Last Day of November

Tomorrow, December starts. The last month of 2007. It's the time I start to reflect about the past year, as I put together the yearly holiday letter.

December is already filling up with visitors and visiting. At least two big birthday parties - 60 and 65. Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed with all the activities. This year, we've already decided not to do cookies. I'm not sure if I even want to do breads.

I do know, that things aren't going quite as planned, and in some cases, not exactly as I like, but I'm still enjoying the ride.

It's weird to look back over this past year. It seems to have flown by. In one month, winter will begin, Christmas will come and go, and another year begins...

On my end, I've finished a book. The class I've been working on will come to an end. As will 2007.

And with each cycle, my heart is filled with joy.

More Blessings

101 Grams eating on her own and being
102 mom and uncle able to support each other again
103 getting to see my family this week
104 birds eating at the feeder
105 November's chill
106 Facebook. I think. ;)
107 reconnecting with old friends
108 a good chat with a good friend
109 Cracker Barrel
110 sales at Cracker Barrel
111 cheeseburgers by hubby
112 tuna melts bu hubby
113 brocolli shrimp soup made by hubby. YUM!
114 oatmeal with raisins and nuts mixed in
115 hot chai tea
116 cinamon flavored honey
117 cloth table cloths
118 time with family
119 sun spots
120 pictures
121 candles
122 the urge to purge
123 yoga
124 the feeling when you take a deep breath
125 hot bubble baths
126 making soup
127 fresh baked bread
128 daring to take a chance
129 Cadfael
130 discovering the best times to get certain things done

Grams

My sweet Grams is in the hospital again. She's been there since Wednesday with a staph infection in her throat, UTI, thyroid issues, and a few other things on top of her altziemer's. She's also chosen to stop eating.

My mom and uncle decided against putting a stomach tube in to feed her. Grams requested DNR - do not rescuscitate, and if she was fully coherent, she would not want to be living like this. She's been talking to the window about how beautiful it is, and not knowing people.

They both felt she was giving up, as she's been suffering for a while. And, after this incident, she'll be going into a nursing home. And, if you'd ever met my grams when she was in full capacity of herself, she'd very clearly espress to you that she rather die than be in one of those hell holes - her words. Not to mention the hospice worker telling them that with her muscles and other functions atrophying due to altziemer's, she's probably not even digesting her food.

So, it was decided to let her be. And then one of the doctor's went to my uncle (not my mom who's the power of attorney and makes the decisions) and told him that it was a horrible way to die, and convinced him to change his mind.

So, now, not only does my family get to watch and cope with the continued suffering of Grams, but now, the brother is angry with the sister.

It's not a pretty situation.

I would ask, that y'all keep her and my family in your thoughts, as we make it through this challenging time. My mom and uncle should be supporting each other, because this has been hell for both of them. Now, they are fighting each other.

Blessings and gratitude amongst the clouds

61 Memories of Grams before she went into the hospital
62 understanding
63 quiet moments
64 Laurie's turkey meatloaf
65 pumpkin pie
66 upside down pear gingerbread cake
67 family
68 days on the farm
69 warm soups
70 walking the hill
71 good books
72 Scooby Doo
73 warm blankets
74 soft kisses
75 handmade quilts
76 friends who offer to pay for you when they have it to give
77 libary renewals
78 the way leaves look so vibrant amongst the dark clouds
79 fuzzy socks
80 pink fuzzy socks
81 smaller versions of pink fuzzy socks, that make my daughter happy
82 that today is the last 11 hour day my hubby had to work this week
83 caring friends
84 taking time to rest up
85 being able to identify when emotions are getting the better of me
86 the reiki group
87 kind strangers
88 embroidered pillow cases
89 painted benches and chairs
90 hand-me-downs
91 snuggles
92 warm, soft sweaters
93 the gift of a paid for spa day
94 soft robes
95 heated massage tables
96 warm tea
97 water
98 hot showers
100 forgiveness

A week of fullness and gratitude this has been...

I am so filled with gratitude this week! It has been a blessed week, a full week, a marvelous week. Dear friends, good food, and LOTS of laughter! What bliss!

It leaves my heart thankful for:

21 a week of dear friends!
22 curried quinoa
23 chats over tea
24 fresh eggs brought from the farm
25 Lin's hugs
26 smiles
27 tender songs sung in the backseat
28 two little girls laughing
29 colored leaves and wax paper
30 pumpkin seeds
31 the smile of a dear friend
32 aforementioned dear friend's totally cool fall apron
33 chatting with said dear friend
34 pumpkin muffins
35 apple cider
36 let's pretend
37 a gorgeous view from a bedroom window of a vibrant tree
38 sweet children
39 time to read at KM
40 the library
41 books sales at the library
42 warm quilts
43 hot tea
44 reiki
45 sweet kisses, just because I'm the mom
46 books on Thanksgiving
47 Scooby Doo (the new series)
48 the feeling of comraderie
49 feeling compassionate for others
50 being about to feel compassion
51 a night in the arms of my love
52 passion
53 a friend willing to pay for a spa day for me, and take me to lunch - just because
54 soothing music
55 early morning quiet
56 good food mixed with good friendship
57 yoga
58 deep breathing
59 snuggling
60 the desire and willingness to heal

Weekend of thanks...

11 Being married to such an amazing man.
12 Seeing a friend we haven't seen in a while.
13 Board games
14 Pomegrantes
15 Celestial Seasonings Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride Tea
16 Sunrises
17 Sunsets
18 Warm sun on a chilly day
19 Children's laughter
20 Watching birds at the bird feeder

Thankful for...

6 The friend that visit on Thursday nights, and brighten's my daughter's day.

7 Spending the night in the arms of my husband.

8 Sweet hugs and kisses from Pook.

9 The friend who visited for lunch today bearing a gift of upsidedown pear gingerbread with extra creamy whipped cream (just in case it didn't turn out well!)

10 That same friend honoring my daughter's desire to spend time with her one-on-one, with out me there.

Don't freak out!

I just changed my blog a bit. :)

Giving Thanks

Happy November! October has come and gone, and now, November is here. Thanksgiving is in 22 days. I've seen on a few blogs that people are doing a month of thanks, so, I've been inspired to join in.

Who wants to join me? Can you find at least one thing (or more) that you are thankful for? Can you list them and celebrate them?

I'm thankful for...

1 good friends

2 good blogs

3 fall colors

4 brown courdroys

5 pink cowgirl boots....

turquoise hats with hot pink bandanas...

stuffed horses, eagerly waiting to to ride into the sunset

and the little one who brings so much joy and wonder to my life!