“Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.” —Marcus Aurelius

Yesterday we had the good fortune of going to two Memorial Day celebrations. The first in the morning held at the Lynden Cemetery and the second, The Festival of Flags, held at Moles Greenacres Memorial Park.

Troy participates in The Festival of Flags with his reenactment gear (hopefully next year Mabel will make an appearance). He has a stream of people stopping and checking out his stuff and talking about memories or asking questions. It is great fun for him.

The festival included many speakers, including Jerry Stewart (from the radio programs One Moment in America) and a Homeland Security Blackhawk that delivered the American flag. I spent some time watching children create message for the troops overseas.

The park was full of families and community members celebrating the fallen and active soldiers as well as visiting loved ones who may not have served. There was such beautiful energy in the cemetery. It was wonderful. A cemetery should be a place of celebration and yesterday it certainly was...

And, of course, I visited grandpa and grandma. I miss them daily. I didn't get to the other cemetery to visit my other grandparents - this week for sure.

I just couldn't stop taking pictures of the flags. There are over 1400 flags lining the pathways - it truly is a spectacular sight.

It was an amazing day. Much thanks to the soldiers that have laid down their lives for our freedom, our way of life. Thanks to those who are currently serving - be it at a base stationed in the U.S., on a tour of duty in another nation or deployed to a hostile environment. Thanks to everyone who has served a short enlistment to those who have retired from our military. Thanks to the families left at home while their loved ones are serving. Thanks to the civilians who support our military daily...It takes everyone!

Celebrate: Connections

“A good friend is a connection to life, a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.” - Lois Wyse

This week I've really been celebrating connections. Friends. Family. Since I've been sick for the first part of this year and really stuck at home I've spent quite a bit of time on facebook. I don't know about you but I love facebook. I love the updates from friends, reading people's statuses is so much fun. I love the quick look into people's lives - people I see daily and people I haven't seen for over 20 years. I like being able to quickly comment, let people know that I'm thinking of them.

And I love, LOVE reconnecting with old friends. Especially old friends I thought I may never hear from again.

Be it over a cup of coffee or over the internet I love the connection to other people. I celebrate them and who they are and what they are to me at this point and what they were to me in the past. It's an awesome thing.

This week I've made plans to see a friend who lives in the next town over, but who I haven't seen in over five years. We've kept up via facebook, but face-to-face? Not so much. We plan on changing that.

This week I reconnected with an old Beau (yes, Troy knows...I tell him I'm collecting boyfriends). We hadn't talked in 16 years. It was good to catch up and hear about his life in North Carolina and remind him why the Pacific Northwest is so wonderful!

This week I had some great conversations with my sister over coffee and a few lunches.

This week I've run into friends at the grocery store.

This week I've had coffee with one of my best friends and my cousin.

This week I've laughed with my guys. Troy and I went out for an impromptu dinner - just us. I watched a movie with Archer, we made grilled cheese side-by-side, I danced as he rolled his eyes.

I celebrate each one of these connections! I am so blessed.

"Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again." - Og Mandino

I'm feeling the need for gratitude today, so here goes. Right now I am thankful for:

• lilacs. still. I am savoring them while they are here, I know that all too soon I am going to look out back and POOF! they'll be gone.
  
• my friends. my family. my friends that are family. and my family that are friends. I love them all, even when they call me out on "stuff" and/or pop me out of my own little world and back into the 'real' world.
  
• coffee. (would any list, of mine, be complete without coffee? no. I think not.)
• Starbucks commitment to the environment.
• Trader Joe's Pomegranate Limeade. Yum. Try it.
  
• my husband. he is great. I am thankful for him everyday.
• a stack of books ready to be read.
  
• having work. I know I'm blessed even when I'm complaining about it.
  
• having work I enjoy. I know I'm blessed even when I'm complaining about it. (hehe)
• my boy. Archer is amazing...kindhearted, sweet, smart. I know everyday, without a doubt, that he loves me.
• my blog peeps. I love that I can take these long breaks, as I've been doing lately, and you will still be here for me. Thanks friends.

by the way...sorry about the random capitalization and punctuation. I just was writing as I felt the words come...crazy me!

“Be true to your work, your word, and your friend.” -Abraham Lincoln

I was on facebook earlier and my friend Shanan had listed 10 reasons why she loves today. It was just the thing I needed to read as I was just taking a little break from cleaning the bathroom and hating every moment...

