100 blessings in my life

(in no particular order of importance)

1. I'm thankful for an absolutley amazing and wonderful hubby, to whom I'm passionately in love with.
2. I'm thankful for an amazing and blessed daughter, who delights me everyday with her smile.
3. I'm thankful for our current house, that's just right for where we are now.
4. I'm thankful for my sweet family.
5. I'm thankful for supportive and loving friends, who can speak their truth with me, and I them.
6. I'm thankful for the smile that greets me each morning, followed by, "Good morning, Mommy!"
7. I'm thankful for the big hugs, and the little ones.
8. I'm thankful for nose kisses.
9. I'm thankful for autumn leaves of red and gold.
10. I'm thankful for dancing with the wind, upon the grass, with my arms in the air.
11. I'm thankful for sweet kisses.
12. I'm thankful for neck kisses.
13. I'm thankful for the park that's down the street.
14. I'm thankful for Pook's trike.
15. I'm thankful for walks outdoor.
16. I'm thankful for soft gloves and scarves in winter.
17. I'm thankful for song birds.
18. I'm thankful for my brother, and how he shows his love for his neice.
19. I'm thankful for the situation in VT.
20. I'm thankful for my sweet, darling sister-in-love.
21. I'm thankful for my mom, and for being able to view her from a different persepctive.
22. I'm thankful for my treasure nephew.
23. I'm thankful for my job, and being able to work from home.
24. I'm thankful for homeschooling.
25. I'm thankful for Charlotte Mason.
26. I'm thankful for having a buddy who I can talk homeschooling with, and shop with too!
27. I'm thankful for Kindermusik.
28. I'm thankful I live where I do.
29. I'm thankful for the varies choice available to me. Especially in regards to food.
30. I'm thankful for blogs.
31. I'm thankful for bloggers who blog about their lives, homeschooling, and other inspiring things.
32. I'm thankful for water colors.
33. I'm thankful for easils.
34. I'm thankful for hot chocolate.
35. I'm thankful for cozy comforters.
36. I'm thankful for our serene and peaceful bedroom.
37. I'm thankful we switched nightstands, as the bedroom now looks more spacious.
38. I'm thankful for seasons.
39. I'm thankful my Pook likes hot chocolate now too.
40. I'm thankful for quiet moments.
41. I'm thankful for my teapot.
42. I'm thankful for Earl Grey, with milk and sugar.
43. I'm thankful for the new cups and saucers I splurged on, and that go so well with my morning tea in the tea pot.
44. I'm thankful for feather pillows.
45. I'm thankful for flannel sheets.
46. I'm thankful our home is heated.
47. I'm thankful for warm showers.
48. I'm thankful we can go to the store to get food.
49. I'm thankful for all the options of food we have available to us.
50. I'm thankful for the internet, and being able to order things from anywhere.
51. I'm thankful for steamed rice.
52. I'm thankful for fresh herbs.
53. I'm thankful for Pook's laughter.
54. I'm thankful for being able to set my own schedule.
55. I'm thankful my bosses regard me so highly.
56. I'm thankful for those friends that aren't close by.
57. I'm thankful for L's farm.
58. I'm thankful for hugs.
59. I'm thankful for the Canadian luvs.
60. I'm thankful for the MD pals.
61. I'm thankful for a quiet holiday.
62. I'm thankful for each day my hubby has off.
63. I'm thankful I can drive.
64. I'm thankful for warm sweaters.
65. I'm so thankful for boot cut jeans!
66. I'm thankful for acupuncture.
67. I'm thankful for my PT's.
68. I'm thankful for kind neighbors.
69. I'm thankful for love.
70. I'm thankful for varying perspectives.
71. I'm thankful for nighttime snuggles.
72. I'm thankful, and my heart swells, each time Pook tells me she loves me.
73. I'm thankful for each time my hubby kisses me tenderly.
74. I'm thankful for each time my hubby kisses my hand.
75. I'm thankful each time hubby empties the dishwasher, takes out the trash, snuggles in bed or while watching a movie, rubs my feet, declutters his things on his own... and all the little things I forget to thank him for.
76. I'm thankful for cousins, aunts, and uncles.
77. I'm thankful for grandmas.
78. I'm thankful for the moments I've spent with my grandpas when they were alive.
79. I'm thankful for all moments with my parents and grandparents.
80. I'm thankful for my in-laws.
81. I'm thankful for a clear night sky.
82. I'm thankful for the wind's song.
83. I'm thankful for words and language.
84. I'm thankful for inspiration.
85. I'm thankful for devotion.
86. I'm thankful for a walk taken with my brother years ago at Soldier's delight.
87. I'm thankful for any quality time I get with my brother.
88. I'm thankful each time Pook counts for me.
89. I'm thankful each time Pook sings for me.
90. I'm thankful Pook is now using the potty.
91. I'm thankful for tender moments in the arms of my loves.
92. I'm thankful for hand-written letters.
93. I'm thankful for hand-written thank you notes.
94. I'm thankful for being able to walk without pain, and bend my knee.
95. I'm thankful for homeade breads, pizzas, and pies.
96. I'm thankful for each damp snow flake, each wet rain drop, each tickle of the wind in my hair, each leave that dances in the air, each blade of grass, each tree, each gift and joy of nature.
97. I'm thankful that I have as much as I do, and that I can declutter.
98. I'm thankful for all the joys in my life.
99. I'm thankful for piles of autumn leaves to play in.
100. I'm thankful I'm alive, and content where I am.


