30 Days of Thankful ~ #30

Yes, 30 Days of Thankful made me stop each day and remind myself of things that enrich my life. I am thankful for keeping my commitment to myself to write every day during November. It made me more aware than usual of the many layers of goodness and joy that make up this little life of mine. It forced me to see the flower in the vase, not the dust on the table. Some days, that is tough to spot. Bad looms larger than good, but no matter how small, there is good in every day.
It's not that happy people are the thankful ones. Thankful people are the happy ones.
And, now....I am thankful for turning my calendar tomorrow to the wonderful, full month of December and all the love, joy, happiness and Christmas cookies it holds!

30 Days of Thankful ~ #29

 “Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.” ~ Ernest Hemingway

 Today, I am thankful for wine. Oh, not in the over indulge, get drunk kind of way. I am thankful for enjoying a good bottle with my son-in-law over a good meal. We talk about the wine. We get excited when we find a new bottle to try. We figure out what we are tasting in the wine itself. We are anxious to share it with each other and discuss its merits or flaws. We are not connoisseurs by any stretch of the imagination, but we are willing to learn what we can about different wines, regions, etc. We keep the labels from bottles we have especially enjoyed.

You don't have to be an expert to know what you like. It's kind of like life itself. It is not the destination, but the journey that counts. Making memories along the way, one glass at a time.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #28

Many countries have some sort of day of thanksgiving on their national calendars.  However, only two countries celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday that is celebrated in the United States.  These countries are the United States, of course, and Canada. 

Writing a "thankful" blog for the past 28 days has forced me to pause and recognize how many wonderful things exist in my life. We all have trials and hardships, everyone we meet is fighting some sort of fight, but, right here, right now, on Thanksgiving Day 2013, I am just thankful. Like a kid counting how many presents bear their name under the tree, I am counting my blessings today. 

Today, I am just thankful...

BIGGSUZI

30 Days of Thankful ~ #27

While reading my latest running magazine, I came across an article entitled, "A Season to Streak". Before you get excited, it has nothing to do with naked running!! I, too, pictured Will Ferrell running down the street!
It posed the challenge that you run from Thanksgiving Day until New Years Day, every day, at least one mile. What?!?! That's crazy, I thought but I couldn't get this holiday streak out of my mind. Sign on and gut it out, it proclaimed. Generally, I run three or four times a week. The distance I shoot for adds up to 15 to 20 miles per week. Sometimes, it is more. Sometimes, it is less. I have never run 35 days straight, which is what it is on this year's calendar from Thanksgiving to Jan 1st. Should you run these "old bones" 35 days straight? Do I want to run 35 days straight? Is it a risk for injury? Is it possibly a GREAT challenge??  Then something appeared in my newsfeed on Facebook talking about the same streak. It even had a cool countdown to print (see above). That's it!! I decided it was a sign. I am supposed to challenge myself to do this!! I figure, some days I may end up on the treadmill in the house at 11:30pm at night to make sure I get my one mile in that day. Whatever! I am going to do it!!
Today, I am thankful for new challenges. Challenging myself scares me and, yet, exhilarates me even more.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #26

Some people are always longing for "the good old days". There are blogs out there that are quite popular titled "The Pioneer Woman" that promote getting back to simpler times. Well, I for one, want no part of being a covered wagon pioneer. I love my modern conveniences. I appreciate that my lights turn on at the flip of a switch. I appreciate that my car starts when I need to go somewhere. I appreciate that I have television, 24-hour news available and radio stations galore. I appreciate my oven with its timer. I appreciate automatic sprinklers so we never think about watering the lawn. I appreciate flying to visit a friend or a new city. I appreciate my washer and dryer. I appreciate the ability to phone a friend halfway across the country just to say "hi".
The women in this photo were probably 25, look 35 and felt 45!! So much for the "good old days"!
Today, I am thankful for every little modern convenience that we so often take for granted.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #25

 OK, confession time. I have been lying about my age for years. Yes, I always tell people I am a few years older than I actually am! Invariably, it gets the reaction, "Wow, you look great for your age!!" It puts a smile on my face, which is obviously causing all these wrinkles I am suddenly noticing in the mirror! Complaining about our age gets us nowhere. If we are lucky, we all get old. With it, comes age spots (shoulda used more sun screen!!), wrinkles (ditto on the sun screen), aches and pains and joints that creak. I plan to run head long into my "golden years" as long as I am able, even if I am creaking while doing it. I want to be that "old lady" that is at the end of the pack still running in the race. I may slow down, but I will finish the race.

