We’ve had a little bit of a rough patch lately, actually more than a little. I won’t go into the long/detailed list of all that has gone wrong recently; suffice it to say we’ve had job losses in the family & disappointments personally, illnesses and deaths amongst family and close friends, and it has seemed to be one thing after another over the last month. It’s been difficult for me to focus on the things I need to get done when I’ve been constantly worried about everyone around me. Three weeks of this month I only had two blog posts, and that is not what I am aiming for.
Things seem to, hopefully, be settling down now and that’s the first thing I’m thankful for. I’m also thankful for the time we’ve been able to spend with family and friends, even if not always under the best of circumstances. There was a nice Thanksgiving dinner in there with my family, and two days of shopping with “the girls”. That was much needed, even though it took me away from home for a night.
I was barely home before having to leave again for a funeral. The time spent with my hubby’s family was precious though. As we arrived home the other night, with the threat of a snowstorm on our drive home, we were thankful that all we saw was rain. It was literally just minutes after we arrived home that the rain changed to snow. I can’t help but think that my husband’s late brother was watching over us in our travels.
I am also thankful for my sister who always steps up to help us out when we need to leave town like that. She is the only one who can care for Luke, and that she can be there for us is so important. I am a homebody as you know, and being gone from home for a few days, especially when not all of it is for happy times, is hard for me. Knowing the pets and farm are in good hands makes it easier.
I can’t tell you how good it felt to be home that night and have Luke’s head on my lap as we finally got to relax. I know he was quite happy to have us back home as well.
Getting back to routines was what I needed, what we all needed, and it feels good, even though I’m still a big disorganized. Even when I had to strap on snowshoes and yet again walk through a snowstorm (we got another foot of snow!) to get Luke outdoors, it was wonderful. I would never describe myself as someone who loves the snow. It was tough walking!! However, I can’t even begin to express how beautiful it was out there, and how good for my soul to get to enjoy that beauty. As I said the other day when sharing photos from a previous walk, the pictures just can’t do it justice.
I wish you all could have been with us…..every tree and branch was covered with snow. We lost our trails at times because everything looked so different. Many of our trail markers were covered in snow, or the trees they were on were bent over from the weight of it. There were fallen trees and branches across our trails, and I just hope no serious damage has been done to any of them.
I’m still feeling sad and a little bit lost, and also wondering if I’ll ever get caught up on all I need to. Being home with the Dadz, Luke, and Sam and getting back to the routines – even including those snowy walks! – will be the balm I need to find my way back to normal once again.
Thank you to our friends at Brian’s Home for hosting the Thankful Thursday blog hop. Please visit other blogs through the links below!
Very beautiful snow photos.
Thank you, JoAnn!!
I will always try to be there for you and Tom, Jan, I will never forget what you did for me-besides which I love the heck out of you, and hate to see all the things you have had to deal with lately. Your trials are pretty much my trials! So I will always be by your side as much as I can. Hoping for sunny skies ahead for sure, hang in there as you have been doing. Love you! And my Luke and Sam and the Dadz!
Thank you so much, Lynn. ♥♥♥
So sorry for your loss!!! I know exactly what you mean we have had some sad news in our family over the past couple months and it has been very hard to concentrate on anything but that. I am hoping I can get out of this funk and enjoy the Christmas season!! Hope your routine gets back to normal soon 🙂
xoxo,
Bell Fur Zoo Mama
Thank you. I’m sorry to hear you’ve had sad news as well. Here’s to hoping we can both get out of our funks, get back to normal, and enjoy the holidays. ♥
Hopefully things will settle down for all of us. I’m so thankful you have Lynn, too. She’s the best. BUT, we have to fight the urge to be homebodies (that’s happening to me too these days). We will have to get out more in the warmer weather, especially. It seems like our winters are 7 months long. After all, it was still snowing last May on a couple of occasions when I was driving to work. Sometimes it snows a bit in October (thankfully not this year). But if you’re keeping track, snow from October to May is technically 8 months. Absolutely ridiculous. It is beautiful, but I really hope we get a mild winter this year. The snow is OK, but I’m not a fan of the cold. I’m just rambling here… 🙂 I am glad that you have such a beautiful home and pets to come home to. HUGS
Thank you, Sheryl! Yes, I can’t argue that winters are definitely too long here. It feels like this one is going to be worse than ever….it’s either snowing or very cold. But I’m not going to give your hubby any ammunition to try to move you away, so it’s all good. 🙂
Sorry for all your recent trials, but it sounds like you’re coping well. You certainly have a winter wonderland there! Like….I wonder where the trails are?!
