progress...

Dreary, wet and cold.  Yep that describes today.  Perfect.  For the first time in forever I slept the full night, woke to rain hitting the chimney. So calming.  Yesterday was full of activity and I am sure it exhausted me.  I was so wrapped up in what I was doing that I lost track of time. Before I knew it the clock was telling me that it was hours past my bedtime. 

I finished three soaps.  They are setting up and I truly hope when I unmold them in a couple of days that they will have turned out as wonderful as I hope. Oat Milk, Orange Rose and Sunshine are all sitting on shelves, waiting.  

They all need at least 24 more hours before I can try taking them out of the molds and cutting them.  The scents that filled the air were fresh and energizing. I think that is one of my favorite things about making soap. The scents.  Our house is filled with the smells of orange, yuzu and a hint of rose. There are other scents that linger in the mixes that I can't even begin to describe the scent of the Oat Milk soap as golden oat (the name of it) doesn't help in the least.  It's clean and refreshing.  

Oat Milk Soap

Orange Rose Soap

It takes about two hours to make a batch.  A lot of which is spent waiting, waiting for oils to heat, waiting for lye and oils to cool to the same temperature so that they can be mixed into a creamy soap. To fill all that time waiting, I cleaned out my soaping closet, figured out that I truly need to stop buying shea butter.  Seems I have forgotten I had plenty of it at least 5 times.  I am now in search of lots of soaping recipes that need shea butter.  Would hate for that to go rancid. As I went through my supplies and molds (goodness - I believe I already admitted to a terrible addiction) unfortunately I only have one tall mold or I would have made a few more bars. 

After hours spent standing in the kitchen making beautiful soaps it was time for a break.  I really shouldn't spend hours looking through Pinterest. Should have focused on the projects I had already decided on or maybe taken a nap. 

Instead, I daydreamed.  

I have to admit when I am finally able to retire, I will definitely never be bored. 

I had planned to cut out mittens and sleds yesterday morning, Hubs had other ideas.  He was out in the garage working on his desk project.  A friend gave him a rather beat up look old desk.  You could tell it was most likely handmade and it was definitely old.  Probably 80 or 90 years old.  He's been sanding it and getting ready to stain it.  Yesterday, he reached that goal.  I was not going to be using the saw in the garage.  

That desk though...

I've been pleading with him to keep it, to do away with his industrial style and enjoy the beauty of that antique.  During a soaping break I thought I would peek out and check on his progress.  He was so engrossed in the stain work, that I am not sure he even noticed I was there. Cigar held tight in his teeth, focused on each swipe of the brush.  He looked so calm. 

I have a covered deck now and it was fairly warm, it was an easy fix.  Hubs helped me set up on the deck and I started cutting.  It's been years since I have touched a saw.  Years since I have lost myself in the intentional act of carefully cutting out traced lines.  Breathing in the scent of sawdust.  Gently blowing it away so that I could focus on the lines.  It made both of us remember the past.  

It seems so long ago. We'd spend hours in our basement, cutting wood shapes, crafting gifts when money was too tight to go shopping. Those days, that time filled me with joy.  Yesterday reminded me of that sweet time. As I cut the shapes, Hubs kept me company, we chatted like it was over a decade ago. Nothing earth shattering, just chatter, about family, friends, ideas, thoughts hopes and dreams.

I don't know what was better the act of using my hands, muscle memory snapping back in an instant, or enjoying that simple memory of a much simpler time.  Not as much money, far more time for making memories. 

I'd put the base coat on all of my painting projects last night, I'd forgotten how easily time slipped away when I had a paint brush in my hand.  This morning fueled by copious amounts of coffee, I sat down on the stool at the kitchen counter and started painting. The mittens are rustic, they are mindless work, hours later I finished all but the final four.  I vaguely saw the clock, the hours of the morning slipping by... seven, eight, nine, ten... just before eleven Hubs came in from the garage.  Starving.  Seems I forgot his breakfast.  

I forgotten how much I love to paint. Even simple projects bring joy. 

I cannot for the life of me believe that tomorrow is already Thanksgiving.  Half way through our days off.  Normally time flies.  It hasn't been.  It's been leisurely, calming and relaxing. For the first time in far too long, I feel rested.

Tomorrow will be a day full of traditions, pies to bake, cream to whip.  Our offerings to the meal are mostly purchased, but one simply needs homemade pies. We will work on continuing to blend our family.  We will miss our boy, maybe the smallest girl (she might be with Dad) but we will celebrate family and each other. 

