“We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.”

Louisa May Alcott

Thankful for morning coffee, afternoon madness and evening tea. Thankful for a sweet boy and a loving husband. Thankful for warmth inside on cold, rainy days. Thankful for a best friend who is family and with whom I'll be celebrating her 29th birthday (again) tomorrow. Thankful for a fun job where I get to work with amazing ladies and cultivate my love of footwear. Thankful for today.

“Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.” - W. Clement Stone

(I noticed I take LOTS of feet pictures...oops...Where are the feet?)

Thankful for 

good friends

truth in love

honesty and humility

walks in the leaves

a camera at the ready

 

“The best things in life are never rationed. Friendship, loyalty, love, do not require coupons.” - George T. Hewitt

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.

The Garden of Proserpine

From too much love of living,
From hope and fear set free,
We thank with brief thanksgiving
Whatever gods there be:
That no life live forever;
That dead men rise up never;
That even the weariest river
Winds somewhere safe to sea.
by, A.C. Swinburne

I didn't post this yesterday, because I just couldn't. Yesterday was a year without our dear sweet Horton. I always thought those people who mourned their pets "forever..." were weird or something. Then we lost him.

Love you sweet Horton. You were part of us for so long. For the beginning of us. Thank you for your love. I am so thankful that we had you for as long as we did. Hope you're enjoying Heaven!

“Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.” - Victor Hugo

Sometimes, the right quote comes to me at the right time. This is one of those quotes. When I read it this morning I was reminded to rest and be at peace.

I am so thankful for so many things. One is the greatness of children. How they see the world, their honesty and love of life.

This is Dawson, my cousin's sweet ten year old boy, who is a joy always. He speaks truth in love and he speaks words of wisdom and encouragement. On a trip to his grandma's I gave him my camera to document the weather. I love him. He is amazing.
Silly, silly boy. How great you are. You make me smile even when I don't see you.
The weather was frightful, like we were "entering another dimension" as Dawson said.
He told me this picture (below) was his favorite...it is pretty cool.
He took about 20 pictures of the rainbow (and double rainbow)...I liked this one as it was a little further down the road...notice the difference in the sky.
Dawson, you are an amazing photographer. I am blessed to be called Auntie by you. Thank you for your love!

btw...Dawson told me that the cards his mom and I made this day were "beautiful, like a professional. I bet Hallmark would hire you." And the thing is he was being completely genuine...Thanks buddy!

“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”- Morrie Schwartz

My poor blog has been looking pretty sad the last few months. Poor, sweet blog needs some love. And I need to get back to center (or a little off of center as some like to call me). My life has felt a little out of balance lately...getting caught up in drama that is not my own, my focus drifting from center. Sounds very vague and it is I know...sorry.

So, my goal is to get back here. Blogging about this and that...and reading all of your this and that as well....back to center!

Tik. Oh my. What an addition this little guy has been to our home. He is a black and white bundle of...let's call it energy (that is putting it nicely). One day he was out and about and got stuck in a tree. STUCK. IN. A. TREE. I had to climb on a chair, grab the branch and he launched himself onto my back...
Oh Tik...he's trouble. He has no fear. He likes water. He wants to eat the bird (really, really bad). He is naughty. But we love him.

Thankful for: my guys, as always; our sweet kitties; our home. Simple. That's all I need.

"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!

blessed.

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

This weekend was the weekend of friends. On Friday, Troy started out having drinks with Tami (aka the lady in the stone house) and her fabulous hubby. Such fun.

Then Saturday night was "girls night out" with a few of my best girls (and my brother and a few of his friends for awhile and an old friend who was in the band we saw...but we still call it girls night).

We started the night at the Chuckanut Brewery to listen to the last performance of my friend Raphael's group The Diamondbacks. I enjoyed the crab cakes, the strong bock, and of course the company of my friends (and brother and band...).

After the band finished we headed up to Poppe's for a few drinks. I hadn't been there in years, however anyone who knows me knows I love a martini...What fun!
Here are my girls - Cheryl, Lisa, Lorinda. Lemon Drops and a Naughty Schoolgirl (our drinks), fun times.
So, now it is Monday and the fun continues. I am off to Seattle with Cheryl and Lorinda for cupcakes, shopping, and seeing Jodi Picoult speak. I'll take it, as tomorrow will be back to "normal" life.

Thankful.

Last night around eight I went to facebook. This is nothing new. I probably spend too much time there. I wanted to change my status - it is almost an obsession. I didn't really think about it and wrote "Jerrie is thankful." It just came out. I wasn't even sure why. Then, Jodi, wrote "What u thankful for?" (in techno speak...love it!).

That made me think (thanks a lot Jodi!)...What am I thankful for? Huh.
My husband is home with a bad back. My son is home sick. My grandma is in the hospital with heart problems. Money is tight. I have several deadlines that are looming. My house is a mess (and I invited people over this weekend - still come please...the house may still be a mess though). And on and on.

So, what am I thankful for? I'm thankful for it all. For the little things. For the big things. I have a wonderful husband who is funny and kind and loves his family. The boy, while sick, is doing well - likes school, is fun to be with and loves his family and friends. My grandma, while still not doing great successfully made it through surgery yesterday and I will be able to see her today. I have a home. I have food. I have time to sit with a cup of tea, read a book, watch a movie, cruise blogs.

In short, there is so much to be thankful for if I stop and look at it right.

Thanks for stopping by...I am thankful for you my real-life dear friends, my blog friends, friends I haven't met. Thank you.

"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.

On September 25, 1994 Troy and I got a kitten. He was tiny, black and white, and full of life. He traveled from Burlington to Bellingham crawling all over our old Subaru. He really thought his spot was under the clutch - not the best place when someone is driving. Troy named his new friend Horton, I called him the little moo-moo. I take no responsibility for the size he became however. As a kitten Horton was very energetic. He bounced more than walked. He loved to crawl onto people's shoulders preferring our heads to our feet I suppose.

Horton was a people cat - loved to lay on our backs or chests while we were laying down, sat on our laps when we were sitting, and followed us around frequently. His favorite place was in the middle of the floor so he could be a part of everything and make sure he was fed as often as possible.

Horton grew into quite the cat. Large. Large in size. Large in personality. Large with love.
Today was a sad day in our home. This afternoon Horton took his last breaths. His health hasn't been good lately and our friend has been fighting. He is done fighting now. He isn't in pain. He doesn't have to worry about anymore pills, blood draws, or any of the other indignities he has had to endure the past month or so.

Today I am thankful for time. Time that our family had with our dear friend Horton. Time that has been precious to us. Time we will treasure forever. I am grateful that Horton chose us to be his people. We were honored to have share his life.

Don't be surprised if you see more posts about the first member of our furry family. Horton will forever be in our hearts and we will be working through our grief and celebrating his life.

Thank you to our friends and family who have loved Horton and who have been supportive through this difficult time.

With this and many tears I say goodbye my dear friend. We love you always. We will miss you always. Rest in peace.

"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).