Counting My Christmas Blessings . . .

 As I drove around yesterday, finishing up my Christmas errands in the rain, an overwhelming feeling of gratitude came over me.  I thanked the Universe for all of my many blessings.  I thanked the Universe for putting people in my path yesterday that reminded me of just how blessed I am.  I thought of the mom at the grocery store whom I overheard tell her sons she didn't know if she had enough money to buy the frozen vegetables they wanted.  They had a couple of items in their cart while mine was overflowing.  I decided to replace the anxiety I felt over all of the gifts I've yet to wrap with the thought of how blessed we are that my husband has a good job that enables us to buy all of these gifts. 

I thought of the families of the NYPD officers that tragically and senselessly lost their lives last week.  I thought of the empty chairs at their Christmas tables.  I thought of the empty chairs that we've had to face over the years and was filled with gratitude for how far we've come since then.  The tears still flow but more often then not there is a smile along with those tears as we remember our loved ones.  I also am filled with gratitude that my belief in the afterlife lets me know that they are still always with us.  : )

As I pulled into my driveway I thought about my daughter who, had it not been for one of those profound losses, would not be here today.  I thought about the day she was born and how I thanked my first husband who had passed away six years before for bringing my second husband into my life.  There is not a doubt in my mind that he sent Jim to the boys and I.  He would not have settled for anyone less to raise his three sons after he passed. 

 I also thanked the Universe for my wonderful husband and our four beautiful, happy and healthy children.  We've had our crazy moments this year for sure and I'd be lying if I said I don't have worries sometimes about what the future brings.  The kids are growing up in a very different world from the one I grew up in.  Just as our parents can say the same.  It can be overwhelming at times to have kids in all different age groups.  Technically, two of them aren't even kids anymore.  : ) 

 So I will continue to say my prayers throughout the day and trust that everything is unfolding the way that it's supposed to. I will continue to thank my childrens' Guardian Angels for working overtime when necessary.  I will continue to be grateful for the health of my family.  I will pray for the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. The courage to change the things I can. The wisdom to know the difference. 

I wish you all a very happy Christmas and I thank you for your wonderful comments and your friendship.  May we all have nothing but beautiful things to look forward to in the coming year!!!  : )


Many blessings to you all ~ Wendy  xoxo

Another Wintry Day in New York . . .

Today the kids have yet another snow day!!  We got the call last night. It's actually a mix of snow, ice and sleet right now which makes for treacherous driving conditions.  This is snow day number four,  I believe, and if we get the huge storm that is being projected for Sunday into Monday they will have used up all of their allotted days off.  It's only the first week in February folks!!!  Not a good sign!!!

Our icy tree in the front yard.

What's left of Buddha's head in our front garden!!

Our window box.

The storm that they're tracking for our area for Sunday into Monday is being measured in FEET.  CRAZY!!!  I'll believe it when I see it but most of the weather models are all in agreement on this one.  I think the last time I remember getting that much snow in one storm was around 1995 and the only reason I remember the year is because it was right before I got pregnant with Trevor who was born in August of 1996.  I have photos of Connor playing with our two little neighbors and the snow piles were up over their head!!  : )

There have been lots of birds at our bird feeder.  Always a great photo opp.  God knows I need some photo opps since most of my picture taking has been done from my windows lately!!  I did get to take some photos in our local cemetery last week that I'll share soon.  Am I the only one who loves to take photos in cemeteries??  They are so peaceful and full of such beauty.  The old graves stones are just amazing to look at and photograph.

Rain and ice on the window. 

I'm on my third load of laundry and I'm already starting to think about what I'm going to make for dinner.  This is perfect cooking and cleaning weather!!  Although I'd much rather lounge around a fireplace with my feet up and my nose in a good book!!  Where's that fireplace when you need it???!!!???  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful Wednesday ~ Wendy

There's No Place Like Nana's House . . .

This weekend we visited our favorite little home away from home . . .  Nana's house!!!  Our weather here in New York has been bitter cold and snowy for most of this month and cabin fever starts to creep in every so often.  It hasn't been so bad because we know we can take a forty minute drive north to my Mom's little house in the woods where we feast like kings and forget about the hustle and bustle of everyday life!!

As you can tell from the photo below, there was a house full on Sunday!!

A pile of kids' shoes by the front door!!

