Twenty Four

Twenty four years ago today I became the Mrs to this Mr...

It's been twenty four years of ups and downs.  Laughter and tears. New jobs and layoffs.  Kids and grandkids born and family members lost.  Family vacations. Anniversary trips.  Business trips.  House remodels.  New cars and ones that left us stranded on the side of the road.

Most importantly it's been twenty four years of love.

And I am excited to see what the next twenty four years and beyond holds in store for us!

30 Days of Gratitude & Thanksgiving: November 16

Today I Am Thankful For:
Playing pretend with the grandkid that he is an elephant
Cardinals at the birdfeeder
Keeping dinner simple
The cat playing like a kitten

30 Days of Gratitude & Thanksgiving: November 14 and 15

I Am Thankful For:
Making (slow) progress
Going to bed early
Reasons to wish my sister lived closer
Receiving this text message:

New recipes to try
Realizing our anniversary is in less than a week

30 Days of Gratitude & Thanksgiving: November 12 and 13

I Am Thankful For:
A successful pre-black Friday promotion
Homemade pecan pie
Watching old "Cheers" episodes with the Man of the House
The perfect hiding spot

Peppermint mocha is back

30 Days of Gratitude & Thanksgiving: November 9, 10, and 11

I Am Thankful For:
Time with my sister
Watching "The Crown" with my niece
Dark chocolate covered raisins
The funniest comment about deer I have ever heard
Peace and quiet
Afternoon tea
The female offspring had an interview

What I Want Them To Know

I have seen many parents giving voice to concerns over what they should tell their children today.  I see my own mostly grown offspring expressing disbelief and anxiety.  And I myself have wondered what the future holds for our nation.  This is what I want my children to know:

I can't explain the results of the election to you.  Or any other election, for that matter.  Every person who voted had his or her own reasons for choosing the candidate they did.  I don't know most of them.  I don't know their lives, their situations, or why they think the way they do.

I know you are confused.  You may also feel fear.  You may feel disillusioned.  You may be angry.  That's ok.  Feel what you feel.  Feel free to express that in a constructive and respectful way.  But do not allow yourself to be overcome by it!

The election may be over, but now is the time to make an even more important decision.  You must choose how it will affect you.  Will you become bitter and disillusioned and give up?  Will you let the momentum build and sweep away everything you dreamed for your future?  Will you roll over and play dead?  Or will you let it make you stronger and more determined to work for what you believe?  The choice is yours.

I see people talking about moving to Canada.  Are we really ready to give up on our home?  To run from the challenge?  Or do we take a stand?  Continue to try to make a difference where ever and when ever you can.

You may feel insignificant.  You may feel outnumbered.  You may think there's nothing you can do.  Believe me when I tell you that one determined person can change the world.

You know what is right and what is wrong.  You know to treat people with respect and kindness.  Just because someone else calls names, belittles and demeans others, or participates in "locker room talk" does not make it ok or mean we must follow that example.  Jesus told us to Love each other.  He didn't say to only be kind to those who have the same opinions as us.  In fact He said the exact opposite!

We can let the divisiveness continue to grow and tear our country apart even further.  Or we can decide to work with what we have been given and look to how we might make the best of things.  We must try to find some kind of middle ground where we can meet, while also continuing to stand up for what we believe is important.

30 Days of Gratitude & Thanksgiving: November 7 & 8

Today I Am Thankful For:
Sleepy grandkid
Family
New glasses
Peppermint patties
Exercising my right to vote

Dad's surgery went well
Vegetarian chili

30 Days of Gratitude & Thanksgiving: November 6

Today I Am Thankful For:
My house already smells like the holidays

The Man of the House doing some SERIOUS cleaning
My beautiful birthday cake

(made by my talented daughter!)

