Things
It's been an interesting week.
Months ago on this blog, I talked about downsizing and living a less materialistic life like my Amish friends.
Someone helped me to it by coming in the dead of night and clearing off all my lawn furniture and potted plants from the front porch. The back door that's often hard to open in cold weather (we had our promised cold snap over the weekend) was hanging open as if someone had tried to get in the back way. Nothing was gone and no one tried to get into the house, thank goodness. The nice police officer says because the house is for sale someone obviously decided I'd moved out and helped themselves. I know he was surprised that anyone could do that when one of the dogs was barking her head when he came off but she'd been closed up in the bedroom with the other dog and me for the night.
I've looked at the porch a number of times since then and you know what? I'm not going to go out and get a new bunch of furniture and plants. I said I was downsizing material possessions and I think I'll leave it that way. Okay, I'll admit that part of the reason is I also that I don't have a green thumb. Wonder if the thief discovered he hauled away one pot of flowers and they were fake! A friend had insisted on "planting them" in a pot for me the day before!
There aren't many things I think I'd miss if they were suddenly gone. So far on my list of "Grab if there's an emergency" are my two little dogs and my laptop. Oh, and pictures of my grandbabies and my children. God's been really good to me, bringing me things when I need them. I figure what I need will come along ...Right now, I'm really enjoying finding people who need something I don't use any more like a comforter or some other household item. So even though those front porch things weren't voluntarily given, I'm going to act like they were. (And no one hurt me or scared me in the process of taking them, so I'm grateful although I have had a few nights having trouble getting to sleep until I remember God is watching over me.)
Besides, I'm feeling pretty happy this week: An Amish Christmas continues to do well on the CBD list (it got as high as #6 last week over some pretty big name authors) and Romantic Times reviewed An Amish Gathering (out in December) and gave it a 4.5! They don't have 5s and only about ten percent of books reviewed by them get 4.5! (Scroll down on the page and see the gorgeous pastoral cover.) I'm proud of Beth and Kathy and me.
So, readers, thank you for all your support of An Amish Christmas. I hope you'll want to pre-order An Amish Gathering. I think you'll like it just as much if not more than An Amish Christmas!
Have a great weekend!
Barbara
Posted by Barbara Cameron at 10/23/2009 1:09 PM 
Categories: An Amish Christmas, An Amish Gathering, Barbara Cameron
Tags: Amish way of life
Categories: An Amish Christmas, An Amish Gathering, Barbara Cameron
Tags: Amish way of life
Barbara, so sorry to hear about the robbery. That can be unsettling, but you are right in saying the Lord is watching over you, and thankfully they did not get into the house. Congratulations on all the good reviews on An Amish Christmas and An Amish Gathering! An Amish Christmas is really good, and I've got An Amish Gathering on order!
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Hi Cathey,
I figure I was lucky because stuff I didn't care about was taken and as you and I agree, no one entered the house and bothered me (or my little dogs!). Many people have been a victim of crime more than once at my age so I've been lucky.
Thank you for the congratulations on the reviews.I'm so happy you enjoyed An Amish Christmas and thank you for buying it and pre-ordering An Amish Gathering!
Have a great week!
Barbara
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I understand what you mean about downsizing materially. Sometimes all these things can be a burden and a hindrance to us in life. The Amish may have one over on us there! I do so enjoy reading your books. Keep on writing! We are so thankful your intruders left you alone! Thank God for that!
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Hi Janan,
I had so few things when I moved into this house five years ago that you could hear echoes. I'd lived in a small apartment for several years so I had little. Now I feel like I've accumulated too much stuff--not that I want someone to help themselves to it....I'd prefer to give it away, thanks. : )
I appreciate you saying you're thankful the intruders left me alone. I thanked God for that right away!
Take care,
Barbara
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Barbara, I'm so glad your safe and sound. I love getting my amish hearts e-mails and hearing all about your week.I can hardly wait to get An Amish Christmas.I'm a big fan .Hang in there next week will be better. Your in my Prayers!!
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