Crisp Cold Days

Oh how I love them. There is nothing like blue sky, crisp air and crunchy leaves. When I take a walk it's so invigorating.

The crescent moon at night and stars out are awesome. What an awesome world and universe God created. I'm so grateful to be alive and part of the whole scheme of things.

Christmas Giving

I just wrapped 3 gifts for Santa to give to 3 someone's at Somerset Retirement along with one for my Mom. They have a wonderful Christmas party each year for residents. It doesn't take much to make someone happy who does not have family at the holidays. Giving is fun at Christmas time. Our church always finds a Christmas Family to help out each year... to help make their Christmas brighter. We also give to Salvation Army for needy kids. Always feel a little better after dropping money into the kettles seen at stores at Christmas. All coins/paper add up to bigger amounts. Then there are the food drives.

I can't give to them all so I've picked which ones I'll donate to. I can't imagine Christmas without a good dinner. I know there is so much more that I could do to put joy into someone else's Christmas...I'm thinking.

A smile, a "Merry Christmas", a hug all are free gifts to give. They are unlimited ...I'll make it a point to show my Christmas spirit to all I come into contact with this season.

Christmas Shopping Done

Yep, all done, plus 2 of the 5 December birthdays. Who was the hardest to buy for? Hubby, of course. No list ( well, 2 little things) but sneaky me figured out more. I sack, don't wrap. Don't send Christmas cards anymore... e-mail must do except for a very few.

Nope, not baking this year, quit that last year... less stress, less work and much healthier for all.

Now this all sounds a little negative but it isn't at all. I love Christmas... the decorations (much less each year), the lights (have a few outside) the smells (spray can on fake tree giggle).

I love the times with family and friends. Love the special lunches and dinners out. Love the Advent season at Church and the Christmas Carol's. Love rehearing the Saviors birth. Love the lights on the lake, the ones on residential streets. Such fun to see them at night along with all the other decorations so many have these days.

No little ones anymore...youngest grandchild is Cody who is 13 now. Our little ones are our oldest granddaughter's and they are in Norfolk VA - Navy. He is soon on his way home to Norfolk after a six month "out to sea" in the nuclear sub he works in. Then in March they will head for 3 years of duty in Hawaii. Those poor kids.

We also won't see our next oldest granddaughter and her other half. They live in Southern California and she will be working hard as she prepares for department manager in her store.

The other six grandchildren will be around, thank goodness. But we know they will spread their wings, too, and off they will go.

I'm really lucky as all 3 kids are close to home.... isn't happening that way with the grand kids. But we are so proud of them as they go their separate ways.

My sister lives in Utah, my brother in Cathlamet, my hubby's 2 brothers live here but another one in southern California.

And another gift of another year with Mom. She is 97 1/2, oh how blessed we all are. She is a jewel and the whole family is darned proud of her.

How lucky we are to have family. What a gift God gave us in family.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, off I go to play computer games. No list running through my head tonight.

Sunshine and Kindness

I've noticed that some day's I just cannot think of what to write about. I have decided to use quotes/thoughts to get my thinking going. I send out a Thought each day to hundreds of people and know from responses how they make us think and ponder over them.

The thought for today's blog is....

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. ~James Matthew Barrie

I stop and think about the times I've felt more like rain than sun. In my case it is probably more due to my pain than my temperament. When I've gotten out into where there are people and I start receiving smiles and hugs, I suddenly find myself forgetting self and pain and instead feeling sunshine. Isn't it amazing what influence we have on others when we show happiness and love. It seems to bounce right back to us in such a good way.

The other day a handicapped person in a store scooter was buying groceries in a "sack your own" market. The clerk wasn't thinking and jugs of milk were where he could not reach them. I automatically told my husband to check out ours as I was going to help him. It was a little thing, but that man must have said "Thank you" 5 times while I was doing his small sack of groceries and the jugs. We went on and checked out and I forgot about it... until....

A few days later I went to Freddie's to get some groceries. I wasn't feeling real good and ended up walking the whole store looking for gifts for Christmas. By the time I was checking out I was really hurting. I was standing behind a lady waiting for her to self check herself out. I had more than 15 items and didn't feel I should go through the less than 15 items checkouts so I was waiting for an opening.

A clerk came and said to me "Let me help you over here" and took me over to the "less than 15 " and proceeded to run through and bag all of my groceries for me. I've never had that happen before but I was so thankful and kept telling her "Thank you".

I got home and was telling my husband about it and suddenly a light went on.... I told him that I guess I was rewarded for helping the fellow a few days earlier. Awesome how that happens, isn't it?

Kindness goes a long long ways....

Twas the day before Thanksgiving....

