Black Friday or The Day After Thanksgiving 2013

Yep, these are my feet, in comfy socks that I wear when I am in the "not-feeling-well-and-not-going-anywhere" mode.  The shelf in the background is where all the Thanksgiving stuff came down and is ready for Christmas stuff to go up.   The TV has been displaying big Black Friday ads, between the cheezy Christmas movies on, and I'm just not crazy enough to want to do the Black Friday thing.  Doing a little around the house, resting a little, fixed some leftovers for lunch, and will be doing a little more, probably followed by resting a little more. 
This is what this day is allllll about.

Thanksgiving Day 2013

Can I just say.... BURP!?!

I know that seems rude, but someone once told me that was a compliment to the chef in another country. (disclaimer)

OMGoodness, it was good, and I only have half my tastebuds working!  On a day like Thanksgiving, its a bummer to be without your sense of taste and smell, but we have had worse Thanksgivings, and my cold is just temporary.  Today was good.

I wish that everyone had the ability to have Thanksgiving.  Those alone, or hungry especially.  I remember visiting in the hospital on Thanksgiving and the nurses put roasted turkey pictures on the IV bottles.  Bless their hearts!

There are people serving our country, and serving our municipalities as fire, rescue and police personnel that may not be able to sit down to eat with us.  Nurses, doctors, veterinarians, and those who need to keep on alert in case we need them, I hope they all get a nice warm meal when they get a chance.

My wish is for everyone to get their bellies full, with a full table of friends and family.  Let no one sit at home alone, or go hungry.  Let those that serve get a hot meal and a salute and a bowl of gratitude to go with that meal.

I am grateful for the family that sat around the table with me today.  My heart is full of the love I have for each and every one of them.  The food was delish and we have some left for days to come!
We remember those who were no longer with us, but shared that table and food with us once.  My brother was far away and couldn't be with us this year, but he called in his visit and we passed the phone around so we all got to talk to him.

I am grateful that this year has been good, as I know a few that haven't been, and if it seems I am bragging its just that I am feeling blessed that its been good.  Thank you, God.

Gratitude: Day 27...

Tonight as I make a few things for our Thanksgiving festivities tomorrow, our two sons are home, and because they live away, all the old buddies have come over to see them while they are home.  Its so good to see the old gang.  Surprisingly most of the guys aren't married yet, most are either done with college and starting their careers or just finishing up college.  They are walking in my house like they know the place (they do!) and greeting us with hugs, and visiting with us a bit before heading for the rec room in the basement.  I hear the cajoling and the laughs, and the sounds of good friends getting together again wafting up under the floorboards.  It does my heart good.
Who knew that those kids that hung out here for so many years, have grown into a cop, a nurse, a manufacturing manager, a teacher, an engineer and the ones that are finishing up college are showing promise as well.
One of the comments we heard tonight was "I remember this place being bigger" and we smiled because the kids have gotten bigger, the basement is the same.
I am thankful that they still come in and feel not only welcome, but comfortable.  I am thankful for the hugs as they seem truly glad to see us.  I am glad our sons have forged these friendships forever. Thats important in life, and I am almost jealous that they have so many really good friends that have been friends since grade school.
Seems like old times.

Gratitude: Day 25

 There is something about the holiday season that just makes me want to make stuff.  I just had to make these wreaths. Not sure why, they aren't that original or different, but they are sparkly and just wreak Christmas.  I probably have a half dozen wreaths, so just in case I lose a couple, I have some spares. The one above is blue and lime green and the bottom one is red, gold, blue and lime.  I might just show my gratitude and share these with people I need to thank.  Pass that gratitude stuff around.  Maybe a random act of kindness.  Spread the joy of the season.  Yeah!  Then I can do some more wreaths!

Gratitude: Day 23

What I believe is not religion.  But I believe in God because I have felt strength when I asked for it and needed it.  I have heard angels whispers.  I don't put others down for what they believe, but I won't appreciate people telling me that I am not doing it right.  Its personal with me.  God knows my heart.  I am grateful that I have the belief and the faith in God that I do.  He has helped me through the difficult times and has blessed me in so many ways.  Thank you again.