Tomorrow might be void of creating material things, but full of creating memories. 

I'm excited, nervous, and full of anticipation. 

I am curled up with my mug of hot Gluhwein, listening to the wind moving my beautiful wind chimes and celebrating life. 

Thankful... you?

time...

Roaring fire, hot coffee, a good night's sleep and a day stretched out before me with absolutely nothing scheduled. 

I feel like a kid in a candy store. In fact I feel a bit like a 3 year old surrounded by every favorite treat trying to figure out which one I want the most! I feel a bit overwhelmed in the most wonderful way!  It has been so very long since I have had a treat like this.  A chance to simply fill my own personal bucket.  To stay inside my home and do what makes me happy. I can honestly admit that I am being a bit of a spoiled child and doing just that. 

I mean, I did my chores, most of them.  The house is clean except for my play areas and they are functional clean - let's be honest you can only keep a space in use so clean. I will admit I haven't ironed yet - but work is still 6 full days away.  There is time for that next weekend. The rest.  It's done. 

Playtime can commence.  In the three days I have been off, I've completed quite a few candles, 36 to be exact. I'm not sure that I am finished, I have some beautiful jars that I want to fill, trying to decide what scents move my heart the most. Those will no doubt become gifts.  I might not be finished, but for now that is tucked back away in it's little spot.  I have moved on to another project or two or... 

Just a few that have already shipped

Soaps have been started, even the lumps of coal, yesterday alone saw 3 different kinds of soap created.  I will probably get one or two more done this morning.  Or I might be a big girl and complete all of one project - soaps - I think there are 5 more that I want to get done this week. Might be more.  Recipes and supplies are overflowing the shelves.  But then so are the soaps.  Awe, I know creator challenges, I guess it is a bit first world. 

Lumps of coal

Just a bit of soaping chaos

Kokum and Eucalyptus soap

Eucalyptus and Cotton

I have a couple of quilting projects going on right now.  Hubs is going to help me put one on the long arm.  And I have a couple that I need, and want, to get finished.  I spent a chunk of Sunday helping a friend learn to sew so that she could make some memory sachets.  Gifts for family to remember a dear loved one that passed this year. 

Friendship quilt - started 2001

a treasure from Paducah, KY

It filled my heart to pass along the skill, ironically her text came as I was working on a small quilt I had started at the last quilting class I had taught - so many years ago.  I'd been so busy helping others that my own project never got finished.  I'd found it while looking for something else, tucked away in a bag.  Waiting for love and attention. I will finish it this break. 

Almost done, finally...

Helping her was the highlight of that day.  I didn't do much, showed her the skills, and stayed to help through the hiccups.  I tidied my sewing room - maybe I should call it a studio - ya know sound fancy. Nah... I'm not a fancy kind of person. I folded up the bits left from all the mask making I have done this year.  I will be thankful when that is simply a bad memory from a long ago time. I emptied out an assortment of craft bags that were just tossed aside once the project was complete. And as she gained confidence and started whipping through the project, without any assistance, I curled up in the big chair Hubs hauled in for me to sit in while I helped and worked on a special Christmas gift for one of our great nephews. 

Cute, am I?

She completed around 60 small sachets and I finished the gift I was crocheting. 

currently on the needles

Evenings have found me sitting beside the Hubs enjoying some down time with knitting needles in my hands.  I have found a new scarf pattern that I am over the moon in love with! It's quick, mindless, flows so gently (no matter what kind of yarn I use) and creates a beautiful scarf.  One can never have too many scarfs, right?

dyed by my favorite artist

Hand spun and knit by me 

I am currently trying to ignore the call of my spinning wheel, trying to finish other projects...

So lonely...

If I am going to be completely honest, I might have an addiction or twenty.  I love to create, it fills my heart, it makes me feel calm, centered, productive.  I love the feeling that comes from giving a gift that I personally created. Nothing against shopping (which I hate), I know that just as much love goes into searching for the perfect gift as making one. For me and my well being, I love to create. 

The challenge comes in, that I have so many different things that I love to do that I sometimes feel like I am spinning in circles.  Torn between far too many loves.  

After soaping today, we are going to get out my new scroll saw, it's new, never been out of the box, although Hubs bought it for me several years ago.  When my old one died mid-project and I'd had to improvise to finish it. I was just doing wood working back then.  But today, I am going to be breaking out my paints.  So many have joined our family since the last time I cut wood or held a paint brush. Mittens need to be made.  Sleds need updated.  Ornaments are waiting for paint. I can't wait!