  Cousins caught up with each other . . .

and even roasted marshmallows in Nana's fireplace to make s'mores after a delicious Sunday dinner of tenderloin, cabbage and potatoes!!!

My nephew Tristan.

My middle son, Trevor.

Megan was in her glory!!  Got to eat s'mores AND have her hair braided at the same time!!!!!  : )

  It flurried the entire time we were there.  So peaceful and beautiful. 

 
 It was such a wonderful afternoon and I know my mother was so happy to have her house filled with love and laughter.  And lots of new memories!! 

 Many blessings for a beautiful Wednesday ~ Wendy

Spreading Wings and a Sunday Saying . . .

Yesterday, I watched my oldest son, Connor, pull out of the driveway and leave for the next leg of his college years.  He is going to be attending SUNY (State University of New York) Plattsburgh.  It's about five hours from here and is near Canada.  Needless to say, lots of snow and cold.  Even more than what we've been having here this winter!!  I knew it was going to be a rough morning emotionally.  I could feel the tears coming up as I finished his laundry and packed up his clothes for him.  Thoughts of the day he was born.  Thoughts of his father, Grandpop and Nannie watching him from above.  Thoughts of him driving all by himself to a place he's never been before and not knowing anyone when he gets there.  As I had my breakdown in the kitchen (yes indeed I cried like a baby!!) when it was finally time for him to leave, I told him how much I loved him and how incredibly proud I am of him for so many different reasons.  I told him how amazing he is for being able to make that drive alone, not knowing anyone when he gets there.  I told him I didn't think I would've been able to do something like that at his age.  Maybe not even now.  He had tears in his eyes which made me cry even more.  He's a remarkable young man and I am so very proud to be his Mama!!!  In the blink of an eye, it's time to let them spread their wings and fly!!!

Many blessings for a beautiful Sunday and a peaceful week to come ~ Wendy

A Five Day Weekend and a Glimpse of Light . . .

Here, in New York, it's been a very snowy week.  Add subzero temps (with the windchill factor) to the mix and you have a good recipe for a five day weekend off from school!!  Technically, it was a three day weekend, a half day of school and then another snow day but I let the boys stay home for that half day.  Yes, I am a pushover and I remember how exciting it was to have a snow day when I was a kid!!!  : )

Yet another photo outside my front window.  Haven't had much of a chance for anything else lately!!

A tree in our front yard that my first husband planted a couple of months before he passed away.  I say a prayer for that tree every time we have bad weather!!  : )

I saw this little guy peeking his head out and was lucky enough to catch a photo.  Sometimes I think the squirrels pose for me.  They're definitely not camera shy!!  I guess they're used to me at this point since I've been taking photos out of my back window for thirteen years now!!!  : )

I love to feed the wildlife in our backyard.  I'm rewarded with photos like this one.  Such a beautiful little winter bird.

 Rumor has it, we're expecting snow again on Saturday and then again on Monday.  I have to admit that I love it.  It makes me feel like a little kid again.  I've been doing a lot of cooking and the kids have been baking and the candles are lit in the windows when the sun goes down.  The days are starting to become noticeably longer now so there is a light at the end of this winter tunnel.  I'll be ready for spring but, for now, I'm happy right where I am.  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful Thursday ~ Wendy

This Moment . . .

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

. . . . . . . . . .

Many blessings for a beautiful weekend ~ Wendy

Baby It's Cold Outside!!!!! . . .

We are in the midst of some crazy weather here in New York!!  Two days ago,  the temperature was close to 50 degrees and today we are in single digits with windchill factors below zero.  Our schools were placed on a two hour delay for opening yesterday.  We got the call the night before.  It's a rare occasion that a delay is decided upon the night before.  Needless to say, my two sons that were effected by the delay were literally dancing around the living room that night.  Ahh, life's simple pleasures!!!  : )

A flower box around the pool.

Frost on my storm door!!!