Panthers win 2 in a row

More birthday surprises

Sunday Inspiration: Promises Kept

30 Days of Gratitude & Thanksgiving: November 5

Today I Am Thankful For:
Waking up early
Enjoying the pre-dawn quiet with a cup of coffee and my Bible
Lunch with the Man of the House
New ankle boots
The grandkid "making Cpa feel better"

(Little C is the one who is sick, but is petting his C-pa's head to make him feel better)

30 Days of Gratitude & Thanksgiving: November 4

Today I Am Thankful For:

Sleeping in a little

Organizing my office

This sunny yellow color:

Quiet time

Drawing "maps" for the grandbaby

Leftover cheesecake

I would like to invite all of you to join in!  Post your own daily list of things which make you feel grateful and share the link.  Or just share your list in the comments. 

Currently... November

Yes.  I read it also... "November".  I'm just gonna sit right here and give y'all a minute for that one to soak in.  Because... November.  This year is going to be over before we know what happened!  But, I don't want to rush things.  Let's just take a moment and really look at where we are currently...

Reading:  The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman.  Which I am just about to finish.  After this it's back to The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.  I had started this one before, but hadn't finished it before it was due. Because there was a request I couldn't renew at the time.  Therefore it got put on the back burner until I could borrow it again.  I am also reading The Wizard of Oz with the grand kid during his afternoon rest time on the days I have him.

Eating: A lot of junkie food!  I have been very busy with orders for my Etsy shop lately.  And I have been stressed out about keeping up with that, as well as a few family things that have popped up.  Because of this, I have not been eating like I should.  Flavored coffee creamers or sodas to help me keep some very late nights.  Candy.  Donuts.  Some more candy.  Ugh... I have GOT to get back on track!!

Making: What haven't I been making?  Washcloths.  Football snuggly sets for newborns.  A baseball snuggly set.  Tiger hats.  Robot hats.  Washcloths.  Bath poufs.  Facial rounds.  More washcloths. Lip balm holders.  Did I mention washcloths?  As I said... I have been busy!!

Enjoying:  Time with the Man of the House!  Despite my busy schedule we made time to go to Biltmore, went to a concert, and out to dinner.  If it weren't for him, I  would probably be working myself too much without breaks and making myself crazier than I already am!

Anticipating:  The upcoming holiday season!  Seems like a no-brainer, right?  In fact, I kinda feel like right now you're wondering why I thought I even needed to say that.  Well, I did.  It's true.  Let's move on.  I am also looking forward to celebrating another anniversary with the Man of the House on the 21st.

Feeling:  A little tired and stressed out to be completely honest.  I am still working my way through a stack of orders for the shop and not making the sort of progress I want or need to see.  People don't seem to understand that when I say I'm busy, what I mean is "I'm busy".  I'm trying to single handedly run a small business here - and take care of my family.   And, of course, there are holiday plans to be made, which is only causing me anxiety at the moment.


What are you currently up to?  Share in the comments, or write your own "Currently" post and share the link!

30 Days of Gratitude & Thanksgiving: November 3

Today I Am Thankful For:

Playing Go Fish with the grandbaby

A clean bathroom

That look on the Man of the House's face

The laundry being caught up

I would like to invite all of you to join in!  Post your own daily list of things which make you feel grateful and share the link.  Or just share your list in the comments.

30 Days of Gratitude & Thanksgiving: November 2

Today I Am Thankful For:
The Man of the House taking a day off to spend with me
Going to see the Christmas tree delivered at Biltmore Estate

The amazing crochet hooks the Female Offspring made for my birthday
Getting to bed before midnight

I would like to invite all of you to join in!  Post your own daily list of things which make you feel grateful and share the link.  Or just share your list in the comments. 

30 Days of Gratitude & Thanksgiving: November 1

Several years ago I originated the "30 Days of Gratitude & Thanksgiving" by posting a few items I was thankful for each day during the month of November.  As a very last minute decision, I decided to bring it back for this November.

I would like to invite all of you to join in!  Post your own daily list of things which make you feel grateful and share the link.  Or just share your list in the comments.

I Am Thankful For:

Happy Birthday texts

Cheesecake

Female Offspring's foot injury is just a bad sprain

Grand baby and Man of the House playing 'PieFace Showdown'
Finding a ladybug in my office