tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post4005121864653421047..comments2024-03-23T02:55:38.961-07:00Comments on forever*cottage: Moving on....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01292904829051822511noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-62297540538511925472013-01-11T15:11:36.121-08:002013-01-11T15:11:36.121-08:00Wow Jill....well said! Couldn't agree more. ...Wow Jill....well said! Couldn't agree more. Just found your blog today...love it!<br /><br />Have a good one...Karen at Home Sweet Hollywoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09197897896811872602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-80251198658476346332013-01-03T15:28:49.478-08:002013-01-03T15:28:49.478-08:00Sounds like you are
singing to the choir,
Jill, an...Sounds like you are<br />singing to the choir,<br />Jill, and I'm with you<br />and all of them. I am<br />most definitely a small<br />moments gal. Every year<br />I seem to be boiling down<br />the season a bit more <br />to align those feelings<br />with the activities that<br />we choose.<br /><br />Of course, next year it<br />is MY turn to host Christmas<br />at our house, so we'll see<br />how able I am to continue<br />paring down! And, it will<br />be Elizabeth's first X-mas<br />home from college, so I'll<br />want small moments with<br />her but also to make a big<br />'ol wonderful memory for<br />her.<br /><br />Happy New Year!<br /><br />xo SuzannePrivet and Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09384567378252265965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-36456333817905223582012-12-31T21:58:24.435-08:002012-12-31T21:58:24.435-08:00I'm with ya on this one. I love Christmas beca...I'm with ya on this one. I love Christmas because I love what it represents but as our world has forgotten to include Christ in Christmas and the expectations of what a wonderful family Christmas "should" be becomes farther and farther out of reach I am always glad when December 26th rolls around and life can return to normal. Sadiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05752204324416085118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-31099304869986013342012-12-31T06:59:32.316-08:002012-12-31T06:59:32.316-08:00Agree with you...I thought it was just because I w...Agree with you...I thought it was just because I was getting older! Thanks for writing it, enjoy your blog!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-15359512865607790822012-12-30T13:41:34.676-08:002012-12-30T13:41:34.676-08:00I totally agree with you. We take a family vacati...I totally agree with you. We take a family vacation every year for Christmas and go small on the gifts. I used to think that would change when our kids have children, but I like the small. The best part of the vacation this year was not the location although it was gorgeous, but the fact that our son and daughter did not have one unkind word for one another. That was a gift in itself!<br /><br />The day we got back from vacation I saw a sign nailed to a tree near our house said, "the season of giving and kindness". At first I smiled and then I shook my head. Why is there a season of kindness? Shouldn't it be all the time.<br /><br />I hope you have a lot of "small" moments and year of kindness.<br /><br />Art and Sandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09070124859845536964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-59549100880931085962012-12-30T12:46:55.060-08:002012-12-30T12:46:55.060-08:00Well said friend...Well said friend...Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-37967025320737720832012-12-28T16:56:32.820-08:002012-12-28T16:56:32.820-08:00:) Well said. I think my kids need more happy mem...:) Well said. I think my kids need more happy memories. Not the crabby MOM memories. I tried very hard this year to scale back on everything. It was way better and next year Ill be sure to do it this way again.<br />Happy New Year!julieannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00768276193394979844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-87751147883416846602012-12-27T18:09:06.976-08:002012-12-27T18:09:06.976-08:00SO true... It's our daily walk that matters a...SO true... It's our daily walk that matters and those small moments can turn into big ones for the recepient. And how often do we leave a Christmas gathering disappointed that it didn't live up to what we expected. Really it's just that we forgot Who we are celebrating. Thanks for your honesty. Mindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07612406279237224676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-36376812328534049962012-12-27T17:27:36.121-08:002012-12-27T17:27:36.121-08:00I feel the same way! I almost feel guilty when it...I feel the same way! I almost feel guilty when it's Dec 26th and I'm ready to clear the house of all the Christmas decor and get back to real life which includes all the blessings to be thankful for in our everyday life :) Thanks for putting it in perspective!Petie@inspirednesting.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05544386615905677679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-10855732650752655932012-12-27T10:17:02.927-08:002012-12-27T10:17:02.927-08:00Jill, I agree with you totally. Several years ago,...Jill, I agree with you totally. Several years ago, my husband and I decided not to exchange gifts at Christmas. At first it was a little strange (and sad), but now I'm used to it. I also decorate the house just enough to bring cheer into our home and I shrug off any urges to do more. For coworkers, I make baked goods and candies to give, which is what I enjoy doing. All of this has made Christmas a relaxing and pleasant time of year for me. <br /><br />My husband and I also deliver groceries to low-income seniors every month. It's great seeing the big smiles on their faces. This month we made our deliveries the Saturday before Christmas and bought them hams and the makings for a nice dinner. That's what the season is all about. Giving to those who really need it, and getting nothing but warm feelings in return.