365 Grateful - the year in review

I wasn't totally successful in completing my 365Grateful project. I skipped 2 months while we were in transition of selling the old house, buying a new one and changing jobs and living away from Scott for 4 of those weeks. In the middle of that we took Jonathan to his first year at JMU. Whew what a couple of months that was.

Regardless of that, I am very happy with how the project made me think about my life and how happy I really am and with all that I have for which to be grateful.  I am most grateful for my marriage and the amazing kids we have. I also became more aware of the relationship that Scott and I have and how much it has grown over the last 28+ years. We lean on each other now more than ever and are making the time to spend with one another to feed our relationship.

I also grew closer to my Mom and have come to appreciate all that she has taught me over the years and for the relationship that has grown as we have both aged.

I celebrated my 50th birthday with family and friends. I feel so blessed to have so many great friends and to be close to such wonderful people.

I am healthier than I have been in almost 2 years. My pemphigus is under control, getting close to being in remission with no prednisone. I have spent most of the year weaning myself down from 40 mg per day to 3 mg. I'm grateful for modern medicine.

I am most thankful to have a loving God that looks over me and helps to orchestrate the happiness in my life and to watch over my family and friends.

Day 365 - 12/31/14 - Celebrate

I spent most of the day alone, reflecting and thinking about the past year, our new home, our children and their lives and how happy I am to be blessed with the marriage God has given me. I didn't celebrate in the usual way.
Scott had gone to Fredbg. for a race today which was then coupled with a race tomorrow - a pair of 5Ks makes a 10K. He will spend tonight with his parents.
I did some cleaning and organizing. I took down all of the Christmas decorations and packed them away, ready for Scott to put them in the garage tomorrow afternoon. I also hung some curtains in my craft room.
Then I settled in with a book, a treat of a glass of Northern Neck Ginger Ale and the quiet house.

I'm grateful that I am happy to be alone at times and am comfortable with my thoughts.

#theidearoom word of the day celebrate 

Day 364 - 12/30/14 - Smiles

Charlie's cat, Tessy, always puts a smile on my face. I stopped by to check on her while Charlie was out of town and to freshen up some things for her.  Tessy let me rub her belly and rewarded me with purrs and a smile.

I'm grateful for all of God's creatures and their interactions with people.

#theidearoom word of the day smiles  

Day 363 - 12/29/14 - early mornings

As I have done so many other early mornings this year, I went for blood work and have a lovely bandage to prove it. This is one of the things I will do for a long time to come, if not the rest of my life. I have to have blood work done on a regular basis to be sure my Pemphigus is under control.

I'm grateful for modern medicine and for those that have made it their life's work to serve others through medicine.

#theidearoom word of the day early morning 

Day 362 - 12/28/14 - fresh

I love baking, especially bread. There is nothing quite like the smell and taste of a loaf of bread fresh from the oven.

I'm grateful for the joy of baking.


#theidearoom word of the day fresh 

Day 361 - 12/27/14 - relax

We spent most of today trying to relax. We read, and talked and walked and had target practice and family photos. This one is Rebecca, Jonathan and Willie, posing in our front yard. Later in the afternoon, we took Rebecca & Taylor to the airport to return to Boston.

I'm grateful to have such a photogenic family and to be able to spend time doing nothing and being together.

#theidearoom word of the day relax 

Day 360 - 12/26/14 - busy

Today was quite a busy day. We spent a lot of time in the car shuttling between different family celebrations and gathering. It was a great day, long and tiring, but great!

I'm grateful for all of my family members and the love we all share with one another.

#theidearoom word of the day busy 

Day 359 - 12/25/14 - aftermath

This is the aftermath of our Christmas day's celebration and exchanging of gifts.

I'm grateful to have this time with my family and to be able to give gifts that make them happy.


#theidearoom word of the day aftermath 

Day 358 - 12/24/14 - loved ones

It is Christmas Eve, Rebecca & Taylor are here for a few days to celebrate with us. They cooked a few times while here. In this picture, they are preparing "engagement chicken", roasted brussell sprouts, mac 'n cheese and gingerbread cookies. Scott is helping to keep the kitchen clean.

I'm so grateful to have time to spend with my loved ones. 


#theidearoom phrase of the day loved ones 

Day 357 - 12/23/14 - baking

I spent a little time this week baking. These embellished chocolate chip cookies are so easy, yet look spectacular. I wish I could have captured the glistening of the sprinkles.

I'm grateful for the gift of kitchen creativity.

#theidearoom word of the day baking 

Day 356 - 12/22/14 - shopping

I went out shopping today, even though I thought I was done. I wasn't that there were still some gifts I needed to get.

I'm grateful to be able to buy gifts for those I love.


#theidearoom word of the day shopping 

Day 355 - 12/21/14- front door

This is the front door of our new home, decorated for Christmas. I bought a fresh wreath and dressed it up a little bit.

I'm grateful to have a front door, and a roof over my head.

#theidearoom word of the day front door 

Day 354 - 12/20/14 - mail

Opening the mail everyday this week has been enjoyable, getting birthday cards and Christmas cards from those we love really makes us feel loved.

I'm grateful for the USPS and the cards & letters they bring.


#theidearoom word of the day mail 

Day 353 - 12/19/14 - decoration

Just after Thanksgiving, I used decorations such as these to make the Longwood at Emporia space festive. It is amazing what a couple wreaths and a small tree can do to brighten up the space.

I'm grateful for the ability to decorate our space and make it homier.

