Wrapping it up.

The month of gratitude is coming to a close. It was better this year. Didn't feel the pressure to post every day. I know my life is good. There is a fullness within me. For that I am so very appreciative.

There have been several deaths in our community in the last two weeks. Deaths of what I consider young people. No one over 70. One as young as 30. People we are acquainted with. So. This weekend, as I looked around at our children and grandchildren, I found myself embracing it all. I wanted to freeze it in my heart. I want for my children and grandchildren to know how much they are loved. By me.

For three really terrific offspring.
Thank you, Lord.

We found love right where we are.

Me with Tucker and Merritt. 

Pick up game in the back yard while I prepared some spinach Madeleine. If you look to the far left you can almost see Millie. I took this photo out my laundry door. 

Merritt wanted her doll back. Millie wasn't conceding. 

Peyton and Merritt. 

Fishing. With sticks. 

***

For the food before us

The friends and family beside us

The Love between us

and 

Your presence among us.

Thank you, Lord.

Simple thanksgiving.

The small "t" was intentional. I have been so happy and relaxed. I only took one picture...of a gerbera daisy in my yard. I just wanted to enjoy the day, the moment. And. I have. It has been a blessedly simple day to be thankful for this life. My life.

The weather could not have been better. Sunny. 70 degrees. Mr. Macho picked up his dad and brought him home to share our Thanksgiving feast. The food was simple, traditional, and plentiful.

After dinner we dozed and watched football. Father-in-law stayed for several hours. While we dozed. Then he wanted to go home. Mr. Macho delivered him back.

We went outside. We walked the neighborhood. We enjoyed adult beverages on the porch. We watched a movie. We ate some more. Lovely day.

For this full heart.
Thank you, Lord.

Shhh...listen.

I am thankful for this moment. It is quiet in my house. All my foods are put together and in the fridge, where my turkey continues to thaw. My house is a little less than spotless, but I will swipe and sweep this afternoon. The important thing is that I am relaxed and so looking forward to the happy noise and chaos that will soon fill all the nooks and crannies here. They will descend like locust and eat everything in site.

Mr. Macho and I went to the movies last night. We watched "Love the Coopers". And. While it was no "Family Stone", it was just the ticket to put me in the schmarmy-holiday state of mind. It reminded me that my happiness can be found right here.

Home. Family. Love.
Thank you, Lord.

I just called to say...

Lunch time convo.
Me - on my way home from the grocery.
Daughter - on her way back to work.

For the laughter between us.
Thank you, Lord.

Thanksgiving list.

Check. First item accomplished this morning.
Home made vanilla wafers for the banana pudding.
No. I've never used the home made cookies before.
Oh. This is gonna be great!

I am fighting the urge to run to town and grab all the things I need. I am trying to work up a complete list today. The hope is that I only go to town once.  That will be tomorrow. Wednesday is "put it all together day".  Then I can relax.

My turkey is thawing.
The dirty clothes are being processed.
Floors are being vacuumed.
Working on a new crochet project. (Have put aside another one for now.)
Dance class tonight.

For the festive spirit that is growing inside me.
Thank you, Lord.

Back home.

It was just the ticket. Being out of town for the weekend was relaxing, in one sense, and exhausting in another. 

It was good to get out of our rut and routine and do something we hadn't done before. We attended a weekend of dances and dance workshops. Friday night the dance was fun. We are getting more familiar with the people in the ballroom dance club. Saturday we had classes in six different dances. Some we have dance before, and some were totally new to us. We surprised ourselves by hanging in there and doing all the classes. And then. Going back to the dance party Saturday night. But. By then we were about danced out. So. We danced a little. And watched a lot. And then went back to the hotel to watch the last bit of the MS State football game. (We had watched Ole Miss during our supper break!) I had taken off my glasses and closed my eyes, knowing that Arkansas was going to make a touchdown. Then the blocked field goal! I scrambled for my eyes to watch the replay! 

We woke to cold temps this morning. It is a gorgeous day. I am glad to be home. 

I am ready to start gearing up for our Thanksgiving feast. 

For this place we call home.

Thank you, Lord. 

Mini vacay?

For whatever reason, Mr. Macho has agreed to attend the dance workshop this weekend. We haven't taken any vacations to speak of this year. His work schedule has been pretty non-stop. We have made it out of town to visit children/parent/siblings.

And so. I think this may be a make up weekend for not taking time off before now. Yes. He will actually lose vacations days this year. Like he has for the last, oh, five years or so.

But. This weekend. He is mine. We will learn some smooth dancing techniques. Also. We will have our first quick step lesson.

I am happy about it all. The dancing. Spending two nights in a hotel. Eating out all weekend. The anticipated cold weather. It feels very festive.

For this time out weekend.
Thank you, Lord.

