It's getting Bright around here.

 When you have tried all and done everything you could, sometimes you have to accept you are not the problem and you can't change other people. You shouldn't have to change yourself for other people either.

 Be you.

 The problems have become clear over the past few months. There is understanding of the situation and all the details it entails. You find yourself no longer talking in depth to some, keeping many thoughts to yourself, to avoid advice or criticism. There comes a time there is no reason to keep defending yourself. Best to let others think as they wish and keep the truth to yourself. 

 What's the point?

 People will believe the stories they have been told and if you let them, you will turn into the monster they believe you are. Let it go, let them go. Be you. The right people know you're not a monster and the folks that were there, know what was done to you. They understand why you are how you are towards some people.

 Very few have seen the truth and know the facts. Let it all go. 

 It has come to an end of an era. The battles are over, the scars will remain forever, but the pain doesn't have to. Look to the future and how bright the sun will shine. There will be new challenges, struggles and obstacles to overcome. Don't worry, you are strong, look at what you have been through and what you have survived so far. You got this. Don't look back. 

 The future looks bright around here. Recently I've come to understand what was behind the darkness and clouds. In the end, it's what is best for all involved. One can't help but look forward to the peace that will come with the end of the war. 

Just a few more days and it will all be in the review mirror, the future looks brighter already. 

Blessed by God

Prayers have been answered @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

The Burdens left Behind

 I don't think folks realize the burdens they leave behind for the family. If you have ever been to an estate sale, you might understand what I'm saying. 

 So many things, that hold no memory or meaning to those left behind. A House full of 'things' that have to be disposed of. Often where there is a time limit. 

 IF it's a rental you usually have less than 30 days to have everything cleared out. If it's a house or property, you have a little more time, with a lot more work to prepare it for the sale or to turn it over to whoever has inherited it. {The burden and expense of repairs} A process that can involve the courts if a proper will isn't in place. {More burden}

 Not to mention making the burial arrangements and the funeral or 'celebration of life', {the new way to bury people.} We don't like to have funerals anymore because we don't like to think of the possibility that our loved ones won't be going to heaven because of the way they lived. Celebration of lives, takes the spiritual connection out of the equation. Helping many grieve more peacefully.

 When we pass, people need to grieve. It's a process that can take time, a variable amount of time for each one. We all grieve differently. To have to 'go through' the things and decide what is of sentimental value and what holds no memories, who gets what and what can be sold..  It adds to the pain of grieving. It adds to the list of burdens left behind. Often a sale is necessary to pay for the burial expenses. {Financial burdens left behind as well}

 Over the years, I've seen my ex mother in laws possessions have to be cleared out in less than a month, many of which ended up dumped on a dead-end road near a military base. My own parents left a ruthless nephew in charge of the estate, to which he dug a hugh hole in the property and buried many of their possessions. Covering it up so the new property owners would never know it ever existed. My dad's will blatantly ignored. My brothers apartments had to be cleared out in a minimal amount of time, which left a rush to clear it out and a storage bill to give time to sort later. 

 Not to mention the animals. The pets that are left behind, and usually not wanted by anyone else in the family. A shelter becomes their new home and if they are lucky they find a new family. Their lives torn apart. Some end up being put down, depending on where you live and what the shelter policies are. 

 What means something to one person may mean nothing at all to another. The fighting begins with who is going to take on the extra burdens, who's going to pay for what. Not to mention who gets what and why. Many Families are torn apart when the matriarch of the family passes. Often leaving siblings to never speak to one another again. Or come together.  Some families hold grudges and don't even respect the dead by letting others who are grieving attend the services. 

 It's sad and horrible what it's come to when we lose a loved one. I feel sorry for those left behind. 

 Personally I already made sure to give my kids what was important to them and what I wanted them to have. I've reduced my life to minimal 'things' and it should be pretty easy to 'clear' out my living space when I'm gone. We can save those left behind so much grief by paying for our own burial and having a specific plan as to what we want to happen. After all, it is the last request of our own life. It should be our 'choice' our 'way'. 

 The absolute least we can do for our families is minimalize the burdens we leave behind. If we are not using it - sell it now. Put the money to use or save it for the expenses and to be divided by those left behind. Have our own estate sales and spare the pain it puts on others to have make choices and decisions they shouldn't have to make while they are dealing with the grief of our passing. 

