Living Joyfully

Before the holidays,  I came across this decal with the words "live joyfully".

This message is one that I try to live by, but I sometimes

need reminding.  So I decided to put these words in a place

where I will see them frequently throughout my day -

on the window in front of my kitchen sink.

I cherish and value whenever all of my children come home 

and my family is together.

Even more important,  each of us feels the same way.

But especially during the holidays,  I believe we all try even harder

to boost each other's joy and diminish each other's hardships.

We become less self-centered.

We are more agreeable.

We do things we might not choose to do on our own

because it makes another family member happy

or relieves their burdens.

We make each other laugh.

We give comfort.

We "live joyfully".

I'd like to share pictures of our times of "living joyfully" during this Holiday season.

Our annual cookie decorating contest.

Annie won 1st place this year with Charlie Brown and Linus.

She also took 2nd place with the Grinch.

Kerry took 3rd place with the Rainbow Fish.

Popping a champagne cork across the front yard for Christmas morning mimosas...

Catching up with long-time friends...

Enjoying the glow of Christmas lights and candles.

A cold-weather hike with my son and the dogs.

Appreciating our pets...

The joy of "tiny" stocking stuffers!

When my kids man the camera...

Hand-made gifts...

Joyfully anticipating your sister's reaction to your gift...

Opening the perfect gift from your family...

Playing with toys...

And time to rejuvenate.

#blessed

A VERY Unexpected Christmas Eve Surprise

Christmas Eve dinner is traditionally held at my mother-in-law's house,

and this year was no different in that respect.

What was about to happen after dinner, however, we had no clue.

It was definitely very non-traditional!

It began pretty sedately.  We took some family photos while we were waiting 

for dinner to be ready.

After dinner was over,  my mother-in-law disappeared.

Minutes later, an elf emerged from the bedroom,

and she looked very familiar!

You see,  she had recently performed as part of the "Dancing Elves" troupe 

in New York City with her 3 sisters and brother-in-law.  

You might have seen them in Times Square,

entertaining on the streets,

 in the subway stations,

and even on the rink in Rockefeller Center.

I think her moments of fame and fortune must have gone to her head,

or maybe she just wanted to go solo.

We were treated to a dance show by an 85 year old elf!

After the show,  she posed for pictures with her fans.

Vance's cousin, Janis, had made the "elf" video a few weeks before Christmas

and emailed the link to everyone in the family.

While it was all very funny at the time, 

I just discovered something even funnier.

My husband was just looking over my shoulder to see what I was writing about,

and I scrolled through to allow him to read this post.

He was confused when he saw the photos of the video.

HE HAD NEVER SEEN THE EMAIL

and

HAD NEVER SEEN THE VIDEO.

When his mother had appeared in the elf costume on Christmas Eve,

he had no idea why.

He said, "I just thought she was losing her noodle!"

LOL!!!!!

I Met a Handsome Man Today

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. 

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. 

~Khalil Gibran

As I headed out into the cold, damp morning for a run,  I just wanted

to hurry up and get it over with.   I usually like to run in the sunshine

or at the end of the day when I can take in the beauty of the sunset.

But there was no hope for sun today.  I just wanted to finish and

go home for a hot shower.

As I rounded a corner,  I saw an animal crossing the street up ahead.

I couldn't tell at first if it was a large cat or a small dog, but as I neared

it became clearer.  Definitely a cat.

It walked up a driveway and sat next to a tree.  Something about the

way it looked at me told me it was friendly.  So I stopped running and

bent down.  I softly called to him and almost immediately he began

walking toward me, unafraid.

Meowing and purring, he began rubbing against my knee, thoroughly 

enjoying the attention.  He was remarkably handsome and sweet!

At one point, as I was fiddling with my iPhone to take a picture,  he

seemed to get impatient because I had stopped petting him and he 

hopped on my back and put his paws on my head!  But I wasn't 

camera-ready yet!

After a few minutes,  I said goodbye and started walking away.  

He meowed and started following me!

I couldn't resist another snuggle and this time I picked him up.

I'm sure he is a well-loved member of some lucky family!

When we finally parted ways and I continued on my run,  

I felt much lighter on my feet and in my heart.  

Even without the sun, 

 the day seemed much brighter.