.....and I'm sitting here doing nothing. Our daughter has invited us to her house on Thanksgiving Day and insists I bring nothing. It feels funny not to be cooking but, again, it feels good. For many years I cooked and then our kids got married and the sharing began. I'm glad we can share gracefully and allow kids to do what is comfortable for their families. We spend Christmas morning at our oldest son's home. All 3 kids are their with their families (this used to be around 18 of us) and now fewer as the grand kids have sprouted their wings elsewhere in the USA. We have Sunday dinners off and on with youngest son's family and our daughter-in-laws family. My Mom has gotten where she just doesn't want to leave her home (apartment in a retirement center) and we miss her at most of the family functions.

Memories of my Thanksgiving's so many years ago at home with my parents and siblings have faded a little but it was always a joyous time with huge meals, (Mom always cooked enough for extra's).

I'm so thankful for family and friends. Wishing all who read this a wonderful Thanksgiving with all the yummy foods you look forward to devouring and plenty of leftovers to munch on later.

Sunday Evening

The weekend has gone fast. We went out to eat last night and had a yummy dinner with friends. My husband is one that if I would agree we would go to dinner every night but I like to cook and like good homecooked food so we go every 3 or 4 days instead. It's a change of scenery and good company and always fun.

Today would have been my Dad's 97th birthday if he was still living. He's been gone for some time now but I still miss him. I know we all have those who have passed on and our memories are loving and deep. I'm so thankful for the memories. My Dad wasn't perfect, (are any of us?) but he loved us dearly. He and my Mom had many years together and traveled throughout the country in their 5th wheel. They had many camper friends, many of those gone now.

Memories are great... we take them with us to our end of time. What a gift!

Is it Friday already?

Just sitting here with my coffee, thinking and remembering. OOOPS, that can be frightening, (laughing).

Friday... how does it roll around so quickly? It seems it comes faster than it did when we had kids at home, faster than the years of working and now retirement the weeks fly by. Makes me realize that in the seasons of life, time flies. I appreciate so many things more as I get older.

Things like:

The time I get to spend each day with hubby and how our lives have become one over the years.

The time we get to spend with our kids and their families. They are all so busy that we don't see them often but treasure the moments we do see them. The times we get to see our grandchildren as they have spread their own wings going every which way. How proud we are of our family, they are so very dear to us.

The fact that I still get to hug my mom and get hugs back. I'm able to share with her and she shares with me. You see, my Mom is 97 and "still with it". I'm so proud of her and how she has spent her "winter" years. She reads, plays games on the computer (is a scrabble whiz), and has a smile that reaches anyone she comes into contact with. How blessed I am.

The friends we have, a life time of friends. I can't even begin to count on both hands the number of friends we've had since we were kids and they are still in our lives. Oh we are so lucky to have so many. My first friend, Janet, is still a close friend. We were so little when our parents started visiting and getting to know each other. Her family is still like part of my family as we did so many things together as families and as kids. My friend, June, who I met in first grade on the first day is still a close friend. How many things we've shared, good and bad. How we have always been there for each other. We still get together with them often. And the list goes on and on and on.

I'm still making new friends... in person, at church, via e-mails and more. Friends are truly some of the richest gems through life.

I could go on and on this morning but my coffeepot is empty and so is my cup. I need to "get into gear" and start my day.

The Hawk's Eye

Another picture that my sister took close to our home (telephoto lens) of a hawk. I was amazed how close of a look she got.

It's cloudy and rainy today, very gray day. I'm not much of a gray day person but have learned to make my own sunshine. That sunshine might be a phone call, a friend stopping by, chatting with an e-friend or just visiting with my husband. There is always so much sunshine around when you look for it, each ray is a blessing for that moment. How blessed I am to see and recognize those rays of sunshine.

Our Downy Woodpecker

A few days ago, I shared with you that we had a Downy Woodpecker eating the suet. He came back again yesterday. My camera isn't as good as my sisters was with the other pictures but at least I got one of him. It could be the same guy who was drumming on a wooden house that is hooked to our blue spruce tree this spring. He was around in the early hours (5:30-6:30 a.m.) drumming away and then sometimes in the evening. It went on for probably a month or more. Don't know if he ever found the love of his life or not.

The squirrels were eating at the back feeder today getting the seed up off the ground where a bunch fell as my hubby was filling the feeder. Sparky, our little "dog-son" was very happy as he had his friends to play with. It's really funny to watch as they tease each other. The little 8 pound guy can't figure out why he can't scurry up the trees like the squirrels do.

Love those Squirrels

This is one of our front yard squirrels. We live about 5 miles from the lake where they originally stayed. Over the years they have migrated miles out into the more urban area.

One day a couple weeks ago we had 11 of them scurrying around in our front yard. They were having a good time "aerating" our lawn burying their sunflower seeds for dinner during the winter. It was "squirrelly" with squirrels chasing each other. They are so fun to watch. We feed them sunflower seeds each morning. You can watch them walking the telephone and power lines to their next course of food.

