Random Thoughts.....

*  For those loved ones who took the time to send me a gorgeous Christmas card - THANK YOU!

I had every intention of getting my family's Christmas newsletter emailed/sent out before Christmas. 

Somehow that did not happen.... Expect it very early in the New Year instead!

* I've discovered my latest addiction: Goodreads.  I had signed up a while ago, but somehow I didn't fully understand or appreciated its full awesome-ness till now.  I think it'll be a great way to keep track of the books I want to read, plus I think it may give me that forum I crave in which to discuss the books that I read with others!

* My son received a paint-your-piggybank except it was a dino bank. It turned out beautifully. Thank you Aunt Chery for such a Lukey kind of a stocking stuffer!  He decided he wanted to use it as a bank to put money for sick children. 

I seriously adore that kid!!

 Here are a couple of  pictures of the piggy bank and  the sign that is now proudly on display in our hallway.  When the piggy bank is full we will cash it in and bring it to CHEO. 

*I've been enjoying some cozy days and nights indoors these past couple of days.  I find that the nearer that the New Year draws near, the more I become introspective in reviewing how the old year went and thinking about how I can make positive changes for the new year (or what things I'd like to remain the same).

I know that no matter what 2012 will bring some pretty big changes. Definitely with my job. Possibly with my home.  Change can be hard for me to deal with - especially change that I don't initiate on my own!  So I know I'll need to gear myself up to ride out some of these changes. 

*  Last night an old friend, Jenn, came by for a visit. It turned out to be one of my very favorite Christmas gifts. I felt intensely ministered to.  She came in with a huge bag of food and some wine.  Almost immediately she went to work in making this amazing dinner of rolled up chicken breasts stuffed with goat cheese, sundried tomatoes and other yummy goodness.  She poured us glasses of wine and we chatted for several hours.    It's so hard to describe how "cared for" I felt.  There were a couple of friends who made me feel that way this past year and I'm immensely grateful to them.  And I don't mean that they necessarily showed they cared via grand gestures.... I'm talking about those who took the time to check in with me, to call me, poke me.  The friends who took the time to let me know that they genuinely wanted to get together with me and my family.  The friends who dropped off rhubarb crisp and ice cream just because.

 And as the night ended, I found myself thinking that I really should invest more in these friendships and not be such a neglectful friend.  I really can let days and days and weeks and weeks go by without checking in with my loved ones. 

I want more of these types of occasions where my friends feel SOOO at ease in my home that they drop by just because.  And where they  feel comfortable enough to bustle around my kitchen and make themselves a cup of tea while we chitchat.  Where sharing a meal at the table is a regular occurence and not just a rare, special occasion.

THESE are the random things that I find myself pondering as 2011 comes to a close!