Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

simple pleasures

Welcome Summer?

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First lawn swing day. Put the canopy on for the first time in decades. Upside down. If at first you don’t succeed, you’re human!

Is it just me or has the world gone whack-a-doodle? Its been a wild and wacky couple weeks since we last chatted. I’ve been up to my eyeballs in the glamour(?) of book editing, formatting, and tech programs beyond my level of expertise. So when I get too frustrated, I go clean or sort something. Which does not make me that happy. Really.

So then I go buy discount craft supplies at Tuesday Morning. That makes me very happy. Then it is time to organize those new supplies. It feels like the movie “Groundhog Day” around here!

But I try to focus on the simple things in life to save my sanity. Because in a life well lived, it’s the little things that truly matter. Here is my list from the last several weeks:

  • Novocain is fabulous. Especially when you really need it. Twice in one week.
  • Avocado peels and coleslaw do not make the garbage disposal happy. But, you get a free shower when you pull the sink trap.
  • Power surges can cause smoke alarms to go off at 3 a.m. I am grateful they work and there was no fire. Good heart-rate test. 
  • Brooms are fabulous tools. Especially to reset smoke alarms on high ceilings. See above. 
  • A pair of Mourning Doves visit my backyard every afternoon. And do the wild thing on my fence. Pretty birdies?
  • Fresh strawberries are finally in at the farmer’s market. In spite of the two biblical hail storms we had.
  • On birthday week you eat chocolate cake, blackberry pie, chocolate cupcakes, BBQ potato chips, and pancakes! Once a year.
  •  One of my favorite romance authors, Jill Shalvis, released a new book; The Lemon Sisters!
  • Penny Black kitty stamps are my new obsession. I do not apologize. Keep calm and sniff the ink.
  • Potato salad deserves to wear a crown. Especially when someone else makes it.
  • Flip flops! Naked toes! Pink toenail polish! With glitter!
  • Kitty hugs from Spec Ops Cat. Even though I know he is just trying to get warm. Or fed. Or brushed. Or scratched.
  • First summer swing on the lawn swing. With Mom. On the Fourth of July.

What’s on your simple pleasures of life list? 

Making A Thankful List?

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by Kimberly A. Cook               (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Spending time with family and chowing down on turkey, stuffing and pie is always a winner. Each year I think about what I’m thankful for and make a mental list. The more vintage I get in age, the simpler the items on my list have become.

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Nature views like this one by Suttle Lake Lodge.

 

  • A day off to relax.
  • Sleeping in.
  • Real whipped cream on the pies.
  • Mom’s famous lime Jell-O with pineapple and cream cheese.
  • Laughing with family.
  • Gravy.
  • Full tummy.
  • Stopping the rat race for a national holiday.
  • Kitty cuddles.
  • Nap time.
  • Claymation Christmas.
  • Leftovers.
  • Pumpkin pie.
  • Good health.
  • Cozy warm home protecting us from the rain.
  • Taking time to listen.
  • Grateful for the good fortune we have.
  • Remembering family members we have lost but reliving the fun memories.
  • Thankful for the military personnel around the globe protecting us while we relax.
  • A Charlie Brown Christmas.
  • Hoping for peace and goodwill toward all women and men.

Wishing all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Let the competitive napping begin!

Got Gifts This Year?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                    (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Fighting the mall traffic, the crazy weather and the to do list as long as a roll of toilet paper, we can forget the real gifts we’ve already gotten. So this time of year I like to reflect on what I’ve already received and am thankful for all year long.

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Spec Ops Cat shows off his pre-cuddle exercises.
  • Kitty cuddles from Spec Ops Cat complete with free purrs
  • Laughter with family, friends and co-workers
  • Hugs from family and friends
  • Listening ears when I’m cranky and tired
  • Sleeping in my own bed
  • Heat
  • Hot showers
  • Massages
  • Good health
  • The colors pink, purple and teal
  • Books and reading
  • Digging for thundereggs
  • My Subaru getting me through the December monsoons
  • Faux fur blankets
  • Imagination
  • Tea pot collection
  • Fuzzy socks
  • Heating pad with timer
  • Elvis
  • Classis Christmas songs
  • The Minions
  • Taking photos
  • Daffodils
  • My writer friends
  • Oatmeal with peanut butter
  • Alpaca socks
  • Yarn
  • Home
  • Flannel sheets
  • Roses
  • Red sparkly nail polish
  • Daydreaming
  • YouTube animal videos
  • Cartoons
  • Raspberries
  • Garfield
  • Beads and jewelry pieces
  • Writing
  • Warm summer night breezes
  • Blog readers
  • Naked toes in sandals
  • Carnations
  • Purple glasses
  • The calls of frogs and crickets
  • The ocean
  • Bunnies
  • Hummingbirds
  • Hot tubs
  • Rainbows
  • Creative minds
  • People who do good things
  • USA
  • Squirrels
  • Sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing
  • Chocolate
  • Support

That’s the short list. This month I’m finishing my nineteenth year of keeping a daily Gratitude Journal. Because besides the tinsel, wrapping paper, gift cards and crazy, the true gifts we receive all year long are the most important.

Here’s wishing you all happy holidays and gifts all year long on your very own all ready gotten gifts list. We are all more rich than we realize. What’s on your 2015 gifts gotten list?

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