I'd like to talk about friends that I'm thankful for today. The way I try to remember things is by starting as far back as I can remember, then moving forward.
My best friend when I was a child was Jimmy. Jimmy lived in the house behind us at 210 Flint St. I'm ashamed to say I can't remember what Jimmy looks like, nor his last name, but I remember his soft spirit and kind words. We were spiritually unable to separate, forever talking over the fence.
After we moved to a suburb, I can honestly say there was no one I remember as being a good friend from the time I was 10 until the time I was married. It was OK because I had a close cousin or two and never gave it a thought. Besides if the truth be known, high school was a time of a wild spirit. Not as wild as most, but for me, well let's just say I was having some fun. I went from extremely holy little girl to flower child.
After I married, one sister in law and I connected in a way that Jimmy and I connected. That was forty six years ago, and we are still connected, even if we live 900 miles apart. She and her family reached out to us when we were going through some dark times. (Health issues in the family.) She never forgot me as being her friend and treated me the same as always. She made me laugh at a time I thought laughing would never be heard again. For this I am forever grateful to you D. xxx ooo
We moved to a small town when our eldest was in first grade (or there about) where I knew no one. Again, this was OK because I learned as a child to be self sufficient. I liked my own company and lots and lots of books. When our third child started private school, I met a woman whose son was in our forth child's kindergarten class. She would gather up a few of us moms to say the rosary every week. We had the same values and the same sense of humor. Needless to say, we clicked. We are still friends all of these years later, even though we are separated by the same 900 miles D and I are.
We'll call her P or F depending if you use her birth name or 'street' name. P made the arrangements for the get together after Bob's funeral mass and to this day I don't know how she did it. She just did because she didn't want me to stress. It's difficult to remember most details of that time, but I do remember what a show of love and caring P demonstrated to her friend. xxx ooo to you P or F.
It's time to move to current days. I made new friends, but kept the old, one is silver and the other is gold. In the time since my husband's passing, I've made two close friends. E lives in California which is three thousand miles on the opposite coast from me. E has the most gentle and loving spirit of anyone I've ever met. I'm not sure she sees herself this way because of her humility. She loves God with all her heart and wants nothing but to become what He wants of her when her time comes. I want her to know that loving God has nothing to do with worldly religion and it's rules. It's what you are and what you strive to be - loving and merciful.
Friend number two is a fellow Catholic girl. You can't imagine how excited I was when I first spoke to her. I think I rattled on for twenty minutes about how excited I was to be able to discuss our religion with someone. I then found out she was a history teacher in a Catholic school AND (get this) taught religion to her students. I hit the jackpot! The beginning of a long and happy friendship. It's come to the point that we talk every day and discuss everything from deep subjects to the bargains we found that day. A kindred spirit. It doesn't take much to make either of us happy and excited. Did I mention she's the absolute queen - hands down - of bargain shopping? She keeps annual totals of her savings and the one year that sticks out in my mind is a couple years back she saved 14000 dollars on her purchases. I may have forgotten to mention how organized she is. She's trying to teach me. Trying! I simply adore her, too. xxx ooo J.
That concludes the five best friends a person meets in their life time. I'm certainly opened to more, but gold is difficult to mine. I love you all. Thank you for seeing the inside of me.
The last one to mention is not a friend, but I feel a kindred spirit with her. We've never met and most likely never will, but I was led to begin praying for her and her lovely family a while back. Her heart is genuine and she loves God. You can 'meet' her by going to her yoo toob channel 'The Frugalnista'.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNigPnNIWn158F5UimfqLaw
Stay safe.
Showing posts with label thankful. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thankful. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Sunday, November 1, 2015
November, The Month For Being Thankful
Today is November first,2015. The month that America celebrates Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of the month. I thought I'd start out the month on Angie's House by sharing those things that are important to me that I'm thankful for. Most of my list may be boring, but these are the things that are important to my and my well being. I consider them gifts and know that any of them could be altered in the blink of an eye. All the more reason to be thankful today.
