HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Just want to Thank everyone publically today, as it is Thanksgiving!  My Family, Friends, both old and new, and my blogging community.

I know this is not Thanksgiving, The celebration, for all of you out there, but every day can be a day of Thankfulness.

I am Grateful to God for providing so many things…Yes I have had many struggles, and am continuing to battle some, but I know God is there, and he has given me many people along the way to help me and mine through.

I am just hoping and praying that everyone out there has a warm, happy, joy-filled day, surrounded by people you Love!

The above saying by Melody Beattie, I think sums it all up!

Thanks for Hearing!

Sincerly;

Bea Heard

THANKFUL REFLECTIONS

Since November is in full swing and it is the month for being thankful for all that we have…I decided to reflect on childhood memories.

I have so many wonderful memories of childhood celebrations.  My Mom is the one to thank for that.  This time of year brings back memories galore.  The holidays were made magical for me and my siblings.  My Mom could make something out of virtually nothing, and I am very Grateful to her for that.

Our Holidays started in October with Halloween… 

Where she would decorate the house inside and out…we would get to carve pumpkins…make goodies (we could make treats to give out to those trick-or treating, at that time) and we sometimes had Halloween parties with the entire family…but we would all dress up…even if you were too old to go trick-or-treating…just dressing up to hand out candy or going to school was fun.

Then on to Thanksgiving…   I remember the house filled with all kinds of yummy smells…it was nice to come home from school or just playing and smell baked bread, cookies, pies, etc..  Sometimes she would be making things to give to others…teaching us that even when you don’t have much, giving was a great blessing.

I remember Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Cousins…all getting together to have a special Thanksgiving dinner.  Everyone would bring something to contribute and because the family was (and is) so big…we usually had to have it at a larger place than a house…church halls, Someones clubhouse, or just in a relatives house…even if it means more than one room.  I’m always thankful for being together with family!

After Thanksgiving comes Christmas… Yes it was and is a special time for our family to celebrate the Birth of Jesus…but it was also made Magical because of all the other things that Christmas brings…My Mom would bring all the things from the Cedar Chest she had…and when we would come home…before even seeing the things she had put up…we could smell the cedar and know that it was Christmas time…There were many things she would set up…The tree of course, but much more…elves in the tree…a Winter village on top of the cedar chest…figurines around…the Nativity all lit up…and the smells…oh the wonderful smell of Christmas time.  Mom made candy…big event at our house.  This was not for us to eat…though we did get a nibble or two…but to give to others as gifts…along with cookies…breads…etc., and of course Santa…always remembering that the gifts he brought represented those given to the Christ Child so long ago.

After that…New Years…  What a day that was…We actually got to stay up past midnight…WOW!!!!  Sometimes we made it and other times some of us did not…it was always fun though…we would play games, listen to music (some of which Dad did not relish), and sometimes we would get together with family and friends and it was a big party!!  Like almost everyone in the country on New Years Eve…we would watch the Ball Drop on T.V., With Dick Clark! Then on New Years Day…we would eat leftovers from the night before…along with others freshly made and watch the football games together…so much fun to be had!

Now that is not the end of our holiday season…no…February came with cupid, hearts, flowers, etc…..  and in our home Valentines was not just for Lovers…but a time to celebrate all those you loved.  We would make Cookies…oh those yummy cookies with icing and your name in the middle of the heart.   Mom would also make those cookies…tons of them…because we had a huge family.  She made them so we could give them for our valentines at school (again…when we could do things like that in school)  So we had a list of all the classmates…their names spelled correctly…and we would ice the cookies…Mom would write their names…we placed it on a paper Heart doily with a bit of icing…and then on cookie sheets…We could not wait to get to school to give out our valentines.

Then on Valentines evening…we would take the cookies we made for family and friends on special plates…drive to their houses…and leave the cookies on their doors…Knock or ring the bell…and run like the wind…so they could not see who brought them (like the did not know).  That was so much fun…the anticipation of going to the door and not getting caught…fun!!!

