Susanne at Living to Tell the Story hosts this opportunity to pause and appreciate the good things of the week. I’ve found this weekly break to be so helpful and encouraging. Here are a few of this week’s blessings:
1. Jesse’s birthday. I always love our kids’ special days, though they’re starting to make me feel old. I joked on Facebook, “How can my youngest be 29 when I’m only 39 1/2?” 😉
2. Queen Elizabeth’s funeral service. I didn’t get to watch it as it happened, but someone had told me they watched on YouTube where there was no commentary, just a recording of the service. The music was glorious and the message so clearly pointed to Christ.
3. The first day of fall. I’ve said often that I love the in-between seasons of fall and spring, where the weather is a nice change but not at the extremes of hot or cold. And both have such beautiful color. The leaves are just starting to turn. I have family from TX coming in this week, and though full fall color won’t be out for a few weeks yet, I’m glad they’ll see a bit of it.
4. A productive week. With my family coming, I got a few projects done around the house and have started a more intense cleaning than my usual weekly tasks. I’ve learned from past experience not to get so into getting things done that I am exhausted when they get here. So I am aiming to get the major things done, then we’ll see about the rest. I can’t say I enjoy the act of cleaning, but I do enjoy the results.
5. Weeding out items to give away. I keep a large box in the pantry to toss things in that I don’t want or need any more. When that gets full, I usually add to it some other items. With family coming, I wanted to get that stuff out of the way. I’ve got a few boxes stacked up to be taken to the thrift store. It feels good to create some space and get these things some place more useful.
Have a great weekend!
Stray Thoughts 
I really love weeding out things I no longer use. I have a box on my table right now destined to a thrift store. I watched the funeral without commentary as well. The live broadcast of the procession from Westminster to St. George’s chapel did have commentary but it wasn’t the chattery kind. It was one man who explained some of what was going on. I learned a lot just listening. I am loving the first day of fall! The last couple of days before it came were brutal with the heat. Have a lovely time with your family!
I have a special Friday fave today. I had my yearly mammogram this morning and all is good. I’m a 17 years breast cancer survivor and love when the reports come back clear. 🙂 Have a blessed weekend!
Roomie watched the funeral service, too, and noted how much she enjoyed the hymns and scriptures. It was such a wonderful testament of a woman who loved her Lord.
Glad you had a productive week, pacing yourself so that you can enjoy that upcoming family visit. Good timing with the nicer weather and beginnings of fall color. I always think, “I need a give box, too!” and then forget. Well done getting that checked off.
As you can guess, I totally enjoyed the Queen’s service too. And I’m with you on it feeling good to move some things out. I am getting a bag/box tomorrow to drop off when I’m in town for other things. Have a good weekend!
I love weeding unused items out as well and did that last spring. It might be time for another go round come Winter.
I just LOVE LOVE LOVE life in the Northeast where our leaves are just starting to turn here in the NY Capital Region and are already almost at peak in the northern parts of the Adirondack mountains. In 2-3 weeks we will be at peak color down here. It’s a gorgeous time of year…actually I love all 4 seasons and marvel at all of God’s creation.
It’s nice sometimes to have productive weeks and how fun to have family coming to visit! Enjoy your time with them.
Blessings to you for a wonderful weekend!
My kids birthdays give me a twinge of sadness each year, as I miss the younger years — for both of us! haha
The music for the Queen’s funeral was so beautiful! My husband even watched with me for a while, he was so caught up in the beautiful music.
It feels so good to have the house ‘company ready.’ I need something to motivate me, because I’m so NOT into cleaning right now. Maybe I should invite someone over?
I’m with you, Barbara. I love weeding out stuff. I find that things I wasn’t ready to part with last go round I’m happy to, this time! It’s like the older I get, the less I want to hang on to. And that’s been a very good thing in my life.
Weekend blessings to you and your family, friend …
It’s always great to donate things we don’t need any more. I hope you have a great week with your family who is coming from Texas. Enjoy the weekend. See you again soon!
We have been making weekly thrift store runs with lots of boxes from our girls’ home during the move. I don’t think we’re don yet…
Happy Birthday to Jesse! [I always suspected you were a child bride 🙂 ]
Have fun with your Texas family!!
I keep a donation box also and get it out of the house when it’s full. But sometimes doing a major sweep is called for. How do I collect so much stuff? Happy belated birthday to Jesse. I’ve asked myself that very same question. LOL. Enjoy your Texas family time.
Yes when our kids have their birthdays it doesn’t make us younger ! Mine goes towards his 50th ! I have watched the funerals the whole day, was quite interesting, I wonder what that all costs ! I never clean before guests because then I have to clean twice. Before they are coming and after they left. That’s a friend who told me once the only room which has to be very clean is the bathroom or toilet, because there people have time to look into the corners !