Choosing Joy- Renewed strength

I have been so blessed to be a part of this challenge. I wasn't able to keep up every day, but I was able to look for joy in every day. What a blessing it has been to look for the good in every day instead of looking at the bad, which I might add is pretty easy. It has given me a renewed strength to keep moving in the forward direction, without dwelling on or focusing on the negativity around me every day. I am so glad for that. I hope to continue to seek all the good each day gives me. Here I am...Choosing joy.

Choosing Joy- In my warm cozy home

Pogonip is an indian word which basically means "freezing Fog". We have that off and on in the winter months. It is really freezing temperature wise and you can't see 2 feet in front of you. The worst part is driving in it. The ground gets frozen in patches. So not only can you not see where you are going,you have a tendency to hit patches of ice in the road. Then you slide and have no idea where you are going. I am so glad I do not have any reason to drive in it.
Another thing about the pogonip, is it freezes everything in its path. The telephone line, anything metal, the trees...everything. Now it can be a bad thing if the wires get loaded down with all the ice. The can snap,as well as the tree branches. But I choose not to dwell on that part.
The thing I look forward to, when we have pogonip, is the beauty the next day. It is like a silent ice storm came through and turned everything white. I have to count my blessings when we have these occur. One, I am tucked away, ever so warm and cozy inside the house. Two, I have no where to go. Three, I can wake up to this....From my warm cozy home.

Choosing joy - Looking forward

With the new year quickly approaching, I will try not to look with a cynical mind. It is so easy to find the negative things in life. So I Choose to look forward to the new year with joy. I look forward to all the things to come,even though I don't know what is coming. This year,I am going to try my hardest ever to see the good in the day and reclaim the joy in every day. After all, every day is another gift from God. I need to remember that. Who knows how many days I have left on this earth. Only God knows for sure. So I need to quit wasting my time worrying about the things I cannot change and find something to be happy about every day. I am so glad that I took part in this challenge. I maybe missed a few days, but overall it has been a blessing to me. I really have found joy in so many more things. So here I am looking forward to another year of life that God has given me. I choose joy in every day to come and pray I can share it with those around me.

Choose Joy- Even when its hard

I am choosing joy on behalf of my husband today. His brother is a truck driver and just so happened to stop by in our little out of the way town. They haven't seen each other for quite a while. The reason I choose on behalf of my husband, is because we, his brother and I , do not under any circumstances, get along. It has always been that way, and I can't really get into details. Since my husband has had a had a series of illnesses lately, his depression has been almost unbearable. He seemed to brighten up a bit when his brother happened along. So for that I will choose to be joyful in his arrival. I know it seems unkind to be so unforgiving to someone like my brother-in-law, but there is just a lot of history. But to see my husband have a glimmer of joy to his face, I can endure and be truly joyful.

Christmas Joy

I hope your day was blessed! Mine was just full of joy. All the children loved their presents and the Christmas dinner turned out right. I think the most important thing that happened, was my seven year old grand son realized that today was the celebration of the birth of Christ. It was a wonderful moment for me. The real reason for Christmas. It is a blessing and a real reason to choose joy today! Merry Christmas everyone.!

Choosing Joy- Easy to find today

I was so blessed today! My daughter has a lot of friends up here in this Northern Nevada community. Every one is so nice. I don't really know how to begin to tell it.
My daughter told me, in advance , that we would be expecting a visitor early in the evening. So I already knew what to expect. The kids knew someone was coming too, but did not know who. Well, the phone rang about 3 o'clock, and it was the visitor. They said that he was around the corner and would be at our house in about 10 minutes. I quickly ran and checked my camera, to get it ready.
I ran outside to get a picture of him as he crested the hill on the path to our house. How excited I was. Then I could hear the bells. He was riding his horse and had his really huge mule pulling behind him with packs on. You see, the hunters around here actually use mules to pack their supplies in and out of their hunting trips. A pack mule was packing in some Christmas presents for the kids! Tim, the rider, was wearing his riding gear, complete with a santa hat over his cowboy hat. I think I was more excited than the kids were. How cool is that! Tim, does this every year and really enjoys it. It doesn't bother him that he sometimes has to trailer the animals in to the area, then go through all the trouble of unloading and loading them in the trailer. Then he gets them all dressed up in bells and loads the presents and let the kids see him coming. That's a lot of work! But he loves to bring joy to those around town. What a joyful experience! I am still tickled to have been a part of it. The kids were just in awe! They loved the horse and mule. Then the packages were unloaded and I thought they were going to pop with excitement! It was great! Yeah, Joy was easy today. I loved it!

