Thankful Thursday

 The sky had been gray and threatened rain all day long.  It was humid and sticky and my mood was as gray as the day.  To see the beautiful sunset felt like a special gift just for me.  Sometimes God answers prayers in the most unexpected ways.  Oh how thankful I am for moments like these that remind me how blessed I am and that the sun will come out eventually.

I'm also thankful this week for
     ~ vintage flea markets with wine tasting
     ~ getting chores done early so I can play
     ~ walking is getting easier
     ~ new clothes a size smaller :)
     ~ my sister's generosity
    ~ front porch sitting

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursday

Time just gets away from me these days. It's good to be busy, but there just isn't enough time to get to everything I want to do. School ends here next week, and I'm sure Shylee will keep me busier than ever. It's been a long time since there was a younger one to keep up with for the whole summer! I'm hoping it will be fun or both of us. I'm thankful for the opportunity to make memories with her.

This week I'm also thankful for
     ~ two whole days of sunshine
     ~ purging and letting go
     ~ pretty pink flowers
     ~ everybody's improved mood - the sunshine helps
     ~ planning a road trip
     ~ discovering new passions
     ~ having flowers in the garden again
     ~ a new doctor who is on board with how I deal with diabetes

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursday

“Oh, the comfort — the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person — having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.”   ― Dinah Maria Mulock Craik, A Life for a Life

I discovered this quote earlier in the week, and it just put into words what I couldn't.  Everyone should have a friend they can talk to without feeling judged or made to feel like a terrible person.  I am very thankful I have a friend like that.  

The duck couple above visit us every spring.  They hang out in the neighborhood for a few days and then they're gone to wherever it is they go for the season.  They make me smile and it's just fun to see them hanging out in different yards when I drive down my street.  I'm thankful to have this experience every spring.  After all these years, I would feel like something was missing if they did't visit!

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursday

It has been rainy and cloudy for almost three weeks now.  I need the sun.  Seriously.  The daily darkness puts me into SAD (seasonal affective disorder) mode.  It usually strikes during the winter and subsides in the spring when the sun is out more.  Except this spring, the sun has forgot to come out.  It becomes really easy for me to be negative and depressed.  I have to make myself focus on the positive and find things to be grateful for.  As I have said many times on my little blog, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

This week I'm thankful for:
     ~ finding out the numbness in my feet, caused by diabetes, can be reversed
     ~ my children are happy adults
     ~ a fun birthday celebration
     ~ a low carb, sugar free chocolate birthday cake that didn't spike my blood sugar!
     ~ a husband who makes me laugh
     ~ getting out of the house and junking even though I didn't find anything

     What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursday

We've had two weeks of rain, chilly temperatures and overall gloomy weather.  One evening after dinner, Shylee began yelling at us to come see outside.  None of us wanted to get up at that moment, but she was adamant about us seeing the color outside the front door.  I was the first one to get up and go see, and I realized what she was excited about.  The color was an eerie yet awesome yellow and pink glow unlike anything I've ever seen before.  I got the camera but didn't really capture the fascinating color and feel of the moment.  While I was snapping away from the front porch, Shylee was yelling at us to come see the rainbow in the backyard.  I think the whole neighborhood heard her!  It's amazing how a few minutes of watching and listening to Shylee's excitement about a rainbow, turned yet another gloomy day into one of wonder and joy. I'm thankful for days like that.

I'm also thankful for:
     ~ the brief five minutes of sunshine this week
     ~ a new computer
     ~ my sewing room to escape to
     ~ a good thunderstorm
     ~ May
     ~ my Mom
     ~ being Sean's and Erin's mom
     ~ the rainbow after the storm
     ~ seeing life through the eyes of a child

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursday

I just have to say thank you for the honest feedback and suggestions on the last post.  I appreciate it more than you know.  I'm thankful for this awesome blogging community :)

I'm also thankful for:
     ~ the comfort of an afternoon cup of tea
     ~ morning sunshine spilling through the kitchen window
     ~ saying no and not feeling guilty
     ~ not giving in to temptation (going out for ice cream)
     ~ Shylee loves having glasses
     ~ Erin wants to do the gardening
     ~ cherry blossoms
     ~ helpers in the kitchen
     ~ Purple Heart for picking up donations at the door
     ~ family dinners around the table
     ~ second grade concerts

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

Never let a day pass without looking for the good, feeling the good within you, praising, appreciating, blessing, and feeling grateful.

