365/365

 

Today...

I finished this project. Yes, I know there is one more day left this year. Just what we need is one more day of 2020. Am I right?

Anyway, I'm done. It's been interesting, fun, challenging, educational, tedious, inspirational...all the things. I am ready for something new and maybe not so, every day. I'll still be taking pictures and probably every day because that is what I do. Maybe not sharing as much. 

As for this gratitude blogging, I'm taking that off-line. I need to do more writing, by hand. 

364/365

 

Today...

I got to hang out with two of my grandbabies and my son. What an honor to get to spend time with these tiny humans. They bring me so much joy and I feel so blessed. Being in the presence of these beings is what life is all about. It brings me to tears just thinking about them. It also makes me miss my older grandbabies SO much it hurts.

363/365

 

Today...

Is the last Monday of 2020. Not gonna lie, I am looking forward to the end of this year. I know things won't change overnight but I do have hope for the future. As I type this, there are 22 days, 16 hours, and 15 minutes until the Presidential Inauguration. Yes, I have a countdown app on my phone.

362/365

 

Today...

Leftover pizza for breakfast.

Talking to my CynCyn and then my Jesse.

Playing and learning how to use my new camera.

A short walk in the chilly wind.

Socially distanced cocktails with our neighbors around the fire pit in their backyard. 

Melissa's Christmas gift package to us arrived today! It's like a second Christmas.

New jammies!

The Warriors winning the game tonight.

361/365

 

Today...

We kayaked until sunset. It was absolutely gorgeous out there and just what we needed. 

I'm toast.

The end.

360/365

 

Today I am grateful for...

Coffee and opening gifts with Mike this morning.

Talking to my Sister.

Zooming with Melissa, Cyndi, Tristan, Sofia, Devin, and Dan.

Watching the kids show us what they got for Christmas.

Talking to my Mom and then Gordie.

Setting up my new camera.

Not being sick this holiday.

Staying in our PJ's all day.

All of my family healthy.

Being responsible and staying home for Christmas so we can get our whole family together next year - hopefully, sooner.

Homemade cherry pie and vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Rain.

359/365

 

Today...

Christmas Eve. We had a fun day with Jesse, Bri, Logan, and Paisley. 

And a Zoom with all the kids in Florida. 

I feel so blessed. 

358/365

 

Today...

I finished up all the gift wrapping, I think. 

Then I dropped off gifts and cookies to my favorite neighbors. It was nice to catch up with them too.

The best part of my day was Zooming with Melissa, Cyndi, Tristan, and Sofia while sipping my tea.

Thank goodness there is Zoom! Thank you universe for my amazing kids!

Now, I'm ready for the festivities. I may need more lights though. 

357/365

 

Today...

Wrapping gifts and still decorating. We keep adding lights and I am having so much with them.

Keeping myself busy which isn't difficult this time of year. For once I'm glad there is a lot to do so I don't think about how much I miss my girls. 

356/365

 

Today...

I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies. I love baking/cooking and listening to music. 

I did not listen to Christmas music. 

I accidentally bought a large bag of dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet and I'm not mad. 

I barely had enough brown sugar and walnuts. Obviously, these were meant to be, thank you very much. 

I must get some to our mailman and neighbor before Mike and I eat them all. 

355/365

 

Today...

The last day of Autumn. Eleven days until the end of this hellish year. One month until the Inauguration. 

Yes, I'm counting the days. 

I'm grateful Melissa and her family made it safely to CynCyn's. Wish I was there with them all. 

Thankful for a quiet Sunday and this beautiful sunset to send us into the Winter Solstice.

354/365

 

Today...

Woke to a crystal clear sky and then the fog rolled in. 

We went for a drive, picked up some lunch, and then hiked up a hill.

Needed to get out of the house so we wouldn't dwell on the fact that we were supposed to be on a plane to Florida today for our Christmas vacation with our girls and grandkids.

We managed to forget about that and this pandemic for a few hours. 

I remind myself, often, about how we are healthy, we have a home, money, food, perfect grandchildren, and adult children who love us and especially each other. I'm happy my girls get to spend the holiday together. I just miss them so much it hurts. 

Is this dumpster fire of a year over yet?

353/365

 

Today...

"It was a good day," Logan said to his dad when I took him home. It was a good day with my Logan. We had breakfast together, watched PJ Masks, and then made a snowman ornament together. Then, as a bonus, I got to hold, feed, and play with Paisley too. Oh, and Jesse bought me lunch. 

352/365

 

Today...

I have a date with Logan. I'm picking him up from preschool so we can have dinner together and a sleep-over. So, I'm getting all the things done before. 

The sky is so beautiful today. I had to take a drive to capture this. The hill I go to is in a cemetery, and it's usually not busy, but today, to my surprise, it was. At least three services were happening, and I was moved to tears. It puts things into perspective with all that is going on. A reminder to tell your family and friends that you love them every chance you get. 

351/365

 

Today...

I got to spend the morning with my grandbabies. These two love each other and it is so special to watch them together.

It only took me about forty shots to get this on, just one, where they are both looking at me at the same time. 

350/365

 

Today...

I created art before breakfast. I swear it set the tone for the rest of my day. My energy was good, my mood was positive, and I got stuff done. 