Nature is so fun to observe. Love being retired so there is time to just sit and watch all nature's glory. What a big plan God had when he created all these awesome things.

My birds and the suet

If you don't have many birds and have a kitchen window or one where you look out a lot, hang a suet box with a suet block inside. You will be amazed at the different birds that come to feed all winter long. I love watching mine. Right now it's a lot of little birds, but as I said the other day, Mr. Downy Woodpecker came for dinner.

Nature is so wonderful to watch, whether it's a little black and orange furry caterpillar or or a bird in the sky. Even at dusk you can watch the bat's fly around above, catching their bugs for their feast that night.

Take time to smell the roses... enjoy the wonders all about you. I sure do!

Just thinking about things I'm thankful for......

My faith in God
The sun that comes up in the mornings and the moon at night
Our 3 children, 3 in-law kids, 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren
The joyous sounds of family members when we are together
A dear husband for over 50 years, what a guy!
Great Sister and Brother
A Mom who is still here to give hugs (97)
Our little Sparky, what sparkle he can put in our eyes and heart
Friends ... forever friends, new friends and one's we picked up along the way. What blessings
My computer and my computer friends

And so very much more... I'm a lucky gal!!

Not much to write about as this has been a pain day and those days I don't think well. I did go to Wallyworld and then to my Mom's. What a blessing she is to me. She's 97 years old, very sharp for her age and looks forward to visits. I'm proud of her. She loves her computer games (scrabble, cards, jig saw puzzles, etc) and spends a lot of time playing them. She loves to read, has changed to bigger size print. I have got to remember to call and see if it is time to get her eyes checked and make the appointment. So hard to remember every thing.

It's dry out and the leaves are crunchy in the back yard when I go out with Sparky to do his thing. He likes the dry days much better even if they are cold.

I've started doing a little Christmas shopping. Got hubby a computer game today, have Mom's done and a friends. Still have a lot to do. So glad I have a Christmas fund I started a few years ago. So nice when that money is there for Christmas each year. The family is growing bigger by the year and I'm beginning to cut back a little on the gifts. The love is the same or more, though, and I guess that is what counts.

I love our hummingbirds. We have them year around in spite of freezing weather and snow. The winter ones are Anna's that migrate down. The little ones go south. Some years I've had to bring their food inside and thaw it so they can drink. They are all so colorful. Did you know the neck consists of rounded feathers that look like sequins? They become quite tame and are not frightened if you are in the vicinity of the feeders. I've never found a nest but think they are up in the cedar tree or in the ivy bank. That's where they "zoom" a lot in the spring and summer.

We had a wind and rain storm yesterday so the little guys don't fly around as much and use up their energy so they feed less often. There's some sunshine today and they are active once again.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It's poured all day, gutters are running over, leaves piling up plugging them. What a job for city workers. It's easy to forget about appreciating people in the background, but I saw so many of them working out in the downpours today, that I was reminded to appreciate them even more.

And the rain? Well, I love the seasons, I love the green and flowers in the Spring, the summer daisies and eating outside in the summers, the colors of fall and even the snow in the winter. But gray days drag me down, I need light and more light. So.... if I want the seasons I have to put up with the rain and I will gladly do just that.

Little Sparky hasn't been very happy having to go outside today. He waits until he can't wait any longer and then reluctantly runs outside at the last minute.

For me, it's an early bedtime tonight. Big meeting today and I'm tired and achy. Goodnight

Well, I've already blown it....it's been more than a week since creating this blog and this is only my second writing. It's typically fall now, rain and wind and leaves and leaves and leaves. Once the leaves are off the tree's I'm ready for spring.

It's so hard to believe today was Veteran's Day. Seems like yesterday we were celebrating it last year. Time flies by so quickly the older we get... Slow down, slow day days and weeks...Please

Had a nice lunch with my 97 year old Mom today. She lives in a retirement home. I downloaded a new game on her computer and she is trying to learn it. She plays scrabble, jig saw puzzles, solitaire games and word games on her computer. Yep, I wrote that right... she is only 97.

Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow. I want to get into a good habit. Think I'll try the one minute blogging each day. Today we had a red headed woodpecker pecking at the suet basket. Wish I could have gotten a picture.

I'm new at this but here goes

Fall has really turned from Indian Summer to wet wet Fall. I think the daylight savings time changes did it.. :)

Lot's of birds at the feeders along with the little chickadee's going for the suet. So fun to watch. Last night we had a big fat Racoon in the front yard snooping around. A few nights ago we had 3 does checking it out. Sorry buddies, you've already eaten my plants that you liked for desert. No more.

Even the rain isn't that bad, it's the darkness I don't like but I'm used to that here in the Pacific Northwest. Just turn the lights up high, pretend it's my sunshine.