COTE DE TEXAS: Top Ten Thanksgiving List

Top Ten Thanksgiving List

My top ten list, some serious, some tongue-in-cheek, of things I’m giving thanks for this season.  Wishing all of you a very Happy and Healthy   Thanksgiving!

 

 

image Sammie Jo and Georgie

 

1.  I’m thankful for these two little girls who guard our house and me, in particular.  Well, I should say the one girl who guards my house (guess which one!)   The other one is stone deaf and is really only concerned about where her next onion ring is coming from!  But still, living without dogs would be unimaginable in our house.  They define my decorating:   they were chosen to match with the decor and the slipcovers and seagrass are just for them.   It’s not easy having pets -  they worry us with their endless ailments and their lifespan is much too short.   But mostly they make us laugh at their antics and teach us about unconditional love.  Life would be empty without these two. 

 

 

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2.  I’m thankful that Starbucks was considerate enough to open up a new drive-through five minutes from my house.   Less time is spent away from my family now that they are so close by.  

 

 

 

RoundTop2009 004  Wills and Caroline

 

3.  I’m thankful for all my nieces and nephews – these two are on Ben’s side.   I’m especially thankful they live on a ranch outside of town and let me come visit and totally disrupt their schedules with my late night wonderings.

 

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 South Padre Island, Texas

 

4.   I’m thankful for that long, skinny sandbar at the tip of Texas that I get to visit each summer.    Spending a month on the island is my idea of heaven – I only wish my daughter felt the same way!

 

 

 Petermanbedroom 018

Mimi

 

5.  I’m thankful for nice clients – human ones too.  Clients who are gracious and giving are such a pleasure to work with.    Good clients make it all worthwhile – especially ones like Mimi’s mom.   But mostly I’m thankful that I even had any work at all this year.

 

 

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The Little Miss UT Cheerleader

 

6.   I’m thankful for great-nieces who are too adorable for words!    And I’m especially thankful that the UT Horns haven’t lost a game this season – that puts Mr. Slipper Socks Man in a really great, but hairy,  mood. 

 

 

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The O’s in the Red Room.

 

7.  I’m thankful that this woman keeps this man so happy and contented.  Hopefully, he will be able to lead us out of this economic nightmare and bring prosperity back to America.  

 

 

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8.  I’m truly thankful for the blog and everything that has happened because of it – all the friendships and the email buddies I have made along the way.    Without a doubt it’s been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done with my long life and without all of you, I wouldn’t be able to say that.    And, I’m thankful for my real-life friends who have indulged me with this venture and understood all the time it takes me away from them, especially Lisa – the sweetest person in the world!

 

 

 

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The Cohen, Wise, and Webb Families

 

9.    I’m thankful for my family for all the support and love and laughs along the way.   (Even though this picture is rather old, it’s the best one I have of all of us except that Allison and Laine are missing)    Pretty good looking bunch even though we look like the Gang in Black!  We took this at my father’s 80th birthday party we gave for him five years ago. 

  

 

imageAfter Camp Reunion:   The Hug.

 

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The Tears.

 

image The Smiles.

 

10.   Mostly, I’m thankful for these two – Ben and Elisabeth.    I can’t believe she’s going to college this September, I only hope I survive the empty nest syndrome.  I already know Ben won’t.    The other day he actually asked her if she would consider moving in with us after she marries.   He even offered her and her unknown husband our bedroom.   When she declined his offer, he informed her that this was how they live in Europe.    Well, move us to Europe then!!!   Seriously though – I always say, I married way up.   Sometimes I still can’t believe how lucky I got in the marriage lottery.  Maybe waiting until you are 33 to marry is the key to true happiness.   We’re the Three Musketeers and couldn’t be any closer. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving To You  All!!!!!

87 comments :

  1. * Enjoy this special holiday with all your family n' friends, Joni~ and may you all take home wonderful memories from the day!

    Love,
    Linda in AZ *
    bellesmom123@comcast.net

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  2. Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Joni. I'm so happy, and thankful, that I got introduced to you via the blog. You've been a wonderful friend ... and you're so understanding and caring all at the same time. You have a lucky family, and of all the things you're thankful for, I'm sure they're JUST as thankful for you ... ESPECIALLY STARBUCKS!