What are you thankful for?

From a friend...

Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is a nobler art ofleaving things undone.... The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of nonessentials.

Lin Yutang

One year...

Well, what do you know? I've officially been blogging at Otter's Way for a year!

Any ideas on how to celebrate?

Okay, so technically, it's a year and a day. :)

Thursday Thoughts

This week, I've gotten the opportunity to dump off two loads to the Good Will, and clean up the basement. Now, Pook can ride her trike indoors when the weather gets too cold.

I've finally (after a good year or more) gotten rid of the old sewing table my mom dumped off (after I'd already sent a better one back to her because I wasn't using it). There are still a few more boxes for hubby to go through, and a box I'm holding on to until my mom and SIL come to visit, then more stuff goes out. I'm even tempted to dig into the boxes we've already packed up to move again.

Of course, in peaking at a few of the containers, I discovered one is filled with her doll house stuff, and another is filled up with gifts for her that I got on sale for her birthday, Christmas, etc. (Thankfully, I haven't started shopping for her birthday. Looks like it's covered!) And then, there are about 3 more filled with toys of hers we've packed to see if she's noticed, or toys too young for her that we are saving for the next.

I always try to go through and get rid of things around Christmas. Obviously, because we usually end up with more stuff. And, once you have kids, it seems the more you get rid of your stuff, the more people give to your child. Mind you, I still want my FIL to build Pook her kitchen set, but I'd rather wait until we move as space is already tight here, and, when homeschooling, you get to accumulate stuff for that too. Although, if we haven't moved by her birthday, I may just reconsider that, and make more room. Um... yeah... here's sending out those house vibes again.

I'm still amazed at how good it feels to just let go of material stuff. I guess since I've spent most of my life clinging to it, being able to release it and embrace the more important, nonmaterial items, has made the difference.

Earl Grey Tea - Hot

I giggle everytime I drink it, as I think of Captain Picard placing his order on the Enterprise. :) I like mine with milk and sugar, and I've recently found this delightful brand that's the best Earl Grey tea I've had by far. So, for those tea drinkers out there, here's the brand:

St. Dalfour Organic Earl Grey Tea




I like that each tea bag is individually packaged. Though not the best for the environment, it does keep the tea's flavor nicely.

Plus, the tea bags are really neat. No mini metal staples to interfere with the flavor.

So, if you have the chance, and tea is your thing, give it a taste.

Holidays over the years

After responding to Stacie's comment on my last post, I got to thinking about how I used to percieve and celebrate Christmas (and general holidays) versus how I celebrate them now.

For one thing, I'd stock up on sales and gifts throughout the year. Then, I'd forget about said gifts when it came time for the holiday, only to find it a week later when restocking on more things I got on sale for the next year. Mind you, some of these things I just bought on sale, regardless of whether or not the gift recipient might like them. And did I mention, I'd give some sort of gift to every friend or acquaintence I knew?

Then, I'd always think that I needed to add to my decor every year. You know, build it up. Regardless of whether or not I had too much stuff, or if I needed it or not.

When we got married, and my sweet hubby counted that I was planning on getting and giving over 60 some gifts to people, he gave me this "we need to talk" look. We then had a really long talk. I'm blessed with a wonderful hubby, who really gets me to think about things. (And visa versa I hope...) Was it really necessary to give to all these people? (Some of whom I hadn't seen in ages, or years.) Were these people going to appreciate the gifts I'd gotten, or would then end up regifted or given away? Did I have the time to put these things together? Etc. Etc.