I've also found time and the desire to write. I was pretty sure that was never coming back. 

There was a time that I was much better at prioritizing my life. Even working a 40 hour a week job and raising kids there was always time for things that filled my soul.  Slowly, other things wore me down.  

I am going to count this time as another gift from 2020.  The gift of time. I feel refreshed for the first time in a very long time.  I am finding calm and focus.  I know, ironically, as our world is wrapped up in chaos and confusion, stress and anxiety, I am calm. God is in control of the things that were wearing me down. I don't have to be. 

As much as I am enjoying sitting here warming my toes, sipping my magically refilling coffee (yep, Hubs still believes what I told him so very long ago - even the Bible says it's his job to take care of the coffee - "HeBrews") and munching on my yummy Lebkuchen cookies that I found at the Global Foods market, it's time. 

Who knows what treasures I will have to share the next time I write...

pickup man...

Brrrr... I had to give in, I was sitting out on the deck with my sweet Hubs, enjoying the cool fall evening and a restful day of vacation.  I guess I am not as tough as I thought, because I am still shivering.  The deeper the sun sank the more bitter the cold wind became. Even my jacket and fuzzy blanket could not compete.  

He will just have to sit out there alone, smoking his cigar, listening to smooth jazz and laughing at funny pictures and pranks.

I am so blessed to have this sweet man in my life.  He tries so hard to never let anyone see that he is nothing more than a marshmallow.  Even his outside isn't as rough as he'd like you to believe.  And his inside, is more the consistency of a toasted marshmallow. 

We ran a few errands today, we needed to pick up a few supplies at the hardware store.  His determination, the "no challenge I can't solve" mentality are fun. He was determined to make that old receiver pick up more channels, no sense in getting something new.  I needed some odds and ends for gifts I am making. After wandering, searching, asking for help and finding a "solution" we headed out.  I'd skipped breakfast and couldn't wait to get home for lunch it was after one and I was working on a massive headache. 

Lost in chatter and plans I saw the moment it happened.  There was a lady and her teenage daughter trying to shove a 4 x 7 piece of plywood into the back of her Kia Soul.  It was definitely not happening.  His eyes wandered over a couple of times as we walked past and got in the pick up.  My little 2 x 4 sheet of wood didn't even need the bed of a truck, and there she was trying desperately to put it into the back seat by this time. I don't know if you are familiar with the size of a Kia, but I can tell you, it stuck out the door by a good 2 feet or so.  

I kept telling him, go ahead, I can see it on your face, you are going to go help her.  There was that little twitch in his dimple, the one that always lets me know I am dead on target. A slight glimmer in his eyes.  It's who he is.  He might talk gruff, he might tell you he isn't going to do something, and all the while his very soul is moving him into action. 

As we pulled beside her and offered to drive it to her house, she was flustered and embarrassed.  I would have been too. As she reluctantly agreed he pulled up behind her so they could put it in back. 

I'm not sure if it was the gesture, the attempt to appear tough and inconvenienced, those sparkling pretty blue eyes or simply him being him, but the words to "Pickup Man" by Joe Diffie started playing in my mind.  "There's something women like about a pickup man..." yep, there is!

He is definitely a pickup man.  

The whole way to her house we were laughing, because it looked until almost the last moment, like she was going to our own neighborhood.  It was close, just one street down and around the opposite corner. It took mere moments out of our journey home.  Seeing the car in the drive - there was no way that woman was getting that plywood home without help.  The SUV in the drive was even smaller. 

She'd sent her daughter scurrying for cash, I think she might have offended him a bit with that offer.  In that soft way of his, he just asked her to pay it forward. 

That is one of the things I love the most about him.  He is always paying it forward.  He will by a meal for an officer, one time he bought lunch for an entire group of soldiers, he simply doesn't think about it, he just does it. 

When I get crazy ideas, because I might top him in the crazy sometimes, he is always there to be my partner in crime.  He's always the first to offer a hand, to do a random act of kindness that no one will even catch. Oh he will grumble, that is who he is.  He can't let you see the softness.  He can't appear to be sweet. But he is. 

Today I was having problems with my foot.  As he worked to remove the knots in the muscles and release the pain, he noticed that I was drinking coffee - still and also notice that I hadn't been drinking much water.  A few moments later he appears with a cold class of mineral water, to make sure I was okay. 