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  3. Joni - I always love to read your blog but ones from the heart are the most special! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your precious family! Wanda Horton in NC

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  4. Joni, what an awesome idea for a post. . . if I hadn't just posted a thanksgiving one I might have copied you!! I just loved it and all the images (that bedroom you did is truly stunning!)
    Happy Thanksgiving!
    x
    Maria

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  5. Joni...a lot of us are thank full for you and your blog,
    you do open a a lot of eyes windows and hearts.
    All the best to your gorgeous group for Thanksgiving and the coming Holiday Season!
    Heather

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  6. happy thanksgiving joni! thank you for your inspirational blog. i've honestly learned so much from you. you have such a beautiful family and they are so lucky to have you! thanks for letting the blog world get a little glimpse of what you hold near and dear:)

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  7. Very sweet post Joni. My daughter will be leaving too at the end of this year, so I have great sympathy for you. I have been dreading this since she was born! But she will be continents away... at least 48 hours of traveling away. Now that we are ready to send them off, we can only hope that they were listening when we were passing on advice!

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  8. Lovely post!

    Enjoy every minute! Happy Thanksgiving. :)

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  9. The last paragraph brought a tear to my eye. Not joking.

    You are such a special person and deserve many thanks from lil ol me :) I am so very grateful to have you in my life Mrs. JW!!

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  10. Wishing you a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!!

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  11. Happy Thanksgiving! I enjoy your blog so much and thanks for being so generous with your time and ideas--sharing so much insight and inspiration with everyone who reads your blog. Have wonderful holiday with your family!

    Deborah

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  12. i check your blog daily. thank you for the care and time you spend--it is beautiful and inspiring and always makes me smile (which has been very important this year). despite the gloomy economy, we all have so much to be thankful for!

    cammie

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  13. Happy Thanksgiving, Joni - it's a good list.

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  14. Joni, this was so sweet! Really put me in the Thanksgiving mood. I was just thinking of doing the easy thing and eating off of paper plates today...not now, it is time to get out the wash by hand china! Family is the mose important thing and I will soon have a house full! Thanks, and check out my guest room posted right now. We used the same lamps. I can tell we both changed the shades. Cut from the same bolt...Happy Thanksgiving!

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  15. Awwww. #10 made the whole thing perfect! sniff.

    Happy Thanksgiving girl!

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  16. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your lovely family Joni.
    To day i got my "baby" back....such a celebration....my house felt so empty as my 2 sons left for college, my youngest Hadrian left us to go all the way to LA...I do not know if I will ever get over it. As your husband, I bribed my sons to stay with me....and guess..it worked. the older Alexander transferred from College in Shanghai (yes, China) to Denver and to Connecticut and now lives in a small cottage on the property.As you, I could not be without my dogs, they are such an intricate part of our lives.

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  17. Happy Thanksgiving to you dear blogging friend! I am so grateful for all of you! Hope you have a wonderful day full of food, family and friends!

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  18. Sweet Post! Thanks for sharing!
    C Hoffman

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  19. Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for counting your blessings with us ~ they are all wonderful!

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  20. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Joni! You are a blessing to us all!

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  21. LOVED this Joni!!!! And I am thankful for bloggers who don't call the cops on stalkers! Enjoy this holiday!

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  22. Happy Thanksgiving my friend! Blessings to you and yours.

    I'm with Ben in having my daughter move back in. The only thing that saves me from going completely beserk is the idea of grandchildren in say 8-10 years.Grandchildren Ben. :)

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  23. Happy Thanksgiving, Joni! Lovely post.

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  24. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your beautiful family, Joni. I am so glad to have gotten to know you through your blog. I don't always comment but I am "here"!!! Loved this post and I am thiankful for all the BLOGGERS I have met! XO, Pinky

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  25. Have a wonderful holiday, Joni! You so deserve it!!! You have the absolute BEST blog online & I so enjoy checking in to see you & your posts! Your family is beautiful!

