The little things

I am reminded once again to enjoy the little things and let things go. This must be a lesson I desperately need to learn. I was reading some BLOGS I follow and found this post It is so beautifully written that I felt it was just better to share it with you than try to summerize.

Remember to be grateful for the imperfections in our lives and the things that don't always feel like blessings. That is the only way to truly enjoy life and if you aren't going to enjoy it, but worry about the next minute, what is the point. There is no blessing that comes from worry.

What does my subconscious know?

Apparently, my subconscious has accepted things my conscious has not. My husband and son were leaving for Tae Kwon Do tonight. Right after heading out the door, my son comes running in yelling that Dad collapsed in the driveway. I very calmly said he what? "Dad collapsed in the driveway!" I walk -still calmly- out the front door and see the car with the open passenger door in the driveway, no husband visible. "Where?"
"Behind the car!"
I walk to the back and see nothing, keep -calmly- walking and see my husband on the ground next to the drivers door. I walk up and see he is conscious though obviously shaken. We begin to talk and I find out he slipped and fell on the ice. However he jammed his arm and really hit his shoulder hard. He is very much alive and will be fine.

Apparently at some level I have accepted that there will be a day he will collapse and it will not be this. It will be something serious medically. I know that because my thought walking to the car was very plainly "not yet, please". Also because I remained so calm. What was that about? I should have been running frantically out of the house. Don't misunderstand, I was very concerned and worried, just not panicked or frantic. I am pretty weirded out by this. Time to deal with stuff I don't want to I guess.

Awesome Cosmo Cricket Giveaway

There is some fantastic Cosmo Cricket being given away on this BLOG. Makes me drool, but be sure and leave a comment for your try at it as well.

Enjoy the other projects she has while you are there!

There is a GIVEAWAY!

and it is awesome! Lainey has a giveaway on her BLOG in addition to a bunch of fabulous gift ideas! Go check it out and sign up to win!!!

Unfair?

You won't become successful by complaining that life is unfair. Certainly there are many injustices in the world, yet you won't get anywhere by using those injustices as excuses.
Your best response is to work over, under, around and through them. Accept the fact that life is unfair, and choose to experience outstanding success anyway.

It is admirable to fight against injustice. But fighting against injustice may very well make that injustice even stronger.

A better way to end injustice is to make it irrelevant. When you create ways for yourself and others to succeed in spite of unfair circumstances, then you render those circumstances powerless.

The world is filled with inequity and unfairness. And yet, there are always plenty of workable and creative ways to rise above those negative circumstances.

When something in life is unfair, choose to succeed anyway. And make that unfairness so small and insignificant it won't even matter.

-- Ralph Marston

In Honor of Robert D. Lindenau

This is being sent to family of Army Capt. Robert D. Lindenau (39).

I so ROCK!

Yes, I am tooting my own horn! I have managed to teach myself to knit with two colors. This doesn't sound like much, but not only am I doing it, I am stranding with nice tension AND I am doing it without dropping colors in between. I am changing colors each stitch and it was making me NUTS. I can now knit English and Continental (don't ask me to remember which is which). I am carrying one color in my right hand and one color in my left. This is something I NEVER thought I would be able to do. I have attempted to knit carrying the yarn in my left multiple times and finally just gave up. I should have attempted two colors long ago. Pretty amazing what a high level of frustration can encourage a person to accomplish :)

The Day After

Thanksgiving it what I have been looking forward to. My plan has been to listen to Christmas music and start on my Christmas cookies. Each year I make a bunch. I don't eat a bunch, but do love making them. We make up cookie tins and plates to give to people for the holidays. Neighbors, co-workers, our mailman, etc. I start now and freeze them until we are ready to get them all put together.
Once again this year I am reminded that although the day is relaxing and enjoyable, it isn't quite like I imagine.
No music because my sister is asleep on the couch. The boys only want to 'taste test' rather than help (which is really fine with me because I enjoy baking and find it very soothing). I have down time waiting for dough to chill and I need to go to the store for more eggs.