He's a grumpy old guy some times.  He can growl with the best of them.  But under it all, is this amazingly attentive, dedicated, loving soul.  A man that builds me a fire and makes my coffee while allowing me to sleep to the very last moment, because he knows I need my sleep.  The guy that brings me dinner when my frantic rush to get things done around the house, means I forgot to pack dinner and I work late, he can be exhausted, wanting nothing more than to be asleep and he still shows up with something yummy. 

He is my soul mate.  The one I was meant to be with forever. I know this.  Time seems to flow.  Laughter seems to always happen.  Neither of us are perfect by far, together... well together we definitely seem to be. 

He carries hurts that I can't imagine. And still finds endless amounts of love to give.  He lost more than most, but if he doesn't tell you, you will never know.  He will tell you more inappropriate jokes than you can imagine (it's simply who he is) and he will do anything at all to help you find a smile you may have lost. 

I cherish my grumpy, ol' pickup man! He's always regretting being older, longing for his youth.  I wouldn't change a thing about him.  I know he came into my life at the right time.  I wouldn't have gotten along with him when he was younger. I love the softer, kinder, gentler, life worn man that I have.  I'm sad that he's had the blows that he's had, I firmly believe they have created that kind gentle soul. 

If you are ever struggling, I hope someone like my sweet Hubs is around to help you out, in fact if a guy with beautiful blue eyes, sparkly white hair and a bright red pickup asks if you need a hand it might just be him.  And if you ever meet up with someone that needs a hand, always try to pay it forward. 

grateful

Sitting out back with Hubs listening to the sounds of this early fall morning was such a refreshing start to the day.  The ducks and geese calling to one another as they are heading to warmer ponds.  You can barely make out the dark shapes in the sky, yet their call is echoing loudly. 

In the distance is the sound of the early morning trains, all of them seem to hit that part of the raised bluff between four and six each morning.  Last weekend we were at the site of the original tracks and the tunnel through the bluff, from when the Pacific was new.  It's now moved a short distance away, abandoning the tunnel. 

We were looking at the stars and planets, they seem to get more profound as the year has moved on.  I have seen several shooting stars in the past month.  In fact standing on this same deck on Wednesday night talking to my mom and watching the sky grow into the deep velvet that comes with the changing season I was blessed to watch one flash across the sky as it burned out. Seems I always see them in the direction of my daughters house.  I saw the last one while driving down there to pick up the baby a couple weeks ago. Today, we noticed how brightly several were sparkling.  Like diamonds, shimmering far off in the distance.  It was peaceful to enjoy. 

This week has been draining.  I can't believe that Friday has actually arrived.  I've been multi-tasking in the extreme and it is not my default method of working.  It drains me, stresses me out.  I am a linear person.  One task at a time, through to completion. But life lately has a way of testing all of us.  This week was a test for me. Trying to complete my own tasks, cleaning up the chaos left by a departing staff member, dealing with the hurt feelings caused by the chaos.  It's been a long and rough one. 

Yet Friday arrived, like it always does.  

This year alone has been brutal and draining.  Hubs and I both have so much vacation that we are trying to use up.  So today when I close my laptop, water my office plants and head home it will be for a glorious 9 days with Hubs and family. 

It will be a time of planning for the official start of the holiday season, I have to admit all the folks that have already started decorating have filled my heart with such joy.  Normally, I'm in the wait for Thanksgiving group, this year, driving home at night and seeing all of the lights and sparkling trees has filled me with hope. A hope I think I have needed. I am sure we will start decorating and wrapping a few presents up. 

It will also be a time to celebrate family near and far.  Our boy won't be home, but I am hoping to actually talk to him for the holiday. We are planning an adventure with the girl and her kiddo's.  Not sure if it will be all of them or just the girls.  And we are going to spend time getting to know Hubs' oldest and her family.  

A couple of months ago I got a text that took my breath away, for a moment.  Since September we have been on an interesting journey to say the least. I think I have talked about Ancestry a few times and a quest for more knowledge of the past.  Truthfully, I did not expect it to bring more recent stuff forward, although life being what it is, it definitely has done that.  I have had the blessing to meet a cousin I didn't know, but more recently we have been blessed to find that sweet Hubs had another daughter. Even without the DNA (which we have) you can tell by their smiles and loving spirits that they are blood.  