I have so much to be thankful for every day. Usually I am pretty good at this, the thankful thing. I try to incorporate a feeling of gratitude into my heart everyday. Some days, some moments, I forget or it just is harder. So, I took a moment and looked around...Today and everyday are filled with blessings.

I spent this morning with my friends Tracey and Pete. They are a great couple...I so enjoy them and their family. I told them I was moving in...they didn't offer up a room so I came home (and cleaned the bathroom - blah!). By the way, if you haven't visited Pete's site, Liberty Bands, you should. I wrote about it here.

On Friday (my 35th birthday!), my friend Tami, aka the lady in the stone house, brought me a few goodies...including this bicycle basket (says, "life is good, enjoy the little things") and the darling Eiffel Tower plate filled with cookies. She knows just what I'll love. So much thanks to her!

Friday night I found myself at NY Pizza enjoying a few martinis with the husband. Love that place. Love that guy.

blueberry drop! like a lemon drop, but blueberry! lovely.
I had one of each!

A few of the blessings in my life. Fun, thoughtful friends. Family. Martinis. I've got it all...I'm a lucky girl at 35!

"Thanksgiving is possible only for those who take time to remember; no one can give thanks who has a short memory." ~Author Unknown

"Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day." ~Robert Caspar Lintner

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

I hope that travels are safe, that visits with family and friends are filled with joy, and the turkey is stuffed!

I have very much enjoyed this month - sharing my gratitudes with you all and reading yours as well. Here is to keeping gratitude alive through the whole year!

Enjoy!

Happy Troy-day!

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.” - Dr. Seuss


First, I would, on behalf of my whole family, like to thank everyone who sent well-wishes, had(have) us in their thoughts and who supported us through the past few days. Losing Horton has been one of the hardest things we have done as a family and knowing there are people out there who care so much really touches our hearts. Everyday is a new struggle, from not wanting to walk in the front door because he won't be there to washing his food bowls. Thank you all and thank you for the upcoming time that we know will continue to be hard.

(I felt like the quote above was very fitting for this time...Love me some Dr. Seuss)

OK. On to...dahdahdahdah! Happy (37th) Birthday Troy!

Is this not one of the cutest babies you have ever seen? I am sure my mother-in-law would say yes.

Look at that smile!

I love this picture of Troy and Horton. It is so true to their relationship. Horton was most definitely Troy's cat (he - Horton - was just kind enough to spread his love around). Horton was a snuggler and this picture was taken on one of those many times where Troy way laying down reading and Horton was probably trying to crawl on his chest, but settled for laying down next to Troy.

This birthday is going to be a hard one for Troy being without his furry friend. We will attempt to celebrate. Celebrate Troy and who he is and celebrate Horton and our memories.
I am not going to spend a lot of time gushing over how wonderful I think my husband is in this post (you are welcome) because I think that anyone who knows us knows how much I love Troy and how special he is to me. Troy is funny, serious, goofy as heck, opinionated, he can drive a person crazy (huh Tami?), and he can make you feel like the best thing that ever happened to the world.

So, today I am thankful for Troy. I am thankful for our speed dating/marrying/family making - we didn't waste any time and look...it turned out great! I am thankful for having a husband that knows me so well - sometimes better than I know myself. I am thankful that we can talk, about anything, and agree, disagree or just discuss...I love our discussions even though sometimes, after awhile, I have no idea what he is talking about (nod and uh-huh). I am thankful for his kind heart and his wise mind (please don't tell him I said he is wise...please!). I am thankful that he can talk me down off my crazy ledge and that he rarely goes on the crazy ledge. I am thankful that Troy is such a great dad and a wonderful husband. I am thankful for Troy.

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." ~Thornton Wilder

This week was full. Full of all those things that fill up weeks. Sounds exact doesn't it. Work. Family. Errands. Friends. Just daily stuff.

This girl, my lovely cousin Lorinda, had a birthday this week. She turned 29 (again...she just keeps doing that over and over and over + a few more overs!). On Friday I was lucky enough to spend the whole day with her. We did the stuff we usually do. Nothing out of the ordinary or special, just what makes us us. Just what makes us happy. Coffee (at Starbucks of course), scrapbook store, lunch, hanging out in Fairhaven, more coffee, book store. The usual.

