Category: Gratitude

Advent 2018 Wk 2 – Joy

Lately I have been impressed with stories of joy: people enduring difficult circumstances with genuine smiles lighting their faces and claims of, "Laugh or cry, I choose to laugh," or "I was born a happy child," or "I choose to do something I enjoy every day." People who, in witness to others' difficult circumstances, decide … Continue reading Advent 2018 Wk 2 – Joy

Advent 2018 Wk1 – Hope

Recently I had a conversation with a friend who admitted she is looking forward to the holidays and, truly, next year. She's had a rough few months and needs some joy and a fresh start. Same. And, from conversations with others, I know we aren't alone. It seems so many people are up against so … Continue reading Advent 2018 Wk1 – Hope

Happy Thanksgiving 2018

What are you facing this week? Traveling or family coming in? Stay-cation with lots of local activities? Business/work as usual? Cooking, eating at another's table, dining out? Little about this week has been our family's version of usual. Q14 got an unexpected day off school, closed due to unhealthy air quality from the Camp Fire … Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving 2018

Greatness

[Since I don’t post when I’m away from home, this week I’m going to post some of the content I wrote while on vacation…] “Do you think this makes one too many visits?”, my mom asks as we’ve ‘lost’ the teenagers again in the Monterey Bay Aquarium. “No,” I reply, “never too many visits. The … Continue reading Greatness

Milestones

Annie burst into the bar exclaiming, “What IS this place?” “It’s the best little wine bar you’ve ever stepped foot in, but tonight it’s also a karaoke bar!” came my response. Without a glance at the menu, she ordered a sauvignon blanc and a song list. Her two friends, obviously indulging Annie’s whim, didn’t even … Continue reading Milestones

Overflow

The Friday before the Monday C19 left for college out-of-state, neighbors we hadn't met posted on social media that they were giving away a full-size bed, a few years old with limited wear-and-tear, with an almost-new mattress. Free. That morning, C19 had awoken in the twin-over-full bunk beds he'd had since childhood. We asked if he'd … Continue reading Overflow

Favorite Things

Sing along... Raindrops on roses And whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings These are a few of my favorite things While I'm a big fan of dew-dropped roses and kittens, my favorites list includes different items: My family, my marriage (coming right up on 25 years!), … Continue reading Favorite Things

Hush.

It’s been a quiet week. While C19 has been away at college, Guy has been leading a house-building trip in Mexico for 250 high school students and adults, and Q13 has been travelling England and France, I have been at home, working and walking dogs. I don’t mind. I had been looking forward to this … Continue reading Hush.

Thankful Thursday – 25 January 2018

What a week! One kid had a day off school while the other, too far away, landed in the ER with a mystery illness. Rain on and off, dogs didn't get enough exercise, and I had sleepless nights and a migraine for days. Still, as Kelly Corrigan reminds us, life is like that. And, as … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – 25 January 2018

Thankful Thursday – Let’s Go, 2018!

10 Thanksgivings for the First Week of 2018 New Year, fresh start My sweet Guy, and celebrating his birthday Healthy, growing kids Our cute and cozy home and a clean kitchen The (mis)adventures of training a puppy alongside our menagerie Coffee with friends Meaningful work Cooking delicious plant-based meals Bedtime ritual: hot tea and a … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Let’s Go, 2018!