In the blink of an eye, through a Facebook message our family grew.  More to love and cherish! In a strange and wonderful way we now have another daughter, son-in-law and 5 more grands (some of which are married).  We've met the three youngest, not the oldest.  I see so many incredible traits that match my sweet Hubs in his daughter and 2 bio-grands.  Those genes are strong! They have the same smile and sparkling eyes.  And frankly that wicked sense of humor was not something I was expecting to be hereditary. 

We are blending our already very blended family even more, we are celebrating it all.  We are so very blessed. In our family - yours and mine equals ours.  We never had children together, yet here we are with a wonderful loving clan.  

This holiday season will be different, for many reasons.  Despite the state of the world, God has blessed us fully.  I am looking forward to spending time with our amazing family.  Having adventures with the girls & grandson, being part of sweet Hubs getting to know and love his oldest and the "newest" grands, missing my sweet boy and his girl - while figuring out ways to connect with them.  All while living my best life with my best friend!

Stress doesn't stand a chance when there is so much to be grateful for!   I guess I was feeling a bit sentimental as we head into the week of Thanksgiving.  Normally my Facebook feed is filled with everyone saying all the things they are thankful for, this year it's been oddly silent.  And sitting out back, drinking coffee and watching the sunrise, my heart was filled with joy.  I have so much to be thankful for.  And so many things to celebrate.  

I hope that each of you also have blessings, the gifts you have been given that you can take out of your heart and hold close, to remind you that even when things are stressful, tiresome and just plain soul wearying you are blessed!

make the memories...

Here in the Mid-West climate wise things turn on a dime. Today was no exception. The storms faded early this morning, but last night was spectacular.  The lightning show, the endless sounding rolling thunder that shook the walls was relaxing.  Calming.  It didn't have the sharp edges that usually accompany those types of storms. It lingered and rumbled through the night. 

By the time the sun rose, the day was bright, clear and very windy. The wind was a bit much, but not enough to steal a beautiful day with the girls. We haven't had much time together lately and an adventure was definitely in order!

Sweet Hubs has wanted to visit the National Museum of Transportation for as long as I can remember, we've just never gone.  So when our girl suggested we go for our day of adventure, it sounded absolutely perfect! And the day didn't disappoint. 

I am not at all sure which one of the kids had a better time.  The littlest one or the Hubs.  I am almost tempted to say the Hubs.  But it was close. They both climbed in and out of every train that was open, trying out seats, looking into open areas, opening a few closets and surprised at finding a few potties.  The baby holding her nose and saying phew might have been one of the highlights of my day.

We rode the trolley and the mini-train and giggled in the swirling leaves. We walked in the sunshine, we laughed and giggled. The sweet baby dragon suckered her Papa into a doll that she evidently remembered from her visit before. I mean how do you say no to a sweet cherub sporting long mermaid colored hair saying please?  Definitely takes a tougher man than Hubs. 

Family has always been important to us both. Yet way too often life has gotten in the way of that. This year has definitely taught us to shift priorities.  This year has been extremely long and far too short at the same time. Time has felt fluid in a way I don't recall ever experiencing before in my life.  

The beginning of the year feels so very long ago.  I can barely remember January or February.  And yet here we are so close to Thanksgiving it is surreal.  Tonight as I strolled through the craft store this evening, picking up a few things I need to complete gifts and looked at the shelves blanketed in Christmas cheer, it felt odd, disconnected. Is it even possible that we are that close to the end of this year?

Walking along the paths watching the oldest and youngest wrapped up in the joy of the moment and exploring the trains we started chatting about taking the River Runner a train journey across Missouri. I think it will happen before the year is out.  We have vacation time to burn.  It sounds like a great way to explore and spend some time together as a family. 

We're enjoying family time this year, ironically.  The lock down of the early part of the year had made both of us very aware of how precious family is, we've traveled to spend time with those we have missed. Many miles in some cases, just a few short miles in others.  We've spent time exploring incredible gifts that came as a result of great loss.  Sometimes when life is too large we take chances to find truths.  Sometimes those truths find us, in their own time. 

Cherish the moments.  Living in fear steals far too much. The past year or so has brought many gifts to our lives.  Far more gifts than losses.  Although the losses have been painful too. But not living in fear and darkness has brought us great joys as well. We miss the boy, we miss his girl, we miss those no longer part of our lives. This year will end, who knows if we will ever become anything like we were.  We know we will see those two... soon we hope.  We will just find different ways to make the long distant memories.