I am thankful for Archer having such a great youth group. This weekend they had a double lock-in - brave souls those leaders are, so Archer is gone until tomorrow morning. I am thankful for the kids who are so good to each other, who are friends and family and care for one another AND the leaders who truly enjoy their calling with the kids, who are fantastic role models and care for each kid and connect with them on an individual and group level.

With the teenager gone my thoughts were to get the house in order, to knock some of those items off my list which have been there for so long. So, what did I do? I finished up my December daily album - well almost finished just need to punch some holes (Tami!), began Troy's birthday present (I hope I finish - and sssshhhh it is a surprise - lucky he doesn't read this), had Alex out for dinner, watched a movie...I did a load of laundry and dishes, but didn't get the house cleaned and that is ok.

Thankful for a quiet Saturday.

"Gratitude is the best attitude." - Author unkown

I will be here this weekend with a post or two. I promise. Come back. Don't leave me! 

"Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart." - Henry Clay

I hope your Monday was good my friends. Mine was good as Mondays go. 

I am thankful for a job that is flexible, where I can make my own hours as long as I get my work completed. As you may have guessed I worked today. I tested a few kids, wrote a report. It was good. I love the teacher that I work for, the school is fantastic, the staff and students are great. I am a lucky girl indeed. 

I am thankful for opening my mail box and receiving a homemade thank you card from the divine Miss M and her mama. I love that Katrina copied a piece of Madeline's art and the card was so obviously from a sweet three year old written by her fantastic mom. Love that kind of mail.

I am thankful, once again, for our fab vet, Dr. Berry. He continues to help us and, most importantly, Horton through this tough time. 

I am thankful for my local Starbucks, my two-pump non-fat gingersnap  latte with extra candied ginger lovingly made by the fantastic manager, Jeremy, and all the fun, kind baristas who are almost like family. It's like a home away from home.

Have a terrific week.

"Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can - there will always come a time when you will be grateful that you did." - Sarah Caldwell

Tonight, in addition to catching up on some shows on my dvr, I am cozy in bed with a few holiday magazines and my Merry & Bright book. I am loving reading, ok, looking at pictures in the magazines right now. I am getting excited about this holiday season. Family. Friends. Decorating. Food. You name it I am ready...well mentally. When it is time for it all to come together it will. I usually make way more plans than I actually do and that is okay. Part of the fun (most of the fun) for me is the plan, the creativity, the we could do this...or that. 

Today I am thankful for:

1. Archer who loves the holidays as much as I do. He loves having the family over for Christmas, it is his favorite part of the season - according to him. While he doesn't like to decorate as much as he use to he still loves the decorations and has definite opinions about what should be where, what food should be made. I love that he knows the true spirit of Christmas, that he likes to focus on family and friends at this time of year. Makes a mom's heart sing.
2. Music. In particular Christmas music. I have a playlist on my iTunes which has been played several times already - only when no one is at home at this time...the guys think I should wait a bit - well except the Stump song which Archer listens to year round.
3. Troy, who has the biggest heart of all. He is struggling right now with the health of Horton, his beloved 14 year old cat, and all he wants is to do what is right for Horton. Troy loves his cat and knows that he is ultimately responsible for Horton's well-being. 
4. Jen and the kids arriving home safely. I so look forward to spending time with my cousin and baby cousins. I have missed them since they've been away.
5. my stack of magazines, my dvr, and my pile of to be read books...

Have a great week. 

"Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary." Margaret Cousins. 

You may have noticed this picture on my sidebar and in my blog at other times...the reason is I love it. :)

I was surprised when I signed on and saw that I haven't posted since Tuesday. I thought to myself that you all must think I have nothing else to be grateful/thankful for...I think you may be feeling a bit sorry for me. Don't worry, you don't have to - I'm fine, really! While the week has been full, it hasn't been any fuller than any other week. I've just allocated my time in different ways over the past several days. It is funny though, how if I haven't written to you all for awhile how I miss it. It takes me a bit then to get back in the groove and decide what it is I want to say. And quite honestly I'm not sure what I want to say yet. How about a few things I am thankful for:

1. my guys. I love being home with them. I love coming home and having them both here. We have a lot of fun as a family. We laugh, we talk. We all get along really well (even though Archer is a teenager and Troy is...well...Troy - haha). I am blessed that this is the family that I have been given.
2. coffee. Really, do I need to say more?
3. my little sibs - Alex and DeAnne. I am thankful that as they have gotten older that we can talk, hang out, just be together. They are both fun, have unique personalities and almost always answer my phone calls or texts.
4. my computers. I really like them both. They keep me connected, in touch with so many others. I am thankful that I live in a time where we have technology that helps us stay connected or reconnect with people. I think of my computers as a tool for friendship that just happens to house my photos and lets me play games! :)
5. coffee. I think that I need coffee. What do you think?

