This Perfectly Imperfect Life

I want to thank all of you for tagging along me throughout this November on my journey of appreciating my Blessings both big & small. Today I'm thankful for all of you, for those of you who shared what you're thankful for on your own blogs, for finding a new primary care doctor who has no problem working closely with my Rheumologist (and even deferring to him really since I see him every 4-6 weeks), for Hubbs calling to find out how the appointment went, for the rain holding off until we were on the way home, for the warm purring kitty on my lap who always seems to know when I'm not feeling well, for taking photo's of the garden on Thanksgiving (as I awoke to seeing the wax begonia's, nasturtiums, cosmo's and zinnia's taken out by a hard frost) and for how being thankful has helped me to remain positive in light of all I've been through (and continue to go through) these last 5+ months.

Now I did post this yesterday but, low & behold, today it disappeared. (shaking head at blogger) Yesterday I was thankful for dinner coming out delicious (tried a new recipe with turkey left overs, find it here minus the apples) and for snuggling up with Hubbs on the couch watching tv.

The moon is dark. The air is cold. The stars are bright. I am thankful for warm, safe shelter and a soft bed. I'm also thankful Hubbs was able to get out and enjoy the things he likes to do during his four days off for the holiday. (He doesn't get the chance often enough and he deserves more chances than he gets).

I am so very thankful for my Hubbs and the totally silly fun times we have together like earlier this evening in our kitchen, drinking coffee & eating donuts from Dunkin Donuts while playing each other in Big Buck Hunter (which we bought this morning during our Walmart run). Much laughter (and some excited yelling) throughout. He's my lobster. (How many of you know that reference?!?!?)

While my niece and three of her best friends have yet to sleep since they got up yesterday because they left their homes after Thanksgiving dinner to go line up outside some box store and shopped all day, I relished in not leaving our house until this evening to go to a friends home for a birthday celebration. Having worked on Black Friday for many , many years, no bargain can top my delight in not having to leave the house today, unless I want to. My annual day after Turkey Day tradition of watching Christmas decorating shows all day long on HGTV didn't go as planned - they didn't start the marathon until noon. I was quite disappointed. Then I got the urge to re-arrange more furniture. So I spent a good chunk of the afternoon taking everything off/out of the entertainment center (purging said items) and cleaning it. Hubbs didn't expect me to do that today and his reaction when he got home was, "Well, I guess I have to move it this weekend, huh?" Heh heh! (

Despite all I've been through these last five months and the fact that I still don't feel like it should be Thanksgiving already (having essentially lost five months of the year), I am thankful to have enjoyed the day and food with Hubbs & Mom; a quiet & cozy holiday at home while the weather outside was frightful (sleet, snow, rain, repeat), just the way I like it! (Honestly, I'm a little overwhelmed by the fact that it's Thanksgiving already! And my year is just about over - boggles my mind really). I hope you've all enjoyed a wonderful day of food with friends & family and appreciating Blessings. Happy Thanksgiving!

Tonight I am thankful for feeling better than I have in the last two days, for the delicious smells of pumpkin pie baking in the oven and turnips & sweet potato's cooking on the stove top, for the company of a friend who stopped by this afternoon and for the kind & loving support that's been helping me through the last 5 months. I hope you're all enjoying this Thanksgiving Eve as much as I am! For today's "Thanksgiving Wordless Wednesday" post, scroll down.

Here's the latest after having an appointment with my Rheumologist this afternoon: I'm not out of the woods yet, "by far." Doc is going to ease me back onto my meds, starting one at a time, with each new one starting at 4 week intervals. He's holding off on the iv med indefinitely because if my kidney isn't fully healed/there's still some infection left over in it/if I've suffered kidney damage from the infection/surgeries, putting me on the iv med now could permanently damage my kidney to the point of losing function. To rebuild my muscle loss (which is extensive) and stop my hair from falling out (I haven't mentioned that one, I know), I need to add more (animal) proteins to my eating. (Only reason this will be difficult is because I still don't have much of an appetite). (In addition to cutting back my sodium even more and watching foods like leafy greens & tea (as well as others like beets, chocolate, coffee, cola, nuts, r

Today I am very thankful for not having to go anywhere & not having anything specific to do because I've been dreadfully exhausted all day.

Winter Bloom by Tara Heavey My rating: 5 of 5 stars Top read of 2010 for me. Beautifully and brilliantly written, enchanted me right from the start. As I neared the end, I didn't want it to end. Touched on several subjects close to my heart and on area's I didn't expect. Inspirational and truly heart warming. A definite re-read in the future. View all my reviews

Tonight I am thankful for an un-rushed Sunday with Hubbs, our first in I can't remember how long!

