Happy Birthday StarBright!!

 28 years old today!!

We've been together over a decade. I got her from the original owner. So many times I've heard 'she doesn't look that old'. She plays like a teenager. Every year she convinces me more and more.... The less often a horse changes owners the longer they live. The healthier they are. 

She's living proof.

                      

She's been an amazing partner for the grandkids, and my best friend. Happy Birthday today to my beautiful girl. ! May you have many more. 

Blessed by God

Beautiful horses @ the Bright Side of the Barn

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Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

A Little Behind

 I've had a few things going on lately, the mind has been busy. No time to sit and think about writing. The stress and frustration with a particular situation, is enough to drive a person batty. I've prayed and will continue to pray about it, hopefully getting answers before I need to make decisions. Sometimes God waits until the last-minute right before ~ other times He lets you go through the fire a bit. Mind you He keeps you from getting burnt while you're there. 

 The anxiety attack from my trip to Seattle took a few days to calm itself down. There is always an aftermath with the attacks, sometimes it takes a few days. Robotic mode, to keep functioning on the primary things, while everything else goes to the back of the bus and waits. More of that horrible heart burn, took me down again. Need to make a doctor's appointment for that. And my left foot isn't getting any better, it's actually getting worse. So there is another doctor appointment I need to put on my schedule. 

 My horse turns 28 tomorrow, I'm hoping to go spend part of the day with her. Today is supposed to be record heat so maybe she'll get a bathe. A much-needed bathe! At least her tail and mane must be done. Riding season for us is starting, so we both need to get prepped and ready. Need to get my friend up on her horse here soon, so I can have a riding partner. Hoping we will get to go places a bit further out on our adventures this year.

 

 Of course, moving day is getting closer and the stress that comes with that is always present. Not letting it interfere with my day-to-day thoughts. I've moved so many times; I can probably have everything ready to go in under 24 hours. Actually, drove out to the city where it is, and holy wow is it ever far away from 'here'. 

 Talk about starting over and in a new place! Almost makes me more excited to get there.  Only one inspection today and 7 TY stores to do this week. I should have time to catch up on most everything else. Looking forward to a few day of rest and relaxation. It's almost June already, dang how time flies. 

Blessed by God

Life's good @ the Bright Side of the Barn

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It's always about the Money

I couldn't tell you how many times I've been accused of 'only caring about the money', or 'I'm just there for the money'.

Every time the kids have needed money, and I could, I would give it to them. Not loan, not expecting pay back, give. Every time I came into any amount of money, I would share it with them. Whether it was a chunk of child support, my inheritance, income tax refunds, always each of them would get something out of it.

After my divorce I never raised the amount of support, it remained the same throughout the entire time the kids were growing up. No cost-of-living adjustments, no reevaluations. Support enforcement would send me forms pretty much every year, asking if I wanted to adjust the support, I declined every time. He got out of paying support on 3 out of the 4 kids and I never went back to court to reclaim what was owed.

When I sold my house there was a lien for $3,000.00 - a bill of my ex's for medical. Not sure how he got them to put a lien on my house, but in any case, I paid the bill out of my sales proceeds. Never took him back to court for the bill. He destroyed my truck doing thousands of dollars in damages and damaged a friend's car as well. I never sued for the money owed me. 

I was accused of only being interested in my second husband because of where he worked and his personal income. Little did people know he was paying out over $600 a month in child support for his only child and didn't have a whole lot of extra to spend, leaving him just as broke as the rest of us. We weren't a couple, we were 'roommates'. A deal made by his mother to help with the expenses on the house she was leaving behind while moving to Canada.  

I handled legal matters and taxes for him, never charging my fees. Leaving me out of a few thousand dollars there too. I babysat his son for 9 years without charging him, and we all know what day care costs are like now don't we? At one point I had to quit my job to watch his son and was never compensated for the loss. Rather accused of 'child abuse' and had to spend more money to defend myself. For the record, I was cleared by the courts and the child returned to my care. I quit watching his son after that and the child became his dad's responsibility completely. I had nothing more to do with him. 

