Thankful on Day 29

Cookies? You're thinking why am I thankful for cookies????OK, I am not exactly thankful for cookies.........although I do like them and eat plenty of them. It's really hard for me to say this but I am thankful for the cooler weather that forces me to stay inside and for the bit of ambition I have been experiencing. Monday morning I had just a few errands to run and was home in less than an hour. I was planning on an out of town shopping trip but I didn't have my list in order so I stayed home and decided to bake some cookies, pinwheel cookies .... I haven't made them in years and I like them. For some reason I am in the mood to bake this year...hope it lasts. When I was a single parent with my 3 children at home I use to bake lots of cookies and candy and freeze them for Christmas. I tried to hide them in an unheated closet so the kids wouldn't eat everything up....it was a bit successful. The past several years I haven't baked much...not sure if it was due to apathy on my part or that of my family's, lack of time, dietary concerns, or just laziness. I also cleaned out one of my cupboards today.
Last week on Monday I took everything out of the pantry and cleaned it out. Let's hope this keeps up!!!
What, if anything, have you done in preparation for Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate)?

It Was My First Time

Yes, you read that right, Saturday evening was my first time........now you know I don't mean 'that'....this is not that kind of blog and I am definitely not that kind of girl. We did have a good time, albeit a bit wet. The community I live in has a Holiday Fantasy parade the Saturday after Thanksgiving and our church participated this year. About a dozen people walked along and handed out glow sticks....the theme "Jesus is the light of the world".

We had children walking along and being pulled in wagons. No big deal you say....well.... It rained all afternoon was raining that evening too, not very heavy, but raining all through the parade. I probably wouldn't have done it if I hadn't made the commitment. If I say I'm going to do it I almost always will. My 6 & 7 year old grandsons walked with me. I thought it would be a good for them to get involved in some more church activities. We dressed warm but it wasn't cold at all, I didn't even have my gloves on. While we walked the 3 blocks to meet up with the rest of our group we each had an umbrella but I put them away while we walked the parade route. I put on a lightweight rain poncho......but noticed several blocks later that the hood was not on my head....so my hair was wet, and I looked like a drowned rat. Oh well, it was dark and I didn't care. I had my arms full with 3 umbrellas and a bag of glow sticks. When I ran out of glow sticks I was able to use the bag for 2 of the umbrellas and the candy the boys got. What a relief! After the parade we walked to the community house to have hot chocolate and see Santa, then back to the car. I don't think I've walked so much in a long time. On the way back to the car we found the end of one of the umbrellas we lost on the way there. I had been looking for it and was really surprised that we found it in the dark.

I'm thankful that I was able to do something unique with the boys that I hope they will remember. We didn't let a little rain stop us!

I'm also thankful for Dropbox because I usually type on my laptop and now I can just save it and print it from our desktop when I want to. Dropbox is a free and easy to use and install on all of your computers.

Gadgets & Gizmos

I've fallen behind in my 30 Days of Thanksgiving but I'm gonna get caught up soon! I love my gadgets & gizmo's and that is why I'm thankful for all of the modern technology we have at our finger tips. Aren't microwaves great? How nice it is to be able to reheat leftovers from Thanksgiving, to quickly pop some popcorn, or to make a cup of tea. Remote controls.....remember when we (as kids) had to get up and change the channel for our parents? in the early days of our adult lives? Today, if we can't find the remote it's a major event. There are remotes for fans, radios, even the blinds on your windows....my favorite one is my car remote - it comes in SO handy on those cold, snowy days when I am at work or out and about....oh, I do like my TV remote....you know, the one with the sleep timer I use to shut the TV off after I've gone to bed. I can take my laptop along when I travel and check my (ever so important) facebook page...OK, I am being facetious. But it is nice to have. I love my Nookcolor, at first I wasn't sure I'd like reading on it but now I do. It's easier to read in bed with it and only have to hold one thing instead of trying to hold the pages open and the book. I think I was the first one of my friends to buy a digital camera (after my 1st grandchild was born) and I have several. I do have a cell phone but it is a prepaid one and I seldom use it, no need to because I am not that important that people are calling me all the time. I prefer the house telephone. I love my crafting tools too- Vagabond, Your Story, Bind it All, Slice.....gotta stay away from crafting stores.
I'm also thankful that I have a relatively new car that runs good.
I'm thankful that I was able to make a nice Thanksgiving dinner (with help from guests) to share with some of our family that were able to come here.