Now comes March…St. Patrick’s Day!!!    Mom would make sure that we all had something green on BEFORE, we went to bed the night before…so our siblings would not get to pinch us if they found us without green on (I have green eyes,I was always safe).  In the morning, the smell memories again.  This time coconut…yes you heard…coconut.  But what does coconut have to do with St. Patrick’s Day, you ask?  Let me explain…Mom would make green pancakes shaped like shamrocks, and green syrup…since maple syrup did not look good in green, she made coconut syrup and it was yummy!!!!  What a fun thing to look forward to each year.  Then we would have a traditional St. Patrick’s dinner later that day…something to look forward to.

Now you would think that was the end…but no…another month to celebrate came next.  Easter…   And though this was the end of our Holiday Season…It was…as it should be…a New Beginning.  We would always go to church to celebrate the risen Christ.  The family would celebrate Easter with a Large Family Party (still going on to this day)..we would go…then to Grandmas house…everyone would bring something to eat…we would have an easter egg hunt…Egg shaped cookies were made with our names on them (like the valentine ones) we had nests made of puffed wheat cereal and they were filled with treats…but more than anything else…we were with Family.

Now of course there were other holidays…The 4th of July, Memorial day, Veterans day, etc…throughout the other times of year…Any excuse to get together for a BBQ!

But whenever I think of the Holiday Season…I think of seven months of Magic…Thanks Mom!!!!

I always wanted to be like our Mom…Sadly, she is one of a kind.  Though I do follow through with many of the traditions (as do my siblings) I have not been able to duplicate for my children, the Magic I had.

Part of the reason is, that I made a choice in a partner I thought was the man I had been waiting for my entire life…one I could carry out traditions with for my own young family. But he was not what he seemed to be…so instead, I gave my children a life of abusive memories…ones I thought I had shielded them from, only to find out they suffered it as well.  But that is all I will say on that subject for now.

I was able to give my  children some of my Moms wonderful traditions…and they do remember them and look forward to them each year.

I’m Grateful to have these Memories and Traditions.  They meant so much to me then…and even more to me now!

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving season!

Thanks again for Hearing!

Sincerely;

Bea Heard

Quick Update…

Today, I felt that I would like to update you on our October 18th Celebration and a few other things.

We had a Great time together…Watched Fast and Furious 7, and made Pizza (I make the dough, they make their own pizza), and of course we had our toast.  Then my oldest stayed the night (nice!!!), and we were able to have a long overdue talk.

This past week has been a trying one (I know it is Wednesday, I mean since last Wednesday)… My youngest is 19 and likes to think showing no emotion and being strong all the time is how life should be lived, had something happen in my child’s upper neck, that at first I thought must be the way it was slept on. But alas..that was not it, because even when there was absolutely no movement…the pain would shoot at random.  Tried to set up a trip to the doctor…but that was a..No Go!  So it is still being dealt with…pain is intermittent.  It is hard to see your child in such pain, and be unable to do anything to make it better…As a Mom, we like to make things better.

My middle child is having a hard time with job and finances, and tries so hard to make everything work.  Just needs to calm down and relax a bit. Want to help, but don’t have the resources necessary!  Just trying to be supportive.

My oldest is making decisions that I wish I could change, but as a parent you can only give advice and step back, let them make their own decisions and be there to help them if they need you…Hard when they are no longer small enough to do for them.

So now to me.   I have been trying to find work to do in my home, but the options are so very limited.  P.T.S.D., and the way it is affecting me, is hard to deal with, especially when you need money to survive.

An opportunity presented itself, and I jumped right on it…waited…got a return email…needed to take an online test…did not have a computer that allowed what they needed…borrowed one…took the test…did ok I guess, as I got a return email to go forward. By this time the computer I borrowed was no longer here…tried on my small computer…could not finish, because of said computer…needless to say…got another email stating…they were looking elsewhere for the right fit.

