I’ve never really experienced winter before. But, I think I already told you that. But, in ten days I’ll be moving to the “great white north” as a friend loves to remind me. So, I had to buy a jacket. Now, for most people that wouldn’t be a big deal…it’s a jacket. But, I’ve never had a great need to buy a WINTER jacket. So, Monday I went to buy my jacket. And can I tell you something? My jacket is CUTE. LOL It’s white with blue on the sides and under the arms. It is down filled but not really fluffy thick….but very warm. At least, warm when I try it on in my house in CALIFORNIA. LOL

But, still, I never thought I’d actually need to use it. See, I wasn’t cold when I visited my new home in October. Yeah, I needed a long sleeve shirt instead of a the short sleeved one I brought. But, I didn’t use my sweatshirt…I was too warm. But, I still bought the jacket…it was cute.

Then, today I got this lovely e-mail forwarded to me from a friend of my sister-in-law’s mom. She lives only a couple miles from my new place. So, I was eager to hear what she had to say. Hmmm….

We had a nice little storm last night that dropped about 9 inches on us. It’s still snowing off and on, as you can probably see from the pictures, and it is predicted that we’ll get another 2-4 inches today. In addition, the forecast is for snow all the rest of the week, so maybe we’re finally going to get a bit of winter.

Um, did you read that? 9 inches in ONE night with 2-4 MORE coming that day! Uh, wait one minute there buddy. That’s 13 inches! (Yeah, see, I’m an accountant I can add LOL.)

But, can I tell you a secret? When I got the pictures I called my family in to see them. I felt tears in my eyes and I’m sure I had a strange look on my face because they each looked at me with this “you’re the one that wants to move” look on their faces. I looked them each in the eye and said “I’m crying because I WANT TO BE THERE NOW!”

Well, for some reason I’m not able to post pictures. If you really want to see them you’ll have to e-mail me and I’ll share.

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I move in 15 days. It’s amazing to me that the time has gone so fast. 105 days ago my brother and SIL announced that they were moving. It took me all of about 5 minutes to announce that I as going also. I never thought the day would come, and here I am with only 15 days left to wait.

Moving from California, where I’ve lived my entire life, to Idaho is a huge step. But, I know it’s what God wants for me so I’m going confidently. I’m not looking forwar to leaving my parents, or my sisters, or my nephew. I’m also not looking forward to leaving all my friends and the rest of the family I have here. But, I’m excited about the opportunities this move will afford me and I’m excited to accept the challenge God’s place before me.

Tomorrow is my brother, SIL, and niece’s going away party. I wanted one too, but the timing and other things just didn’t make it possible. I was really sad about that and told some friends on an online message board that I was feeling sad. They all made me feel better by telling me they’d throw me a party if they lived closer. And that got me thinking, I have virtual friends. I work virtually. Why not have a virtual going away party. So, I am! And it’s so much fun!

I announced it Wednesday, honestly, as a joke but they caught on and thought it was a great idea. So, I thought: “what the heck!”. So, I’m having a virtual going away party! LOL I started a thread and everyone is sharing their weather, what they’re eating, what they are doing and well wishes. Some are decorating their trees and putting a special ornament on their in my honor. Wow, friends are great! You know what, I think this party may be more fun than a non-virtual one would have been. This group of people have become such a great support system for me and wonderful friends.

You know, sometimes when things don’t go the way you want them to you have to take the reins and turn the horse around.

till later…

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What are you Thankful for? With Thanksgiving upon us what makes you sit back and say Thank You? I am thankful to some friends who helped to compile this list.

• I am thankful for my family and the ability to spend time with them over the next few days
• I am thankful for having “enough”
• I am thankful for a roof over my head, food in the cupboard, clothes to wear. It’s more than many have and I don’t take it for granted for one minute
• I am thankful I live in a free country. I am thankful for friends (real and “virtual”)
• I am thankful that I am alive
• I am thankful i have a full time job
• I am thankful for freedom and safety
• I am thankful for my life
• I am thankful for the good times
• I am thankful for the bad times
• I am thankful for my business
• I am thankful for my friends
• I am thankful for so many other things, but most of all, the gift that God gave us his son, who died on the cross for an undeserving person such as I. I am thankful for Heaven

I am very thankful for all the blessings God has bestowed on me and all the ways he has worked in my life the past few months preparing me for this journey He has in store for me.

A Thanksgiving Test - a different perspective on what we should truly be thankful for:

If you have your health and you have no meaning in your life, no hope, no family, no passion, no ideals, no patriotism, no virtue you have nothing. Health is not even in the top 10 of things to be thankful for.

Doing what you ought to do does not always make you as happy as doing what you want to do. But the point of life is to do what you ought to do,…

Happy Thanksgiving,
Lanel

Till later…

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It’s the day before Thanksgiving and a Wednesday. Wednesday’s are usually (at least for now) my slow days for work. I had a chiropractic appointment this morning at 9AM so I was at work by 10AM. I didn’t have much to do so I decided I’d pick up my nephew early from school. We’re having a great time!

I got to his school at 11:30, that’s about when they have lunch. When I walked in his classroom all the other kids saw me but he didn’t for a while so I got to watch him play. He was having fun with a toy…I think he didn’t quite know what to do with it. LOL Eventually, it was a couple minutes, he looked up and saw me. It made my heart do a double beat…he got a HUGE grin on his face, threw the toy, and ran to me with his arms up.

We left and went to McDonalds for lunch…not my favorite but he loves it. I let him choose our table and he chose well. He picked a seat that the chair spins back and forth. He didn’t know it, he’s not even two, but he was happy with his choice. He ate his cheeseburger - ALL his cheeseburger, some apples, and his chocolate milk. Then we went home.

We’ve been playing all afternoon. We watched two movies (shh, don’t tell Mommy LOL), played chase, played push Auntie over (not sure if I should have taught him that last night), then went for a walk. Now he’s playing quietly with his toys (his toys aren’t quiet…but he is).

He’s said “Auntie” and “I You” (his version of I love you) so many times today, it makes my heart cry. I’m so excited about moving to Idaho, but man I’m gonna miss that little guy.

Well, I think I might go play “push Auntie over” some more. LOL

Till later…

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It’s hard to say goodbye. I have a lot of goodbyes happening with my move, but today was a big one. It was time for my beloved family pet, Sable, to be put out of her misery. Her health has been going down and because we love her so much we had to let her go. It doesn’t make it any easier but, that’s part of loving your pets.

Sable joined our family about 12 years ago as a puppy. She was such a lively little thing, brought out the best in our other dog, Misty. Shortly after she joined our family Dad had to stop working due to his health problems. Sable quickly became Dad’s shadow, his side-kick, his ever-ready companion. Those two were inseparable. Wherever Dad went, Sable went with him. Everyone expected to see them together. If Dad was getting sick we always knew it because Sable told us. She always took great care of him for us.

Sable was always there to greet us at the door. If you were going out she’d always look at you with her big eyes as if to say “can I come too?”. More often than not the answer was yes. Camping, trips to the store, going to work, Sable did it all. Even hospital visits, Sable was there.

But, lately that’s changed. Sable didn’t want to leave the house. Here body was hurting, she was slowing down. She wasn’t happy, she wasn’t Sable any more. So, because we love her, we had to say goodbye.

So, Sable, goodbye. Thank you for all the years of fun and love you gave us. Thank you for making our lives a little better because you were there.

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Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

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Got this in an email today on my daily motivator

Friends eventually forgive and come back together because people need people more than they need pride. Hugh Prather Minister and counselor

Aren’t people important!

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