As the years passed my roommate finally married me, for the sake of medical insurance for my kids. Only after I had to pay out a $10,000 hospital bill on my youngest daughter. A bill my ex should have helped pay, so technically he owes me about $5,000 for that as well. Not to mention all the 'school pictures' and 'sports fees' so the kids could participate in activities. Never received 'his half' of those bills either. Never took it back to court even though support enforcement stated they would help me with recovery.

When hubby #2 quit his job to go back to school, it was me and my kids supporting him. Every time he changed his circumstances, it was me and my kids supporting him. And in the last few years while being homeless, it has been me and my kids supporting him. Sometimes paid back sometimes not. This last year there hasn't really been any pay back. When I asked him what he planned to do if he received back pay from Social Security, he said pay his bills, never mentioning to pay back the money he owes my kids.

Twice in my life I've been taken advantage of by men. While I was raised it was a man's responsibility to provide for the family, I found myself being the only provider for my kids growing up. Hubby's son and sister moved in with us and it was my money buying groceries for the whole lot of them, never received a dime in compensation from his mother for the expenses of his sister living there. His ex never paid support towards his son. It was me funding the extra needs for everyone.

Never to be repaid.

But yet, I'm the one accused of 'making it always about the money'. The other day while visiting one of my daughters we were talking about how I am about to end up getting a place of my own, to finally be able to be 'home' and alone by myself. She made the comment, that maybe now I would be able to save some money and have a few nice things for myself. Things I have never been able to have because of having to support and help out everyone else.

I'm concerned, I'm 60, I'm disabled, and my social security is the only steady income I have. It's going to be tight doing everything by myself. . . Rent, utilities, gas in the car, food, medical expenses, taking care of my horse. I know it's going to be a strict budget. I know I can do it, I've had to sacrifice so much already. 

I'm just really sick and tired of always being accused of only being about the money. About as much as I'm sick of being accused of always being the cause of drama. I'm not the one who causes the drama in my life. I mind my own and keep to myself and it's only when I let others into my life, their presence brings on the drama. Yet I'm the one to suffer from it. 

I'm really looking forward to this move. I will be pretty far away, in a place I've never been. It will be all new neighbors, stores and places to go. I doubt I will run into anyone I knew or know. And I'm feeling like I'm not going to really let anyone know where it is, so I can keep it a peaceful place for myself. 

A place I can finally call home and not have to walk on eggshells because of anyone else. My phone is going to be shut off for a while and I don't know that I will announce when it gets turned back on. It's not like I get a whole lot of calls from anyone anyway. The people that matter know how to get ahold of me and that's enough for me. 

While the money owed would be nice, I know I will never see it. It doesn't matter; I have peace and joy and will finally get to be happy without stress. That is worth so much more than what I'm owed. People can think what they want, I'm not the one screwing people out of the money, I'm the one getting screwed what's owed to me. God knows the truth; God knows my heart. I could care less what people think. 

Blessed by God.

Life's going to be beautiful @ the Bright Side of the Barn

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Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

My Happy Horse

My girl is happy in her new environment. She's not been with other 'big' horses and bonded to anyone but the pony, since Buddy passed years ago. She's now with 2 friends, And she loves Miss Debbie!  I think Miss Debbie loves her too. They all hear the sound of Debbie's car after work when she pulls in the driveway. They hear the sound of the back door, when she's coming out to feed. And they all greet her with ears up and smiles everyday. It didn't take StarBright long to learn the routine and know where to go for her kibbles. Mind you StarBright and Nova have to be locked in the stalls while Whinnie get her grain because she eats a bit slower and they would push her out of her own bowl if they had the chance. Even the 'lock up' has become more comfortable for StarBright. She doesn't pace or sweat, she's learned to wait patiently and knows when Whinnies done, she'll be let out for the rest of the night. It's so nice to see my horse actually HAPPY! Yes, she smiles and if you were close enough you could see it. It's beautiful.

