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Ten Things of Thankful: It's Almost Christmas Edition

Normally, I am a fairly organized person.  "Normally" being defined as "back when I was a student."  I love order and organization, but seem to be on an endless quest to return to my formerly-organized state.  This week, many of my thankfuls bring me a glimmer of the me-who-I-know-is-still-in-there-somewhere.


This week, I'm thankful for:

1.  A turkey defrosting in my refrigerator.  I have something for Christmas dinner, I have a refrigerator that works, and I've planned ahead enough to allow time for the turkey to defrost.  

2.  The little Christmas gift for the women at church.  The bulk of the project (making homemade caramels) was done by someone else.  I only had to find a handout (found here), have it printed up, and attach it to the candy.  I think they turned out cute, and it's nice to have that project done.  



3.  Having (most of) the Christmas cards mailed.  It will be a miracle if they arrive before Christmas, but at least I (hopefully) will have them all mailed before then.  

4.  Another puppy!  I'm puppy-sitting on a temporary basis for another puppy raiser who is out of town for the holidays.  Sweet little Yam isn't old enough to venture out in public yet.  She seems to enjoy hanging out with the big puppies at home, though.  Isn't she cute? 




5.  Being done with shopping.  I'm usually done much earlier than this, and hopefully will return to that schedule next year.  

6. My Christmas cactus blooming.  This plant just keeps getting bigger each year.  It reminds me of my grandma.  One grandma grew African violets, the other, Christmas cacti.  



7. Wreaths around the lions.  I have a couple of lions guarding my front door.  I had neglected to dress them up for the holidays, and finally remembered to get the wreaths down from the attic.  I like the friendly, festive look!




8. The beautiful sunset.  Even with the demise of the Joshua tree, I can still capture the stunning, gorgeous sunsets of the desert. This photo is untouched (except for the addition of a watermark), but doesn't do the sunset justice. The clouds were so pretty tonight!



9.  The real reason behind Christmas, and the good will the season generates.  The more I focus my life on trying to follow the example of Jesus Christ, the more patient and kind I am towards others (and myself) and the more happy I feel.  

10.  John.  This week, he surprised me by taking Thursday off from work and taking youngest daughter and me to Disneyland.  (Thursday was the last day of 2014 that our passes were valid.)  As much as I enjoy Disneyland, it is always made better when John is there with me.  

 

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Merry Christmas! What are you thankful for this week?

Comments

  1. I never think photos do true justice to sunsets. Some things just don't capture as well on film as they are experienced in person.
    I honestly don't think I've ever seen a Christmas cactus in bloom - very cool!
    As for Christmas cards, they are a thing I never quite seem to get right. I kind of thought this year would be really different, given my new employment status, but alas...did not happen. Perhaps I'll send Valentines to the would-be Christmas recipients instead. My Mom did that one year when she just plain old didn't get the cards out - it was a bit hit!
    Have a wonderful Christmas week, Kristi!

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  2. Merry Christmas to you, your family, and the dogs!

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  3. Yam! what a great expression (on his) face… ("oh man! I've spent the day being cute, can I get a little time to nap?")

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  4. I am thoroughly impressed with your Christmas cactus. I used to have one that I kept alive to see a second bloom, and that was a Christmas miracle in and of itself.
    I am known around town as a super-organized person, but I'm not nearly as organized as I used to be either. I think it's because I simply have way more to keep organized and it's much harder to keep up.
    What a nice surprise John gave you! I'm glad you were able to have such a fun day in the midst of your Christmas preparations.
    Merry Christmas!

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  5. Truth. Sunsets are very hard to capture in all their glory on camera.
    Oh puppies for christmas fun!

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  6. Another wonderful list with fabulous photos. May the coming week be filled with blessings and opportunities to bless others, too.

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  7. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  8. Ahhh, I LOVE your lions! And their festive attire! So glad you have a working fridge!

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  9. Oh my! Those dogs are beautiful! We saw this black lab in the mall pet store and I'm just about set on that being the dog I want if and when we can get one later on in life! I do love our sunsets here in the desert, too. :)

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  10. Got to start with the dogs:) Drexel looks like he's wondering why in the world you're making him pose for a picture with these "other" dogs. Yam. Cute name. She's adorable. Willow almost looks peeved that Yam might be stealing the spotlight:). They're like little people aren't they? Can you tell I'm a "dog" person Kristi? lol
    I love your stone lions! I almost bought some my first trip to England. I later regretted not having indulged my whim.
    It is a lovely sunset. I can't tell you how many pictures of sunsets I have stashed away in boxes:)
    What an excellent surprise! How nice for you guys to have a holiday right before the holiday!!
    Have a merry and blessed Christmas.

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  11. You do have wonderful things to be thankful for and Yam is certainly one of them. What a cute puppy. As for Christmas cards -- the year of Amara's first Christmas I changed our tradition to sending New Year's cards. We celebrate Christmas with the family on Christmas Eve and we take a photo in front of the tree. Then it is on to Shutterfly. Have to say not trying to get the cards out by Christmas does take the stress off!

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