Thursday, December 21, 2017

I Like Thursday #6

I will admit this week has been a roller coaster ride of emotions. 

1.  I like mediation.  I went to mediation with Jeff's family over his estate and the great aunt's estate.  The mediators were great.  When it begins you sign an agreement to be respectful, listen, listen to the other side not interrupt.  After several grueling hours I am so very happy to say that everything is finished.  The great aunt's will stands.  I now own the farm, the home Jeff and I shared, as well as the aunts acreage and her home. 




2.  I am thankful that I have learned what I can only describe as kindness from my mother.  Kindness is a willingness to put aside ego and your wants to fulfill someone else's.  The aunt's desire was to die in the home she was born in.  I kept my promise to her.  The aunt's other desire was that I love and care for Lucy the cat.  Jeff's desires were that he be cremated, no service, and that his ashes not be given to be distributed to be put into jewelry, all ashes were to go into an urn and be interred with mine in our final resting place.  I can say that I have fulfilled those wishes, and continue to stand by those commitments. 

3.  I am thankful for this gorgeous sunrise this morning.  The colors were so spectacular.  I cannot even begin to describe them.

Isn't it amazing how light just looks washed out, but that same light as it enters the lens of our eye is so much more? 

4.  I am thankful for snow even though I am not always thrilled by the initial impact.

 
 I love seeing the tracks in the snow. 

Bobbin is not always a fan. 

5.  I like that the local dairy opened a retail outlet in the little town near me.  Oh to get fresh milk, cream, buttermilk, ice cream.  Jeff would have loved it but what would have sent him over the top was this tractor.

6.  I like when someone tells me something is hard to figure out how to do it, and discover that it was very simple.

Jeff's families super secret family cookie recipe.  They all made it sound like it was the most difficult thing in the world to make.  Samantha and I banged out 3 batches in a couple of hours in the afternoon, frosted them, and let the kids go with the sprinkles.  What a fun time to remember the great times spent with Jeff.  Even though we missed out cookie nazi. 

7.  I like finding a recipe to make at the last moment that is so simple, you are almost embarrassed.

Ok maybe not gorgeous but I make 3 dozen of these peanut butter cookie cups in about 1 hour.  Peanut butter cookie mix, you can add peanuts, and peanut butter I chose not too.  Bake in those mini muffin tins, and remove, pop a peanut butter cup in the center.  Awesome. 

8.  I like the random things that we have found of Jeff's that end up in weird places.

Last spring Jeff and one of the boys were working outside and he lost his hat.  We later recovered it, and being busy outside I just hung it on the swing and forgot it.  Imagine my delight as I was walking out to feed the chickens in the snow when I saw a movement and the hat caught my eye.  I decided to leave it where it was.  It makes me smile. 

I like feeling at ease, what a spectacular Christmas gift to have all of this behind me, and I can move forward with life.  Right now I am doing some charity work, but maybe later on I will get a job, but now is the time for healing from the hurt, sorrow and loss.  What a great time of year for a new beginning.  The day of Winter Solstice....where the light begins to overcome the darkness.










16 comments:

  1. Oh, Collette. You must have been really pressured with all the will stuff hanging over your head. I am so glad things worked out for you before the New Year turns and you can start with a fresh breath.
    Blessings to you for the holiday season.

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  2. Hi Colette,
    How wonderful to have the mediator come to a agreement, and that is all yours as they wished. So nice to have that all behind you as well. What a wonderful Christmas gift, as you said, and way to start the New Year! Oh, little Lucy is so sweet. Oh the colors on that sunrise! Holy moly - God does such fabulous work and shares it with us. I love seeing tracks in the fresh snow, too. HAHA poor little Bobbin, but how cute are those little paw prints in the snow?! Little sweetheart. Yum, those cookies look delicious and very festive. And Jeff's hat on the swing is a smile maker. {{Hugs}} and Merry Christmas! ~smile~ Roseanne

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  3. Congrats on a successful mediation. I wouldn't have moved Jeff's hat either. (Such a sweet moment and reminder) You know I like snow too...and yours is beautiful. Merry merry Christmas. You strength and optimism are inspiring.

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  4. What great likes. I'm glad that a stressful week seems to have landed you in a peaceful spot.

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  5. You are the type of person I would want to handle my estate. To have someone like you follow my wishes after death is very special. It's just sad that "the others" wanted you to defy what the aunt and Jeff wanted. I'm so glad you'll be able to start the new year with that mess behind you. Yummy looking cookies, the hat, Bobbin, Lucy...sweet times!

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  6. It's been a challenging week for you and it is the first Christmas without your would soulmate. You remain in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs.

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  7. I felt a little spine tingle reading about Jeff's hat. I'm getting to be just old enough to think there are signs and omens around me.
    That's all good though and I am so happy for you to have those important things settled. Now enjoy the cookie making and deciphering snow tracks which are ditto for me.
    I hope next week will be good and wonderful too.

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  8. Prayers answered, I am glad you have this peace for Christmas. And glad to see all these likes you have around you :)

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  9. What a godsend the family obeyed the mediation rules and it's done. In time to end this year, and start another. Tied up with a bow. Your post touched my heart, I love your writing style. I just looked out our new back door to see baby Milo's huge footprints in the snow and thought how much I like seeing that. The cookies look great. Maybe next year we'll bake. As to the hat... messages come in quiet moments.
    LeeAnna

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  10. I think Jeff's hat was a "hats off to you" sign that he is pleased at all the outcomes of late. you did the cookie Nazi proud. footprints in the snow and quiet sunrises and sunsets

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  11. That's the best Christmas gift ever, Colette. I am so happy for you that it went as it did and that you can now end the year in peace.

    The cookies look delicious and you have made some great memories with the family. Bobbin is adorable in his sweater.

    Have a peaceful Christmas.

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  12. That is awesome! So pleased it is all finished and done with before Christmas - as you say it's like a gift all wrapped up now and done with. That will be a load off your mind as you have Christmas with the family and start the New Year. Blessings. Hope you have brought lots of presents for Lucy and Bobbin!

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  13. I'm so glad you received good news on the farm and can now start the new year free. I love the idea of leaving Jeff's hat there. I think that's a sign. Enjoy the holidays. mary in Az

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  14. This is a great post and good news. It's so fitting that all the business was settled before the new year starts, so you can REALLY have a good start. Though you have been mourning and finding joy, perhaps with the stress behind you can savor the joy.

    Much love to you and Bobbin.
    xx, Carol

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  15. Mediation sounds like a very good thing, and I'm it went well for you! Your cookies look yummy - enjoy! We used to have a very small dog, and he was a little iffy about going out in the snow, too. Your Bobbin is so adorable - I hope he brings you comfort and joy this holiday season, Collette!

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  16. So happy and thankful that things have settled wrt the farm. If I feel this sense of ahh, for you, I can only begin to contemplate your sense of it. Wonderful cookies pics, and I totally get that about the nazi not being there, good reminder for me to not be so ticked with my own big mouse in the house... I love the dairy and the tractor! Sending much love, good will, and hugs and peace over to you my friend.

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