Jenni's Seasons

Since I haven't blogged for the last two years, I don't have a lot to link up to so, without making this exhaustingly long (I just  completed our 2020 family book!), here are 21 things that made 2021 memorable for me -- in no particular order 1.  This was our Christmas Card photo this year.  And, I believe, the only one of all 6 of us taken then entire year.  Someone in my family might try to prove me wrong, but I don't think there were any/many at all.  I know we didn't get another at Christmas because, "MOM, you got one of all of us at Thanksgiving -- we haven't changed that much :/" 2.  Always thankful for our Thanksgivings in middle TN with lots of the Bell family.  We were trying to decide this year how many years we've been doing this particular gathering -- more than 10 for sure.  Maybe 15?  With the pandemic in 2020 only the "kids" got together -- this year the "parents" were with us too.  Here we all were: This was just bef

  This is our crew!!!  Not sure where my dad is looking, but here are all of his grandchildren. . .18, 23, 17, 19, 21, and 20 (almost 21) So thankful for the two in the back left that made us a family and Virginia (on the right) who joined our family as Dad's wife. A few of the TN Bells came up early on Friday and Mom took us to lunch where she was finally able to buy Marie her first "bar" drink :) Later that evening we travelled from Cincinnati to Dayton to see some dear Bell family friends.   Tom is missing from this picture, but these families have known one another for over 50 years.  The girls and Tom all grew up together and the adults are closer than many blood relatives are.  It was so good to get together this time of the year!!  Now that the Bells live in TN (and we have a UT and AZ person pictured there) this is a special, rare photo to have :) There are the four "kids" together with Leo!   Anyway, tradition is that we spend Christmas Eve with my sist

I am a goal-oriented person.  Always have been.  I am motivated by a challenge and need to see things written down.  I know goals sometimes intimidate people or make them uncomfortable -- we're all wired differently!!  The key, I believe, is (1) not to make too many in the time period (2) aim a little lower than you think you can achieve (3) make them measurable (the M in " S.M.A.R.T ." - so important) and (4) write them down !!  Dreams are good, too, just not as well-defined :)  I don't think dreams have timelines either. . .so, there's that. When people list their goals/challenges, it motivates ME!  Years ago, Mix and Match Mama would write down her monthly goals, take a picture, and then report back at the end of the month.  One of those goals, reading books, became a habit and now, years later, is one of the most-anticipated posts (for me) that she writes each month!!  I have always, always kept checklists -- yes, I like checking things off, but more so I ca