Thankfulness (never ends)

So thankful we have things to be thankful for! Our tummies are still full from breakfast, dinner and dessert :-) Many thinks to Chris and Kristen for such a variety of pies and a welcome into their new home! We've had some snow flurries and even enough to cover the ground so we could wake up this AM to a blanket of white .. even thankful for that! It was so pretty.

Wanted to mention that one of my favorite bloggers has another book giveaway! http://ajoyfulchaos.blogspot.com/

Thankfulness (cont'd, still)

My thoughts on thankfulness continues with friendship and all we share with each other. Joys and triumphs. Saddness and sorrows. Sometimes your friends are closer than family and that's not a bad thing, really! Here are a few ideas on friendship:

1. Never gossip about your friends. EVER.
2. Walk away when someone else starts to gossip .. about anybody! You can let them know why you walked away, later.
3. Make lots of friends ...younger ones, so that when you get older, you won't be the one saying "Goodbye."
4. Pray for them, often. Don't wait to be asked .. you already know most of their needs, anyway.
5. Call them if you haven't seen them in awhile ... keep in touch via phone, mail, email and social networks. There's really no excuse.
6. Send them Christmas cards. They aren't expensive and it is still fun to get stuff in the mail addressed personally.
7. It's ok to be friends with your adult kids, but let them have their own friends. You can be friendly with them but from a distance. The reverse is also true.
8. Friendship is cultivated ... like a flower garden. Friendships don't grow over night. Acquaintances, do; friends do not.
9. Some friends can be dropped in on; some friends can't. Be a good friend and figure this out.
10. Don't be afraid to say "No" to a friend. If you are too busy, too tired, too 'whatever', your friend will understand. If they don't, then perhaps they are only an acquaintance.

Thankfulness (cont'd, again)

Oh, how I love my family! I am so thankful for the parents I had, my brothers and sister. But I am most thankful for my husband and children God gave me. They are my present and will be my future, as well!

My darling sons who married my daughters-in-love give me wonderful things to think and pray about each day. My two granddaughters of sweetness fill my days with pleasant thoughts and plans for future fun. But it's my husband of 36 years who absolutely thrills my heart. Chosen for me and arriving on my doorstep "by chance" one afternoon ... I am SO glad I listened to that still, small voice of God!

We do so much together. I remember listening to the laments of some people who have retired and can't stand to spend so much time together and I can assure you, we do not have that problem! We are both semi retired and can't find free time anywhere!! How did we ever manage when we worked "for real?" It will be fun growing old with him .. if we choose to grow old, that is ...

We love to cook and it would be fun to try some new recipes from this cookbook if I win it :-) Yes .. another giveaway from one of my favorite bloggers:
http://ajoyfulchaos.blogspot.com/

Indian Summer and Thankfulness

We have had 2 days of 50+ degrees and SUNSHINE! I didn't get much done the first day, but today I managed to clean out the car; trim 3 small trees, two lilac bushes, and cut down the goldenrod that grew along the side of the garage (it was pretty when it was yellow ... but it isn't yellow any longer!) I raked out the flower beds, transplanted 5 pots of chrysanthemums and had my hands so dirty, I was not able to ge them clean when by the time we went to prayer meeting! I have garden gloves... can't stand to wear them.

We also put a pump in the water that has collected on the cover of the pool. We've had so much rain, that the sides of the cover were almost slipping over the edge of the pool! We have 3 pillows in it, too. I'm hoping we can switch to snow, which will blow off more quickly than water can evaporate :-)

Getting my thoughts together for Thanksgiving; thinking of cooking a small dinner this year as we are not sure who will be here. We always have a big breakfast and that seems to be a big hit. Here's my thought: Big breakfast, small dinner, Big dessert. If they come, they can eat if they don't, there's always leftovers!

Things I'm thankful for: First and foremost, my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and His saving grace! My husband, helpmeet, soulmate, chosen and delivered by God himself to my front door 37 years ago! Long story ... quite comical, I may share it some day. My children and their families.

Thankfulness to be cont'd ...