Oh that Gratitude Thing

Lucky you. I not only wrote the church newsletter column for October, but November (Gratitude Month) too! So here you go...

Gratitude as a Way of Life

As much as I love summer and bonding with Mr. Deck Chair and my golf clubs, when the fall leaves start changing color I immediately pause and think, “I see what you did there, God. Thanks!”

Now, as the last of the leaves fall in November and we move toward Thanksgiving, gratitude naturally comes to mind. We pause to count our blessings—family, friends, food, and the many ways God sustains us. But Christian gratitude should run deeper than a single season or holiday. It’s not just something we feel once a year; it’s a way of seeing the world, shaped by the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

But does that come second nature to us? Not for me. But I am working on 365 daily gratitude!

In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he writes, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Notice that Paul doesn’t say for all circumstances, but in all circumstances. I believe this means that gratitude is not so much a denial of hardship—it’s a declaration of trust. Even when life feels uncertain or heavy, we give thanks because we know that God remains faithful, walking beside us through every season. (Note: See any “Footprints” plaque from the last 4 decades.)

This November, many of us will gather around tables—some full and noisy, others more quiet and reflective. Some of us may feel the joy of reunion, while others may feel the ache of absence. Just remember that wherever we find ourselves, God meets us there. Gratitude grows not from perfection, but from presence—the presence of Christ, who joins us in every joy and every sorrow.

One of the gifts of having faithful friends and a strong church family is that together we help one another remember this truth. When one of us struggles to see the blessings, another can gently remind us of God’s goodness. When one of us rejoices, we all rejoice together. Gratitude shared becomes gratitude multiplied.

So this month, let’s practice noticing. Let’s pause to see the small mercies: the gorgeous leaves, the crisp morning air, the laughter of a child, the quiet calm during worship. Each of these moments is a reminder that God is near, that love is stronger than despair, and that grace continues to abound.

May our hearts be filled with thanksgiving—not just for what we have, but for who we are as a grateful family in Christ.

That Odd Mix of Summer, Turkey Day and Christmas

What a strange seasonal weekend! Saturday dawned with summer-like temperatures and I was excited for some time with Mr. Deck Chair! 

Beware of roadside turkeys first!

Then in the mean time, there was shopping for Christmas cookie exchange ingredients – and supporting our community's Best Christmas Ever endeavor for families in need.That turned out to be fun. 

I convinced the Grinch that no one could silence me from spreading Christmas cheer for all to hear!

And he reminded me, "Does your husband know you're sitting on another man's lap?" LOL.  Also, he didn't care if I was good this year or not. So kids got a free pass in that department!

They had a good 100+ raffle baskets and your friend Lady Luck won two of them! Including some Tupperware EZ Speedy mixer thing that more than covers the cost of raffle tickets I purchased.

Then last night we re-joined AHS classmates (plus) to hear our friend Lance Black sing. This was at 17sixteen, the way former Baker Street Grill. He was amazing as always and it was great to see friends!

Today was literally both of us singing in our respective church choirs and watching football. Because, guess what, the weather turned quite November-ish again – despite the sun. So we stayed inside.

P.S. I did sneak one Hallmark Christmas movie in yesterday... and I'm pretty sure I can get another one in tonight!

TGIF-ish

Weirdly after a day at work – working from home – I am exhausted! How does this happen? I don't know but it is 100% logical.

And I laugh because the only situation is me and a lunchtime line for meds! At some point, I will see the newest event! And, if not, I'll just continue to say YOU'RE TURN!

If not, I'll just put myself to sleep tonight. If you know, you really know! 

Finally My Turn

When the Northern Lights were already showing themselves at Lake Wazeecha at just 6:30 last night, I knew it was finally my turn to see them and, cross my fingers, capture an image or two.

Around 8 p.m. I headed over the Buena Vista Prairie Chicken Meadow – along with dozen other vehicles – for an open field / unobstructed view. I was amazed I could see the colors with the naked eye. But putting my phone camera on Night mode, I was able to capture more of the depth and vividness.

Red and Green colors like a Hallmark Christmas movie! Ha. Just glorious! But very cold out so I didn't linger for long!

No Northern Lights here tonight but...

But those Western Lights were exceptionally gorgeous on my commute home. Wow!!

Got home in time for hubby and I to go to "dinner and a show" tonight at Assumption High School. 

Opening night for Sister Act included a delicious dinner with 3 couples from the Smits family – how fun – then the musical!

