Confession time: My tree is still bare.

Also, and much worse, I'm guilty of only haphazardly noting my sweet!s this week. The days just melted into each other. I jotted a few on random pieces of paper around the house, but most never got past the good intentions stage and the memory is gone.

Why is it that simple little joys are so easily taken for granted and forgotten? 

But I've managed to dredge my memory and have come up with a few. I hope you're doing a better job than I am! In times like these, marred with tragedy and sadness, I believe the sweet! moments in our life are truly gifts, acting as lights in the darkness, helping us move forward. 


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Monday: finally creating a Facebook page for your photography website 

Tuesday: watching a documentary about the survivors of the Dust Bowl with high school students, and being inspired by the survivors' resilience and hope; a piece of your genealogy puzzle slipped into place, thanks to a cousin's research

Wednesday: fitting in a morning walk with your frisky puppies before work

Thursday: frosty mornings; wood-burning stoves; a full day to work on your book

Friday: bumping into friends at the grocery store; picking out toys for your church Giving Tree; joining with your nation in prayer after a tragedy 

Saturday: feeling better after two weeks with a cold; wrapping presents; small Christmas parties with friends

 

 

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Sunday: wearing a goofy Santa hat; the magic of Christmas glowing on children's faces when they talk to Santa; traveling to Middle Earth with your kids, via the Hobbit movie; Austin's 6th street at dusk in December; writing groups

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This week I'll submit 10 pages of my book to be critiqued for February's conference… I'm going to experience Austin's Trail of Lights for the first time… my tree will get decorated… and I'll keep track of the sweet! moments that light up my life. 

Whatever the week holds for you, don't forget to breathe and pay attention. Here's to brighter days for all of us! 

 

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14 responses to “Blurry Days and Short Lists”

  1. Walker Avatar

    I don’t even have a tree yet! So, you’re way ahead of me. Thanks for making time to share those sweets.. And, don’t forget to give us all the link to your FB page!

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  2. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Oh, thanks for reminding me, Walker! (And for making me feel better about my bare tree!! lol)

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  3. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    How did you get that Santa picture? It’s like a Norman Rockwell painting.

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  4. Lissa @ lafcustomdesigns Avatar

    I don’t have a tree either! And last year I got a 6′ tree for $15 three days before Christmas. For some reason, I’m not very motivated. Don’t know if the bug will bite me in time or not. LOL Might just get a wreath for the front door. And no, I’m not Scrooge. ;->

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  5. Ms. A Avatar

    I spent Saturday with my Daughter and two of the grandchildren and savored every moment.

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  6. Lisleman Avatar

    (your comment section ate my comment – I’ll try again)
    Yesterday we had our family celebration early. Schedules of families can be a problem. The grandkids gave me plenty of fun moments.
    Today I watched the full speech by President Obama at the Newtown High School. Even though I am older than him, I want to call him Father Obama. He gave great meaning to being a parent. He explained how we all need to care for all the children. It’s on the White House site and youtube. I recommend you watching it as a parent.

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  7. Laurie Avatar

    Don’t feel bad…we didn’t even put a tree up this year! Can you believe it? We celebrated with the adult children at Thanksgiving…so we just saw no reason to. This tragedy hasn’t helped the mood either. So sad, just can’t imagine what this community is going through. Stay blessed,
    Laurie

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  8. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    The important thing is spending time with family, I believe, and part of the reason mine isn't up is because I've been having fun with my kids. So really no regrets. Except the decorations on my tree, and the old photos I decorate with, help me remember all those Christmases when they were little. Sigh. For me, it seems even more important to keep to tradition after the latest tragedy.
     


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  9. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Oh, no! Are my comments acting up again? Sigh. I watched the speech. He did a good job speaking for all of us who mourn those poor babies and the loss of innocence of all of the young ones around the world. Breaks my heart!
     

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  10. Gail Dixon Avatar

    The only reason my house is decorated is because I had to celebrate Christmas with my daughter the first week of December. Otherwise, I might not have decorated at all. Just enjoy your family and record those precious moments. This week certainly reminded us all how fragile life can be. 😦

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  11. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    That's so very true, and what I decided to focus on instead. (But I'm still going to decorate!)

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Nothing better than that!!
     

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  13. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I finally finished a writing deadline, so now I can turn my attention to the tree! Right after I catch up with email and blogs… 🙂

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  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Oh, you're so sweet! Just creative editing!!

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