Moody Monday's: Feeling Blessed

tlpoague

I woke up this morning feeling under the weather. This put a damper on my mood to write...a long with any topics I had thought to write about. All day, while trying to over-come the stomach bug, I tossed ideas about. Nothing sounded up to par.
So...I sit here, sipping a cup of coffee, and thinking about how blessed I have been this last year.
My writing hasn't gone in the direction I had planned when I made my New Year's resolution. Instead, my research for my stories have led me down a different path with different views. I think this will help to enrich some of my stories I have been working on. (This also began the process of un-learning a few things.)
I have been blessed with another grandson earlier this year. It is amazing to see how fast time flies as I watch this young man blossom. Between him and his brother, my days have been full keeping up. (Hence the reason why my online writing has slowed down.)

Photo by tlpoague
It seems like just yesterday my children were babies.

Photo by tlpoague
Now I have two grandchildren. They are such a blessing.

 The reality of how short life is hit hard again this year. I won't go into details about it because I wrote about some of those experiences in my earlier blogs. It also impressed upon me how God works in our lives and in answering prayer. I know some of these experiences deepened my faith in the Lord.

This year we sold our business due to health issues. It is so weird to say we are retired now because I feel like I am working harder now, than when we ran our business.
In its place, I have taken up crafting again to go with my writing. I have never seen myself as being that talented. Just the average Jane learning something new.

Photo by tlpoague
This is a hat that I made with matching earrings
and necklace.

Photo by tlpoague
Here is a toddler bed Mr. P. and I
made. I didn't realize how easy it was
to make a quilt with matching crib sheet.

Photo by tlpoague
This could be used as a child head band
or a choker. 

Photo by tlpoague
This is one of many blankets
with matching caps.

Photo by tlpoague
This is one of the scarves I made
for my mother whom is
battling cancer.

Photo by tlpoague
Since I couldn't stop with just one,
I made a second one to go with it.

Because I didn't think I had enough to do with all of that, I talked my hubby into trying our hand at canning again. Something we haven't done since we were kids. 

Photo by tlpoague
A batch of chili for those cold,
snowy days.

Photo by tlpoague
Our first try at jelly.
It should come with its own
warning label.
Very addictive!

Saving the best for last, to wrap up this rambling, I am blessed not just with my family...but the friends I have met online through the social networks and writing websites. You guys mean more to me than you will ever know. I wouldn't be here trying this online writing thing if it wasn't for all of you. Thank you for your support, prayers, and encouragement. 

To me, this Christmas is more than just the over-rated commercials, last minute gifts, and hoopla. It has been a moment to take a breath, relax, reflect on the times gone by, and enjoy this moment...here and now. People will forget about the gifts five minutes or five years from now. But, they won't forget about the people who touched their lives in so many ways. 

I would like to invite you to join me on TSU. It is a new social website where I am sharing my writings and others. It is by invite only, so I would like to extend this invite to you...https://www.tsu.co/TLPoague

Giving Thanks For The Little Things

Photo by tlpoague

I came across other blogs sharing their top ten things they were thankful for this week. After thinking about it for a bit, I decided to join in the fun. Sometimes when life is busy, we get caught up in the cycle of chaos, and loose track of those tiny things to be thankful for. Here are my top ten for this week.

10. I am thankful for my gift of writing. I love having the ability to create something others enjoy reading.

  9. I am thankful for my gift of baking. It was something I never thought about much until two family members mentioned missing a loved one and how much my baking reminded them of the loved ones that had passed.

  8. I am thankful for my gift of crafting. Last night I had a loved one tell me that she enjoyed her gift so much she wore it all the time. She has had many people ask her where they could buy one. I have toyed with the idea of selling my products, but enjoyed seeing the smiles when they are given as unexpected gifts instead.

  7. I am thankful for the fellow writers from the different websites I write on. I have learned so much from their writing and advice they have shared. They have helped me to overcome many fears and obstacles.

  6. I am thankful for my readers. Whom could consider themselves a writer if it weren't for the readers? Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my ramblings.

  5. I am thankful that I was able to see my extended family despite the circumstances surrounding it.

  4. I am thankful for my parents, brothers, and sisters that support me, even during the times we don't see eye to eye. (I am also glad that they are willing to share their stories so I might have more colorful things to write about.) 

  3.  I am thankful for my amazing children. I am proud to see how far they have come in their short lives. It brightens my day when they call asking for help, or just to say...I love you.

  2. I am thankful for my husband. He has taught me much, helped me to conquer my dreams, and loved me fearlessly.

  1. I am thankful for my faith in my Lord and Savior. I have seen and experienced miracles that only God, himself, could have done. He has been my rock in the good times and the bad...always waiting... always caring.

This has been fun. I look forward to doing it again. I wish my readers well and hope to see you on the next go around. If you would like to join in the fun...check it out here.

Considerings

tlpoague 2014