My family. They support me in all ways.
When I had little cash my son in law number two would travel to my house to remove snow in an area that produced snow every day. He would still do it if I still lived in snow country. He would also pay for my vehicle repairs expecting nothing in return.
My son who promised his dad that he would live with me for at least a year after his dad passed away so I wouldn't be alone. He gave up his social life to make sure I was taken care of for that year.
To daughter number one who takes off time from work so she can support me during doctor visits and scary tests.
Daughter number one (again) who has phoned me every night since she's left home for college when she was 18. She's now in her early forties. I can literally count on one hand the days she's missed in all those years.
To daughter number three who calls me a couple times a week to see I if I want to go on an adventure with her and the kids.
To son in law number one who fixes what needs to be fixed and goes to breakfast with me when he's off work. He takes me to Sam's Club and carries the heavy items in the house so I don't have to.
Son in law number three who hugs me when I cry because my heart hurts. He's very tall and cleans the high windows so I don't have to crawl on a chair and changes light bulbs when I can't reach them.
Daughter number two who has her kiddos call me once a week to say good night and tell me they love me and miss me.
And last, but not least, Marley the pup who keeps me company 24 hours a day. She is so magnanimous that she allows me to sleep in my bed with her. Her happiness when I walk in the door feeds my spirit with all those things that are good.
I'm thankful for my small grandkids who rush me with loud happy cries of "LaLa" when I walk in a room. And the two older ones who like to spend time with me and are not afraid to hug me or hold my hand while walking in public. The oldest is twelve. You know how holding grandma's hand in public may be shameful to some twelve year olds. Not this one.
I have more grandchildren, but they don't know me well yet because my son married their mom only a year ago. It doesn't help that they're 900 miles away.
I'm thankful, most of all, for the man I married who would give up his spending money on a Friday night to buy pizza and a DVD for his family, he going without during the week. He thought family was the most important thing on earth and taught me many things about humility and true love. He always said I was the smart one, but if truth be known, he was the wise one. Wisdom trumps smart any day.
I pray that each of you have many things to be thankful for. I'd love to hear from you, hoping you feel comfortable in sharing your blessings with us.
My family. They support me in all ways.
When I had little cash my son in law number two would travel to my house to remove snow in an area that produced snow every day. He would still do it if I still lived in snow country. He would also pay for my vehicle repairs expecting nothing in return.
My son who promised his dad that he would live with me for at least a year after his dad passed away so I wouldn't be alone. He gave up his social life to make sure I was taken care of for that year.
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| All the kiddos love their uncle. He's fun, too. |
To daughter number one who takes off time from work so she can support me during doctor visits and scary tests.
Daughter number one (again) who has phoned me every night since she's left home for college when she was 18. She's now in her early forties. I can literally count on one hand the days she's missed in all those years.
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| Daughter number one who's publisher is currently blitzing her newest novel, 'Undercover in Six Inch Stilettos'. As her mom, I'm shamelessly promoting her efforts by by letting you know the book will be available in 10 days on amazon.com Search author Carolyn LaRoche. |
To daughter number three who calls me a couple times a week to see I if I want to go on an adventure with her and the kids.
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| Daughter three with a mom whose eyes closed when the picture was taken. |
To son in law number one who fixes what needs to be fixed and goes to breakfast with me when he's off work. He takes me to Sam's Club and carries the heavy items in the house so I don't have to.
Son in law number three who hugs me when I cry because my heart hurts. He's very tall and cleans the high windows so I don't have to crawl on a chair and changes light bulbs when I can't reach them.
Daughter number two who has her kiddos call me once a week to say good night and tell me they love me and miss me.
And last, but not least, Marley the pup who keeps me company 24 hours a day. She is so magnanimous that she allows me to sleep in my bed with her. Her happiness when I walk in the door feeds my spirit with all those things that are good.