Faithful Place & Black Friday

I finished Faithful Place by Tana French several days ago but have been busy with Thanksgiving preparations so haven't posted. The book was recommended by someone in my book club. It takes place in Ireland during the present day. Frank leaves his dysfunctional family at 19 and returns 22 years later to try to solve a disappearance? murder? case. The complexities of family relationships are explored upon his return after 22 years away from his family.What clues are in the old suitcase that was found hidden behind the chimney in the abandoned house? Since a lot of Irish slang is used the writing is pretty colorful. It's a good book, go ahead and read it.

Today I'm thankful that I it was a really mild fall day and I was able to get rid of the remaining potted plants I had outside, toss the pumpkins, and put away the fall things.....I even put one Christmas wreath out. I thought about putting up some Christmas lights out but didn't because I don't have any clips for the gutters to hang the lights on. I really miss not having outdoor lights up.

I also pulled out the gifts I've purchased already to see what I have for the grand kids for St Nick's. I was pleasantly surprised that I only have to buy a couple of things yet....woo hoo!

Did you hit any of the 'Black Friday' sales? I work until noon on black Fridays so only do a little shopping after work, even if I was off I would NOT be a part of it....maybe if I was 20 years younger...but you won't catch me shoving or being a part of any other nastiness that I often hear about. My daughter in law goes and they usually have a good time. ......maybe I should have gone......I can't sleep.....so am up way past my bedtime blogging. .......

Happy Thanksgiving!

The display at our church............MUCH nicer in person....had to use my cell phone camera...not high quality.

Redial

Do you use Redial? You know, you just hit one button on the phone and it dials the number you last called???? It comes in handy if you keep getting a busy signal when you call someone. OK, most people have voice mail now. Or maybe you're a little weird and like to make annoying phone calls. Neither of those reasons are why I like redial. It may sound silly, but I am thankful for redial....it has allowed me to win several call in contests at our local radio station. I've won tickets to the local performing arts center to see comedians, plays, concerts; various gift certificates; tickets to see a magician; and even cash. Yes, I like redial!!!

Boy! Is My Timing Off..........

Think about it...........Friday is the official start of the (expensive) holiday shopping season even though I try to think about Christmas all year round. Since hubby switched jobs a couple of years ago our income has been way down. He is the breadwinner, I only work part time and pay for things I want....whether it's for the house or my personal pleasure.
So why have I gone on a spending spree? Last week I ordered new glasses when I would have been OK with my present ones. The new glasses are well over $500. I decided to get them because hubby has vision insurance this year.............good vision insurance and he doesn't think he'll take it next year. We don't need new glasses every year. I have always gotten my glasses at Shopko and the last time I did I joined AARP in order to get a 30% discount. This year I compared Shopko and the Vision Center and with our insurance I saved about $300 so I opted to purchase the new glasses this year. He has a health savings account at work so we pay for medical expenses out of it....but I can't use it to pay for my glasses because he's used it up for my dermatology bills. I know it's more urgent to take care of my precancerous conditions than new glasses.........so I get to pay for them out of pocket. It seems like I usually end up waiting until the end of the year because then I know my deductible has been paid up.
Last Friday I had coupons to use and also did some shopping. I stopped at a unique store (so sick of the big box stores) and found a necklace I liked to go with a certain top I have. I have been looking for a necklace for a long time. It was very inexpensive so I got it for myself and told my BFF to pass the word that I'd like the matching bracelet.

I needed to find a gag gift for a friend who is turning 65 this week so I hit the thrift stores......... where I did find what I was looking for.........and a couple of tops for myself. I need to stay out of the thrift stores!!!

