Exercise

Jul 09 2018

Remembering ~ The Wallpaper Crises

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 1 Comment

 

    I want to remember every day the soldiers and families who serve our great country with their sacrifice.

To remember them daily is an Honor.

John 15:13
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

 

 

 

 

 

Reflections: The Wallpaper Crises

I have always loved wallpaper. Over the years you could find different types of it in each of our homes. So, when we moved to Foremost, Alberta in the spring of 2011, I again looked for some wallpaper for our home.

I found a charming pre-pasted vinyl in the pattern and color I wanted and couldn’t wait to get it up on the wall.

Now, seven years later I decided to get to work on it. Speedy I’m not. When life gets busy the more important activities take precedence. I’m sure you can attest to that too.

First I needed to find my supplies, but they were nowhere in sight. I must have loaned them out but to who?  I can’t remember.  So after buying new supplies, I started to get excited and inspired.  I put towels on the floor, filled the water trough, put the ladder up and laid my scissors, sponge and measuring tape where I could reach them.  Finally, I was ready.

Being a seasoned wallpaper enthusiast, I decided to measure and match the pattern before getting the paper wet and on to the wall. All seven pieces each eight feet long. I thought I was a genius to even think of this time-saving step. Wrong!

The first three lengths were on the wall looking great, but due to the late hours, I decided to go to bed.  And due to previous commitments, it was two and a half weeks later before I got back to it.  Feeling inspired again, I picked up the fourth length of wallpaper, put it through the water trough and proceeded to hang it on the wall, however, the wallpaper was not matching very well and looked a little off. I decided to let it dry a little hoping it might look better.

After an hour I looked at it again and noticed it looked like a different color, and at closer inspection, I realized the pattern was upside down. Ugh!  I gently pulled the paper off the wall hoping to turn it right side up and save it.  As I stood on the ladder I tried to lay the paper flat with the paste-up thinking when I was down from the ladder I would fold it paste to paste to preserve the paper.  As I stepped off the ladder, my socks caught the edge of the wallpaper glue and I landed on the paper and slid the whole eight feet on my backside.  I had glue all over my clothes, hands and in my hair.  Of course, the paper was crumpled up so bad it was never going to see the wall again. 

At this moment I must confess I am a little nervous about the whole wallpaper idea.  And yes I am still looking at my wall half papered and half not.  Lol, I’m waiting for my inspiration to return!

When things don’t go as I would like and time seems in short supply, I tend to get discouraged and wish the world would stop for awhile and let you off. To have a chance to regroup and collect our thoughts?

When those times come for me I know that I can talk to God about any situation and he will calm my spirit and give me hope to keep moving forward. I love the promises he gives to us to hold on to. Where would I be without him in my life.©

Psalm 62:5-6  NLT

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken.

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 
 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

May 03 2018

The Traveling Tourist ~ Vacation

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 6 Comments

The Traveling Tourist

A man was driving along the highway, and saw a rabbit hopping across the middle of the road. He swerved to avoid hitting the rabbit, but unfortunately the rabbit jumped in front of the car and was hit.

The driver, being a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulled over to the side of the road and got out to see what had become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, the rabbit was dead. The driver felt so awful he began to cry.

 A woman driving down the highway saw the man crying on the side of the road and pulled over. She stepped out of her car and asked the man what was wrong. “I accidentally hit this rabbit and killed it.”

 The woman told the man not to worry. She knew what to do. She went to her car trunk and pulled out a spray can. She walked over to the limp, dead rabbit, and sprayed the contents of the can onto the rabbit. Miraculously, the rabbit came to life, jumped up, waved its paw at the two humans and hopped down the road.

50 feet away the rabbit stopped, turned around, waved at the two again, hopped down the road another 50 feet, turned, waved, and hopped another 50 feet.

The man was astonished. He couldn’t figure out what substance could be in the woman’s spray can! He ran over to the woman and demanded,” What was in your spray can? What did you spray onto that rabbit?”

The woman turned the can around so that the man could read the label. It said:” Hair Spray Restores Life to Dead Hair. 