Choose Joy- In Giving

Today I Choose Joy in giving. I have very little to give in monetary things. But I can give so many other things. I can give my love, my prayer time, my time, my knowledge,etc. So many things that I don't have to purchase. These things are already within my reach,and I can reach them when I need or want to. My choice is to give to others the things that I can. In giving, it brings my joy. God is so good. Without Him, I would not know how to give. So this moment I am sharing with you my joy in giving. My grandmother used to always say, If you see a need,try to help. I see many needs, and give as I can. I hope it can help those who feel they have nothing to give. We all can give something. Who and how is all up to you. And it doesn't have to cost you a dime. Give someone a smile, a hug or just a simple hello. It can change a lot. Here I am... Choosing Joy in giving.

Choose Joy- In wellness

Today was a sick day. The two younger children were up and down all night. One had a very annoying cough. And the other child had an asthma attack all day. I was so afraid I was going to have to take him to the hospital. Neither of us really enjoy that little trip!
So it was a night and day of charting meds given and comforting all night long. Today Zac had my nerves on edge. I was afraid I was not going to be able to handle it. But we did. And what a relief! He seems to be doing a lot better. I hope we all can get some well needed shut eye. So I am going to say...Here I am thankful and joyful they are getting better. We will all get some much needed rest.

Choose Joy- Church Christmas music

Today I am Choosing Joy in Christmas music. Specifically Church Christmas music, like "Joy to the World", "Away in the Manger"' and "Silent Night".
At church today, the choir had their little Christmas special. It is a small church, so half the church is in the choir. They all did a fine job, but there is no professional singers by far. The kids, as always, did great. The usual, a few really sing,and the rest stare at the audience and smile or pick their nose.

As small as it was, it was really great. Not because they were so good, but because their hearts were in it. I love singing the old church hymns and Christmas songs. You can't help but smile when you hear all the voices blending and realize what the words are meaning. I am sure God was smiling about it all. I know I was. So here I am ..Choosing Joy in Church Christmas music.

Choose Joy- Tech or kitchen stuff

I never would consider myself a tech kind of person, but I love the gadgets. I find a lot of joy playing with things that are complex and run on batteries or electricity. I love new cell phones, computers with all the extra's, i-pods,kitchen things, etc. Yes, kitchen things like Cuisinart things and cooking gadgets, and specialty pots and pans. I can get lost forever in some stores. Radio Shack, electronics stores,and kitchen gadgets stores,Bed,Bath and beyond. I could stay in there for days! Yes, I know the latter store isn't a electronics or kitchen store,but it is one of those stores I could stay in there for hours. I find a lot joy in new technology in the office and kitchen things. Guess it's the material girl in me. Some may think it's weird, but here I am...I choose joy in these things.

Choosing Joy- Mellow days

Today was a good and quiet day. I spent most of my day playing with the three year old and started reading a new book. It's called "Twilight". It is different than most the books I read, but I thought I would give it a try.
So today I am choosing Joy in that this day was a nice mellow day. I am really joyful that it is bedtime and I am so ready to get some sleep. Its cold outside and suppose to snow again. It is so easy to sleep when its like that. But I am sure my three year old darling , will have me running early. Here I am ...Choosing Joy in a mellow day.

Choose Joy- Childhood memories

It's late and I feel like I have been on my feet for hours. No, wait, I have been on my feet for hours! Finishing up on my baking.
I have been so busy, I almost forgot about finding my joy. So I was seriously thinking about all that I did today and where the joy was. After going through all the events that took place today, it came to me. I had been thinking about it all day. Yet I never looked at it as joy. I know it may sound weird, but I have been known to exhibit weirdness now and then. I looked at it as just thinking,remembering, not really giving it the title of joy. Here is how it started.
My daughter decided she wanted to go look for a Christmas present for someone special. Well, where we live, hunting and fishing is a big past time. We went to the most enormous sports store I have ever seen. I have driven past this place so many times and just thought, one day I am going to go there and check it out. But that's not the joy part.
While we were looking at the guns and guns and guns, it made me think of my dad. He was always taking me with him to the gun store. Always looking for that thing that would make him the best hunter.
So that started the journey for the day. I have thought about my Dad all day. My Dad used to try and include me in his hunting days. I was the oldest of four girls. So I was his pal. He taught me how to use a rifle and a bow and arrow. He tried to teach me how to use the bow and arrow. My arm would never turn quite right,so I had an almost permanent bruise on my forearm. After I turned thirteen, my mom and dad divorced ,so we no longer got to pal around.
He gave me and my sisters a lot of memories. He gave us a lot of joy. Christmas time was always big when he was around. He was as much of a kid as we were. He would always take us on night drives, just to look at all the Christmas lights. Some streets, my Dad would park the car and we would get out and walk. My Dad loved to do that. We girls loved it too. If we were lucky, there would be someone who would give out hot chocolate and popcorn balls!
My Dad is no longer with us. I miss him. He is in Heaven and I look forward to the day when we see each other again. I sure enjoyed the memories. Here I am...Choosing Joy in my childhood memories.

