Category No accidents

Was God testing me?

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Yesterday was an interesting day.

First, I found this Lucky Penny. It’s quite beat up, so I had to inspect it carefully, YES, it was a penny.

The penny put me in a good mood in spite of our cold weather.

I went to the grocery store. I got a basket and headed for the vegetables.

I was approached by a man (homeless?) asking for money.

I was caught off guard. What do I do?

MANY things went through my head. Do I help, but then he will do this regularly “in the store,” not acceptable.

Anyhow, did not offer help.

A few minutes later, this same man approached me again.

WHAT… I thought, “Is God testing me?”

I thought of those fables when the Prince is on the horse rushing somewhere. He sees an old looking peasant woman who asks for help, but really she is a witch who can cast spells. Does he help or not?

This was a dilemma. We do want to help people. I didn’t have any cash with me. Oh, I had my LUCKY PENNY!!

These are tricky situations! That’s why I keep thinking I was being tested…. What do you think?

Puzzling… Is this CHEATING?

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I’ve been wanting to do this Disney puzzle for a long time, but 1,500 pieces seemed like a lot.

2026 – It’s the year. I was at a puzzle exchange and “there was the puzzle.” I immediately snapped it up.

Imagine my surprise, when I opened the box, and the person who donated it had left many sections intact. Sometimes this is done, when it is too hard to take the pieces apart.

I have to admit… I was excited versus annoyed.

I did think… Is this cheating?

I mean, we’re “supposed” to do a puzzle from start to finish. Then I thought, it’s winter, I’ll pretend I’m on a cruise. I’ve gone to the game room and the puzzle is sitting there and I just continue working on it.

As you can see, I need to improve my evening lighting. Hard to get clear photos, but you get the idea.

I was able to complete this puzzle in one evening. Disney puzzles are SO MUCH FUN!

We had a snow storm yesterday, so a lot of puzzling and book reading here.

I sure hope Spring comes soon, miss outdoor walking! Too icy to walk outside right now…

When a FLIP goes wrong… Enter Puzzle Buddy!

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We’ve all been there. We decide to do something that is “tricky” too quickly to “get it done,” and we end up with a mess. That was me this morning.

I completed this beach puzzle. I wanted to frame it. I needed to flip it over, so I could tape it in place.

Well, this puzzle is HUGE, 24 X 30. I needed sturdy cardboard to lock it in place for the flip.

Instead, I had flimsy poster board. The flip did not go as planned.

As I was on the floor, trying to salvage pieces that were still connected…

I remembered seeing this PUZZLE BUDDY online. What a joke I thought!

However, now, I see the value of this product. For a “re-do,” I could definitely use this.

So, of course, I wonder… Why in the heck did I need to “re-do” half of the puzzle?

There must be a REASON, but WHAT?

Is this a sign? You are LOVED!

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My daughter was out walking, listening to a podcast when she saw “something” on the ground.

Here’s how it looked on the sidewalk.

As she bent down and looked closer, it was a LOVE token. Looks like it had fallen off a key chain maybe?

She picked up this love token inspecting it and as she looked up she saw the top of the church.

Sometimes when we go through challenges, it’s nice to have a sign…

We are LOVED, all will be well!

You are beautiful!

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You are beautiful… Have you been told this before?

Imagine my day… pouring rain, on freeway, tire pressure light goes on, panic, stopped at two gas stations, air pressure machines not working, no umbrella, sopping wet, frustrated, worried…

Stopped at third gas station… a nice man asked if I needed help. He told me of a tire place around the corner… as I was about to leave, with sincerity, still looking me in the eye, he said, “You are beautiful!”

A Guardian Angel moment… I was caught off guard. I looked like the dog in the photo.

One side of my brain was saying, “Come on, look at you, such a mess, how could he say you are beautiful?”

The other side of my brain was grinning, “Look at you, even with no makeup, sopping wet, someone thinks, you are beautiful!”

I thanked him. His words have stayed with me.

As I drove off, smiling / puzzled, I thought, “Have I ever been told I was BEAUTIFUL?”

No, I have not. Sure, if I was dressed up going to a party, someone “might” have said, “You LOOK beautiful tonight, but not you ARE beautiful.” I thought about the difference in these words.

So, here is to a Guardian Angel type of moment. The Universe sending me a sweet message out of the blue.

Bucket List – Someone has said, “I’m beautiful!” Done – feels good, especially coming from a stranger, no prompting. We should all be told we are beautiful, once in our lifetime.

PAY IT FORWARD… Now, I will have to do the same for someone else. Give someone a compliment. It warms our hearts, it makes us feel good.

Have a wonderful weekend!

It’s official, today is Valentine’s Day!