Everything was amazing from the set design (wow) to the talented singers. So entertaining! They have shows Friday and Saturday, too. Highly recommend going. Although dinner was only available tonight.

I might actually get 8 hours of sleep tonight since I don't have to keep checking for those lights. Sure appreciate their beauty and uniqueness though! 

Northern Lights Envy is a Thing

I was so frustrated with our cloud cover on Bluejay Drive last night. I literally stepped outside every few hours to hopefully catch sight of the Northern Lights.

Especially after viewing stunning photos from family Up North in Wisconsin and from the Twin Cities on up in Minnesota (like my niece's photo above). So lucky! So envious.

And I'm not kidding that there were clouds at 9 p.m., 10 p.m., and 2 a.m. But I could see something was hiding behind them!

Then.... shout out to Mr. Tiny Bladder for awakening my body at 5 a.m. I look out the bathroom window and see... stars! Holy crap! No clouds.

So I run out the front door and onto the driveway in my slippers and PJ's and finally caught a beautiful view above our tree line!

It was a brilliant pink! And because I was not exactly dressed to hop in the car and find an unobstructed view in an open field somewhere, I don't know if our pinks were attached to any greens like other photos I viewed. 

In retrospect, I should have. Because I didn't fall back asleep anyway for my 6:20 alarm.

So tonight I caught colors early...

As in sunset colors on my drive home from work. But because the Northern Lights are supposed to be visible like everywhere tonight, I will try again. Between sunset and choir practice. Then between choir practice and realistic bedtime.

Good luck to all of us Northern Lights dorks! 📷

Tuesday Randomness

Tuesday mornings are hard after being home and away from the office Friday through Monday. Add in cold air temps and darkness – and I wonder why I live here and why I can't win a lottery that equals early retirement. Ugh.

Of course, seeing that my Swedish Chef Mafia fantasy football team won again to remain the only undefeated status in our two Marketing Department leagues gives me reason to smile. I've got injuries and a very shallowly qualified bench so this status could change any week. Still it's kind of a fun as a "girl" to be kicking ass!

This Tuesday in particular also meant it was Veterans Day, so thank you to all of you who have served! Something I don't take for granted because I know I am too selfish to ever consider putting my life on the line for anything other than my hubby, kids and family. God bless you all!

This Tuesday in particular was also our monthly Girls' Night Out. We had 8 of us tonight at Ida's. So nice to catch up. And no, we're not girls anymore. Our conversations are around health issues and grand-babies and challenging Millennials at work (ha). As always, though, good food and great company!

I'm excited that this Tuesday also calls for a great chance to see the Northern Lights! 

Unfortunately, we have a cloud cover here in Wood County, Wisconsin. As of 8 p.m. failed photo shoot. I'll try again later. Or tomorrow night. 

Happy Tuesday to you all – and let's hit Hump Day with some attitude (and energy, please!).

Eating Humble Fry Pie

When I had my holiday shopping treat of the coconut cream Amish fry pie for "breakfast" this morning, I had no idea I'd be eating some humble pie later on today.

I keep my life schedule organized on the calendar on my phone. But also put everything (I thought) on our kitchen calendar too. And urge (well, nag) hubby to do the same.

For as often as I've been checking the calendar to confirm we are indeed still in early autumn, I can't believe a completely empty Monday square didn't alarm me. At one point I checked the school sports calendar today thinking maybe I had another middle school hoops or game or something. Nope.

Did I check my phone though? Nope. I must have brain freeze!

At 4 p.m. my phone dings that I have my 6-week appointment with my hair artist at 4:30 p.m.! Whoa. THAT'S what I was missing. Or almost missed.

Since working at home on Mondays is a very casual dress environment, the first thing I said to Jim was, "Well I guess I do have to wear adult clothes today!" I quickly changed out of my warm and cozy "casual wear" and headed into town.

The first bonus was sitting under the dryer for 15 minutes and finally feeling warmed up!

The second bonus is that Miss Sarah does a fabulous job in front and back. Maybe I should have appointments at 6 a.m. so I can walk around all day with great hair and a "toss, toss" attitude! But I'd probably forget to set my alarm.

Whew. Crisis averted. (Hair artists are hard to get appointments with, seriously!) So I already have my Dec. 22 appointment on the kitchen calendar. In orange "alert" Sharpee. 

Now if only I could convince Mother Nature and Old Man Winter to look at their calendars!