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Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Dec. 1st... white rabbit! and other things...




I saw this prayer on Facebook the other day and it hit home with me. I'm not an especially religious person, but this prayer says a lot that is in my heart.  So I'm sharing it with you.  

Yesterday I had my nuclear stress test. Just thinking about it was 'stressing'... but I got through it just fine. (long day, but fine... we left the house at 10:30 am and got home close to 4:00 pm. DH was with me thank goodness) However, something mentioned in one of the books I've been reading about mindfulness helped. It may mean nothing to you, but it was exactly the words I needed to hear. It was in the 3rd book in the Dalai Lama's Cat series. The words were (and I'm paraphrasing) "Your mind is full of thoughts... some good, some bad... but what you have to remember is that they are just 'thoughts'... not truths." 

Anyway, I should get the results in the next few days. And I have an appointment in about 2 weeks with the Cardiologist to go over it all (the heart monitor I'm wearing for 30 days, the echocardiogram, and the nuclear stress test). Then... we should have some answers. 

Next I want to share this pic taken at the Mall the other day. It's the 12 days of Christmas structure that has been there for years. It's nostalgic as well as fun for the kids (and grown ups) as each section opens as the mechanism sings the 12 days of Christmas. DH and I were there to do a little Christmas shopping and it looked so pretty that I had to take a pic.




I wrote this post very very early this morning... as I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep (which happens on occasion). Also I was hungry as the only thing I had had to eat all day yesterday was a half of a peanut butter sandwich and a half cup of coffee when we came home from testing. So I got up, made myself a cup of tea, read blogs, and returned to bed around 4am. Now I'm reading to continue with this post. 

It's time to start Christmas baking this weekend. Christmas cards go out today and  if all goes well, some of the Christmas cookies for mailing will go out on Monday. 

We put out a few more of our inside Christmas decorations: 




And that's about it...

I hope the rest of your week is good. Enjoy the holidays and the holiday preps. Do something to make someone smile today... (even if it's you).

Oh... one more pic. It's of Big Boy, one of the ferals that spends a lot of time around here. Don't know if you can tell from this pic, but he has a huge head and is a rather handsome fella.







Hugs (still virtual),
Rian










22 comments:

  1. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your test results, that you get answers--easy ones that cause no further worries.

    The holiday structure in your mall is amazing. We have nothing like that here, though they do a great job on Santa's Village. :-)

    Your own decorations, those that I've seen over the years of following your blog, are lovely. It seems that they each would have their own story, adding meaning to your Christmas season.

    Regarding our thoughts: It can be difficult to step back and just observe them without judgement, understanding that we are not what we think. It's our attachment to those thoughts, and to everything else, that causes our challenges, IMO. But I would have to live many more lifetimes to even begin to be "Enlightened," and I'm not sure I'd want to come back again, thank you very much. LOL.

    Take care!

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    1. Regarding our thoughts...you are right, Kim, in that 'attachment' to these thoughts causes our challenges. But I don't think you have to 'live many more lives 'to begin to be enlightened'... baby steps now, but steps. As for 'coming back again'... hadn't thought much about that myself.

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  2. Big Boy is a beauty - and reminds me of our Jazz.
    Whatever your beliefs (or lack thereof) that prayer is a beauty. Don't we all wish for all those things.
    Good luck with your test results - and virtual hugs to you too.

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    1. Big Boy and Squeaky are very handsome animals (for ferals)... they are shiny black with fluffy tails and good attitudes. And yes, I agree that whatever our beliefs, we are all wanting the same thing...

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  3. Memorable prayer. Praying for you as you face challenges.

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  4. That prayer is perfect. It should be what we wake up to each morning.
    I am hoping all the tests and your cardiologist have a simple fix for you. I have done all those too. I prefer the nuclear stress test to running on a treadmill. Let us know when you know.

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    1. As for the prayer, I thought so too, Patti. And my nuclear stress test did include running on the treadmill. Apparently there is a chemical nuclear stress test also... but I didn't get that one. I got the isotope, machine, then treadmill, more isotope, then more machine. (and lots of waiting inbetween) Sound familiar?

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  5. Rian, I always enjoy your train of thought. You have a kind soul and take nothing for granted. Well, I'm not a praying man, but I did like that one you posted at the top and you are in my best thoughts with this medical stuff. Finally, I love that 12 days of Christmas structure.. that thing looks huge! Also, I never get tired of seeing your feral family. Big boy is a beauty.

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    1. Dug, that 'prayer' at the top of my post doesn't have to be a prayer... could just be a means of letting go and a hope that all will be well. I just liked the words and the thoughts.

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  6. I am glad you are enjoying the Dalai Lama's Cat series. I find them very soothing and when I've finished them, I start over and read a little every night. And I did order the last book, which just came out, where HHC is learning how to be a senior cat! I can relate. Today is my 79th birthday! :-)

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    1. I am enjoying it, very much. Great late night reading. And Happy Happy 79th Birthday DJan! I hope you have a wonderful birthday week!

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  7. Big Boy is beautiful! Of course, being partial to cats, I WOULD feel that way.
    I hope all your test results are good. Love the prayer. And adore the fireplace screen!!!

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  8. I am beginning to believe that One Day at a Time is the best policy.

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    1. Linda, you are probably right. Thanks for commenting.

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  9. Best of luck with all the test results! Enjoy your Christmas preps and take some time for yourself.

    Big Boy is a gorgeous cat - he looks very healthy.

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    1. Thanks, Mae. Big Boy does seem healthy... and well muscled.

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  10. Love 'Big Boy' he looks a bit like a 'British Blue'
    Briony
    x

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    1. Hi Briony, I had to look up British Blue as I've heard of Russian Blue, but not British Blue. They are similar. Big Boy does have the big fat head, but he is black... could be a mix...

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  11. i enjoyed the prayer, i do not believe in organized religion, i am a christian, in my own way!!

    my doctor ordered a nuclear stress test and i was not able to comply, it was just too difficult for me. good that you were able too. i hope your results are good!!

    that decoration in the mall is gorgeous, and your house looks pretty too!! i like the santa by the stairs and the fireplace screen too!! take care rian!!

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    1. I have to say Debbie, that I'm not sure about organized religion any more myself. I find my relationship with a creator to be very personal... but that's me. Everyone must find their own path.
      As for the nuclear stress test, it really wasn't as bad as I imagined. I will be talking to the Cardiologist about all the results next week. I'm hoping that they will be 'normal for my age'.

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