Missed it by that much.

I thought today was my surgery anniversary. But. When I looked back at my blog I realized that it was actually yesterday. So. One day late I am giving thanks that I am a year out from the back surgery. And. I want you to know that I literally thank God every day for how good I feel.

It doesn't seem like a year has gone by. The memory feels very recent. Yet my body knows. I just can not emphasize enough how good it feels to put my feet on the floor in the morning and walk and move without pain.

Going through all the back pain and issues last year taught me empathy. For that I am not sorry. I am thankful that I can listen to others and connect with them and know just how they feel. I understand what constant pain feels like. I am sorry for people who can not get relief. I remember wanting people to understand that my hurt was significant and would not go away. I was scared people were getting sick of my complaining. I tried to not say how I really felt. Yet when I did, I felt that people thought I was getting better when, in fact, that wasn't true. I was afraid to talk about it, and afraid to not talk about it.

For how good I feel right this minute.
Thank you, Lord.

Oops.

Missed yesterday.

I had a wonderful day shopping with my friends. I bought a few things. All on sale. Delightful lunch. Got home in time to throw together a chicken noodle soup that satisfied.

This morning it has rained. And. I am getting a few things organized. Paperwork. Plans.

Clothes are being washed. And. Folded. Slowly.

Daughter had an emotional response to some post-graduate tension yesterday. She called and almost hung up when she realized I was out with friends. I couldn't have made it through the day after hearing the panicked notes in her voice. I don't know why she thought she could deny something was wrong.  I was trying to help, but ended just trying to listen. And hear. And witness. Her frustration. She worked her way through it. And. Will work her way through it again today, I imagine. Education panic is a journey. Until the graduation. Then. We will celebrate!

What am I thankful for? For all of it. For a missed day of blogging. For fun times shared with friends. For being able to listen, and hopefully, lighten a burden. I am thankful for my sometimes messy life. Don't get me wrong. I understand it is a neat mess. My problems are miniscule. Comparatively speaking. Yet, do not negate my small messes. They are mine, and feel important. Know this - I can get through them.

For the rain. Literally. And metaphorically.
Thank you, Lord.

This moment.

I am thankful that my cornbread dressing is put together and in the freezer.
Thank you, Lord.

Time.

The weekend was well spent. The Super Carrot honored us with her presence. (She wears a crown, most of the time. So, I consider her royalty!) She was the consummate house guest. She ate what I fixed. She went to bed early every night. She cleaned up her mess, helped set the table, and unload the dishwasher. The weather cooperated and we played outside. A lot.

Merritt and her granddaddy are two peas in a pod. He can dish it out and so can she. That girls has some spunk! She rocks.

I'm so thankful for her, thankful for the time spent enjoying Merritt.
Thank you, Lord.

In the face of tragedy.

Hearts and prayers are with Paris. We grieve and mourn the losses.
Let us find connection with our family around the world.
Please, Lord, bring peace.
Thank you. Amen.

Simple stuff.

Today. This granddaughter. 

She likes the sewing cards. 

I played with sewing cards when I was little.

For shared songs and moments.

Thank you, Lord.

The ordinary occasions of life.

Sometimes it is good to buy flowers just to celebrate Thursday. And. Your in-laws coming for dinner.

For beauty. 

Thank you, Lord. 

Veteran's Day.

For happy memories of a sweet dad.

Thank you, Lord.

And. 

Please bless all those that serve this great nation. 

Skip day.

Today I am just going to be generically thankful. It is a good day. I know clouds will return, but for a few hours there are blue skies. 

Had a nice speaker and some good pot luck lunch dishes at the parish hall. Got to see friends that attend late mass (we go to "early bird"). Young and old. One lady had a new hair-do and I introduced myself to her only to find out she is someone I have known for years! It was funny. We laughed. She did look familiar. Only younger. 

Scrubbing toilets this afternoon. Mr. Macho was late last evening and will be again tonight. 

C'est la vie.

For this day.

Thank you, Lord. 

Catching up.

My mess is slightly more organized this afternoon. Today I have had time to do many small tasks. Filing, vacuuming, clearing off my "catch all" bed, and even getting ahead with some cooking. I have casseroles for two events this week, supper thawed for tonight, and supper cooked for tomorrow. Things have to start shaping up around here so I can keep my sanity for the holidays. Soon, very soon, I will make the waffles and cornbread dressing.

This morning I made quicks trips to the Piggly Wiggly and my local honey producer. I am very thankful for local merchants that afford me the luxury of not having to drive into town for what I need. It saves me time. And. Aggravation.
Thank you, Lord.

Sunday.