<br />ClaudiaMy Little Bungalowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17661291354573889109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-79068297037776156202012-12-27T08:33:45.687-08:002012-12-27T08:33:45.687-08:00So so true!! We've made Christmas into somethi...So so true!! We've made Christmas into something that has nothing to do with Christ. And I am guilty. Just "pinned" this so I can refer back to it and really ponder it. :)Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18397352497202685897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-91461105960347638722012-12-27T08:07:12.074-08:002012-12-27T08:07:12.074-08:00Last week, someone asked me if I was stressed. I ...Last week, someone asked me if I was stressed. I was not. You see, I'm a schoolteacher and lots of folks around me were feeling pressure since we worked through the 21st.<br /><br />Our Christmas is a quiet one. Yes we have some people over earlier in the month, yes we go see a few different Christmas shows at churches, yes we spend time with family. But only when we want to, not because we have to.<br /><br />There are so many "supposed" to, I can't buy into. So I don't. <br /><br />Some people think that's Scroogelike, I think it's healthy.<br /><br />As for random acts of kindness, I like to call them intentional acts of kindness. Perhaps they're randomly spaced, but the thought behind them is purposeful and good.<br /><br />Happy new year to you all too!Ellen aka Elliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17892924619560880572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-39113135617072318812012-12-27T07:33:36.528-08:002012-12-27T07:33:36.528-08:00I totally agree with you. We put too much pressur...I totally agree with you. We put too much pressure on ourselves and place too much emphasis on things that aren't really what it should be all about. Happy New Year!jenjenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05831141139970831456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-44107513316061501432012-12-27T07:06:37.524-08:002012-12-27T07:06:37.524-08:00Well said, when I read your post it really hit hom...Well said, when I read your post it really hit home because I realized that is exactly how I feel. I am so grateful for life's everyday moments. Simply Marillahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02233602569924721045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-42486642517705425362012-12-27T06:14:00.292-08:002012-12-27T06:14:00.292-08:00Perfect!!! I could not agree with you more!I love...Perfect!!! I could not agree with you more!I love the everyday normal days and all the little things!<br /><br />Love your blog!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-78137797297889549362012-12-27T05:07:11.349-08:002012-12-27T05:07:11.349-08:00I am so with you Jill and struggle every year to k...I am so with you Jill and struggle every year to keep it all in perspective (makes me crabby too). Writing a blog makes it doubly hard as I feel I need to share my holiday decor and preparations (which I scaled back greatly in doing this year on the blog.) When my kids were younger, we stopped doing the gifts for needy families in December (as I agreed with your feelings) in favor of working in a soup kitchen each month. Now that my kids are teenagers, we rarely find time for even that. The pressure to do and create the perfect Holiday is too much and the spirit behind it is lost in the consumerism that has overtaken the season. I am sure many feel this way but it is almost sacrilege to come out and say it, so bravo to you for helping us go there! Be in the moment, do good all year and simplify, those are great goals for starting a new year!<br />Cathy @ Room RxAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10942704410174876211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-85819805288767958282012-12-27T04:40:34.300-08:002012-12-27T04:40:34.300-08:00I have to say Jill. You hit the nail right on the...I have to say Jill. You hit the nail right on the head. You put words so many of my feelings. I too love the small moments. Have a happy new year!!tracihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16759235108938139989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-21707199625099808992012-12-26T21:10:29.841-08:002012-12-26T21:10:29.841-08:00AMEN!! You read my mind and said it so WELL..........AMEN!! You read my mind and said it so WELL........HAPPY NEW YEAR!<br />SandyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715033476859637506.post-62737928378243497142012-12-26T20:43:05.598-08:002012-12-26T20:43:05.598-08:00Well put! It is refreshing to hear someone say tha...Well put! It is refreshing to hear someone say that it doesn't have to be perfect, especially in the blog world. We should be practicing acts of kindness and giving year round. Your post is a good reminder to slow down and enjoy the small stuff! Good stuff! Have a wonderful new year!My Garden Diarieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17295676587780780313noreply@blogger.com