On one of the homeschooling forums I visit from time to time I found a link to this article, written to help people understand the limitations & struggles of living with a chronic illness like Lupus, Depression, etc

Maybe it will be an encouragemen to you, if you are one with walking this life.

Maybe it will help you gain better understanding  if someone you know and love walks this life.

The Spoon Theory



Very little snow for all this cold



To join in on the fun go to Harmony Art Mom.

#318-365

318. Tea time with my girls

319. Expressive eyes telling me the story

320. One more hug

321. Another one’s one more hug

322. Electric blue, Marme, not bright blue

323. Freezer meals prepared

324. Another life to celebrate

325. Brisk walk with the dog.

326. The joy of sunshine & warmth, in January

327. Birds have found the feeders!

328. The sound of children playing in the sunshine, instead of reading history.

329. There is more time for history.

330. “I get it!” After watching the math lesson, again.

331. Colossians 1:1-3 is in my head

332. Household cleaners delivered to my door.

333. Herb garden in our living and learning room

334. Sisters reading together

335. Bookshelves, overflowing

336. Invitation for a short park visit with friends

337. Girls noticing notes to myself, and taking the challenge themselves

338. One by one, they ask me to pray

339. For Daddy to come home safe

340. For grandfathers to know Jesus

341. For a friend’s family’s house to sale, so they can move closer that which they need

342. He is home safe

343. Birthday celebrations with dearest friends

344. Puppy and kitten eating from the same bowl.

345. Remembering grace

346. School closure…the home school classes are cancelled too…giving us a puttering day at home. Such a gift.

347. Builder is home, and helping me with school. Chasing away the anxiety and “doneness” of this Marme.

348. Slower morning, time for a back rub.

349. Houseful of dog, puppy, kittens, cats, all playing and rolling around our feet.

350. Children getting an bit more snuggly sleep on this extremely cold morning.

351. Concern for the homeless on this extremely cold morning, and remembering, there is something I can do. Pray.

352. Very cold fruit & minerals smoothie, made with extra love because he made it

353. Hot showers on these very cold mornings

354. Builder’s gentle critique of our schooling routine. Kind words to spur me on to better use of our time.

355. Compassion International.

356. Sponsored kids, more kids to love and pray for. 

357. Art & craft projects all over the place. Messy, but so beautiful.

358. Builder holding my hand as I let go of some of my to do list

359. A very productive, but less stressful week

360. Lavender soap

361. Dinner by Mae, from start to finish, with Builder and me doing the dishes after

362. Knitting needles & wool, while Builder reads North or Be Eaten

363. Delightful Date Night with my Beloved

364. Good books

365. Saturday, a day for rest and joyful pursuits

joining SarahMae at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee

Happy Birthday, SarahMae

Have you taken at look at groupon.com yet?  I’ve been blessed to get discounted vouchers for Cold Stone Creamery, Papa Murphy Pizza and NOW Barnes & Noble Bookstores!

Each of those particular vouchers were for places we do frequent for Friday Pizza/Movie night (when the week’s worn me out and I don’t want to make the pizza), for Parent/Daughter dates and of course….BOOKS.  But there are many other deals daily that might bless your budget 🙂

BUFFLEHEADS
by Lee Evans
Bath, Maine

I love to see them on the waves,
Along the beach, or in their trees.
I love to watch them fly away,
Without a running start, from me!

My father used to lurk behind
Four plywood walls that stood on stilts
Above the river nailed with pine,
His rifle ready at a tilt
Toward the vast and open sky,


Where ducks and geese would spread their wings
In Freedom, for which all must die–
All human and non-human things.


But I wear no such grim disguise
As I meander on the beach
In plain sight of the earth and sky,
Determined to let Nature teach.

These clouds, the seashells, shifting sands,
The wind, the cold, the winter sun,
The whistling swans: from these a man
Can claim more trophies than with gun.

Buffleheads photographed by Michelle, at the Mill Pond, Jackfish Lake area, British Columbia

Five Minute Friday: What’s the best mail you got recently – email, text, or snail mail? Take five minutes and illustrate with words how you felt opening it, reading it, or digesting it. Help us read it through your eyes…

The best mail I’ve received recently…is the mail I’ve missed.  The mail that is delivered to a Daddy who is home 1 week out of the month, and is great at living in the present.  All those paintings, handmade cards, bookmarks that are generated each week, day, hour…are lovingly laid on a pillow (his), the dresser (his side) and our bedroom doorknob (with To Daddy) and I feel a little slighted and start to think.

How do I wipe off the LOOK of “what do I do with one more piece of paper or woven piece of yarn” and exchange it with sincere gratitude in the moment of heart giving from those delightful young hearts in my home?

Today I’ll create a space to display those pieces of art love, and allow the admiration to flow…right into the hearts of those precious people given to me.

Of course, I’ll have to employ that wonderful Daddy to help me in this project…I’m not allowed to swing a hammer against any walls, as he has had the look of “one more piece of wall to patch” on his face a time or two.

joining in on Five Minute Friday over at Gypsy Mama.

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