Make it your life commitment, and you will stand in utter awe of what happens in your life.

~ Rhonda Byrne

There is always something to be thankful for.  This week I'm thankful for:

     ~ my alarm clock because I'm back to getting up early again!

     ~ other people's stories - so much to learn from others

     ~ I'm able to learn new things

     ~ watching the buds on the cherry tree get a little bit bigger and open a little more each day

     ~ sidewalk art

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

Shylee turned eight this week.  It's crazy how fast the last eight years have gone by.  But what a joy it is to watch her grow up.  She is smart and funny, dramatic, girly, creative, full of never ending energy, and she never stops talking.  I am so very thankful to be her Grandma! :)

I'm also thankful for:
     ~ being able to do things I couldn't do two years ago
     ~ Erin got a job
     ~ cold rainy mornings that turn into warm sunny afternoons
     ~ April
     ~ Shylee's latest artwork on the fridge
     ~ happy mail
   

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

It's been a productive week and I'm always thankful for that.  Just as I'm always thankful for pretty spring flowers. :)

I'm also thankful for:

     ~ all the little things I thought were lost I found
     ~ learning new techniques with the camera that worked
     ~ long conversations with my mom
     ~ finding the movie The Slipper and the Rose after 30 years and all the memories attached
     ~ a fun afternoon out with Erin
     ~ planning for an 8th birthday

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

Every year I say I'm thankful for spring and this year is no exception. It's my favorite season. The world around me starts coming back to life with the flowering trees, blooming flowers, birds singing, and I feel like I'm coming out of hibernation. It feels so good to go out without a coat, drive with the window down, sleep with the window open, and see kids out playing. It's not hot and humid yet and it's not cold anymore. There was a blizzard in Denver yesterday and my son would probably disagree with me right at this moment!  Yep, I'm thankful for spring...it just makes me happy!

I'm also thankful for:
     ~ Easter and all that it means
     ~ my hard working husband
     ~ springtime inspiration
     ~ Shylee's joy at accomplishing hard things
   

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

I love that time of day when the sun is low and shines through the front door casting shadows on the wall. It's a sign that the day is coming to an end and Michael will be home from work soon. It's time to finish whatever I'm doing and start thinking about fixing supper. I'm thankful for this transition time...a few minutes to collect my thoughts and prepare for whatever the evening holds.

I'm also thankful for:
     ~ finally finding the best way to keep the diabetes under control
     ~ sleeping with the window open
     ~ the animated stories Shylee tells
     ~ hitting all the green lights through town
     ~ reminders of fun things from the past like listening to records!

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

My husband and I find ourselves at the stage of life where we have aging parents who need help and extra care.  I'm thankful that one of my sisters is close enough to my parents to help them out.  Michael lives closest to his dad but is still 450 miles away.  He goes to his dad's for a week at a time once a month.  I'm so thankful that he is able to do that.  I'm thankful that Michael is willing to go, that his job allows him to work from there, and that he is a patient man.  I've learned a lot about aging these last few months and I'm not looking forward to getting to the point where I need help and someone else to make decisions for me.  I won't dwell on the future though.  I'm thankful for the here and now!