Thankful - Days 20 &21

I am very thankful for my mother and don't tell her nearly as much as I should. She's the reason I am who I am today. I've been influenced by the things she did and said and also by what she did not say or do. My mom is very strong and has been through a lot in her life, including the great depression and loosing her baby and husband within one year. She's not book smart but she was not afraid to try to fix something, she knew about nature and animals, she'd tell me I was 'just right' when I thought I was too skinny, one of her favorite sayings was 'sometimes you have to bite your tongue', she taught me to drive a stick shift, she loves her grandchildren and helped my sister and me so much with them, and on and on. Thanks mom!!!!!!!
While I'm at it I am thankful for my father too although I don't remember him. Without him where would I be? Not here, I guarantee!!!! I don't know what attributes I can 'blame' him for....but I am guessing he's where I got the healthy genes from.... I seem to be the healthy one in the family...but who knows?
I have a lot to be thankful for!

Vintage Necklace

I love this vintage acorn necklace. The acorns look like wood, but are not. The details are fabulous. It's a choker style and I do not wear it often but will never get rid of it. Usually I know where everything came from (either grandma or thrift shop, I am leaning toward thrift store, but am not positive.) I love vintage jewelry and have several pieces, but I don't find much that I like but can afford anymore. On one occasion I was wearing a vintage necklace and some one said to me "No offense, but is that necklace vintage?" Yes, it was and no offense was taken.

I could not find any markings on it. Look at the details on the chain, even the links have texture on every second one.

What do you think? Do you like it? Would you wear vintage jewelry?

Age-Activated Attention Deficit Disorder

This really hit home!

Thankful for............days 18 & 19

I'm thankful for my grandchildren, I'm sure I didn't have to tell you that! They are so much fun, funny, and each one is different. I only wish we lived closer to my children so I could be a part of their daily lives.
Another thing I am thankful for is modern medicine. I've had several precancerous areas that have been caught and 'nipped in the bud'.
One was when I was in my 30's.....I can't imagine never knowing my grandchildren.

Faithfull Place/the Friday 56

Hop on over to Freda's to check out the Friday 56 http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/
Rules:*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
p.56
"Tea, more housework, more telly, helping Nora with her maths homework; there hand't been a single sign anywhere in the day that Rosie had anything up her sleeve."

Willpower?

I'm thankful that I can watch nearly 2 hours of crafting on HSN (shopping channel) with the hosts oohing and aahing over the new Cricut Mini (especially when I have a Cricut in my online shopping cart - and I do want it but keep telling myself I don't need it) and not even hop online their site to order! It doesn't need the expensive cartridges, you can purchase (online) just the images you need, it doesn't take up much space, etc.

I tell ya, those folks that sell on the shopping channels make me think I need everything! ....the $350 leather purse that I'll have forever (then why would I watch them and buy another purse?).....the beautiful gold earrings that will be my 'go to' pair and the ones I will wear every day and for going out......and on and on. I am so thankful that I have the will power not to order from those programs! (But I do NOT have the willpower to keep chocolate out of my mouth) Sometimes I like to watch the craft shows just to see what they offer and what is new. I'll stop for a few minutes to watch fashion, shoes, and purses once in a while too. This time of year it's fun to watch the gift shows (for ideas). It sounds like I watch a lot of TV shopping, no, I really don't. And I VERY SELDOM buy a product, before I do I like to check the customer ratings for that item.

Back to the Cricut- ever since I went to the Waypost scrapbooking retreat I've wanted a Cricut (so many women had one) and have had one in my HSN shopping cart (but never checked out). I just keep telling myself it would actually be more work for my scrapbooking attempts, I have other tools - a Slice (actually my daughter has it), a Vagabond, a Bind-it-All, rubber stamps, a really old die cutting machine-, I don't have room for it, I can't afford it, and stickers are less expensive and quicker to purchase and just stick on, I don't do that much scrapbooking, and my scrap books are pretty simple and not magazine ready. How did I do? Do you think I've talked myself out of it?

Do you have a Cricut? Do you have crafting tools that you had to have but don't use? Please tell me I am not the only one!

