Thankful for Gatherings and Much More!

Feathers make me think of friends I've lost, little blessings

and make me smile. They have this ethereal nature that seems to connect me to many ideas. Because of this, I've decided to use them as my Thanksgiving theme for this year.

So here I'll begin my thoughts

on gratefulness journal...

• the joy of moms and grand moms going to movies with their little ones
• praying anywhere I choose
• Hospice and their caregivers
• prayers for our troops and their families

• new babies
• caring for our elderly
• helping the homeless
• church

• making a new friend
• loving an old one
• holding hands
• loving my job

• my sons
• my family
• the ability to laugh and cry, then laugh again
• to stop, listen and care

It might sound very simple to you when I list what I view as my blessings.

This last year has been a rough road in many ways. I've learned a lot,

adjusted a lot, moved twice, had health issues, began a new job, made friends,

become closer to God, read many a book, seen new places... learned who truly cares, who always has,

have become a better friend and Mom, realized I make mistakes and always will, have learned meditation and prayer, listening is very powerful and I am a novice at it. My sons are wise and I have a great deal to learn from them. God is always holding me in HIS hands. I have dear friends that ride their roller coasters and mine. I have a huge sense of humor. It's OK to cry. Everyone has a story to tell, a gift of themselves to share. I am so very thankful for this Life. Jenn

Happy Thanksgiving...

there is no one else like YOU!

ok, so i'm not decking the halls, the walls, putting up a tree - stuff i always do.

don't get me wrong - i adore the holidays, i'm festive

funky, love ribbons bows and glitter with the best of 'em!

i shop 'til i drop.

but

remember i said i left me home in september, took 3 days of clothes to escape an abusive marriage, living in a friend's house

while she's living in texas

well

just not this year

so

i'm still having a festive holiday

just different

my daughter in law ravy and i made gourmet gift baskets

for friends that have helped me in so many ways during this new journey with packing,hugs,encouragement,sleepovers,humor and just plain listening.

a new church and friends

this is a site i can enjoy - incredible!

my friends and i are still crazy

some are dealing with breast cancer some are survivors

we're all supporters

we're all strong

some things never change,

no matter what your worries may be

like babies smiles and petal soft skin

or how much i miss my animals,

 how much i'm sure you love your's

and that i get to enjoy friends critters

there's "junior" the guinea pig, dogs named "maddie",

"gracie", "stanley", "star", donkeys named "donkay", "jade",

a horse named "reno"...how can a girl be lonely?

staying healthy...for sure!

count my blessings
each and every one!
jennifer
did I tell you change can be really cool
and not too very scary? 

Hats Off To You!

hats off to the heros

who are serving our country
and didn't get to come home
on Thanksgiving

hats off to happiness

wherever you can grab it!

hats off to huggable

as sweet as a baby can be

hats off to handsome

beauty inside and out

Hats Off to Hilarity

because we can laugh at silly times

Last but not least...

Hats off to all the HELPERS

from Thanksgiving

• who ran to the grocery store
• brought a dish
• dried a dish washed a dish
• held a baby
• drove someone home
• had to work
• got up early
• changed a diaper
• put left overs away
• set the table
• tried a new recipe
• called someone they loved
• sent a card
• said "I'm Thankful For YOU"
• remembered someone in prayer

Hugs, Jennifer

Jesus Loves Me This I Know.... Nobody's Perfect!

I make no claims of being perfect...

I used to believe I had a pear shaped bod.

Now I'm not quite sure where parts belong, where they used to be,
and what I even want anymore!

What I do know is that when I say my prayers,

I don't think God cares if I ate an extra slice of pizza.

When I spend the day with my friend Pauline,

 I'm so happy we've been friends for over 40 years.
She doesn't care if I color my hair, if my roots are showing.
We nursed our babies at the same time.
We went to 4th grade together!
We'll never see size 9 again.
We double dated.
Now, we still laugh until we cry!

God's seen me crying in my car.

Laughing with my dogs.

Rejoicing with my kids.

Fretting over the economy.

Placing my fears in His hands.

Every crazy moment!

I watch over my loved ones, they watch over me and
our Lord watches over us all.
Blessed are we.

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever (Psalm 136:26).

Take a trip to Fiona & Twig, a very special lady and my inspiration for this post. Her's by far is more creative, spiritual, funny and gifted - but she enabled me to think and write. I thank you once again Anne. With Love, Jenn

What Can You Do In A Day?