I'm also thankful for:
     ~ a brand new sharp kitchen knife that actually cuts
     ~ the rare morning that Shylee comes in the bedroom and gets in bed and snuggles
     ~ being safe at Panera during a tornado warning
     ~ the quiet stillness early in the morning
     ~ my mom is going home from rehab today

     

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

(Sunrise at Virginia Beach, Virginia)

"The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything; the soul that complains can find comfort in nothing."  Hannah Whitall Smith  

This week I'm thankful for:
     ~ sunshine and blue skies after a week of dark gloomy days
     ~ my new favorite orange creamsicle tea
     ~ falling asleep right away when I go to bed
     ~ Erin's daily company
     ~ friends who pray for me
     ~ a new kitchen faucet, running cold water, and a working ice maker (had to have the kitchen plumbing completely redone after months of problems)
     ~ transactions that didn't go through when someone tried to use my debit card number
   

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

As some of you know, I was working on a One Thousand Gifts list before I took a break from blogging.  I went back and forth about continuing it here on the blog, because it became very personal.  Although I have gotten personal here in this space, I decided there are some things that I'm not ready to share with the whole world.  I continue to keep my personal list going, but will start up Thankful Thursday again.

This week I'm thankful for:
     ~ the ability to help my children when they need it
     ~ GPS on road trips
     ~ real handwritten snail mail letters from a friend
     ~ supportive friends even if they don't understand
     ~ a cold rainy morning, a cup of tea, a warm sweater, and Shylee singing softly while building Lego masterpieces                   
     ~ being able to do more physically
     ~ watching movies all day while it snows
     ~ all my blog friends and their warm welcome back

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday ~ One Thousand Gifts

I've been doing Thankful Thursday for over 2 years and I'm thankful for all the positive feedback I've received from you during that time.  I'm ready to change it up a bit.  Well, more than a bit, actually.

I've been inspired and challenged by the book, One Thousand Gifts, by AnnVoskamp, to see, be thankful for, and chronicle the everyday gifts and blessings that are in our lives.  I feel this just takes being thankful to a whole new level.  I tend to be quite negative sometimes and this will help me stay more positive.

Instead of a weekly thankful post, I'll be including my numbered list at the end of each post.  They may or may not have anything to do with the blog post they're on.  I'm going all the way to one thousand but I'm not putting a time frame on it!

What are you thankful for today?

Have a fabulous day!

xo Annette xo

1.  people who can inspire and challenge me

2.  the new year and all the promise it holds

3.  tinkling bells on the Christmas tree when Annie goes running past and brushes against it

4.  seeing life through the eyes of a five year old

5.  comforting traditions

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

Thank you for the very kind well wishes on the last post.  I'm thankful for each one of you!

Being on crutches makes it difficult to do just about everything, including getting out and taking pictures of the changing leaves.  So we went for a drive and I snapped some shots as the trees whizzed by!  They aren't perfect photos, but it's all about the fall colors.  I'm thankful I was able to get out and see it.

I'm also thankful for 
     *  a newly serviced heater
     *  phone calls from my son
     *  the imagination of a five year old
     *  my husband who takes good care of me
     *  chocolate...it gets me through anything!

What are you thankful for today?

Have a fantastic Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

Today I'm thankful for
     *  pumpkin spice kisses and all things pumpkin
     *  the last two tomatoes
     *  picnics
     *  relief from humidity the last couple of days
     *  people who inspire me
     

What are you thankful for today?

I hope you have a thankful Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

Today I'm thankful for
     *  sunshine and the pretty pattern on the floor when it shines through the front door
     *  eye candy in my sewing room
     *  progress on the sewing room
     *  running into a friend I haven't seen in two years
     *  the faithful few who continue to read and comment here

What are you thankful for today?

Have a terrific Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

Today I'm thankful for
     *  four generations
     *  a rainbow so close and bright you felt like you could touch it
     *  a few more days with Shylee
     *  the peace and quiet when Shylee went home!
     *  my local farmer's market

     

What are you thankful for today?

Have a thankful Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

My daughter, granddaughter, and I took a road trip to visit family.  It was 2500 miles round trip and I'm so thankful it was uneventful.  Unlike last year when there were blown tires and forgotten bags!  You can read about that trip here, here and here.   

 I'm also thankful for
     *  time spent with far away family
     *  birthday celebrations and cake
     *  road trips with beautiful views
     *  air conditioning in the car
     *  cruise control
     *  my own bed and pillow

What are you thankful for today?

Have a thankful Thursday!

xo Annette xo