A Wonderful Holiday

We had the most fantastic Thanksgiving dinner at Kay's home. She says it is her favorite holiday and that she loves all the cooking. It definitely showed in the incredible meal we enjoyed. Wonderful comfort food! The company was charming and there was laughter everywhere. Her youngest grandson has the cutest laugh I've ever heard. He would make Mr. Scrooge smile.

I have been praying for the family of the man who died at the Wal-Mart store in New York. It's hard for me to wrap my mind around the events that occurred. In many cities festival seating is now illegal. I keep hoping that idea will catch on and laws will be enacted to prevent tragedies like the one which happened today.

Blessings

I spent a bit of time pondering on what I would say for my Thanksgiving Day post. Each time I thought about what I was thankful for, the word blessing become most prominent in my mind. I finally figured out I am thankful that I know how blessed I am. I believe everything we are, everything we have or do - it all comes from God. As a very young child I was taught to count my blessings. I still do, every day. Sometimes several times a day.

The Lord has blessed me with a most wonderful son. A son who dedicated his life to the Lord at age 4, and has never looked back. I am always mindful of the great responsibility I have been given, to train him up in the way that he should go. Five years ago I married my best friend, my Prince Charming, my knight in shining armor. Every day I love him just a little bit more. We are blessed to share our home with two beautiful animals who provide us with unconditional love and are teachers in their own unique way.

I am grateful that God spared my life in a car accident two years ago. And also that He led me to caring, Christian doctors who truly "get" me. I feel blessed because I am not under the power of material possessions. I don't feel a need to compete with anyone. I know that money cannot buy love or happiness. I am thankful that I don't take things for granted. When I turn on the water faucet I often think about all the people in this world who don't have the luxury of clean water.

I am thankful to be a simple person - easily entertained, and never bored. Idle hands is a concept I have never been able to grasp. I am content in my messy house of creativity, with the dust bunnies endlessly hopping. Love and laughter and respect live here.

We will be sharing this day with good friends. May you have a peaceful Thanksgiving Day. Don't forget to count your blessings!

Question of the Day

Do you brave the crowds and shop the day after Thanksgiving? If you do, are you one who gets up at zero dark thirty to be one of the first in line?

Personally I have never shopped on Black Friday. I have always disliked crowds so that has been enough to keep me away. I am usually going to bed about the time the sales begin, so I guess if I went with someone else, who was well rested, I could function. Maybe some day....

Say Hello to Mr. Owl

Being a lifelong cast member of Short Attention Span Theatre, I like to try new things. This Scrabble tile pendant is my most recent craft. I am particularly fond of him because he is constructed in three layers - and he's tiny! I do love working with tiny things. I had these pendants at the bazaar we did last weekend and we sold quite a few.

If you would like a Mr. Owl for yourself, he can be found here.

Monday, Monday....

.....so good to me. I like Monday. Monday is one of my favorite days of the week. I was ultra productive today. Hubby was out working, as opposed to being home working, so I did everything on my own. Got a lot of things shipped today, which is good because I was a tad behind.

We had a space at a local holiday bazaar on Saturday. We sold $.50 less than what the space cost. While I am at the bazaar I feel completely out of place and I tell myself, no more, this is it. But the next day I am already thinking about the next one. The next one is December 6th and I have lots of plans for my display. I am not telling hubby yet, because he'll freak. My son agreed to wear an elf costume if we (myself and my Bazaar Advisor) deem it appropriate.

It's always interesting to see all the things people make. Interesting, and dangerous too because my mind starts racing - oh, I could do that, or gee, that would be fun.

We had London Broil, asparagus and sourdough bread for dinner. I read this certain blog where the lady shares what they are having for dinner everytime she posts. I think it's interesting what people have for dinner.

Time to hit the hay (I use this expression a lot now, I am officially OLD). I only got 4-1/2 hours of sleep last night and am really feeling it.

Veteran's Day

Name That Primate

Tonight I am listing primate fan pulls in my eBay store. I have looked and looked on the net, but cannot identify the above three. If you know what any of them are, PLEASE let me know. I cannot look at another monkey face tonight! I am already wondering what type of nightmares are in store.

Mrs. Morris' Neighborhood

We are fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful neighbors. The kind of people who would help, no matter what the problem was, no matter the time of day or night. Last night we had dinner at the home of one of our neighbors. It was interesting, for a variety of reasons.