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  26. What a wonderful list. You made me a bit teary. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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  27. All the best to you and your family Joni! Happy Thanksgiving. I am putting the Kugel in the oven as we speak! My family now wants it on all holidays!!

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  28. Dear Joni,

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

    I'm thankful I found your blog and you inspired me to start my own.

    I'm thankful for the input you gave me re my dining/living room. While I was unable to use all your ideas because of budget restraints I think I made big improvements because of your ideas. I will be posting the rooms next week and will credit you with my inspiration. I'm truly thankful for the time you took with me.



    ~janet

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  29. Joni,

    Happy Thanksgiving to your and your family. Your daughter is so beautiful. I know you will be fine with the empty nest but after Lucy, my daughter, was at camp this summer for 2 weeks I was about to die. I guess that's part of having only 1.

    I'm working on my blog, it's up & running but I'm just trying to get it right before I officially launch it.

    Hope you all have a wonderful long weekend.

    Fondly,
    Gwen

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  30. Joni,
    A happy Thanksgiving to you and your beautiful family and your lovely dogs!
    And I want to thank you for your beautiful,inspiring blog! For all your work you put in your "can't wait to read it" posts! And for being a friend to so many readers!

    Hugs,
    Greet

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  31. Happy Thanksgiving to you Joni...I look forward to your unique posts and I have to comment on the first picture. I have a 15 year old diabetic cat (2 shots a day!) and without him, life wouldn't be the same - he is like a little 'geriatric parent' that I care for (in the best way though!). Not to mention what he costs me!!!

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  32. Joni,

    A wonderful post. We lost our 13-year-old Lab a year and a half ago and the way you described your pups is exactly the sentiments we had about ours. He made us better people. I also appreciated the way you described the Obamas. I am inspired by both of them. And, lastly, I loved the pics of Ben and Elisabeth. What a lucky, lucky girl to have such a devoted set of parents.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  33. Happy Thanksgiving Joni! Love the picture of "these two". Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving, and hoping you give up your Caesar salad for turkey today! Love seeing "your life in a post". Trish

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  34. BEAUTIFUL! Happy Thanksgiving, Joni!

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  35. How wonderful to see all the different things you are thankful for. I am thankful to see a fellow Texan positive about the goings-on in the White House! Have a wonderful weekend!
    Brenda

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  36. Joni, beautiful & fun !!
    Dogs, UT, family, friends, blue coastal waters & my blogger friends
    + the top, my 22-month old grandson, Sheriff Harris.

    Happy Holidays, darling one.

    Marsha

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  37. You are loved indeed Joni! You have much to be thankful for, and the best is that you appreciate your life so very much.
    And I appreciate you dear blog friend, and am thankful for all the words we have shared back and forth over these last couple of years.
    One day I hope we can break bread together.
    xo xo

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  38. On my list of ten is Cote de Texas! You are a source of regular joy to this faithful reader!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful blog!!!

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  39. Happy Thanksgiving, to you and your family, Joni! I believe this was my favorite of all your posts! Just beautiful!!

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  40. O, dear one...the hardest thing is to let them go off to college or anywhere else. Seems even tho they reach the age of 18...then 21..then 45..you NEVER think they are old enuf to live someplace else other than HOME!! :O)I really did think I might not survive it all....but.....I DID...and so will you, dear heart...you will !!
    Happiest Thanksgiving..
    bj

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  41. Happy Thanksgiving Joni.
    You are definitely one of the people that I am thankful to have in my life.

    xo
    Brooke

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  42. This is a beautiful post Joni! Your family is gorgeous. My girls are still little, but seeing yours all grown up brought tears to my eyes - I know it is going to go be too fast.

    I have enjoyed following your blog and thank you for the inspiration and support.

    Happy Thanksgiving from California!

    xo,
    cristin

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  43. I'm thankful for you- Joni, whose passion and commitment to the design community is expressed so well here! Happy Thanks For Giving!