I thank God daily for the friend I've found in Miss Debbie and all the wonderful things that have happened for my horse and myself. 

Blessed by God

Life's happy @ the Bright Side of the Barn

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Trust your Guts - It's God

Earlier this week I woke up with a headache. A gut feeling hit me, that I was going to have a break down with the vehicles. I had to drive to downtown Seattle for an inspection job. I just picked up the new car over the weekend, and it has an oil leak. It's a small one. But I know with a car that's been sitting over a year, there are going to be new issues when you start driving it. I didn't want the car to 'get warmed up' and have the oil leak turn into a major issue. I thought the car was going to be the one to leave me stranded.

 So, I decided to take the Expedition. After all, I've been driving it for a year now and the few times it's had issues they were easy fixes. For the most part it's been really dependable. Harder on gas, but reliable. It's also a lot bigger and harder to part, especially in Seattle. I spoke to my friend {that gave me the car} and she thought it should do fine. My guts were really bugging me. Even after her reassurance, I took the Expedition.

Traffic was 'hell' and even though I left an hour earlier than the navigator suggested, I was still running late. I called my client who had a second appointment after ours, so now he's stressed out a bit too. Navigator suggested an alternate route at the last minute that would gain me about 15 minutes. I don't like taking alternate routes especially in Seattle. But I did it anyway. Just a couple minutes before my destination, the road very narrow piled high with construction, had high metal curb rails in place. 

To avoid the rail on my left, I stayed hard to the right and of course. BAM! the tire hit the rail on the right side. I was surprised the air bags didn't deploy. Immediately after my tire pressure sensor started buzzing and lights flashing. Of course I called my son. I let him know I just blew a tire. Still able to drive, the air wasn't completely gone yet and I only had a minute to go. I arrived at my destination and to a safe parking lot. My son was busy and I had to do my inspection, so I let the truck sit. 

After my inspection I talked to my son again. He works swing shift and there was no time to get to me and get back home before he had to go to work. The amazing son that he is, he made arrangements for a towing company to come out and put the spare on for me. I personally couldn't have changed the tire on the truck, for one my jack wouldn't raise it up high enough. For two, even the tow truck driver had a hell of a time getting the old tire off. It was a bit spendy, so I'm indebted to my son financially now as well. God bless him, he wouldn't leave mom stranded. I raised an amazing young man!

I had to drive to Bellingham the following day, which again I took the Expedition, spent a small fortune in gas to get there and back, but it did okay running on the spare. I've been praying hard about it all and the Lord has reassured me to take the car. Save money on gas, and get the jobs done. (Sometimes I feel like I'm the only inspector in the area, as they are always asking me daily to do critical inspections and to go to - faraway places.)

Once I got back to the house, I switched up and have been driving the car around ever since. Which seems to be doing fine with a minimal oil leak. I'm checking the fluids constantly and working on getting the parts to fix what we think is the oil leaking cause. I keep cardboard under it when it's parked to gauge the droplets and make sure it's not getting worse. 

Yes, God helps with even the little things in life. A while back the battery on my laptop started acting up and I couldn't afford the $200 to have it fixed. Ran a few diagnostics and restart procedures, prayed hard overnight, and by morning - all was well again. Jesus knew I needed the laptop to do the work. He knows I need a reliable car that won't break the bank in gas to do the work, and He knows I'm working hard to afford to live by myself without any outside help.

In my younger years I only listened to the voice about half the time. The half I wasn't listening, always led to a situation I regretted or ended up being hurt or have been 'stuck' with something horrible. I've learned to recognize the Lord's quiet voice and many times in life, listening to the little voice inside, has saved my life. I know it's God. Regardless of how hard and / or miserable my life looks on the outside to others. I have been blessed and received miracles almost daily. 

