Another Year Under our Belts

 

Everyone is reflective as a New Year's Eve approaches and I am no different. It is cultural and is drummed into us to do so. In fact, we could review the year at any time and not just as the end approaches. Having to discard the old 2014 calendar just reinforces this idea so here I go.

 

It was the year of retirement for me, and then just as quickly, coming out of retirement. What I learned is that I will work as long as I am able. But get back to me next year as I have been known to change my mind, about important things, on occasion.

 

Being one year older, I can say that I really felt it like I have in no other year to this point. The aches and pains from work, and then from not enough work, have increased. My stash of herbal remedies for various problems is growing as fast as my bank account is shrinking as a result of these purchases. We are in the process of purchasing a new bed so I may be able to trade in the herbs for a good night's sleep. I could have used the money to buy several truck loads of herbs, but the bed was not getting any more comfortable. Busylizzy and I thought we were falling in love all over again but it was only the sag in the mattress that brought us together every night and all night.

 

It was a year when my grandsons could look me in the eye without tilting their heads upward. Those little boys are not supposed to be doing that. When we hug, they hold back, just the way I used to do. Crushing ribs during displays of affection is not good.

 

It was a year when we seriously talked about a condo for the first time. It is still talk but talk always precedes action.

 

As in years past, it was year in which there were innumerable things and occasions for which to be very thankful. My faith, my family, my church, my friends, my physical health, and my relatively healthy mind are great treasures to me. I have an idea about what the New Year holds for me, but only in regards to those things which I can control. I am thinking that most of what will happen will be beyond my control. It is both frightening and adventuresome. The future is here before we know it and I say "bring it on".

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!

 

 

Here Comes The King

 

It was a time of heavy taxation and an oppressive regime. A downtrodden people, living on the hope of a coming Messiah, did not see it coming. Had He been born in a palace among robes of purple, and clean linens, it would have been obvious. Instead, He was born in a dirty stable amidst animals, and during the hectic confusion of a nation wide census. It was not the rich and famous who were first invited to see him, but lowly shepherds. Can this really be a King?  

 

Time would tell, and after scripture upon scripture was fulfilled, after his short life was lived and his mission was accomplished, He ascended into the heavenly realm where he sits at the right hand of God the Father. As he prepares a place for those who love him, and as he prepares for his return, we must be mindful that this time he will come in majesty and power. Every knee will bow, not just the shepherds. He will come when our lives are in chaos, as they usually are, he will come unexpectedly, but be assured that he is coming. Are we ready?

 

I leave you with a heart warming story from my friend and fellow blogger, Art Martens. "Peace on Earth and Goodwill Toward all Men" is well portrayed in this story.

An Early Celebration

 

Five of our family are heading for Disneyland tomorrow so our family Christmas was celebrated a bit early this year. We had a sumptuous dinner last night, Cornish Game Hens with all the trimmings, and then a gift opening and a photo session. The boys mostly received $US for spending on the trip, or things to eat or do on the long road trip. We will miss them over the Christmas Holidays.

It has become a tradition to take a silly photo as well as a serious photo and these have proved to be quite popular with those who view them. I find it somewhat disturbing that most people think the silly one is better. What are they saying? We like the fun ones too as it shows that we are a family that has fun, is comfortable with each other, and we do not mind if our friends see a side of us that is not very flattering. We do not stage these photos and it is curious that we can each be so very different and spontaneous with such short notice.

I appreciate and love my family very much and find no greater joy than spending time with them.  

Memory

 

Here is very real evidence that as one gets older, one's memory tends to fail.

I received a call from someone who needed some paper hung. I did not recognize her name, but recognized her location as I knew I had worked in her gated community last spring. We arrived at her address and she immediately asked if she had met me before. After looking (without staring) at her face, I concluded that I had never seen her before. She claimed I had worked for her before, hanging paper on one wall in her bathroom. I drew a blank and then asked if her husband had movie studio memorabilia in the basement family room, because that would mean that it was the same house I worked in last spring and that would mean I had met her husband and not her. We drew a blank on that and I concluded that she had me mixed up with someone else.

 

As we were working in her bedroom. Andrew told me to take a look in her bathroom, which I did, while he took the above photo. Apparently that was the paper I had hung, and apparently, Andrew remembered it, but for me it was a new revelation. And it could not have been more than a year or two ago as these are all new houses in this community. This disturbs me. My justification is that I do so many jobs, and so many of them are only a few hours in duration, that I quickly lose track of where I have been and what I have done. I am sticking with that theory and maintain that my memory is still good because I remembered to post this incident.

Shimmering

 

While busy with a three week re-decorating contract, we managed to find time for two more feature wall this week. This one is on Golf Course Drive near Ledgeview.

 

Other than going around the 5 small windows, this was a straightforward affair and again, using one of the new non-woven fabric backed wall coverings. The rage is dark paper with reverse embossed patterns of a different sheen. They really play with reflected light.

 

These folks also had the latest in headboards, the hide-a-bed look. It fooled me. Perhaps the idea is that you can sit up in bed and read and would be quite comfortable.

 

We drove into Cloverdale for a quickie on Saturday. The photos do not show how dark this room was, deep chocolate brown. The paper was charcoal with jet black shiny embossed patterns.

 

I love a job with the following characteristics. Quick in and out, high quality materials to work with, and immediate payment. This little job qualified on all counts.  

Unpredictable

 

This specialty product from Cole and Sons of London England was supposed to arrive in 4-5 weeks. Would you believe two days! The supplier had some in stock in Vancouver and so we re-scheduled, much to the delight of the customer.

 

Is it a Mural, or is it a 54" wide pattern with staggered drop on 27" wide stock. Hard to say, but the repeat on it was not immediately obvious and the illusion was a wall full of storm clouds.

 

Quite beautiful, really, and again, Cole and Sons puts out a great product, if not pricey.  

 

The electrical connection box for the wall mounted big screen TV.

 

The last little trim from beside the door frame where I had to 'fudge' the pattern or order another $500.00 worth of material.

 

From set-up to clean-up, elapsed time was 1 1/2 hours, but I would not suggest that this is a project for the uninitiated.