Thankful Day 4

• Marshall home
• Next week
• No SAD
• Job
• Shiloh
• Beauty
• Contentment
• Life
• Discipline
• Self-control

Thankful Day 3

• Marshall made it safely to Las Vegas
• Friends to eat dinner with
• Laughter
• Quiet
• Seeing deer run with their white tails showing up the hill in the woods
• Sleeping to 7:30am
• Animals to keep me company
• Sun beaming through the windows
• Girls to visit and shop with

Thankful Day 2: Weekends

It's not that I live for the weekend but boy do I enjoy the anticipation of Thursday and Friday being just around the corner. Today we celebrate Veteran's Day with a big production including breakfast and a program for local veterans. They come in droves and many make it an annual event. After the festivities die down, the staff are allowed to leave for the weekend. This should be around noonish. For this I am thankful!

Thankful Day 1

Two weeks from today will be Thanksgiving. I've decided to spend the next 2 weeks writing each day about a place of thanksgiving. Day 1: as I awakened this morning I am thankful that routine and order have been restored to me in my eating.

Crossroads

Hillsville 2012

For several days, really weeks, I've been thinking and contemplating about my situation. My weight, my health, and my failures. It's not a fun place to be when all you can remember is the many times you have attempted something and failed. In fact this is not really a place I like to visit or ever suggest anyone goes. Yet, it's where I've been and it seemed to lead me to a crossroad. I received an email from a dear friend who had read my post "Move", she spoke truth and hope to me, her words:

"I remember when I could not move for pleasure. Taking a walk was prohibited because of pain.  I also remember the September day in 2005 when I took my first walk in probably 5 or 6 years.  I felt as though I was flying. I felt giddy, feather lite (far from it!) and FREE!  Move as you feel the need to move today. Move because you can. Move for someone who cannot. The Holy Spirit in you has given you a simple suggestion. A doable one with many empowering choices. Seize the one that appeals most to you and do it with joy-because you CAN.  As I look at people 25 years my Senior, I realize that my time of free moving is waning. Carpe Diem."

This week I came to a place of peace, decision, and action. My tried and true, Weight Watchers was going to be my friend again. I decided I wasn't going down that road that leads to death but the one leading to life, change, and hope. Lunchtime yesterday I walked in the doors, armed with humility, fear, and weakness. I left with cautious anticipation. My journey begins one step at at time because I can.

New Hope

Waiting and Watching Topsail Island
October 2012

Each day brings a new hope. We can count on the sun to rise and set each day. Today is a new day for my journey. Faith and anticipation are hiding in the crevices of each step I take. He calls us to move, to hope when we can't see what lies ahead, and to believe His promises. Some days it's easier than others.

Dad

Claudius Dockery III

Thirty-two years ago today my father chose to end his life. His life and death changed me. 

Move

I'm not sure when it came to me but I began to get the visual image of the word move; I began to think about it. God was encouraging me to begin doing just that. As I pondered this word I began looking for opportunities to move and focus on its benefits. 

Resolve

I'm a little embarrassed to write about this but truly this resolve is where Grace in Mardo begins. Many who know me have heard me lament about my weight. But in the past years I have lamented less out- loud and lived with it more internally and alone. I've gotten to a certain point where I've given up. "I will just be overweight" and try being satisfied where I am. Honestly, I don't like saying those words;  deep down I don't really believe it, yet.... why can't I either "just do it", or be happy and content where I am. That is the big question I am asking myself and want to begin journaling about on my blog.

I've always felt like it's too personal to write so much about what is so obvious, it's the hidden sin that everyone can see. Yet, recently I've been very inspired by people who have shared their stories and are actually working through it. So for the few that read this blog, will you join me on this journey?

Death

I know this is a dismal post but isn't it all around us?

In June we hosted our 2nd annual MarDo Stay-cation which includes having our family at our house (MarDo) for the weekend. We basically play, eat, fellowship and just be. Several days before the weekend a former Caldwell student Justin Sharp, and good friend and classmate of the girls, took his life. Saturday of our Stay-cation was spent traveling to his funeral. It was a sad day.