Choosing Joy - In the day

Today was one of those blah, Eeyore kinda days. Not a lot of anything in particular. I did get some baking done. That always gives me joy. And that is probably, no definitely, because I really like to eat sweets. Just per chance that was what I was cooking today,cookies. Mmm,fresh hot cookies.
So my day was mostly spent in my kitchen. The oven keeps it so nice and warm. And I don't have to run the heater if I'm baking! Good reason for baking! =) Especially when the high temp today was 33 degrees!
My granddaughter, Nadia, is always a joy to be around. She forces me to look at the world through her imagination. That is always fun. Lately, she has been kitty. I do not know how she came to this, but it can be entertaining. She meows, and rubs her head on my arm,like a kitty. When she is forced to answer me or ask for something,she stays in character and talks with a high pitch kind of voice. It can be quite embarrassing when she answers the cashier at the store by saying"Meow".
And then there is the joy of knowing I am so blessed. Since I have moved here , a little over a year, I had to leave a lot of stuff behind. I miss my stuff. But I am doing fine without it. Sometimes I get to hung up on material things or stuff. But I need to have a blah day now and then. That way I can sit back and count my blessings, without the "stuff" blocking my view. So today I am choosing joy in just having another day.

Choosing Joy- Christmas plays

I love Christmas plays. I love the chaos, right before the show. The leaders are all stressed and feeling like everything is going to go wrong. You see, I can say that now, cause I am just not as involved as I used to be. I get to sit in the audience and just watch. The teachers fret for weeks, trying to get everything to fall into place. Practice after practice and the little angels still make the same mistakes! Oh the stress and chaos of it all!
But year after year, it always happens the same. The teachers stress and the kids are so carefree. The teachers feel impending doom. Yet the night of the play, when all is said and done, it always goes fine. Everyone seems to know what to do. And maybe a glitch or two may occur,but nothing that can't be fixed or quickly overlooked.
It never fails, I am always left with tears in my eyes. It always touches my heart to see those honest little faces sweetly singing praises to God. It just makes the Christmas spirit swell up inside you. And all the chaos that the teachers have gone through, all melt away. It is beautiful. I love Christmas plays. Here I am, choosing Joy in Christmas plays.

Choosing Joy- Christmas lights

Christmas time is a time people take to make their yards and houses all pretty with lights and nativity scenes. All seeming to try and show their version of what Christmas means to them. I love to drive around after the sun has set, just to see the lights. It is such a joy to me every year, to try and find the one with the prettiest set ups. The kids love it too. I am not looking for the house with the most lights, but the house that just makes you stand in awe because of the beautiful sight. This Christmas, we have so many farms that have decorated so beautifully, you would think they were in a contest. The in-town folks can't even hold a candle to these beauties. From what I am told the best time to see these lights are at the dawn of the day. Something about the light in the dawn and the open fields, makes the lights stand out so beautifully. In town the city fathers have had the lights strung up across the main streets and from building to building. It looks so festive. Just gotta love the small town excitement. The pictures of both of these moments will have to come up in a day or so. So be watching.

Choosing Joy- Snow Day

Early this morning,about 4 a.m., I awoke to the sound of the wind blowing so hard against my window. It really frightened me! Now maybe that has to do with the kids choice in programming lately. Non-stop tornado chaser shows! But none the less, it frightened me awake. I did a walk-about the house, just to check things out. Looked outside and saw the wind was really blowing hard, but everything seemed okay. Went back to bed more relaxed.
This morning, very early,about 7 a.m., I was awoke to the shrills of Zac, running through the house, "It's snowing!" He wanted to make sure no one missed it. With-in five minutes, everyone was trying to get dressed as fast as they could to go build a snow man. I thought I was going to get to sleep in today. Nope,not today.
Oh, I could have been annoyed. Aww, why waste the moment. Be a kid and enjoy the little things. A snow day. To a kid, that's a lot of joy. You kinda get caught up in it, if you let yourself. So yeah, I helped them get dressed to go play in the snow. It was a joy to watch them fall back in to the snow to make snow angels, like they had found and old friend. It was great. Oh, to be a kid again.
Now if you're wondering if I joined in....I stood inside the house at the picture window, sipping my coffee, in my pj's and fuzzy slippers. Then I went into the kitchen to make pecan and maple syrup pancakes. Getting all three kids dressed in their snow clothes is enough cardio for me today. Choosing Joy for a snow day!

Choose Joy

I am going to join Sherry in Choosing Joy! I hope you so too. Here is the link to it: Choose Joy

I am hoping I can follow through on this and keep up with everyone else. Either way, I know it will be a challenge and a learning experience. Especially when blogging is so new to me.