Have a fantastic Saturday. I am off to organize/go through my Christmas things in the garage. If you don't hear from me soon you may want to call search and rescue. Thanks.

"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'thank you'?" - William Arthur Ward

Today's quote is one of my all time favorites. Sometimes I write it on a post-it and keep it on the calendar in my purse. It is so important to show your appreciation everyday through kind words or actions. Today was one of those days that I felt extra appreciative not for any particular reason, just a feeling. While I was at the vet today (I spend a LOT of time there if you haven't noticed) I felt like I really needed to show my gratitude to whoever was there. So, lucky Erin got an earful about how wonderful she is as well as how much I appreciate the vet and the office in general. I feel like those girls (and one guy) are practically family - maybe I need to invite them for dinner. They do so much for our furry family that I want them all to know how much we appreciate them.

So, any ideas on a good thank you? Please let me know...I've been thinking about it and thought I would reach out to the internet for some ideas. There are so many that know us, work with Horton that I think individual thank yous are out (and I wouldn't want to forget one of those that work in the back and I don't see very often)...

I am thankful for Troy and his job at the museum. Every year that goes by that the museum is funded enough to employ Troy is a good year indeed. I love that Troy can work somewhere like the museum doing something he loves and believes in. The museum is such a good fit for a family too. I like that we can pop in and say hi, that Troy can come home early when needed for Archer, that he can have such a flexible (within reason) schedule. He is lucky indeed to work somewhere that allows him to sleep in a little in the mornings!
Today I went in and helped Troy document a collection. We took pictures of items with their assession numbers. We took over 100 photos, maybe close to 200 (not sure yet). I love being able to work with Troy - sounds nutty to some, however I really enjoy it.

And of course I am thankful for our Veterans. I hope they all know that we appreciate them for their bravery and service to our country!

“Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.” - Eileen Caddy

Today was good as Monday's go. There was some sunshine, I had a free drink at Starbucks! and the cemetery meeting (of which I'm the secretary) didn't go over time (hallelujah!).

I was thinking this morning, cuddled up on the couch with Archer under fuzzy warm blankets that I am so thankful for the time I have with Archer in the mornings before school. We get up about an hour - an hour and a half before we have to leave for school because we are both slow risers. I get up first, watch about 10-15 minutes of news (which is plenty) then wake the boy. Then we spend 20 or so minutes snuggled on the couch watching That '70s Show usually (sometimes it varies to Family Guy or something equally inappropriate). I am so thankful for that time in the morning. It makes a nice smooth transition into our day...

Since there is no school tomorrow and Archer was spending the night at a friend's house Troy and I decided to head up to NY Pizza for a late dinner of appetizers and cocktails (and dessert, don't forget dessert! which is why we didn't eat actual meals). Another thing I am thankful for, appreciative of, and all that is fun times with my husband. We love to spend time together and try to have lunch together a few times during the week and we love to go out for drinks and dinner. Evidently our relationship is based on eating!

Troy gave thumbs up to the Midnight Mango Martini (triple M! YUMMM!) and the Antioxidizer (we laughed at that one...it had blueberry stoli and pomegranate liqueur - he is always so healthy all the time! It tasted fantastic as well).

"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." - Melody Beattie

I love this quote...makes you think - past, present, future. I am thankful for it all! How can I even list all the people and things (actions, objects) that I am thankful for from my past or my present? I can't. Simple as that.

I can say I am thankful for my mom. When she was a single mom with two kids she worked hard. She did what she could to make us happy. To show us she loved us. She was a great mom. I am super lucky to have her...Really even when she drives me ass-bat crazy (which she never does by the way...that was just a hypothetical. Really. Honest. Love you mom!).

