So grateful for you....

I have been making it a habit to add a focus to the things I am grateful for before closing with each post.This post, I'll start with that.  Basically, I am so grateful for those of you who have asked me to document the lives of you and your loved ones.  You have blessed me a million times over this year.  I have grown and learned much because of you.  I have laughed and cried with you.  I have smiled over and over at the images of you smiling back at me.  That is so good for the soul.  So, in two words that don't seem enough at all,  thank you.   I am really looking forward to 2010 and all the dreams waiting to come true.  Thank you for making my dreams come true this year.

Merry Christmas everyone!

This won't be a long blog post.  I really just want to wish everyone out there the merriest holiday season.
I hope you are enjoying time with the ones you love, who ever that may be.  We are so lucky to be blessed with the loveliest people in our lives.


It is also such a perfect day to reflect on the things you are grateful for.....

(getting old yet--too bad)

1. the man  (the one I married- twice - someday I may elaborate)
2. two of the most beautiful kind daughters any one person could hope for
3. sparkly christmas tree lights...they finally worked.
4. words like joy and hope and merry and seeing them all over the place for a couple of months
5. a day off after Christmas to just chill

Merry Christmas to all!!

xxooo,

Sissel

i've got little elves messing with me.

Been so busy and getting a little behind, and now catching up.  We picked up a Christmas tree last weekend but it has just been sitting there waiting for the party.   No lights. No ornaments.  Just a big 'ol tree.  I started putting lights on it last night.  I figured I could save some time and just put them on before  I went to bed.  It really didn't take too long.  That is until I got the last string of lights up and they all shorted out.  Ugh!  I took off the first strand from the bottom and that seemed to fix it.  I put on a string of lights to replace the one I took off, and it happened again.  Only this time, it shorted out somewhere in the middle.  I took off all the lights.  I tested each string while Kona tested my patience by pulling stockings and santa hats out of the box and began chewing them up.  This began to not be very much fun.  So, I sat down and watched Dexter, the very best show on the tele.

This morning I picked up where I left off and started putting the lights back on the tree.  And Kona picked up where he left off and starting chewing up stockings again.  Ugh!  I got them all up.  Yay!  I stepped back to admire the tree.  Beautiful.  I like a lot of lights.  I went into the kitchen, poured myself a cup of coffee, turned to see the tree.  No lights.  S%@t!!!  Seriously.  I am determined to stay cheerful.  (actually I kind of wanted to rip the lights off and throw them away)  Do lights go bad?  So, my tree is now lit  half way.  I might just leave it.

I am grateful for

1. All the challenges in my life because I know that they will make me a better person.

                        

2. Chris Orwig.  Awesome photographer and person.  I learned about him on lynda.com

                        
3. That I am fortunate enough to be in a position to help others.

4. Elves.  Although, they are messing with me today.

5. Forgiveness.  When practiced, it is a beautiful thing.   ( i forgive the bad dog above daily- sometimes
hourly)


Congratulations to Miss Kendyl!  You won the I-tunes card.  Watch your mail.  And keep the comments coming!!

Blocked.

   I have writer's block today.  I have written and rewritten the first two sentences now about ten times.  Usually about this time, I walk away and don't write anything for a week or so.  I will not let frustration get the best of me, but instead, will try not to torture you with a boring post.  I really am working hard to kick the creative dust to the air.  We'll just have to see.

I will mention the things I am grateful for, sometimes that sparks the fire.

1. Peace officers.  (not just police officers, but all "peace" officers)  

    Today there was a funeral for the four police officers that were shot down in Washington.

    My husband and two fellow officers drove from Newport Beach to Washington in one day in  

    a patrol car from the city to attend and support the families of those killed.  He sent me 

    images which showed "thousands" of police units from all over the nation.  I'm grateful the 

    families have support from the nation at this time.  This brutal, senseless  killing is just

    beyond tragic.

2. Jackets.  And socks.  It is freaking cold outside.  Ok. Ok.  I know it's California and I have 

     been bragging about how perfect the weather is and I'm being a big baby by saying it's cold,

     but it is.  Very.  Cold.

3. That my tires on my car have not gone flat.  I have never had a flat tire. Ever.  (boy I hope 

     I didn't just tempt fate with this-uh oh)

4. The people I work with.  Because they are fun and just go with it when I ask them to dance 

    and be videotaped.  Got to love it!  (there seems to be a story here-maybe later)

5. White House Custom Colour.  For doing beautiful prints/cards and getting them out to me      

     so fast!  They rock!

Wish I had more to add for today.   How about a nice summery image to warm you up?

Have a great night!