Make a Difference Monday

Today was one of those days that you dread for a week and then it gets here and you find that it wasn't so bad after all. After many gray, rainy days the sun was actually out in all its glory and my skin was happy to feel it's ultra-violet rays! Wasn't sure once again that I was going to have a Make a Difference Monday Moment but God never fails and here it came.

Got home from work and went through my usual routine. Checked my e mail, popped up on facebook, you know the routine. Byron was busy outside, big surprise I know! I began manning the kennel phone, which thankfully has been ringing pretty steadily lately! I had made a couple nice reservations for this summer when a call came in from a client that moved out of the area several years ago. She introduced herself as Dee and I knew immediately who she was. I have always had a knack for remembering names and voices, I guess that comes from all my years in customer service. Anyway, Dee went on to tell me that we had kept her golden retriever several years ago when they lived in Monticello and I said " sure I remember Todd" and she stopped in her tracks. She began to cry and was just joyful that I had remembered her beloved pet. Todd had passed away about 3 years ago and they had a new dog now. It seems she was unhappy with the kennel she had been using and wanted to know if we would be willing to keep her dog if she made the hour and a half trip to us. Of course I would be happy to keep her pet. If he is anything like Todd he would be a joy to have! Her gratefulness was nearly enough to erase the inconsiderate client I had dealt with on Sunday morning.

Sometimes I look so hard for the make a difference moment that I nearly overlook the simple things that the Lord places in front of me. That is my make a difference moment. Did you have one? Would love to hear it if you did!

Spring Break Shenanigans

Spring break is here. The last couple posts have been about those sure signs of spring. Sandhill cranes migrating north, warmer temps and oh yes, let us not forget the mud! I failed to mention that another sign of spring is here and that is spring break. While many people associate spring break with the beaches of Florida our girls chose to spend this spring break a little differently. Both girls managed to make it home. Lena is here for the duration of her spring break but I must use the term here rather loosely. She has been working, catching up with friends, shopping and helping her best friend Kassie plan her wedding! She has also been busy tormenting the dog.(exhibit A the photo of the dog wearing underwear!) She has been a joy to have around the house and those crazy moments are the ones I miss the most! Our home just seems to come back to life when the girls are here. Not only do Byron and I get excited to have them home, the dog is crazy with excitement when they are here. He will lay for hours at night and stare out the window waiting for their headlights to come down the road. Cracks me up that he can spot those headlights over a mile away!! Ashley was able to be home but just for a few days. Her job search continues and that took her back to Evansville early. We will continue to pray and ask that you will as well for success for her efforts. Ashley and I were able to spend some time together last Saturday, going to auctions and rummaging through thrift stores, looking for items for her first home. Yes, Ashley is moving into a real house (not a dorm room or apartment) for the first time in 4 years! As much as I hate it she is most at home in Evansville. There is nothing wrong with Southern Indiana other than the fact that it is 5 hours from here. She is as far away from home as she can get yet still be in the state of Indiana. A stones throw from Kentucky she is so excited and we are excited, happy and proud of and for her. Byron and I are planning a trip to Evansville in the next few weeks to help with the cleaning and painting, landscaping and whatever else needs to be done!
Things are certainly beginning to come back to life after a long, cold winter and I must say it is coming none to early for me! Happy March!

Rain and Mud!

For weeks you have heard me complain about winter and cold and snow but now I think I need something new to complain about and the Lord has blessed me with just that! RAIN AND MUD! I should just be happy with the fact that it is above freezing and the sun is shining.
I am one of those people that is never happy with the weather so, soon I hope to be able to complain that it is too hot, I have a sunburn from spending hours mowing the lawn, and lets not forget the air conditioning bill!

Enough of that at least the sun was out for awhile this morning and Byron and I were able to spend most of the morning in the woods splitting firewood for next winter! I know you are all envisioning me with an ax in my hand but I am happy to tell you that I get to sit on the tractor and run the hydraulics to the splitter to split the wood! It was nice to be with Byron for awhile just out in the warmer temps and sunshine. I do love spending time with him regardless of what we are doing. The sandhill cranes were out today flying over on their annual voyage back north! They are such noisy critters and people around here that don't know better mistake them for geese. I, living with a die hard waterfowler, have been taught the difference. I just look for the long legs trailing behind to distinguish the cranes from the geese! They both fly in the "V" pattern so don't be fooled by that! It is nice to see them because for me they are a sure sign of spring! I look forward to seeing them in the sky flying north and not south! Over the next few weeks I am sure that I will begin to see other signs that the spring season is upon us! The sale of motorcycle insurance goes way up this time of year too! I can't wait til it gets here !

Here is wishing you all a happy, rainy, muddy spring!