It was a busy day. I got some outside stuff done while it was a warm day. I got my peonies trimmed back and a few outside lights hung. I also got some cleaning and laundry done inside, but I still have more to do before my daughter and her husband come over this week. I’m excited and thankful to be able to see soon!
Category Archives: Uncategorized
November 20, 2021
This wine and towel was part of the birthday present my friend gave me yesterday. I think this means I’m cool. Definitely, cool. And the wine was perfect after a day of Christmas shopping.
I realized as I was wrapping presents tonight trying to get things ready before Bree and Noah come next week that I went a little overboard this year. I guess I picked up things here and there for my kids without realizing it. I debated whether to wrap everything but decided I didn’t care. It’s been a long, tough year. And I miss my kids, so presents are in order.
I’m thankful again for the thoughtful gift from my friend, and I’m grateful I’m able to provide gifts for my kids. I hope the ones I got for them make them feel special, too.
November 19, 2021
It’s my mom’s birthday today! Whoop! She spent the day doing what most of us adults do, which is not a lot. She spent the day at home; went to a buffet and ate too much; then played cribbage with my sister and brother-in-law. It’s a good thing we celebrated at my house.
Actually we celebrated my birthday a bit early at our house. A friend came over and brought these yummy cupcakes and a present. We ate pizza and watched The Jungle Cruise before she realized we aren’t that exciting at our house either and left.
Too bad birthdays aren’t the thrilling adventure they are were when we were younger. But it’s ok. That’s just the way of it. I’m so thankful for my mom today. Her love and support mean everything. And I’m glad I got to see her last weekend and give her a gift that she seemed to legitimately like. Yay! I’m also thankful to have celebrated my birthday early with a good friend who is one of the most generous and giving people I know.
November 18, 2021
The picture is Emma’s car after someone hit her last weekend. She’s been worried because she couldn’t get answers from her insurance company and nothing seemed to be moving forward. Apparently there was question of fault because the girl who hit her wasn’t given a ticket at the scene and yet wouldn’t provide a statement to her insurance company either.
But late this afternoon she found out that the other driver’s insurance is covering all damages. She can finally figure out what her next steps are to getting either her car fixed (which is questionable if there is frame damage) or getting a different car. I’m thankful she has some questions answered, and I hope all goes well now towards a resolution. Fingers crossed.
November 17, 2021
I’m thankful today for a bit of after work fun with a colleague and friend. We got into the holiday spirit by putting together Christmas pots at a nursery. It’s a bit early, I know. But these days you got to take the fun when it comes.
November 16, 2021
What a long day. Is it still Monday? Is it already Wednesday? I never even left the house today—only stepped out on the deck briefly at lunchtime. But I’m thankful to have gotten stuff done at work. I’m slowly checking things off my to-do list.
I’m also thankful that my friend found out today she doesn’t need to go through radiation after all. Everything worked in her favor—the cancer was found so early, it was small, the lumpectomy was successful, and she’s on hormone therapy. Radiation wouldn’t necessarily change any future issues. I’m so happy for her! What a testament to early detection.
Speaking of radiation, I’m also grateful that my skin is really starting to look better. It’s now just light pink and barely peeling anymore. I haven’t had to take ibuprofen in the last couple days. Woohoo!
November 15, 2021
It’s my youngest daughter’s birthday today. I can’t believe she’s a legit grownup woman because I still see this little girl when I think of her. Look at that smile.
She’s always been such a joy to be around—happy, loving, and smart. She is also generous and has a real heart for other people. Even as a young kid, she would stand up for anyone she thought was being picked on or treated unfairly. As she got older, she continued to look out for her friends, becoming the one others could count on for sound advice and support.
She’s also always been very independent and strong in her convictions. I’m so proud of the lovely person she is and always has been. And she still has that beautiful smile.
November 14, 2021
I made it home safely from the spooky mansion, hopefully without any ghosts in tow. We spent a lot of time just exploring the +10,000 sq ft building. Most of the place was just empty rooms. A lot of them. Row after row of small bedrooms and bathrooms down one of the longest hallways imaginable. Most of them somewhat creepy in their state of disrepair.
But there were still some pretty elements that reminded us of what it must have looked like in its prime over a century year ago.
Last night we congregated around the large table in the tea room to play games, drink wine, and eat our way through the junk food we had brought. My oldest sister, who brought her puppy along and LOVES to play practical jokes, tried to scare us by knocking on the windows when she took her dog outside.
So before she made it back in, the rest of us decided to hide on her. We jumped up, ran upstairs and scattered our way throughout the bedrooms. We heard her yell, “very funny guys!” when she got in, but no one answered. When she came looking for us, there was a lot of screams and her dog barked madly at the girls from The Shining another sister had secretly taped to a hallway door.
We saw no ghosts, but we had a great time scaring ourselves. It was fun just to hang out together again, even if it meant getting a lousy night sleep on air mattresses. I’m thankful for our time together and for the kindness of our host, my niece’s boyfriend who is staying at the mansion as caretaker until its future fate is determined .
November 13, 2021
I’m thankful today that my daughter and her grandmother are ok after they got into a car accident. A girl turned into them and hit the front of her car, bending one of her front tires. No one got hurt, but we are hoping her car is repairable.
November 12, 2021
Despite my sister’s driving skills, we made it to my mom’s without a hitch today. That’s my niece buried amongst the pillows in the back seat. I ended up working just long enough this morning to answer some emails, and then we packed the car and headed out. I’m glad we left a little early because it was our first day of snow this year. It was really mostly sleet off and on, but even that is bad enough while highway driving, which I hate. I spent a lot of our 3-hour drive saying such things as, “watch out I think that guy is gonna cross into our lane,” “you don’t have to look at me when you’re talking,” “slow down-slow down- slow down.” I’ve officially become THAT annoying side seat driver. But I’m my defense, My sister started our drive describing a horrible car accused witnessed where the driver had been texting. And then she put her phone in her lap.
But as I mentioned, we made it ok and I’m thankful for that. Tonight the rest of my sisters arrived and we spent the evening laughing and drinking wine and eating off this lovely charcuterie board. Tomorrow we travel another couple of hours to the haunted mansion…
melissagratitude 