Easy Dinners

Today I am thankful that hubby, who is an extremely picky eater, doesn't expect a 3 course meal on the table for dinner every night at a set time. In fact, if I don't feel like cooking, he's OK with it. It's just the 2 of us now and on the days I work I really don't feel like making much. For instance tonight I opened a can of Manwich, threw in some hamburger that I had browned ahead and had in the freezer for days just like this...and viola! We called it dinner. I do cook on my days off.......most of the time. I think I'd cook more if he wasn't such a picky eater. Unfortunately (for my waistline) I am not a picky eater.

Just Drive

Sunday I went to my oldest granddaughters 11th birthday party.....how did she grow up so fast? She's turning into a delightful young lady (who likes to scrapbook too- yay!) She's a thoughtful and kind girl. Most of my grandchildren live over an hour to 2 hours drive away, so I'm glad I don't mind driving.

On the way to work this morning I was thinking about driving.........I'm thankful that I can drive a standard transmission (even though right now only our convertible has a stick). I learned how to drive on a stick, thanks to my mom. She wanted me to learn how to drive (I suppose in her day there were more women who did not drive - one was her older sister) and our car was a stick...so there ya go. The first winter I drove the car in snow I had some problems. (Now I realize I probably didn't have the wheels straightened out). Anyway, when I'd shift into gear and start to drive I'd run right into the curb....over and over....so I got ticked and walked home (at least 1/2 mile). I am not a patient person. It wasn't so funny then, but it is now. Previously if I wanted to use our truck hubby couldn't find an excuse because I could drive it. *smile*

The sunset on the way home. The good thing about getting home when it's almost dark is that it forces me to stay inside and once in a while I actually accomplish something.

Since I'm behind in my 30 Days of Thanksgiving I'm doubling up today. I'm thankful that I have pretty good health. I don't need to take a handful of pills every day, I feel good, I can breath, and can move around pretty good.

Autumn/Thanksgiving Cards

I finally got some stamping done today. All cards are made with Stampin' Up products.
I think the Happy Birthday card is my favorite.


I love the little acorn face..........so cute! One of our Red Hat members made place cards for us with the acorn.



Three circles, embossed, make a darling pumpkin, agree? Hope you enjoyed looking at these cards as much as I did making them.

More to be Thankful For

I was really remiss in yesterdays post and did not thank the vets at all.....my apologies to them and their families! Thank You Veterans! My dad was a vet and I was never able to thank him either. Today I am thankful that I live in the US......where our beliefs are not dictated, our movements are not monitored, entrepreneurship is encouraged, where we can say what is on our minds, and that citizens can and are willing to fight to keep those freedoms for us. I am not an activist, protester, or politically inclined but I appreciate those who are (the ones I agree with more than those I don't *smile*).

Alone/the Friday 56

It's the Friday 56 at http://www.fredasvoice.blogspot.com/. Stop in and see what other interesting sentences are posted.....maybe you'll find a good book to read.

P. 56 "She kept her mouth shut, she still didn't ask any questions." I am not sure if I am going to finish this book or not, it's one I can read any time because I have it on my ereader. Also I'm not sure if it is my type of book....it's OK so far. I started it so I'd have something to read while I was waiting for my book club book to be in...and it is. Today I got an email saying that a book I requested from Overdrive is in so I downloaded that one and will read it first. The Lit Wits (our book club) doesn't meet again until Dec 13th so I'll have plenty of time to read that book.
Here's an excerpt from the Smashwords website (where I got this free book): "Caught in a violent and abusive relationship, Serenity thinks there is no escape. Upon meeting a stranger, Sebastian, she is shown the possibility of a different future. Only Sebastian has a dark secret; he is a vampire. As Serenity’s life takes a terrifying turn, she finds herself drawn into a world she never knew existed; one of murder, love, and immortality. She is forced to confront her own weaknesses to save both her own life and that of the vampire she has come to love. But in the end all that matters is; can she find the strength to be Alone?"
I'm tee hee heeing because I scheduled this to be posted at 11:11am on Friday the 11th. Just something silly I decided to do.............I'm at work...... and I hope the combination of a full moon and 11-11-11 isn't a bad omen (not that I believe in them).
Today I am thankful for chocolate.......I LOVE chocolate....I'm addicted to it (if one can be).

