Saturday Revue

 Is it really Saturday?  What happened To Friday?  I totally meant to post something yesterday, but like I mentioned in a previous post, the week seemed to be filled with delays, and yesterday was one of them. What I had hoped to write about earlier in the day never happened until too late in the day to sit down and concentrate and write, so it had to be delayed until today, and now it's getting late in this day too! LOL.

I've had chairs on my mind this week...and while thinking about chairs, this picture came to my mind,  as illustrated by Mary Englebreit for her book "Life is Just a Chair of Bowlies"...

Internet Photo...by Mary Engelbreit

I was going to attempt to explain it, but Google AI had the answers already there for us:

"People also ask:
What is the meaning of chair of bowlies?
AI Overview:

"The phrase "chair of bowlies" is a playful misinterpretation of the idiom "life is just a bowl of cherries." It suggests that life is filled with easy, pleasant experiences, like being served food in a bowl, implying comfort and ease. It's often used in a humorous or slightly sarcastic way to contrast with the reality that life can be challenging and not always easy."

Hubby being served pie, not in a bowl, but on a paper plate, on Father's Day, while sitting in his favorite chair.

Talking about life being full of challenges, and not just like a bowl of cherries (by the way, that was blueberry pie, not cherry), this past Sunday hubby was having a bad day physically and even though we went to church, he needed help getting out to the car and into the house afterwards.  The kids were all here for lunch, and although he went straight to bed, he got up a while later and ate something and sat in his chair.  The problem is, he was having difficulty getting up and down out of his chair, which is an extra large recliner.  I don't know how many years he has had this chair, but more than ten I am pretty sure.  So, the kids started talking about maybe he needed a new chair, one that lifts.  I started looking them up and trying to find an extra large chair that lifts, etc., but hubby said that he really didn't want a new chair. He thinks his old chair is just fine. And he definitely doesn't think he's ready for a "lift chair".   And yes, even though the doctor appointment this past week and review of his lab tests didn't show any major issues, nonetheless, he still has some issues that need to be figured out. It didn't help that he told the doctor that he "felt just fine" while we were there, so the doctor didn't see any need to refer him to anyone else...but since then he hasn't felt "just fine", and we may be going back to discuss things next week.

But in the meantime, while looking at the recliners online, I mentioned that my old chair is getting rather worn out and that it is causing me a lot of back issues because the seat is sinking and the chair just doesn't properly support my arthritic back anymore.

You've seen this picture before in a previous post about where I like to sit and read:

Yes, on the surface it still looks pretty good, but internally it is breaking down and if you could see me when I try to get up and stand up after sitting for about a half hour or so, you'd think something was really wrong.  I started calculating how long we've had that chair, and to the best of my recollections, we bought it USED around 15 years ago. It was in pretty good shape then, but that was then, and this is now, and lately I've had to add a stiffer seat cushion under me as well as a back cushion. 

So, after further discussion, it was determined that I should look for a chair for me instead! Okay, that sounded like a good plan!  Rather than shopping in various furniture stores (where the prices are usually a bit higher), I started searching online. My sweet dil Rose, who works at Home Depot, said that you can actually order recliners through Home Depot online, and they will deliver them to your house! (Free delivery too!)  So my search began...and for the record, I was also looking for an extra large chair for hubby too, but the more I looked, the more I realized he really needs to go sit in a chair and make sure it fits him. He is tall and has a large frame, and the chairs I was seeing just didn't look like they were going to fit him even though they claimed to be "oversized".  

However, I did finally narrow it down to one chair for me that was on sale at a very good price, and it even has lumbar heat and massage up and down the back!  Now that's something I would love! So after hem-hawing around and checking every option, I finally took the plunge and ordered the chair for me. They said it would be delivered on Thursday, which was fine, because originally hubby's Dr. appointment was scheduled for Wednesday, so we didn't have any other commitments on Thursday. Then the doctor's office called and said they had to postpone his appointment until Thursday...so...we called our son asked him if he could stay at the house while we went to the doctor in case the chair was delivered...which he said he would.  THEN, the Home Depot delivery people sent us a text saying that the delivery was being delayed and wouldn't come until FRIDAY! So, good, that meant that Benton wouldn't have to come wait for it because we would be here on Friday!