And when mom got remarried, in the summer after John graduated and in between my sixth and seventh grade years, I was lucky enough to get an awesome David. He was the best (step) dad I could ask for and I count the day my parents got married as one of the best days of my life. David was fantastic as a dad of a middle school girl. I have to say he had great taste in clothes and was more willing than my mom to go shopping with me and buy me awesome clothes (even though I made a horrible mistake by saying I would do dishes for...I don't know how long - forever - for a super cute ESPRIT skirt...The kitchen sink had been torn out and I did dishes in the bathtub...for a skirt...anyway it was a cute skirt). When it was time for my 8th grade tea David is the one who went shopping with me and picked out the stunning ensemble pictured here.

So, today I am thankful for my parents. My mom and dad. Who loved me through all my ups and downs. Through my good wardrobe phases, my less-than stellar wardrobe phases. Thank you. I love you!

edited: I do not do their dishes anymore...I think they let me quit right around the time the kitchen sink and dishwasher were installed. Hmmm....And yes, it was a bitchin' skirt. ESPRIT, white with very bold geometric shapes and tight as heck! Aaaahhhh...the 80s ROCKED!

"Rest and be thankful." - William Woodsworth


Today I am thankful for:

Hot coffee on rainy mornings.

A rockin' scrapbook store with great products and an awesome open house today. Love that Treasury!

My three aunts and an afternoon of conversation and lunch from Win's!

“Be thankful for hard times in your life. Try not to look at them as bad things, but as opportunities to grow and learn.” - unknown

Today I'm thankful for:

• CaringBridge - it has been a blessing to be informed and connected with people and families who are ill, hurt, in treatment and/or in recovery.
• Daily updates via CaringBridge from families who have loved ones currently in hospitals and in recovery. Especially that the news has been so positive during the past week.
• Time spent with family and friends.
• Watching Archer grow from a boy to a young adult. He is the same sweet boy turning into a fine young man. I love watching him become even more of who he is.

*picture taken 2006 - Washington D.C.

"Gratitude is the memory of the heart." - French Proverb








Today I am thankful for:

• Memories - once again I love and appreciate that my parents thought to take pictures of the everyday...can't thank them enough. This picture was taken in December 1989 on a ride home from visiting relatives in Seattle. I was 15 years old and I still liked (and still like today) hanging out with family and going on family outings.
• Our community that came out for shopper's night at the museum and made our night quite successful.
• Archer being such a good typist - makes his homework so much easier when he can whip out a page of typing in just a few minutes.
  

Today was a good day. A good, rainy, autumn day.

"Good men and bad men differ radically. Bad men never appreciate kindness shown them, but wise men appreciate and are grateful. Wise men try to express their appreciation and gratitude by some return of kindness, not only to their benefactor, but to everyone else." - Buddha



today I'm thankful for:

• filling up my gas tank for $21 (from empty)! Yay!
• having a 13 year old son who still enjoys being read to before bed.
• having the opportunity to have dinner with my younger (not 'littler' anymore) brother...great conversation and food.
• parents who took 'tons' of pictures...now I get to go through 'tons' of albums and find all those treasures from years past. (I'm putting together a little Christmas slide show...fun!)

Hope you all are having a fun November.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”- John F. Kennedy

Today I am thankful for:

Lorinda - my cousin, my best friend, the "big" sister I never had. We understand each other, we always have fun together, I can talk to her about anything. She gets me. I have known her longer than I can remember - she was two and a half when I was born. What a treasure to have someone who has known me all my life who is not only a relative but a real, true friend. I love this girl!


I am also thankful for Gingersnap Lattes from Starbucks - the replacement for the Gingerbread Latte. It is so incredibly yummy! Anyone who knows me knows that if Starbucks messed up this replacement drink I was going to blow a gasket and I have to say - it is fine, good...wonderful, delicious - so it is ok - go have one! Just a little recommendation - I always get half syrup in my drinks (2 pumps in a grande) and light whip - the drinks are plenty flavorful with half the syrup and everyone deserves a little whipped cream (just get non-fat milk!)....

Let the Holiday Coffee Season begin! Enjoy!

"I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new." - Ralph Waldo Emerson





Today I am thankful for:
Our wonderful vet, Dr. Berry - there is no one I would trust more with the health of our dear furry family.

Gingersnap lattes and Eggnog lattes start tomorrow at Starbucks! and a text from my dear cousin, Lorinda, to meet for a latte tomorrow morning before work!

Yummy smelling Yankee candles burning while I work on a new scrapbooking project.