My, What Big Hair You Have!

I was a single parent for several years. It was hard, I sucked at it and learned a lot from that experience. This is the last family photo I had taken with my children, my daughter is 18 in that photo and I am much thinner.

I'm a little behind in my "30 Days of Thanksgiving" so I'm gonna get caught up:

I am so very thankful for my children. We have been through a lot and some fences still have to be mended but I love them and am proud of their accomplishments and will always, always love them. I also have 2 step children whom I am thankful for. These 5 'kids' have given us 9 grandchildren whom we adore!

I am also thankful for my co-worker, Lisa, who goes above and beyond at work. I work for a small, family owned business. Of course everything is done online now, it's a necessity. I love working on the computer and technology. I know enough but not as much as I need to know, I usually just fool around on the computer and figure things out. Recently we had to do some online bidding using Excel (which I know nothing about) so Lisa got everything set up for us and when we couldn't enter some of the info on the work computer she did it at home on her own time. How many people do you know who would do that??? Not many, I bet.

D'ya know what I think? I think It's easy to find something every day to be thankful for!

Wordless Wednesday

It was a cold and frosty morning.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

......and it's cheap too, that is as long as you are NOT using it to make fun of some one's misfortune.

I often use it and encourage others to laugh with me when I do something really 'blond', such as walking into a door. The other night all of the lights were off downstairs and I was walking through the family room to the laundry room and "BAM" I smashed right into the door, and believe me, it happens just like they show it in the cartoons. The basement door is suppose to be closed...but guess who left it open???? probably me. I laughed and said something funny to hubby like "Boy, that was fun!"

I also have to have a sense of humor regarding all of they typos I make while writing this blog. For instance, one of my recent posts was titled "untitted" until I noticed it and changed it. Sometimes I choose the auto correct and don't see that I've agreed to a word that looks similar to what I thought I wrote but is not at all what I meant. I can spell and speak reasonably well, but I can not type worth a darn! sorry......

I appreciate a sense of humor and that is what I am thankful for today - a sense of humor. Some people are so serious that you can not joke around with them. When I am comfortable and like someone I am likely to joke with them. Some of my grandchildren have a unique sense of humor and it is noticeable when they are really young........by the time they're a year old you can tell. I just love it!!! So lighten up a little and don't take life so seriously all of the time!!!

I Love Mondays

.....and how do you feel about Monday? Most people love Fridays...you know TGIF! Sure, I like Fridays.....but Monday is my favorite day of the week. Why? Oh......it's my day off! The hubbub of the weekend is over, hubby is back at work, the kids are back at school.....it's the day it's quiet. I love quiet. I listen to a couple of talk shows on the radio (no TV for me), regroupd my thoughts, run errands, and even straighten up the house sometimes! Then I move on to the rest of the week.

As much as I love my days off I am so thankful that I have a job to go to, not one that I make a fortune at, but one that I do like most of the time. It goes hand in hand with the fact that I'm thankful that hubby has a job with benefits that cover both of us.

What I'm Thankful For This Sunday

Today my bff and I taught Sunday School, a once a month event for us. I know I have young grandchildren (whom I love dearly) but I am not much of a 'kid person' (to quote my former MIL). Since my grandsons attend Sunday School I feel somewhat obligated to help out. Our church is small and all the Sunday school children are in one class....ages ranging from 4 to 11. Today was a full house (9 students). In spite of the fact that I am not the most knowledgeable regarding the Bible, one girl knows everything and answers all of the questions, and I'm not sure if the others are getting it I'm kinda glad I do it. I do most of the behind the scenes prep and bff teaches the lesson.
Today I am thankful for a God who loves me no mater what, who will never forsake me even though I am awfully human and make so many mistakes and forget Him too often.

untitled

Did you know that little thing you said hurt me?

Did you know that little thing you didn't do made me cry?

Do you care?

Do you think I'm crabby, old, selfish, thoughtless, and mean?

....and that I don't care?

Is that what you think?

Did you know that my life wasn't/isn't so nice?

...that loneliness, sadness, pain, regret, and struggling is a part of me?