Also, a visit to my Chiropractor is definitely helping me feel better. A good adjustment is so good for my body. 

349/365

 

Today...

was Mike's 60th birthday. Six-OH! I, for one, am so glad he is here to celebrate another birthday. He, on the other hand, is not so happy about getting older. 

It was a good day. 

348/365

 

Today...

We had Jesse, Bri, Logan, and Paisley over to celebrate Mike's 60th Birthday a day early.

There is nothing better than having the kids over to make it festive. 

We all had a fun time visiting.

Logan made a plan for a sleepover here later this week. His idea.

347/365

 

Today...

Finally felt like winter. Still, we went for a bike ride and it felt good. Cold, but refreshing. 

It's sweaters, wool socks, slippers, and a cozy warm fire season. 

346/365

 

Today...

I went to my favorite "toy" store! I cannot describe how excited I get about just visiting our local-ish photography store. So. Many. Fun. Things.

We got a bit of rain, finally. That made for not much light to work with which inspired me to attach my 50mm lens onto my camera and go around the house looking for inspiration. I found it, in the subdued light of a grey afternoon. 

The highlight of my day was Jesse and Paisley stopping by. Paisley was asleep so, I just sat and enjoyed watching her because they weren't staying for long. Chunky, sweet baby... a calming elixir for my soul. 

Then she woke up, smiled, and had a conversation with me. It was a short and oh so sweet visit.

345/365

Today...

I am grateful that my adult children love me and want to spend time with me. I feel honored to be a part of their lives, which makes having to cancel our trip to spend Christmas with them so much more difficult. Now that anxiety from the thought of traveling during this Pandemic and the current record-breaking surge has dissipated somewhat, the sadness is front and center. I'm working through tears, anger, and wanting to eat my feelings.  I think I'll be okay. I'll live and hopefully get to be with them in the spring. Right now it's time for a cocktail. 

344/365

 

Today...

I finally finished decorating our tree. 

I put on some Christmas music and took my time. One moment I was singing along; the next, I would pause and miss having my kids here doing it with me. Then, back to singing again. That's the way it is these days. 

It's always a trip down memory lane. As I hung our first Christmas-together ornament, each of our children's first ornaments, and these hearts, I remembered shopping for decorations forty years ago and not having a lot of money. These little hearts, and some red bows, were cute, romantic, and cheap. I bought as many as I could and covered our first tree. Still have about ten or so of each left that I use every year.  

343/365

 

Today...

I stepped outside this morning to see what the commotion was. I should have known; if Crows are in an uproar, there has to be a Hawk nearby. There was a Red-Shouldered at the top of a redwood trying to hunt. He eventually flew off and came back in the afternoon. 

They, birders, say it's Hawk season. What they mean is now that the trees are bare, we can see the Hawks in them.

342/365

 

Today...

I want to remember: Mike put up strings of white lights all around the living room. It looks so romantic, I love it. 

341/365

 

Today...

We were out of the house early to get some errands done before the new stay-at-home-order goes into effect tonight. Ugh. 

Then I pulled my back out - putting groceries away. Crap. 

Still, I had to make Anthony Bourdain's Sunday Gravy recipe since I had all the meat defrosted. Thankfully standing isn't too bad, and I love making new recipes.

I tried to do some Christmas decorating, then decided it's not happening today. Bending and twisting right now is no Bueno; however, I did pull some shiny ornaments out to photograph. 

340/365

 

Today...

Started rough. This pandemic is well; we all know how bad it is. Today got better, though, thanks to my husband, who got me out of the house and out in nature. We planned to go kayaking, yet it was not to be. Instead, we took a drive and ended up seeing some fantastic birds; Mute Swans and Black-necked stilts, to name a few. 

It was a good day. 

339/365

 

Today...

Has been a day. A rollercoaster ride I'm not having fun on. I did get a mani/pedi, talked to my Sister and my Jesse AND I played with a flower bouquet and the gorgeous afternoon light in the middle of the ride. So, I'm calling it good.

Good night. 

338/365

 

Today...

I got some Christmas shopping done. 

I hope I'm done shopping, but it depends on this fucking pandemic. 

The thought of canceling our trip for Christmas breaks my heart.

And the thought of flying to another state causes me great anxiety.

I've never had flying anxiety, but as they say, "these are unprecedented times."

Anyway, if we don't go, I'll need to get more gifts for the big kids because our trip out was a gift for all of us. 

I am incredibly grateful that I can afford to travel, afford to buy gifts for my loved ones, get to make these decisions, that my kids want to spend time with us, that I am healthy, that I can breathe, that I have a roof over my head, and so much more. 

Still, this shit is hard. 

337/365

 

Today...

I want to remember having coffee in the morning with my Sister. We check-in, vent, plan, hope, help, and support each other. It's so good for both of us. I love my Sisser.

I also got to talk to both of my amazing daughters. 

I am so blessed to have these women in my life even if we aren't together. For now. 

336/365

 

Today...

At least two Bewick's Wrens came onto our patio for mealworms. They do this most days, and if the feeder is empty, they will hop around, even coming to the back door until we toss some out. They are super chatty, aka demanding, and so cute and fun to watch. 

As we enter the final month of this hellish year, I am so grateful for the birds, our backyard, and the open space we have near us. These things help me stay sane right now by giving me something to look forward to every day.