Hi Farmgirl friends! It’s hard to believe, but here we are at the tail-end of 2023! It doesn’t seem like we should be talking about the end of the year yet, preparing for another winter, and heading into the holidays. The year has sped by, and here we are!
2023 won’t go down in my books as my favorite year. Lately, everyone I know is going through something, it seems. My family has had some great times this year, but we have also had our fair share of disappointments and stress. To top it off, this Thanksgiving, we were supposed to have relatives visit, but now their trip has been postponed until spring. We are disappointed, but now we look forward to seeing them when winter leaves us again.
Thanksgiving. Giving Thanks. So much is going on in the world, it seems like a big ol’ mess. I think it is more important than ever to count our blessings, and embrace the coming holidays, even when things are less than “ideal”. I’m working extra hard to take my own advice! Count blessings; remember to look at the good – not the bad, sad, tedious or stressful things that come – things that are just part of life.
I’ve started my Christmas decorating, but am not doing it all at once – I’m “savoring” it. I am turning off the news more. I’m thankful for family, the wonderful friends I will be seeing during the holidays, and for farmgirl friends near and far. I am trying to be kinder to myself. Less pressure. More thankfulness. The holidays should be a time for joy, not a chore.
I’m thankful for little things. This fall, my daughter and I started doing a bi-weekly yoga class together. I really look forward to each class, and yoga is something I haven’t tried in decades, so it’s new to me. I also can’t wait to turn on Christmas lights, bake cookies, and see Christmas cards in the mailbox! Holidays are special because they give us something special to look forward to. I will keep that going all year – finding things to look forward to; it’s important and creates joy (even the littlest things, like an afternoon cup of coffee)!
This season, I’m making our traditional Thanksgiving meal, even though we are just the three of us. I am thankful that I will have my family at the table. We are also going to be taking dinner to another family, who could use a bit of extra joy this year… It’s not extra work for me to make more, it’s a blessing. Isn’t that what the holidays are about – spreading love and joy?
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Until Next Time…Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Just went thru the same on Dec 4-8. He was outside and came back. I pulled in the carport and heard him meowing loudly and then he jumped on the car. We thought he was gone but now he’s back!!! Glad your baby was found too!
Lori, Oh, I am so glad you found your kitty, too! It is just awful not knowing where they are! Friends of ours lost their kitty last year just before Thanksgiving. They had given up, when all of a sudden, two weeks later, after the holiday, he showed back up, thin but healthy. She thinks he was stuck in someone’s garage while they were on holiday! Glad you got a happy ending, too. Give your kitty a pat from me! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I told my husband your story and he couldn’t believe it!
Hi Lori, we still can’t believe our baby is back! We keep spoiling him with extra pats and kisses (more than ever), and we are just so thankful. After that first night, we were sure we would never see him again. We just had to not give up! Have a wonderful holiday season! Thanks for reading and commenting. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole, thank you so so very much for sharing this. I’m so glad Norman is back home. I, too, have cats and live in the woods (the Blue Ridge mtns in Harpers Ferry, WV). One particular cat, (a rescue and foster failure) with one eye and many many extra toes has caused me grief similar to your Norman. His name is Tony Too Many Toes Toprano. He was a feral for many years but was finally trapped prior to a spay/neuter/vaccination event at our wonderful local vet clinic. I’m with a small group up here that runs a trap/neuter/return program and those cats we trap that are friendly (or will become friendly) as well as kittens …. so many kittens…are fixed up, vaccinated, neutered/spayed and adopted into families.
Anyway, I’m blathering on. I do want to mention, though, that one thing with my personal cats as well as the TNR cats we’ve rehab’d and adopted out is to make sure they all have microchips. Those simple little chips have helped us locate lost cats and get them back home. All mine are chipped…Tony Too Many Toes does like to rush the door and then taunt me from the woods until I can coerce him back in the house. The chip is a blessing and is a HUGE help in getting missing critters back home.
Have a wonderful Christmas and give Norman lots of love from my WV mountain cats!
Hi Ellen, thank you so much! I love your kitty’s name, and I bet he is just the cutest thing with his many toes and one eye! How wonderful that you are involved in kitty rescue! I think microchips are great, but they do not serve as a gps, (someone has to find your pet to scan it), so the trackers are a wonderful addition to the microchips! Keep up the great work you do, and pat that sweet Tony for me! Have a wonderul holiday season! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
What a wonderful miracle story for the holidays!!. May your family enjoy your kitties and each other.
Thank you so much, Terry! It is so nice to have him back. Happy holidays to you, too! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
So very happy you found Norman!! Pets are family and glad you all are together again. Merry Christmas!
Hi Denise! Thank you – our hearts were so broken when he was gone. Now our family is complete! We have spoiled him rotten the last two weeks with so much love and pats (and treats)! Merry Christma, Denise! Have a wonderful holiday season! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
I haven’t had much Christmas Spirit this year. Your post put the spirit right back in my heart. Such a sad story with a joyous ending. Welcome back Norman.
Treese
Hi Treese, thank you – your comment means so much. There is nothing that could be put under our tree that would be as wonderful as finding our baby boy! He is such a good, sweet kitty. Have a Merry Christmas! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
What a miracle! I just finished sitting with my granddoll’s goat as it is passing and we just lost a lamb a couple of days ago. It sure does take away some of the holiday happiness.
Oh Carol, I am so very sorry! In the past we have lost beloved pets and also relatives at the holidays…so hard. My heart gotes out to you and your granddoll! Much love to your family! May 2024 be better! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
What a beautiful community you have that came together to search for your beloved cat. A touching story. I can only imagine how relieved you all are that your beloved is back with you well cared for.
Happy Holiday season.
Hi Jacqueline, thank you – yes, we are so happy to have him home safe. The support from our town and community was so unexpected and truly wonderful! Have a Happy Holiday! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Oh my, I was hanging on every word! I’m so so happy you have found Norman and that now you can enjoy the holidays together. What wonderful friends & neighbors you have…that is truly such a blessing. We have an orange tabby as well…the sweetest boy, I can understand why you were so worried – they really become such a part of our families. Happy for your Christmas Miracle – what a wonderful post for this Christmas season, thanks for sharing! Mary
Hi Mary, thank you so very much! Our hearts are so full! I have lived in Connecticut, here, for more than half of my life, but after this, I truly feel more than ever that our town is HOME. Aren’t orange tabbies the best? They have such sweet personalities. When I was a little girl, the neighbors had an orange tabby named Mr. Peabody. He was big like Norman and used to visit. I always wanted an orange tabby and love my Norman so much! Thanks for reading and commenting, and have a very Merry Christmas! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
So Happy to hear the entire story and the HAPPY ending. What a Wonderful bunch of folks that offered their help. It’s similar to It’s a Wonderful Life…
Hi Julie, thank you! Maybe there is a reason movies like that (one of my all time favorites) and Hallmark Christmas movies are filmed or take place in the Northeast! Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year! Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole
Nicole….I want you to be my neighbor as you are an amazing woman. I read your stories and messages and no wonder your neighbors all love you as much as I do. You would do anything you could for another person. For sure, you are a wonderful human being.
Anne, WOW! Thank you… that is an amazing, wonderful compliment. Thank you ever so much. I have just always tried to live by the “Golden Rule”. You are so sweet! I wish you a very, Merry Holiday Season, and a Happy New Year! Thank you for reading, and for such a nice comment. You have warmed my heart very much. Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole