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Forgiveness, hope, compassion, and gratitude... this has been a week when all of those have come into play. I am thinking that they are present in most of my days and weeks, and I am thankful that I am able to look back at the end of each week and pronounce it good, despite whatever ups and downs I may have encountered. I have a strong survival instinct and I am the eternal optimist... overall life is good and we will be okay!
Here are some of my many reasons to be thankful this week...
I am thankful for the happy feeling of waking up to see TToT posts popping in this morning. What a great way to start the day! I love our weekly sharing of gratitude and positive energy, it's like a booster shot for droopy spirits!
I am thankful that the past week hasn't been unbearably hot or cold since we have been without working heat or AC all week. The needed parts for repairs have now arrived and it should be fixed today. This would not have been so nice in mid-summer or winter, so I am grateful it happened now and we will be ready for winter when it comes.
Speaking of getting ready for winter, I made warm houses for the two feral kitties outside involving cat carriers placed inside of large storage tubs with door openings cut into them. with the inside carrier wrapped in a warm blanket and another inside to cuddle up in. I was happy to go out this morning and find Smokey happily tucked into his, and mewing at me contentedly. When it gets cold I will put rug flaps over the door openings to keep the wind out. (Tom, the third feral brother stopped showing up about three weeks ago. I hope he has moved on to a good place, and if not I am happy that I was able to offer him affection, food and comfort while he was with us. I miss him.)
I am thankful for all the furkids that have blessed and continue to bless my life. This week Sophie turned 14 and is doing well, and Toby turned four. Sophie loves having her own room where she can spend part of her day sitting in her window seat and watch the world outside. Toby is all boy and now nearly twice her size! He still thinks he is kitten-size and loves to cuddle on my shoulder. You should try to use a keyboard with a 20 pound cat attached to your shoulder, his purr rumbling in your ears!
I am thankful that my niece is going to spend a fun overnight with her mom tonight including shopping, a nice hotel, and a five-star French restaurant. They have had some relationship struggles in the past and I see them both working harder to not get on each other's last nerve since each other is really the only family they have... except for me. :-) My niece turns 42 next week so this is an early birthday celebration.
I am thankful beyond words for the gift of new vinyl plank flooring that my daughter is giving me for our house, which is badly in need of floor covering replacement. It is ordered and should arrive next week, and then she will drive down to spend a few days installing it. There is really nothing housewise that she has not taught her self to do, and do very well. I am so proud of her! Vinyl flooring will be perfect with all the country dust, dirt, and cat fur here, easily cleaned and maintained. We will put a big area rug in the living room and when it gets too worn/dirty it can be easily carted out, burned and replaced! :-)
I am thankful for my son's appreciation for doing fun things with his girlfriend and making good memories, rather than focusing on acquisitions. They have a nice apartment and vehicles, but they spend almost every weekend and an evening or two during the week going out around Nashville and the area and experiencing something fun. There is always something neat to do there! This week they watched the Titans win the football game, and are headed to a Haunted House tonight. Last weekend they took in the Pumpkin Glow festivities and attended a concert. They check out new places to eat too. I like that they are staying active and enjoy their time together so much!
I am thankful that Papa Bear is a fan of long hair on women. I stopped cutting mine my hair nine years ago, and it now measures over 24" long from scalp to ends. This is me, still a wild child at heart and always will be. I twist it in a knot and pin it up on hot days, and braid it at night for sleeping, but most often it's just flying free. Papa Bear says my shedding is worse than the furkids! :-) I have no intention of ever cutting it again, other than to trim dry ends which he does for me a couple times a year.
I am so very thankful for the few close friends that I share the ups and downs of my days with, and them with me. There was a time in my life when I didn't have any close friends, and it was very lonely. Although my friends live a good distance away, the magic of texting and the Internet keeps us close. It is nice to be encourage each other.
I was heartbroken to learn that a friend of mine departed for the spirit world early one morning this week. He and I had been friends for twenty-five years, and he was like a brother to me. His life has been a long struggle with addiction and a life-changing injury, but somehow he kept going far longer than any of us ever would have believed possible. This week his heart gave out. I am so sad that there was no chance for goodbyes, but I am thankful that he is at last at peace.