November 22, 2013

At work, they have these chunks of 2x4's that they were just allowing an employee to take home and burn.  I asked if I could have some and they gave me a big box of them. Here is what I think I am going to do with them.  2x4x5 wood block Christmas cards.  Will have to see how many I can get done before Christmas to know who they will be going to.  Did two of these Santas the other night.  Hoping to be able to do some snowmen and angels, and maybe even a manger or two... we'll see.

Gratitude Days 21 and 22

Dang.
Missed a day.  Doesn't mean that I wasn't grateful for something yesterday, but meant that the day wasn't long enough to get it done.

Yesterday we found out that something we had been waiting for since August finally happened.  I am not at liberty to say what, but it relieves a burden of sorts.  And we are grateful that it finally happened.

Todays gratitude:  I am grateful that our son traveled home ok tonight, despite the start of holiday traffic.


I liked this sign I found on pinterest because that is exactly what I am trying to do here.  I see people giving the "daily gratitudes" an eye roll on FB and elsewhere now.  One said, "the people you always see bitching are the ones trying to show all the gratitude now."  Where I replied: "Isnt it a nice change? "  And I thought Who is bitching now?
But during this month while I have been naming my blessings, I have felt a little 'lighter'.  I always count my blessings, not just in November, but to actually call them out, one by one, it has made a shift in me.  Hopefully its permanent, but its a lighter, more light hearted Lin.  Whodathunkit?

Gratitude: Day 20

Today, REALLY!, I am not kidding, just when I was out walking the dog before the sun came up, and was enjoying a memory of my mom, which trickled down my cheek, I looked up and saw a shooting star.  Thanks, Mom.  Love and miss you too.  Thankful that I didn't miss that.

Gratitude: Day 19

 Sometimes after a hard day, I am thankful for quiet time, whether spent visiting with friends online, or quietly painting in my art room.  Definitely don't want to make it a full time thing, but tonight, I identify with this welcome mat.  Thank you for the quiet simple things.

Gratitude: Day 18

After the weather here and throughout a lot of the States, this promise shows us that there is always hope.  We didn't fare too bad, a big part of an old tree broke off and fell down in the neighbors yard, but we made it through relatively unscathed.  Some friends are still out of power, but alive and well and finding shelter with family.  Our prayers go out to those who lost so much.  with the promise that darkness will always be followed by light.  May Gods light shine on you.

Gratitude Day 17

The year I was 7, on Palm Sunday, a series of tornadoes and storms created devastation in the area around us.  Although our town where I grew up got downed power lines and trees, and yes, we hit the basement with our batteried radios, some of the surrounding areas didn't fare so well.  People were killed, homes, churches and businesses were leveled.  The mention of the Palm Sunday Tornadoes still make people around here shake in their boots, almost 50 years later.   Some still don't want to speak of it.  My husband as a kid, went through one of the two waves of tornadoes and was lucky to live to speak of it.  Maybe its why he has been on the Fire Department for the last almost 40 years.

The lake region that we now live 5 miles away from, got hit the hardest.  First of all, cottages aren't known to typically have basements.  Palm Sunday is the start of people opening up the cottages for the summer season, so more people were in the area opening up their 'summer' homes.  The storms hit at dusk, and caught people in the surrounding farm areas out in their fields, or inside the churches attending evening services.  Once the first tornado went through, people were just coming out of the rubble that were once their homes,  and looking for loved ones and neighbors when the second line of tornadoes hit them again. 

Clean up and rescue went on for days.  The sheriff of our county was out there for days without sleep.  During his tenure as sheriff which lasted a couple/few decades, his mission was to make sure that our county would never again be caught by surprise without warning of impending storms.  He implemented warning alarms and sirens throughout the county.

These days, we have early detection radars that can warn earlier.  Like today for example, we heard yesterday that our area might be hit with straight line winds up to 75 miles per hour between 4 and 8pm today.  Possible tornado activity also.  If you look outside my window right now as I write, you would see a rather quiet, warm rainy day, quite a contrast from the snowy weather we had earlier this week, and kind of rare for November.

