Dee-termed to See the Beauty Around Me

PLEASE JOIN ME IN LIFTING UP

THE HOSTAGES 

AND THEIR FAMILIES.

PLEASE LIFT UP 

ALL THE PEOPLE 

IN DANGER 

IN THE MIDDLE EAST 

AND PRAY FOR PEACE!

************************************

This month I was blessed with a trip to 

visit my cousin and my son's extended family.

We had a delicious meal at 

Salt Lick BBQ in Austin. 

I got to meet the artist Sarah Nilson, the creator of 

Just Frog Get About It graphics.

I purchased one of her one of a kind paintings!

My "Cuz" and I had fun in SOCO.

(Except for the back in parking!)

I went vintage clothing shopping.

Without knowing it I found the perfect shirt 

that I wore to a Cinco de Mayo themed 

Celebration of Life event.

I have wanted to see Barton Springs ever since 

seeing it on Instagram.

It is very pretty. 

But, I agree with a friend, 

it's a natural spring that

has become commercialized. 

Note: my cousin's cat is spoiled.

Check out his Cat-io where he can hang out safely outside.

Have you ever played Singo?

It's like Bingo but with song titles.

FUN!

(Didn't win tho...no #32!)

In my search for an '80s 

faire isle sweater

I've seen many 

contenders,

but no winners.

Some came close,

but mainly Goldilocks hasn't 

found the right size.

So the search continues...

I saw more sparkly things.

More antiques.

More cool clothes.

I had some fuzzy friend moments, as usual.

I earned this Starbucks mocha.

(Every five years I have do a sh*tty procedure.)

I have a great thrifting buddy.

We find lots of amazing stuff for me 

to take to Phantom Lake YMCA Camp.

Our Thanksgiving was full of good food

with a wee bit of drama on the side.

Come on, someone else admit it,

did more than your kitchen get heated?

A VERY EXCITING EVENT 

TOOK PLACE THIS MONTH

IN THAILAND!

MY (HONORARY) BROTHER 

GOT MARRIED!!!!!

Family and friends watched via live video

FOR FOUR HOURS!

There was so much laughter!

I have been invited to come visit.

Hopeful to get over there to hug him and his beautiful bride.

Four hours is a long time...

but I loved every minute.

It's cold here but there's still people

who like getting in the chilly waters of 

Lake Michigan.

Not. Me.

Matter of fact I got blessed with a new to me

jacket from a friend who took it off her back

and gifted it to me! I love it!

Please tell me you know about Frango mints.

They are from Marshall Fields...well, Macy's now

and they are the best hostess gift ever.

(Hint, hint if you are ever coming over! HA!)

I love traveling.

I meet the most interesting people.

I also do advocacy work with my clothing and buttons.

It sparks converstations.

Another special treat I had was seeing my grandchild

and spending Diwali with her parents and their extended family.

Celebrating light and love was wonderful.

These mugs and books were my friend's. 

Sadly she died this month.

She was an amazing writer, artist, and creative.

She and I became pen pals when I moved away in 2011.

She would write about her newest cooking creation 

or the wildlife she was seeing on her walks

or outside her kitchen sink windows.

She would describe the people she met while thrifting

or grocery shopping. She'd tell me about her childhood.

We would text and talk on the phone.

Sometimes at 3 am!

This was when BOTH of us were recovering from fractured shoulders.

We shared hopes, dreams and failures.

We gave and took counsel to and from each other.

This woman knew stuff about me y'all don't know.

And I miss her.

She's the reason I am DEE-termined to live my life in gratitude,

noticing the little details of beauty around me.

It was an honor to help my friend's children clear out

items from their mother's home. 

It was also a privilege to take some of 

my friend's art supplies to my Y Camp. 

While I was in the Cleveland area 

I got to spend the night 

with my 3 Doors Down rocker friend.

This is one of my friends who loves the color orange.

Driving down to Worthington for the memorial

I stopped at Grandpa's Cheesebarn.

I also did some trespassing at a very special place.

And I visited with some more of my relatives. 

Back home in Illinois I've been enjoying 

the Creative Writing Club I'm in at 

the local Senior Center. 

One of the other writers and I went to Denny's for lunch.

The same exact restaurant I hung out at as a teen!

I think they were playing the same music!

Stevie Wonder, ABBA, Frankie Avalon, Pure Prairie League,

Hall and Oates, Al Stewart, 

ELO, and the Bee Gees. 

Enjoyable!

As you go about your lives I hope you will 

&

And if you washer and dryer bust 

I hope you get new ones

quicker than we did.

Just sayin'...

Let the snow begin!

I hope this holiday season is full of light and love

for you and your loved ones.

Hug 'em tight.

Tomorrow I am off to Colorado to visit friends.

One of my friends is directing a production of 

"It's a Wonderful Life" as a radio show. 

I'm excited to see them, the play and mountains!

Peace be with you and yours.

The terrors happening across the ocean tear at my heart.

Let us all be grateful for any joys in our lives.

You are all dear to me,

Jen Pen