It's Thanksgiving...

Today, I had printed out pages for each family member to fill out telling their name, their age today and three things for which they're grateful. Three was really for Dalton's sake. I, being of few words, (HA!) needed pages on which to list my blessings and those things for which I'm grateful.

I can't share Taylor and Reaves' pages with you because they're in North Carolina with their Dad. They're also with a friend and they're all going to a Panther's Football game on Sunday and a tailgate party. I'm grateful they're there, with their dad. I am thankful they are compassionate and feel the responsibility to be with him for the holiday so he actually celebrates Thanksgiving with family and not alone.

I"m grateful that I have a family still with me with whom I can celebrate. No matter our differences, no matter our troubles, we are in the same house, under a roof that keeps us warm and out of the rain and out of the cold and the heat. I'm thankful we have food to cook today, traditional food. It means we're not hungry and we're not dirt poor. I'm thankful that we have nice clothes to wear that are not "holey" . They're warm and clean and decent. That means we've had the money to afford something decent to wear and have the means with which to keep them clean.

I'm grateful for a wonderful group of friends, both on line and off line. I have friends all over the world and I love them all in so many different ways. From Holland to Australia to Canada to Venezuela. From Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, California, Iowa and nearly every state in between. Right here in Williamsburg are so many wonderful people. People who I love as much as it is possible to love a person in so many different capacities.

I'm delighted to know that I care so much for so many people who have a part of my heart. This means I learned to be accepting of people, and have been accepted, sight unseen. It is so mighty, and a powerful gift, to care so deeply for people without ever having met them in person. What a PRIVILEGE!

I'm grateful for an amazing family, extended and blood. My dad is just a fantastic man, father and friend. My almost parents and family are terrific. My mom left a great legacy of love when she left our world. She touched so many by simply offering them a smile; a smile filled with love and peace. My sister is a lovely girl and I miss her dreadfully. Though her family is going through some turmoil, she is my sister and I love her just as much as ever. I've been where she is, well sort of, and I want to just kidnap her, bring her here and keep her close to me until, well, I don't know until what..... But that feeling inside me makes me grateful. I'm grateful because I have a family and I love them. My brother in law is a great person too and my niece and nephew are terrific. My other "in laws and families" on Kevin's side are terrific (mostly - *grins*) and I love them too.

I have bills... So many bills! Bills I can't always cover. But I'm grateful for those bills! It means my family and I have had medical treatment, lights to see and power to cook, television to watch, internet and a computer to connect with my friends and family, water to drink and cook and with which I clean my clothes and body and home. I have gas to power my car to take my friends to the store when they can't always take themselves. I have gas to visit my friends and lend a helping hand where I can. I have bills to cover repairing that car to get me back and forth to see my father, shop for groceries, go to the doctor to help take care of myself and my family.

I have leaves; so many leaves to rake. Grass that needs cutting equally as bad. It's a sight to see and it's in need of help. But I'm grateful. It means I have grass, shade and a wonderful yard in which my kids can play and have grown up. It means I have a lovely place for Easter Egg hunts, Scavenger Hunts during birthday parties, a place to hang pinatas to play fun party games. I have a driveway for my car and a place for a grill and roses in my yard that make my heart happy in the spring. I have beautiful dogwoods that make me so so happy and daffodils that are so beautiful and perky and smell so sweet. I have crab apples that bloom their delicate, beautiful pink and white blooms. It's a yard with a driveway with a house with a family with love.

I'm so very thankful.

When I asked Dalton to fill in his page today, he answered these things.

My name is Dalton and I am 6 years old.
Today is Thursday, November 22, 2007 and it is Thanksgiving.

I am grateful for

my dog
my famley (family)
my cose bed (cozy bed)


It really is that simple isn't it. God bless him for keeping it real. For showing others just how simple and real and lovely it is. Thank you Lord for this wee small child who shows me love, just as it is, and how to be so amazingly grateful.

