A Smiling Kind of Day

Some days are just meant to make us smile!  So far this is one of them.

First of all the sun is out and shining.  Yea!  There is still a layer or two of snow strategically lying in the yard, but I am betting it will be melted soon.

As usual, I have been a bad bird mom and I knew I had to go out and feed the little critters.  I cleared a path to the feeders and hauled the seed out to them, all the while imagining a line of huffy little bodies and faces giving me dirty looks as I finally took care of them.  The Blue Jays and Cardinals and some other bigger birds have been visiting our deck to steal cat food from the bowls I put out for the stray kitties who pass through.  Apparently birds love the cat food as much as the cats.

After finishing my job, I was overcome with a desire to spend a little time in the snow.  Since I knew better than to throw myself down to make a snow angel because I had visions of not being able to get up, I decided to take my snow shovel and just clear a place or two to help the melting process.  I used the blade to break it up in different patterns.  Who says "older" people can't play in the snow, too!


As I did all of this, I noticed my cat Chloe was very busy trying to clear the snow from the spot in a flower bed that she has chosen as her own special poo spot.  She worked and worked, but just as she tried to do her "business" snow fell back into the spot.  Finally she gave up ran to the open door to the house, ran to the closet where the litter box is located and quickly, with a sigh of relief.....well you get the idea.  Now that made me smile too.

Last night I did make it until the new year and said hello 2010.  Normally I don't do this but as I surfed through the channels, I landed on the CNN channel.  Much to my surprised and joy, there was Anderson Cooper!  Anderson Cooper in Times Square!  I really do like AC and it made me happy, happy to see in the new year with him "by my side."  The only flaw in my little fantasy was that Kathy Griffin was standing in "my spot".  Don't much care for her, but she did make AC cringe and smile on a few occasions and I do love those dimples!  Just for the record Jim was having his own perfect fantasy watching some football or basketball game on the other television!



Several people in the crowds mentioned that spending New Years Eve in Times Square was on their bucket list.  Sounds great to me, too!  In person instead of just watching on television!

I hope you,too, are having a smiling kind of day!

Looking Back As We Look Forward

It is so hard to realize that Christmas and Thanksgiving have come and gone so quickly.  In the blink of an eye the events that we worked so hard to prepare for have been reduced to a handful of memories.  It seems that if we didn't have the photos to prove that they truly existed we just might deny their very existence.  If someone asks me if our family had a good Christmas, I would have to reply that we did have a great Christmas and really enjoyed it. 

In fact, I think this was one of the most enjoyable and most fun filled Christmas times that I can remember, but that having been said, if I am not careful, I might let the stress and fatigue that came with the days of "getting ready" with the shopping, decorating, cooking, and all the rest (or lack of it) override the joy, beauty, and happiness that should have been paramount during this time. It is so shockingly easy to forget the "reason for the season" and I regret that I let that happen even when I feel so blessed in so many ways. I am not much on resolutions, but in the back of my mind, I resolve to seek ways to make our next Christmas more meaningful, restful, and filled with  joy for our blessings.

With the coming of the New Year, I also, find myself reflecting on some of the events that I will always associate with 2009--both good and bad:

2009 will always be the year we went to Alaska.  One of our Christmas gifts that I consider to be priceless is the wonderful book from Kim, Vince, and Cole that chronicles our trip in photos and comments.

2009 will always be the year that Jordie became a freshman in high school and for the first time since the 5th grade we saw a renewal of appreciation for school instead of dread for each day. New friends, new coaches and sports teams to be a part of along with new teachers and the new school have worked miracles for his attitude toward school.  It was also during 2009 that he became as tall as his Grandad after passing the rest of us much earlier.

2009 is another year in which we with great happiness saw our young Cole, make huge strides in school.  He loves going each day and has a strong love for learning that I have rarely seen in other children.  We are constantly amazed at what he teaches us with his great store of information and his talents.

2009 brought Izzie and Raider, our new grand-puppies, to live with Cole and his family.  

2009 will be remembered as a year for disappointment for our daughter, Jami, who worked so hard to train to run her first marathon, only to find herself in the hospital that day.  We pray for her continued healing both physically and spiritually.  

2009 will always be the year that we were profoundly disappointed that an athlete that we admired for his physical talent and for his seemingly good character, fell so far from  the man we imagined him to be and pray that he will find the strength he needs to put his life in order and to do what it takes to become a true man of character and honor. 

2009 brought a totally unexpected illness to one of our dear friends who just recently celebrated a fiftieth wedding anniversary with his wife who is also a dear friend.  Now we pray for a total recovery from this illness and the patience he will need for all the hard work (pt) that lies ahead.

In 2009 we have seen some of our friendships fade away just as we rejoice that we have felt other friendships strengthen.  

As we see 2010 approaching, we want to take the time to wish each and every one of you true happiness, good health and healing during illness. as well as fun, faith, and friends.  

Happy New Year to one and all!

Jim and Nicki