Good morning all. Hope you are well and safe. It is a cold and snowy day here. We got close to 4" of snow to start the day! Ugh. It is pretty, but it means a lot of work for folks. The news and the computer says it is in the upper 20'sF, my thermometer says 34*. Cold, whichever!
I truly hope you all stay safe and off the roads, unless it is absolutely necessary.
YES, it is hard to do things so very differently, but at some point in life it happens to everyone. Just a sad fact.
Curling up with your pet. The warmth of the house. The beauty of Christmas lights. Food on your table. Just seeing someone smile, even if a stranger.
Choose the joy the in those things and chose to see the beauty in everything and everyone. Be grateful for this morning that you were given (yet again).
I just wanted to start the month with a little encouragement. Don't do anything you don't want to - it is your life. You feel what you feel and you WILL be OK. You have survived every worst day you have had so far. That is HUGE!
Take it slow, take it easy, and give yourself a break and some grace to get through the season. The new year will be here in 30 days and it is a new start. Well, actually every day and every month is a new start, but we tend to be analytical in thought sometimes!
Have a beautiful and safe day.
I am off to feed kitties outside and clean some snow.
Stay safe out there today!
Glad you don't have to drive around in snow today. I'm off to work, but it's only rain here, and not heavy. Very dreary looking though. Snow comes later in the week, but it might only be rain.
ReplyDeleteI put up my Christmas wreath. So I'm getting in the mood, I guess. I hope it will not be a Drama Christmas, but I have a family member who seems more likely to get into Drama than the rest of us. She's already banned one beloved person from her home and Never to see the Children and such. So tiresome. There's no real explanation coming either. My gut-level response is not something I will act on, but it does make things tricky for the rest of us.
MaryB
I am glad as well. I have the drive and walks all done. I was done before any of the other neighbors! Not bad for an old gal.
DeleteGlad you are getting in the mood. It can be hard for some.
Drama is something I do not appreciate at all. Seems very selfish to me - not taking other's feelings or needs into question. I hate your family has to deal with that. YOU just be more chipper and spread it around!!!!!
It finally did turn nasty. Frankly, we could have done without that...just sayin'. It is very still as I sit at my desk. No traffic, no planes, no trains. I think I did hear planes overnight. I feel for the two-legged and four-legged beings that have to be out in this. Brrr.
ReplyDeleteLOL - yep, could have done without. That stuff is heavy too - very wet snow.
DeleteLicorice was waiting this morning on the deck - went back in the little dog 'cat' house when done. Big old Tom from across the street was waiting. There were kitty tracks all over! So I guess they were out in it super early!
Squirrels and birds on the other hand, didn't appear until 9:30 - usually here at dawn.
At least it is done for a few days! Stay safe.
Thank you for this Cheryl, I am one of "those" and I just feel the feels and don't need to explain to anyone.
ReplyDeleteWe got another 3 inches of snow last night, I have all of the shoveling done that I am going to do. I am tempted to call the guy that does leaf removal and yard stuff and have him come and scrape my drive. Not that I am going anywhere but too much build up only causes ice to walk on. Haven't decided yet.
Just doing stuff in the house and have watered and groomed all of my house plants. It helps to have plants in the house when one is such a warm weather person. It's the little things that help.
JC
Hugs
DeleteYes mam. No, you don't need to explain to anyone.
DeleteShoveling, sure is work - after not moving a lot lately. My walks have stopped a lot with the really cold weather - so today I got exercise too.
Be careful - those 'crumbs' left behind can get slick. You don't want to slip and fall. I got mine pretty much down to pavement - and even with no sun today, it has cleared quite nicely (for the most part).
Yes, having plants inside makes it feel a bit like the lovely days of summer. I love my plants.
Every fall I save a few tiny impatiens seedlings for indoors. I have one blooming now, and it cheers my heart to see it in my kitchen window. It's always fun to see what color the blooms will be because they're too little to bloom when I pot them up. The one blooming now is a salmon-pink, and there are 2 blooms on it! :)
DeleteMaryB
I love the one about every day we have two choices. I remind myself of that all the time because that is so very important.
ReplyDeleteIt was 19 degrees when I came to work this morning. We only had about an inch of snow, so the roads weren't too bad. It also helps that I only live a mile from work.