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My daughter sent me this, it’s cute. I’ve also received messages from family, friends, vendors (those are sweet) just sending wishes for a heart filled day! I think this day is about love and kindness.

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day and a wonderful weekend!

A CLINK at Passport Control in Germany!

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You might enjoy this story. Recently, as I was traveling and connecting flights, I had to go through Passport Control. As you know, this is always stressful. The lines can be long, we hope it won’t take forever.

When it was my turn, I walked up to the window. I pulled out my passport, I heard a clink, I didn’t think much of it, but wondered why the Agent was looking at me so seriously. They do have intimidating looks.

THEN he lifted up my Angel coin and said, “Is this YOURS?”

“Wow, why YES,” I said smiling.

He tried to keep his serious composure, but had a grin. I told him, ”This is a special moment for both of us! What were the chances that this would happen? Thank you for giving it back!”

I often have an Angel coin in my purse. Somehow, the Angel coin ended up in the pages of my passport.

I hope I’ve made you smile. We never know what surprises await us from day to day!

That day, I did feel like I was being “watched over,” and I bet that Agent felt the same. At least he had a funny story to tell when he took a break.

A Feather… Spiritual meaning?

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Do you believe that seeing a feather has a spiritual meaning?

Here is why I thought this feather was interesting. There were no birds around. It’s a BIG feather. As I walked quickly by, I saw it out of the corner of my eye.

My thought was, “Did I just see a feather? Where is the bird?” I felt the urge to go back and look at it, but I didn’t have time. Later, I was still thinking of that feather.

The next morning, I was walking in the same area, rushing to work, when I saw the feather AGAIN. This time, the feather had moved, it wasn’t in its original spot. This time the feather was at the Stop sign, right at my feet, in front of me. NOW, I took notice.

I had this feeling I was meant to see this feather, it was in my path for a reason.

So, what do you think? Is there a meaning behind seeing a big feather like this, when no birds are around?

Do you believe in Guardian Angels?

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I meant to write this post on October 2nd, the Feast Day for Guardian Angels. I found this day interesting. I woke up with a sad feeling. It happens to all of us. Turn on the news and it’s “doom and gloom.”

On this particular morning, I knew I had a choice to make.

Be sad… OR… Be happy!

I’ve learned, our minds are powerful and we “own them.” It’s up to us to CHOOSE what we think about. It takes practice to change the direction of our minds, but it can be done!

It was early in the morning, I decided to walk and stop by church. Our church has a 30 min mass every day. At the steps of the church, I was greeted by happy school children heading in for mass. So sweet, hearing their cute little voices and the teacher instructing them.

When it was time for the Priest to speak, he said, “Today is a special day, it’s the Feast Day of our Guardian Angels.”

CHEERS from the children.

WOW – my own ears perked up.

There had just been a woman doing the reading. She had not done her homework and couldn’t pronounce many of the cities in the text. It was PAINFUL to listen to her. My mind drifted off, not uplifting at all.

Imagine my SURPRISE to learn that there was “no time” to feel sad. Instead, I needed to CELEBRATE my Guardian Angel. My heart grew big. I kidded MY ANGEL and said, “So, that’s why you wanted me to walk by church. To celebrate you! How clever!”

I always think of Clarence, the angel in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” too, so cute.

As we head into the weekend, if you believe in guardian angels, you might want to THANK yours.

Look, I even saw this angel in a store this week. My Angel wants me to know she is grand and beautiful! Come on, you do have to chuckle. Perfect timing!

Have a wonderful Fall weekend! —> (You might spot your angel somewhere too.)

Walking… No more tulips, now ROSES!

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Just as soon as the tulips came and we were in awe of them, now they are gone. As I walked yesterday, I noticed that roses are blooming. Pink is my favorite color, so I loved this.

At this time of year, I always think of St Therese of Lisieux who on her deathbed said she would “shower us with roses from Heaven.” They say if you pray a novena to St Therese, you will know she heard your prayer, because she’ll deliver a rose to you. WELL, not hand delivered, but you will find or see a rose and instinctively KNOW it’s from her, she has heard your prayer.

This happened to me! Years ago, I had been laid off my job. It was Spring, I saw roses and thought of her, so prayed for guidance. I waited, looked, hoped — nothing!

Until one day, I was at a coffee shop. I finished my coffee, went to throw my cup away outside and there was a bouquet of roses in a glass vase sitting by the garbage area. WHAT?? How strange and MIRACULOUS at the same time. Not one rose, but many. Now, granted, they were by the trash on their last leg, but to me, who had prayed – I KNEW they were my sign. Something “good” would happen. Yes, a job soon came!

So, on this bright sunny Wednesday, I wish you ALL a special day full of roses!! Look for your sign!