#theidearoom word of the day decorations 

Day 352 - 12/18/14 - happy

The painters from main campus came to Emporia and painted the halls with a Longwood Blue & Gray set of stripes.  Seeing how nice this makes our hallways really makes me happy. 

I'm grateful for the generosity of the buildings and grounds department on main campus and their willingness to come to Emporia and paint our hallways.

#theidearoom word of the day happy 

Day 351 - 12/17/14 - gift

This cute Tigger mug was a gift from my friend Charlie. When I was staying with her and had my coffee out of a Pooh mug, I commented how Tigger was my favorite but that I never could find a mug. She found one, at a Disney store in North Carolina.

I'm grateful for friends that remember things like that and give me gifts that make me smile.

#theidearoom word of the day gift 

Day 349 - 12/15/14 - enjoy

Tonight I got to drive to Harrisonburg to pick up Jonathan after he went away on a skiing trip following his first semester of college. I really enjoy the drive from Fredericksburg to Harrisonburg, especially when I first see the mountains in the distance.

I'm grateful for mountain views and for time spent with my son. I know these times are going be fewer and farther between as he grows into the young man we have been raising him to be. I am cherishing each minute I have with him.

#theidearoom word of the day enjoy 

Day 348 - 12/14/14 - handmade

One of my favorite young ladies, friends and distant cousins, Emily Krause made this gorgeous knitted infinity scarf for me. I love that she took the time to make it for me and that I got to spend time with her while I was in Farmville.

I'm grateful for a handmade gift and the love of the ladies in my life.

#theidearoom word of the day handmade

Day 347 - 12/13/14 - tree

Scott, Willie and I went to the Petersburg Battlefield Park for out walk this morning. The weather was a bit chilly, but very clear and the sky was a deep blue. The tree is standing in the middle of a large field that was a civil war battlefield. It has been there many years and stands majestically. The park contains many fields and woods, with well maintained trails running throughout them all.

I'm grateful that these parks were preserved to honor the history of our area.


#theidearoom word of the day tree

Day 346 - 12/12/14 - stockings

These are the stockings that are hung by our chimney this year. The checkered ones were made by my mother as our family was first starting out. We have added a couple others to include our new additions to our family traditions.

I am grateful that my mother enjoys creating things for those she loves.


#theidearoom word of the day stocking

Day 345 - 12/11/14 - blessings

It is one of the many blessings that go with my job at Longwood that I get to stay at the Longwood Bed & Breakfast when I need to travel to campus for meetings. The house is decorated for Christmas with old fashioned greenery and fruits.  It is gorgeous inside and out.

I'm grateful for my Longwood family and the perks of my job.


#theidearoom word of the day blessings

Day 344 - 12/10/14 - cozy

Scott took me to this cozy restaurant for my birthday. It is just a few miles from our new home and is a really good find. We will be going back.  I had Shrimp Scampi and he had spaghetti in marinara sauce. It was quite yummy.

I'm grateful for new restaurants and quiet time to celebrate with my darling.


#theidearoom word of the day cozy

Day 343 - 12/9/14 - weather

Today's weather is kind of yucky. Rainy, drizzly all day long.

I'm grateful that we have rain to keep our well full and to keep the plants alive.


#theidearoom word of the day weather

Day 342 - 12/8/14 - new

We went shopping today for my birthday present. Scott wanted to indulge me since this is a big birthday, coming on Wednesday.  I had been yearning for a new camera, one that was a DSLR, and would allow me to explore one of my long lost hobbies.

I'm grateful that he likes to spoil me. I'm very lucky to have him.

#theidearoom word of the day new

Day 341 - 12/7/14 - dinner time

At dinner time, we enjoyed homemade chicken nuggets, fresh steamed broccoli and new potatoes. Dessert was Oreo pie. These are all at Scott's request.

I'm grateful that he has simple tastes that I can prepare on a weeknight.

#theidearoom word of the day dinner time

Day 340 - 12/6/14 - sparkly

Willie is sitting in front of our newly set up and decorated, sparkly Christmas tree.  He was not quite happy with us when we were getting out the boxes, but they were gone before too long and he seemed happier.

I'm grateful that we are free to celebrate Christmas (and any holiday) as we choose.


#theidearoom word of the day sparkly

Day 339 - 12/5/14 - ornament

This is an  ornament  on the tree that I put up at work decorated in Longwood colors.

I'm grateful for the ability to decorate our hall and make things festive for our students.


#theidearoom word of the day ornament 

Day 338 - 12/4/14 - silver

I love these little bits of silver wrapped milk chocolate. I can eat just one and feel satisfied.

I'm grateful for Milton Hershey's ingenuity so many years ago (1907) to put chocolate into such a tiny package.


#theidearoom word of the day silver

Day 337 - 12/3/14 - candle

Today's photo-a-day image is of a courting candle that is hanging in the foyer of our home.
It reminds me of the courtship time in my relationship with Scott. He and I "courted" or dated for just a brief 4 months before getting engaged. We were then engaged for 11 months before getting married.

I'm grateful for knowing so quickly into our relationship that he was the one for me and that I would spend the rest of my life with him.

#theidearoom word of the day candle

Day 336 - 12/2/14 - errand

On my way home this afternoon, I ran the one errand, to get gas. many days I only have time for one quick stop.

I'm grateful for convenient gas stations where the prices are affordable. 

#theidearoom word of the day errand

Day 335 - 12/1/14 - red & white

I've been using every spare chance I can to work on our family Christmas cards. I am using this red & white paper in the design.

I'm grateful that I have the creativity and the interest to make original designs and to have many friends and family to send them to.


#theidearoom phrase of the day red & white