Good Morning, Good Morning!

I'm trying to think of new ways to make a difference. Little ways, big ways, asking for ideas, finding ideas. I am having soooo much fun doing it! It can be free or cost very little. Earlier this week I bought several bags of candy corn, divided them into smaller bags, tied and tagged them with notes that said " maybe a little corny but thanks for your support". The staff I work with are the very BEST! One day I put bottles of bubbles in my friend's mail cubbies with a note that said "you're never too old to be young!".

soooo,  saying "thank you" is really pretty darn easy!

Balinese (Bali) Matu suksama       Cherokee (United States) Wa'-do
  Farsi (Iran) Mamnoon          Gascon (France) Merci

Yesterday I stopped at The French Confection bakery and picked up fresh baked crossiants for a few of my co-workers ... just 'cause.

                           almond

chocolate

strawberry                 apple

   I had so much funny handing them out and seeing the surprise on my co-workers faces.......

I did it again today for the 5 Security Guards, the Principal and 2 Guidance Counselors.

man was it fun!

Gong (Thailand) Ang kêun      Hawaiian (Hawaii) Mahalo
Italian (Central Europe, E Africa) Grazie          Japanese (Japan) Arigato
It's 9:10 am and I can't stop smiling!



Valencian (Spain)          Gracies              Welsh (Wales)  Diolch yn fawr
Yiddish (Europe) Dank  Zulu (South Africa, Lesotho) Ngiyabonga

P.S. I had my usual java and a strawberry and cream croissant (not my usual or I'd be HUGE) = no calories on Fridays.

(lunch = salad dinner = salad breakfast tomorrow = salad)

Life is just a chair of bowlies! Jenn

God's fingerprints on my life... the ability to smile and try to do good. I don't always win but I always try.

My Rainy Monday...Won't You Join Me for Tea?

my weekend was perfect!

i caught up on laundry

talked to friends

met friends on Friday night to chill for a bit

slept in on Sat.

stayed home Sat. & Sun.

made 16 Easter cards for The Pink Poet

made my yogurt cup Easter Basket for my swap partner

made my Easter Egg for another swap partner

went to bed early, watched some good movies

worked on Spring craft items for a store delivery on Monday to Klaradal

played with my pups - old and young... they always need lovin'

so I'm back to work in a

busy High School Health room

but I wanted to say "good monring"

"thank you for your sweet comments and prayers

last week, you're all amazing and inspiring!"

won't you peek in and have a cup of you're favorite tea with me

or two?    Jennifer

Irish Breakfast
A very rich tasting tea is usually a blend of Assam and Ceylon black tea varieties. It brews a dark-reddish cup and gives off a medium aroma. It has a brisk malty taste with slightly bitter undertones.


English Breakfast
Worth the brewing! English Breakfast is a strong smoky beverage that will definitely wake your taste buds up! Made from Keenum Chinese black tea, this tea has a bite.
Perfect for folks who want a breakfast tea.


Earl Grey Tea
Named after the early 19th century Prime Minister, Charles Grey. This tea is infused with the oil of the bergamot orange. It produces a cup of tea with a bitter-citrus yet sweet taste that is enjoyed in both England and America. In fact, Earl Grey is one of the most common types of tea in both countries!


Sencha Green Tea
A famous Japanese variety of green tea. The leaves, although small, steep a full flavored brew. The taste is a somewhat vegetal in flavor. To newcomers this may sound like a turn-off, but for seasoned green tea drinkers it is a real treat.
Dragon Well Green Tea
This is another famous green tea, grown in China. Referred to as the Chinese version of Sencha. The broad flat leaves make a great tasting cup that is less grassy than Sencha. There is also a more medium-bodied flavor that is perfect for folks introducing themselves to green tea.


Silver Needle White Tea
This is one of my favorite types of white tea. This tea is perhaps the purest and most powerful of ALL types of tea. It's sweet, subtle and perfect for everyday!
The leaves are plucked before they open and have fuzzy silver-like hairs covering them which give them a whitish-silvery appearance.


Wu-yi Oolong Tea
"Wu-yi" oolong is becoming quite a popular variety as of late. Grown in the rocky Wuyi mountains of China. This tea has large leaves that make a fruity, nutty, and rich tasting cup. A perfect tea for newcomers who want to try the oolong type of tea. This tea is also known to help folks loss weight naturally and effectively! Provided they include proper exercise and healthy eating habits!