Ok…Onward and upward…thats all I can say.  I will not give up…not on my children…not in my job search…and most definitely, Not in my Recovery!!!

Thanks for Hearing! (sorry not pictures today)

Sincerely;

Bea Heard

Preparing for Halloween

I realize that I already did a blog at the beginning of the month about Halloween..but that was before my Wonderful Aunt came to visit me.

This lady is so very talented, crafty and comes to visit me bringing an array of things to do or decorate with.  We got together recently and she brought a project that was sooooo much fun.

You know the Fairy pot craze…

Not this cute little version…No…we need something more befitting the occasion…

Well, because we both love Halloween…she thought it would be fun to do a Halloween themed version.  It was Great.  We made a dirty mess…and had food, drinks (cranberry, lime, and sprite…no spirits…we will save that for Halloween), laughed, and made fun Halloween Fairy pots.

Then we set about decorating…such a good time shared with a Beautiful lady.  I’m so blessed to have Family and Friends who support me, even in my craziest of times.

I’m going to show pictures of our Mess, the finished product and the corner of my Kitchen that is now decorated with wonderful things she gave to me.  I Thank her for all the kindness she always shows to me…for the passion she exudes for any holiday, and for making life a little more fun to be in.  I Love you!!!

Dirty kitchen counter and Floor..

Finished pot.

A closer look at our Witches, Ghouls and Goblins.

Its spot in the living room, along with a Witches broom…Ok, It’s my mode of transportation…Ha, Ha!

Now a look at the corner in my Kitchen, where I have the perfect view of all the fun Halloween decorations…

It is better at night, because they all light up or glow in the dark…

 The progression of color is almost Mesmerizing…perfect for this occasion!!!

Now we cannot forget the wonderfully fun cup she brought me…

  and the fun treats.

Of course I don’t like eggs…they are the scariest part of this thing…But I made them after she left…for my children…who devoured them.  We found it on Pinterest and we both decided to make them for dinner.

She also brought a book.  She knows I love to read and write.  I will read just about any genre.  This one is a children’s book about Halloween by Barbara Robinson, and it is Titled “The Worst-Best Halloween ever.

Just so you know what to look for…Great for young and old alike.

The book is about the Herdman Kids, who love to cause mayhem on Halloween and every day for that matter.  But this year the Mayor cancels Halloween, so the town will not be subject to the Herdmans disastrous ways….but will it work?  You will have to read the book to find out.  I promise anyone who reads this will find the child in them again.  It is a fun read.  Pick up a copy and read it yourself or read it with your children. You won’t be disappointed.

All in all, it was a delightful day.  A Great way to De-Stress…My journey continues.

Thanks for Hearing this BOO-tiful tale.

Sincerely;

Bea Heard.

PUDDLE-JUMPING

How  long has it been since you went Puddle-Jumping?

The fun kind…not the darting to and fro to avoid the puddles, and the stepping off the curb into a puddle…

  

But the actual happy faced, jumping with both feet, not caring if you are soaked to the bone…Puddle-Jumping!

The kind that brings back memories of childhood, and the times when it was so simple and fun.

Well, I have not done it in a very long time.  But I was lucky enough to witness such an event last week.  I even stepped out of the box I live in, to not only speak to the man and his daughter, but ask if I could take a picture.

I saw them from my usual vantage point…

It was raining much harder than the day I took this picture.

and I heard the father (my window was open…enjoying the fresh rain filled air) say One, Two, Three, then I heard a splash.   I looked up and saw a happy little girl and her Dad, having a lot of fun…they did it over and over at the corner puddle, that had grown to fill most of the street.  Then they walked on, counting and jumping often.