 Life is a journey, nothing is guaranteed. Tomorrow is not ours to claim, it is a gift if we wake up to enjoy another day. If one is lucky enough to live to a reasonable older age, one should start planning for their final journey toward the next phase of life. Limit the burdens they leave behind in this life. Spare the loved ones the pain and burdens so often left behind. 

 Seems selfish to me, to hold on to so much that we don't need, just so someone else has to clean up our leftovers. 

Blessed by God

Life's a gift @ the Bright side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails. 

Birthday Wishes

 This will be the 3rd year in a row, I've only wanted 2 things for my birthday.  And it will probably be the 3rd year in a row, that I don't get one of them. lol

The number one reason I don't really like birthdays or Christmas, is the gifts.  Don't get me wrong ~ I always love what the kids get me, it used to be homemade when they were little, and it's become beautifully thought out things as they get older. 

I just don't like for people to spend money that they don't really have or buy something just because they feel they 'have to'.

 Cards are always appreciated; They say more and They are usually more affordable too. 

 I love it when the kids come together. Seems my birthday and Christmas are about the only time I get to see them all together. That means more to me than anything, when they come together.  After all - we all did live together for years when they were young. It helps me a lot, I don't think they realize how much. I miss my mom time. Birthdays were hard as a child, not so good with the first marriage and even worse with the second. The kids do better than they all did.

 I did enjoy seeing all the kids together for my birthday last year, the photos are something I look at often. My situation made it hard for me to enjoy being at the park or eating BBQ. Being invited somewhere with a home cooked meal would have been so much more enjoyable with my circumstances at the time. But it doesn't matter, just having them all together meant the most.

 Holidays are hard for me. Last Christmas was super hard; I can only hope this year goes better {If I'm still here}

I still don't know where I will be, haven't moved HOME yet, that would make Christmas awesome...

I love my kids to the moon and back. I hope to see them together again this year. I plan to buy myself a cake for my birthday this year. Haven't' had a real store-bought cake in a while and that was something I have always wanted and never got on my birthday growing up. Having the kids come and share it with me, would be the best. 

Blessed by God

Life's full of mystery @ the Bright side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping By

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Last man Standing.

 It was the last time we were together as a family. No one knew - that would be the last time. They are people my children never got to know. They were family.

 There was a love and a unity that my children never got to see or feel, or learn how to be part of. No matter what our differences were - we were family, and we could always count on each other to be there. 

 The doors never closed between us. We made mistakes and we were always there to pick each other up. Nobody ever stabbed anyone in the back or purposely caused pain to another. We defended each other against anyone and everything. We let no one come between us. We had each others back, always. We never turned our back on each other.

We honored our parents, and did all we could to never bring shame, dishonor or pain into the circle. There was pride in the family name, a sense of duty to uphold the standards. We knew who we were and we stood for something good. Family meant something to each of us. Always.

 Shortly after this the first one passed away, then one by one, until there is only the last one standing. Left alone in this world. Wishing so many things could have been different. So many times wishing that just one more time you could see them. Feel the love, the unity, the togetherness. Knowing that no matter what, someone had your back. 

To be left standing alone. 

Familys are different now

 You do the best you can and no one is perfect. Some will understand your heart, others will try to stab it every chance they get. Some will come to you and ask while others will jump to conclusions or believe the lies and judge.

  No where in the book does it say a parent is perfect. We are human, we make mistakes. We love and we try. We sacrifice everything of ourselves for them. You can't please everyone all the time. You can't put one above the others. You have to do what's best for all. And sometimes, that isn't good enough for some. 

 It amazes me how some kids can forgive the one who was never there. The one that truly abused them. The ones that are selfish and disregard the children they brought into this world, while holding the one that was there to the standard of perfection. You are not allowed to make mistakes. You are expected to get it right all the time. But the flake can flake off over and over again, and somehow - that too is 'your fault'. 

 Fascinating how raised together they can all turn out so different. See the same thing in different colors. 

 As I've always said. God knows my heart, God knows the truth. Some day they will each face God for their own judgement of their own actions. Someday the truth will play out and they will know - just how wrong they were. 

I pity the people that pit children against their parents, the ones that come between loved ones and tear families apart. God knows. It isn't karma that will take them down, it's judgement day. They know who they are they know what they have done. I pity them.

