Friday, November 21, 2025

Empty Wallet - Full Pantry

Day Twenty-one - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

Moving is generally expensive. There are the costs of the actual move (boxes, bubble wrap, tape, etc. moving van, gas, etc.), then there is the cost of all the little things to make the new place work. So here we are all cozy in our new home, left with too much month and not enough money. So I'm grateful for a full pantry from which to plan meals. The encouragement to store food is not just for natural disaster emergencies, but for the common vicissitudes of life, like moving. 

I'm Sorry - I Forgive You

Day Twenty - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

I grateful for the gifts of repentance and forgiveness. In day to day life these smooth ruffled feathers, restore peace, and allow us to move forward. In the eternal scheme of things repenting of sins and being forgiven by God is a gift that brings us closer to Him, and will eventually allow us to enter His presence and live with Him eternally. Now that's something to give thanks for!

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Slow and Steady

 Day Nineteen - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

This morning at 7:00 I popped a frozen chunk of meat into my crockpot and at 5:00 this evening we sat down to a lovely Pot Roast dinner. I'm so thankful for slow cookers! The slow and steady heat turns a solidly frozen hunk of meat into a mouthwatering, tender roast with no fuss or mess. And the scent of it cooking is tantalizing on an overcast, drizzly day in November.

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Attitude Adjustment

Day Eighteen - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

I knew this move would be hard in some ways, downsizing and all. But I decided to make the best of it and tell myself that I'm having an adventure in a large RV instead of a misadventure in a tiny home. 

I'm grateful for the knowledge and ability to change my attitude. I haven't always been able to in the past. Something that has really helped me is that wonderful neighborhood on YouTube of lovely people with great attitudes and senses of humor. A daily does of humor does wonders! 

Monday, November 17, 2025

Creating Order Out of Chaos

Day Seventeen - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving
 
We've been in our new home, a small two-story townhouse, for eight full days. It's been almost as much a challenge unpacking and finding places for everything as it was to pack it all up. I grossly over estimated how many books would fit into two seven foot tall, three foot wide bookcases. Oops! I've struggled to put things away in the kitchen with so few drawers, there are three tiny ones, and cabinets that are narrow and deep with a half shelf at the back, except for the one in the corner which is shaped like a piece of pie with the wide end at the back, (who designed that abomination?), and the merry-go-round bottom corner cupboard. Not such a great kitchen for a senior citizen, but I'll get in some good exercise anyway. 

Today I finished putting away the mixing, serving and storing pieces in the kitchen. Then I moved on to setting up the living room which meant putting books on shelves, music cds on shelves, and dvds on shelves; then arranging the couch, ottoman, end tables and lamps, and chair. I even hung up two pieces of art.

I'm so grateful to have been able to create order out of all the chaos. It is now an inviting room--living, dining and kitchen all in one. Not my favorite layout, but I'm pretending it's a large RV and that makes it more acceptable. I'm grateful to have drywall walls instead of plaster, and tightly fitted windows that don't leak, and a heater that's powerful enough to warm the whole place, and a lovely counter in the bathroom to put my lotion on. There is much to be grateful for here.


Sunday, November 16, 2025

Autumn

Day Sixteen - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

On the drive to church today I saw some gorgeous Burning Bush shrubs (Euonymus alatus) still glowing red, while most trees are now bare of leave. The vibrant red looks so pretty in the now barren landscape. I love the colors of Autumn, burgundy, red, orange, gold, yellow. I'm grateful to live where there are four distinct seasons, each with their own delights. 


(I wish I could share photos, but my laptop is so old I can't update the operating system and I'm not able to post photos anymore.)   

Saturday, November 15, 2025

Time Alone and Time Together

Days Fourteen and Fifteen - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving
 
Somehow while I was alone yesterday I forgot to post, so I'm combining again. 

In the midst of my chaotic situation, moving and unpacking, a bit of alone time was welcome to be able to steadily work through a mountain of boxes. Steve went directly to our other houses (yes, plural) yesterday after work, and will return tonight. When I'm alone I don't worry so much about meals and eat what I want when I want it. I'm grateful for some down time in the midst of the chaos.

