Upside

One of the benefits of being married to a man who travels frequently for work is frequent flyer miles. Yep. The Mister has enough for this gal to take a trip back home to TN. 12 weeks to the day and counting!

This was/is my backyard back home. We still have our house that dear friends are renting out. I miss those woods, the creek and the way my garden grew.

Bunny Love

Love this guy! At 18 weeks to the day he weighs 8 1/2 pounds and has incredible fiber. I'll need to shear his fiber back in 2 weeks which will have given him 11 weeks of growth. Normally these guys get just about 13 weeks of growth. Today while grooming him he was sitting at 3" in 63 days! That's an inch and a half per month!! His fiber is so thick, and seriously, there is a ton of it. I can not wait to spin it up. I'm definitely thinking a nice pair of hand warmers, cap or a scarf will be in order with his fiber.

Joy of Joy's!

Be still my heart! 4 years ago when we lived in our house on the hill I gathered with other ladies for spinning. When we moved to TN (4 yrs ago) I looked for a knitting or spinning group and found a few but they were all during the day. Day time groups don't work for those of us with littles at home. When we moved back to WA I had hoped for a group but the only ones I found were also during the day. I've attempted a couple times in the past to start a group but it never pans out because everyone seems to want a different day and different time. Today, be still my heart, I came across a fellow rabbit breeder (okay so she's I'm small fry and just a rabbit pet owner compared to her) and found out that she began a spinning/fiber arts group in November and wait for it...6:30 in the evening!! Hot Dog!!!! Yes, I will once again know the company of fiber arts women!

Ack!

So, um, well, it's finally happened. Over the last couple months I have found my first 2 ever grey hairs. Yep. Only 2. I yanked the first and left the 2nd. I no longer can locate the 2nd but I know it's there. Not dying my hair either. More raw fruits and veggies in hopes of helping.
Ack!

Ponderings

I was given some news on Friday from my husband that set off a stream of emotions. I'm thankful that God has given me a rock. He has given me a husband that I gain strength from and optimism. I know that that the Mister is also in a state of frustration but, using logic, he carries on.
We've talked about making changes over and over and over again for the last 6 years. Sometimes we'll begin but it lasts no longer than a month and slowly our lives revert back to the way they were. Now, change is being forced. Financial change is being forced. I've said over and over again to my Beloved that I want to live on less but no longer can seem to figure out how. Now, I had better figure it out because it's not an option. Over the last 4 days I have had moments of very selfish thoughts. I've grieved over the idea of giving up using my hands. The truth of the matter is that I don't have to give using my hands I just have to change what and how much I do with my hands. Ultimately I'm now looking at change as a gift. A lesson from God but also a gift.
My kids are at the age where schooling should be commencing. They routinely ask me to have "school". My heart longs to spend time with God. To spend time in His word and in prayer. I long to be a shining example to my children. I long to be the Proverbs 31 wife. I long to reshape my body and to be a good steward of this body that God has breathed life into. Despite my longings and desires I often find making things with my hands taking the priority in my life. I don't want it to be and yet, it always is. At this moment I'm looking at this "forced" change as an opportunity to really turn to the Father and to work on the changes I've yearned for.
The Refiners fire isn't a pleasant one but I know it could be more unpleasant.