More Thank You

Received another thank you note in the mail.  How lovely.  We've received two in the mail and one email.  I love that people care enough for you that they express kindness through their gratitude for whatever they've received.  I liked this quote.

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

Gilbert K. Chesterton

And here we are - Friday.  I've kept on top of some things this week.  Been in the basement - I have a goal to go through at least 2 boxes per week to pare down, toss out, donate, and clean out.  Have more than achieved that this week.  I started a pile for each of our kids (now adults with families of their own) and soon realized that even with my previous attempts to winnow those belongings to a more manageable level, that a pile wasn't going to suffice.  They now each have a labeled box which I will continue to fill.  I like knowing that we aren't so burdened with "stuff".

I've tried a new-to-me recipe that was pretty decent and will try another one tonight.  And I've a huge stack of books I'm anxious to get to.  It's nice to have a day or two with no demands or schedules - to just "be".  Here at home.  My favorite place.

We went furniture shopping.  It's no fun avoiding the family room - where we can sit together - because the furniture isn't very comfortable.  It's old - probably at least 15 years, probably a bit older.  But it's in decent condition.  Just uncomfortable for us.  We found some furniture we like.  Quite a bit.  The price?  We don't like that nearly so much. So we came home, lounged around on the furniture in the downstairs and decided there was a reason we bought it - we really like it.  It's not all electric recliners and fancy like today's furniture.  But it's comfy and not bad looking.  So as soon as we can figure out how (paying for some burly guys to move it will be much cheaper than the several thousand dollars to buy new, especially when we don't really need new), we'll have it moved to our family room on the main floor.  I'm anxious to get it done, but will work on curbing my impatience.

I don't know what it is about January.  I'm always ready for a change of some kind.  A change in furniture, a new hairstyle, something new to wear.  Some new menus for dinner.  I've noticed this about myself for a number of years.  I have no explanation.  January just needs a change.

And we just received a video from our son - playing a music box song "You Are My Sunshine" while the little-tyke-granson sings along.  It was absolutely precious - totally warmed my heart.

We are momentarily receiving sunshine outdoors - it's such a difference from our mostly usual January air-inversion that sometimes gets so bad you can't see across the street.  Requiring me to forgo my outside morning walks.  I'm loving the clean air so far this year.