Sharing memories can be a lot of fun.  Sometimes the memories are "shared" but from different perspectives.  What I remember one way the other person remembers differently.  Then, as everyone is talking about something, "older" memories happen.  Even if the conversation is about a different, but related, topic.

Recently, at dinner with my son and grandsons, we were talking about tires, spare tires and where the "spare" tire is.  ONE grandson had actually changed a flat tire.  So I shared about changing a flat when I was in high school.  I had finished my shift - I was a nurses' aide at the local hospital - and come out to the flat tire.  So.... I called my Dad.  He came and proceeded to have me change the tire, in my uniform (pale yellow) with two floors of the hospital watching.  I had to "jump" on the tire iron to loosen the bolts (and tighten) and struggled lifting the spare.  At least two people stopped and offered to help but Dad's reply was "she needs to know this."  (The uniform did come clean in the wash!)

When we got back to our house.... Dad pulled into the driveway, I pulled in and my date pulled in behind me.  Dad got out of his car, walked past me, leaned on my date's car and said......"She has learned two things today.  She has learned how to change a tire...... And next time she'll call you."  Yup.....  My son and my grandsons all laughed!!

How are you doing at reaching your goal(s)?  First...have you set a goal?  I have shared about the working on getting my strength back.  It has been a long journey, and I still have quite a way to go, but even I am beginning to see the results.  I admit I have also had to work on my balance - which requires both getting stronger and watching where I put my feet.

One of the most recent goals was to be able to do the trip to Scotland.  I've shared pictures of getting to the Abbey on Iona - a special definite goal.  Energy level has been another goal.  I admit energy does give out, faster than I would like, but sitting for a few minutes usually resets the level.  The recent trip through airports confirmed, for me, the improvements.  Then.....  going to a Farmers' Market showed it again.  I could walk, slowly but walking(!), without my walking stick!

So.... what reward do you give yourself?  Ice cream?  We had ice cream AND, today, I'm getting coffee fellowship with a special friend!  Definitely a time to laugh!!

Sometimes the thankfulness is just because of the blessings God has given us.  The blessing of travel - to other places AND to be able to visit family.  Thankfulness for the food and fellowship with family and friends.  The joy of "just" being able to stop and be thankful.  Sometimes God time brings out just the right song.

This morning's God time was about sharing God's light.  The idea being our works showing God's light through us.  And the song, playing on the radio, was "The Truth" by Megan Woods.  I love the song - especially the start of the chorus "I am my Father's child, I make him proud and I make him smile."  (Emphasis mine)  What a wonderful way to start the day!  YES!  I am "my Father's child." 

I'm sure I "make HIm smile" too.  A lot of people know I'm crazy.  If they don't I tell them!  I tried normal once....it was no fun!  So we CAN laugh!  Enjoy!  Celebrate God's love!!   

How are you at finding what you put "in a safe place"?  We all do it.....  We have something important, or maybe a gift, we have all prepared.  We put it some place safe.  In fact it is so safe we can't find it again!  Almost two years ago I took a class, learned something new and was excited to be able to give the finished piece as a gift.  I brought it home, put it 'some place safe' until I could work on it.  I could NOT find where I put it!!!

Recently I have learned how to do a new (to me) type of quilting - English Paper Piecing.  It has a lot of little pieces, tools to use and then finished pieces to be sewn into bigger pieces.  I needed something to keep all of these "pieces" together.  I have a wonderful 13 x 9 brand new cake pan.  A friend gave it to me even though I don't bake.  So...  I got it off the book case.  And found some very interesting things - pictures, a book for my son and...... you guessed it!  There was the project from the class.

To say laughing is better than screaming is an understatement to how I felt.  I had looked on the book case, I had looked all over.....  Now I find it in my room on my book case!  You DO have to laugh.... and trust me, I am!!

How are you at sharing about your trips?  Of course part of it depends on the reason for the trip and where the trip went to - right?  Another point could be who you are sharing with.  Of course the family probably hears everything first.  Then the friends who have been putting up with the count down.

I've been sharing, quite often (surprise!), about my recent trip to Scotland.  I've been especially excited, and talking about, Iona.  It has been fun,  and interesting, because of the different people at different times.  The people I see regularly knew about the trip and ask questions.  Most are even willing to see the pictures.

The most fun, though, is the new people to share with.  Several have also just "come home" from Scotland.  AND a couple have even been to, or know about, Iona.  AND the fun has come when we talk about finding yarn.  All of us can laugh...which is much better than screaming!

How are you doing?  Are you back from your vacation?  Are you adjusting back into a "regular" schedule or have you started a new schedule?   What about sore muscles you used on the trip - are they still "talking" to you?

I'm starting to feel adjusted.  God and I are using the "early" awake time for extra time with God, Scripture and praise music.  (I'm actually kind of hoping to keep this change!)  I've even started back at the gym to strengthen muscles that are still "talking" to me.  Lifting my suitcase every day means my arms should be stronger.  And.......  I fell while in Scotland......  Those muscles are still talking to me also. 

I missed the step at the curb, crossing the street, and landed in the middle of the Royal Mile.  Thankfully (praise God!!) there was a young man who literally picked me up, made sure I was steady on my feet, handed me my hat and disappeared back into the crowd.  I never even got to thank him.  So.... yes, muscles are still talking to me.....  And yes...it is better to laugh than to scream! 

How are you at traveling?  Have you crossed time zones lately?  How many times zones?  I have traveled, lately, across one time zone by going to the Eastern time zone from the Central time zone.  A one hour difference is not "too hard" to deal with no matter which way I'm going - to the Eastern or back home to Central.  The recent trip, however, was from Central to what ever they call the time zone in Scotland.  It was a six hour difference.

Actually traveling to Scotland was "only" difficult because of being up, pretty much all night, to get to Scotland.  We had an "extra" day to adjust, get some sleep and be ready for the tour.  This helped a lot!  It took most of the week to remember what time it was "at home" because of my difficulty with numbers.  A six hour difference in time -- so add the number or subtract?  Then we were up for basically 20 hours as we traveled back home.  An early flight to our connection, the flight to MN, and then staying "up" until bed time - which did come early!!

It has now been several days but I'm still waking up "early" for here but late for Scotland.  I can still fall asleep sitting in my chair.  It has been "only" three days though.........  So laughing instead of screaming.........

Thankful for the time to make new memories.  Thankful the work to get some of my strength back worked.  Thankful for the history learned and the times when God's presence was definitely felt.  Thankful for for the strangers who helped when needed.  I, personally, would say it was God's helping hand providing someone to help.

Yes, I will be honest and let people know I fell.  I missed a curb step and landed in the middle of a busy intersection.  I've been told it was a beautiful "3 point landing."  I hit my head (scratched my glasses even) and my knees.  I have been getting stronger but NOT strong enough to stand up by myself yet.  Now in the middle of the street there was nothing to help, reach out to or use to be able to get myself up.  Then the next thing I knew a young man came out of no where and, literally, picked me up off the pavement.  Then he handed me back my hat and disappeared again.

There was also a wonderful lady, in a beautiful hat, who helped get me to where I could sit down.  She wanted to call for "emergency" help but we agreed I was fine.  Once again I can, personally, say it is better to laugh than to start screaming!