December Gratitudes

Or: "Bye, 2011.  Don't let the door hit you on the way out..." :)

I don't think it's fair to try to weigh out all of the things that happened in a year and then stamp it as either  a "good" or "bad" year.  The last month of 2011 saw me crying both tears of pain and tears of joy.  I had some truly wonderful days, and some days that I wish were only a nightmare that I could wake up from and forget.  I think, finally, that I'm learning to live One. Day. At. A. Time.  This is not to say I don't set goals or make plans for the future.  Of course I do.  But isn't life less about trying to forget a "bad year" and remembering all of the "good times" no matter what year they happened in?  And creating more good times to look back on?  I had so much to be thankful for this last month of 2011.  I'm looking forward to my blessings in 2012 as they unfold.  God bless us.  Every one.  :)

• 12.31- Goodbye, 2011. I learned a lot and I'm ready for a fresh new start!!!
• 12.30- Day off from work=more productive clearing out at home! Also, Friend Christina takes me to the gym and I discover that I really like it
• 12.29- The truth has set me free. Grateful for family who love and support me. Lord God, hold me together and bring beauty from the ashes
• 12.28- Friend Christina helps me get some things sorted and cleaned out. Both of us make like Allie Brosh and CLEAN ALL THE THINGS
• 12.27- Sweet friends and customers made work today really nice
• 12.26- A morning shift at work so that I can spend time with the kids and their new toys. :)
• 12.25- CHRISTMAS! My Jesus was born to set me free!!!
• 12.24- Grateful for my family. Seeing the kids after family kept them all week while I worked and spending time with my Dad's side for Christmas
• 12.23- While Christmas shopping, found Cute Gremlin #4's birthday gift on sale. Felt good to be shopping savvy. :)
• 12.22- Bestie sent me goodies from River Street Sweets in Savannah!!!!!
• 12.21- Christmas shopping :)
• 12.20- Spring stuff has arrived at work! I got to display lovely garden accents and it brightened my day
• 12.19- God's grace to stay cheerful at work after hard weekend
• 12.18- Spending time after church eating pancakes and reading a wonderful letter from England
• 12.17- The prayers of friends and family as my world began to crash
• 12.16- Talented friends
• 12.15- discovering a link to a blog that compares the SEC teams to Muppets
• 12.14- another full day at work
• 12.13- Completely and utterly Graced by our church family
• 12.12- Tree is finally decorated
• 12.11- giant pot of clam chowder
• 12.10- same as yesterday
• 12.9- Full and busy day at work
• 12.8- Lovable, loud, ginger friend has a birthday today
• 12.7- Eldest Cute Gremlin is officially a teenager
• 12.6- The Christmas tree is up!
• 12.5- The fun involved in trying to outdo a friend with funny Star Wars youTube vids via Facebook
• 12.4- Seeing friends at a wedding gig
• 12.3- An old and dear friend called me on his birthday to catch up :)
• 12.2- My warm coat
• 12.1- Great day at work