Thinking about it, my quiet times come at moments throughout the day, when nothing is going on or dogs aren't demanding my attention or barking so I can't hear myself think. It's when I walk out in the yard & pull a few weeds or clear out a flower bed. Plant plants or mow my lawn with my lawn tractor......those are my quiet times when I get away in my head & really enjoy the beauty of my farm.

Even potty walking my doggies is a blast......today when I had Destiny out, she was running around (if that's what you call that overweight doggie waddle a run as she lops across the yard). I run around with her & she then she runs up & jumps on me with huge kisses. I sat down on my wicker swing on the porch & she jumped up next to me & helped me finish my bowl of cottage cheese while we swing in the afternoon breeze......then she got down & helped me weed some weeds out of my gravel driveway. Those are the peaceful relaxing times with my doggies that we all enjoy & cherish. Given all the stress they can cause during the rough times, their companionship is something I cherish beyond anything I have ever experienced in my life.....as they definitely give me more love than the grief they find time to give when getting into their doggie mischief like children will do.

They fill me with love & peace 99% of the time, it's just that when the problems hit, the resitual feelings of stress hang around making it seem as though it's a longer amount of time that I am experiencing it. It's important to enjoy every good moment. I have learned since living on this beautiful farm & being surrounded by beauty constantly.....just looking out my window at the woods can be a peaceful moment.....especially if the dogs aren't barking at that moment. In California I wasn't completely surrounded by peace & beauty like I am here & would have to leave to find it.....now I can grasp a moment many times during the day & definitely praise God for what he has provided me with.....between the rain storms. Sometimes I have to remind myself where I am & that my surrounding aren't what they were in California & that I am surrounded by peace & beauty. When one has lived their life the other way so many years....it just takes reminding & taking the time to be aware on the surroundings without getting burried under the overwhelming situations that can blind us from the beauty at times.

Debbie