Friday came, and the tracking for the delivery said the chair was on it's way. Of course, they didn't say what time they would arrive, so of course we were tied down to the house all day waiting.  Finally at about 3:30 p.m. we heard a door slam outside and rushed to the door to welcome the delivery people, however, they were actually getting back IN the truck and driving away!  I started waving my arms at them to come back, and then I noticed that they had placed the chair (in a very heavy, large square box) on the ground at the foot of the steps to our porch! What??? They call that "delivery???"   I couldn't believe my eyes!

Thankfully, our son lives pretty close by, and so I called him and told him what had happened, and he came right over and managed to get the heavy, awkward box up the steps and onto the porch.  However, it would not fit through the front door.  So we had to open the box on the porch and take the chair out, which was in sections, and bring it inside and figure out how to put it all together!  There's NO WAY hubby and I could've done that by ourselves! It was a major job, and we are SO thankful for our strong young son who was available and able to figure it out (although it did take some doing, for sure!), and finally the chair was in place and ready for me to try it out:

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Ahhhhh.....

Let me tell you, that massage and heat sure felt good!

Now, let me say that I am very thankful for this chair already. Last night I sat in it and read my book for over an hour without getting up. I used the massager for a few minutes before getting up, and when I stood up, I had absolutely no problem standing up straight and walking! I practically jumped for joy! I've not been able to do that for a LONG time!!! So, was it worth all the hassle and delays and craziness? Yes, it was.    

But a few words of wisdom...if you are going to order a chair online and have it "delivered" to your house, make sure you have someone strong and smart who can help you get it inside and set it up.  I think we could've paid extra to have someone do that, but it never occurred to us that they wouldn't even bring it up the 5 steps to our porch and at least knock on the door to let us know they were there!  

And btw, my old chair is going to be donated to our church thrift shop. Maybe someone can get some more use out of it, or they may know how to make the necessary repairs to tighten up the seat and make it last another 15 years.  I hope so. 

Furthermore, I am still on the lookout for a new chair for hubby, but I've convinced him that he really needs to go to a store and try them out first. And then we will let them deliver it and set it up for us, even if we have to pay for it to be done, it's worth it.

Psalm 16:5-6, 11

5 "O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;

You maintain my lot.

6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;

Yes, I have a good inheritance.

11 You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

The End.

(Thank you to Mary Englebreit for her brilliant inspiration!)

Life IS Better in the Woods - Updated for Friday Foto Friends

NOTE: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED ON 7/10/2015, SO "BEAR" WITH ME...SOME OF THIS INFORMATION HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN, but this has been a week that has been too hot to get out and take many new pictures, and here it is Friday Foto Friends day, and I don't have anything new to share. So, I will update this "old" post and re-share! I hope you don't mind!  Some things have not changed at all, and then again, quite a lot has changed!!

My son creates these wooden signs...you can learn more about that  on his facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BensWoodSigns - BUT UPDATE 7/28/17: Lately he hasn't been doing signs as he has a full time job AND is now engaged and is spending most of his "free" time with his lovely fiance', planning their upcoming wedding in November!!  Once they get settled he does hope to get back into the sign business "on the side" as time permits!

What this particular sign has inspired in me is a sense of thankfulness for the fact that yes, MY life IS better in the woods!  We moved out to the forest about 3 1/2 years ago, (NOW 5 1/2 YEARS) and since then life has truly been one adventure after another.  We've discovered myriads of interesting wildlife, as well as receiving the blessing of many new friends.  (Click on the links for more about those stories).  But the greatest gift has been the peace that comes over me each afternoon as I leave my busy job in the city and enter the quiet sanctuary of the forest woods    UPDATE:  This post was originally written about four months before I retired...so now I get to live in this "quiet sanctuary" all the time!!!  And sometimes it isn't so quiet, but I still love it!

and country roads that lead me home. I really don't even mind the fact that I must drive over 30 miles each way to and from work.  The ride is a time of thankfulness as I enjoy the scenes and sights of nature surrounding my journey and listen to delightful songs of praise and worship all the way. This always helps set the tone for my day on the way to work...and again on my way home my heart is prepared for the tasks that await me.  UPDATE:  I don't miss that ride to and from work every day now that I am retired, but I do miss the times of listening to the music as I drove along...now I take rides with hubby and we talk, which is nice....and sometimes we make music together as we ride, which is especially nice.

