Just Jot It January Prompt: Memento 20190107

What is all this? These are some of my mementos of Christmas 2018.

One of my friends (and I have some fantastic friends, just saying) had a cute idea this year. She decided that it would be fun to send me “Advent” presents. I don’t think I have had this much fun in December in a long, long time!

When you live in such a rural place that there isn’t door-to-door delivery, mail seems to become even more exciting. UPS does come straight to the house but other forms we have to drive to the post office to pick up.

Anyway, the first box included the first week and a half so that my birthday present was in it. Only on that box could I open more than one package. Woo-hoo!

Look, this is what was the best about this. My friend had to keep down costs. She’s on a fixed income like me. So for a while, she picked up goodies that were very inexpensive, you know like sales items or Dollar Store kinds of things.

I don’t know why but I nearly cried every day as I opened the proper present. Even for the cute little plastic frog or the heart-shaped pencil sharpener. There were some more expensive items. My pal said even those were bargains. That lovely fan, the fragrant sachets, the soft socks (two pairs), pattern books (four including crochet, and knitting), two small canvases for painting on, a cute purple picture frame, a couple tablets (journals) with pens, a glow in the dark wand, silly putty, play dough, a bottle of bubbles, a rock she actually painted (so adorable!), did I mention the little candle, chocolate, a tiny wonderful jar of Nutella, soft yarn, Magic Sniff a small container of tissues, a pen that says “I’m a Beautiful Snowflake a dolphin bookmark. I hope I got it all in this list.

At any rate, as good as it made me feel to open something every day, I think I may want to follow her lead and start doing this for her and other loved ones. It was truly the gift that keeps on giving, at least for 25 days.

I was thinking this might be a fun thing to do for elder friends and family. Heck, they probably already have all they need but stuck at home or in the rest home or hospital, etc. This process of opening a little something helps one to feel the love. And I can store these in a small box so it doesn’t make it hard to decide where to store everything. The only things not in the box are the chocolate and the Nutella. They disappeared within! 😀

Christmas was fun all around for me.  These momentoes will be in my heart and I feel loved.

Thank you, Linda G. Hill for Just Jot It January. Thank you, Tara, for a chance to use the prompt, Memento.

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The moon was shining in the backyard.

In the front yard.

 

I know all the fires contribute to the beauty. So it is a bittersweet scene.

Did I mention, I love the sunsets here!

One-Liner Wednesday February 7, 2018

When enjoying the craft group shortens the walk. (Too much fun and warm weather–but met a cute new puppy on the street.)

She looked like this. Kali hated her but I wanted to keep her. She followed us home but left after we went into the house to crash.

1-Liner Wednesday = Linda G. Hill

Sunset – February 6, 2018

Rewards of two days of 2 mile walks three angles of the same sunset

And finishing this cute little guy:

Life is good.

Share Your World – February 5, 2018

 

 

What would be your ideal fantasy way to spend Monday?

With all that has been going on with moving in my son, today we took the dog for a walk. It was fun to chat and stroll. Perfect Monday.

What one person that you are out of contact with would you like to say thank you to?

My grandmothers and aunts. Every one of them gave me gifts to be grateful for. My maternal grandmother was a spitfire a tiny giant. My paternal grandmother (who I think I look like most) a warm hospitable woman with a sense of humor that lasted far past her Alzheimer’s. My maternal aunts who taught me to knit, crochet, sew, and to want and love children. I think of them every day! My paternal aunts, one inspired my desire to learn German and encouraged me in ways I didn’t even realize until I got older. Another of my paternal aunts feels near all the time. Her sense of humor, like her mother’s and love that just never ended. Her daughter shines the same love.

There are so many other aunts and ALL my wonderful cousins–What you wanted ONE person? Can’t narrow it down!

Oh, and we haven’t started on friends… If this wasn’t so public I would mention each and every one. I love you all!

List your favorite toys or games as a kid?

Swimming pool. Does that count? Okay, pogo-stick, jacks, twirling on the bars at school, swinging, oh how I miss swinging. Hula hoop, biking, wiggle-waggle board, BOOKS,oh, and swimming. Other things I loved are pictured above.

What did you appreciate or what made you smile this past week?  Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination. 

Going through all the pictures of the games and toys made me smile. Thinking of my awesome life makes me smile.

Thank you Cee for this fun way to explore our worlds. Check out her site: Cee’s Photography.

Happy Groundhog’s Day

I watch this show every year. Thinking about how if I just apply myself to something assuming I never have to stop I could become proficient. Now that my piano is in the living room I need to get rid of all the psychic garbage that keeps me from it and just do it like every day is Groundhog’s Day. Think of the things we could learn if we just followed Phil.

Share Your World – January 9, 2018

 

Sorry to be late to the party. Share Your World is a Monday thing. To learn more about it go to Cee’s Photography. She had a ton of challenges and fantastic photos to boot!

 

Do you prefer a bath or shower?

When I was younger this kind of situation would make me drool. Deep long baths are so soothing. But our clawfoot is sitting up on a platform about a foot and a half. Getting in is difficult. After a long soothing bath it is impossible to get out–for me. After pulling the shower curtain down with me, I decided against those long spa treatments. Now it is a quickie in the small bathroom over the sink or a quick shower. UNTIL my shower in the small restroom is completed. Hopefully by the end of this week. Then showers become my second favorite.

What do you do to make a living or during the day? If you are retired what mostly occupies your day? Or if you are a student what are you studying?

Retired means finding your own rhythms and desires. If you have money that is a limitless dream. But on SSI it is tight. Still, I spend my days making comfort items for charities with donated yarns. Mostly I loom knit. I’m learning to do some needle felting. I spend some time on four languages on Duolingo. And I write and edit previous writings of 12 or 13 books. And lots of reading and binging on Netflix.

Is there a stuffed animal in your bedroom?

Since I do my knitting in my bedroom, this is an example of the stuffed animals in my bedroom. Or does the always hungry Rosey count as stuffed?

What inspired you or what did you appreciate this past week?  Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination. 

I think getting back into my blogging and getting to meet new people or learning more about my blogging friends has filled my heart with joy. You all are fantastic!

Tiny Bear

Mothered a tiny bear today!

But truth of the day, I am so glad to have birthed my real babies over thirty years ago. They are still the love and light of my life.

Happy Mother’s Day everyone!

Sunset and Moon

Just took Kali outside. It was gorgeous. I don’t know if these pics will do it justice but I can only try to share this beauty.

In the east, the moon.

In the west, the leftovers of another great sunset.