Family

I'm thankful for family--immediate and extended. I'm thankful for the ever-growing circle of people who I love and who love me. I thankful that this family circle is something that sustains me, and that I can draw on in times of need. I'm thankful for all the combined years experience available to me--all the wisdom and lessons learned. And I'm especially grateful that I am part of an eternal family circle, and that I'll forever have access to these people that I love.

Thanksgiving

I've seen a couple of family/friend blogs containing posts of gratitude in honor of this month of Thanksgiving. I really like that idea and want to join in with my list, daily or weekly--however it turns out. With today being the 5th, I'll list five things for starters.

I'm thankful for a new furnace that is capable of keeping us toasty warm in our comfy house.
I'm thankful for my wonderful husband's encouragement of and confidence in my exercise/ weight loss efforts.
I'm guiltily thankful for large TV's to watch football and movies on!
I'm thankful for the squash from our garden, as well as all the other produce that has now become food storage for the winter.
I'm thankful for many good books that make reading such a pleasure, and for my love of learning that drives me to read a little of everything.

And here's an extra one--I'm thankful for the chance to consider all the things I have to be thankful for! Contemplation is well-spent on gratitude.

Computer Sorrows

We recently upgraded our computer, and after doing so, John said "Remind me to never upgrade a computer again--tell me just to buy a new one!"
We still have not reloaded all the necessary programs to use the computer as freely as we used to. That means I can't load pictures on yet, which also means I can't do cool blog posts about trips to Thanksgiving Point, the Autism Walk, Billy/Johnny's birthday or anything cool I've made lately.
But I've updated my reading list...several times. Now I just need to think of a new 'tidbit of knowledge' to post.

So It Begins

Canning season is here again. I did the first two batches of fruit today, and have corn the back porch waiting for the freezer. My legs gave out before I finished. The girls are anxious to share the fruit, so I won't be doing quite as much this year--I'll let them do their own since they're willing.

Actually, I've been freezing broccoli pretty much all summer, and I even did a few peas, but it's when the fruit comes on that I feel like the canning really starts in earnest.

Books

Just so you know, all that time I was not posting I was still updating my blog by listing all the books I'd been reading. I read about 15 books in June, 9 in July, and 8 so far in August. I wish I'd started keeping track by months a long time ago--but wishes don't change things. I got the idea for dating my book list after visiting the Biltmore Mansion in NC and learning that G. W. Vanderbilt kept track of every book he read and when he read it. I've kept a running list of books I've read since I started my blog, but didn't even think about dating it. Now I'm keeping closer tabs on things. Times and seasons...recovery times are good reading times.

Catch-up, sort of

I frequently pester my daughters and daughter-in-law to update their blogs so I can see what's going on with their families. Lately I've been getting a bit of flack for not updating my blog much. I even let the Hiatt reunion go by without posting my pictures--I'm still hoping to do that one of these days. My life is about adjusting right now. Adjusting to having a back injury and having to hold still. Adjusting to a second flare-up of mono, and having to rest. Adjusting to the fact that Billy and Melody are both moving out in the next 7-10 days and I can't do much to help them get ready. Not that they need help, but I'm a mom--I should be scurrying around my house gathering things to help them furnish their apartments. I should be checking to make sure they have adequate linens and dishes. I should be...
I visited with a counselor the other day who had some interesting things to say about my lists of all the things I should be doing. In the meantime, I'm learning the hard way that I can't do all the things I think I should be doing. I can only sit and read, or do hand-work, or rest. So I continue to list the books I've read, (I'm currently catching up on all the Amelia Peabody novels--some of my favorites) while watching the produce on my back porch wilt in the sun. Anybody need any kind of squash? Zucchini, crook-neck, spaghetti, banana...it's all there for the taking. John and I both really enjoy it, so I imagine after the kids leave we'll be eating more of it than we are now.
For now, if I don't post any pictures or write about any fun adventures, it's because I'm icing my back, or applying heat to it, or that I'm too tired to do much of anything. I am improving, though. John and Bishop M gave me a blessing last night and today I can move much more easily. If I progress this much with every day, I'll soon be able to tackle all my lists of things to do. But I have a feeling the lists will be shorter and more manageable.

Announcement

Grandbaby #8 is on the way! Sarah and Nathaniel are expecting their 2nd baby in early to mid-February. Maybe it will be birthday present for John!