A friend sent this prayer to me years ago. Just a little reminder that we are not perfect. We are doing the best we can. And there is something higher than us doing work on us as we go through this life.
Father, I thank you for accepting me as I am. I may not be perfect but You know I am trying my best and I am going out today with my head held high, knowing that You are in the process of changing me.
~ unknown
Photo by Davide Cantelli on Unsplash
After leaving our summer home on October 22 and traveling to Richmond and staying in Wilmington, NC for a month then going back to Richmond for the Thanksgiving holiday and then back to Wilmington and then to South Carolina I am FINALLY HOME! And it feels so good.
Our home in Florida is amazing. It’s paradise. There is nothing like our backyard. The morning sunrises are absolutely breathtaking, hence why my Prince and I got married at 8:30 in the morning! Lately, we have been wondering why we are never here when we have such an amazing place to be.
Driving in yesterday was a different feel. We usually acknowledge things that are different after we’ve been gone for the summer. Usually, new buildings have gone up or new stoplights have been installed. Yesterday, I noticed how the downtown marina is still not there. How the boats are piled upon the shore. How there are still sticks, palm fronds, and household contents along the curb all the way home. It seems they are working so hard but there is so much “stuff” to clean up after Hurrican Ian. It gives me a sense of hope but also a sense of how much damage was done, and it makes me sad.
It makes me wonder how long it will take to clean up and rebuild Fort Myers. When we came down for 11 days for Hurricane Ian cleanup, we mostly stayed around our neighborhood. It was great to see such community and to get to know our neighbors better as we were all out helping each other. We have not been down to the beach area yet, and although I have seen pictures, I know it’s going to be devastating to see it in person.
Well, Fort Myers, we are strong, and we will be back bigger and better than ever! For now, I count my blessings that we have a beautiful home to enjoy. I am beyond blessed that I have a bed to sleep in and a beautiful view to wake up to.
We wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving! I am grateful for all of my friends and family especially the new ones that have joined us this year through all of our adventures. After so many years of loss, I am excited to add new people to our circle. This year take a moment to appreciate what you have. Yes, there may be very hard days and sometimes we don’t understand all the evil around us or why it happens. I guess it’s not for us to understand. I guess all we can do is pass on kindness. Pass on the positive. Pass on love. Tell someone you are thankful for having them in your life. Tell someone you haven’t talked to in years that you still think about them and hope they are doing well.
But before you go to stuff yourself like the Thanksgiving turkey 🙂 take a few minutes to get your blood flowing with this Thanksgiving workout. There is never a wrong time to start eating more healthily or to start a fitness journey. You don’t need to wait until the new year to make a new you! Start now!
Also, as you start your Black Friday shopping or your Cyper Monday spending, don’t forget about my associate links. I would truly appreciate it if you would buy through the links on my blog post or through my Favorites. Happy Shopping!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and weekend. I am blessed to be able to spend it with my family and all of my favorite little ones before heading south for the winter. Thank you for your support in reading this blog and sharing it with your friends. And thank you for always being there for me, especially my Rock. These past few years would not have been possible without all of your love and support. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Photo by Adam Winger on Unsplash
Take the time this Thanksgiving to be grateful for the life you have, for the memories you’ve made, and for the family and friends you have. Then realize life has its up and downs but it’s yours to LIVE!
Life isn’t meant to be easy, it’s meant to be LIVED. Sometimes happy, other times rough…But with every up and down you learn lessons that make you STRONG!
~ unknown
Don’t compare yourself to others and don’t worry if you are doing it right. Do what you feel is right for you and do the best you can. That’s all we can do.
I spend an insane amount of time wondering if I’m doing it right. At some point, I just remind myself that I’m doing my best. That is enough.
~ Unknown
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
Some people cross your path and stay for a lifetime, others cross your path and are in and out of your life, and others cross your path and you never see them again. Whoever crosses your path, you have memories for a lifetime. All of these relationships are beyond treasured for me.
Some people cross your path to give you beautiful memories for life.
~ Sangeeta Rana
Photo by Tina Bosse on Unsplash
Wouldn’t it be nice if we empowered each other and were happy for each other’s successes instead of jealous and envious? Let’s build each other up instead of tearing each other down.
We are more powerful when we empower each other.
~ Unknown
Photo by Massimo Sartirana on Unsplash
Life is short and can change in a heartbeat. Don’t go through life anger or holding grudges. Forgive, forget, and move on.
In the blink of an eye, everything can change. So forgive often and love with all your heart. You may never know when you may not have that chance again.
~ The Wise You
Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash
Two weeks ago, I went to one of my best friend’s daughter’s wedding at the beach. It’s hard to believe my friends’ children are now old enough to be getting married. But I guess the older they get the older we get. How can it be??
There are four of us from my home town who are very close. We have known each other since Kindergarten, and we have kept in touch throughout the years. Even though our paths have gone different ways when we get together it’s like nothing has changed. And honestly, even though it’s been 28 years since we graduated high school I still feel like we all look and act the same! So how any of us have young adult children is beyond me.
