It never ceases to amaze me at how God works in my life. He has His hand in every area of my life and I can prove it.
First…I had a little medical issue come up. Something we’ve been watching for a while and now it’s to the point of having to investigate further. When I first heart that news, I must admit, a flutter of fear went through me. That was the day “Betty” wrote to me and instructed me to WALK STRONG. To profess Victory over my circumstances because the enemy wiggles in when we profess fear, anger, anxiety. Ever since that moment, I declared there was nothing wrong with me. I gave it to God. Then Sunday night I went to Revival and had Pastor Matt and the folks gathered to pray over me and anoint my head with oil. He declared that I would go to the doctor and everything was going to be benign, that the tumors would even shrivel up.
Ok, I literally ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it on this trip and I think I made the right choice. Life is too short. I don’t eat like this all the time…it was vacation!
The last hurrah was in Williamsburg, VA at the Capitol Pancake House. That name alone drew me in. But when I saw the parking lot was full, I knew we had stumbled on something good. I didn’t have to even taste this to know it was going to be over the top delicious. (This photo didn’t catch the short stack of pancakes on the side! Wow!)
After watching the twenty day forecast for the Outer Banks, Mr. FixIt and I were fully prepared for a cold, cloudy, wet week at the beach. As it turned out, the weather predictions were almost entirely incorrect. We had one day that rained all day. The first day we arrived, I had to wear my down coat on the beach. One afternoon, we had a really great thunderstorm. And, that was it. We couldn’t have asked for a better week. Yesterday was around 70 degrees. A gentle breeze came off the ocean, but it was still warm enough to sit out in the sun in a bathing suit…knitting! I got a little sunburned in the spots I missed with the sunscreen, but overall, it was perfect.
My second marriage fell apart in January 2000. In June of 2001, I opened a small needlework shop in Glenwood Springs called Needles & Pins. I lost my shirt with that business. Twice, actually. But, like buying TOW-Wanda and camping helped me heal after losing Mr. Virgo…that little shop helped me heal and find my long lost self-confidence after my 21 year marriage ended. I mostly sold cross-stitch supplies, a little needlepoint, some gift items, and eventually branched out and sold some yarn.
Oh, my gosh…what a gorgeous day it was yesterday on the Outer Banks! Sunny and 73, it was filled with sun, sand, and surf. We headed to the north end of the island where you can drive out on the beach for miles. There are wild horses up there and although we seemed to drive forever, we only saw two. It was stunning (and a little nerve-wracking) driving so close to the thunderous waves. Mr. FixIt has told me stories about people getting stuck in the sand and I was sure we would, but he is an excellent driver, has done it many times, and I trust him completely. The nice weather drew crowds to the beach and no one had a bit of trouble.
I can hear the surf through the open window of the condo. It rained all day yesterday with a pretty strong wind coming in off the ocean which raised the surf to choppy white-capped waves. We didn’t let the steady rain keep us indoors, though. Mr. FixIt cooked a big breakfast and we headed out to explore the many antique shops on the island. I got some really great ideas for decorating the ‘67 Franklin. I hope to get started on it soon, although I am not sure I can get it done for camping this season.
There is no way to avoid bumping into grief. It’s around the corner. On any given day, something...anything...can trigger a grief response. Sometimes it’s a whisper. Sometimes it’s a roar. It’s such a relief when things are going smoothly and the interruption is just a riffle in the stream. That’s what happened yesterday when I opened Facebook and there was one of those “memories” right in my face. There was a time that would have knocked me flat. Instead, I felt the sting then let it go. It will always be there in one form or another. I just try not to focus on it so much anymore. That doesn’t always work, but it did this time.
What do I love about being at the beach this time of year? NO crowds! There isn’t a wait at the restaurants. There’s practically no traffic. It’s easy to feel like you live here. The shops are filled with fresh merchandise that’s fun to look through.
What do I hate about the beach this time of year? Having to wear a down coat to walk on it!
Mr. FixIt is a great travel companion. I have absolutely no sense of direction so between him and Mavis the GPS, I always know just what turn is coming up and what lane to be in. And, unlike Mavis, Mr. FixIt has a million stories that keep me laughing the whole way.
He was telling me about his grandmother yesterday as we drove. Get this…his grandma brought four little boys under the age of ten all the way down here in the mid ‘50s and camped in a tent in a state park for two months at a time…by herself! No electric. No water hookup. No showers. She cooked on a campfire and let these little boys run like the wind. I am in awe of her…I would have LOVED to have met her.
We had an amazing visit with my cousin and his wife this weekend. Instead of running around and doing things like we usually do while we were there, I was content to stay put and visit with this most beloved man. Our visits are numbered and I am always pleasantly surprised at his resilience and positive determination. He assured me he will be around a while so I told him I’m counting on that.
“A power washer in use.”
“A Big Southern Breakfast”
“Sunset over the Sound, OBX”
“Knitting Socks with Four Double Point Needles:
“Wild Horse of Corolla Beach”
“Stormy Seas”
“Turtles at the aquarium.”
“Love: No Crowds! Hate: Down Coat on the Beach!”
“He’s a Texan!”
“Dogwood”