manoah

Day 29 - What friend/family member are you grateful for today?

I've already answered how I'm grateful for His Lordship, so today I'm going with my mom. She's been on my mind recently. You know, the last 8+ years have been really, really hard. But prior to that she was pretty cool. She taught me to cook, to clean (hey, it's a skill), to sew, to crochet, to try new crafts. She also taught me how to NOT to do things, which is also something we need to learn. So yeah, I'm grateful for mom.

It's a gloomy, grey day out today. It's a tad bit warmer...might get up to the 40's today. No snow forecast until next week, but I'm very okay with that. His Lordship is planning to put up the Christmas lights today; the new Christmas lights!

Back in the day, when we lived in AZ, we had a flat roofed house and we strung the lights around and it looked like frosting. When we moved here, we went to color light bulbs; those big ones that I remember from childhood. Well, the last few years all we (and by we I mean His Lordship as I don't do roofs - that's a big bowl of nopeflakes) managed was a string of snowflake lights on the porch. Kinda sadly festive. I've always wanted to do permanent rope lights under the eaves. This way you don't have to take them down; you can turn them on on Halloween or 4th of July or whatever. I told His Lordship this was THE year! I always get my way - eventually. Heh.

These lights will turn color (I really didn't care about that but he did) so who knows what color they will be on any given night. How fun for the neighborhood! Beats painting your house babycrap brown with dark green trim and a bright blue mailbox. That's what is painted across the street. Yuck.

I might start wrapping presents and doing odds and ends. We shall see as the day progresses.

Smooch!

Day 27 - What small thing that you use daily are you grateful for?

My cup. It's either full of tea, coffee or runneth over!

I have a hair cut at noon. I may go to Target and see about small things for stockings or under the tree. Maybe.

Got the tree up yesterday. Put all the "toys" and cute little things on it rather than the glittery silver/gold I usually use. Most of the ornaments are handmade by the kids either from school, scouts or church. I have a ton of family type ones and Hallmark ones from my mom. She sure loved those boys.

Have a great day!

Day 25 - What moment this week are you most grateful for?

It's early in the week, but I can honestly say that I'm grateful that my kids still like to come over on Sunday for dinner. I never pressure them, I tell them it's okay if they are busy. I guess I never really realized how lucky I am that they still come most every Sunday - even if it's just for an hour or so. Bless those boys.

Speaking of which, The Heir stopped by last night to pick up a package that had been delivered and brought his gf along. She's so sweet. I really like her. His Lordship wasn't feeling too great, so they didn't linger. I think the cold (it's only supposed to be in the low 30's the next two days) has gotten into His Lordship's bones and he's...cranky.

We finished making the cookies yesterday; got 17 1/2 doz. Not bad. I have a list of things to do today so I best get started or I'll run out of time. Darn short days!

Toodles!

Day 23 - What tradition are you grateful for?

Everyone has their own traditions, customs, ways of doing things. This time of year? At my house we have the tradition of making Pitzels (or Pizzelle). It's not Christmas without them!

We are still pretty wiped out from the craft show. I think today will be a slow day. I'm trying to download an app on my very old tablet so I can watch the Vikings game. Seems on the west coast we are forced to watch the 49'ers even though...yeah. I'll be putting a pork roast in the crock pot and we're having pulled pork sandwiches for dinner. Maybe the boyz are coming over...I never know until about an hour or so. My own fault as I've always told them there will be food for them on Sundays. Usually they show up.

Happy Sunday!

Day 21 - What song are you most grateful for?

This is like answering what book I'm grateful for? It changes, it's in flux. Today? Today I am grateful that I haven't heard 24/7 Christmas music yet.

Now don't get me wrong; I like Christmas music. But it's still NOVEMBER people!

Yesterday was another good day - I like good days. Got up early and went grocery shopping. Had my 9am yoga client and we had a great session. Then I had a massage. It was glorious and I was, to my mind, surprisingly not tense! Had a Thai noodle and shrimp bowl with peanut sauce for lunch and then spent the rest of the afternoon luxuriating in the afterglow of the massage. Not every day is like that, but when it is....ahhhhh.

