* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's time for another Nostalgic Sunday!

I did a little much-needed shopping for myself yesterday and had partial good luck. Bought a pair of shoes I'm going to return. (I just knew they weren't right for me!) I just want casual and comfy. All I could find in 2 large shoe chains were winter boots, high heels and athletic shoes. Grrr...

But I did have good luck in finding...uh...women's undergarments! 😀 If you're like me, you just hate to spend money on that kind of thing and keep wearing old ones until they're thread-bare!

So, what does this have to do with a Nostalgic Sunday post? I missed not having my wonderful friend, Sherry, with me. We always have a great time usually shopping and eating out. We see each other about once a month because she and her husband moved quite a few miles away a couple of years ago, but she has some family here still, and of course ME! 

I also thought about my sister, Marian, who is the sweetest, nicest person I know and it's wonderful being her little sister. But just like Sherry, she doesn't live here either, and we're lucky if we see each other every couple of years. (She and her husband and two little daughters moved to Atlanta way too long ago.) Years ago, when we were younger, Ron and Mark and I would drive to their home, or to the Florida gulf to meet them and other favorite relatives there and visit for a week. Marian and I would always go to at least one mall to do some shopping and although she is 14 years older than I am....she could out-shop me any day! She's always been blessed with lots of energy, and I have just about none. As soon as we'd get to our next destination, I'd say, "Marian, can we stop and get a soda and sit down for a while?" That would just crack her up. (I'm glad I can always offer comic relief!)

And, in addition to missing Sherry and Marian, I ran into an old friend who I hadn't seen in years. She and Sherry and I all worked at the same company in the 80's. We talked and laughed for quite a while, and then it was time for me to start heading home. 

I also had some fun and interesting encounters with strangers that I'll write about some other time.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

I know I did, and I'm so grateful for all the good in my life.

“Some people have a wonderful capacity to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder, and even ecstasy.” -- Abraham H. Maslow

* HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO MY CANADIAN FRIENDS! *

Hello Canadian friends!

 

I wish you all a beautiful, blissful day.

 

I hope you enjoy some time with family and/or friends.

 

And whether you have a feast or something simple, I hope you remember all the little things in your lives to be thankful for.

 

 

I'm looking so forward to our

Thanksgiving next month!

 

 I can already smell all the amazing aromas  J

 

 

My favorite autumn mug!

 

 

My very first cloche!

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." -  Melody Beattie
 



 



* MY COUNTDOWN TO THANKSGIVING - DAY 7 *

* Countdown to Thanksgiving *

 

 

THIS SAYS IT ALL, DOESN'T IT?

 

 

 

* Thankful and Grateful for So Many Things *

First of all, although there were tornadoes in Missouri this past Friday, nothing in my surrounding area was damaged......but it was a bit too close for comfort. The Ronald was out of town that evening, and so just Vern and I spent some time together in the basement. I am very thankful and grateful for basements!

~~~~~

I posted some of my "happy" photos on my blog post of May 28th. This is one I would've definitely included, if I'd downloaded it from my camera in time! This is a corner of my kitchen counter-top that I "decorated." I love the small plaque Simple Pleasures! And the tiny block letters underneath it says Coffee Break. Yep....that about says it all! ☺

~~~~~

We've lived in our new home two months already. I can't believe it....partly because the spare bedroom/my office still looks like a large walk-in storage unit. But, I'm working on it. I've finally gotten past the "overwhelmed" phase and am making progress. 

~~~~~

When we first moved in, I didn't see or hear prop planes anymore. But as the days and weeks went by, more and more began to fly over...when I sat on our deck, when Vern and I were out walking, when just being inside...and just like before....when walking to and from my car when I am out shopping. BUT, here's the real kicker......Yesterday, while searching through the 12 or so TV channels that we have, (antenna in attic!)...I came across The Flying Nun....and there was cute little Sister Bertrille aka Sally Field, handing a toy prop plane to a little boy. He tightened up the propeller and let 'er fly!

Google Source

Okay. I got it....again! I'd kind of "lost" the desire to do any writing since we moved, but in the past few  days, I'm back to Writer Gal Becky! More memories popping up, jotting notes everywhere, etc. 

I couldn't be happier, or more thankful, or more grateful for the life I'm living. (Well, a little more money would be nice, but hey....ya can't have everything!)

To Be Continued.......

* Thanksgiving is More Than Just One Day *

While Vern and I walked yesterday, I marveled at the glorious leaves, some of which still clung to branches, many covered portions of yards, and others skidded and tumbled along the streets and sidewalks. 

I thought again how everything that has previously happened in my life has brought me to where I am right now. How every event that occurred, whether happy or sad, has been part of my life's path. 

When I was a child the route was chosen for me by my parents, and then when I was a young adult, I decided my own course. Sometimes I needed to make a detour and other times the detour was already in place ahead of me. 

Countless people waste so much precious time fretting about "If Onlys." 

If only I'd taken that job I wanted.
If only my parents didn't do this or that.
If only I had more money.
Etc. 

I learned a long time ago to stop thinking that way. When and how did I figure that out? I really can't remember, at least not at this moment. 

All I know is this: I'm very happy. And material things have nothing to do with my happiness. Can I say that I'm glad every "bad" incident happened in order for me to be in this blissful state of mind? I guess that's what I've been trying to say. It's that domino effect.

Although I sincerely thought I knew what my feelings were about everything in my past, I didn't really begin to know until I began to write my memoir. I still have more to think about. More to learn. More to delve into. I'll just have to start on "the sequel," I guess. ☺

~~~~~

This post doesn't really seem like a Thanksgiving one, does it? I may have gotten a bit too reflective, but my point is this: 

