A Day Called Birthday

42 years.

4 decades and then some.

I don't want to sit here and think that my life is half way over--because that could have been 21 years ago...or it could be now.  Only God knows.

We are at an exciting time.  We will be moving from this apartment in 3 weeks and 5 days.  But who is counting :-)  Apartment life has been peaceful.  Except for the parking and the new dings in the doors, it hasn't been that bad.  The lady below us may beg to differ.  She may think that she has a herd of elephants living above her.

I know that there are things that I have taken for granted living in a home that I now have an appreciation for:
Parking: Suburban + small spot + full complex + hill=frustrating moments of parking
A bigger kitchen:  Our pantry here is the depth of a box of cereal.  The good news is that nothing gets lost in the back of the pantry.
A bigger kitchen:  Not more than one person can fit in the kitchen comfortably.  Once all four of us were in the kitchen when I was trying to cook.  Not one of my finest apartment moments.
A bigger kitchen:  counter space is at a premium.
A yard.  We love yard work.  We are moving to a beautiful 1.5 acres.
An indoor washing/drying area.  Our washer and dryer are out on the patio and I keep calling it the garage. Our washer froze when the temperature was in the 20's.  I always took for granted my indoor washer and dryer.  Not anymore!
Our pets:  Coco Puff and Lilly Pie are at Cindy's (learning VERY bad habits and annoying Cindy [and Isabel and Snickers]; Binxy is at the Goff's (they say he is a very friendly little guy and likes to hang out at the dining room window and look in and watch them home school); Frankie and Ellie went to the ranch to stay with dad.  Ellie died on January 21 after getting hit by a vehicle.  We are so thankful for dad.  He took great care of her in her living and in her dying.  He buried her at the ranch on the hill above the pond.  He made a cross and we went out there and he and the girls put the cross in the ground.  Ellie was a good dog.  Frankie seems to be fine.  Every year I think this is his last (for like the last 4 years), now I think he may be eternal.  :-)

We have been running/walking a lot.  It certainly keeps us from being all over one another and the benefit of exercise, win/win.

The girls do have a loft with their bedroom and their own bathroom--that is a life saver.

Today the girls are in a babysitting class all day.  They are learning the "whys and how to's" of babysitting.  A little CPR, Heimlich maneuver, what to do in case of emergency like fire/gas leak/water leak.  How to entertain the children you are babysitting...should be a great class. 
Mike is working today so that left me alone in birthday bliss.  A beautiful, sunny 75 degree Saturday with the whole apartment to myself.   Beth called me early this morning and it was so nice to visit with her. I did my Bible Study (parked on Epaphroditus in Phil 2--what a friend), went for a run, had lunch with Cindy, went to HEB and did laundry.  All by myself--with Pandora on and some essential oils in the diffuser and a cup of coffee.  Bliss.
Mike has something planned for tonight....it will be fun, I am sure.  Last night we took the suburban to a $5 car wash and as we were going through the wash tunnel he looks over to me and says "How do you like this Valentine's Day tunnel of love?"  :-)

Psalm 91:14  Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all of our days.

Psalm 100:5  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.