I  am grateful that we can be warned earlier these days.  Our son just left to go home three hours away, before this weather will hit today.   I am grateful what we know and how to plan around it so that what happened before, doesn't happen again.  I am grateful that people have made it important to them to warn us as soon as possible.  Mother Nature shows us time and time again that she won't be harnessed, but if we can see that she is rearing her head, we can better be prepared.

Gratitude: Day 16

Today is Saturday and I am going to the Craft Show to see my friend Maureens Pottery Booth.  Its been a while since Maureen and I have clogged together in our group, but we met up  a while back on Facebook, and have been keeping up with each other and our art since.  She has some truly beautiful pieces, and I can't wait to see the new stuff she is so excited to show today.  Its her last show of the season, and its not too far away, so the time is right.

My son will be home by the time I get back from that, and it will be nice to have him home overnight.

Another friend gave us hockey tickets, and I am looking forward to that today too.

So much to be thankful for.

^^This kind of fits because my body IS sore from cleaning the kitchen yesterday.  I took all the stuff down off the top, cleaned everything and rearranged, cleaned all the cupboard fronts and of course, floors and counters and nooks and crannies.  All the stuff that doesn't get the everyday cleaning. Took from 10am to after 7pm last night.  Its clean, and I'm sore, and I think I remember why that doesn't get done more often.  But it feels good, even if I am moving a little slower today.

Gratitude: Day 15

Today I am experiencing something that some people take for granted, and is newly acquired for me.  A paid day off.  I recently was hired by the company I was a temp for and these days that I get paid for taking off, feel like I am playing hooky!  Before this, if I was off, it was off losing pay, so you didnt take them for nothing.  Had to be very sick or have saved enough money out of the check to take a day trip to decompress, or something.   So, today, while I am using my day off to spit clean the kitchen so that I can host Thanksgiving, I am grateful for being paid to do it.  Hey!  I am being PAID to clean my kitchen today!  THAT has never happened before! 

**Whistle while you work....**

(unsaid in above post... grateful to have the job, grateful that finally hired me and they give me these days off with pay, grateful to have the beautiful kitchen, and grateful to have family coming to gather for the holiday.)

November 15, 2013

This one is still clipped to the board as you can see, because I am still adding touches to it.  It never fails, you take the pic and put it out for people to see, (I usually see things I didn't before just loading them onto the computer!) and flaws stick out like a sore thumb!  But, I think its going to be a favorite!  I love old trucks and have a couple more that I want to do in the future.  The old ones are the ones with all the character, they have worked hard and probably could tell some stories! Just like people, I suppose.  Loved the colors here.

Gratitude: Day 14

I am grateful for the simple things given to me.

Gratitude: Day 13

Someone gave me free hockey tickets today!  Whoo hoo!  Thankful that they thought of me and Hubs for their extra tickets, and a chance to get to know each other a little better.  Looking forward to Saturday!

Gratitude: Day 12

Today is 11/12/13.  Supposively a lucky number!  And as I am writing this at 530 pm, most of it has passed, its been a good day.

Even if it DID start out as the first on-the-ground snow this morning, and its still hanging around, I will give it props.   Those that know me, hear my rants about winter.   Alas, I live in Michigan, "The Winter Wonderland" as it once was called.  As much as I love our state, shore to shore, I need to embrace the colder months more than I do, and show the gratitude that I can't deny.

I realize Winter has a purpose.  I only rant because it laps out of the three months that is meant to be Winter: Dec, Jan, and Feb.  Its November, which should be part of FALL yet!  and do you think March doesn't end up being part of Winter?  Winter stretches out like an unwanted guest on your couch. It doesn't mind taking more than its allotted.  And trust me, after the holidays, everyone is tired of it.

But it is beautiful in its way, so I guess I will give winter its due:  it can be pretty.  It kills off allergens outside and keeps the bug population from getting out of hand.  Snow helps our Great Lakes (as well as all the rest of them spread throughout our Great State) retain the levels that keep them hearty. And that is near and dear to me.

