We've made it through Thanksgiving, Alecia's birthday and Brian's birthday, and Christmas. We still have New Year's and my birthday to go. I realized the last few weeks have been the usual December whirlwind. My work is insane this time of year so it makes life tough to juggle everything. In addition, there is always just tons of stuff going on.
I realized that I haven't been on Facebook in awhile which isn't necessarily a bad thing except that I read lots of positive, affirmative, inspirational things from the pages I subscribe to and they really help keep me going. When I haven't done that for awhile, I find that I start struggling myself. It was nice to see the grown kids for the holidays and my grandchildren. It always makes me wonder where the time has gone. Trying to keep up with busy schedules when there are lots of different people that you need to share a limited amount of time with can be somewhat overwhelming.
I finally got my abdominal wound healed just before the kids arrived in town mid December so I'm finished with my weekly trips to the wound clinic. My body is still adjusting to my new digestive system and hope to soon resume a decent diet. I've lost 25 lbs this year after all of my surgeries and healing which is a ray of sunshine in the midst of craziness.
We had to put our other dog to sleep just before Christmas which was pretty tough. He was another rescue that we'd gotten when we had to tell Roody goodbye last February. He kept having chronic ear infections and some really bad aggressive tendencies. In all of our years of having dogs, neither Brian nor I had experienced a dog that would attack and bite us but then be loving other times. It was truly like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. You never really knew what he was going to do which meant that it was impossible to have him around anyone else. I'm proud of Brian for making that tough decision, because it was a tough one to make. Luckily, with the guidance of our vet, he explained that it was the most humane thing to do. There is a part of both Brian and I that can't help but feel as though we failed.
We did decide to get another basset because we really like the breed. We ended up choosing a female puppy. We usually prefer rescue dogs but I didn't find any locally but did find someone with puppies (I'd spoke to him last February before we settled on Baron). So we've added Gabriel to our family. She is absolutely adorable. She is a lot of work though. It's like having a toddler around. She loves to cuddle which is something we missed after Roody was gone because Baron wasn't much of a cuddle type of dog.
All of our big kids have left Kansas City and returned to their homes in Chicago and Seattle. I had the chance to take Lacey and Nate to Kaleidoscope (at Hallmark in Crown Center) while they were in town and that was a lot of fun. My mother-in-law and father-in-law will be leaving to go back to Florida tomorrow.
I took Catie to the back specialist on Friday for a follow up. The news was bittersweet. Bad news is that her L5 Pars fracture is about as healed as it will get and there is no evidence of a slipped disc. Good news is - her pain is much better than it was previously and really seemed to worsen as the weather got colder. We don't have to return until next December unless there are problems.
Santa brought me a new camera which I'm so excited to use. I had a chance to use it a bit while all of our guests were in town and I look forward to using it for some 'fun' things. Tomorrow is New Year's Eve and I am looking forward to ringing in 2013 with lots of positive things!
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Saturday, November 10, 2012
The 30 Days of Thanksgiving
On Facebook several of the posts are for something that many are participating in called the 30 Days of Thanksgiving. I was a little late to get started but plan to keep a complete list of mine. I think it is a great idea and definitely a positive daily affirmation that will improve one's optimistic vantage point in life.
November 1, 2012 - Day 1: I'm thankful my surgery went well.
November 2, 2012 - Day 2: I'm thankful that all of my friends and loved ones on the NE coast are safe from Hurricane Sandy.
November 3, 2012 - Day 3: I'm thankful for my husband's assistance with my surgical wound.
November 4, 2012 - Day 4: I'm thankful that I enjoy the beauty of the Autumn leaves.
November 5, 2012 - Day 5: I'm thankful for my doggies.
November 6, 2012 - Day 6: I'm thankful I was born in America and I can exercise my right to vote!
November 7, 2012 - Day 7: I'm thankful the election is finally OVER!
November 8, 2012 - Day 8: I'm thankful for my new brother-in-law, Jamie Rasberry.
November 9, 2012 - Day 9: I'm eternally grateful to everyone that helped save my life and get home safely from New York City on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. There is no greater love than what I experienced at that time from friends, family and strangers. That love outweighs anything the terrorists were trying to accomplish!
November 10, 2012 - Day 10: I'm thankful for the hidden opportunities that God gives me to help others. They are usually problems in disguise and I'm glad that I have the opportunity to help out when someone is going through them.
November 11, 2012 - Day 11: I'm thankful for all of the brave men and women that fight (and have fought) for my freedom. I'm thankful for their friends and family and the support that it requires from them as well. Happy Veteran's Day!
November 12, 2012 - Day 12: I'm thankful that God blessed me with the opportunity to be a mother & parent. I have 4 wonderful children (Casey, Kevan, Alecia, and Catie) and I'm grateful God trusted me to be a part of their lives.
November 13, 2012 - Day 13: I'm thankful for all of my friends but today I'm especially thankful for our friend Carl. He's been such a great friend to my husband for many years (and partner in crime as he says). At his mother's visitation last night, he stood so stoic (as usual) next to her casket greeting visitors (friends & family). He had lovingly cared for her until she left this earth. At the funeral home, my daughter said, "He's a really good actor. I could never do that. I can see in his face that he wants to cry." My husband replied to her, "Carl has always had the ability to rise to the occasion no matter what it is. That is just who he is."
Carl ~ you are a great friend, one with deep rooted family values, good morals and ethics. You are a wonderful role model to younger generations. I know you don't use FB or social media so you'll never see this (nor would you want to hear it) but thank you for being YOU!
November 14, 2012 - Day 14: I'm thankful for simplicity today! After spending hours dealing with complex things, I'm thankful for the simple things in life!
November 15, 2012 - Day 15: I'm thankful for my husband's gift to summarize confusing topics (historical issues, politics, etc.) for me.
November 16, 2012 - Day 16: I'm thankful for my creative and artistic abilities. My creative side has always been an escape for me, my vice in life. It is a way for me to decompress, relax, express myself, share my thoughts and views, and share something special with others. From photography to drawing & painting, from sewing & crafting to needlework - I am thankful for my ability to have something inside of me that I can immediately call upon to provide me with calmness, solace and peace when needed.
November 17, 2012 - Day 17: I'm thankful that I went on that first date with my husband 12 years ago!
November 18, 2012 - Day 18: I'm thankful that my wound appears to finally be on the mends!
November 19, 2012 - Day 19: I'm thankful for laughter and a sense of humor. There are days when it is the best medicine in the world for me.
November 20, 2012 - Day 20: I'm thankful that Catie finally got her braces off! All the trips to the orthodontist & pain has paid off for a beautiful smile. 33 months well spent.
November 21, 2012 - Day 21: I'm thankful that I've been able to return to work this week [and survive] so my fellow co-workers (mgmt) will be able to take an additional day off (Black Friday) so they can spend time with their friends & families! They have been super about helping me out and I'm so thankful that I can be there to cover for them by returning the favor & expressing my gratitude for their support.
November 22, 2012 - Day 22: (Thanksgiving Day) I'm thankful for all of the LOVE in my life! Last night I talked with Catie about some that are not as fortunate to have the love that we have (from friends, family & even strangers) and I'm very grateful that we have lots of it! Happy Thanksgiving to each of you. I hope that you get to wrap yourself in love, happiness and good feelings today!
November 23, 2012 - Day 23: I'm thankful that it is the last day of a short work week!
November 24, 2012 - Day 24: I'm thankful for family (all forms of it)!
November 1, 2012 - Day 1: I'm thankful my surgery went well.
November 2, 2012 - Day 2: I'm thankful that all of my friends and loved ones on the NE coast are safe from Hurricane Sandy.
November 3, 2012 - Day 3: I'm thankful for my husband's assistance with my surgical wound.
November 4, 2012 - Day 4: I'm thankful that I enjoy the beauty of the Autumn leaves.
November 5, 2012 - Day 5: I'm thankful for my doggies.
November 6, 2012 - Day 6: I'm thankful I was born in America and I can exercise my right to vote!
November 7, 2012 - Day 7: I'm thankful the election is finally OVER!
November 8, 2012 - Day 8: I'm thankful for my new brother-in-law, Jamie Rasberry.
November 9, 2012 - Day 9: I'm eternally grateful to everyone that helped save my life and get home safely from New York City on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. There is no greater love than what I experienced at that time from friends, family and strangers. That love outweighs anything the terrorists were trying to accomplish!
November 10, 2012 - Day 10: I'm thankful for the hidden opportunities that God gives me to help others. They are usually problems in disguise and I'm glad that I have the opportunity to help out when someone is going through them.
November 11, 2012 - Day 11: I'm thankful for all of the brave men and women that fight (and have fought) for my freedom. I'm thankful for their friends and family and the support that it requires from them as well. Happy Veteran's Day!
November 12, 2012 - Day 12: I'm thankful that God blessed me with the opportunity to be a mother & parent. I have 4 wonderful children (Casey, Kevan, Alecia, and Catie) and I'm grateful God trusted me to be a part of their lives.
November 13, 2012 - Day 13: I'm thankful for all of my friends but today I'm especially thankful for our friend Carl. He's been such a great friend to my husband for many years (and partner in crime as he says). At his mother's visitation last night, he stood so stoic (as usual) next to her casket greeting visitors (friends & family). He had lovingly cared for her until she left this earth. At the funeral home, my daughter said, "He's a really good actor. I could never do that. I can see in his face that he wants to cry." My husband replied to her, "Carl has always had the ability to rise to the occasion no matter what it is. That is just who he is."
Carl ~ you are a great friend, one with deep rooted family values, good morals and ethics. You are a wonderful role model to younger generations. I know you don't use FB or social media so you'll never see this (nor would you want to hear it) but thank you for being YOU!
November 14, 2012 - Day 14: I'm thankful for simplicity today! After spending hours dealing with complex things, I'm thankful for the simple things in life!
November 15, 2012 - Day 15: I'm thankful for my husband's gift to summarize confusing topics (historical issues, politics, etc.) for me.
November 16, 2012 - Day 16: I'm thankful for my creative and artistic abilities. My creative side has always been an escape for me, my vice in life. It is a way for me to decompress, relax, express myself, share my thoughts and views, and share something special with others. From photography to drawing & painting, from sewing & crafting to needlework - I am thankful for my ability to have something inside of me that I can immediately call upon to provide me with calmness, solace and peace when needed.
November 17, 2012 - Day 17: I'm thankful that I went on that first date with my husband 12 years ago!
November 18, 2012 - Day 18: I'm thankful that my wound appears to finally be on the mends!
November 19, 2012 - Day 19: I'm thankful for laughter and a sense of humor. There are days when it is the best medicine in the world for me.
November 20, 2012 - Day 20: I'm thankful that Catie finally got her braces off! All the trips to the orthodontist & pain has paid off for a beautiful smile. 33 months well spent.
November 21, 2012 - Day 21: I'm thankful that I've been able to return to work this week [and survive] so my fellow co-workers (mgmt) will be able to take an additional day off (Black Friday) so they can spend time with their friends & families! They have been super about helping me out and I'm so thankful that I can be there to cover for them by returning the favor & expressing my gratitude for their support.
November 22, 2012 - Day 22: (Thanksgiving Day) I'm thankful for all of the LOVE in my life! Last night I talked with Catie about some that are not as fortunate to have the love that we have (from friends, family & even strangers) and I'm very grateful that we have lots of it! Happy Thanksgiving to each of you. I hope that you get to wrap yourself in love, happiness and good feelings today!
November 23, 2012 - Day 23: I'm thankful that it is the last day of a short work week!
November 24, 2012 - Day 24: I'm thankful for family (all forms of it)!
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