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  44. And we are all thankful for you Joanie. You make the blog world a brighter place. Now...where exactly is this new drive through Starbucks???? How could I have missed it. Our other one (on K) is awful to get in and out of!!!!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Kim

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  45. Joni, this was a wonderful post, and I give thanks for YOU! I'm so glad you have let us be a part of your life because you are such a special, special lady. Sending you all good wishes for Thanksgiving. Blessings bountiful be yours...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  46. Happy Thanksgiving! Your family is precious!
    Hook 'em Horns!!!!!!!

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  47. happy thanksgiving joni!

    marrying at 33 is still young, yet wise enough to know.

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  48. ...and I am thankful for you my Texas friend!

    I hope your day was special.

    Blessings,

    Renae
    xx

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  49. Happy Thanksgiving Joni!
    I know you had a nice one with Shannon and Anthea and all. Just wanted to say thanks for including Beadboard in Cote de Texas on occasion. It means a lot to us..

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  50. Happy Thanksgiving, Joni! Loved this post and your fabulous blog.

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  51. Simply beautiful - the post and you! Wishing you all the best this Thanksgiving holiday. xoxoxoxo

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  52. Congratulations on the Top Ten!!! Gratefulness and laughter--the keys to life. Going to the ROUND TABLE right now.

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  53. Isn't Thanksgiving the best Holiday? We all get to reflect on what we have and are grateful for. Thank you Joni for all your inspiration this year. I always look forward to what you have to say! Your post was great and your family is beautiful. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. --Delores

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  54. A wonderful post I was especially grateful for the picture and note about the Obama's, thank you. The whole post brought tears to my eyes, you are a very sensitive and loving person. You inspire me, so I just finished a new RST linen cloth, thought it a little boring so frayed 44 yards of 5" linen both sides and then gathered and sewed about 6" up from bottom, just what it needed. Keep inspiring us all.

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  55. The happiest Thanksgiving for me will be when the "O"'s sorry ass is defeated. If you believe for one second this clown can renew economic prosperity, you had better do a little less decorating and a little more research in the simple principles of economics.

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  56. Joni,
    Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Like so many others I am so very grateful for your blog and the time and inspiration you give to all of us!
    happy holidays!
    joan

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  57. A tremendous top 10. I loved your wit and your love of family. I have many Starbucks stock so your continual support is A++! I truly hope your Thanksgiving was a special one with your sweet family. All the best to you for a relaxing weekend Joni.
    Cheers!

    Deb

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  58. Joni, Happy thanksgiving to you and your family. I love your ten things. Your family looks fabulous. I just want to say to Ben : In OLD Europe, daughters still live with their parents , in France , we don't.
    And I like your tip about getting married at 33 years old ..I hope I will feel the same. I'm 33 years old , I think I made my choice so I'm waiting ... !!and Hope it will turn out like you.
    Bisous

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  59. Joni, seriously, Starbucks should be paying you for your service in providing them advertising at your widely-read blog!

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  60. BIG
    (TexasSize!)
    Hugs to you & your family ... .

    Judith

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  61. Happy Thanksgiving Joni, you have a grand heart.
    I wish we had this holiday here in Sweden!

    Even if I just lost my father, I will definately start composing my top 10 list for family and friends.
    Yours make me realize I need it now more than ever.

    Thanks and enjoy your holiday!

    Love your doggies, my house wouldn't make a day without our darling cat.

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  62. What a wonderful post. The pictures of your husband and daughter are so precious. The love radiates from this blog post. Thank you Joni for everything you do.

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  63. Love you list... I checked it twice....
    Happy Thanksgiving, Joni!!!

    XX
    Victoria

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  64. Hi there-
    I had to comment because I posted a very similarly titled post on Thanksgiving (Thanksgiving: Top Ten), but got a little slack on my images. Reading yours was so fun because I, too, listed my doggies & blogging, at the top of my list!
    Happy Holidays in the Lone Star,
    Claire

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  65. I so enjoyed your list Joni. Thank you dear for your generous spirit & uncompromising attention to detail, but most of all for your mischievious spirit. It comes through in so many of your posts, that's why I reckon you've got some Aussie genes in you somewhere. If we can't laugh at ourselves, then we might as well give it all up I say!
    Millie ^_^

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  66. I keep thinking about the dogs...I have two as well. Isn't it funny how they influence our decor? I have a client who said she was thinking about getting a dog. I wanted to tell her to hurry up and decide before we picked everything out (knowing how my options would be different if I were to make living with dogs easier). I love them anyway! Thanks for your blog and wonderful posts. I really look forward to every single one.
    Bethany

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  67. What a lovely post! And such a good-looking family!

