Wednesday, November 21, 2007

THANKSGIVING - UPDATES AND INSPIRATION

 
 
I want to THANK YOU all for your support and kind words - regarding my last entry...it means the world to me and truly brought tears to my heart. So THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU...from the bottom of my heart.
Okay....
WOW...This holiday came up quick....We are ready to cook...eat...and feel bloated for hours...YUMMIE...but it just seems like this month has flown by.
Some highlights to this week - we have heard from our son...he arrived safe and sound...he is adjusting to a whole new way and culture...the money exchange is driving him a bit crazy. We have already gone out shopping and bought all the stuff for his first care package. We had this idea to find a lil tiny Christmas tree to send to him but could not find one...someone also suggested the same thing..but we did buy a BIG Christmas stocking and have filled it with fun goodies for him. I am just waiting on his main Christmas gift to arrived by UPS and then we will send off his package.  I guess this will be a test of how the mail system works to send packages to him. I realize it will take longer then normal because it is the holidays...I just hope it gets it before Christmas. My son cannot stand secrets (like what we got him and Christmas presents and such) (he was the biggest snoop during Christmas growing up) so I cannot tell you what we got him until I know his package has arrived because he tends to read my journal when he is bored. (boys are like that I think). He said that we would have to send it return receipt because the military there will keep better track of things (go figure).
Crystalyn has been off from school...all week. Of course she is in heaven...no school..catch up on sleep..she and my hunnie went grocery shopping this past weekend and went crazy on a few things (NOT ON MY LIST). She got these books that are dimensional...things that you can feel - touch - lil envelopes in them with secret compartments and such..one is about the history and story behind the Pirates of the Caribbean and the other is about the history of Fairies. These books are so cool..you can spend hours just reading all the lil notes and turning up lil flaps and reading secrets and such in the books...the artwork is amazing...so she had her dad take her back to walmart to get another one called Chronicles of Spiderwick. If you go to walmart - check out these books..so very cool..especially if you or someone you know is into fantasy or art or just cool and different books. They are a bit expensive (around 16-18 dollars) but a great Christmas present.
My other son AJ should be home after December 14..it will be great to have him here for the holidays...he can always make me laugh..and I think he really needs a break from army life. Crystalyn and him have a habit of taking off with a camcorder and just videotaping everything and doing some crazy stuff...it should be so much fun!
I have been spending even more time updating my art blog...FINDING MYSELF.
Please feel free to check it out and let me know what you think. I really am enjoying myself - creating again has given me a new outlet. Feels good.
NOW - as a side note - hunnie and Crystalyn have been trying for a very long time to get me to go outside the front door. Finally about 2-3 weeks ago I started to go outside and see what hunnie was working on.(his buggy and our bar-b-q). He got me to sit for a few minutes...and the minutes started getting longer - and now I am up to about 2 hours...well because of the time change..it gets dark early so I told him that a fire pit would be so much fun..it sit around and just talk and such. Well - hunnie and Crystalyn went shopping and got the one I found on a web site...below are the pics...it has been really nice.
 
 
 
 
(my camera's battery was dying out so it slightly smeared the pic)
You would think a fire pit in Florida is a bit pathetic but on the cold nights it has been great. So being outside in the front yard (where other people can see me) has been a bit stressful for me...but slowly I am getting used to it...even met one neighbor..(which terrified me) but all things are good. WOW that first step was a lulu but I am still going out every day to sit..so this is a very good thing.
WELL - I think I have pretty much caught you all up on the bit of news around here...I just want to wish you and yours a BEAUTIFUL and BLESSED Thanksgiving..I am grateful for each and every one of you...you have added so much to my life in so many ways...mere words are not enough to tell you all the impact you have had in my life...but THANK YOU - I appreciate your friendships and support and caring ways!!!
Below is a bit of inspiration for Thanksgiving...:
 
 
Thanksgiving

It's the time of year when we're reminded to give thanks.
Instead of waiting until next year to be reminded,
Let's make every day one of thanksgiving;
After all, each day is a unique gift.
So, give a hug for no reason;
Say I love you, just because;
Share a smile with a stranger;
Take the time to count your blessings;
Don't take anything or anyone for granted;
And end each day with no regrets.
Thank you, my friends and family,
For sharing, caring, laughing and crying with me.
I'm truly blessed to have each and every one of you in my life
And I am thankful you have allowed me
To be a part of yours.
May you and yours have a safe and memorable Thanksgiving.
Author Unknown.

 
HOW TO OBSERVE THANKSGIVING.

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself.
Author Unknown.

 
BE THANKFUL.

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.
It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.
Author Unknown.
 
Remember to HUG those you LOVE...Tell them how GRATEFUL you are for them!
PEACE!!!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to see an entry from you!!  

Kathy

Anonymous said...

Lori sent me over to your journal and i have put you on alerts. I am glad to have come upon you.
lisa jo

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you heard from your son, and I think that a large Christmas stocking will be quite loved!  :)  YEAH you'll have your other son home for a spell, and those fantasy / faierie (sp) books sound delightful:)