skeleton & elf . . .

"A day without laughter is a day wasted."

~ Charlie Chaplin

. . . and this skeleton and elf just make me laugh . . . every day in December.

Skeleton and Elf 2016!

family . . .

"The only rock I know that stays steady,

the only institution that works, is the family."

~ Lee Iacocca

Time to go back to work tomorrow . . .  after being off for a week.  

It was a good week, although I sprained my foot/ankle a few days before break and my plans to finish painting my living room were put on hold.  

So instead . . . I painted pictures and played board games with Charlotte, cooked Thanksgiving dinner with the help of Richard and Luke, binged on Netflix (Once Upon a Time . . . and Grace & Frankie), I read, stayed up too late, drank too much coffee and ate too much pie.  I drank wine, worked on a doll, put my feet up . . . a lot, kissed my granddaughter every chance I got . . . and enjoyed these amazing and unique people that are my family.

be thankful . . .

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving this week.  Although I seem to be hearing more about Christmas than Thanksgiving.  I am trying to ignore that and enjoy this last week before the real holiday craziness begins.  I thoroughly enjoy Thanksgiving . . . no huge build up, no shopping necessary (other than food), and I am surrounded by the people I love.  

I also get the whole week off from work!!!!

I am thankful for so many things.  I think we all need to remember what we are thankful for all of the time . . . not just when there is a holiday to remind us or when things are going good. 

The recent turmoil in our country has made me thankful for the way I was raised . . . I was raised to care and be compassionate - not to hate.  I was raised to be optimistic and look for the good in people and in situations.  I was raised to believe in a loving God and I have a deep faith that gets me through when things get difficult.  I was raised to be joyful . . . and no matter what life throws at me . . . 

I can always find my way back to that.  

I am thankful for the people in my life.  My family of course . . . near and far . . . still here and some gone . . . those related by blood as well as those that are family because they came into my life and belonged there.  I am reminded daily of the importance of family!  Family is obvious - right? . . . but what about the lady who smiled at me when I was walking into the grocery store (a complete stranger) - such a genuine smile - that it changed my day.  I work with a group of people that make going to work a pleasure . . . my friends (old and new) warm my heart with their thoughts and prayers and laughter and tears.

 I am more than thankful for my husband.  I look at him and know that he loves me and will always love me - not matter what happens between us -  he will always be there for me.  My children and their families are my biggest blessings!  I love when we are all together . . . and I love that when we are - the house is more full than it used to be and when they leave there is a happy mess made by children having fun.  I am thankful for children.  My grandchildren are amazing creatures that make me see the world . . . not necessarily in a new way, but in a way that adults tend to forget.  I am thankful for their magic . . . and that they share that magic with me.

I am thankful for this life . . . with all it's ups and downs and twists and turns.  It has taught me to be strong, and kind, and to choose happiness every day.  It has taught me who I want to be . . . and who I don't want to be.  It has taught me to never give up.  It has taught me the power of prayer and the importance of forgiveness.  Life has taught me to be thankful!

today . . .

Our temperatures have been a little warm, but the weather has changed enough,
 especially the last couple of days, to feel and enjoy the change of seasons.
 I think I need that change - or rather I change right along with the seasons . . . and I need that.

It changes my routine and my way of looking at things.  I seem to slow down and find joy in things a little easier this time of year.  I read more.  I enjoy cooking and baking,  I pull on an old, cozy sweater that has been softened by years of wear and drink my coffee outside because the day feels beautiful and glorious and I don't want to miss a minute of it.  I love to just be home.  We light fires in the back yard.  We go for rides in the country . . . and sometimes we just wander.  I love this time of year!

"Summer ends, and Autumn comes
 he who would have it otherwise would have high tide always and a full moon every night; 
and thus he would never know the rhythms 
that are at the heart of life. 
~Hal Borland

purple . . .

Oh, how my little girls love purple lipstick!

"All the other colors are just colors, 

but purple seems to have a soul - 

When you look at it, it's looking back at you." 

 ~ Uniek Swain

JOY . . .

 A little magic can take you a long way.

Thank goodness for this girl and her magic!  

She makes us smile and laugh and reminds us that life is really very simple . . . 

 if you just look for the joy!

I like this face . . .

I am working on this doll . . . not sure where it is going from here, but I like this face!

"If one dream should fall and break

into a thousand pieces, never be

afraid to pick one of those pieces

 up and begin again."

~ Flavia Weedn

 It's a Girl!

 I have been celebrating . . . every day!
. . . celebrating the change of seasons, a special 8 year old's birthday, the right to vote, and a new granddaughter due in March.
I have also been quiet . . . or rather taking time to be quiet - to focus on what I am grateful for.
LIFE IS GOOD!