 Everyone has the right to live in peace. It's understandable when one must walk away and shut the door on some.  When someone is trying to take your life, you need to walk away and not look back. But to shut someone out that has done nothing but love you, is wrong. To jerk children away from family because of your own personal issues is wrong. There is a difference between using your children as pawns and protecting your children from someone that has hurt them. 

 You only get one family in this life. Blood is thicker than water. Sadly we live in a world where people would rather throw family away and make excuses to exclude them. Rather than teach our children to love and be a part of something bigger. 

To be FAMILY.

 I had 3 brothers, one was severely mentally ill. Yes, life can be hard when one child is 'different' than the others. That is really no excuse not to teach your children to love them as much as the others. To get along and overlook their hardships. Walking away, excluding and avoiding them, teaches your children to judge and be cold hearted. It's heartbreaking to see families grow so far apart, when as a parent you work so hard to teach them to be a team and work together. 

 Someday when they are the last man standing, they will regret the loss of those they pushed away. 

 Blessed by God

Life's about family @ the Bright Side of the Barn

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Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Time to Move!

 As you can see, there isn't going to be much help from Chanelle on this move. She's been having a bit of a struggle with the heat and being able to get comfortable. 

 I'm not asking anyone to help and I really don't expect anyone to offer. I've gotten used to doing things alone. I'm just hoping the weather will be cooler on moving day and that I can get everything into my friends trailer, so I only have to make one trip.

 I'm really hoping I can get unpacked and feel like I'm home, by my birthday. That would be the best present this year. To finally be home and see all my stuff again. I'm tired of looking at boxes. 

 I'll be upset if Tim does something stupid again this year. I really wish he would leave it alone and not bother me on my birthdays. I really hope he's found a place and moved on in his own life by then. That would be a really great present too. 

 It's going to be interesting, not sure if my foot will be in a boot or a cast on moving day. Thankfully the place I'm leaving and the place I'm going to are both owned by the same person, so there isn't really going to be a need to rush the process. 

 Sigh, it's so nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Blessed by God

Life's good @ the Bright side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Up and Running again!

Up and running. The new printer arrived yesterday, she's all hooked up today. I use sublimation ink and don't need the regular ink that was included. So, if you have an eco-tank printer and need ink? I have a complete set for $10.

This one was much easier to get hooked up than the previous and weighs about half as much. Plus, it's black so it goes with my office equipment better. The print quality is the same as before, just half the cost and weight. 

Epson and Cannon are my two favorite printer brands. Never had much trouble with either. My previous printer was damaged in the move and it was less expensive to replace rather than fix. HP printers have always given me trouble. From jamming paper to running through ink really fast and leaving streaks on the paper. 

New magnets and key chain blanks came in yesterday, tested a few to get the right sublimation temp. The first magnets bubbled on the back, indicating it was a little too hot. Key chains came up great first try! Double sided printing available on those. Tested a garden flag and discovered I need to use the new heat pad, as this one has indentation in the middle from the thicker products, so it left a light spot in the middle of the flag. Plus I want to find thicker flag blanks, these seem awful thin and cheesy. 

Key chains {I can't find my sample I made yesterday} are 1.5 x2 and double sided. 

Magnets are 3x2 and I can put any image on them.

Magnets are great for family photos, school pictures and cute quotes. 

Bulk orders welcome and Low cost shipping.

Blessed by God

Life's busy @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

I believe it is finally Summer!

 We can drive with the top down! Chanelle loves to sit on the console in the middle or lay stretched out in her seat, catching some sun. I think she likes the convertible as much as I do. 

So thankful and blessed to have the car. Gas mileage is awesome compared to the Expedition! Plus, it's a lot of fun to cruise in. lol. Tabs are good til next June; we are still working on the title part. {Soon, so I can get insurance in my name}. 

My amazing son spent 4 almost 5 hours working on it Sunday, finding and fixing the oil leak. Only to discover the drain plug is stripped so we couldn't do a proper oil change. I need to call a shop and find out how much it's going to cost to fix that.  

Pretty sure he found the leak; it was with the sending unit. Thankfully I had bought a new one and the evidence suggests that the leak {at least in part} was coming from the old one. 

We also couldn't do the pan gasket, until I get a few more parts. The exhaust is right under the pan and will have to be removed, so there are gaskets to replace putting that back together too. And of course, the rear turn signal is still having issues. I'm thinking I need to get a new light socket thing and possibly some fuses and a flasher switch. 

