Articles

Nov 05 2018

Are Memories Timeless Treasures?

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 3 Comments

 

 Dining Out in Style    

‘We’d been invited out to dinner one chilly evening, and I wanted to look elegant.” Elaine admits.           

I dressed carefully, Finally, my husband, growing impatient said he was going to warm up the car.

Hurrying, I reached in the dresser for my soft white shawl.

I flung it around my shoulders, quickly tied the ends in front and without bothering to look in the mirror ran downstairs.

It was only after I got in the car that I realized in my haste, I’d pulled a pair of thermal underwear from the drawer instead of a shawl…and knotted the legs in front! 

My Husband is still laughing…   

                                                            © Elaine Fowler Palencia of Champaign, Illinois, USA.   

elainepalencia.com                          

Thank you, Elaine

 

 

“Are Memories Timeless Treasures” 

While visiting my sister in San Diego, California a few years ago, I needed to go to the mall for a few things. My sister was busy and recommended I take her car for the afternoon and enjoy some retail therapy. I was grateful for the time to just browse the shops and seeing the different stores and shops we don’t get in Canada.

I needed to be home by 4:30 to meet my sister, so I gave myself plenty of time and headed for the car at 3:00 pm. As I headed to the parking lot, I could not remember where I parked my car.  

I walked back and forth down the aisles of the parking lot twice, and couldn’t find the car. Panicked; it occurred me, I might have to contact the police and report the car stolen.

After having a total meltdown, and no cell phone I walked the aisles one more time. And finally found my sister’s car, a white Buick. I was looking for my gray Chrysler, which was in Canada. I was two hours late; my family was worried and about to send a search party after me! Whew, what a day.

A funny thing happened on this journey to maturity. I learned that “normal is just a setting on the dryer” and aging is not a scary process but an extraordinary adventure. I can look back at the love lessons God has taught me, both the hard and enjoyable. And each memory has become a timeless treasure hidden in my heart. I have seen how he has been faithful to his promises and walked with me every step of my journey. I have never been alone.

Although my Blonde hair is becoming whiter, and my body isn’t the same as it once was, I am never too old to serve God. I can still encourage, love and help others. God has blessed me with many memories and experiences to share. And besides, today is a fabulous day, and I don’t feel so old! LOL©

What are your favorite memories?  I would love to hear about them

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

 

 

Oct 18 2018

The Coffee Party

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 5 Comments

 

 

 

The Coffee Party

Every morning in our ranching and farming community the men would regularly meet at the local restaurant. Enjoying coffee, breakfast and keep up with the area happenings of the day. Topics included: cows, crops, politics and solving all the world’s problems for the day. At 6:00 am–8:30 am it was the men’s den!

On my husband’s birthday, October 7th a few years back, I surprised him with a singing telegram at the restaurant so all his friends would enjoy his birthday too. I took the cake to the restaurant the night before so when they sang Happy Birthday the cake made its appearance. I thought it would make a memorable party for my husband and his friends

When I booked the singing telegram, I chose the dancing Gorilla in a hula skirt to show up at the coffee shop at 6:30 am for the biggest effect. I was excited about the next day’s surprise. However, the night before, the woman from Party Singing Grams called and said she was sorry but they were double booked and can’t come.

I was so disappointed, all the plans seemed to fall apart at that moment. She then suggested I should wear the gorilla suit with the hula outfit.  And dance to the taped Hawaiian music and birthday song she recorded, if I would come and get it the suit.

I went ahead, how hard can a hula dance be with music? I saw it on TV once, two steps to the left waving your arms than two steps to the right still waving your arms. I was so confident about the steps and music when I brought the outfit home I never practiced. Besides, if I were wearing, the gorilla outfit no one would recognize it as me.

After my husband left for work at 6:00 I hurriedly put the outfit on. My daughter drove me downtown, and I stood outside the window trying to get my brave on. Finally, I ran in, messed up my husband’s hair, took a pose with my arms out and pressed the button to start the music on the tape-recorder. To my shock “Creedence Clearwater Revival” blasted out a rock-and-roll tune–she had sent the wrong tape! Stunned, my mind raced at what to do next, so I tried and make the Hula work. 