You have to learn to listen and trust your guts. That little voice inside, is God, trying to help you. It's the voice of Jesus and the closer you get to Him, the easier it is to hear, and the better your life will be. It's about what we are on the inside, that brings joy into life. It's not about what we have on the outside.

 {Circumstances with the wrong people in my life led me away from the Lord for many years. Don't make the same mistake, trust your gut - it's God.}

Blessed by God

Life's beautiful @ the Bright Side of the Barn

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What Life Should Be

 by Pat A. Fleming

Enjoy this beautiful poem.

To learn while still a child
What this life is meant to be.
To know it goes beyond myself,
It’s so much more than me.

To overcome the tragedies,
To survive the hardest times.
To face those moments filled with pain,
And still manage to be kind.

To fight for those who can’t themselves,
To always share my light.
With those who wander in the dark,
To love with all my might.

To still stand up with courage,
Though standing on my own.
To still get up and face each day,
Even when I feel alone.

To try to understand the ones
That no one cares to know.
And make them feel some value
When the world has let them go.

To be an anchor, strong and true,
That person loyal to the end.
To be a constant source of hope
To my family and my friends.

To live a life of decency,
To share my heart and soul.
To always say I’m sorry
When I’ve harmed both friend and foe.

To be proud of whom I’ve tried to be,
And this life I chose to live.
To make the most of every day
By giving all I have to give.

To me that’s what this life should be,
To me that’s what it’s for.
To take what God has given me
And make it so much more

To live a life that matters,
To be someone of great worth.
To love and be loved in return
And make my mark on Earth.

Source ~  Finding Life's Meaning, What Life Should Be, Meaningful Poem

Blessed by God

Life's beautiful @ the Bright side of the Barn

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When I Die by Merritt Malloy

   Give what’s left of me away
To children
And old men that wait to die.

And if you need to cry,
Cry for your brother
Walking the street beside you

 

        And when you need me,
Put your arms
Around anyone
And give to them
What you need to give to me.

I want to leave you something,
Something better
Than words
Or sounds.

Look for me
In the people I’ve known
Or loved,
And if you cannot give me away,
At least let me live in your eyes
And not on your mind.

You can love me most
By letting
Hands touch hands
By letting
Bodies touch bodies
And by letting go
Of children
That need to be free.

Love doesn’t die,
People do.
So, when all that’s left of me
Is love,
Give me away

By Merrit Malloy

Blessed by God

Life's beautiful @ the Bright Side of the Barn

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Being Nice

 Being nice to someone you don't like, or someone you have ended a relationship with, doesn't mean you have changed your mind about it. It doesn't mean you're being phony or leading them on. 

It means you are mature. 

 Some people think that just because you are being nice, that you have forgiven them and forgotten what they have done. Like 'you got over it'. Yes, you probably have forgiven and forgotten in a sense. But your smart enough to not let it happen again. 

It's possible that part of the original problem stemmed from their own lack of maturity. 

 You don't have to be mean or ugly to people just because they no longer want to be involved with you. Let go and move on yourself. Let them go on and live their own lives. 

 Some of us grew up with the learning that you should be kind to everyone, to some degree. You just don't participate or engage with those that you dislike or feel uncomfortable with. You walk away from those that hurt you, without throwing stones and causing problems for them. 

It's called 'moving on' or 'moving forward'. 

 It has nothing to do with you seeking revenge or retaliating towards them. You just have let go of the relationship and no longer include them in your own plans. 

It's not being mean. It's being mature. 

 You don't have to keep mean people in your life. You don't have to tolerate being mistreated. It doesn't make you a mean person to walk away. You can forgive and still move forward. Most likely you never forget. But you still can let it go and move on without being mean yourself. 

 It can be very frustrating when you have made the decision to end a relationship with someone and just because you're nice, they think you are still 'friends' or 'together'. When people disrespect you and push themselves onto you, you can become mean, without even realizing it. It is not your intention.

