Back in the Saddle...Sort of. Inspiration Thursday

After taking a few weeks off to move into a new house and change Internet providers, I am back...sort of.  I may take a few weeks to get back into the rhythm of regular posting, so bear with me.
Well, we are moved, mostly.  All of our stuff is in the new house and 99% of the boxes are unpacked and put away.  It has only taken ten days to get this far along in "Operation Downsize".  Of course we only moved about 10 miles.  We moved from a very wooded, semi-rural lot into town and a pretty standard sub-division lot.  We have had three rooms completely painted and the ceilings in three others painted a new color...white!  For several years the trend in new home construction has been to paint the walls and ceilings the same color.  That's fine, up to a point.  There comes a time when the color of the walls/ceilings and the age of the eyes don't provide enough light to see.  I am there.
We can even get both cars in the garage!
Phase One of downsizing involves moving into a smaller home than before (not significantly smaller).  Phase Two is the realization that you didn't give away enough of your stuff prior to the move.  There will be a garage sale in the spring to further thin the herd.  Phase Three is deciding where will all of those pictures be placed in the new residence and what new furniture is required to truly make the new house feel like a home.
Our plan is for this home to have a little more casual feel than our previous abode.  That is due in part to the truly open plan of this house.  The living, dining, and kitchen share a large open space.
If there is a Phase Four to this downsizing process, it is definitely the yard.  It is smaller, and flatter than before, so maintaining it will be easier.  Still, there are some things that need attention to make it our yard, but that will be a post for another day.  All in all, the move has gone very smoothly and we are very happy with the new house.  When was the last time you packed up your life and relocated to a new home?  Did it go well?
Life is filled with changes.  Our recent adventure in moving is just another one of those changes.  How we deal with change can affect our life in many ways.  It can even impact our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.  I think this move will have a positive influence on all of the above.  Ever since we built our last home, ten years ago, I have stood in amazement of what God has allowed me to do.  I truly don't deserve any of the blessings that He as poured out on me and it is only through His love, mercy, and grace that I have anything.  Thank you Lord for all that you have done.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The Bird Feeder Chronicles

I find it a little ironic that my first post of the new year will be my last post in our current home.  We will be moving into town this week.  We built this home in 2004 and I thought it might be our last residence.  I was wrong.  The opportunity came to downsize and simplify our lives a little bit, so we made the commitment to pack up all of our belongings and move.
One thing that I am going to miss about this place is the close proximity of the woods and the variety of birds that come to our feeders.  This past week I spent a few minutes each morning, before the packing started, to capture a few images of my feathered neighbors.  I'm going to miss these guys, but I'll just have to make new friends in town.  Hope the new birds are as colorful as this group.

I'll be down for a couple of weeks.  Between unpacking and getting a new internet service provider, I probably won't post again until the first of February.  But check back anyway, I may sneak a post in before next month.