This week was a real mixture of joy and sorrow, easy and hard.
A dear friend lost her Mom.
Another loved one’s husband got laid off.
December is so very dark, and many I know, including myself, find that adjustment very difficult.
The holidays often bring up lots of bitter sweet emotions that we have to feel, and then let go of.
I was also feeling low physically for most of the week.
But making a list of what brought me joy truly does help to comfort achy spots.
So here goes:
A JOY list for the week on December 12, 2011 :
Art Journal time taken. Yay !
![DSC05832 DSC05832](//lh5.ggpht.com/-OysX8moVb0Q/TuoRPMg6x7I/AAAAAAAAIOc/4kvndIU20M0/DSC05832_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Christmas cactus blooming right on time !
![DSC05834 DSC05834](//lh4.ggpht.com/-shqRqWhvZ3Q/TuoRPrurhiI/AAAAAAAAIOs/3EZuil9Htj4/DSC05834_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Christmas shopping underway, and going relatively stress-free.
Even included a few little gifties for myself !
![DSC05833 DSC05833](//lh5.ggpht.com/-lHtLS3D25Rg/TuoRQm2o6ZI/AAAAAAAAIO8/fQ5cepJtLFo/DSC05833_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
(A puzzle for the deep, dark, January evenings. Thanks to my friends, Kim and Riley, who reminded me of my love of puzzles this past summer !)
![DSC05840 DSC05840](//lh6.ggpht.com/-68xsuAjFuS0/TuoRTLjD0cI/AAAAAAAAIPM/p95hNkayDJE/DSC05840_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
A couple’s dinner at my friends, Lois and Mike’s, house that included great conversation, laughter and an exchange of handmade goodies. I love my owl, Lo !
![DSC05841 DSC05841](//lh6.ggpht.com/-mRYqH0SKa_w/TuoRT8y8jsI/AAAAAAAAIPc/-LlM4boZsJ4/DSC05841_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
My pets never fail to bring me moments of sweet joy, just by being around.
How’s this for a silly portrait portrait of my 8 year old puppy, Chica ?
(Leave me a caption for what you think she might be saying if you are inspired to add to the joy to the week !)
It was also a joy to see the Christmas decorations that have been stored away for a year come out of their boxes.
![DSC05799 DSC05799](//lh5.ggpht.com/-Avu5wU2FheI/TuoRW1MDHhI/AAAAAAAAIPs/8RA_-0KtEBM/DSC05799_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Certain ones made me feel really nostalgic this year. Many have been around for 11 years or so, since David and I celebrated our first Christmas together.
Like this one, that is a favorite of my friend, Suzanne, who is celebrating her birthday today !
Love you, Suzy !
Happy and joyful Holidays to you, Beautiful Ones !
Much love !
![STJ_Thursday_web[2] STJ_Thursday_web[2]](//lh3.ggpht.com/-_cxSzzKKzKM/TuoRXoFSu5I/AAAAAAAAIP8/KySc0HD4-RA/STJ_Thursday_web%25255B2%25255D%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
More joy at Meri’s Musings