it has been a long time......

It has been a very long time since I have been back here to post anything...I left off at the end of January with what was happening in my life. I WON THE CHILI COOKOFF !!!!! I found a recipe on the internet 2 days before the cook off. I tried it and my son even said that if I don't win, the contest was fixed....it was a white bean chicken chili and the flavor is awesome. We had some ups and downs...we were anxiously planning our cruise...did our taxes and had enough money to finish off the cruise, put some away for my class reunion, pay for my Nova Scotia trip and have a few dollars put up in my savings account. We had major changes at church that was not well received...because I don't know who reads my blog, I will not go into detail, but I have not been a happy camper since then...it is in God's hands. Know that you cannot lie and say that God allowed things to work out when it was YOUR doings and manipulation. You must fully trust God, seek His face, or it is not going to work...you have seen his hand in other things and you refuse to recognize when your plans are not God's plans, yet you go forward anyway....if you destroy 2 other churches, what makes you think your big headed, my-way-or nothing attitude isn't going to destroy this one. Long time faithful people being kicked to the curb for your agenda. Go figure....people, you need to wake up...enough on this...it makes me angry. I made it through the school year; got my area packed and ready to move in record time and managed to make it on our cruise .....................all while taking care of Justin, who happened to have a major accident and break his ankle and shatter his left heel....he was hospitalized for 9 days; it cost me a lot of money for casts, wheelchair, wheelchair ramp, special wheelchair, shower chair, crutches, patient transfer services (2x) and someone to take care of Justin while we went on the cruise without him. If he had listened to his mother, it would not have happened because so many things were going wrong with this "volunteer" job that I told him to back away. HE DID NOT. I am thankful he was not hurt worse than what he was, but he now has a lifelong piece of metal in his heel, a slight limp, no income for 4+ months and could not finish school. Not complaining but this was a difficult time for me because I lost my helper and everything was on me to do - work, yard work, run errands, drive to appointments, nurse, clean, laundry, cook - all alone. All I wanted to do was sleep or have an uncomplicated day....but I made it through. We were blessed to go to Beaver Falls during this time; I went to my 40th Class Reunion. I actually had a great time and was so happy to see so many classmates. I found a new dress at Steinmart while in Pittsburgh with my aunts and sister the day before. It was the same dress I saw in Windsor for $75 - at Steinmart for $39. Justin and I were blessed to go to Nova Scotia with the choir in August. WE HAD SUCH A BEAUTIFUL TRIP. I love Nova Scotia - it reminds me of Pennsylvania....the people drive the way you are supposed to drive; it is a calm environment; the countryside is beautiful. We also went to Peggy's Cove (it rained) and Prince Edward Island (long ride). We had a great bus driver - she brought her husband and son along - her husband was so funny; he loved to laugh and have a good time. I was grateful for all the help I received with Justin - his friends were a Godsend. I returned to work right after that trip and got my work area organized. I had over 110 boxes to unpack, by my self. I was very happy with the results. I managed to finish just before our Grand Opening, which was fun. I was so proud of our new building and I love my new work area. Sept 1, 2011 saw us out on strike.....my very first one in my life. It started with 96 degree weather, then we had 50's with wind and rain. People for the most part were very supportive of our strike; a few people tried to run us down; a lot of people brought food for us and it was great to have one on one time with people that I formerly knew by name only. The strike lasted for 19 days and I was one very happy, thankful, grateful child of God to return to work. I came back with a cold that has been hanging on for over a month; I am tired of coughing and want this cold GONE. I have not been in the best spirits; life has been beatin' my behind - responsibilities, people, things and situations are getting me down - don't worry - I am most grateful for what I have, for the life I live, for salvation, the grace and mercy of God and for his many, many blessings. I am just feeling low and really don't want to feel this way.....I need a "hissy fit" moment for about a few days, then I think I can carry on. I do not allow myself to have those because I am always trying to do the right thing, but a Madea moment would do me a world of good, LOL. I will press on.