Yesterday I was thankful for having a good day out with Hubbs and friends from our Post on our bus trip down to Atlantic City and for the gorgeous weather.

Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City, NJ. Posted from My Palm Centro.

Tonight I am thankful for: ~The beauty of a full moon on a clear, cold night ~The change of seasons ~Letting go ~Shelter ~Food in the pantry & fridge

Today I'm thankful for: ~The friendships & acquaintances I've made through the evening book club ~Yankee Candle Christmas Eve scented candles ~Finally getting a longer cable for the modem so I can use my laptop anywhere in the house (and therefore not spending money monthly for the wireless modem) ~Being thankful (sounds corny/silly I know) ~The appreciation that comes from taking time to see my Blessings ~Writing idea's that I like

Today I'm thankful for: ~Discovering a new flavor (Peppermint Mocha Coffee Mate) ~The satisfaction brought on by organizing & decluttering ~Wonderment ~Anticipation ~My brother.in.law surviving today's surgery (2nd attempt) and for the meds they put him on afterwards in icu that prevented him from having a heart attack (he's already had one, along with congestive heart failure & a massive stroke nearly 3 years ago - his heart rate went nuts after surgery today, did the same only during surgery the first time) Wordless Wednesday posted earlier today.

Today I'm thankful for: ~JK Rowling and her truly enchanting Harry Potter novels (and therefore the movies too!) ~Knowing the grass isn't greener but it can be better suited ~Realizing that certain things are a part of me whether I like them or not & may be for the rest of my life and having to accept that fact ~Not being as happy as I usually am arriving home after being away for a week (which will keep me motivated when it comes to working on moving, an overwhelming task) ~Photo's

Yesterday I was thankful for: ~Waking to a foggy day in the mountains, so quiet, like snow falling ~My kitties, whom I've missed very much while being away this time ~Not feeling any sense of obligation or guilt about deciding that I won't partake in any of the Christmas chaos this season (which I try to avoid anyhow but especially this year, if I can't make it or order it online, it doesn't get bought, period) ~The good I feel when I plan for & donate things so that others may have some of what they don't (especially making sure to donate to the Food Pantry & The Marine Corps Toys For Tots at this time of year) ~Having fun

Today, I'm thankful for: ~Contact cold & flu which does wonders for helping relieve the nasty-ness of a sinus infection ~Not letting this sinus infection prevent me from enjoying the day with Hubbs ~Seeing a place from a local's eye instead of a tourist's ~The beautiful scarf Hubbs bought me today ~Writing

is thankful for: ~Hubbs ~Nature ~Long rides in the country & exploring places we've never been ~Bagels with cream cheese ~Not thinking about whether or not I can do something & just doing it

Today, I am thankful for: ~Our 'home away from home' lakeside, out in the country, in the mountains ~Nothing but the sounds of birds, the ocassional gust of wind and each other ~The stunning bright blood red color of the Japanese Maples ~A brilliant Autumn blue sky that hints of Winter as most of the branches are bare against it ~The laughter garnered from watching a roughly 6 month old kitten stalk an enormous swan and 2 mallards, getting scared by the swan when it fluffed itself up & grumbled at it then trying to pounce on both mallards at the same time causing lots of quacking & ruffled feathers (kitten ended up hiding under our boat for a while before taking off in search of something else)

Today, I am thankful for: ~All of our Veteran's, for all they've done & continue to do for our Country and for the sacrifices they made & continue to make - Freedom isn't free ~Hubbs, a Veteran and amazing man who has taught me what Pride in our Country is all about and how much appreciation our Veterans deserve ~All of our Veterans Organizations who do so much needed good for our Veterans and communities ~Places that still hold their Veterans Day Parades and for the people who attend them ~Freedom "A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. That is beyond honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact." If you know a Vet or meet one today, please thank him or her for their Service! What are you thankful for?

Today, I am thankful for: ~The United States Marines (if you know a Marine, wish him or her a happy birthday today, they'll appreciate it very much, Hubbs did!) ~Accomplishing all I needed to today despite being exhausted again and Painfully, painfully stiff ~Finding my favorite episode of "Nature" on tonight, "Christmas In Yellowstone" ~Wanting to write (something I haven't wanted to do in months now) ~Advil, our comfy bed and an enchanting book (see my "Currently Reading" tab right below my header above)

My beloved Dogwood in full Autumn glory.

Today, I'm thankful for: ~Simple things ~Finding a novel that peaks my interest ~Finding my vitamins (finally after 6 places didn't have them) ~Finding my tea, in the big box, on sale (PG Tips) ~For a conversation with a friend that helped ease me down from the day I had with Mom (it's happened, I've become the parent and Mother has become the stubborn child) What are you thankful for today?

