Reflecting

Today, no updates on Ann, nor my latest junk finds, etc.  Today some thanks for things that I have.

Yesterday, was a really great day for me in a lot of ways.  I've been sicker than a dog with the flu for over the past week.  That can make you have a giant pity party sometimes.  I never get sick (or so rarely I don't even notice it) so in all my long hours of resting, I've thought of how lucky I really am.  Yesterday proved it.

Yesterday was DD's 12th birthday.  I am lucky that I have her - things were really dubious during my prenancy with her - lots of hospital stays, toxemia, etc.  But I have her and she's an absolute delight to have - a trial at times as all 'tween girls can be, but she's smart, sweet, talented and my love bug.

I made her the requested meal - frijitas (there was cake too, but didn't take a pic):

And tried to find a gift for her that's as different from a gift that you would normally give a 12 year old.  She got the requisite boots, camera she asked for, but she is also quite the little scientist and explorer.  She constantly brings in frogs from our garden, only to be told she has to let them go the next day.  Well, I found these for her at a Hallmark Store of all places.  She was thrilled!

Yes, frogs.  Two mini African frogs that live in their own Eco-Friendly environment.  She should be watching these for the next three to five years!   They went upstairs with her last night so she could make sure that they slept well.  Such a sweety!  Happy Birthday, my darling girl!!

A package arrived in the mail on Monday night.  We had high winds and rain and our power went off.  Right before I left to take my DD to dance (that was a struggle), a package arrived, but I didn't have time to open it.  The power was off until after we went to bed, so the package didn't get opened until Tuesday morning.

I didn't order anything, so what could it be?  Well, it was a package from Jolene.  When I found my first scissor frog, a dear voice, someone who I didn't know at all, commented on my blog and told me that she would make me a fob.  Time went by - little did I know that Jolene was busily working on it.  She posted hints on her blog, but I didn't know that was to eventually be mine.  She has posted pictures on her blog, which are much better than mine, so please take a look.  But not only did she send me a fob, she sent me Christmas in a box.

Inside of the black purse were these goodies:

A cute Halloween plaque (it's already hanging Jolene) and two beautiful pieces of homespun fabric.  My pictures don't do justice to how pretty these are. 

In the next package was the cutest Halloween chart (and excuse the bad pictures - it was cloudy and awful when I took them) with the fabric, floss and buttons from Just Another Button Company, a notepad and recipe cards AND THE MOST DARLING SCISSOR FOB WITH THE FANTASTIC OWL SCISSORS ATTACHED!!!!!!!  Be still my heart!  Not to seem dramatic or anything, but there were some tears coming out of my eyes at this point and they definitely were not caused by my illness.   Here's a couple better pictures:

Jolene said that this was her first attempt at making a fob.  Well, she could have fooled me, BIG TIME!  She did a wonderful job and there are tiny seed beads all around the edges.  Again, her blog has much better pictures than mine.  I so love it.  I told her that I was absolutely speechless!

The third package included some yummies for the tummy and a sweet owl necklace.

After I had composed myself and wiped my eyes, you just know that my new fob had to take it's rightful place among the scissors:

Jolene, sneaky person that she is, had been posting hints on her blog for a while.  Was I swift enough to pick up the clues?  Of course not.  I loved watching her over one progress on this PS design and thinking that she was a much better person than me.  Jolene, it is wonderful and I'm going to treasure the fob and everything forever. 

So those are a couple things that have truly made me feel lucky.  My beautiful daughter and the goodness and kindness of strangers - people whose lives you only see through their blogs, but who you realize have some ties to you in some way.  For their kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness.  How lucky I am to  have not only "met" Jolene, but every single person who has left me a comment or whose blog I have enjoyed - they have all been such an inspiration and it's a real delight to see into your world.    Thank you again Jolene, and thank you everyone for your wonderful comments.   I am truly lucky to "know" all of you.