I was filled with happiness, and thoughts of childhood, enjoying the memories that flooded in.  I picked up my i-Pod, and ran (without thinking) to the front door…they had made it to around the part where my gate is by then, and were counting and jumping again.  When they finished that jump…I said. “Thanks for reminding me how much fun that can be!”  He smiled and said “Sure.”  I then asked him if he would mind if I took a picture of him and his daughter jumping in the puddles.  So I could have a constant reminder.  He agreed, and continued with his child.  I took the picture and reluctantly closed the door, as they continued on their way.

I know the picture is not that clear, that is because of the rain, and the fact that I had just spoken to a complete stranger, on my front porch taking pictures, and at the point the picture was taken, I had my back to the open spaces.

So…I’m just wanting to thank that Dad and his little girl for bringing a little childhood back into my life.  Giving me the courage to step outside these four walls for a moment. Above all, remembering how it felt to be care-free.  The memories he is making for his child will be ever remembered.

Later that day, the rain had cleared and the sun was shining…I had at that point closed my blinds, and retreated into my cave…still happy, but recovering from my little adventure.  Two of my children came in the house and had such confused looks, that I had to laugh a bit.  One asked me, “Did you take a picture of a man and his daughter today?”  They both looked at me with dis-belief on their faces, as I said “Yes!”

“NO!” was the resounding reply, then I couldn’t hold it in, I broke out laughing! They couldn’t believe I had ventured out, let alone talk to, and take a picture of a complete stranger…they know me well.

I showed them the picture, and told them the story of why I did it, then they pulled out a piece of paper, told me that his email was on it and would I mind sending him the picture so he could show his wife.

Now I have more to be happy about…not only did they make my day, but now they have a picture to mark their adventure.  I’m glad that I summoned the courage to go out and take the picture.

I guess what my post is about most today, is this….it does not have to be Puddle-Jumping, it can be blowing bubbles…

gazing at the stars, or finding things in the clouds…

We just need to keep dreaming, like we did when we were young, and we need to stop thinking about age so much…as the father did for his daughter…just Jump!

C.S. Lewis said…

We all need to remember that, and do more to keep our dreams and goals alive…if even for a small space of time each day.  It can really make a big difference.

Who knows…Like they did for me…it could make a difference in the lives of others as well.

Keep Puddle-Jumping!

Thanks for Hearing!

Sincerely;

Bea Heard

Ending Work Week Early (To Have Fun)

I am ending my work week early…I know it is Thursday, and I have only been Hard at work since Monday, but….

I was writing away this morning, and then I received a phone call from my Oldest Son, and because he and his Fiance are going to be on opposite work schedules…They only have this weekend to spend some time together, before they will not have much quality time alone for a while.  So, I get to reap the rewards, as it were…because His Fiance’s Daughter (I am Nanna now) is coming over to spend the night tomorrow.  Yeah!!!!!!!   Girl time for me….did not get that much, as I had all boys!  Though I always Love spending time with Children, when else do you get to act like a Kid…no matter how old you are?

So,  because of what writing about this subject does to me, and with having a small child here….I want my mind to be at it’s best, and cut down the risk of me having a flashback and scaring her unintentionally.  I have decided to give the Hard stuff a rest for the weekend.  I will be back on Monday, and will work harder than ever, since, I know I am going to have a Great time…I always do when Children are around…they are the BEST MEDICINE, I always say!  I know I enjoy it whenever I have nieces and nephews over, and now another little one in the mix…Couldn’t be happier!

I have even gone on Pinterest to get some new ideas, for fun projects to do…Here are some that I am thinking about doing…

Who does not like balloons, especially as a rocket?!!!

and…

Foam Paint…Made with equal parts Shaving Cream and White Glue, with food coloring added…Fun!!

And…

Salt Dough ornaments to hang in a room…with perler beads and paint…Great Idea!

added recipe for good measure…

and last but certainly not least….

Loom knitting…always has been one of my favorites…Hope she likes it!

Now I have to ask….who is really going to have more fun…Her or Me!!!!

Well, we all know the answer to that one!!!

Thanks for Hearing, and A Happy Early Weekend to Everyone!!!

Sincerely;

Bea Heard