another dog in my household of one. I’ve had dogs all of my life, before and after marriage, and now I “just didn’t need the hassle.”

Dogs are a lot of work, to say the least, especially a puppy. My sweet Renee, who I depend on helping me with common sense matters, helped me to make a pro and con list. The con list was much longer than the pro one. I decided that there would not be another dog in my life. I could come and go as I please, I wouldn’t have to let the dog out at early hours of the morning and the dark of night in the rain, sleet and possibly snow. I wouldn’t have to plan potty breaks for the dog around where and when I left the house. Life would just be easier without a dog. And physically I just wasn’t as agile as I used to be, not to mention me getting to an age that at one time I thought was old.

Well as we all know by now I went with the more difficult path of getting a dog-not just a dog but an 8 week old puppy. I’ve asked myself many a cold, rainy morning as I put on a coat, shoes, scarf and gloves, “Ann, what were you thinking.?” Obviously, I wasn’t as I looked at a Facebook post from a friend whose Westie had just given birth to a litter of seven! I was “a goner!” Oh my goodness. They were the cutest puppies I had ever seen-ever! I messaged her on FB and told her I wanted to be put on the list to get one of these precious puppies. I knew it was crazy, and possibly one of the least responsible decisions I’ve ever made. Since George wasn’t present to help me I knew I had to do it all. However, in my heart I knew George would be cheering me on from his lofty place in heaven, telling me I could do this. At the same time he may be shaking his head, asking under his breath the same question I had, “What was she thinking?”

(As I’m writing this post, not paying attention to my sweet dog, she pooped in the corner of the room!)

Yes, there are many reasons that a puppy decision should be given much thought, but sometimes the heart just takes over. And I love having another heart beat in my house and my heart.

The new year is taking on several new adventures for me.

Sane Jane Professional organizers is the best decision I’ve made in a long time….for myself and for my children’s future.

After trying to rid my attic of old, dusty, dated stuff many times, I became depressed every time I went up to those two unfinished rooms on the third floor of my home. Yes, not just an attic, but a walk-up to two unfinished rooms! Lots of storage. Just what everyone wants, right? I thought I wanted lots of storage, but it is true that the more room for storage, the more junk one can accumulate. And it’s so easy to take it to the storage area to “think about it” or say “I’ll decide what I want to do with that later, and decide if I’ll get rid of it, or donate it or give it to someone that has a need for one of my treasures.” Right?

Well, I got to thinking one day as I was in my storage rooms, “Wonder if there are people that do this for a living?” Wow, I couldn’t image anyone wanting to go through my stuff and help me make decisions as to what to keep, what to donate, what to trash, what to shread, and then haul it outside (down two flights of stairs). Then what would I do with it after it was outside??? Instead of getting depressed that day I trotted downstairs to my handy iPad and started Googling “professional organizers.” It didn’t take but a few minutes to get a list of companies that do exactly what I needed. I clicked on Sane Jane Professional Organizers. Not putting it off like I usually do, I called the number, left a message and waited a short time. I asked this sane sounding lady a few questions and then invited her to come and take a look at my treasures. I was sure I would scare her off at the sight of my “depressing collection of goodies.” She didn’t blink an eye after taking the tour. Acted like she sees such collections every day. Huh!

We sat down and she explained to me how she handled such jobs. I must admit, I thought it terribly expensive, but who would think I would ever find anyone to do what I wanted???? And I surely would not do it for any less money myself. And if I could get my 2 storage rooms cleared out in 8 hours, that would definitely be a miracle right here on Tanglewood Drive. Thank you Jesus.

Today was the first day of this monstrous job that lasted 3 hours. Three sweet young ladies arrived at my house promptly at 8am, which was the appointed time. Introductions were made and I gave the second tour for the two workers that had not seen my wonders. That took 2 minutes. Then we set out to work. I already had set aside boxes of stuff I knew I wanted to get rid of. Those boxes went out of the cluttered storage area and house immediately. That gave us some wiggle room. The best part was instructions for me to sit in a chair that they had brought up for me. All I had to do was say “yes or no,” “trash,” or “don’t want it.” They made the decision as to what pile it was put in and then hauled it out. Then they divided it all into their respective vehicles-one for trash, one for donations and one for recycle.

Next visit the following Monday…3 hours…

Basically the same thing happed as I describe above. And by this time I was becoming very fond of my three new friends. I just can’t say enough about how very kind and non-judgmental they were as we worked along side one another. They listened to stories as I reminisced about some of my treasures and gave me a hug as I shed a few tears. Then I-got it-together and tossed many of those sentimental treasures so my son would not have to get rid of it one day. And I kept some of those treasures, put them into clear plastic containers and they labeled each container. On this day each of their vehicles hauled away as much as they had the first visit. Embarrassing.

On the third visit I only had 2 hours left of this wonderful service. By this time I had gone through much of what was left-mostly trash-so we could get on to the important tasks as hand. We continued to organize and label containers. By the time it was time for them to leave, we had not completely finished what I wanted to do, however it wasn’t that much. I’m proud to say that I have been motivated enough to finish the rest of what needed to be done. Well, not completely. It’s like housecleaning-it never goes away. Hopefully I will not let it get to that awful state again.

Sane Jane has helped my sanity. Amen