Some people don't really understand how we could enjoy living so far from "civilization"....it is at least 20 miles to the nearest Walmart, and we currently don't have a viable grocery store in our community  (UPDATE: We now DO have a small grocery store that reopened earlier this year, and it is great for meats and necessities, but we still travel to Walmart at least once a week for the BIG stuff!)  and only a couple small restaurants in the area that serve a limited menu at limited times. We DO have a small hardware store, post office, Dollar General and a gas station/handy store. We also have a wonderful Saturday flea market where my son sells his signs each week to the weekend visitors and locals.   (UPDATE: See earlier note about this...he's not selling his signs at the Flea Market right now, but may do so in the fall again as time & fiance' permits!  Ha ha!)

 We also have several excellent small churches, including our own home Bible Fellowship that meets in our home every Sunday morning for worship and study of God's Word.  UPDATE: Our Home Bible Fellowship is now meeting on Wednesday mornings due to changes in everyone's schedules. 

And so wonderfully, we have God's great outdoors and many opportunities for enjoying nature via hiking, boating,

fishing, hunting or simply watching the birds,

deer,

Bears,

Hummingbirds

and butterflies.

Wildflowers,

trees, berries and interesting insects

of every kind abound.

There are so many places to explore...(if only it wasn't so hot right now...but fall is on its way)

I find myself longing to strike out on my own in search of adventure...but I am reminded that there ARE bears

in the woods, (and right in front of my house!)   and I need to be safe.

Anyway, I want to pause and give thanks to the Lord for His goodness to us in providing such a place of refuge for our family.  There was a time when we didn't know how we were ever going to find an affordable home to help us ease into retirement...but God truly surprised us when He opened THIS window of opportunity.  He proved to us that not only was HE able to provide for us, but that He had prepared special people to be kind and generous and willing to take a chance on us until we could stand on our own again. And now He has enabled us to do just that, and we want to say thank you. (No names needed, God knows).

"O Lord, YOU are the portion of 

my inheritance and my cup;

You maintain my lot.

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;

Yes, I have a good inheritance.

I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;

My heart also instructs me 

in the night seasons.

I have set the Lord always before me;

Because He is at my right hand

I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad,

and my glory rejoices;

My flesh also will rest in hope.

For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,

Nor will You allow Your

Holy One to see corruption.

You will show me the path of life;

In Your Presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand 

are pleasures forevermore."

Psalm 16:5-11

I suppose there may be some who will say that this is all well and good for you, but what about me? When is God going to show ME some pleasant places and a refuge from the world?  I cannot answer for God, but I can only say that when we put our trust in Him, He promises in His Word to show us the "path of life", and that "in (His) presence is fullness of joy".  For you it may not be in the woods, but it might be in a different neighborhood, or job, or place of worship.  It could be a new friendship or relationship that brings joy and fulfillment after a long wait.  It could even be finding that place of contentment right where you are when you realize that God is with you and that He will never leave your side.

I read a verse in my morning devotions a couple of days ago that stood out to me and also caught my husband's attention, so much so that he asked me to find it again the next morning and read it again.
The verse is found in Psalm 17:15 ~

"As for me, I will see Your Face in righteousness;

I shall be satisfied when I 

awake in Your likeness."

This is complete contentment and peace...to be satisfied when we awake one day in heaven, and to find that we shall be like HIM.  Knowing that helps us to endure our trials here. That, and the knowledge that "in Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Thank you, Lord, for Your Presence here and now...

and forevermore!

Amen.

UPDATE:  I hope you managed to read through all of the "strike-through's" as I attempted to update this post and bring it up to date. I guess I didn't realize just how much has changed since I originally wrote this two years ago! So much can change in such a short amount of time...so we need to live each day as if it could be our last...and give God the glory and praise He is so worthy of every single day!

Now, let's hop on over to Bev's place at Breathing In Grace  and see what our other friends are posting today for Friday Foto Friends.