Winter

Sep 14 2018

Money Saving Tips???

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

 

 

 

Money Saving Tips???

I have been watching our utility bill go up and down for this last year. In August, a young gentleman came to town advertising for a new utility company. They wanted to merge our gas and electric bills into one instead of two separate bills.

We could save money and lock in a new rate much lower than before if we signed up for them. Lyle and I looked over the contract and felt it looked better than the variable rates we had been experiencing.

However, in the fall and over the winter, we kept seeing the bill increasing, instead of going down as promised. I phoned the utility company to inquire about my bill, and the consultant was polite and understanding. Saying she was sorry, and next month’s bill would be better, she promised. She even gave me a 10.00 credit. LOL

Well, the next month arrived, and it was much worse than the previous month, so I found the contract and realized the company headquarters was in Texas. I started thinking maybe they were charging us in American dollars instead of Canadian. Right now in Canada, our dollar is worth seventy cents to an American dollar.

I called the company again to see if the exchange rate was the problem, they assured it was not. As I visited with the representative, she inquired if I received their company’s brochure on how to get budget saving tips for our home. I hadn’t received the brochure, so she gave me a few tips on how I might conserve energy.

First, she said I need to unplug my refrigerator, stove, and oven every night. She did every night, and it helped her conserve energy.

At that point, I had visions of my husband and myself dragging all our appliances out and unplugging then each night. Then plug them in every morning and pushing them back in place. I don’t know about you but, I had never learned about this tip before, sounds like a high-energy project for sure. She then suggested I put everything on an extension cord so it would be easy.

I told her I had never heard of that money saving tip before. She said she does it every night; it is what we do in the Philippines. What??

At this point I was so relieved that it wasn’t Canada she was talking about, I thanked her tips and said good-bye.©

Don’t worry about tomorrow, God is already there!

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

Aug 31 2018

Seasons Come and Go

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 8 Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seasons Come and Go

Today in Southern Alberta it is damp and chilly, merely a few weeks ago we were enduring 100 degrees and a parched summer.  I am astonished at how fast the weather turns. Many years ago, when I left San Diego and moved to the ranch in southern Alberta, people told me, “if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute”. And I can attest to that fact here in Alberta. I am certain that is true wherever you live, there’re always changes. When I lived in California we had one season, Perfect!

But how I treasure the transformation of our seasons in Alberta. I love the hues of Fall when the harvest is finishing and the bountiful crops are being sold or stored in bins. I embrace the joy of the Thanksgiving season, pumpkin pie, funny pictures, and family.  Yes, Fall is one of my two favorites.

Then Christmas is close behind bringing the chilly winds and snow. I must admit I am not a snow bunny, no matter how many clothes I put on I can never stay warm enough. My notion for a perfect winter season is; falling snow on Christmas eve and it melts two days later. But, alas, everybody I know loves winter sports, and I am normally met with, “Suck it Up Buttercup”.  

People love winter sports here, the skiing, ice-skating, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.  And we can’t forget curling.  I had never heard of this sport when I moved to Canada, I assumed it had something to do with your hair. Hockey was a mystery too, watching my first game I couldn’t understand why everyone was hitting each other with their boards. And immediately was informed that they were hockey sticks, not boards. Who knew? 

Spring is another favorite season of mine.  I love seeing the new growth bringing with it the promise of life.  Everything is exciting and new including baby calves, lambs, and chicks. and after a long winter of hibernation, I too can come out and enjoy the warmth of the sun.

I am certain you have your favorite times too. Although every year has four seasons with the same number of holidays and days, each year differs from the last one. As we look back we can remember the years that were hard and the ones that make us smile.

As I read my Bible, it reminded me that my life, the weather, and the universe are not a surprise to God, He knows every detail. Even if we don’t understand His weather report or the things He allows in our lives, He is always there.  He is always faithful to walk with us as we travel through each season of our years.©   

For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and shows His thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth. The Lord God of All is His name. Amos 4:13 NLT 

It is a comfort to know God is always with us as he has always been.© 

 “Don’t worry about tomorrow, God is already there.”

What is your favorite season?

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 19 2018

Going Fishing ~ Just A Sing-in

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 6 Comments

Going Fishing

A little boy was going on a fishing expedition with his father, traveling from New Mexico to Colorado. 

Every fifty miles, the excited son asked his father if they were almost there.  The father answered that they had quite a distance to travel yet. So the son waited for a few more minutes and asked his father again.

“Sorry son, we have another hundred miles yet.”

After fifty more miles, the son asked, “Daddy, am I still going to be four years old when we get there?” Author unknown

 

 

 

 

Reflections: Just A Sing-in

Every time I hear a beautiful song I get teary-eyed, and I think about my own voice that is a little off-key.  I remember at one time Lyle, and I had been invited to sing for an evening event. I was so scared. 

My husband comes from a musical family and has a wonderful voice.  We practiced for weeks.  But when we stood on stage in front of all those people I froze, and couldn’t remember the words or even find my note. 

My dear husband tried to encourage after our song, but I knew it didn’t go well.  As we were leaving a woman rushed up to reassure me and said, “Well after you went up and down the scale a few times you finally found your note, I think it was OK.” So much for my singing career! LOL

Although I am not a singer, I do love to sing. I like to sing out loud, and I’m sure others wish I would stop. One Sunday at church many years ago as I was singing loud and proud, one of my daughters stood close to me and suggested that I might like to hum! But hey, the Bible says let us make a joyful noise, and I want to do my part.

They say, “Music washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.” I believe those words.

I’ve often said,” It’s a long way between my head and my heart.” When we don’t understand our circumstances and find ourselves in hard places, we often want to rely on our knowledge, experience, and know-how to make everything better. But in our hearts, we feel afraid, worried and confused.

There have been times in these last few years that my head knows all the Bible verses and promises from God’s word, as well as all the praise and worship songs. But my heart still says, why? Have you ever had those feelings??

I have found over the years when I listen to music it lifts my spirits. It is something that gives me energy and joy when I can turn up the volume and sing as loud as I want. I have found a car is a perfect place for my personal concert.

Psalm 13:6 (NLT)

I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.

Being able to sing lifts my spirit and helps me to delight in the love and care of God.  Singing also reminds me there is no problem or circumstance that is too hard for Him.  When I am singing my heart and head are one and at peace with Him.

And like a small bird needing to fly and feel the wind lift me higher, I know God has placed a special song in my heart that I must sing to a hurting world… Jesus Loves You!  That is my song©

Thank you, dear friends, for spending your time with me. 

Has God given you a song to sing?

Have a great week, 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