Right now I am thankful for: ~Finally being able to see comedian Jeff Dunham live! (Well, we're not going to see him until February 2011 but that's only 3 months away and I've wanted to see him live for Years! Happy Dance !) ~Hubbs, who surprised me with the Jeff Dunham tickets when he got home from work today. ~How liberating purging feels. (I've been purging again all day, tackling the guest room/office/exercise room as well as my yarn stash). ~The blogs I read often. They're such a source of inspiration and community. ~Knitting. ~Inspiring others (i.e. to join me in being thankful each day this November), which is just about the best compliment one can ever receive! ~Laughter. ~Yankee Candle Peppermint Swirls candles. What are you thankful for today?

Today, I am thankful for: ~Our Veterans ~My Hubbs (who's also a Veteran) ~Being involved with our American Legion Post ~Being a part of our local Veteran's Day Parade ~Many more spectators lining the parade route this year as opposed to last year ~Getting to spend time with our friends American Bull Dog (who marched in the parade with us!) because he's just the sweetest soul of a pup I've ever met

(So far) today, I am thankful for: ~Chatting with a friend (even if it's via text and not in person or on the phone) ~Coupons from Barnes & Noble ~Laughing & having a silly time with Hubbs last night while cooking & eating dinner ~Enjoying a movie (even though it doesn't live up to the one prior by a long shot!) ~Being content during alone time ~Finding the tote bag I've been looking for ~Receiving unexpected, great news!

Today, I am thankful for: ~Excitement ~Smiling ~Looking in the mirror and recognizing myself after years of not ~Camera's ~Autumn weather and foliage ~The coming of Winter (and Snow!) ~Creativity ~Coziness ~Love (***Diggin' Around is now found at http://digginaround.blogspot.com instead of http://justdigginaround.blogspot.com.***)

I'm going back to the original name for this blog, New Jersey Through My Eyes. Urbanity and not so Urbanity Blogs can still be found in the left hand column.

Diggin' Around is now found at http://digginaround.blogspot.com instead of http://justdigginaround.blogspot.com.

Taken November 4, 2010 with my Palm Centro. Scroll down for today's Day 4 of 30 Days Of Thanksgiving.

Today I am thankful for: ~A decent night's sleep ~Puppy love (of the canine, not human, kind) ~Not doubting who I am when someone tries to tell me otherwise and giving myself the credit I don't usually give myself though I should ~Artful Blogging Magazine from Stampington & Company ~A quiet place to go to that's surrounded by nature ~Chinese food delivered on a raw, rainy, chilly evening ~Looking forward without dread

Posted from My Palm Centro.

Posted from My Palm Centro.

Today I am thankful for: ~Finding the strength to do some things around the house that needed to be done though I'm plain exhausted today ~Having time to get up to our place up north even if only for a couple of hours ~Finding Christmas decorations that aren't too expensive ~For not backing down ~For not having to cook dinner when I'm this exhausted

Today I am thankful for: ~My stent being removed ~My Mom ~Being able to vote (which I did after having my stent removed so I don't want to hear any excuses from y'all!) ~A quiet place to grab a bite to eat ~Moving 1 piece of furniture and finding a new appreciation for our livingroom ~The scent of woodsmoke in the air ~My Husband ~My kitties ~My Friends ~Gouda cheese ~Crusty bread ~A sweet wine

The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman My rating: 3 of 5 stars (3.5 stars) Kept my interest though to the end, not as fluffy as one might assume given the title. It wandered for me a little from the middle to just before the end. Overall a good read. View all my reviews

Last year I stumbled upon the Keeping Up With The Tatums " 30 Days Of Thanksgiving " and made a go of it for the month of November, 2009. You can find my posts here . I challenged myself to list at least 5 things each day. I also wrote down what I was thankful for in my journal and elsewhere. (It's not as easy as one might assume, to do this every day for 30 days strait). By the end of the end of the month, I decided to make it an annual tradition come each November, in addition to my regular posts. Well low and behold, it's November 1st! Time to begin again. Today I am thankful for: ~My Husband, his love and kindness ~A visit with Mom during which she didn't try to annoy or upset me as she so often does (and on purpose - the ole saying "misery loves company" is, unfortunately, true with her) ~The brisk, cold Autumn weather we're having ~Hot cups of tea ~The pleasure from reading a book I'm enjoying ~Making plans again ~Looking more like mysel

For Halloween photo's including ones of local cemeteries, please visit my post " Happy Halloween! (Updated) " over at Diggin' Around .