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| You've seen this mug before. Marley is my 'roommate'. |
I'm thankful for my small grandkids who rush me with loud happy cries of "LaLa" when I walk in a room. And the two older ones who like to spend time with me and are not afraid to hug me or hold my hand while walking in public. The oldest is twelve. You know how holding grandma's hand in public may be shameful to some twelve year olds. Not this one.
I have more grandchildren, but they don't know me well yet because my son married their mom only a year ago. It doesn't help that they're 900 miles away.
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| Our last dance at daughter umber two's wedding. |
I pray that each of you have many things to be thankful for. I'd love to hear from you, hoping you feel comfortable in sharing your blessings with us.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Heart of Sqish
Should I let you in on a little secret? I have a squishy heart. It gets warmed by so many things these days. Cute puppies and kittens, children's awe, a veteran's homecoming, a mention of Christmas, prayers said in earnest, and the list goes on. I guess you could call me a sucker. I have come to the conclusion I no longer care if I'm a sucker for these things. They are part of my life - my good life.
I melt when my cousin writes on FB that she loves me. I melt when a friend supports me or anyone else for that matter. When my grandson plugged up the toilet and was told that 4 sheets was enough to use. I smiled when I heard him counting out four sheets.
I melted when another grandson told me I could keep one of his stuffed animals that he gave me to comfort me. I had to explain that he wouldn't see the animal if I took it home which was far away. He changed his mind then, but the offer was endearing.
If you see a smile grow out of what seems like no where, it is because one of my children did something just like their dad. A cool reminder that I was married to a great fellow.
Do you know how good it feels when my grand daughter wants to play American Girl with me? That no one else can look at the catalogue but her and I. Or the rush of 'La la' when the little ones see me come in the front door. Even the 12 year old hugs me first thing when he sees me.
How can a heart stay stony when there is so much love surrounding it? It's impossible. Thank God!
I melt when my cousin writes on FB that she loves me. I melt when a friend supports me or anyone else for that matter. When my grandson plugged up the toilet and was told that 4 sheets was enough to use. I smiled when I heard him counting out four sheets.
I melted when another grandson told me I could keep one of his stuffed animals that he gave me to comfort me. I had to explain that he wouldn't see the animal if I took it home which was far away. He changed his mind then, but the offer was endearing.
If you see a smile grow out of what seems like no where, it is because one of my children did something just like their dad. A cool reminder that I was married to a great fellow.
Do you know how good it feels when my grand daughter wants to play American Girl with me? That no one else can look at the catalogue but her and I. Or the rush of 'La la' when the little ones see me come in the front door. Even the 12 year old hugs me first thing when he sees me.
How can a heart stay stony when there is so much love surrounding it? It's impossible. Thank God!
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
We Are What We Eat, We Are What We Think. Thankful Things
I'm old enough to have lived through some good times and some rough times. It's the rough times that have taught me to be thankful for the little things. I feel a lifetime of seeing my personal 'glass' half full rather than half empty has many rewards to it. The most important (to me) is a relatively healthy mental and emotional makeup.
The saying goes 'We are what we eat'. I say we are what we think, as well. Healthy food, healthy thoughts.
Today I'm thankful for:
The men and women of the military, both past and present. Without the sacrifices they and their families make freedom might be only a word we learn from the dictionary. My father and husband were in this brave group who fought in wars to protect freedom. Both passed from diseases they obtained from fighting in those wars. My dad was 28, my husband was 62. Sixty two sounds old, but when you are 62 it is young.
That the sun rises each morning to provide us with health and wellness feeding our gardens and our bodies.
That we don't have to take on the pain and suffering of the world. Someone Devine has been chosen to do that for us. We only need to care for our little worlds and do the best we can while offering a prayer for all others.
I would also like to add thanksgiving for my readers. You are all a part of my 'little world'. Actually you have expanded my world beyond what I ever thought it would be.
Angie
The saying goes 'We are what we eat'. I say we are what we think, as well. Healthy food, healthy thoughts.