Did you know?

I do the best I can.

My heart beats and bleeds just like yours.

I laugh, cry, worry, sing, and dance just like you.

Did you know?

Today I Am Thankful For......

...my home. I know my front door makes it look a bit frightening now, but it's all ready for Halloween. While listening to the wind blow I thought how fortunate I am to have a nice home to live in, to keep me warm, to protect me from the elements. Yes, it needs some work and it's not HGTV worthy but to some it would be a mansion. It's plenty big for the 2 of us and for family gatherings. It's ours and I am thankful for my home!

To Kill A Mockingbird

Today's Friday 56 comes from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.

"Our tacit treaty with Miss Maudie was that we could play on her lawn, eat her scuppernongs if we didn't jump on her arbor, and explore her vast back lot, terms so generous we seldom spoke to her, so careful were we to preserve the delicate balance of our relationship, but Jem and Dill drove me closer to her with their behavior."

Join Freda for The Friday 56 *Grab a book, any book. http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.

Our book club opted to read a classic for this month. I had not read it nor seen the movie......I am nearly finished and am glad we chose it. I wasn't finished with it when we met Wednesday night so the gals were nice enough not to disclose the ending to me.....although they were surprised with it. One of the women said the movie is her very favorite. I think I'll have to rent it some evening. A couple of people said it was not fast paced enough in the beginning for them....guess it didn't bother me.
After Harper Lee wrote this book she never wrote another book, she started 2 but never completed them.
Book club was fun last night, some of us dressed up. One woman was a witch and we weren't even sure who she was when she appeared at the door, a great costume. Someone made S'mores using the cutest ghost peeps (that's the only way you'll get me to eat them), we also had wine, and apple crisp with whipped cream, along with our usual lively conversation about the book and much more.
Today I am thankful for books and that we can read anything, meet anwhere, and discuss it freely.

Thankful

As I lay in bed this morning I was thinking about our last Red Hat meeting that was Tuesday evening and thinking that I should post my 30 days of thankfulness..........so here goes:

The November meeting was so nice....the 3 hostesses had it set up so pretty - the tables were arranged in a big square so everyone could see everyone else, adorable hand made place cards with our names led us to our seat, Thanksgiving confetti was scattered on the tables, there was a pretty fall mug filled with snacks at each place setting, several nice door prizes were handed out (although that is not the point), the placements were hand stamped and decorated with a Thanksgiving theme, etc. There are 18 women in our group, it's a nice size and we will probably not go over 20......we like it smallish so we can get to know each member.
One of the things we did was everyone said something they were thankful for. The first woman to speak, (wife of a retired Pastor) who is very quiet, said she was thankful for our group.....a diverse group, but yet we have so much in common....we allow her to be herself and get out with friends. I imagine that being a Pastors wife puts you in the public eye and you have to watch your behavior...but we only know her as Lesley, not the Pastor's wife.
We are a 'youngish' group, our youngest member is 52 and the oldest is 74, and many of us are working. The past couple of years have been traumatic for the members who have lost a spouse or parent. Our circle of thankfulness was emotional for some, but we are sisters and share each others ups and downs.
I, too, am thankful for my women friends. I have always stressed that your girlfriends should not be packed away when you marry and never be discarded because of a boyfriend. Many times I have only had women or myself to rely on, part of the reason I value women friends so highly. Hey, we often outlive our men....wonder why? Maybe because God knows we can survive better with the help of girlfriends.
What are you thankful for?

Free Calendar Download

As the (self) designated person who often knows what's going on/what there is to do, I sometimes make up and print out a monthly calendar filled with the month's events for my Red Hat friends. You can type in any event or sometimes it's easier for me to copy and paste from the community calendar online. Calendars That Work is where I find the free down loadable templates. You'll find many different sizes, for the year or just a month. Of course, you can pay and get more but I only use the free templates. Make on up for the kiddos, for grandparents, teachers, friends, YOURSELF.

Free Downloads for Paper Crafts

At Canon's Creative Park you can download all kinds of free stuff for paper crafting....from calenders to cards to background papers to photo frames to 3-D projects and many more. Check them out!