Stay warm and snuggle with Bits today.
I try to remind myself of that too. We always have 2 choices - why not choose happiness and joy?
DeleteThat is cold. Glad you only got a little and it wasn't too bad. Watching the news this morning the main roads looked pretty clear - mine still looks a bit wonky! We have a school and post office on the street too!
I struggle with the holidays and it is especially strong this year. But I’m keeping busy and I’ve put out my favorite decor. I may not put up my big tree this year. I have started doing the 80-piece advent puzzles I bought at Aldi and I’m enjoying them a lot! Since there are so few pieces I do them without looking at the pictures. And today I figured out that I can keep each packet of pieces for next year in two canisters that mom had covered with Christmas paper. I had the canisters (not in the best condition) and just could not throw them away so this is perfect. I do have good memories of Christmas Eves and that keeps me going, too. Thank you, Cheryl. I have the feeling that Christmas is hard for you, also, but you stay positive.
ReplyDeleteKeeping busy helps a lot. Enjoy all your favorite things, as long as you want. I just put out a little 2' tree - but sure is pretty at night. Lights are my things I like most.
DeleteNeat on the puzzles - that sounds like the right size for sis now that she has less space. I may run in there this week and get one for her basket.
Love how those little things mean so much. Nice that you found a good use. I am glad you have some good memories to keep alive.
I will be ok. They are all hard, but family helps me through that and my old friends. Take care.
This was just the post I needed Thanks my friend. I am off to check on the chickens!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of you Kim! I kind of had the idea you might need this. Talk to the chicks!
DeleteIt was very cold here today too, although we’re about 10 degrees warmer than you. I had to get out in it but I’m safe at home now and covered with a blanket. Ahhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a safe trip out and are all tucked in and warm now. I made it out to shovel and feed the critters and didn't get too cold. Moving around helped!
DeleteLike the poster above I have an extended family member who is likely to cause drama at Christmas time, with her family often walking on eggshells wondering what she will or won't do. It has taken me some years to just choose my own attitude and not let her effect me.
ReplyDeleteIt is really sad that people do that everyone else. She must be so unhappy or something. That is a shame.
DeleteGlad you have found a way to not let it get to you. That is good for you - just have fun regardless of them!
Wonderful encouraging words, Cheryl. Not only for this month but for every day.
ReplyDeleteI admit our Christmas' are a little sad; not only was it my mom's birthday but she passed away just 9 days before Christmas in 2003. We now take the time after our meal to reminisce and tell stories about her and time we spent with her. Eli, of course, has no idea who she was but loves hearing the stories of when I was young. That definitely brings me joy.
I am sorry you lost your mom so close to Christmas. It does make it harder. I love how you are handling it. That is sure what helps keep them alive and we can laugh and share stories.
DeleteOn Thanksgiving, I told a niece a story about her, when she was little and how Uncle Glen was the only one who get her to quit crying when we babysat. She loved the story. I love that kind of stuff.
I think of our daughter often during holiday times. Not with sadness any longer (though I do miss her terribly), but remember all the funny things she said or did. Those bring peace to my heart and joy to my soul.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thank you for saying that - it will help someone. I am so sorry you lost a child, but those precious memories are priceless.
DeleteHUGS
Not Bossy here... Oh, Cheryl I so needed this and you are right, so right! I so enjoy your posts! God Bless you!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear this post has helped some. I just kind of figured there were some who needed it. Hugs
DeleteYour title is so very true, December is different for everyone. My other half definitely struggles at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping it is a bit quieter for me..... for the last few months we have been helping a friend keep his business running while he has cancer treatment. His son has now come home permanently to help him so that takes a load off us, we can return to normal programming.
I desperately need to get into some housework, which has just fallen to the bottom of the priority list. I am very thankful for all those freezer meals that I put away for "future use". That future became my present, and it was great to know that I was covered. Unfortunately, you can't do housework for "future tidy home".
Take care, Louise
How kind of you to have helped your friend for so long. I am glad his son is back and can help. You sound like you need some ME time.
DeleteJust being home more will be wonderful for you. It is amazing how the freezer meals come in handy. Good example for all, you just never know what might happen in life.
Try to get a little rest.