No kidding, right? We’re just making new trails now. 🙂
I’m sorry that you are experiencing some rough times. It is very difficult to keep up when life throws you curve balls. I am praying things get much better. ♥
Thank you, Melissa! We are finally getting back to some normal, and that helps. ♥
I’m sorry for your losses and other stuff. My peeps have been sick since Thanksgiving—bronchitis and strep. Show looks pretty but only if it’s a few states away from us.
BTW, we’re still doing the Pet Photo Fails blog hop on the last Friday of the Month. Melissa and Mudpie are hosting it now. I know you used to participate.
Thank you again for letting me know about the hop, I appreciate it.
I hope your peeps are getting better! After all this, I came down with a cold, and while it’s no fun, I’m grateful so far it is simply a cold!
We had no idea you were going through so much! Friends and pups … and maybe a crazy guinea hen or two always gets you through! I wish I could fix it – but I also know you’re in good hands … err … paws? Feathers?
All of that. ♥
We’re sorry to hear about the loss and sadness in your family lately. Here’s to brighter days. Purrs…..
Thank you. ♥
Here’s hoping things are brightening up for you and your family!!
Thank you. I think we’re getting there, and I’m finally getting to do some positive things.
I am so deeply sorry about all of the loss, sadness and hardships your family has been experiencing lately, sending virtual (((hugs))) and love and prayers that things continue on an upswing. You know, the blog will be here…….I only posted on Cody’s once so far this week, and same with Dakota’s. Sometimes life gets in the way, and it often gets in the way with good things too. It took me many years to learn that the blogs can wait and LIFE comes first. xoxo
It’s true, I know, but the blog keeps me grounded too. When I don’t post, I feel like something is missing. However, there have been times that I made the choice not to post because I just wasn’t feeling it. Thank you for your love and support, Caren. xxoo
Hugs to you all my sweet friend. I’m so sorry for all you’ve been through, but glad that you have each other and can find beauty, solace, and a new path to “normal”. Holding you all in my heart and sending healing energy for all. Things will settle down. As Joy said, make time for yourself and do things that make you happy. 💗💗
I am finding that balance, and I think – hope – that things are settling down and looking up now. Thank you! ♥
Thank you for sharing those beautiful winter-wonderland photos. Nature is quite the artist. I hope those ‘internal clouds’ lift and show your heart beautiful blue skies. Thinking of you as I send oodles of poodles thoughts and tail wags.
We’re getting there I think! Thank you. ♥
I’m so sorry you’re having a rough patch. I hope everything settles down, and it’s smooth sailing for a while.
It’s bound to get better, right? Knock wood!
I feel so sorry about all your losses and sadness. Aren’t you glad that Luke got you out to walk in that beautiful winter wonderland? Our dogs do our hearts so much good. Sending virtual hugs.
Thank you. Yes! Without Luke I probably would not get out nearly as much, and I’d be missing so much beauty!
Mega hugs from all of us. I’m so sorry you’ve had so many difficulties and sadness and hopefully the new year will be much better. Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
Thank you for the hop that always reminds us to try to focus on what we are thankful for; it really does help. ♥
hugs to you all… rough times with such happenings are always hard to stand…. but a wlk through this winter wonderland can work wonders and it brings good mood and can recharge our batteries… if we have warm boots and a nose warmer ;O)
Oh yes, the warm boots are definitely needed, otherwise the cold takes all the enjoyment out of it! 🙂
Bless you and your family. I hope all turns out better for the upcoming holidays.
Thank you, Marylee. I do hope we can get some quiet for the holidays. So far so good.
So sorry to hear you are having so many sad things in life right now. Dealing with losing Emma has cause enough sadness and disruption to our lives, we can’t imagine all the things you are going through while trying to find your normal. Take time for yourself, do what makes you happy. It will all work out, we have to believe in that as well. Hugs to you.
Thank you. I’ve learned as I get older to take care of myself more, to give myself a break when needed. Sometimes keeping busy is what’s needed though.
I was glad to see that you allowed yourself a break too after losing Emma. I hope that time helped you a little bit. ♥