Christmas Eve

After receiving this card from Jamie
I realized she had taken this on my property
before leaving
and that is my Callie :)

Family time today
and the hours go so quickly.

They are already missed
as they pull out the drive.

So this card
is my message to each of you....

MERRY CHRISTMAS

A New Day Begins

Yes, a new day and not many left in the year of 2015 and it seems to this one that the year went
by so quickly.

A cold morning, in the 20's, a good at home day and a lot to do.

Begins

on the mat and since a lot of pain was not easy - but not stopping.

Callie is still sleeping and usually she watches me

A hearty breakfast of waffles covered with blueberries, cherries, bananas, flax seeds
and maple syrup

Made a list for the following week, something I have always done and my oldest daughter
in Tampa sent me her list.   A busy one with her daughter and husband and son and friend
visiting for several days.

She recommended this after I shared about cramps in hands and feet at night

magnesium never entered my mind...

Need to clean all drains this morning
with mixture of baking soda, vinegar and boiling water.

On my list for market I need to add apples as I am going to make a fresh apple cake
for family when they visit on Christmas Eve for lunch.   Lunch will be easier for me
instead of breakfast or an evening meal and seems everyone anxious to return
to their homes for Christmas Day..

I smile every time I remember my son in Thailand, in his recent phone call to me  sharing that a childhood friend
who I knew well, now living over the ocean also - named new baby girl
"Tennessee."

I wish
all of my children and grandchildren
could be here for Christmas.

Maybe someday.....

By Faith and Lesson Learned

I ordered a new large mailbox from Amazon, it arrived and could not use, too big and would not
fit my post.
Always with orders I could return with free shipping and label sent to me
I did not read the fine print, returns on this third party seller, you pay the return fee and no label was sent.

Rain due tomorrow and appointments, a painful day but decided to take to UPS.  Box was heavy
but was able to put in my car.  Had no idea when I arrived at UPS if I could unload, hold it,
and go to store and open door.  I knew I would need help especially with cane in hand.

I just took off  in my car and when I arrived next to me was a young man loading his vehicle he glanced my way and I asked "could you please
help me get this into the store".  He smiled and said sure.   So very thankful as I thanked him.
I noticed when this item shipped to me it was$ 8,00 and as delivery ticket was made was informed
it would be $15 to return.   So let me think, returning this item with no credit it was a losing deal.

I have learned a valuable lesson, always read the fine print as I did do after all of this happened
and it stated buyer was not responsible for return shipping.

Thankful
I once again in my lifetime relied on my faith and drove off to town and UPS store not knowing if I could even
enter the shop for the return and might just have to
return home.

Many times in my lifetime  I have done something similar and many would remark to me
that they
would not take the chances that this one does.

But then I know who watches over me and have faith in that one.

So another day ends
and I smile
and very thankful..

My Girl

http://blondemomblog.com/

Jamie's entry this morning
I smile
so true....

Now mom
is same height
but she says I am shorter :)
Do weigh less then Jamie
and mom
still loves jeans...

Beauty

Early morning at dawn
I looked out the kitchen window
such beauty.
Onto deck with camera
and this is it

came inside to download
walked back to window
and this view had disappeared
so quickly.

Busy Day, Ancient Trees and Spaghetti

The young men who promised to come and clean in front of woods
arrived this morning at 8:00.  This project is something I did not anticipate
when building by the woods.  Storms and wind over the months leave many branches from the old trees.
They filled a long trailer and pickup truck.   In the past as I walked daily this one would
always have an armful of limbs to add to location where they would be burned when ground was
damp and no wind day.   For a number of months my walking is limited  by the woods and miss it so much but with
uneven ground and an unexpected occasional hole I cannot chance falling

They worked for almost 3 hours and I also pointed out some cutting with their saws.
A project I do yearly as I try to keep it neat about 20 back as you pull in the long gravel drive.

I was outside with them most of morning and soon lunch time and decided to make spaghetti.
This is something I made often when a family at home but had not made in quite some time.
Fresh mushrooms on hand and freezer supplied meat. green and red peppers and topped with
freshly ground Parmesan cheese, was so tasty...

My rural postman delivered mail to me for almost 40 years and recently retired.
New young woman pulled up to cottage with several boxes from Amazon.

A new tea that I ordered,  Black tea, flavored with fruit and a hint of lemon.

Also ordered something that may be better for pain and inflammation then what
I am now using - hope so

My busy day has ended and would love to sit, have a cup of tea and read
Mary Oliver..

On This Day

A foggy morning

The sun has never shined
feels so damp
and rain due tomorrow.

"Bless the notebook that I always carry in
my pocket.
And the pen.
Bless the words with which I try to say
what I see, think, or feel.
With gratitude for the grace of the earth.
The expected and this exception, both.
For all the hours I have been given to
be in this world."

I read this from Mary Oliver's new book
"Blue Horses"
and I wrote on the page under this
"Thank you"

Problems with signing into blogger
online
too long to find out why.

signing off...

First Week of December

Cold, rain and now sun shining and a little warmer for a few days.

Car serviced for the first time and over the top treatment.  Raining, but stopped at market and then
across the street at the auto dealer.   Pulled in and told the young woman I had a trunk full of groceries and should I return another time and she replied "your fine will have the service man
put your groceries in his vehicle, take you home, help you unload them and then will bring your car
back to you later this afternoon."    This was great since left home in the pouring rain at 7:00AM
that morning, dental work, was weary and wanted to return home quickly.  So appreciated this special treatment.

Last trip into town I delivered a small gift to this young woman :)  She replied "you did not have to do this"  oh but I wanted too.

I do not like canned soup but keep some on hand for emergencies.   Like my homemade soups
the best and especially through the Winter months.
Noticed this Pea Soup on the shelf
and it was sooo good.   Buying a few more to keep on hand.

Everything
is about the same
with this one.

One day is excellent
and seems another day
I crash.

The tooth problem was not pleasant as one being attended to was on one side and one on the other side - so really could not enjoy the Thanksgiving meal I prepared.   Soups, jello, yogurt and even Jr. baby
food kept on hand and it was surprisingly good :)

As the dreaded prednison
becomes less and less in this body
hopefully
all will become a little more normal for this one.

The mat never leaves my floor
and 3 times a day for at least 15 to 20 minutes
is good for me...