 It's you fighting for your personal space and personal respect. 

 Some people make it hard not to be mean in return because of their disrespect and invasion of your 'space'. They just can't let go, so you have to be more forceful to get them to disconnect. It still doesn't make you a mean person.

 It makes you someone who stands their ground and stands up for themself. 

 It's not your fault when you have to push back, or take it to the next level, to get them to back off. Leave you alone, move on with their own lives. Many will accuse you of being the mean one, when in fact you are just standing up for yourself. Don't let them talk you into backing down and letting yourself be run over again. 

 It's hard when you have to put someone out and they have 'nowhere else to go'. That is their own problem, not yours. Yes, you can feel bad that it's happening to them. Just remember they brought it onto themself. How many chances did you give them; how many times did you warn them - before you shut the door. 

 It was their own choice to harass and hound you, rather than finding their own way out of the situation. It was their own choice to ignore their own friends and spend all their efforts on pushing themselves into your life. 

 You are not a mean person because you want mean people out of your life. 

 You are not a mean person for standing your ground and protecting yourself.

 Respect goes a long way in all types of relationships. If you are not being respected, it's time to move on. Disrespectful people, will probably not respect your choice and will continue to push against you. 

 Why would someone want to be with someone that doesn't like them? 

 Not liking someone doesn't make you a mean person. It just means you and they have nothing in common to be together.

 People can change. Maybe you were friends, maybe you did get along at one time. That doesn't always matter now. People can change and grow apart just as they can grow together.

 You don't owe it to someone to stay in a situation with someone you don't like.

Blessed by God

Life's real @ the Bright side of the Barn

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Life Happens - Hold On

You can do so much good for a person and make a few mistakes along the way.

Some people will remember all the good. 

Others will hold on to the mistakes.

Nobody is perfect in this life, except Christ himself. 

You can only be the best of yourself and it's okay to fall short on that at times. It's picking yourself back up that matters most. Being able to move forward, not getting hung up on the past and past mistakes. Some folks are so hung up on 'your' past, you feel like you're never going to get away from it, because of them. Sometimes it's other people that prevent you from moving forward. Constantly reminding you of things you would rather forget.

 You may have forgiven the enemy, but the enemy can't seem to get over you. It's their hell, not yours. You have to remember that God knows. He knows your heart and He knows their hearts. Being proud to know God, being joyous about your relationship with God, isn't 'pushing' your religion on people. It's you being you, testifying your salvation. Only those that are living for the devil will say you are pushing your religion and be offended by it.

 If you hide God, God will not recognize you in the end. If you deny God, God will deny you in the end. Be proud to know God, be happy in your journey of salvation. Be the living example of what has happened in your life. Be you. Regardless of what others say, think and do. Do you. So many times, I let it go. So many things done wrong to me. So many times, they deserved what happened to them, and I didn't do it. I let go and let God. 

 I didn't raise my kids in Church, but I raised them in a home that even firemen, police and CPS could recognize - it was a God-fearing Christian home. They could feel the presence of the Lord, without me saying anything. Courts were able to see through the lies and make judgement based on the truth, because I took God with me to court, just as one would go to church to meet up with God. God has been to court with so many people. 

 I was a hard mom, some accused me of being abusive. I raised my kids to understand there were consequences for actions. There was discipline and rewards. None of the 'kids will be kids' excuses, or 'time out in a corner'. There is love in discipline and teaching your children right from wrong.

 While reading the old testament recently, I was reading a section where parents would take their disobedient children to the elders and in some cases the elders would have the child stoned to death, for the sins committed. We have come a long way since the birth of Christ. Love has rules too. 

 As long as you never gave up. Got back up after falling down. Kept a hold of those important to you and not abandoned them. Be proud you were not an alcoholic, or drug addict, if you were - you sought out help and overcame your addictions. Be proud you were faithful to the lifelong commitment of raising children. Be proud you were able to keep moving forward. 