I can't complain. It was a gift! It had been sitting for a long time, so I knew there would be a few issues to fix. It's kinda funny how all the kids said, "It suits me", when they looked at it. I think it does too. White of course seems to be my car color. Most of the vehicles I've had lately have all been white. 

Temperatures have been rising, hitting the 80's and hopefully coming into the 90's soon. I personally love the hot weather. Finally get to thaw out my bones. Speaking of bones, I finally went to the doctor for my left ankle. Seems there is some things going on in there as a result of previous injuries. Pain pills, physical therapy and possible surgery coming my way. Yuk!  

At least it doesn't affect me riding my horse. No jumping of course, but trail rides are still in the game. Working on getting my friend and her horse warmed up for the adventures. Then we'll be hitting the trails. Looking forward to those days. It's been a while since I've been able to take my horse out on the trails. We both miss it I think. She loves to go places and explore new sights. Particularly the ocean.

I'm looking for a little pouch to put Chanelle in so she can go riding too. I would hate to leave her behind for all day excursions. I think she would enjoy being with us. Just have to find a good one, that I can wear while riding. I don't want the backpack type, it's gotta be a front pouch. Good ole Amazon will probably have what I'm looking for.

Still no word on the 'move' yet. They said they would keep me in the loop, but I haven't heard anything from any direction recently. Last I heard the goal was mid-July, well that is coming up next week and I'm sure I'm going to get a bit of a notice in advance, so I can get things packed up and services changed over. ? I pray about it, wondering if God is changing their plans into something even better. 

I will go where God wants me to go. My faith and trust is in Him. The many miracles and blessings I've received this year alone, make me want to do what pleases God even more than ever before. I've been pretty blessed throughout most of my life. Many many miracles have happened and I'm so grateful for all of it. The future looks bright, even though I can't see it. New printer and my machines are with me. I can finally get back into production as well as all the other things I do for work. 

Life's good! Praise God. 

Blessed by God 

Summer's here @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Glad That's Over

I'm not a fan of fireworks. Yes years ago, I would buy them, and our kids would enjoy them. Things have changed so much since then. 

Back then everyone would wait until dusk and begin lighting them so you could see the sparkles in the sky. Most folks would end it by 10 PM. The time that loud noise was supposed to be stopped.

Now, it's not about sparkles in the sky, it's about the loudest most obnoxious booms possible. The Natives have gotten ridiculous about the products they sell and the idiots buy the biggest noise makers they can.

It isn't just on the 4th that you have to put up with the noise and the smoke, it's several days before as well. The stupid ones live in farm county's. A place where it should truly be BANNED. 

Neighbors don't get together anymore and coordinate their shows, they compete against each other to make the most noise. The sky stayed dark where I was and the booming bombing noise continued from about 8 PM to midnight. No show to watch - just obnoxious loud noise. 

This morning the streets are littered with the garbage because the second major difference from then to now, is they don't clean up the mess. Back when we would let the kids light them off, it was in our street and as soon as it was over, the mess was picked up and sweep up. Now the streets are grossly littered with the garbage of hundreds of dollars of waste. {And some of these folks are the ones complaining about the cost to live and not being able to afford their own lives.} 

I haven't read the accident and fires reports yet this morning, the numbers from years past are staggering. Many people missing fingers, hands and much worse. My heart goes out to the veterans that fought in real wars and are triggered by all the bombs going off. The pets and wildlife that have been injured from running away in fear. I have no pity for those who lost a limb last night, unless it was an innocent bystander. They bought what they got and deserve the consequences. 

The skies are filled with smoky clouds and it's probably going to rain today. Happens every year. I think fireworks are the stupidest part of the holiday these days, because too many idiots don't have an ounce of respect for anyone around them. 

It was a beautiful sunset last night before the bombs fell. 

Vancouver BC years ago would host the international fireworks contests out over the water. Beautiful well planned displays set to music. Country against country. No personal fireworks allowed. Well organized and well planned, the images in the sky were beautifully executed.

I kept to myself and didn't celebrate the holiday. Felt weird like I had to invite myself to be anywhere, so felt it best to stay here. Made sure my animals were not bothered by the explosions. As I said earlier, didn't see anything pretty in the sky, just a bunch of bombs going off. Probably the worst 4th of July yet for firework displays.