The first year, we bought a tree (hub's allergic to the real deal), our own beautiful angel to top it, stockings to hang, and a few greens and things to go around the house. We'd owned our own house now, so there was more to decorate. However, I also inherited an entire box of ornaments, knick-knacks, and other things from my mom's house when we moved.

We put out all the decorations. The next year, there we still decorations in the box, yet, I'd managed to buy more. Thankfully, the gift list had been cut in half, and after calculating how much we had spent for everything, I began to cut it it down again for the next year.

Now, five years later, we have all the decor we need. (Although, there are always a few things I keep on the lookout for - like embroidered hand towels for the kitchen and bath.) We only exchange gifts with immediate family, and a few friends (as opposed to all), and have made other agreements with friends. (Instead of a physical gift, we just get together to spend time together.) Some people get baked goods, some get bought goods, and this year, I'm excited because we're giving a gift that keeps giving to others http://www.heifer.org/ .

I also really think about the gifts I want to give. This has been most prevalent in the last year or so. I try to keep them clutter free (unless it's something I'm sure they'll like and use or keep). If I'm baking, I'll do a bread for some, and I do have special cookie requests I give into each year. I also try to get all gifts ordered and taken care of by early November.

The day after Thanksgiving, the Christmas decor goes up, so I like to be finished with most stuff by then so that we can just kick back and enjoy December. Though I used to enjoy waiting until the mauls... er malls... we decorated in their seasonal glory, now, it's nice to just go and enjoy, without rushing around madly to find certain things.

Sometimes I wonder how my changes will effect our children. I hope in a good way. I learned my habits from my mom, and with the help of my beloved hubby, I've found what works best for me, and for us.

So, hubby, thank you. Thank you for being you, and thank you for encouraging me to be me, and helping me find the simplicity I've been seeking. Granted, I know there are times you'd rather not do gifts at all, but I also know that you know how important it is for me to give something during this time.

Tis a Gift to be Simple

It's been a hectic, but fun weekend. I am excited about Christmas this year, as we've seriously cut down on giftgiving, and found some neat gifts to give instead. For those of you who are just joining in, we are in the midst of house hunting, and saving. Thus, we are on a budget.

By mutual agreement, with are not exchanging gifts with the BILs, my SIL, and the SO. We are giving gifts to my sweet nephew though. And, I've been stocking his up for some time I admit. And, I didn't realize just how relaxing it is, as I don't have to worry about what to get anymore. It helps too, that we are all saving money at the moment.

I admit, we've already gone a bit off budget, when I found the Pook a doll house for Christmas, that was over budget, but at 50% off for the house and furniture, irresistable. Plus, I could just see in my head how I wanted to present it to her.

I am really excited about my latest discovery though: http://www.heifer.org/. You can check out the site to find out more about it.

This site has solved many things for me. I now have a gift for the people who have everything, and I feel that I'm doing something good with my gift. Plus, I like knowing that in someway, I'm making a contribution to someone who can really use it, in the name of another. Plus, it's just cool to donate honey-bees, chickens, or a llama. :)

For the lucky ones in our family, we'll be baking them mini loaves of gingerbread, zuchini bread, banana nut bread, and pumpkin bread. Complete with recipes. The breads are healthier then cookies, and for sweet grandmas who no longer can cook homeade things, a real treat. (Apparently, Dad's like them too!)

I want to teach Pook the importance behind the gift, not the gift itself. I've been craving simplicity (usually happens after a few weeks of choas), and last year was rather stressful figuring stuff out. This year, we are buying a few things, but, they are clutter free, something wanted, or things I'd picked up throughout the year.

This will be the last year, for a while, when we try to make it back for Christmas. And, I'm looking forward to Christmas at home for a change. I love seeing and spending time with the family, but, the Santa myth really looses something. Not that we've really done anything to encourage that myth...

On the homeschooling front, I'm really excited, because a friend of mine and I decided to start our own little support group. There are quite a few coops in the area, and I have connections, but to meet every week has been challenging with the other activities. So, we've decided on once a month; however, it might be twice a month. I'm also going to sign up for one of the field trips groups as well.

I am just so psyched about the whole process. I'm looking forward to learning with her, starting a nature journal, creating projects... I have decided, that if she ever decides she wants to attend regular school, she'll have that choice. However, most of the kids I know that are homeschooled love the freedom and choices they have.

So, today, I'm just filled with that sense of wonder and contentment. I've gotten confirmation I'm on the right path with Pook, and things are again falling into place.