Gratitude| Let me count the days...9, 10, 11, 12 and 13

Gratitude | so I'm behind, I've been busy, give mama a break already.  I shall list some things I'm so grateful for ...

• flexible doctors, who will schedule you in at the last minute.
• health insurance, can I hear an amen.
• antibiotics.
• Veterans, not just because they gave me a three-day weekend.  My dad is a vet, I celebrate him daily!
• colleagues who care for my well-being.
• car ride sans kids.
• streets blanketed with fall leaves.
• wishes at 11:11 on 11/11/11.
• friends that make you feel good.
• time to be crafty.
• time with family.
• mashed papas.

Giving | time, money (to a good cause), Friday nights with friends, a homemade meal to my family.

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It's been a whirlwind the last five days.  I had meetings most of last week and got sick and better too.  I drove down Friday to Camas to attend Melody's first art show and auction.

a view from my room of downtown Camas

I met Melody at the Ignite retreat.  She is amazing, inspiring and so creatively artistic.  I'm now proud owner of three of her pieces.  They hang in my house most beautifully.

A trip home early Saturday to arrive just in time to attend Sofia's soccer game.  I felt so bad for her and her teammates, it was freezing.  She was a popsicle by the end of the game.  The best cure for cold soccer players is a hot shower followed by hot chocolate, with mini-marshmellows, that will make you feel all toasty inside.  Follow it up with a game of Monopoly to get the blood flowing and competition going.

Tonight I invited the padres, Slovidge and Donald Duck over for dinner.   Chicken, mashed papas, corn, salad, rolls....oh, heart be still.  And for dessert carrot cake and brownies too.  We visited, talked, laughed ate good food, read the comics and had the kitchen clean by 6pm.  Now that's good.  A great way to end the three day weekend.

Dipped chicken tenders in panko bread crumbs and seasonings, then baked.  Yum.

I know that's not the most attractive picture of my mom.  Walking, blurred, with arms swinging back, reminds me of Sasquatch.  Trust me, it's just my lovely mama.


I've started prepping the foundation of my December Daily 2011 album.  This will be my second year of documenting the first 25 days of December.  Ali Edwards again is my inspiration.   I started last night, siting in my yellow room by the light of the moon and my lamp.  Until midnight.  I'm so excited.

late nights....

I'm spending my nights working on my December Daily.

It's taking more time than I had hoped, but I am getting quicker in my daily entries.

From last night.