I haven't had much of a chance to take photos lately other then from my back or front windows.  Between all of the whirlwind of activities during Christmas break, catching up on work during a very busy time of year in the card industry (American Greetings), taking care of damage control around the house that comes with having four kids, two dogs, two cats and after-Christmas clean up and plain old everyday life, I haven't had much "me" time lately.  I'm the kind of person who needs to spend time in solitude every so often just to recharge my batteries and it's been next to impossible for that to happen for the last month.  I'm not complaining because that's just how life is sometimes.  I'll bet every person reading this right now is saying to themselves, "Boy, is she preachin' to the choir!!!"  LOL!!!  I have a birthday coming up this weekend and I think I'm going to use the spa package my incredibly wonderful husband gifted to me on Christmas.  We said we weren't going to exchange gifts this year but he surprised me with a bunch of gift certificates.  I felt kinda bad when all he got from me was a pair of slippers!!!  : )

Megan all dressed up for her first ballet recital a couple of weeks ago.

Can you spot the squirrel??  I had no idea what it was on the end of the branch until I looked at it thru my camera lens!!

It's back to the grind today.  So much to be grateful for and looking forward to what the day has to bring. Tomorrow, my brother in law has to go in for more surgery on his leg.  I can't tell you how sad I am that he has to go thru this again.  But I'll deal with that tomorrow.  One day at a time.  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful Wednesday ~ Wendy

Blank Pages . . .

For a New Beginning . . .  

In out-of-the-way places of the heart, where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming, waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire, feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on, still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety and the gray promises that sameness whispered.
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent.  Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled and out you stepped onto new ground.
Your eyes young again with energy and dream.  A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear, you can trust the promise of this opening; unfurl yourself
Into the grace of beginning that is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure.  Hold nothing back.  Learn to find ease in risk.
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm, for your soul senses the world that awaits you.

Written by John O'Donohue

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

I posted this last New Year's Day as well.  It is something that makes me smile when I read it.  Another new year is here.  365 days of blank pages and endless possibilities.  My husband and I have been talking about what our goals are for 2014.  They include taking better care of ourselves and releasing what holds us back and blocks us from the abundance that the Universe wishes to bestow upon us. We're going to make a dream board later today that represents what our hopes and dreams are for ourselves and our family for this year and for our future as well. 

Last year I chose a word to focus on for the year to come.  Admittedly, I forgot what that word was until I just peeked at last year's new year's post.  Surprisingly, I picked the same word for 2014 as I did for 2013.  At least I'm consistent.  : )

That word is ~

Release of "stuff."  Whether it be emotional stuff, physical stuff or stuff laying around the house that is neither useful nor beautiful anymore.  Release of negative thought patterns that keep us stuck in a rut.  In 12-step programs it's known as F.E.A.R.  ~ False Evidence Appearing Real. 

Along with "releasing" I also want to take more time to do things that I haven't done in a long while.  Having a toddler and a new job will do that to you for sure!!  : )  I want to begin to create again.  I used to make cards and loved to do so.  I have so many beautiful papers just sitting in cabinets that are waiting to be used again!!  I want to improve my photography skills as well.  For my birthday last year, my husband gave me the gift of lessons on how to use my camera in more then just a "point and shoot" kind of way.  Lessons that I've yet to use almost one year later.  I feel so inspired by the photos that other bloggers take. I know I can be better then I am with a few lessons.  I want to take the camera off of "auto" more often and start using that "manual" setting!!  : )  I also want to read at least one book this year.  Sad to say but it will be one more then I read in 2013.  : (  I equate reading with sleeping since the only time I have to read is before I go to bed.  Unfortunately, I'm usually so tired when I go to bed that after about the third page I end up reading the same line over and over again until I realize I've been nodding off while reading it.  Oh well.  At least I've tried.  : )  Years ago, I read The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.  I'm going to dig this out and make that my goal to read.  It's really a wonderful book and I highly recommend it if you're looking to get in touch with your creative side again.

We're getting ready for a big snowstorm here in New York that is supposed to start tomorrow and go into Friday.  I'm like a little kid when it comes to this sort of stuff.  I love the feeling of being in my warm and cozy cottage while the snow is falling outside.  Unfortunately, this also means that I have to make a trip to the grocery store today instead of tomorrow.  Our cupboards are pretty bare and I can't look at another takeout menu!!!  It looks like homemade chicken dumpling soup and hot cocoa in our near future!!!!  I wish you a happy and healthy 2014 with many opportunities to fill your "blank pages" with beautiful and inspirational memories.  If you feel inspired to choose a word for the new year, I'd love to know what it is.  We're all in this thing called life together, after all!!  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful and peaceful 2014 ~ Wendy