 Some parents were not so good for their own kids. Some quit on their kids and some walked away, leaving the kids behind. Some actually murdered their own children or the other parent. Some children suffered without food, clothes and warm place to sleep. Some suffered violence and lack of structure, running wild. 

 You never let go. Be content that you did your best. If others want to hold on to the short comings, let them. You need to let go and move forward, even if it means without them. 

Life happens, they are no closer to perfect than they expect you to be. 

Blessed by God

Life's real @ the Bright side of the Barn

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Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

  .

Depression - Isn't a choice.

 The worst part about having depression is you can't control it. You don't 'get over it', you just have to get through it. Doesn't matter how good, bad or other life is. When it hits, it hits. Nobody has to do anything to 'create it' and nobody can do anything to 'cure it'. Sometimes little things can 'trigger' it. Sometimes nothing at all causes it to 'flare up'. Unfortunately, people can make it worse, without even realize they are making it worse. Family - more often than not, say the wrong thing. Pushing someone to jump off the cliff so to speak.

Blessed by God

Life's good @ the Bright side of the Barn

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Good Friends

 Before giving it to me, she had her son do a bunch of work to it, and She even washed it! 

I've never had such a friend. We connected as soon as we met and have become sisters in knowing each other. 

You don't find many people like this in this world. Such a heart of Gold. 

I've had many acquaintances in life, a few good friends and close family. But, This one, she's like a guardian angel sent to me from God himself. My heart sister. 

Our dogs are best buddies and hit it off right away. Which is surprising since Chanelle is a snob when it comes to other dogs.

Blessed by God

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

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Believe in Yourself.

 You have a worth and a value. 

You have to set standards for yourself. 

Draw a line if you will, and limit 'how much' you will put up with before your line is crossed.

Know when you are being disrespected and don't allow yourself to tolerate beyond your limit. 

Once you let your standards down, and allow people to step over the limit, they will continue to do so. They will push your line further and further away from where you had it set. Eventually you will have lost all respect and begin losing your own self-respect.  

 Remember you have a worth and a value.

You have to stand up for yourself, even if it means letting go of others in your circle.

It's okay to walk away, push people out and get rid of those that bring negativity to you.

 IF you are not being held up as the person you are,

you are being drug down by someone who doesn't deserve your companionship.

 You owe no one nothing, if you have given respect and done your part as a good person.

It doesn't matter how much someone does for you, as long as you are doing all you can, when you can to help them in return.

 You owe it to your children to be a good parent, but you do not need to allow yourself to be walked over and put down by your own children. You are a parent, not their friend. 

 You can be in a marriage, a partner, a friend. That doesn't mean you owe yourself worth to the other person. You do your fair share and have the right to expect the same respect and help in return. Don't allow yourself to become enslaved to the relationship. 

 It doesn't work if one gives all and the other takes all. 

Relationships of all kinds - need balance. Equality. Respect. Fairness. 

 Believe in yourself. You may be better off alone than in a situation that makes you feel less than who you are. 

 If someone doesn't respect you, no number of apologize will change anything. The only thing that is going to happen, is they are going to continue to disrespect you, and it will get worse with each incident.

 Once someone walks over your standards "the line" they will continue to push the line back to where they are all it and you are nothing. 

 Believe in yourself and walk away, let go, close the door. It isn't going to get any better, only worse for you. 

 They will thrive on their dominance over you all while belittling you to nothing. 

You are worth more than that. You have a value; you are a good person. Don't let yourself be used as anything less.

Blessed by God

Life's good @ the Bright side of the Barn

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Time is the Best Gift to Give.

 

The best gifts you can give your mum, don't cost anything.  

They are probably the gifts she wants the most. 

