Sunday Reflections
Happy Sunday, everyone! Welcome to my weekly lifestyle post called Sunday Reflections.
Sunday Reflections includes my thoughts and happenings from the past week and also reflections of the week ahead.
This is such a beautiful time in Texas.
The sunsets are more vibrant…the wildflowers carpet the fields…the smell of mowed grass is every where.
And families prepare for the onslaught of summer.
It is also a busy time…and that is where I take you today…
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: WHY I AM IN A NEW PLACE
We came to help my daughter’s family and I was busy about my role as GIGI this past week.
There are many happenings at the end of school…like kindergarten graduation.
I took a picture with our little graduate with his rainbow because every time we prayed about the decision to move here…a rainbow showed up.
One thing I love about West Texas is the big big sky is how much of the rainbow we can see…previously in San Antonio we only saw a sliver.
Rainbows have come to mean more to me in this new journey of our lives.
The cutest moment in the kinder graduation was when all of the little ones kicked up their heels and sang to the Frank Sinatra tune, New York, New York.
But they sang…“Start spreading the news, we’re leaving today, we want to be a part of it…First Grade, First Grade!”
It was precious and they did an entire song.
He also spent time with me this week, and found a small branch down in the backyard…then he asked, “What holidays are in May, Gigi?”
I told him about Memorial Day next weekend, so he made this American flag for the porch…love it!
I need to buy more tape and glue because this one is a creative machine.
He also did some photography work as I took two of them to the dentist this week.
With all the waiting, there was lots of photography to be done.
I haven’t taken children to the dentist in many years, and I forgot about the “challenges,” and dealing with fears and pain.
But, we powered through.
Next week, there are several school happenings including helping my daughter to prepare and hostess an end-of-school class party at their home.
Then summer begins!
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: ME TIME
With so much going on, I do still take care of me and look for ways to elevate my everyday!
My attitude is much better when I make sure I care for myself during very busy times when the family needs more of me.
This past week, I took time to get a COLLAGEN PEDICURE...it was amazing.
My feet are still so soft…and my nail technician, Samantha, kept commenting on how soft her hands were as she worked on me.
Of course, I selected pretty spring colors for my nails that complement my new Spring Palette Wardrobe.
You can see my hands where I am holding the magazine above.
I also love how I now have a patio where I can sit often with Tux and unwind…just about any time of day.
The weather here is drier than San Antonio and that makes it so nice to enjoy the outdoors often.
This is the first time in years that in May I have a touch of a tan going on.
I told you recently that I would share a picture of the new bird bath once we set it up.
Again, this bird bath is from HOME DEPOT… VINTAGE CONCRETE BIRD BATH.
I like it and so do the birds…so far, there have been constant refills.
Before I leave for today, let me share with you about the sunset pictures.
Mr. B ran a race this weekend at a nearby lake…Possum Kingdom Lake.
He took these in the evening. We are going to be spending more time there this summer and the pics have me excited to do so.
I actually went to this lake often as a child…. one of my grandfather’s favorite places to fish. I am looking forward to my return.
Thank you for understanding that the blogging schedule was a bit different this past week as I adjust to a much busier schedule that is not my own.
God is doing a new thing in our lives, and with daily prayer (without ceasing) I am powering through.
Let’s transition into summer together this week…leave any comments or questions on Sunday Reflections here…until tomorrow…
BE THANKFUL FOR EACH MOMENT…and KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
Whether shopping new arrivals or clearance sales, please shop with the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.
What a beautiful thing that you are doing God’s work with your Gigi duties! And doing this with joy. That’s what it is all about. We are grilling outside today and having corn on the cob. It will truly feel like summer. I discovered a new author, Gladys Taber, who is truly delightful. She says, “Breakfasts in summer should be eaten outdoors on a tray.”
Breakfasts outdoors and corn on the cob just sound great! Bring on summer days, Marcia.
I used to read Gladys Taber. Such nice “homebody” nonfiction, for us who love our homes, gardens and pets. And it harks back to an era that was not constantly filled with social media and noise. As for “summer” … Our condo pool kicks off this Saturday with the annual potluck, which draws us all out of our winter hibernation. But the weather is uncooperative … just mid sixties for highs all week!
Have fun at the pool party, Linda!
What a delightful post today highlighting the joys you have found in your new neighborhood and more time with your grandchildren. I found myself smiling along with you .
Thank you, Dorothy. So happy to have you along on my journey!
I love how the New York song was re-worded to fit this big step up into first grade, and can just imagine the delight of everyone hearing this version.
Your husband’s lakeside pictures are gorgeous; no wonder you’re excited to spend some time there this summer.
We are on a very slow and gentle roll-out to summer so far, but that’s fine by me. May is one of my favorite months for mild weather, with the promise of all my daisies and lavender mere weeks away. Our days are quite long already (sunrise around 5:30, and sunset about 8:45 right now), so I feel like I am getting lots of bonus time. 😊
Thanks Connie…I am never quick to rush into warmer weather…it comes and stays so long. Right now it has warmed up too fast and miss that gentle roll into it. SO I understand why you hang on to May as long as possible.