The random hugs, the impish grins, the long text messages and unexpected phone calls.... those lead to more... look for the more. Make the memories, wear the wig, dye your hair, climb the "forbidden" ladder, laugh, giggle and always continue to look for more....

memory lane...

Was it waking to the sound of the rain hitting the tin on top of the chimney stack?  The sound of the crackling fire sweet Hubs had built to start the weekend?  Maybe it was the picture my sweet boy sent me last night of his Christmas tree decked in lights.  Or was it the scent of the evergreen candles that I have cooling on the counter?

Maybe it was all of this and so much more. I'm in a nostalgic mood this morning.  This year has been the ultimate roller coaster. And where we are right now is exhausting. So many feelings and emotions are swirling, not just in our own country, but globally. 

As I was pouring the wax into the little jars that I found for candles, with the smell of a crisp evergreen forest swirling all around me, I glanced out the window. The sky has lightened and the storm I've been listening to with occasional flashes of lightening is now exposed.  The beautiful colors of fall have faded away, the few remaining leaves with the exception of the purple/red of the Japanese Maple out front have all turned a dark brown. Clinging hopelessly waiting for the final wind that will rip them away.  Falling to the ground to finish their life cycle, becoming first a place for a variety of larvae to nest until spring and finally to serve as fertilizer for the spring rebirth. 

The smell of the wood fire, mixed with evergreen has Christmas carols playing in my head. Day dreaming of the upcoming holiday and how different it will be.  I woke this morning from a dream where I was making Christmas lists, too bad I couldn't remember what I had written, it seemed like a great list.  Thought and care going into exactly what we wanted to give to each person. 

I find myself sliding deeper and deeper into the core of who I am.  I don't agree with much that is going on in the world right now.  I fear we are being lied to on a grand scale.  I don't know.  But I have no faith or trust. The only faith and trust I have rests with God. I know that things are happening according to his plan and I need to simply pray and rest in that knowledge.

This is what is drawing me back I feel.  That wax pouring reminded me so much of Christmas as a child.  I don't remember what state we lived in or how old I was.  I remember all of us girls with Mom and Dad making Christmas candles.  There were evergreen trees that we carefully put whipped wax on to look like fallen snow. It seems they may have had glitter sprinkled on top, but I can't see them in my mind's eye that clearly.  I remember the Santa ones, climbing into the chimney, colored red with the whipped wax for his beard, the snow and fur on his suit. I remember pouring candles, laughter and love. We were never rich in dollars, but boy oh boy we were rich in love!

The candles that are cooling now are ear-marked to send the boy and his girl. I am going to go down shortly and find the box of his ornaments.  I think it is still separate.  Although I'm not sure.  Last year when we put the tree up he wanted them on the tree and when I said should I box them for you to take home, he hadn't wanted that.  He was not planning to spend Christmas at their home. But 2020 has changed that. 

I want to make sure he has some of the magic that makes Christmas special for them.

This is the first Christmas that I am struggling with gifts and ideas.  So many are struggling on different levels.  My heart says stay practical.  Make it something to cherish.  Make it something that is needed.  A few things made for some, a few things that have been found in many places.  No clutter or waste.  Some treasures of love and time, wrapped up in memories to share. 

Gee that doesn't sound intimidating at all does it? 

The embers of my fire are almost gone, the coffee is getting cold.  I heard the laundry ding, and I am sure my wax is just about ready to check on.  I have soaps waiting for attention and chores to complete.  I want to finish up the stuff to mail and check in with the girl to see if she came up with any ideas for the day tomorrow (this rain is supposed to pass).  I need to figure out what my contribution to Thanksgiving will be - since I am the difficult one to feed.  I have scarf's needing blocked and a few other projects to work on. We need to get wedding cards to celebrate family and friends and have gifts to wrap and send. 

Why is it that the week seems to stretch out forever, yet the weekend get shorter and shorter.  

This year has changed so much for everyone.  For us personally, it's been huge! And most of it has not been gloom and doom. As I travel down this path of nostalgia today, I think the greatest gift it has given me is gratitude.  2020 has been an absolute b$tch.  She has rocked us all to our very core.  But as we stand up, dust ourselves off and move forward - I'm thankful!  I'm thankful for family, I'm thankful for the lessons of gratitude and praise, I am thankful for all of the exciting changes and blessings that have entered our lives. Yep, Hubs and I are very blessed!

I am thankful!!