A Fun New Crop

I've been hanging out at a fun new site (one of two actually) and they're having a great crop at then end of the month.

It's at The Scrapbook Site. These gals are so very talented and fun and absolutely kind as can be. I love it there!

TSS would like to invite you and yours to our HOLIDAZZLE CROP!

The crop will start on Friday, November 30th at 12 noon and will continue all weekend!!!

Lisa (the owner) has come up with some AMAZING prizes and you will have TONS of chances to win!

Join us for chatting, challenges, games, classes and more!!!

The Scrapbook Site

Good News and Bad News

Hi All! (As I greet you from behind my chair in hopes you don't throw something because I've abandoned you all so long...)

Well, let's see...

In the past few weeks, I've gotten a continuation of my Disability Hearing, I've gotten a referral to a Neurosurgeon, and I've seen the surgeon. I've visited my dad ALL ALONE! I spent two days in Richmond (one night) enjoying the company of that man who is more and more hilarious each time we spend adult time together.

So, let's see - that appointment. The surgeon said:

Well, you do have some back issues. First and foremost, if you had come here 10 years ago we would have done spinal fusion surgery right away. The problem is, we've found that we have created more trouble than we've helped. So, the good news is, you're not going to be operated on! YEAH!!!!!!!!!

He does think I have coccydemia (from a broken tailbone in 82) and that should be addressed with an orthopedist. He also says that of all the people he sees for my exact problem, he can only tell them all the same thing... you're going to have to ride this out with medication and epidurals if they work and if not, just keep going to your pain management doctor.

Okay, that's the bad news... continue on the meds that make me feel sick, lethargic, dizzy, drunk and all together out of sorts. Yuck............. But, that's tons better than being cut on.

I'm thrilled actually. I had resigned myself to it since my other neurosurgeon recommended it IMMEDIATELY, but I really didn't want to go through it. I'm just so glad I don't have to. The last thing I wanted was that kind of recovery time and those kinds of meds. Besides, the doctor said that of the people who had the surgery 10 years ago, they're all having to have more surgery now and it would just be making a bad situation worse. (Lord have mercy, don't make it worse please!)

So, Daddy took me out to celebrate with Janice and Richard Baldwin to the Peking around the corner from his house. It was awesome and we had a great dinner. We went home and while Daddy was watching his history channel, I checked my email. I promptly fell asleep at the computer... ugh.

When I went downstairs again, we were trying to talk and I kept nodding out. Daddy just laughed and sent me upstairs to bed. I literally fell into bed and didn't get up for several hours (potty time and back hurting) then back to sleep for another couple hours and potty break and change position. I woke up for the day about 8 (a luxury not often afforded me) and dressed, made the bed and got the make up on. That took an hour.... Can you imagine taking that much time just to do those three simple tasks???

Anyhow, we had a great time chatting over breakfast, then went into the den. I promptly fell asleep in Momma's chair. Daddy said despite my snoring I slept so peacefully he didn't dare wake me.

We went to lunch at a darling diner and had fantastic soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. We took a quick detour to Michael's to see about some Gum Arabic and then back to Daddy's. I was there long enough to potty, thank Daddy, hug him quickly and get back on the road.

I made good time on the road and look forward to seeing him again soon. I miss him dreadfully but the trip takes a lot out of me.

When I got home the kitchen was destroyed, a tornado had flown through the den and my desk was trashed. Needless to say I was pretty hacked. I slept for a bit (too pooped to pop!) and then checked email and a few messages then hit the stove to make a quick dinner (egg, bacon and cheese biscuits) and cub scouts. (Good thing the parents aren't required to participate... I surely wouldn't have gotten my attendance points...)

Then home, homework and bam... out like a light at bed time.

So that's what has been going on in the last few days. I'm thrilled it's done, thrilled with the doctor's advice and equally thrilled I'm home again.

Now it's time to scrap! I'm hoping this weekend affords me some creative time.

Peace and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!