my word for 2012 is...

gratitude...

that I will be more grateful for everything I am given...

and everything that is taken away...

that I will be more blinded to worldly things...

and focus on what is really important...

with a grateful heart...

an attitude of gratitude can change a life forever...

and those that life touches...

let it begin with me...

its in the 50s, let's go for a walk...

the skies are so blue...

seed pods are waving the breeze today...

still green...

I don't think we will have replant the this in the spring...

dianthus...

just a great day to play outside...

wish it was March or April...

would be getting these ready to go...

another year...

how time flies the older you get...

looking back at the year...

wondering where it went...

it was a year of progress...

and set backs...

for us, there were no deaths...

no weddings...

no births...

but there were still a few changes...

and we made it one more year, together...

so that counts for something...

and I have more friends than I had last year...

and more blogging sisters...

looking forward to the new year...

wondering what it will bring...

a little excited...

we have gardening plans...

deck plans...

flooring plans...

and blooming plans...

and blogging plans...

we woke to this this morning...

it was so pretty...

the wet snow clung to everything...

and the branches were completely outlined on each and every tree...

just under 2 inches...

but the temp was up and it didn't stay long...

there are a few places here and there now...

but tomorrow will take care of that...

spent the day with laundry and cleaning...

ate BBQ at the deli...

nom nom...

and then took a good 2 hour nap this afternoon...

hamburgers and fries for supper...

tired of left overs, so we took a break from them today...

we can finish them tomorrow...

need to make more of those Mrs Fields' chocolate chip cookie bars in the morning...

only one left...

my bestie, Rebecca and her family need prayer...

they called hospice in for her Grams, Ella Mae, yesterday...

she is ready to go and isn't eating anymore...

she is aware of them and what's going on...

been talking with her mom and dad from the other side...

and holding her baby that had been stillborn so many years ago...

from my experience, when they come from the other side...

there isn't much time left on this one...

and that's been the day...

quiet and peaceful and reflective, talking to Rebecca...

praying for her...

and others...

and spending time with my guys...

folding clothes...

putting up most of the Christmas stuff...

have a cozy evening...

my guys...

Craig gave Doug antlers...

my red gloves...

Craig, Doug and DH...

can you believe that they still do bunny ears?

its a Christmas tradition in my family...

this was taken this morning before Doug went back home...

the camera was not used at all this year!

and Doug felt so bad when he got here on Friday...

he was very upset and told me he had run off and forgotten my Christmas presents...

I told him that that was ok...

I had him...

and then DH took him home and brought my presents back...

this was one of them...

and I love him!

my very first sock monkey!

he is a TY beanie baby!

isn't he just the cutest sock monkey you have ever seen?????