Thursday, March 31, 2016

Thankful Thursday



It's been a productive week and I'm always thankful for that.  Just as I'm always thankful for pretty spring flowers. :)

I'm also thankful for:

     ~ all the little things I thought were lost I found
     ~ learning new techniques with the camera that worked
     ~ long conversations with my mom
     ~ finding the movie The Slipper and the Rose after 30 years and all the memories attached
     ~ a fun afternoon out with Erin
     ~ planning for an 8th birthday

What are you thankful for today?




Sunday, March 27, 2016

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Thankful Thursday


Every year I say I'm thankful for spring and this year is no exception. It's my favorite season. The world around me starts coming back to life with the flowering trees, blooming flowers, birds singing, and I feel like I'm coming out of hibernation. It feels so good to go out without a coat, drive with the window down, sleep with the window open, and see kids out playing. It's not hot and humid yet and it's not cold anymore. There was a blizzard in Denver yesterday and my son would probably disagree with me right at this moment!  Yep, I'm thankful for spring...it just makes me happy!

I'm also thankful for:
     ~ Easter and all that it means
     ~ my hard working husband
     ~ springtime inspiration
     ~ Shylee's joy at accomplishing hard things
   
What are you thankful for today?


Thursday, March 17, 2016

Thankful Thursday

I love that time of day when the sun is low and shines through the front door casting shadows on the wall. It's a sign that the day is coming to an end and Michael will be home from work soon. It's time to finish whatever I'm doing and start thinking about fixing supper. I'm thankful for this transition time...a few minutes to collect my thoughts and prepare for whatever the evening holds.

I'm also thankful for:
     ~ finally finding the best way to keep the diabetes under control
     ~ sleeping with the window open
     ~ the animated stories Shylee tells
     ~ hitting all the green lights through town
     ~ reminders of fun things from the past like listening to records!

What are you thankful for today?


Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Faded and Broken










I started collecting vintage teacups a few years ago.  I don't have very many because I don't buy one just for the sake of buying it.  A teacup has to speak to me.  I'm drawn to delicate china, roses, unique and different shapes, and the sheer beauty of it.  If it makes me happy to gaze upon it and hold it in my hand, it will come home with me!

As much as I love my teacups, I realize they are just things.  Beautiful things that make me happy, but not important in the grand scheme of things.  But when Michael bumped the buffet and I heard the sound of china breaking, I held my breath.  He turned and looked at me and told me he was sorry as he picked up the broken pieces.  I think my heart broke a little when I saw it, and I admit to shedding a tear or two.

I thought the broken pieces were still beautiful and so were the dying and faded roses on the dining room table.  It made me think of how we as women can go through some pretty tough times during our life.  Events that can leave us feeling broken or feeling like we're dying inside.  Broken hearts, broken spirits, broken relationships.  Even though that's how we feel, those pieces are still just as beautiful as they were when they were whole.  After we've healed and put the pieces back together, I think we're even more beautiful because the brokeness and feelings of having died a little bit, makes us stronger and wiser.


  

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Thankful Thursday



My husband and I find ourselves at the stage of life where we have aging parents who need help and extra care.  I'm thankful that one of my sisters is close enough to my parents to help them out.  Michael lives closest to his dad but is still 450 miles away.  He goes to his dad's for a week at a time once a month.  I'm so thankful that he is able to do that.  I'm thankful that Michael is willing to go, that his job allows him to work from there, and that he is a patient man.  I've learned a lot about aging these last few months and I'm not looking forward to getting to the point where I need help and someone else to make decisions for me.  I won't dwell on the future though.  I'm thankful for the here and now!

I'm also thankful for:
     ~ a brand new sharp kitchen knife that actually cuts
     ~ the rare morning that Shylee comes in the bedroom and gets in bed and snuggles
     ~ being safe at Panera during a tornado warning
     ~ the quiet stillness early in the morning
     ~ my mom is going home from rehab today
     
What are you thankful for today?


Thursday, March 3, 2016

Thankful Thursday

(Sunrise at Virginia Beach, Virginia)

"The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything; the soul that complains can find comfort in nothing."  Hannah Whitall Smith  

This week I'm thankful for:
     ~ sunshine and blue skies after a week of dark gloomy days
     ~ my new favorite orange creamsicle tea
     ~ falling asleep right away when I go to bed
     ~ Erin's daily company
     ~ friends who pray for me
     ~ a new kitchen faucet, running cold water, and a working ice maker (had to have the kitchen plumbing completely redone after months of problems)
     ~ transactions that didn't go through when someone tried to use my debit card number
   
What are you thankful for today?