Thursday, December 31, 2015

Daily Journal - I did it!

What do you do on this final day of the year? I try not to reflect too much. I would rather focus on the now and what tomorrow may bring. Sometimes, however, I can’t help myself.

I began a daily journal on December 8, 2014. And ~ wait for it ~ I have actually maintained it to this day! It’s not a “diary” like I had when I was young. No “feelings” are included – usually! I learned that lesson the hard way!

It is interesting to glance/read back over, to refresh my memory as to what I did throughout the year. Especially since I keep it on my computer in MSWord, I can easily do a “find” for key words.

For example, over the year, I wrote some form of the word “quilt” 342 times!

Okay, I counted the phrase “quilt quilted” as two “quilt” …

And, certainly Action Quilt (aka Fidget Quilt) also counted. Sometimes they take almost as much time as creating a lap size quilt top!

Anyway…

I’ve tried for years to maintain a daily journal. I’m excited I made it this year! I plan on continuing, especially now that I see the benefits of it helping me to remember what I’ve done. It’s like writing a story of my life. And, the older I get, the more help remembering I need!

For example, I'll share what I posted for yesterday:

Although I don't specifically share my "feelings"
- if you know me, a couple of entries reveal volumes!
Whether using the old fashion way with pen/paper, or computerized, I highly recommend keeping a daily journal! What you include, how detailed, or whether or not you include “feelings” is totally up to you. It’s a great habit to form. Yes. It is a habit, a good one!

I’ve read there are health benefits, when “feelings” are included. Maybe in 2016 I’ll journal more about this roller coaster called life!

For now, I’ll get back to the sewing room and finish a quilt top started a couple of days ago!

I pray 2016 brings you Peace and Joy.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Life with a 16 year old

Various websites state a Doberman has a life expectancy of 10-12 years. Some mention up to 13 years. We have a miracle living with us!

Born July 2, 1999, Beth is 16, almost 16 1/2 years old! Each day is a blessing.

Every night, I give Beth an extra bit of loving while telling her, “Thank you for one more day.” Each morning we have, I ask her for a sweet kiss and she complies. It’s a fabulous way to start the day!

I give continuous thanks to God for our time together.

There are lifestyle changes, and sacrifices. It’s simply what you do when you are loving stewards of God’s gift.

Yes. There are senior issues to deal with on a daily basis. I’ve always heard for every year of a dog’s life (large breed) is 7 to people. That makes Beth 112 years old! Who would have thought! Certainly there will be issues… just clean it up and continue on with life!

Made it to Vet's and back (50 mile round trip)!
The hardest sacrifice we’ve made, since May of 2014, she’s not been able to ride in the truck for any length of time…

That means – she cannot make the three hour trip to Dallas.
That means – one of us stays home while the other goes and visits with family.
That means – one of us misses out on family celebrations such as birthdays, Christmas.
That means – we deal with it.  
I will give her kisses


And, live with knowing at any minute our time together will end.

My heart will never be ready.

UPDATE: It's hard to even write the words, but we had to help Beth cross the Rainbow Bridge on March 5, 2016 at 4:10 p.m.. Although not on this earth, she will be forever in our hearts.

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