Friday, September 28 we all safely arrived at Topsail Beach for a family beach trip. Saturday morning I'm checking my email and discovered our friend Keith Pruitt from Asheville took his life on Thursday night. His wife was a mentor for our girls when they lived in Gboro, and our fondness for them has remained over many years. The impact of his death is great.

32 years ago on October 30, my dad took his life. I will never forget the day nor the emotions that followed. Death is so final. It leaves a wake and a lifetime of questions for the survivors.

My thoughts go out to my friend Chris and her children as they bury their husband and father today. This side of heaven we don't know or can fathom the pain that drives a person to this act. We want to understand yet we most likely won't. It becomes a mark in our life.

I do know from my own walk that God will use this event, this loss for his glory. May God meet my friends during this sad and dark time. May their be glimmers of light and hope around the corner.

The Finished Product

We are loving our new kitchen!

Almost there

What a week. I've started several posts but yet to finish any. I'm now sitting at our friend's house sipping coffee. Our floors are having their final coat and baseboards added this morning; we will be camping out in G'boro for the weekend.

Being back at work has had it's challenges with also the role of GC but some how I have made it. Let me recap the progress in the kitchen

• Monday we returned to the house after a week away for the floors to cure
• Monday, Joe the cabinet guy, worked all week adding the special touches to the kitchen
• Wednesday, the electricians came to hang the pendant light, under-counter lighting, receptacles and the drums for the recessed lights
• Thursday, the granite and sink were placed (I touched up pencil marks which were on the walls)
• Friday, Richard my handy man and his daughter, installed the dishwasher, disposal, faucet and ice maker line. Joe finished framing the pass through and hanging the floating shelves.

A lot was accomplished! But here are a few shots from Thursday. I think I like it!

The walls look green but they are white, just reflecting the counter tops.

I'm glad I added the simple clear pendant light

Rug shopping

I peeked through our bedroom doors yesterday to catch a glimpse of the hardwood floors. They looked very, very nice with their second coat of stain. By Monday we will back at home and I'm sure walking "gently" on the new floors. It reminds me of a brand new car and waiting for the first "ding". I am in the market for a new rug for the living room and hall.

Ever been to Capel Mill rug outlet in Troy, NC? Yesterday I felt a field trip was in order. I drove down after lunch with Ginna. It was a good 1hour20min and in the middle of nowhere. When I drove up I thought they were closed but thankfully I was wrong. I spent about an hour looking at rugs. Quickly I realized I hadn't done enough research on what I wanted and the size I needed. The choices were plentiful and prices too.

I'm glad I went even though it was a long trip. I'm now looking at what's closer to home and checking out my favorite blogs for ideas. It's a big decision. I'm actually thinking of something light and natural like a jute type rug. Whatcha think?

Country vs City

Tuesday morning we packed up our belongings, moved the temporary furniture out of the living room and set up Zuzu's new living quarters, in preparation for the next steps on the floors and our move to the city.

Of course three years ago we lived in the city so it's not like Greensboro is new to us since we both grew up here.  But you forget how convenient everything is and the choices. I've already had two walks with my sister who lives about a mile away and Petals (yes, we brought her with us) is loving this. But, each day I take her back home to be with Zuzu. It's quite a trek out there!

For this time away from home we are very thankful for the blessings of friends and the chance to live in the city but we still like calling the country home!

Monday Checkup

I have decided to begin a regular Monday Blog. I'm kinda copying my daughter's blog idea with regular questions I complete. Let's see how it goes!

1. I accomplished last week:

• Petals got a haircut and was groomed at PetSmart
• Started painting the outside of the house
• Shiloh crossed the water, rather jumped it, but got over it

2. Goal(s) for the week:

• Buy more porch paint
• Locate shutters I want to build for house
• Move to friends house while floors being stained
• Work at Caldwell 2 days
• Celebrate sister's birthday
• Ride Shiloh each day
• Take Petals for a walk each day

3. Challenges for the week: Marshall and I living in someone else's home while the animals stay outside in Oak Ridge

4. Something you may not know about.... me, I love riding dressage but we(Shiloh and me) look nothing like the Olympics!

5. I am curious about:

• how this school year will go

One Project Leads To Another

The kitchen is taking shape with all the bottom cabinets installed and ready for Monday's granite measuring appointment. So with little to be done for now inside the house I purchased paint for the exterior. I've been thinking about this project for sometime. An interesting side note, when we bought the house the owner shared how he would paint a side a year. If you look closely you can tell that something is different. Either it was the sun, new paint or old paint, but each side is actually a different shade. We also were in need of painting the trim and shutters which now are a dark, dark red, on the deck side, the paint is actually an ugly mauve. To me when you look at the house you see darkness.