That said, it is still a great day and MUCH better than going out in shopping in the chaotic mess I imagine there to be.

Learning Gratitude

We all have challenges in life. Some we create and some that just are. When I am very, very fortunate, I learn from these challenges. I have realized that currently I need to learn something. I need to learn to be grateful for things I have, specifically the things I have that I do not want.
This may sound a bit strange and if you think in terms of 'things' it is. However, start to think about what you have outside of the things and you will find there is a lot that you may not want. That seems like necessities or trials. I am working to be grateful for these things. This is TOUGH! I am not successful at it by any means, but I really believe that if I can make progress in this area and keep it in mind as I go through each day I will be a more positive and happy person.

In Honor of William M. Bennett

This OPH Comfort Afghan is being sent to the Mother of Army Sgt. 1st Class William M. Bennett (35)

Mailing some love and comfort

This is for a very wonderful lady who has most certainly gone through some difficult times lately. One of them being the loss of her Mother. I hope she can feel the love we are sending to her.

Head on

Some days life just comes at you head on and there is no getting away from it. Today that is how my morning started. I had an eye dr. appt. I left there having ordered glasses with a prism for my double vision - "oh and while we are at it, I am going to add some prescription to help with reading and computer work so your eyes won't be so fatigued" Translated=you are getting old people eyes!!!!!

Oh well, guess it'll make my DH happy. He tells me he misses me in glasses since I had Lasik.

Comfort for a family

This family recently had a young son pass away after an extensive medical battle. I can not imagine the pain they must be experiencing, but hope to provide a small measure of comfort with this afghan from Heartmade Blessings.

Are we done yet?

So, I work in the financial industry. Needless to say, it has been a bit crazy lately. I do not see any indication of it slowing down anytime soon either. The part I am finding most interesting is that the investors I thought might be unflappable are starting to get worried. As I told my son, history is being made. This is nothing we have experienced before.
All that aside, I AM ready for it to be back to normal. Work isn't my favorite way to spend the day so I am glad that I don't hate my job. My job has changed somewhat in the last few weeks though. The endless questions that were never concerns for anyone the past ten years are just getting tiring. All the emails from different companies that are the mass release "feel good" letters. I'm not even reading them any longer.

Calgon, take me away!!!

I have had the BEST day!

It is amazing how the little things really are what make or break a day. Today was a calm no pressure day. I didn't finish, but did get a good start on a project I have been wanting to do for some time. I got some cleaning done. The best is I got to spend some very interactive and enjoyable time with my boys. Now I am working on dinner.
Today was a FABULOUS day! One of those days that I feel like I did a good job as a Mom. Also, the house got some attention it has been needing.

The little things. I will take days like these whenever I can get them. And attempt to remember to enjoy every minute.

Another Comfort Afghan

I am always amazed at the honor and privileged I feel to be able to assemble and send these comfortghans to those in need. This one is for the friend of a friend. I hope it brings comfort to both of them at the loss of a dear friend and sister.

Say Thank You

I am sending the card shown here to a care facility that cares for patients with Alzheimers. (the charm is silver and says thank you on it) This is such a thankless and important service. I was encouraged to do this by a challenge-with prizes- on Carolyn King's BLOG. Go check it out! You can read the details and see all the yummy give aways. She was inspired by the memory of her Grandmother. She has designed a stamp set, Whimsical Autumn, that is super cute. All of the proceeds from this set she is giving to the Alzhiemers Association.

New Adventure

I have started on a new adventure. I have joined the ranks of ETSY shop owners.

Dream In Rainbows

I have a few things up and am working on more. I am very excited and really enjoying the items I have been creating. I figure the worst that happens is I have a great head start on gifts for family and friends. At best this is successful. Win/Win!

Some more comfort being mailed

This comfort afghan was requested via our website for a young lady who has suffered some very difficult times recently. I certainly hope she feels the love we are sending and knows we care.

In Honor of Michael A. Pursel

This was sent to the Mother of Army Cpl. Michael A. Pursel.