On the other hand, this morning I attended a crafting activity at church which was totally delightful. I met women from three congregations, and found that there is a quilting group in the congregation that I attend. Hooray! The group is small, but meets once a month to work together on their own projects and to share skills and encouragement. I'm so thrilled! So many good women in this area. I'm thankful I went and spent time with them. 

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Thrift Stores and Bartering

Day Thirteen - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

We just moved into a new place, this time it's a townhouse, a first for us. Downsizing has been challenging but a necessary step. I'm a saver, and a prepare for emergencies kind of person. I like to stock up so I don't have to go to the grocery store or Walmart so frequently, it's a way to avoid temptation. Well, trying to fit things into a place one third the size of our Victorian Mansion is definitely a challenge. 

Today I went to Salvation Army to drop off a load of "things that don't fit and I decided they aren't worth keeping"; and looked for a few things that I do need. I found one of them - a small cabinet for the main bathroom to store extra toilet paper and toiletries, as well as clean towels and washcloths. It was just $10 and in decent shape. I think it will work well for the purpose. I'm always thankful for those who donate their cast-offs instead of just trashing them. I enjoy finding bargains and treasures at thrift stores.

After work, Steve picked me up to go to Ames where he swapped an unneeded old IMac computer for a dorm fridge needed for his office. It went smoothly. The young man, a junior in college was getting a computer for his grandfather. He was happy, Steve was happy. No money was exchanged, but items were saved from the trash and will be put to good use. I'm thankful for everyone who is willing to barter goods and services. It's a win-win game.

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

All You Can Eat

 Day Twelve - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

The Pilgrims left a populated area with shops and taverns and every amenity of that time and place. They arrived at the beginning of winter in a wilderness with no value added resources available, in other words no shops, no vendors or hawkers, in fact, no people except a few indigenous natives. I can hardly imagine what that must have been like. 

Pioneers from then on, in what became the United States, trekked into the wilderness, built homes, planted crops (often in the opposite order), and towns eventually grew up around them. But there was always movement westward to uninhabited areas and then hacking a life out of the new wilderness.

Today I went to two grocery stores, passing by dozens of restaurants, as well as other grocery stores. There is no want of food here. I can get just about anything I desire, many things shipped in from distant places. If I don't feel like cooking I can step into a restaurant and sit down to a nice meal cooked by someone else, and clean up by someone else. If I'm in a hurry I can order for pick-up, or even delivery. 

I feel so blessed to live in a time of such abundance. I'm thankful for all the farmers, ranchers, producers, pickers, processors, truckers, stockers, clerks and courtesy helpers; all working diligently to bring food to my table. If I had to grow my own I know I'd starve.

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

The YouTube Neighborhood

Day Eleven - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

I am so, so thankful for people who share their skills and hobbies on YouTube. I have learned about a whole bunch of interesting things that I otherwise would never hear of. And the people are fun, creative, knowledgeable, crazy, and personable. For me it's like having a bunch of friends I can visit with each week.

I watch mudlarkers, magnet fishers, quilters, organizers and declutterers, linguists, musicians, litter-pickers, thrifters, actors, comedians, remodelers, builders, farmers, and lawnmowers, historical reenactors and seamstresses, mechanics, and a whole lot more. Some are quirky, some are traditional, all are interesting to me.


Monday, November 10, 2025

Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps

Day Ten - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

I married an active duty Marine (yes, it should always be capitalized!) and am grateful for the men and women who choose to serve in the military. It is not an easy life, but it is a good life. Four of our five children have served or are currently serving. All four services are represented in our family. But Dad is the longest serving, retiring after twenty-five and a half years of service. 

Today, 10 November 2025 is the Corps' 250th birthday, so Happy Birthday and Semper Fidelis!

Sunday, November 9, 2025

Experience, Knowledge, Skill

Day Nine - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving
 
Today I'm thankful for all that I've learned in our many moves. I think this move is about number 12 since getting married over 37 years ago. 
  • How to pack and label boxes
  • How to unpack and find places for everything
  • How to arrange furniture to the best advantage
  • How to decorate with little money
  • How to clean quickly
  • How to find my way around a new place
  • How to have adventures*
This latest move has gone smoothly so far. I'm still unpacking and putting things away and making lists of needed little things for each room as I recognize them. 

I have lots of other areas of experience, knowledge and skill. Some comes from age, some from study, and some from necessity. I'm grateful for all.