One more note... I am thankful that in the blogsphere I am able to admit to and own my humanness. (Is that a word?) I am not perfect, I am not always happy and positive, I am not always kind and non-judgemental. I am not always half the things I think I should be, but I continue to work on it, and I am thankful that I find acceptance here just being me. I am so very thankful for this life I've been given, and the perspective that has come with sixty years of experience!
Enough about me, how was your week? :-)
Blessings to you in the days and weeks ahead... Look for reasons to be thankful in your life, and remember to be a blessing to someone else!
The above photo is a click-button to the TToT link-up. It is photo of one of our beautiful Texas sunsets with blue still peeking through the clouds; yellow, orange and pink bands around the remaining sliver of bright sun, and a wide band of black earth below it on which I've written Ten Things of Thankful.*
Here are some of my many reasons to be thankful this week...
I am thankful for the happy feeling of waking up to see TToT posts popping in this morning. What a great way to start the day! I love our weekly sharing of gratitude and positive energy, it's like a booster shot for droopy spirits!
I am thankful that the past week hasn't been unbearably hot or cold since we have been without working heat or AC all week. The needed parts for repairs have now arrived and it should be fixed today. This would not have been so nice in mid-summer or winter, so I am grateful it happened now and we will be ready for winter when it comes.
Speaking of getting ready for winter, I made warm houses for the two feral kitties outside involving cat carriers placed inside of large storage tubs with door openings cut into them. with the inside carrier wrapped in a warm blanket and another inside to cuddle up in. I was happy to go out this morning and find Smokey happily tucked into his, and mewing at me contentedly. When it gets cold I will put rug flaps over the door openings to keep the wind out. (Tom, the third feral brother stopped showing up about three weeks ago. I hope he has moved on to a good place, and if not I am happy that I was able to offer him affection, food and comfort while he was with us. I miss him.)
I am thankful for all the furkids that have blessed and continue to bless my life. This week Sophie turned 14 and is doing well, and Toby turned four. Sophie loves having her own room where she can spend part of her day sitting in her window seat and watch the world outside. Toby is all boy and now nearly twice her size! He still thinks he is kitten-size and loves to cuddle on my shoulder. You should try to use a keyboard with a 20 pound cat attached to your shoulder, his purr rumbling in your ears!
I am thankful that my niece is going to spend a fun overnight with her mom tonight including shopping, a nice hotel, and a five-star French restaurant. They have had some relationship struggles in the past and I see them both working harder to not get on each other's last nerve since each other is really the only family they have... except for me. :-) My niece turns 42 next week so this is an early birthday celebration.
I am thankful beyond words for the gift of new vinyl plank flooring that my daughter is giving me for our house, which is badly in need of floor covering replacement. It is ordered and should arrive next week, and then she will drive down to spend a few days installing it. There is really nothing housewise that she has not taught her self to do, and do very well. I am so proud of her! Vinyl flooring will be perfect with all the country dust, dirt, and cat fur here, easily cleaned and maintained. We will put a big area rug in the living room and when it gets too worn/dirty it can be easily carted out, burned and replaced! :-)
I am thankful for my son's appreciation for doing fun things with his girlfriend and making good memories, rather than focusing on acquisitions. They have a nice apartment and vehicles, but they spend almost every weekend and an evening or two during the week going out around Nashville and the area and experiencing something fun. There is always something neat to do there! This week they watched the Titans win the football game, and are headed to a Haunted House tonight. Last weekend they took in the Pumpkin Glow festivities and attended a concert. They check out new places to eat too. I like that they are staying active and enjoy their time together so much!
I am thankful that Papa Bear is a fan of long hair on women. I stopped cutting mine my hair nine years ago, and it now measures over 24" long from scalp to ends. This is me, still a wild child at heart and always will be. I twist it in a knot and pin it up on hot days, and braid it at night for sleeping, but most often it's just flying free. Papa Bear says my shedding is worse than the furkids! :-) I have no intention of ever cutting it again, other than to trim dry ends which he does for me a couple times a year.
