Auld Lang Syne

Cheers to times long past. Cheers to us for making it through this crazy journey, all the while embracing our own path too. We have been through a lot of happenings on this crazy rock and there is more to come. 

Obviously, we have to count our blessings that far outweigh our downfalls. If you are reading this post, obviously you have your eyesight and probably other senses that allow you to take this in. If so, you are blessed. Can you walk? Talk? You must have the Internet. There are always others looking at you with jealousy and desire to have what you have. We just take things for granted in this instant-gratification, fast-paced world. Slow it down this year. Enjoy all that is around you. Literally, stop and smell a rose. Look at how intricately creative nature is. We are blessed!

I look around the office I sit in each day to work and realize that even the office is a blessing. Terry and I are fortunate enough to have a home where we can spread out, enjoy, and feel the blessing in having a home we not only love, but one that provides for our needs. Home is what you make it, that is certain. Our home is a place where Terry and I connect. We fill the home with the love we share, our babies, and laughter. That energy makes this home a beautiful place to be. One we are thankful for. 

Looking around, I see not only our office equipment and furniture, but personal items that mean so much. Terry gifted me with a bouquet of flowers for our anniversary that far outweighs in importance the solid, material items. He gave these to me with sentiments from his heart and that's what matters the most. I spent time really looking deep into those flowers, enjoying the vibrant colors and the aroma of evergreen stems that create that lovely Christmas theme and smell. Beautiful! Each time I look at them, I see not only the blessings of nature, but I feel Terry and his kindness. 

I know I have shared the bouquet in a prior post, but today I look at the arrangement with a different perspective. I'm admiring the intricate details of what nature gives us every day. The beauty of this world that we often neglect to visualize because of our rushed lives we lead. The perfect design. Amazing colors. The lovely smell that comes from flowers and evergreens is unbelievably wonderful!

A red carnation is looked upon as a simple red flower. But look how nature has crafted those gorgeous lacy petals and that vibrant red for us to admire.  

As if the red carnation is not enough, I look upon the red and white blended petals of a carnation and wow! What a work of art! Taking a close look at the inexact stripes of the flower, as though they are drawn with felt tip pens, leaves me with a knowledge of how amazing nature is. Each petal is unique, yet collectively blend the red and white coloring together on each petal to produce an intricately designed art piece. 

Then there is the perfectly designed rose. Full of color and scent that draws us to them. We all know how absolutely perfect a rose can be. 

The flowers my granddaughter Jess gave me for my birthday includes the roses and lacy white carnations. So beautiful! 

Yes, they are "just flowers" to many, but when you examine them closely, you will see Mother Nature in all her glory. We are blessed beyond belief to have nature surrounding us. Take a walk through a flower garden in the spring or a forest in the fall or winter. Not only is it good for the soul, but to thoroughly enjoy all we are given on this earth revives our perspective on life and relaxes us to the fullest degree. 

Our year of 2023 is almost gone. We all wonder what 2024 will bring. I guess it will return our wishes and desires through our own creation. We do create our world, our reality. Let your imagination run wild in the New Year! Pick up a paint brush and craft your life the way you desire to live. Not with material things, but create a lovely life for yourself and family through the light you share with the world. All the light you put out to others comes back to you. 

In the Macrae house this year, we are planning a turkey dinner to be shared with Mallory and Hayden. They will come over, we will eat while watching whatever is on TV after the football games are over. We are planning a marathon of weekend to watch the Harry Potter films sometime soon as well.  

Hubby Mac and I went to the store yesterday to grab the turkey and all the side dish ingredients, plus a coconut cream pie for dessert. But for today, Sunday, I have to do some serious house cleaning. I'm breaking out the awesome Crosswave to kick some doggie stench butt. Or doggie butt stench, however that should be worded. Both fit. 

I am so in love with my gift that my sweet man gave me for my birthday! Takes care of so much dirt, hair, plus mops and sanitizes my floors at the same time. I've used it once and never want this machine to go away. If it breaks, another one will be replacing it. Thank you, Bissel Gods! Now if I could only talk our husky into letting me use it on him. Hmm ...

Speaking of blessings, my granddaughter Jess informed us that she is pregnant again. Actually she is into her second trimester but she did not want to release the information ahead of the safety period. You're never 100% safe, but at least in the second trimester you are fully into the pregnancy. Jess suffers from PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome. This condition causes an over production of male sex hormones that are typically in women in small amounts. 

PCOS derives its name from the numerous cysts that form in the ovaries. This can all result in an inability to become pregnant. Jess has had one child already, Zyrah, and now the second one is on the way. Jess was told that she probably could never get pregnant, but has proven that theory wrong twice now. We are all very happy for her and her husband Brandon, as they are awesome parents. Zyrah is about to turn two, in January, so this is a real blessing and another miracle baby. I cannot wait to meet the new one!

2023 has been an awesome year! I met Terry, we were engaged in November of 2022, but married, and found our home and place in life in 2023. We adopted our newest baby, Togo (husky), and have lived a good life so far. Our daughters all enjoy and love each other and things are going in the direction we had hoped for in terms of family. My grandson married and has two lovely daughters now. Our first great granddaughter, Elena and then they just had a baby two months ago and named her Spencer. On top of that, Jess is bringing a new life into the family and we have Zyrah, the future big sister, and she brings us such joy. All is well in the Macrae household. Now to see what 2024 will bring. 

Cuddling with little Zyrah

We are wishing all of you the best of the New Year. Abundance, laughter, family, joy, happiness, and all that life can bless you with. Take a time out to really enjoy everything around you, in nature, in people, and even in some quiet, solitary moments. Our lives are far too short to worry about the small stuff, the stuff that doesn't matter in the end anyway. Love your friends and family with all you can give. In the end, love is what matters. It's what we take with us. 

Until our next post ...

Happy New Year!