When I moved back to my hometown in 2016 I had the pleasure of coaching two of my best friends’ daughters in softball. It was a lot of fun to get to know my friends again and to get to know their mini me’s. I am so proud of them for raising such wonderful kids. Their children are happy, confident, and funny. I know they had hard times and probably thought they would lose it now and again, but I hope they feel a sense of accomplishment and hope for their little ones. I feel like their children are some of the sweetest, smartest, and most compassionate people I know. And hopefully, my friends know it’s because of the hard work they put in. And I like that the kids like to hang out with us! (Even if we embarrass them a time or two!)
It’s amazing how fast time goes! I remember when they were born! And now they are growing up and starting their adult lives. I am beyond happy for all of them.
The wedding was in Sandbridge, Virginia. The weather was absolutely perfect all weekend. The sky was breathtaking and the pictures were amazing. The bridal party and families stayed in a huge house right on the beach. We stayed in another one called the “Stupa.” A few other family members stayed close by. It was such a nice relaxing weekend. (For us anyway:))
I also realized as old as we get, we will probably never grow up. We had so much fun at the reception around the pool that evening. We sang we danced, we laughed, we gasped when the “kids” played some songs with some very shocking lyrics, and we even shed some tears. One of my friends and I sang one of our favorites by the Jets called “Crush on You“. Everyone must have been a little tipsy because no one told us how awful we sounded! We knew every word by heart and decided we need to repeat the performance at the hometown reception later in October. We might even add some dance moves.
I can’t say enough how much I appreciate these friendships with these amazing women. We have been there for each other through thick and thin. We have suffered loss, had health scares, had weddings, and been through divorces. There is no one I would rather do it with than these three. Love you, ladies!
Today would have been Gram’s 98th Birthday! She was only a year and a half short. What an amazing life she lived and what wonderful things she saw over those 96 years. Can you even imagine all the changes that occurred from 1924 to 2021???
Speaking of change, a few things have changed since Gram left us here on Earth. My Rock and I bought Gram’s House from my mom last year right before Gram’s birthday. When we got here this summer, we decided to update a few things around. We wanted to make the house a little bit more “ours” and a little less “grandparent-looking”. I started by painting some of Gram’s old furniture. I used an oil-based primer called Stix and Red Ochre Chalk paint. We didn’t want to spend money on furniture that wasn’t really needed, but we wanted a fresher look. Although I am not much of an artist, I think they turned out pretty good if I do say so myself! Changing paint color and hardware can make such a difference. We also got a new dining room table and chairs from Jeff’s mom as well as some new area rugs that have really made a difference. One of my very good friends helped me reupholster the chairs. I could have never done it without her! I think they are awesome!
We hired a contractor and had a beadboard ceiling installed in our three bedrooms and little bathroom. We had those rooms and the front room painted. Jeff also did some work on our front porch. We had a new carpet installed, and he updated the posts that were falling apart. We also changed the door handles from gold to bronze and updated the electrical outlets from cream to white. No one probably will ever notice except for us but we love the little changes!
Another project that we loved was restoring a picture I found in my grandparents’ basement. It had some mold and water damage to it but it was a beautiful picture of the Hotel Rider. The Hotel Rider was a huge hotel that sat on the hill in Cambridge Springs, PA. It was constructed around 1895 but burned to the ground in 1931. My grandparents were very involved with Alliance College and the Hotel Rider became the college in 1912. Not sure where the picture came from but it was in pretty bad shape. We took the picture to Eva Art Conservation in northern Virginia hoping she could save it. She spent hours upon hours and a couple of years on our picture but the end product is absolutely amazing! She was wonderful to work with, and I highly recommend her if you need any art restored. I think Gram would be so happy that we have this beautiful picture hanging in our fireplace room. She used to tell stories of how she saw the hotel burning from her farm when she was seven years old. We even have pictures of the fire that we need to get framed.
Another change that occurred was the selling of Gram’s Condo. I was very torn about selling the condo. My grandparents loved going to the condo. It was such a part of them and it was the place where Jeff picked me up for our very first date. My therapist reminded me that since my grandparents are gone, I will not be making any more memories with them in the condo. The memories I have are already made and will always be with me. Although we loved having an extra spot for people to stay when they came to town, we decided it was time for it to go. We had started renting it in 2021 and just didn’t want to have to deal with the nonsense anymore.
We aren’t sure that we really need another “house” but Jeff and I are hoping to find something small in Richmond so we can be closer to my mom and the kids. Although I know my grandpa would be a little disappointed that we don’t have the condo anymore, I think he would be very happy that we want to be closer to family, and that we sold it at the top of the market.
So, Gram, I hope you have the most wonderful birthday up in Heaven celebrating 98 years. I know you will all be together for a great birthday bash! I hope you enjoy the changes we are making down here, and we wish you were here to see them for yourself. Please tell everyone we love and miss them. Can’t wait until you visit again either in my dreams or as a beautiful cardinal.