I am so very thankful for the few close friends that I share the ups and downs of my days with, and them with me. There was a time in my life when I didn't have any close friends, and it was very lonely. Although my friends live a good distance away, the magic of texting and the Internet keeps us close. It is nice to be encourage each other.
I was heartbroken to learn that a friend of mine departed for the spirit world early one morning this week. He and I had been friends for twenty-five years, and he was like a brother to me. His life has been a long struggle with addiction and a life-changing injury, but somehow he kept going far longer than any of us ever would have believed possible. This week his heart gave out. I am so sad that there was no chance for goodbyes, but I am thankful that he is at last at peace.
One more note... I am thankful that in the blogsphere I am able to admit to and own my humanness. (Is that a word?) I am not perfect, I am not always happy and positive, I am not always kind and non-judgemental. I am not always half the things I think I should be, but I continue to work on it, and I am thankful that I find acceptance here just being me. I am so very thankful for this life I've been given, and the perspective that has come with sixty years of experience!
Enough about me, how was your week? :-)
Blessings to you in the days and weeks ahead... Look for reasons to be thankful in your life, and remember to be a blessing to someone else!
* Descriptions of the included photos are being provided for those who may be unable to view the illustrations.
It is nice to be accepted and have friends. No one is perfect, we can accept each other just as we are, trying to be better each day.
ReplyDeleteThe new flooring is going to be wonderful, vinyl tiles are my favorite, so very easy to clean.
My hair hasn't been cut since 1994, and i have no idea how long it is. It stays in a braid almost all of the time.
Your sister and niece sound like they are trying to learn to be good to each other. It can be harder with family, but it's so much more important.
Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your friend. May he rest in peace.
It is great that you are getting your heat/AC fixed before winter sets in. There are winds from 60-70 mph on the coast, and although it usually loses its intensity before arriving in the valley, there were some pretty strong gusts today in the valley making driving a little challenging at times. With all the rain with this storm, I think we can say the heat from summer and fall are done in our area.
ReplyDeleteI think long hair is pretty, but my hair is so thick that taking care of it when it is long is very difficult for me. So for most of my life, my hair has been shorter, and easier to keep at bay. As I have gotten older, my hair has become quite curly and has a mind of its own. I often have to get it thinned.
Enjoy your new floor. How nice that your daughter is going to put it in for you!
So sorry for the passing of your friend.
You come across very honest about yourself, and I think that is why people love you, Josie.
I hope you have a good week ahead.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend.
ReplyDeleteThat was sweet of you to get homes set up for the ferals, I hope the missing one comes back.
Happy birthday to Sophie and Toby! I hope they got some catnip and treats to celebrate.
Your daughter sounds like a wonderful person, just like her mom :)
It's good to have a predictable (and comfortable) environment in the home. The word in the feline kingdom must be out that there is safe haven at your house.
ReplyDeleteNew floors! Even more fun than painting the walls... it's so fundamental a change, that the newness tends to last much longer than other changes we might make to our surroundings.
Good that your son is in touch with the here and now enough to understand (consciously or not) that the time to seek out and explore is now, the advantage when this approach is taken by the younger people is they have so much more energy.
(The old observation: I now go to bed at a time when I used to be just leaving the house for the nights adventures!)
It's so nice that your furnace needed attention during the "sweet spot" of seasons, when neither a furnace nor a/c was really needed.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your new flooring! It makes such a difference, and easy-care vinyl is perfect for families with fur-kids. :-)
I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. It is hard to watch people suffer, but it is also hard when they leave us. May you find comfort knowing that he is at peace now.
Thank you for your honesty, Josie. I'm not always as kind as I could be but like you say we're only human. I love how your daughter is so good with handywork. It's probably something I should take time to learn so it's not as frightening! Good friends are surely hard to come by so it's really nice when we have people who are consistent and a positive influence :)
ReplyDeleteJo
Mind Over Meta
So sorry for your loss. That's always hard.
ReplyDeleteI love this autumn photo you start off your post with though. Perfect.