They have a squirrel named Susie, who is so tame she takes the peanuts right out of your hand. She crawls all over the man of the house, and will gently pry his fingers apart if he has a nut in the palm of his hand. If she arrives and no peanuts are left for her, she actually taps on the sliding glass door to announce her arrival. I hope Susie is intelligent enough to stay far, far away from Miss Jessie.

Our neighbors are a husband and wife, and the wife's mother. Husband is recently retired (for the third time) and has spent a lot of time working in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. It is fascinating to hear him talk about the environment, and how animals are protected at all costs. If a caribou decides he doesn't want you to pass, you wait till he leaves, then you pass. My snow dog and I would be thrilled to live in Alaska - my hubby, not so much.

The grandmother, 89 years old, makes the most amazing crocheted doll dresses and accessories. Her daughter does too - some of them can be found in my eBay store. AND, this elderly woman is a major Portland Blazers fan. Never misses a game, and checks the sports page first thing in the morning. I got a real kick out of that. In fact she did not join us for dinner because there was a game on.

I am often reminded of "The Four Million," by O. Henry. Everyone is worth knowing. Everyone has a story, and a lesson learned. We should talk less, listen more.

Miss Jessie Fought the Squirrel.....

...and the squirrel won! Miss Jessie is addicted to squirrels. Addicted like heroin. She would run through fire to get a squirrel. Fortunately for us, she is rarely successful. Even when she is, she doesn't dismember or eat them. They become her toy. The whole business is totally disgusting and if I dwell on it for too long, I start to gag.

Today the squirrel managed to bite and scratch enough to make her yelp and drop it. She doesn't have any visible marks though. Despite going off her property and receiving a VERY stern warning from dad, she offers no apologies.

Miss Jessie's "little" brother is a Malamute and they are famous for chasing and killing small animals. Not this one - he just stood there and watched from a distance.

Do you find your life becoming a bit dull, too much of the same routine? Get a dog, or two or three. It's a new adventure every day.

Real Live Woman -- A MUST See

This is the most empowering video - I guarantee you will not be disappointed. The person who posted it disabled the embedding, so all I have is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cn9d8Xi_Cw

Something every woman should see, especially the younger women who are still on that road of trying to fit themselves (literally) into a certain mold. I grew up with a very critical father. I could never please him. I think I finally succeeded at the age of 34, when I gave birth to his first grandchild. I spent a long time looking for love and acceptance. I bounced around like one of those silver balls in a pinball machine.

I did everything wrong, yet the Lord was gracious and He blessed with me a husband who loves me unconditionally. And believe you me, I've certainly put him to the test. His love wraps around me like a warm and fluffy robe. I feel it always, even when we are apart from each other. To this day I am still bewildered at how he can love me, exactly like I am. No hoops to jump through, no conditions or stipulations ~ just love.

Even if you do not have such a man in your life, I hope you will listen to this song and take the words to heart. We are all worthy. We are all children of God. As women we are blessed to have "The Sisterhood," to remind us just how special we are.

When Challenger Flies

I saw this video on another blog (if you are the Blog Police and have to know where I saw it, feel free to email me). It's a wonderful way to spend three minutes and 31 seconds. Very comforting and calming. Here is the story of this beautiful creature ~

Named in honor of the lost space shuttle crew, "Challenger" has performed free-flights during the USA's National Anthem at hundreds of events coast to coast—raising substantial public awareness for the Bald Eagle protection cause. He is the first Bald Eagle in American history trained to free-fly during the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. He has helped educate millions of people about the need to protect the USA's National Bird.

Halloween Decor ~ Short Bus Style

We had a nice Halloween! Kay and I took my son trick or treating (her little goblin was sick and had to stay in). Hubby stayed home with the dogs. Juneau "sat" guard on the loveseat in front of the window, and provided scary noises for the evening. He was offered a pizza crust to leave his post, and he refused!!

Dear hubby hurriedly set up our Halloween decor, just as it was getting dark. Cornstalks from the backyard garden (so carefully tended by him), and two little pumpkins freshly carved. I love the pumpkin lights. And the baseball? Well, I put it there to disguise that big old blob of flash glare. We won't win any contests, but we were pleased with our display nonetheless.

This was my baby's last year of trick or treating. Sad to see him growing so quickly, yet proud of the young man he is becoming. Each time I saw a very little child all dressed up, I went back in time. How blessed I am to have all these memories. I really think someone is spiking my diet Coke with extra hormones. Everything these days is a pass-the-tissue, teary, bleary-eyed Kodak moment.

Hope you had a safe and happy Halloween!