I started the music again and did the two steps left waving my arms and two steps right still waving my arms only at a much more increased speed. I thought the tape would never end, and I was sweating, that was hard work in a gorilla outfit!

Finally, the happy birthday song ended, and I ran out the door, giving the proper birthday wishes and left. I raced home, packed the gorilla outfit up and waited for him to come home; all the while trying to pretend nothing unusual happened. The hardest part was for my daughter and me to keep a straight face when he came home. He described to us about what happened to him at the coffee shop. How some woman dressed as a hula dancing gorilla tried to do the hula dance to a “Creedence Clearwater Revival’s” rock-and-roll song, strange.

But the cake was great. He also added that he thought the Party Singing Gram lady had put on some weight because she was much heavier than she used to be! He also noted, her hair was blonde now, she must have dyed it because he saw blonde hair at the back of the gorilla’s neck!!!

I took two years to confess that the gorilla was me, but when I think of the fun, I had it still gives me the giggles. Thank you, God, for giving us a sense of humor, where would we be without it? ©

Psalm 126:2  (NIV)

Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Thank you for sharing your time with me today, dear friend.

If you find and inspiration, love or laughter here, please share with the ones who might enjoy a giggle too.

Have a Great week, HUGS

Lovingly, Karan

Oct 04 2018

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

 

 

Thanksgiving in Canada

As an American living in Canada, I enjoy two Thanksgivings each year.  Our Canadian one is this Monday, October 8th. The American one is November 22nd.  Thanksgiving is my favorite time of the year and having two is special.  

Now that maturity has found me, I can help with the preparations by adding a few of my favorite dishes to the family feast. I love that each person gets to bring their dish and share in the festivities.

I can almost imagine the first Thanksgiving in a new country with new friends.  Each giving the best of what they could share. A true Thanksgiving of open hearts and open hands. I wish I could have been there.

I have been thinking about my own thankfulness at this wonderful time of year. As I ponder the current struggles in the world today, I think it would be great if we could overlook our differences and look at others the way that God sees them. Loved and cherished regardless of the flaws we all have.

 It seems God’s love through us is needed more than ever today. To be able to see people and the world through God’s eyes instead of our own. What would our world look like then?

As each new day comes, I try to find joy and thankfulness in the small moments each day.

What are you most thankful for?©

Thank you for sharing your time with me, dear friend.

Hugs to all, Lovingly Karan

Sep 25 2018

The Mid-term Elections

Author: Karan Gleddie • Discussion: 2 Comments

 

 

 

 

The Mid-term Elections

Over the year and particularly the last few months, I have experienced stress and anxiety leading to the upcoming Mid-term elections.

As Americans residing out of the United States, Lyle and I were thrilled to receive our ballots and have the opportunity to vote.

I am surprised how people seem so interested here in Canada about these midterms. And like the US each person has their favorite candidate and a verity of views on them. No matter where I 

travel, folks feel the need to debate about our U.S. politics.

I read an editorial a few months ago about an “election stress disorder.” It made me laugh, but later I thought I had many of the symptoms as well. LOL. I had become anxious, constantly looked at surveys, Twitter, and the news every morning and evening. Even Canada will be having elections in the fall, and there is a concern there also.

I was telling my friend in South Carolina, I thought I had the “election stress disorder” and she giggled and pointed out I am like this every two or four years. What are friends for, to give us perspective when our focus becomes small?

As I was reading my Bible, I was telling God how disturbed I am about this entire process.

Luke 18:27 it says; “What is impossible from a human perspective, is possible with God,”

What a comfort to know God is a big picture, God. He is never surprised, caught off guard, or doesn‘t have a plan. He knows the plans he has for each of us, plans for our good that are greater than we could ever imagine.  God is trustworthy and true.  And all is well when we are in his care.

Oswald Chambers said it well, “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the one who is leading.”

My confidence and happiness is knowing God is in Control©

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

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