• Spend time with her. Just a visit. 
• Invite her to lunch or dinner. She loves your cooking.
• Tell her Thank You. Show that you appreciate her sacrifices.
• A simple phone call. Your voice means so much more than a text.
• A meet up at the park. Playing with her grandchildren is time she enjoys.
• Sharing school pictures of the grandchildren.
• Homemade cards from the little ones. Handmade means so much to her. 
• Remind her of your gratitude, that she was always there for you. Good, bad and everything in between.
• Apologize for the mistakes you have made. Blaming her for you're bad choices.

There are so many little things you can do, that we often overlook daily. Your mom was there for you. 9 months of letting her body hurt, be torn down and the pain of your birth. She sacrificed sleep, the money to spend on herself, and many a hot meal.  Giving up so much of her time to each one of her children.

 She gave up a career to take 'simple jobs' just so she could be there for you after school. Laundry was a mountain always erupting, yet you had clean clothes every day of the week.  Dinner was hot and fresh on the table. The house kept warm and safe for you to sleep. 

 Things might have happened, and life turned upside down, but she never gave up, never walked away and never left you behind.  Every time you ran away the door opened upon your return, no matter how much pain you caused in leaving. 

 Some moms fought the good fight in court to keep you safe. Whether she won or lost, she never gave up on you. Many nights she cried in pain, her heart broken. Regretting the choice, she made of who should be your father.  Many moms became mom and dad, doing all she could to fill the void. 

So many moms gave up so much of themselves for their children. Only to have their children 'too busy' to give back any appreciation in return.

 Give your mom the time she deserves. Appreciate her sacrifices. Enjoy her love while you still can. She won't be here forever. Once she's gone, she won't be back. 

Love her while you still can. 

Blessed by God

I miss my mom @ the Bright side of the Barn

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Mother's Day 2025

 Enjoy your mom while she's still here. Death doesn't come by appointment. 

Blessed by God

Life's about breathing @ the Bright side of the Barn

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A Good Character beats a Bad Reputation

 I got the word yesterday that the apartment won't be ready for another month.  Other than living out of boxes, it's all good. Being here is nice. Sylvester caught a mouse in the kitchen the other night. New houses as well as old can get mice or even rats, depending on the location. I was able to convince him to drop the mouse so I could check it, make sure it was okay and let it outside. He was so proud of himself on his first catch. I think the new speedy toy helped him get his agility to be able to catch the quick little guy. 

 It's an older community, but the apartment is being completely renovated and will be like brand new when I get there. 55+ community - gated entrance. I almost cried when they told me how low the rent is going to be 'for me'. How minimal the deposit. No section 8, low-income housing, or any other assisted living. NO credit check or approvals needed. Just paperwork and a background check. { something for everyone's safety}.

 Just one good friend and a very generous developer that owns multiple communities. He knows me as his Notary Public and has seen firsthand how well I take care of my truck, and my home, inside and out.  When he found out my situation last winter, he took care of me and made the plan to give me a permanent place to call home, that I can afford. 

 

 Having a good character is so important.

 Being the best person, you can be, matters. Your reputation depends, as there are some people out there that do everything, they can, to lie about you and discredit your reputation.

 Believe me, a good character, will always overcome a bad reputation. Some people don't know what good character is, much less know the difference; or how to have one.

 I have another generous friend who is gifting me a car. I've been driving Tim's truck since I've been driving him to and from his appointments, and where he needs to go. Now with him leaving for Canada, I need my own wheels. My friend's son is working hard to fix the few things the car needs so I won't have to worry about it breaking down or having anything go wrong. Convertible ~ just in time for summer!

 I feel very blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. I don't know how I could ever repay everyone that has helped me out so much especially since winter hit in January. I would have frozen to death in the truck while he was in the hospital if it were not for these amazing people in my life.

 My character has proven me well. All the times I have done for others and not done wrong by those who have wronged me. No revenge, just focus forward. Karma is part of God's reward. God's been watching. He knows my heart; He knows my character. He knows me, and what's been done to me. He knows how hard I've done for my kids. Keeping the faith and believing in Him, knowing the true reward is in Heaven after we leave here. It is nice to feel the pleasures of a few things in this life also, I must admit.