Author unknown

 

 

Reflections: Vacation

The middle of April, my sister, Joanna and her husband invited me to enjoy some time with them in the San Juan Islands, Washington. What a beautiful and restful time. We spent time together exploring new restaurants, second hand stores and even found some real bargains

I enjoyed a ride on a float plane from the island to Seattle (my first time) and then on to San Diego, California where my sister lives most of the year.

Although I was born in San Francisco, most of my early years were spent in San Diego.

Going back to the San Diego area and seeing family and remembering the places that I loved as a youth was fun. It was like a blast from the past. It’s funny, things don’t stay the same. Neighborhoods change, people move away, stores close and new ones open. Time truly does march on.

I am now with my youngest daughter and her husband in northern California, enjoying their beautiful home, warm weather and contemplating life. I will be here for a few weeks and then back home to Alberta, Canada.

There are many times in life where I have been blessed beyond words from the generosity of others. Many of you know these last few years have been a difficult time and I know it has been the same for many of you too.

Sometimes it is easy to slide into discouragement, fear and loneliness at our situations. I’ve often said, “It can be a long way from my head to my heart.”  When my head reminds me of all the verses of God’s love and compassion, and my heart still says, “Why?”

Have you ever had those days when you wonder about God’s plan for you?  I love Bible verses that I can hold on to tightly and rely on their promises.

Psalm 73: 23-25

Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.

 

It has been and continues to be a special time away for me.

I know that God blessed me through the kindness of others, Thank you Lord.

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 

HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan

Mar 14 2018

LOL ~ Field Trip

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments

“LOL”

John angrily looked at the text he had just received from his Mom.  It read: “Professor called to say you failed the course.  LOL.  Mom.

” How could he have failed?! … And all his Mom has to say is that she’s Laughing Out Loud?!  

Fed up, he texted his Mom: “What was up with the LOL?”  his text said.   “I just wanted to send you Lot’s Of Love because I know how disappointed you must be.”  Author unknown

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflections: Field Trip

As I enjoyed watching the Olympics the last few weeks, the discipline and commitment that each Olympian strives to achieve are incredible.

Every time I see or hear about the Olympics, I think about my daughter who became intrigued with the swimmers. I would find her in the living room practicing the butterfly stroke with the swimmers on our shag carpet. Every day she came home after school to practice. And at night I would find water on the bathroom floor as she perfected her strokes.

We soon learned that she be going on a kindergarten school trip, the class was going to a swimming pool. The trip was a week away, and she couldn’t swim, no matter how much confidence she had.  We bought a new swimsuit for the occasion, but caution our daughter not to go into the deep end.

We tried to impress on her that swimming around the living room on a shag carpet or a breaststroke in the bathtub does not make her a swimmer.  But, she kept insisting that she knew how to swim, after all, she had practiced!

The day arrived, and Lyle took her to school and again cautioned her not to go into the deep end.  He got a smile, hug, and a wave as she headed for the bus and her friends.

We waited impatiently until the time arrives to pick her up, and Lyle raced down to the school to get her.

As she got into the truck, she was unusually quiet, so Lyle asked her how the day went. And with a surprised look on her face, she said,” I jumped into the deep end of the pool, and I almost drowned?” 

She was so convinced that she knew how to swim. After all, she learned the strokes and practiced with the best.  The only thing she was missing was the water!!!

Although we laugh at remembering this story, I wonder how many times do I think I know what’s best for me too?

Those times when I don’t want to bother God with my problems because he’s is too busy with others. However, when I try to fix them myself, I only make them worse.  I was so sure I knew how to do it.  I used God as my last resort when He should always be my first. Is it pride or stubbornness that keeps me from asking for His help? ©

Psalm 121:2-3 (NLT)

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.

 

Have a Fabulous Week! Hugs
Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
 I love you all and am praying. 
HUGS,
Lovingly, Karan
Aug 18 2017

Let Freedom Ring

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 4 Comments
   A Bible Story?

