About The River

Monday, February 20, 2017

Spring in February and Joy List Monday

 Spring in February

The weather in Wisconsin is going crazy. This past week in Northwest Wisconsin we had high temperatures of 55 degrees! 
Our family skied Saturday in a ski event across  Chequamegon Bay. Let me take that back, we water skied across Chequamegon Bay, or did we slosh across the Bay?
Stop by The River tomorrow and I will share our adventure.

Joy List Monday
♥ a weekly ritual ♥
a reminder to stop and pay attention to the little beauties and graces that make life magical and to set aside time for gratitude each day

 ♥ time with my husband and boys ... skiing / sloshing at night across Chequamegon Bay

 ♥ introduced to a new band by my boys ... we are a family who enjoys music
my boys had me listen to a new band they like
listening to the lyrics ... really listening to the lyrics
taking the next step and researching the band 

 ♥ trying a new to me local bakery

 ♥ road trips

 ♥ visiting with strangers 

 ♥  Spring in February

Winter can be long and brutal here in Northwest Wisconsin. This year all I can say is Winter as been different. Ice storms, temperatures from -20 degrees to highs in the 40's all in the same week. Very strange and as I type this post, it is 50 degrees and raining.

Most of our neighbors stay cozy in the Winter. We do not see each other again until Spring. That is except for me, because I am crazy and still walk my dog in all weather, because my dog demands it.  She would not have it any other way. 
Once Spring arrives our neighbors all come back out and we find out what all is new.

This week, as Spring Sprung, my husband and I spotted our neighbor JoAnn. She was driving down the street as we walked our dog. She slowed and asked "how Winter has been treating us?"

She was crying. JoAnn? What is wrong? I noticed the bandage on her hand. 
"I really should not be driving, I just got out of the hospital."
"What is going on?" I asked
"I have Cancer. One kidney is covered, one lung is covered, my neck has spots. Life she cried out!" 
I was shocked. The last I saw JoAnn was in early December. 
She received the news two days before Christmas. 
 The positive news, JoAnn has a wonderful husband. 
Her son and his wife are expecting their first and her first grandbaby in March.


No matter how bad things seem, deliberately letting your mind dwell on positive, thoughts will enable you to survive.
Charles Swindoll

"Okay, Carla, it is time to let your mind dwell on better things."
Go over the list and deliberately replace a worry with something honorable or pure or lovely, something worthy of praise. 

 
 

18 comments:

  1. Your skiing/ sloshing weekend sounds lovely. There is so much sadness in the world, I am sorry to hear about your friend, and I am glad that you have your sweet family activities to focus on and help you find the positive in the day.

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  2. Oh Carla, I'm very sorry about your neighbour JoAnn. This must have been a terrible winter for her. I'll keep her in my thought and prayers. I love your positive attitude.
    I'm looking forward to seeing those skiing/ sloshing across the Bay.
    Take care and thanks for your faithful comments on my blog. I do appreciate you.
    Hugs,
    Julia

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  3. It is so awful about your neighbor. Our winter has been crazy, too. Today it was almost 80. We are on our second week of summer temperatures. I think that spring is here, but others things we will still have one big snow. So what is the band? Your family is so active, and you guys know how to have fun! Your last picture is a mystery

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  4. Oh, so sorry to hear about your friend. Yes, the weather is crazy! We're having highs in the 60s for an entire week. I don't even need a coat when I go outside. So much garden work getting done! But it doesn't seem right. I worry about what will come this summer.

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  5. Thoughts and prayers for your neighbor and her family. You're right that it's so important to focus on the positive when it feels dark. A wonderful husband and new baby to look forward to will give her joy in the coming weeks and months. Sending hugs t you to my friend💕The weather here has been nuts too!

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  6. The way you wrote this...it took me by surprise. I pray your friend JoAnn has the best in medical care. Prayer is powerful. Focusing on the positive is a gift.

    Jane x

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  7. I was so sorry to hear about your friend. My thoughts are with you both.
    Amalia
    xo

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  8. I'm sorry to hear about your friend, Carla. We never know what lies beyond three present moment. I'm glad JoAnn has a supportive family. On a very different note, how thick is the I've on Cheq. Bay?? How did you keep your feet from being wet and cold? When were you at the British Museum? Can you tell that I've not been sleeping much this night? What are the red things in the last photo? It looks like skis with a red fungus? on either side. I have no idea. I hope you'll be at the Hodgepodge on Wednesday. I just read the questions.

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  9. Sorry about all the errors above. I hate predictive texting.

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  10. I am sorry to hear of your neighbor's battle with cancer. Thanks for reminding me that the Lord wants us to be thankful and to dwell on His faithfulness in spite of difficult circumstances.

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  11. Good Morning sweet friend. I am sorry about your friend. When life turns like this it shows how precious each and every day can be. Life can take these unexpected turns when life is going along normally. I am glad you were there to help her with some comfort as she begins this journey. We are having really warm temps too. I did not have a coat on the last couple of days and had to say out loud is this really February in Chicago!!!!! Lovin every darn warm minute of it!!! Love your Joy List. Have a wonderful new week.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  12. I am so sorry to hear about your friend Jo Ann. Hearing things like that makes me ashamed of ever complaining about small things. Honestly, the weather is crazy all around, but I'm sure enjoying this spring-like February.

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  13. I'm so sorry about your neighbor, Carla. I'll say a prayer for her.

    Spring is popping up here too! I spotted some tulips coming up in the yard :)

    Stay warm.
    xo,
    rue

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  14. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend JoAnn. Winter has been crazy here too. It's been warm for the last few days and I feel done with snow and ice....bring on the warm weather! But I know we could still get some major snow storms. IT's been pretty mild. Hang in there, my friend!

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  15. I am so sorry to hear about your neighbor. Life changes in an instant! Keeping her and her family in my prayers.

    Sounds like you have many things to be joyful for.

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  16. I know what you mean about walking your dog in all conditions, lol! So sorry that your neighbor has had such a rough winter! Will pray that the Lord will heal and help her through this! And yes, winter here has been kinda crazy and everyone tends to stay inside until the days get nicer out. Spring is coming though, the days are getting longer, and my chickens are even wanting out, so I know it is coming! Hugs to you today :)

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  17. Scary how quickly things can change. Prayers for your neighbor. Glad that she has such a wonderful husband and great things going on with a grandbaby coming. That should keep her spirits up!!

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High Fives from Wisconsin!