We've bought a new Christmas tree.
I saw a sale ad in the paper this morning. After dinner we drove to town to check out the tree. I was disappointed when I saw it in person. Even on sale, I didn't want to spend that much on a tree and be sorry I bought it. So. We moved on.
Second store. Same tree. $38 less than the first. For that price I decided to give it a try. And. For the price we paid, if we only use it one year we will get our money's worth.
Got home. I could put the tree up myownself, it is so easy. And. I am delighted. I think we can stuff it in the attic without taking it apart.


Two stores. Two sales. Right decision.
Thank you, Lord, for the bonus of Elvis gospel music on a Sunday.
There'll be peace in the valley.

Haiku to you.

Pear preserves on toast

Last year's harvest with coffee

Coupled with butter.

For my daily bread. 

Thank you, Lord.

Forgiveness.

Confession: I over extended myself this morning.

I made two committments. And. Didn't do either very well. I stressed, unnecessarily. Went from one event to the other in a rush. And in a downpour. Got soaked up to my knees. Sat through a speaker that spoke to the other side of the room.  Missed 3/4 of what he said.

Then came my redemption. A nice emotional lunch with two of my best girlfriends.
It is okay to be thankful to just get past a thing.
And.
I am forgiving myself.
This morning is over.
Thank you, Lord.

Connectedness.

At the wally-store. Again. Visited with two friends. One - familiar. One - simply an acquaintance. Checking out there was a round robin discussion about back surgery among 4 of us. Three customers and the cashier. 

Time. 

Time to connect. 

With old friends. 

And even strangers.

Thank you, Lord. 

La primera palabra es "patience".

There will be greens cooked this afternoon. I love to mix 'em up. Collards, mustards, kale, and spinach will all go into the same pot. And. Be delicious. I'll put in onion and garlic, a spoon of sugar, and chicken broth. Come on over. I am also cooking chicken breast and the last little plastic container of cornbread dressing from last year. It's gotta go. Time to make a new batch!

***

Last week I bought grapes at the wally-store. They looked nice. Yet, they were the most bitter grapes I had ever eaten. Thinking that the taste might be some kind of chemical spray I soaked them in vinegar water and rinsed them thoroughly. No. That wasn't it. Not ripe, maybe? I let them sit and tasted them every day. The bitter taste continued. Until today. I had the bowl in my hand and was about to open the back door, headed for the compost. Then. I popped one in my mouth and you know what? It was better. More ripe tasting. Almost like a raisin flavor. 

Patience. That was all I needed to find the good in the bowl of the small fruit. 

Is there something you might need to wait out? Give it a few days. Then take another taste. 

If it isn't better, take it to the compost and don't look back. 

I am so happy to have colorful foods in my kitchen.

Thank you, Lord. 

Agree to disagree.

This day I give thanks that my children have grown up to be independent thinkers. I am so proud that they are critical thinkers. I do not think I was ever patted on the back or given encouragement when I expressed a different way of looking at things from my parents. On important issues. Keep in mind that I come from a family that favors "heated discussion" as the indoor sport of choice.

My children continue to grow in their adult opinions, as do I. But. Their experiences are very different than mine. It is natural and wonderful that each one is developing through careful observation and reflection on how they view their world. Thinking. Believing. Supporting. Voting. We are different. And. I respect why and how they are arriving at their opinions.

I love that we can agree to disagree. Find common ground. Listen. Respect.

For adult children with open minds.
Thank you, Lord.

My witness.

I have a super bizzy day ahead. So. Had to get my walk in early. Sister Mimi called while I was on said walk. She witnessed me screaming loudly because three little dogs accosted me. One got a piece of my pants. I am sure I scared the school children waiting for the bus. But, hey! There is a leash law. To protect me. I hope I scared the owners of the dogs! I think I scared Mimi. Poor Mimi. I was shaking a little...but kept on walking. I don't let it stop me. Only. I want the dog owners to know there dogs are biting at me!

Ok. Now I must refocus. Hmmmmm...letting it go. Whew. I am fine. The dogs are fine. The school children may have a little PTSD this afternoon.

I am about to leave the house to help make small flower arrangements for hospice patients. From there I will go to our Loaves & Fish soup kitchen to help serve. I made a huge pot of chili yesterday. We will use about 9 or 10 big pots of chili to serve our guests.

I am thankful that I have a pot of chili to share. It is a good meal and will fill many stomachs today.
Thank you, Lord.

Yes, really.

Dear Daughter,
Yes. You started it years ago. I am going to continue. The challenge. 30 days. Month of thanksgiving. Here goes...

We turned back the clocks last night. Our Parish picnic is today, so Mass is later than normal. The morning feels marvelously slow and easy. So, this one is easy. I am thankful for this lazy morning. For having time to enjoy the coffee and read the paper.

I know by the time the month ends I will be struggling to conjure things for which I am thankful. But right now, with the month in front of me, I have a deep well of gratitude that sates me.

Thank you, Lord.