This little song was amazing and did bring pleasure from the audience.
I just turned 80 a few months ago and we have an 8 year old granddaughter — our one and only. My son was a late “bloomer” so to speak so that makes us grandparents at a time in our lives when most are looking at being great-grandparents. But oh! how sweet it is! She keeps us more active than we would otherwise be. They live just five minutes away and we are always ready for a visit, or pickup from school and activities, a sleepover, or a vacation for Mom and Dad. We get tired and worn out but as my son says “she keeps you guys young” and I think he’s right. And we’re building sweet memories for her to have when we are gone …
So much fun, Ann…I agree that they do keep us young!
The kindergarten graduation song is adorable, as is your little grandson. Would have loved to hear them sing it. Your yard & patio are looking good. That’s a really nice looking birdbath. Nearly 8 months after the storm the last of our backyard debris was finally cleared out this week by my landscape hero. I’ve begun making the backyard a place we can enjoy by planting perennials in the space were the huge rhododendron was. Its cut down to a 8″ stump and new leaves are already growing. It will be lovely again someday. We had a terraced patio built last summer, finished couple weeks before the storm. Thankfully it survived a hit by a beech tree. Right now its just bare but I’m making plans. I want to grow pots of lavender on it. Thank you for this week’s scripture focus. I know the Lord is helping me make something new here.
It appears that He is doing just that for both of us, Kathie. I am so glad your terraced patio survived the storm…I know these events are sudden and unexplained, but it is important for us to rebuild and do something new.
Thanks for sharing your week activities. it is a delight for me to read your events and to reflect on similar for our family.
My favorite for the week, is the flag and stars on your outside corner. USA!
What a beautiful picture of the sunset on the lake! What a delight to see almost all of the rainbow! The yellow wild flowers are gorgeous as well. I worry about all of you in Texas when those terrible storms roll through. We are fortunate here in southern Colorado that storms are rare. We have mountains on three sides and are tucked down in the Arkansas River valley here in Cañon City. The weather is gorgeous with highs in 70s. My Knock Out Roses are starting to bloom and everyone in the neighborhood that can, has put out their flower pots full of petunias and geraniums. So fragrant and colorful. It seems to be breezy out as usual which I am happy about as it keeps the little bugs down. You are so lucky to be able to be a part in your grandson’s life. All of mine are adults with children of their own. They all live all over the country. My great grandson Atlas just had a birthday yesterday and we all congratulated him on the family Dad Chat text thread. I get regular pictures of events and chats on happenings with my grands as well. I’m grateful for modern technology that keeps me in tough with my huge family. I love the color of your nails! Your outfit at the graduation is one of my favorites on you. Have a wonderful Sunday.
He had so much fun making it! I love his creativity…I just need more supplies! Thanks Audrey…yes to USA!
It is such a beautiful time of year, and I have been in Colorado often during this time…mostly when I was younger…the beauty is abundant. I now understand the challenges of having family in other cities…I miss them so much. And love the name Atlas…how cool.
God is also doing a new thing in our lives that requires lots of prayer. Hubby and I are off on a short term missions trip a week from now! Exciting, but also a big step outside our comfort zone, and probably quite exhausting!
I love your rainbow and sunset photos. I grew up at the coast surrounded by mountains and ocean. It took me a long time to see that there’s also beauty on the prairie, but one thing I’ve always loved here is the big, big sky!
How exciting, Elaine. I will pray for you to have extra portions of energy and strength…safety in the journey…and to allow the Holy Spirit to love and speak through you.
Let us know how it goes.
Those sunsets are true masterpieces as only our awesome God can create! I’m never in a hurry to get to the heat & humidity & bugs of our Midwestern summers, so I am trying to savor the days like today when it is sunny & in the 70’s. The joy you are finding in caring for your grandsons & helping your daughter has made this new season of your life a pleasure. May you continue to settle into this new community & make new memories.
Thank you, Becky!
What nice pictures. The weather looks wonderful. It’s still pretty cold here today in Wisconsin.
What a wonderful surprise to see my favorite Texas lake in your photos today! PK is a very special place to our family, as it is home to the YMCA camp my daughter first attended in fifth grade. She returned at age fifteen as a counselor-in-training and worked her way up to Associate Camp Director over ten years. I always looked forward to visiting her there, taking a portable birthday celebration for her June birthday, meeting her friends on the camp staff and spending time in that glorious corner of God’s creation. I’m so glad you live close enough to visit often. Check out the 4th of July fireworks exhibition hosted by Camp Grady Spruce which is open to the public for that event. They shoot the fireworks off both sides of Hell’s Gate and you are able to watch from across the lake on the camp property. Such good family fun! Like you, I am neck-deep in grandkid’s end of year activities this week, as their mom is a teacher wrapping up the year with her own students. We will be busy, but not bored, for sure!
Thanks for the PK information! And you are right…not bored at all.