I slept in today as we have to be up at the buttcrack of dawn tomorrow to go to His Lordship's one and only craft fair of the season. He's staged everything in the living room in readiness to pack up the car tomorrow morning. It should be fun! Even if it does snow - brrrr.

Hope everyone is having a splendid Friday!

Day 19 - What touch are you grateful for today?

A hug.

I thought yesterday was going to be normal. But there is no normal is there? I got a call from one of the places I'd sent a claim for to re: mom's stuff. It is a government security. They are making me jump through extraordinary hoops. Seems they want me to open a probate - even though mom has no creditors, no personal property and no real property. I got the info; after trying, in vain, to convince them to just have me handle it and got off the phone.

I called a Legal Service that is run by a paralegal who has come highly praised. She remembered me, as I'd talked to her a few times previously. I explained the above, she said for me to meet her at a local Starbucks and we settled on a "set aside". I got all the paperwork for her, paid her fee (what is it with folks who don't want to pay for services rendered???) and off we sent. I've already received two emails from her as she's already to file the info and contact the security. She's awesome. Now it's a waiting game. Fingers crossed!

I had my final yoga session with a client who is having surgery on Friday. She has been doing such a good job and I truly hope she comes back after she's released by her doctor. She is a friend as well, so no pressure. My normal Wednesday client is back from her extended vacation, but alas, has a cold. Maybe next week. I still have a client coming tomorrow. S'all good.

Hope everyone is enjoying these final days of November!

Day 17 - What knowledge are your grateful for?

Hmmm, that I'm savvy? That I have knowledge? That I can make decisions? That really is a tough question.

Monday has rolled around again. Yesterday was good; I made turkey broth so we could have turkey and dumplings for dinner. Boys came over and watched the Vikings win. His Lordship helped The Spare fix a car problem.

Today starts that weird week after Thanksgiving, but not yet December. I know lots of folks have already stared with the decorations for Christmas, but we have a big craft fair on Saturday and I can't see working around all that just yet.

I already have my laundry sorted and a load going. Back to oatmeal for breakfast. I plan to clean; i.e. vacuum and dust and sort our the bathrooms (uck). As far as I know I have yoga at 4pm.

I should get with my busy day!

Day 15 - What season are you grateful for?

Well that's kind of a gimme, innit? At my age, whatever season I'm in. I'm partial to spring and fall though. One gets tired of the heat and looks forward to the cooler times. Then, one gets tired of the cold and looks forward to the warmer times. Or I could live in Hawaii and be 72 degrees all the time! ha!!!

Yesterday was a rather lost day. I had big plans that did not come to fruition. I pretty much watched bad tv, ate too much and just "wallered".

Today, after I post this, His Lordship and I will be going out to do our local 'Small Business Saturday' shopping. I try to frequent my small, local shops and artisans for Christmas. Try being the key word. I mean after all - Target people!

Ok, I hope everyone is having a splendid weekend!

Day 13 - What abilities are you grateful for?

I've already said my ability to read, but this said abilitiesS, so.....

That I learned how to cook from my mom and my dad. I'm a pretty darn fine cook if my family (and my waistline) is any indication.

That I found yoga. I think I'm a much calmer person now. At least I hope so.

That I was once upon a time an escrow officer so that financial stuff doesn't faze me (much).

That I have the ability, the capacity, to love.

Love to you all!

Day 11 - What holiday are you grateful for?

The obvious answer is "Thanksgiving". And...yeah. I guess. I'd say it was a toss up between Thanksgiving and Christmas. But you know....I really like Christmas Eve. I've finally figured out how to make my own green corn tamales (I still need to practice wrapping them - good thing they taste good!) and we eat Mexican food, watch "A Christmas Story" - the kids come over and spend the night...it's MY holiday.

I have errands to run and a friend to visit. I'm off!