    You have reminded me of my own blessings despite the hardships of the past two years - I also have a wonderful husband that I found when I was 40! It does pay to wait for the good ones, doesn't it?

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  68. Note to self, keep tissue box closer by, I left a trail of tears going to get that box...
    Woo, some fine list to be thankful for. If you need any company when you are an empty nester, I will be right over!
    pve

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  69. Very sweet post Joni. I loved seeing the photos of Ben and your daughter. I won the marriage lottery too--so I understand your thankfulness.

    Happy Thanksgiving.

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  70. What an awesome blog and post.

    As a former "Camp Champions" alumni and proud owner of both a Blenheim and Tricolor Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, may I say that you have exceptional taste! :)

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  71. Losing your child to college next fall...I feel for you! My son left for college this past fall. I spent most of my summer hiding in closets crying. I didn't want him to see me so upset. Sending him off was not easy but in the end watching him mature and grow in the few months he has been gone has been wonderful.

    Here is what I had to say about him leaving:

    http://elsieeleanor.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html

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  72. oh joni,
    what a sweet post!

    thanks for sharing your personal gratitude list with us.

    big hugs & kisses

    *you are so very loved
    by your family and by those of us
    out here in the blogoshere.

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  73. Joni,
    What a wonderful post. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Donna

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  74. Whay a great list, Joni. Hope you had a completely wonderful Thanksgiving. ps. I'm from Europe, and trust me, this is NOT how they live in Europe! xo Lidy

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  75. Lovely list, Joni! Yes, you have much to be thankful for, as do we all. Like many of your readers, I am thankful for your delightful blog! All the best for a wonderful holiday weekend!!

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  76. I truly enjoyed your Thanksgiving musings. Very heartfelt and beautiful. I completely relate to the Three Musketeers reference! Our one and only is also a senior and getting ready to go off to college! The empty nest syndrome was a big motivation for me to start a blog.
    I've been dreading this day for the past 4 years and also tried to tell my son that in India, the son and his wife live with his parents :)
    I've really enjoyed following your blog. It's obvious why you're so beloved. Your sense of humor is wonderful and makes Cote de Texas such a great read :)

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  77. Sadly, our new President has taken our country to an even deeper level of turmoil in so many ways. Everything from his promised cap of unemployment at 8% if we spend an almost Trillion dollars, to his choice of Czars, to the now exposed Climategate scandal, the list goes on and on. My prayer is that America can survive under this lack of leadership and his failure to uphold our very constitution. Mr. Obama can not continue to blame the consequences of his own actions on the past any longer. He is destroying America.

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  78. well joni, you give thanks for all the right things that's for sure! Great family you have, what a gorgeous daughter = she'll be married b4 she knows it!!! (don't tell her that tho!)

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  79. Awww how cute is that!!!! Happy Thanksgiving, dear -sometimes it takes a holiday like this to take stock of it all!

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  80. Best Thanksgiving post in the blog-o-sphere! Thanks for sharing with us. Sharing one's life with others looks all easy, but it's not really. Need to do more of it myself.

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  81. Joanie, love your blog! Thank you for sharing your insight and talent with us. As a side note... you had mentioned giving onion rings to your puppies... be careful as onions can be toxic to dogs. I have a Cavalier as well and they are the most precious babies in the world! See this site about onions being toxic to dogs- http://jlhweb.net/Boxermap/onions.html

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  82. Beautiful post! I really hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! I am very grateful for you and your wonderful blog, you really do such a terrific job!

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  83. what a great post Joni. Especially your family and friends bit. I'm very thankful that blogging has connected us!

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  84. Wishing you a belated happy thanksgiving. You are very blessed indeed!! :-)

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