 Tim recently discovered the high cost of gas in BC {Canada} so he's decided he wants to sell the Expedition and get himself something smaller with better gas mileage. Plus, it will be easier to park something smaller up there. They don't have a lot of 'big cars and trucks' around and parking spots are more like our little car spots - very narrow. Found a couple cars he likes just need to get his truck sold quick enough, before the cars sell. 

 Always be the best person you can be, don't worry about what others think or say about you. Let your light shine. A good character will always be brighter than a bad reputation. 

Blessed by God

The weather is beautiful @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

 

Different Strokes for Different Folks

 I was told a couple years ago of certain people that read my blog. I've been aware of their presence here. Why it would come as a surprise to anyone now, is beyond me. Why would they lie about reading it? My blog has never been private, nor has the epics of my life. This life has been one amazing journey. God has been with me all the way! 

 My mom taught me very young that 'people are watching', and sometimes, people need to see someone survive, so they too can survive. My dad taught me that some people, only watch to create gossip, and torment other's lives. Every family has at least one of those. My parents were pretty smart in their own ways. 

 There are different kinds of people in this world, more so, now in the latter days. Jesus did say the devil would be running loose here on earth as the end drew closer. Which means more people will be possessed by demons than in his own days. And He spent a lot of time running around casting out demons!

 Brothers have been killing brothers since the beginning of time. So why should we think it any different the way people treat their own families now ? 

Jealousy has been around since the beginning of time as well. So why do we not understand, how it has affected people now, when everything evil has been multiplied ten times over. Jesus left us the power to cast out demons and heal the sick. Yet so many don't believe it's possible, so the demons run wild, and doctors are making bank, while patients die.

 Faith is a powerful tool. 

 A young lady once told me; she hardly talks to her parents now. She had recently gone over to spend a holiday with them and left after only a few minutes.  She couldn't deal with the situation. Within a couple weeks of that event, her mother passed away. Just less than 2 weeks before Mother's Day.

 Death comes without warning. The last time you told someone to F*** off might very well be your 'last words'. The guilt and regret can be overwhelming. Some folks die peacefully in their sleep, while others die a violent painful death. Some young, others old. The Bible says you can be taken before your time. Which is why you should always be prepared and ready.

 Never lay down to sleep with anger in your heart. Tomorrow may never come. You may never get the chance to apologize, make amends or see someone again. 

 God knows the heart, as He knows the very number of hairs on one's head. He knows the deepest secrets, the tallest lies, the evil thoughts and the pure thoughts. The things we have done for and to others. How much we love; how much we hate, and everything in between. God knows the heart.

 Bible says everyone will face judgement day, whether they believe in God or not. 

 Feel sorry for those that have wronged you. Have pity on those that live in the smut of gossiping backstabbers. They don't know true happiness, they don't know what peace feels like. Their judgement will probably result in a tormented end, while you may be moving forward to God's house.

 Peace and joy forever! 

 Rejoice knowing that even the disciples suffered at the hands of evil. The closer you get to God, the more you will be opposed by the devil and his legion.  Families will be torn apart more so in the last days than they were in the first. The love of many will grow cold. Using family to hurt family is the devil's greatest tool.

 Being the wicked one that comes between family, 

is the worst position to be in - in the end.

 Don't let yourself be a part of it. 

Blessed by God

Love lives @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by'

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.

Stoned to Death

 

Acts 7:54-55 ~ When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.

Do you feel like the enemy is gnashing at you with their teeth? They ended up stoning Stephen to death. Ever feel like you're being stoned by your enemies? I've felt like it frequently and repeatedly.

Look up -

to the glory of God and see Jesus standing at his right side. Rejoice, because the reward to come is so much greater than what we have here.

Blessed by God

Life's beautiful @ the Bright Side of the Barn

Thanks for Stopping by

Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails.