Tag Archives: Holiday

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A little bit of Christmas

Christmas is slow in coming this year….well, not really.  It’s quickly approaching, and I’m not even close to being ready!

Travel and sickness have given me an extra little challenge this year in preparing for Christmas.  I mean after all, I have family coming to stay, a house to clean, food to cook, presents to buy, presents to wrap, etc….

I’m trying desperately not to let it overwhelm me, stress me, or discourage me.  Of course, there’s still that little bit of me, that wants it to be “the perfect Christmas” for everyone.

I know I can’t make this happen. I can’t make “perfect happen.”  I know I shouldn’t even consider trying.

I know I should just concentrate on the people in my life, and not the things.

I know.

And…I’m trying.

Trying with all my might to keep focused on this…simply.

wooden nativity

Trying with all my might to stay focused on “love” at Christmas…and the giving of love.

Something that is so much better than any gift I could ever buy.

(Oh, I’ll work on getting some gifts too!  I mean after all, I still have a few days left, right?!)

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Thankful Thursday: Above all…give thanks!

Recently I spent a few hours in a hospital recovery room with my mom while she was recovering from surgery on her ear.  As I was sitting in the recovery room, I couldn’t help but hear all of the beeps from the machines scattered all throughout the room.

Constant. Annoying. BEEPS!

Not beeping in unison. Not really a pleasant sound. Quite loud, and at least for me, it was a bit irritating.

Okay, it was a lot irritating!

I watched, somewhat amazed as the nurses all went about their duties as if they were in a serene, peaceful environment.  After observing this for a few moments, I couldn’t help but mention this to the nurse assisting my mom.  How in the world do you ever get use to the beeping noises?

Her response caught me a little off guard…oh we like to hear those sounds, that means the patient is alive! When we don’t hear anything, when it becomes silent, then we become concerned.  So, really  to us, it’s a very pleasant sound.  We actually like to hear those beeps!

Hmmm….I guess it makes sense.

The beeps can actually mean something good.  All those things that I sometimes find to be rather annoying…well maybe I just need to change my point of view.

Like the nurse in the recovery room.

Maybe the beeps are actually signs of life.  Maybe they are really the things that I should or could be thankful for?

I’m working on it…thus the reason for “Thankful Thursday“!

Just like the nurse, there are times that I need to be able to say that I actually like to hear the noise, and the beeps….because it means that there is life, and love, and family.

And for that I am truly blessed, and above all….oh so very thankful.

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Weekly Photo Challenge: My 2012 in Pictures

This gallery contains 12 photos.

My 2012 in pictures.  A year full of new places and adventures!  I am so blessed by the love and care of a wonderful husband, and an amazing family.   I am looking forward to 2013, with hope in my heart, and a sincere desire to find the bright spot in each new day.

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Mission accomplished!

A few weeks a go I was feeling a little overwhelmed by Christmas, and all of the events that would take place in the month of December.

I was determined to not let it get the best of me, so I gave myself a few goals.

My goals were to relax and enjoy each moment of the season. Celebrate time-honored traditions, reflect on the special family memories, and be willing to make new ones!

No two Christmas’ are ever alike, and this year was no exception!

I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning with my very best friend. We went to the Hotel Del Coronado to see the huge Christmas tree, one of our time-honored traditions!

Christmas 2012 at the Del

We had good conversation and a great dinner at a quaint little restaurant. We laughed, we looked at the lights, we wrapped presents, and drank coffee together.

On Christmas morning, we exchanged a few, very special gifts. Gifts that we will treasure because of the love and the thought that was put into giving them.

I also learned a very valuable lesson, and it was probably my best gift of the year.

I learned that sometimes the unplanned events and moments can be the very best moments of all! The month was filled with these moments, Christmas day included.

I wasn’t able to be with my own kids at Christmas, but I did get to hear their voice, and the voice of my grandkids.  An unplanned moment, and priceless gift indeed!

The afternoon was spent with my best friend, my mom, my niece and her husband.  The plan for the day had always included lunch with my mom, but the bonus was my niece and her husband.  They were a much welcomed, surprise visit! Another unplanned moment.  I was able to celebrate Christmas with my sister’s daughter.  I know she really would have liked that a lot, and that makes me happy.