*In our family having an adventure can mean getting lost, either deliberately or inadvertently. We've learned to not panic, but enjoy seeing new places, learning new ways to get somewhere, and finding hidden treasures.

Saturday, November 8, 2025

So Many Helpers

Day Seven and Eight - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

My husband has "un-retired" and taken a shop teacher job again, this time at a school for 9th graders. That necessitated moving from Minnesota back to Iowa, which happened this weekend. Friday night we had a crew from church of 18, including six young male missionaries (at the end I gave them each a hug from grandma!). On Saturday there was another crew from the church where we moved to of about the same number. Both crews worked tirelessly to help us get the big truck loaded and unloaded. 

I'm so grateful to be part of a worldwide community of saints who willingly help each other with big tasks. The members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are so Christlike in the way they put their own needs aside to assist someone else. I want to be able to repay them by serving in some way.

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Five Children

 Day Six - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

Our daughter Elle (Elizabeth aka Noble) helped me tonight after finishing her day at work. We are moving from Minnesota to Iowa in two days and I needed help with the kitchen. Her work was much appreciated.

I love our five children and am so grateful for everything I've learned from them over the years. Motherhood is a crash course in character development. When we were homeschooling many other mothers commented, "Oh I wouldn't have the patience to do that." Well, let me tell you sister I didn't start out with the patience either, but it was either develop it or go to jail for crimes against children. I think I managed to develop some along the way. But along with character traits, I've learned about so many wonderful subjects because of the wide and varied interests of the five of them. 

Our five have multiplied to eight as three have married, and then thirteen as five grandchildren have been added. What a blessing to have posterity! I hope it keeps growing.

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Labor Savers

Day Five - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

Where would we be without all the labor saving appliances and modern conveniences we enjoy today. I'm so thankful for a washer and dryer, a stove and refrigerator, a freezer and a vacuum cleaner, a microwave and a crock pot. Along with the bigger things like central heat and air conditioning, hot and cold water, flushing toilets, and garbage pick-up. Then there are all the electronics like computers and cell phones, radios, televisions, digital cameras, and such. We are so blessed!! We truly live in amazing times that even kings couldn't have dreamed of 200 years ago. I'm grateful for them all.

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

The Night Sky

Day Four - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

We live in an area that is relatively dark at night. I'm grateful I can see the moon, planets and stars. At least, I can see them when the sky is clear, and not cloudy. I love seeing the moon no matter what phase it's in; all's right with the world when I can see the moon.

Our daughter has a wonderful pair of binoculars that we used to look at celestial phenomena when she lived with me. The Psalmist knew the truth: The heavens declare the glory of God.

Monday, November 3, 2025

Sunshine

Day 3 - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

Today I enjoyed bright, warm sunshine streaming in the windows. I'm always grateful for sunshine when the temperature outside is cold because it warms up the house. 

I'm also very thankful for "Sonshine", the love, mercy and grace that comes from Jesus Christ, my Savior and Redeemer. 

Sunday, November 2, 2025

Autumn Colors

Day Two - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

My inadequate cameras can't capture the beauty of the colors of autumn, so I capture them in my mind and hold on to the precious memories. Yellow, gold, orange, red, burgundy against a bright blue sky, or sometimes lit by the setting sun against a dark gray cloud. Bright green is still visible in some trees, and the fir, pine and spruce are dark blue green. The weeds are yellow and brown, the grass a faded green. 

I love colors! I'm so grateful for this beautiful world of God's creation and for my eyes to see it.

Saturday, November 1, 2025

Good Health

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because (1) there's no six weeks, or longer, build up of expectations; (2) no costumes; (3) no gifts to buy or make; (4) no decorating the whole house inside and out; (5) no parties, concerts, or other obligations to attend; (6) it is a simple holiday that has my favorite things: family and food. What more could you want?

I haven't blogged for a long time so I thought I could get back into it by posting each day of November something I'm grateful for.

Day One - Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

I'm grateful that at age 67 years, 10 months, I have good health. I'm not on any medications; I have no chronic disease, no problems that affect my ability to take care of myself and my home. It's a blessing that comes from a combination of good genes (thank you Mom and Dad), and clean living (no alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, or other drugs), and actually liking foods that are health giving, such as whole grains, legumes, vegetables, etc.