Needless to say, I'm not sure now was the time to start but .... we did. Trying to match up the paint was a challenge so I took a sample but found something at Sherwin Williams that I liked better. It's different though, which means it looks different and will "force" us to finish the exterior in one year rather than 4yrs like the previous owner. I decided to paint the red trim a gray white which will open up the look too. I have plans to make shutters from a design that looks fairly simple.

I hope I'm not making anyone feel anxious as I describe this mammoth task, for now we will take one brush stroke at a time. Thankfully, Marshall agreed to help. Here are a few pictures of the color.

I think the change will make everything look crisp and new looking. It has a dark gray/green tint to it. I will keep you posted. If anybody loves to paint I'm sure I will have lots of opportunities to share the love!

Kitchen Progress

It's been quiet around the house since Sunday but today the activity and progress picks up! My cabinets were suppose to arrive yesterday but they were delayed; they will be here around 10am this morning. When I decided to be the "GC" of this project one of the things I was keenly aware of was how things don't go as you think they will.... so..... expect hiccups! Thankfully, I have tried to act professionally even though inside I feel disappointed. In this line of work when one thing is delayed it means moving something else and they (electrician, flooring etc) are use to this.

I can't wait to see the cabinets but I have to remember the granite won't be in until Aug 16. So for now we will continue to live like this:

Note the refrig and stove have inhabited the porch. Thankfully, the refrig is plugged in. This week we have moved some temporary furniture in the living room until next week when the floors are stained. We've enjoyed watching the Olympics!

Shiloh and Water

I have thoroughly enjoyed  Shiloh this summer. I bought her at the end of the school year and we have been having fun getting to know each other.

Shiloh is not a fan of crossing water. She doesn't have much experience on a daily basis so I've been trying to coax without too much fuss. To me it seems so simple- just walk in it, it will feel good, you can even have a sip. But no. I'm afraid to her she sees a monster that will rise up from the depths. Regardless this was my goal.


There is a small creek that we have been practicing on but every time we get to it she stops and won't budge. Today I tried taking her to the creek in her halter and a bucket with grain. You can see by the pictures that she wasn't won over enough.

I put the bucket in the water thinking it would  cause her to come closer, that she did but not enough to get her feet wet.

We will keep trying. I'm going to solicit a helper  to stand behind her with a stick or whip and encourage her to get her feet wet!

Yellow in Mardo

Coreopsis

I think this is a type of cone flower

They are really tall, I think I got them from Leigh Brooks

Verbena

About 14 feet high!

Sunflower

This is new in my garden this year

This is my favorite; it almost looks fake!

Black Eyed Susans

A First

When the fruits of a garden come in you've got to do something with it!  Today my friend Caroline and I helped Deborah make six pints of Salsa. It was really fun!

Floors

When we arrived home Sunday afternoon we saw the Weeks Flooring truck in our driveway. I was surprised but glad it was just because they finished early Saturday to enjoy the day and complete the job on Sunday. I was so excited to see how they looked.

They wove the old floor with the new

Staining will happen next week. What about a pretty hall rug?

Petals is enjoying being back home and the quiet of this Monday morning.

Wednesday the cabinets will be installed!

Sitting River

It was a beautiful day in Hillsville, Va. Our choice of activities included tubing down the river or taking the Kuby to the river along with lunch, chairs and swim suits. The pictures tell it all.

We all piled in the Kuby and traveled down a very rocky trail to the river.

After lunch we sat in the water enjoying the cool water

Petals and Bonnie got along well and enjoyed the river

Marshall didn't think he was going to get in the water (reason for the jeans) but seeing us have so much fun he said what the heck!

Petals was very entertaining as her inner "water" dog came out!