Outside the Norman Rockwell moment!!

~Norman Rockwell Moments...

~AKA as Martha Stewart Moments, these days...

What in the world am I talking about you say?  I am talking about those moments in time, that are captured in our memories (and sometimes in pictures).  Those moments in which everything looks like it came out perfectly from a Martha Stewart page, and everyone is present, happy, and festive.

There is only one problem with those moments:  LIFE!

A perfect example of one of those moments is when my son was a baby, over two decades ago.  My best friend and I had gone to the mall to get baby pictures taken at the Sears store when my son was about 6 months old.  We went straight to Sears to get the pictures taken first, but he hadn't fallen asleep on the way like I had hoped.  So, we arrived at Sears with a whiny baby that was due for a nap fairly soon.

However, we had a fantastic photographer that found ways to make him smile.  I went home with some very cute pictures of a smiling, happy baby...and a decades-old memory of a tired, crying child that smiled adorably for a Norman Rockwell moment in time, and then cried, and slept.

That is LIFE!

So, this holiday season, ENJOY!  Get together with family, and friends, if it is possible.  If everyone can get together, that is a blessing to be cherished.  But, if circumstances are not agreeable, still treasure the chance to make someone else's holiday a little more festive.

This past Thanksgiving, I would have loved to visit with my brothers and sisters.  But, due to work schedules, a conflicting event, and many, many miles, it was not to be.  I still had a fantastic Thanksgiving day with the kids, old friends, new friends, etc.

I will get together with my brothers and sisters as we can.  With us all living in 3 different states (...and their children adding in 2 more states), and having various schedules, we will do the best we can.  Might be at the holidays, might not.

But we are lucky to have each other in our lives still, and we are blessed to live in a time when technology can join us across the miles.

We are blessed to have new friends, and old friends, in our lives.

WE ARE BLESSED!!!

Beautiful Country!

Late October...

     The trees are starting to turn.  

     No matter where you turn, the leaves are golden,...and red, yellow, and orange!  Everywhere you look, it is beautiful. But when the setting sun hits them in the evening, it is just short of spectacular.  

     I live in a hilly part of the state, (and yes, BTW, Indiana is not completely flat! LOL). Because of those hills, we get to see a lot more of those gorgeous trees. 

    I know a lot of people that spend money to go to Brown County, Indiana or the mountains to get views like that.  I get it for free!!!

    Then, there's the wildlife!!

    The other day, I looked out the window because I saw a little movement.  I couldn't believe it when I saw six deer standing in the yard!

    This afternoon, I witnessed a blue heron taking off from the creek near our property. Other days, it has been a big snapping turtle, a snowy owl, beavers, and so much more!

    

 I wouldn't miss this for the world!   

Fantastic Fall Foliage

What a Wonderful Weekend!

Life is good!

Did I when the lottery? Um,...no

Even better!

You may ask, "What could be better than winning the lottery?"

Oh, but there is so much more!

~Starting your Friday by going to a job you love!
~Getting to leave early to start your weekend!
~Having beautiful weather all weekend long!
~Having someone very special to you share happy
  news!
~Getting a huge project completely finished!
~Friends surprising you with a nice, long visit!
~Spending time with the hubby!
~Just Living Life and Having Fun!

Hope your weekend was just as wonderful!  Isn't that what life is about~just enjoying the good things and savoring the interesting journey we are on in our lives!

Never too old to learn new things!

I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks!

~maybe I better explain that, just a little.

I grew up in town, without ever needing to learn certain things. So, there are a few things that I had never learned.

Like starting,  and keeping a fire going, with unseasoned firewood...or any firewood,  for that matter. There is a trick to it, and I had been taught it recently when learning all about using a woodstove.

But, the hubby had always been nearby.

And, now he is not. So, I needed to get it right, or just be a freaking popsicle for the next few days.

Let's just say that I am feeling warm and toasty tonight ~and will hopefully be till morning!

Also, this absolutely non-mechanical female has mastered unlocking the hubs on the pickup truck and using the 4-wheel drive, when needed.

These may sound like small things...but when you are trying to become more self -sufficient, these types of things are small potatoes!

☆Feeling a little proud of myself tonight!

Feeling Blessed This Morning!

You ever have one of those crazy, stressful weeks that could just consume you, if you weren't careful. Well, this has definitely been one of those weeks!!

But I refuse to give in...Gonna look it square in the eye and remember how blessed I am!

So, here goes...

• Although I am wishing I had more time in the day to get everything done, I AM BLESSED because I woke up to another day!
• Although the body is tired and stiff today, I AM BLESSED because I am still in fairly good health!
• Although different work schedules for the hubby and I are making for long days at the moment, I AM BLESSED because we both have jobs!
• Although it is extremely cold (brrr!) outside, I AM BLESSED to work inside and have a nice warm place to go home to at the end of the day!

As my family and friends can attest to, I can easily be cranky and miserable.  ~No comments from anyone, by the way!!!~

But, I have been trying to remember everyday how truly blessed I am no matter how my day is going. Some days, it is not easy...

Other days, you can just feel the blessings. 

So, how are you blessed today?  I would love to hear what you have to say!!! 

Send me your blessings and comments today!!