 

  A father was reading Bible stories to his young son.  

  He read, “the man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city,

  but his wife looked back and was turned into salt.”

  His son asked, “What happened to the flea?

Reflections: Let Freedom Ring

Some years ago while we were touring in Germany, we had the opportunity to see Dachau, a prisoner of war camp outside Munich. I was instantly aware of the strange stillness, and how eerily quiet the camp seemed. I was walking in the same steps of so many who had gone before me but only with a much different outcome.

As the prisoners, walked over the small bridge toward the showers, seeing the beautiful flower and sweet music playing, how would these people know that the showers had a deadly consequence for them?

 After spending an afternoon in Dachau, and seeing the displays, films, and pictures I walked away shocked at the evil and cruelty of man towards one another.

As I left Dachau, I read a sign above the door I have never forgotten. The quote said, “If we forget the past, we are condemned to do it again.” or written a little differently, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

I believe those words, and I can look at the past and remember how far we have come. I love history and often watch war movies. Remembering those brave men and women who have fallen because they loved this country more than themselves, and the precious families left behind. Do I love my country the same way? Or do I just want my own way, and care little for others.

As an American, my heart breaks of all the racial and political disarray that are happening now especially after last weekend in Virginia. I lived and witnessed the 60’s and 70’s which was a chaotic time for our country, but we made it.

I think tearing down our past and trying to erase history only deepens our wounds. Those founding fathers who were flawed, just like us, loved this country too, without them, we would never have the opportunity to live in a country as vast and free as America.

We don’t have slavery in this country anymore, and I thank God for a man like Dr. Martin Luther King who stood up for righteousness to make life better for us all. When will we carry our banner for freedom and stand up for what we believe?©

Psalm 119:45 NLT– I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.

“If we forget the past, we are condemned to do it again.”
~ George Santayana ~

Please let me know how you are feeling about all that is happening.  I love you all and am praying. Hugs

Lovingly, Karan

Aug 12 2017

Getting Some Music Lessons

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: No Comments

 

Getting Some Music Lessons

A drummer tired of being ridiculed by his peers decided to learn how to play some “real” musical instruments.  

He went to the music store, walked in, approached the store clerk and said, I’ll take that red trumpet over there and that accordion.”

The store clerk looked at him a bit funny, and replied, “Okay, you can have the  fire extinguisher, but the radiator’s got to stay.” Author unknown

 

 

Reflections: 

I must confess I have been on a controlled eating and dieting plan for the last few month with disappointing results.  The exercise program I picked has me swinging and jumping to the beat of, “Country Heat.” Didn’t help much either. I’m sure if I did the routine every day like I was supposed to, I would be in better shape.

I received a wonderful Fitbit and am wearing it faithfully, only to find out I don’t walk enough (Really?) and my sleep patterns are off. Every night I give myself a scolding and feel guilty I haven’t done better. Who new 10,000 steps was the magic Number.  I thought I walked a lot every day????

I have been reflecting on my diet and exercise hysteria and how I am driving myself nuts, as well as everyone else. Is it insecurity, or the feeling of not measuring up? Who says what is beautiful, acceptable and lovely anyway?

With the constant barrage of the media, celebrities, and fashion magazines our self-esteem can erode fast.  I just read that a poll By Dr. Raj Persuad a Psychiatrist, said looking at magazines for 60 minutes lowers the self-esteem of young women by 80%.  Astonishing.  

I started to wonder why I even buy magazines knowing the reality we see is the perfecting imagery of a Photoshop expert and illusions of technical imagery.  After all if they can make a one-hundred year old woman look 24 again, they can do anything!

All this stress and wanting perfection, I know it is only vanity. In my heart I wanted to feel acceptable and secure in how I looked.  Instead of being grateful, I get all caught up in the physical instead of relying on the one who knows me best. I forgot how much He loves, I am already special and perfect in His eyes.©

Genesis 1:27 
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

We Are Love by God!

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me.
Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs to all.

Lovingly, Karan

Do you find your getting discouraged too? What self talk do you do?