More Gray's Lake ...

We have been visiting Gray's lake frequently this year and really enjoy how peaceful and tranquil it is there. Last time we visited we walked all around the lake, which we haven't done before. At least, I walked and pushed Mom in her wheelchair while she took photos. So we got to see the lake from every angle. And I got some needed exercise. These two photos show the reflection of images in the water, which I find quite picturesque.






The other two photos are of me in the nook of a very large tree on the north side of the lake. You can see the bridge in the background. We like to go on the bridge at night when it is lit up with the lights shining through the colored glass panels that line the walkway. The next time we go at night I want to come back to this tree to see the entire bridge span lit up.



As you can see from the photos, we were there on a gray and gloomy day. It was cold enough to have to wear a coat, but not so cold that we couldn't enjoy being outside. Now we can't wait for spring so we can go back out on the water in the pedal boats again.

Appliances

We have some old appliances. We purchased a washer/dryer set in 1984 when we bought our first home and a refrigerator in 1989 when we bought our second home. Both have been through a lot of wear and tear in raising five children, and both have seen better days. The dryer works on the low temperature setting, but sometimes has not shut off at the end of the cycle on high temperature. And the refrigerator has recently developed problems with the door sticking, along with some broken plastic parts on the inside of the doors.

Shortly after I started thinking about replacing the refrigerator, a fellow employee posted an offer for a free refrigerator on our electronic bulletin at work. I happened to see it minutes after the posting and was the first to respond, so we have inherited a newer (nine years old) and roomier refrigerator. Our next door neighbor, Steve, helped me bring it home in his truck and move it into the house. He even took our old refrigerator to use in his shop, so I didn't have to worry about disposing of the old one.

A couple of days later I saw on the same bulletin board an advertisement for a dryer for $75. Our old dryer is working and didn't really need to be replaced, but I had been keeping an eye out for a good deal. A couple of years ago we happened across a newer clothes washer a guy was giving away, so took it. Since that time our washer and dryer have been different colors ... a white washer and bisque dryer. I hoped at some time to find a white dryer so they would match a little better. The advertised dryer was the right color and only five years old, so we went to look at it. When the guy saw we were interested, and because he is a friend, he reduced the price to $50. We immediately snatched it up! So we picked up a refrigerator and a clothes dryer for a total of $5o. What a blessing for us! We did not want to be spending more money right now to upgrade our appliances. I suppose these will be the Christmas presents Mom and I give to each other (she gets the fridge, I get the dryer!)

I have learned that, with patience, good deals and blessings abound. We are grateful for the blessings we receive and continually express our gratitude for the many ways, big and small, that God blesses us.