Just Thinking…

I seem to have a lot on my mind lately. It's been hard to settle down and put my thoughts down, and try to make sense of it. I have thought on some pretty random subjects this last couple of weeks. I have really considered how lucky I am to be so close to my sister. I have some really great friends in my life too, the ones you can call up and visit with like you see them every day, when you only see them in a blue moon. I am grateful for their influence in my life and for the good things they bring to me that help me define, and change things I need to about myself. You know, the kind of friends who know everything about you and like you anyway. My sister is like that. She knows my shortcomings and faults. She knows how crazy and emotional I can be - yes she has even witnessed several temper tantrums. She knows how much I love her and her family. I appreciate her talents, and her inspiration to me to keep going on the canning and getting prepared. We fuel each other and keep the fire going to do our part for our families well being. I love that our phone conversations are usually 2 minutes or less, but frequent. We don't have time to chat for hours, just check in often. I love that we both enjoy the dunes with our families, and can even get together at the same time down there sometimes. Maybe these things are on my mind because she had a birthday this week and I have thought about her a lot.
I have two sister-in-laws that are wonderful, talented ladies too. Married to my great, innovative and very skilled brother and brother-in-law. I wish I knew them better and will try harder to be a better friend and sister to them. My dream has always been to have a close knit family. I need to try harder to make that happen even more than it is now. We have a pretty great family as it is, but I know I can do more.
Also in the best friend category are my five beautiful daughters. I love all my girls. I love the things they all teach me daily about myself. I can improve a lot and need to. They are so very talented, and totally committed to their families. I get a kick out of watching them parent their kids, doing and saying things I know they said “I will never say that to my child,” when they were young. I hope my sons all know how much I love and appreciate them also. They too are committed to their families. Loving fathers, and good husbands (Robert will be) to their precious women.
I've been canning chicken this week. The chicken that made it into the freezer before Christmas, but not into the jars for one of the 12 days. Playing catch up with that now. I have 4 of the kids jars done and will do some more after the weekend. I need another chicken sale soon. Beans are next on the list, and then onto new and different territory in the canning field. Things to learn, techniques to master - better get on it.
Grumpy and I will be heading to the mountains this weekend with some friends. They invited us to spend the weekend with them in their cabin, and we are only too delighted to oblige. I am taking my camera, so will have some pics to share when we get back. It is so nice to go somewhere to relax, and do almost nothing. Our dream is to have a cabin too someday. I have such fond memories of my Grandpa and Grandma's cabin at Greer. Those were mostly happy, fun times and there weren't nearly enough of them.
Okay, enough rambling. I have my last batch of chicken in the canner, laundry to cycle and a book or solitaire to keep me busy 'til the chicken is done.