Thursday, December 19, 2024

Thankful Thursday: December 19, 2024

 


I Am Thankful For:

Tiny cinnamon brooms 

Chores completed

The neighbor kids calling "Hi, Ms Beckey" from their trampoline

New little dog jackets

Errands done before the rain starts

Dog Advent calendars

Morning sun making the frost sparkle

My grandson's little grin

Christmas movies

A change of plans

Seeing my grandsons

Our next trip is booked

Christmas cards

Vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce and sea salt

Relaxing on the couch

The full moon

Getting stuff done despite feeling sick

Leftovers - so I don't have to cook

Presents wrapped and shipped


Thursday, December 12, 2024

Thankful Thursday: December 12, 2024

 

I Am Thankful For:

My husband

New slipcovers

Candy canes

Lunch with my husband

New throw pillows

Hershey Kisses

Christmas shopping with my husband

Time in a bookstore

Important conversations

My husband's chili for Sunday dinner

Getting back to bookclub

When someone gifts me homemade treats

A surprise shipment of Laura Geller makeup

Shrimp tacos


Thursday, December 5, 2024

Thankful Thursday: December 5, 2024

 


I Am Thankful For:

A day spent with my daughter

A little treat for myself

Thanksgiving leftovers

A brand new month

My rice cooker

Christmas decorations

A crockpot full of homemade soup

Books as presents

Car rides with my husband

A light coating of snow

Monday, December 2, 2024

Beginning December

Here we are. The last month of 2024. December is the time to look back at the year we've been through.   Take a moment to savor the memories of the good times. Learn a lesson or two feom the not-so-good times. And begin to dream, hope, and plan for the year to come. 

One of my beautiful nieces is celebrating het 26th birthday today. It's hard to believe that little blonde child who grew up alongside my son is now a grown woman with a masters degree.   She's pretty amazing.

I'm hoping to get out one evening to see one of the light displays near here.  There are two to choose from.  One is at the North Carolina Arboretum. The other is at a local park.  We usually go to the smaller one.  We used to get hot cocoa for the whole family, get in the car and go enjoy the light show almost every year.  Even though our "children" are now adults, I still enjoy going to see the lights.  Heck - it was probably even more for me back then! 😁

Christmas is going to be a little different this year.  Less family at our annual Christmas eve dinner.  Not for any bad or sad reasons.   Just because of circumstances and other plans.  But we'll make the most of it and enjoy a quiet holiday. 

The Man of the House usually has the week from Christmas eve to New Years off from work.  But this year their production demands are such that the company will need to be open that week.  That's going to feel strange only having him home for a couple of days at each holiday.  But it might help to decrease that sense of lost time for that last week of December. 

This month I am reading "West With Giraffes" by Linda Rutledge for book club.  I am also reading "The Invisible Hour" by Alice Hoffman and whatever else strikes my fancy.  Maybe I'll sneak in a holiday themed book.

My goals for December are simple:

  • Decorate for Christmas
  • Send Christmas cards
  • Bake cookies
  • Finish 2 crochet projects before Christmas 
What do you have planned for December?



Saturday, November 30, 2024

Goodbye to November

Whoa.  Just... whoa.  November felt like the longest, shortest month in the history of months.  One minute I was celebrating my birthday on the first, and now - in the blink of an eye - we're here at the end.  With so much happening in between that it must have been longer than a few quick weeks.

This month was crazy busy.  

My birthday was nice. Didn't get up to too much celebrating since I was barely 2 weeks out from my knee surgery.  I had hoped to go for a hike somewhere, but between the area still recovering from Hurricane Helene and my knee - that wasn't happening. 

My sister came to visit and it was such a comfort having her here and getting to hang out and catch up.  I miss her all of the time, but especially now that she's on the other side of the country.

My daughter started having a lot of stomach pain and nausea one weekend. She went to the doctor and they discovered that her liver enzymes were through the roof, causing her to end up in the ER.  That resulted in four days, one surgery to remiver her gall bladder, and and endoscopy procedure to clear stones from her bile duct. Fortunately she is recovering well and felling better.

The Man of the House headed to Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks for the week of our anniversary.   We relaxed on the beach and did some fishing, reading, and general unwinding. One day we took the ferry over to Okracoke Island where we rented a skiff and spent the day exploring a deserted island and fishing in the sound. 

The month wound up with Thanksgiving.  The kids and grandkids were here.  It was loud and wonderful. And of course, there was too much food.  On Black Friday, the Female Offspring and I hit the stores early and spent the day getting some of our Christmas shopping done. 

I would like to hope that December will be slower and less hectic.  But let's be honest - it probably won't.  

How was your November? 




Thursday, November 21, 2024

Thankful Thursday: November 21, 2024

 


I Am Thankful For:

My daughter is feeling better everyday
My morning tea
When the errands are completed
Packing done
Safe travels
Sunset on the beach
No crowds
The sound of the waves
Sunrise over the ocean
Hunting for seashells
A good catch
Visiting little known places
Relaxing on the boat
A delicious dinner at a local restaurant
Little beach birds
Time away with my husband 
32 years of marriage

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Thankful Thursday: November 14, 2024



I Am Thankful For:

The ability to be flexible with my time
Kind hospital staff
A late night drive home
Beautiful autumn days
An evening cup of tea
My daughter's surgery went well
Helping out with the grandkids
My grandbaby and dog playing ball
My daughter home from the hospital
Simple dinners
A day at home
A pot of chili on a rainy day
A quiet evening 
A nice lunch out
Coats for doggies
Cool fall temperatures
Lazy mornings
Used book stores