I am alive. I am here on this beautiful earth. My life is not perfect and neither am I! But I'm grateful & thankful, every single day of my life for every single thing that happened along the way. It has made me who I am. 

~~~~~

Happy Thanksgiving!

And have a cup of yummy flavored coffee with me, with whipped cream and cinnamon sprinkles on top!

"This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control you own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy." -- Susan Polis Schutz

Thoughts of Thanksgiving

Such busy times, but I'm trying to remember to take deep breaths, relax, and stay focused on what needs to be done...today, the next day, etc.

Such wise words from a little girl.

(courtesy: google)

Have I mentioned we're having our family Thanksgiving THIS Saturday? Since we're a blended family...Yours, Mine & Ours...there's more than the "usual" parents and in-laws involved, so things can get really hectic. We began celebrating this way quite a few years ago and it works really well. I always say, "How many huge Thanksgiving meals can a person be expected to eat in one day?!"


Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, with Christmas a very close second. It's all about family, friends, and food! No commercialism. Every time I think about roasting the turkey, I swear I can actually smell that aroma and it brings such memories.....

(courtesy: google)

 I love to bake pies the day before. This year I'm making my usual two pumpkin pies, plus two apple pies. Oh yeah, and some banana bread with cream cheese frosting. Mmm good!

I make this type of crumble top apple pie and it's so easy.

(courtesy: google)

Welcome to my newest followers: "Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes" and "Deborah Pucci" and "I'm erin!" I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude." -- Denis Waitley

Que Sera Sera

I've been especially happy the past few days. (Those of you who know me personally or read my blog fairly often already know that joy and happiness just come naturally to me.) But, this entire year has been difficult in some crucial areas and I'm now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Oh Happy Day!

And what's truly strange about my new feeling is that some really trying times could still come about, and yet I have a feeling of peace that I haven't experienced in a long time. Have I finally reached that stage where I'm honestly living a "Que Sera Sera" kind of life? Whatever will be, will be?



*Note: The Ronald had surgery this past Tuesday and is doing well. I'm sure his recovery has a role in my grateful disposition.*

Welcome to my newest followers: Jan and Capability: Mom (and also welcome to Becky D. because she said she became a follower, too, but I can't find her!) I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"What happens is not as important as how you react to what happens." ~ Thaddeus Golas

* Gratitude - Optimism - Bliss *

Tons of things are going on in my life these days. Most are wonderful. Some...not so much. But because I stay optimistic 99% of the time, that's how I manage to feel when I fall asleep at night. Optimistic. Blissful. Grateful.

As I dug through mountains of papers in my office this afternoon, I found a page I had torn out of Country Living magazine last November. I loved the display of white dishes, blue and white patterned dishes, and tiny white pumpkins. I'll share the beautiful quote below that appeared on that page.

Welcome to my newest follower, Andrea. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life...It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." -- Melody Beattie

* Veterans Day 2010 *

It's Veterans Day, 2010. How many of our WWII veterans are still alive? Not very many I'm sure. The same could be said about veterans of the Korean War. I know the WWII men & women were welcomed home with cheers by the citizens of our country. I really don't know if the same is true about our Korean vets.

I do know, however, that the Vietnam vets were treated miserably when they came home. I don't really know how the veterans of current and recent "wars" are thought of when they get back, but I'm pretty sure it's better than the ones from Vietnam.

I have friends and relatives who served our country in both war times and peaceful times. Yesterday, I wrote about being grateful for my life, and it didn't occur to me then, to add them to my list. Thank you all.

This isn't going to be a rant about how veterans of war are treated. I don't write a political blog, but I will say this...If you've never been to Washington, DC and seen Arlington Cemetery and/or the Vietnam Wall, you've missed out on a couple of powerful sights. You will surely have chills......

I just want to remind us all of the following:

"Why do we kill people who are killing people to show that killing people is wrong?" ~ Holly Near

"I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, 'Mother, what was war?' " ~ Eve Merriam

"Nations have recently been led to borrow billions for war; no nation has ever borrowed largely for education. Probably, no nation is rich enough to pay for both war and civilization. We must make our choice; we cannot have both." ~ Abraham Flexner

*A Grand, Grateful Day*

First of all, I am overwhelmed by the number of comments and new followers I've received since posting my new contest! Thank you all so much. It really means a lot to me that people enjoy visiting my blog. I am truly grateful for that. Welcome new followers: Krysten, Together We Save, Ann, Donnie, Becky, Tammy, Thmini2 and Cheri!

Today was another near perfect autumn day. Blue skies, few white clouds, light winds, very warm temperatures. Fortunately, I was able to be outside for a little while and soak up some of the bliss. For that I am also grateful.

I saw a few writer-friends today, and although it was way too brief, they still brought smiles to my face. For that I am grateful.

A very dear friend stopped by my house this evening, and again even though she could only stay a minute, we shared smiles and laughs together. For that I am grateful.

A check arrived in the mail today! It's my payment for the Thin Threads story. (the book is due out later this month.) I am sharing the money with Tara, who actually lived the story. All I did was write it, after getting together with her a few times, and taking LOTS of notes. She and I have become friends and I admire her greatly. We'll both be attending the "Habitat for Humanity, Celebration of Trees" event this Thursday evening. I am grateful for meeting her and our resulting friendship.

One more "grateful" thought. Yesterday, while walking through my neighborhood, it occurred to me how fortunate I am to live in a country, in a town, in a neighborhood, where it is safe to take a leisurely walk during the day or night. I know this. I try to always remember this. But how many others do not? Isn't there always something to gripe and complain about? Some people just cannot see the goodness right in front of them. And something else I think about SO often.....Why am I here, in this particular place...when millions of others suffer and live in such horrendous conditions? Those are some questions which I might never receive an answer, but they help me to remember to always strive to feel very fortunate and grateful.

"Grateful"

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude." -- Denis Waitley