My "Life Song"

Jessica posted song lyrics on her blog and suggested others do the same. Rebecca posted on her own blog and I decided to do the same.

This song has been meaningful to me for many years. In fact, in my funeral instructions, I have requested just two things: that I be buried, not cremated, and that this song be sung - joyfully!

Various verses have been especially relevant at different times. During this season of my life, I cling to Verse Two.

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   
   
   • Refrain:
     It is well, with my soul,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul.
     
     
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
   
   
3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
   
   
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
   
   
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
   
   
6. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

God Provides!

Little by little, our ebay business has grown. Currently we are nicely supplementing Rick's pension, and are nearly at Level Two as Power Sellers! We're starting to realize we have a "real" business going.

I've been needing a new computer desk for some time now. I kinda knew what I wanted, but just haven't even had time to go looking for one. Besides! As official Garage Salers, we decided we'd just keep our eyes open for one when we are out "shopping" for resale products.

Yesterday, our neighbor asked for our help. She is newly moved back into the area from San Jose, and needed a strong man (that would be MY guy!) to unpack her PODS. Beth said that, after taking a few personal things out, the rest would be going to Salvation Army. She said we were welcome to take anything we thought we could use or sell.

The long and the short of it... not only did she have a computer desk that was exactly what I was looking for, but there were also two very nice metal file cabinets -complete with hundreds of hanging file folders- (tall black one at the left, half size one at the right), and an INDUSTRIAL paper shredder! We spent the day rearranging our home office, and sprucing things up. Rick took this photo of his very delighted business partner when I first sat down for a test drive at my new desk! We're ready for our business to really soar now.

Sidebar: we also placed a VERY NICE almost-new king-size Serta mattress set with a needy couple. They were all smiles, too!

Thank you Beth, and thank You God!

Turn Out the Lights; the Party's Over!

T'was a wonderful evening...thanks to all our friends and family who stopped in! (click on any photo to enlarge it)

Come On By!

(Rick on a recent "junk find")

(Soda Fountain/Chain Skirt Lamp, far right window)

We are very excited about an opportunity that has come along for us.

A local gallery, the Chartreuse Muse, has invited Rick as a featured artist (along with two others) during January and February. He will have the opportunity to show and offer for sale several Art Lamps.

The opening reception is Thursday, Jan. 17. Come on by! We'd love to see you...

~~~~~~~~

(Clarinet Lamp and Gas Jet Lamp)

(FireBox/Nozzle Lamp and three Blender Lamps)

(10K Watt Studio Bulb Lamp along wall)

(Lens Pulley Lamp, left, and Trouble Light Lamp, middle)

Use It or Lose It

For most of my adult life, I've been active -by design. I've either body-surfed, bicycled, walked, took aerobics classes, cross-country machined, or did resistance training. I've always lived by the axiom, Use It or Lose It.

Last year, I began experiencing pain at the gym. Not the usual did-too-much-today type of pain, but a definite ouch!-type of pain. After six months of trying to push through it, I talked to my Internist, who eventually sent me to a Rheumatologist. I won't bore you with the details, but blood tests and a detailed history suggested Lupus. Treatment: anti-malarial drugs (!) and rest, lots of rest. The M.D. said that the pain I feel is actually damage to my connective tissue, so pushing through it is not a smart idea.

Not what I wanted to hear! I love being active; it was part of my almost-daily routine. And we are always told, Stay active to be healthy! I pouted, 'All those years of being active have ended here??!'

Well, after six months of rest and medication, I am starting to feel somewhat better. So today, I laced up my trusty Asics and ventured out to our local community college where they have a great new cushioned track (see photo). I did a mile of medium-paced walking. I can say it was uncomfortable, but not too painful.

I am elated... it appears I won't have to Lose It after all! =D