And another thing...

I've recently noticed an increase in readers in my blog. Would y'all mind introducing yourselves, perhaps saying hello if you don't mind? :)

And... last thing tonight, really...

Hubby got Pook a PS2 game. And she's hooked. :) Too funny.

Quietly giving thanks...

This year, we're not traveling for the holiday. Hubby's working on Friday, and needs to make up time, so here we are. Considering I'm all fuzzy-headed with congestion drip-drip-dripping down my throat - this is a good thing. So, it's not really much of a holiday, more of just a day to recouperate from recent events.

So, imagine me saying this in my raspy-throaty voice very quietly:

Happy Thanksgiving!

In other news, this week has provided me with the much needed quiet to focus on the homeschooling and scheduling front. Pook and I have been doing well with our own Circle time, and lots of reading. Thankfully, with a shift of priorities and scheduling, work hasn't been stressing me out as much. This, is a very, very good thing, as I've a tendency to get a bit anal about things.

Wishing you all a wonderous day of thanks, filled with lots of turkey (of which we'll not be partaking of, as we've chosen to just make it a day, and were too lazy to defrost the dang thing!) .

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.