Blessed by God

Life's peaceful today @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL

 

Blessed by God

Life's beautiful @ the Bright Side of the Barn

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Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Independence Day

 

American History is always a fun topic to explore. Sometimes we celebrate things we really don't even know what they are or why it's a celebration. I wonder how many people actually know the history of our Independence Day celebration, and how the fireworks came into play...

I go to history.com for many great articles on several historical topics. Links to the following quoted articles can be found below at the end. I encourage you to visit the links and learn more about our great countries history and how it came to be what it is today.

The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues. The Fourth of July 2025 is on Friday, July 4.

Did you know..

John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest. Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826—the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

Fireworks
“Yesterday the 4th of July, being the anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America, was celebrated in this city with demonstrations of joy and festivity,” reported the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 5, 1777. “About noon all the armed ships and gallies in the river were drawn up before the city, dressed in the gayest manner, with the colors of the United States and streamers displayed.”
After each ship’s cannon fired a 13-gun salute (in honor of the 13 colonies), the festivities continued, including an elegant dinner, a military demonstration and a performance by a Hessian band. “The evening was closed with the ringing of bells,” the Evening Post reported, “and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated.”

To read the rest of this article

 go to The Fourth of July - History, Celebrations & Traditions

To learn more about 

the fireworks   .Why Do We Celebrate July 4 With Fireworks? | HISTORY

Blessed by God

Life's bright and beautiful @ the Bright side of the Barn

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Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Living with Pain

Well I did it, I finally broke down and bought the first plant. I sold off all my plants, house plants and the pots outside, just before moving out of the house a year ago. It's been different living without them. Funny thing is, when my energy was good my plants thrived, when my energy went negative, my plants would get sad looking. 

I have avoided getting plants while in this temporary situation, not knowing when or where I would be relocated to. I couldn't help it the other day, as I walked into the store, I noticed this little guy outside looking a bit shanty and the price was reduced to $7.99 on him.

 I had to bring him home.

I have the pot my grandkids decorated for me for Mother's Day a few years ago, and the kitty stand that has always been sitting on the front porch {even when it's empty}, the only one I couldn't part with. So now it has a plant, you can't see the kitty but he's there. I cut off the dead heads and added fresh plant soil and plenty of water and the plants looking pretty good again. It's my hope to go HOME soon. Looking forward to the day when I have a house full of green plants and bright colored flowers. 

I couldn't take the pain anymore in my left foot and finally went to the doctor. She became concerned about the lumps on the bottoms of both feet and will be monitoring them more closely, and I'm being sent to the hospital for X rays on the left ankle as it's not looking good {or feeling good} I was given another brace, and a prescription for pain pills as it has become an unbearable pain to walk on. The brace is impossible to put on as I can't point my foot outward to slip it over the heel, so I will be looking for a boot that attaches differently.

Getting up and down have become harder, with not having any support on one foot, needing a wall or some sturdy object to pull myself up with. The lower back pain has become a part of my mornings and nights. Becoming really hard to lay down and be comfortable in any position. Getting up from a laying down is almost as painful as laying there. My weight is going nuts, and I really need to shed a few pounds. I have never been this heavy and have no intentions of getting any heavier. 

I think the weight might have a bit of something to do with the reoccurring heartburn, which my doctor is suspicious may not be heartburn at all. My diet has become so limited as to not trigger it into acting up. I miss so many of the foods I used to enjoy and love the taste of. Again, today I'm in pain of the abdomen and feel bloated. Hoping a warm cup of coffee will help. I get headaches when I don't drink a couple cups before bed, so I woke up with a migraine today, as well.

Living with pain is no easy task. Keeping your pain to yourself and not letting it show or become the concern of others is a chore all its own. Limping with a smile. Not asking for help. Not being able to do the things you need to do. It's work of its own kind. 

People can look at you and see nothing, to think that there is nothing wrong. "Why does she have a disability plaque in her car?" "How is he on disability, he looks fine to me". We judge and assume that there is nothing wrong with someone, when in truth, they are in more pain than you could ever tolerate. 

Be mindful and keep the dirty looks to yourself next time you see someone in the disabled parking spot. Yes, they may not look that old, they may not look that crippled. You don't know how painful it is for them to get in and out of the vehicle and walk the distance to the store. Or how much more painful it is to have the weight of a bag of groceries on their arm while they try to keep their balance. 

It's not easy to live with pain, that people can't see. 

Blessed by God

Life's a miracle @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails