Thanksgiving Project – What a Year

2012 was a year full of so many surprises. Good and bad.

Let’s get the bad out of the way so we can concentrate on the good moving forward.

First, my mom died very unexpectedly and suddenly. None of us were equipped for it. Then just three months later, my dear friend Marsha also died suddenly. I was beginning to think I couldn’t take any more. Then my precious grandson was attacked by a Cane Corso Mastiff. Yes, it was not a good year.

But, my daughter has been shining with her talents. She was first accepted as part of Cleveland Fashion Week. I got to be a part of this “first” for her. From there things quickly took off. I also joined her for Michigan Fashion Week. I wasn’t a part of everything she accomplished this year. But she has had magazine spreads in at least three magazines, runway shows in New York City, and now has been signed by a PR firm in Pennsylvania. She also spent nearly two weeks in South Africa fulfilling another one of her dreams – a cage dive with Great White Sharks. That one was her dream, certainly not her very nervous mother’s dream.

I have been thankful to be a part of her dream. Doesn’t every mother want their children to live their dream?

Yes, it’s been quite a year. I’m thankful for every moment of it. Good…and Bad. For all of these moments have contributed to today. I’m looking forward to an even better 2013.

Happy New Year! May everyone have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2013.

Thanksgiving Project – Health

Well, I have slipped and missed a few days with my Thanksgiving Project. I have been sicker than sick. I slept around the clock for three days. If you really know me, you know I NEVER go to the doctor. In fact, when I called, they couldn’t even find me in their system it had been so long. I guess that is what I should really be thankful for. God knows I don’t make a good patient so it is better that I’m generally healthy. Besides, with my $10,000 deductible I can’t afford to go to the doctor.

I don’t have the flu, don’t really think I have a cold. Only symptoms have been a horrible cough and terrible sinus pressure. So, I’m on an antibiotic. I wish it would kick in and start doing its magic.

Anyway, I’m very thankful for my good health. Being sick like this truly makes me appreciate it. I feel like I have missed so much – I guess spending five days in bed will do that.

Thanksgiving Project – Pills and Elixirs

This is a hard one to write tonight. I feel pretty crappy. I’m not a good sick person. I won’t to be coddled. I want everyone to feel sorry for me. I do not want to lay around without some sympathy. In other words, I act like many men act. (Before any men get upset, I said many. As in my dad and every man I have ever happened to be involved with.) But, unfortunately, I only get left alone. So, today I’m not sure what I’m thankful for.

But looking at my bedside table, I guess I have to be thankful for bottles of pills and such. I’ve got lime juice, honey, vitamin C, Coricidin HBP, and, of course, Diet Pepsi. It will either cure me, or kill me. Hopefully the former. Or it will run its course. I’m also under a mountain of fluffy blankets. Now if I can just sleep tonight. Of course, everyone has advice. But I know what typically works for me. Typically I say, although I rarely get a cold. And this really isn’t a cold. It’s more of a throat tickle that is driving me crazy.

Thanksgiving Project – Christmas Wishes

I thought about not publishing a blog on Christmas Day. I knew I would be leaving the house very early to drive several hours to see Andrea and Soren. And then driving back Christmas night. But it has been weighing on me to write this particular blog. I know very few people read the stuff I churn out. And that’s okay with me. I never aspired to be read. I only write to collect my own personal thoughts. I also know I read several blogs anonymously. So I wouldn’t expect anyone to announce they are reading me. But this one is important. If it speaks to you, please leave a comment.

Christmas has become a very commercialized holiday. I’m just as guilty as the next guy. I tend to overspend on gifts. I always have. I like to buy gifts. I delight in finding just the perfect thing. I love watching someone unwrap their presents. Children, especially. As they squeal and their faces light up. So, yes, I’m very guilty of the secular version of Christmas.

But Christmas really is about the birth of our Savior. God sent him as a boy to live among us and then, ultimately, to die on a cross so that we could live with Him for eternity. It’s a story that sometimes we take for granted. I would encourage you to re-read it. It doesn’t take long. Jesus was born just for me…and for you. He is the greatest…and only gift you will ever need.

I certainly am undeserving of everything Hehas done for me. But it wasn’t because anyone was deserving. We are all undeserving of that kind of love and sacrifice.

My biggest wish this Christmas is that every single person I know would find the love and the presence Jesus can bring to your life. The only way you will have eternal life in heaven is through Him. Your life will not magically be without pain or heartache. Your life will simply be worth living. John 16:33 says “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Jesus wants to be your life. Won’t you pray this simple prayer and invite Him into your life. Dear Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. Please forgive me of those sins. I believe that Jesus is the son of God. I believe that He died and was raised again so that I might have everlasting life. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Amen

Today, and every day, I’m thankful for the love of Jesus. I’m thankful I know Him as my personal Savior.

Thanksgiving Project – Daddy’s Girl

I remember when I was growing up that all of my aunts and uncles (my mom had 10 brothers and sisters) and my cousins (too many to count) would all congregate at grandma’s house. One year we even took family pictures. There was enough food to feed a small country I think. We always had a birthday cake for baby Jesus. It was a perfect time. We didn’t have presents…we had each other.

Now that is the memory of a young child. It could have actually been much different to the adults. I don’t know. It seems like any time you have families gathered, there is some under current of drama or dislike. I’ve never been a big one for family gatherings. I appreciate them much more now than I used to though.

Because my dad is so limited on where he can go, my sister has everything at her house. I wish I could have them here, but it isn’t physically possible. And because of that, there are always ‘extra’ people included. I don’t really like that. But I won’t be there or Christmas this year.

Soren is getting to the really fun age and I want to spend it with Andrea and him.

I’m so thankful today that I was able to spend a few hours with my dad though. It was just the two of us. Erv (dad’s caregiver) was out doing something so dad and I could talk freely. He will be 78 in a few days. I think he will live forever and sure don’t think he is old. But in my head I know my time with him is limited. I love my dad more than words can ever say. I’ve always been a daddy’s girl. And today I can’t imagine much I am more thankful than my times with my dad.

Thanksgiving Project – Goodies

Anybody that really knows me, knows I don’t spend much time in the kitchen.

Every year I hear my friends talk about all the holiday baking they have to get done. Really? These are the same people who say they love it. Then quit complaining. If you aren’t enjoying it or it feels like a chore, then don’t do it. Heaven knows most of us don’t need any more cookies.

I know I sound like that when I talk about cleaning my house. And I need to look at it differently. I really do enjoy a clean house and getting it there. But there are times that I just feel like I don’t have time to relax. So, I’m going to look into having someone clean for me occasionally.

Back to the holiday baking though. I don’t enjoy it. And I certainly don’t need it. So today I’m thankful that this is one holiday stressor that I don’t have to deal with.

But if you enjoy it and don’t stress over it and have leftovers, you know where to find me 🙂

Thanksgiving Project – Everydays

Holidays are a time for families to get together. And I intend to go see my daughter and grandson. I’m excited to spend time with them. Soren changes so much from visit to visit. He is getting to be a big boy.

But I am also torn because I want to be with my dad. This is the first Christmas without mom. Honestly, my sister invited so many extra people on Thanksgiving that we didn’t even talk about mom (and it would have been her 75th birthday). I know my dad feels such a loss and it breaks my heart. I wish I could be two places at once, but I still haven’t mastered that.

But I’m thankful that he understands how much I want to see Soren and Andrea on Christmas Day. I will spend time with him on Christmas Eve before I go to church. And I will most likely see him the day after Christmas as well.

Yes, holidays are a time for families. But every day is a time for families. And I know I won’t have that many holidays or everydays with my dad.

Thanksgiving Project – Grandma’s Photo Album

I just love Facebook. I love that I can stay connected easily with so many friends. I love that friends from my past and I have been able to reconnect.

But what I love most are the pictures of my grandson. It is so easy to see so many pictures…and share them with all my friends. My heart just about explodes when I see pictures. Unfortunately I live far enough away that I don’t see him that often so the pictures are a lifeline for me.

And who can disagree that he is adorable?????

Thanksgiving Project – Out Of Office

I have several things to be thankful for today. One is that the weather has been pretty good for this late in December. But, it looks like to is ending tonight. Two, is that I had a nice evening with one of my closest friends. Three, tomorrow is my last day of work before vacation!

That is what I m truly thankful for today though. If you know me, you know I’m a bit of a workaholic. And I tend to put in some long hours. In my defense though, I work hard AND I play hard. I like to think there is some balance. Plus, because I am a workaholic, it is quite likely I will still go to the office during vacation. But, it will be on my terms…my hours. And it won’t be stressful.

I’m not going anywhere during this vacation (except to spend Christmas with my daughter and grandson in Cleveland). But it will be a much needed break nonetheless.

So, I will work hard tomorrow so I can be gone for TWELVE days!!!!! Looking forward to time with family, getting things done around the house, but mostly just relaxing and reading.

Thanksgiving Project – Me Time

It has been crazy busy at work this month. While that is not terribly unusual, this time of year things typically are winding down. But not this year. I hope that isn’t the way it will be.

But this year it has been one thing after another. This week was supposed to be relatively quiet. Hahahahaha. So, of course, our phone system developed more than a little hiccup. And I have had lots of little demands on my time.

So, tonight I am most thankful for a few hours all to myself. I actually left work a tad bit early. Then came home to a quiet empty house and just sat for a few minutes. I needed to do one shopping and get groceries but just couldn’t quite make myself drive to Fort Wayne. So, I just walked around K-Mart for awhile and had some dinner at Pizza Junction. Just time for me (and all the friends I texted with throughout the evening!). I needed that.