It was great to spend time together, talking and laughing, and enjoying the comfort and love of family.

And…I also met my goal!

In fact, I think this Christmas is going to hold a very fond memory for me.  I’m glad I gave myself these goals.  Especially the goal to try and enjoy each moment, because the moments, both planned and unplanned, were good, and I really did enjoy this Christmas!

sunset at the beach 4

A perfect ending to beautiful day!  Mission accomplished!

Related Articles:

https://beckystout.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/overwhelmed-by-christmas/

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Merry Christmas 2012

Christmas in the manger

Christmas in the Manger

by: Nola Buck and Felicia Bond

I am the star that shines in the east,

I light the stable for man and beast.

I am the donkey, soft and gray,

I carried his mother from far away.

I am the ram, with my curly horn

I guard the stall where the child is born.

I am the ox, strong as steel,

before the only son I kneel.

We are the shepherds who watch the sheep,

tonight a holy watch we keep.

We are the wise men, gifts we bring

for baby Jesus, our newborn King.

I am Mary, the mother mild,

how I love my tiny child.

I am the baby asleep in the hay,

and I am the reason for Christmas Day.

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Thankful Thursday: 3 Gifts Shining

Three Gifts Shining

1. The sun shining on my shoulder, and the comfort and warmth that it gives

sunshine on my shoulder

2. The lights shining brightly on the Hotel Del Coronado at Christmas
Hotel Del at Christmas

3. The fire glowing and shining in our wood stove
wood stove

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Thankful Thursday – 3 gifts striped

Three Gifts Striped

1. A striped candy cane made by the hands of someone I love, my big sister. Every year at Christmas, she would give me a hand-made ornament.  She passed away 10 years a go.  I miss those gifts.  I miss those hands.

Each year, as I hang the ornaments on my tree, I have a quiet moment of reflection as I think about my big sister, and her special gifts, and how much she loved me, and I loved her!

candy cane

2. Cozy socks that keep my feet nice and warm! Oh how I love a new pair of socks.

Because life is just too short for plain white socks!

sock

3. The blinds on my window. Not nearly as meaningful as the candy cane ornament, but certainly practical, and some times practical is good too.

window stripes

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Overwhelmed by Christmas

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Well, actually it has been looking like Christmas since the day after Halloween!  Not at my house, but everywhere else I go!

No wonder I feel like I’ve fallen desperately behind in getting ready for the Christmas season!  I only have 20 shopping days left before Christmas, and there are 3 birthdays to celebrate between now and then!

The “Christmas Season”.

I don’t want to feel overwhelmed by it, and so I have to step back and reevaluate almost everything I do. Why am I doing it, and who am I doing it for?  I really do want to keep loving this time of year.

And…I want to enjoy it for what it is.  The celebration and the joy of a very special Gift, which in turn affords me the opportunity to share a gift with those I love.

My goal this year is to keep Christmas, simple and focused.  Enjoy the moments, and relax.  Create new memories, and remember the ones from the past.

I can do this!  I will do this!

Merry Christmas!

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Happy Birthday Linda!

Happy, Heavenly Birthday to my big sister!

I can only imagine how much she is enjoying her day!  Her love for life was contagious, and her love for people, knew no bounds, especially, her love for her family.  I know, without a doubt, that she would have done anything for me as long as it wasn’t illegal or immoral!

I miss her smile, her laugh and her hugs.  It was because of her enthusiasm for the little things in life, that I am reminded of her often.

This is just a short list of memories of an amazing lady, sister and friend!

  • Temecula – our meeting place when the kids were small
  • Dolphins – we watched them play in the ocean, she was amazed
  • Artichokes – she found this strange thing to be fascinating, and insisted we try it
  • Christmas – I think it was her favorite time of the year.  She loved making it special for others, not just herself
  • Angels – every Christmas, she would make an ornament for me, it was always an angel
  • Thanksgiving – she taught me how to make gravy
  • “Nurse Jones” – together, we pulled my brother out of the dark side of the ICU room when he had a heart attack
  • Sail boats – camping by the ocean, her favorite place to relax
  • Chicken Apple Sausage – she introduced me to this – still one of my favorites

In memory of your special day.  In honor of you.

I love you Linda!