If I was a snowmobiler, or a skier, I am sure I would love it more.  I am more of a hibernator.  But there is something to be said for that too.  I love to bake when its cold outside.  I spend more time on genealogy and painting than I do during the summer.  As long as you are cooped up, you might as well clean the sock drawer!  So, there IS that!

I think I will go bake something because I'm in for the night. 

Gratitude : Day 11

Of course, today is the day of gratitude for all those in the Armed Forces that provide us with protection and security.  Thank you to all past and present soldiers for serving so that each of us can enjoy the liberties that we so often take for granted.  Good to have a day that reminds us what you have provided. Bless you all.

Gratitudes: Day 10

In the last few weeks, there have been 4 accidents that, if something hadn’t delayed me for a few minutes, I might have been at the wrong place at the wrong time.  Although the people in the accidents have not been as lucky, (no one was killed thankfully) and my heart goes out to them, I can’t help but feel the protection of something higher keeping me out of harms way.  Thank you for angels lovingly protecting me and mine.

Gratitudes: Day 9

I am thankful for fun days off.  They give you reason to shrug off the stress of the everyday.  You need them every now and then.
Today, my friend Robin and I went to a craft show, bought a few little cute things for the upcoming holidays, and this afternoon, The Hubs and I ran over to the BIG craft store, to buy things for future creative things.  Tonight, Hubs is making pizza, and we are settling in to watch the hockey game.  Life is good.

Here is one of my purchases from the craft show today.  His head is on a wire spring and he could be called "bobble head" snowman.  Or maybe I shall call him, "I  Love You THiiiiiS Much" Snowman.  He was just too cute to pass up!

Gratitude Day 8

Just look at this creation of two of my co-workers and friends:

I won it at the Fall Harvest sale.  My friend Andrea quilted the table scarf and my bosslady Sue did the table piece.  I am thankful to have such creative friends and their work will adorn my home.

Gratitude Day 7

These are my grand dogs. Not only am I grateful for their unconditional love for my boys, but also for me.  They both have very good, though very different personalities, and are very easy to love.  We have had the opportunity to have each of them alone for extended stays and they are never a problem.
Thankful that they came into our family.

Gratitude Day 6

Imagine not being able to see these:

Grateful for the gift of sight.

Gratitude Day 5 2013

Yes, give me good friends that are there good and bad.  The ones I have are precious.

Gratitude Day 4 Nov. 2013

I am lucky to have my siblings.  We all have our good points and bad, but we are there in a pinch.  We all live within a 15 mile radius.  I can't imagine my life without them.  Looking back, there have been many blessings with them in my life.

Nov 3, 2013

Tuesday is our Harvest Bake Sale and Raffle. Today I put finishing touches on all the artwork, and made 10 mini loafs of pumpkin bread and applesauce spice bread. (5 of each), Plus I am making about two dozen candy pumpkins.

 So, here is a rundown of whats going in the raffles:

And this is only my part of it.  Hoping the whole sale brings in a big haul for the Womens Shelter. Wish us luck!

November 3, 2013 Gratitude Journal

Today I am grateful for my roots.  My core family.  My parents were good people who loved me.  Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles were also good people with good sense of humor and kindness. I come from good stock, and for this I am grateful.

November 2, 2013 Gratitude Journal

Our boys are grown men now.  Although they live away, and they don't call home as much as my mothers heart would like, I know we raised them to be independent thinkers and responsible adults.  They are out charting their own course, and that's a proud thing.  I know my life is blessed with each of them and their unique characteristics.  I hope someday they find their soul mates and have their own children because I believe they will never know the depth of my love for them until they become parents themselves. Thank you God, for these blessings.

November 1, 2013 Gratitude

My grateful heart has to start this new blog with The Hubs.  He has seen me at my best and worst, and loves me anyway.  He is the best person I could ask for as a father to my boys, and puts up with all that comes to us in life.  Now that the boys are out on their own, Hubs and I have survived the crazy years of having kids and are doing rather well putting up one on one.  I know that is a toughie for some people empty nesting, but we are doing pretty well.  I am thankful that we have each other.