Today I'm thankful for:
The men and women of the military, both past and present. Without the sacrifices they and their families make freedom might be only a word we learn from the dictionary. My father and husband were in this brave group who fought in wars to protect freedom. Both passed from diseases they obtained from fighting in those wars. My dad was 28, my husband was 62. Sixty two sounds old, but when you are 62 it is young.
That the sun rises each morning to provide us with health and wellness feeding our gardens and our bodies.
That we don't have to take on the pain and suffering of the world. Someone Devine has been chosen to do that for us. We only need to care for our little worlds and do the best we can while offering a prayer for all others.
I would also like to add thanksgiving for my readers. You are all a part of my 'little world'. Actually you have expanded my world beyond what I ever thought it would be.
Angie
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This is a picture I found on the internet. Imagine my surprise when I recognized the third soldier from the right as my dad. I'm not interested in the caption, it just happen to come with the photo. |
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Accomplishments and Thankfuls
This week was a catch up week after enjoying time with family in the North. It will be interesting to see (for me) what I can remember.
Cut the grass and put some of the clippings around the blackberry bush and on the soil that's waiting for new seed.
Turned and put paper in the compost box.
Swept the patio and used the fallen leaves for compost.
Re trimmed the blackberry bush.
Scrubbed the powder room and cleaned the master bathroom.
Washed all the mirrors and glass framed pictures as well as the sliding door into the garden. Today I will finish the windows downstairs.
Went to the meat store for a roast and ground beef. The ground beef will become a meatloaf and meatballs. The roast was cooked and devoured by my daughter and her family ( and me) last night.
Rearranged fall decorations putting the arrangement I made in the powder room and adding cute Halloween towels for the grandchildren's benefit. I also have two Halloween towels on the oven door. I'm not a big fan of Halloween so not much interest goes into decorating for it. I was traumatized when the kids were little because I had a very difficult time coming up with costume ideas. That was enough to block the day from my mind.
Posted two boxes.
Had a couple of conversations with vendors. I cancelled a credit card at a popular 'undies' store because they didn't send me a bill then I got charged with a $25.00 fee for non payment and interest. They removed the charge but not the interest. I don't need the drama in my life so I cancelled. Guess that can't happen again.
Did two loads of laundry.
Watched the two year old for a bit. She redesigned my patio with colored chalk.
Things To Be Thankful For
A warm home.
A producing garden.
A family that loves me.
A pup that follows me around when she's not busy sleeping.
Warmer weather than the North!
Stay safe and enjoy the day.
Cut the grass and put some of the clippings around the blackberry bush and on the soil that's waiting for new seed.
Turned and put paper in the compost box.
Swept the patio and used the fallen leaves for compost.
Re trimmed the blackberry bush.
Scrubbed the powder room and cleaned the master bathroom.
Washed all the mirrors and glass framed pictures as well as the sliding door into the garden. Today I will finish the windows downstairs.
Went to the meat store for a roast and ground beef. The ground beef will become a meatloaf and meatballs. The roast was cooked and devoured by my daughter and her family ( and me) last night.
Rearranged fall decorations putting the arrangement I made in the powder room and adding cute Halloween towels for the grandchildren's benefit. I also have two Halloween towels on the oven door. I'm not a big fan of Halloween so not much interest goes into decorating for it. I was traumatized when the kids were little because I had a very difficult time coming up with costume ideas. That was enough to block the day from my mind.
Posted two boxes.
Had a couple of conversations with vendors. I cancelled a credit card at a popular 'undies' store because they didn't send me a bill then I got charged with a $25.00 fee for non payment and interest. They removed the charge but not the interest. I don't need the drama in my life so I cancelled. Guess that can't happen again.
Did two loads of laundry.
Watched the two year old for a bit. She redesigned my patio with colored chalk.
Things To Be Thankful For
A warm home.
A producing garden.
A family that loves me.
A pup that follows me around when she's not busy sleeping.
Warmer weather than the North!
Stay safe and enjoy the day.
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