I am the redhead in this cartoon. Feeding me in the rest home is optional. Covering the gray roots is mandatory!!
Today, I am thankful for getting older.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #24

Sometimes, nothing really is something. Curled up on the sofa, reading magazines with my little "hot rock" curled up beside me, socks on my feet and a soft blanket over me. What could be nicer on a cool, fall Sunday afternoon? For a girl who is always doing something, busy, busy, go, go, it is a welcome relief to do nothing. And I do it so well!
Today, I am thankful for a cozy day that just begs me to relax and renew my spirit.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #23

As I type this blog on my computer, I am reminded how important my hands are to me. They let me reply to emails, flip though the pages of magazines and, most of all, they allow me to hold the hands of my loved ones. The "littles" are not so little any more. Abbey especially, doesn't much care for holding my hand in the parking lot of stores or crossing the street. She is big and can "do it herself" ~ just ask her! I try and explain that she is holding my hand, not so I can protect her, but so she can protect me! Somehow, this explanation satisfies her. I remind them all that I hope they will hold my hand when I am really old and need them to help me. I hope and pray they remember these conversations in the future.
 A touch of your hand on a shoulder or a pat on the back, can make someone's day and you may not even realize it. Touch has magical healing powers. Touch connects us.
Today, I am thankful for my hands and their ability to touch, feel and show people I care.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #22

Some days, faith comes easy. Some days, it seems to be completely absent. Generally, when speaking of faith, people mean faith in God. I think faith also means believing that everything is going to work out. On the days when it seems you have come to the end of your rope, you have no answers, the light at the end of the tunnel is the oncoming train, the only thing that gets you through is a dose of faith. You remind yourself that things have been bad before and situations have seemed without answers, and yet...here you still are.
Bob Marley, the Jonas Brothers and Enrique Iglesias each have songs with the lyrics that say "Everything's gonna be alright." On the darkest day and in the darkest situation, believing, or trying to believe this, requires faith. When we are living in fear, faith is absent. When we live in faith, fear is absent. Faith empowers us in a way that fear never can. While living in faith at all times is the best way, it is still good to know that, even if we lose sight of our faith every now and then, we can, once again find it and embrace it.
Today, I am thankful for faith.
 

30 Days of Thankful ~ #21

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.

Langston Hughes

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/langstonhu108462.html#HKspk4xDcM4XCfrD.99

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby." ~ Langston Hughes

My daughter asked me last week if it was difficult to find something to be thankful for and write about every day. She wondered if saying I was doing it for 30 days straight was too much. Would I run out of things? She also asked if I wrote the blog ahead of time. No, I answered, I write them each day. It always seems like something happens that makes me take note and be thankful. Writing it daily keeps it more in the moment.

This morning, I was awakened by the sound of rain falling. It was still dark outside and there was no sound other than the rain. I thought of getting up and looking out the window at it, but, instead, I remained in the warm bed just listening to it. It sounded so beautiful and peaceful. I imagined the wonderful smell of the rain and how clean the air would be today as a result of it. 

Today, I am thankful for the rain, rare as it is around here. Can I finally wear my new wellies??
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/langstonhu108462.html#HKspk4xDcM4XCfrD.99

 Today I am thankful for the rain, rare as it is around here. Can I finally wear my new wellies??

30 Days of Thankful ~ #20

I have been horrible. I have said hateful things. I have hurt people, especially those closest to my heart. Things happen in life that we wish never had. We are all hurt and disappointed and embarrassed by our actions at times. For all those times, I am ever thankful for your forgiveness. I probably don't deserve it, which makes it an especially difficult gift to accept. 
Forgiving someone else, frees both of us. Forgiveness doesn't mean that you deny the other person's responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life. 
Today, I am thankful for the forgiveness that I give to others and the forgiveness I receive from others. May they both help me to grow as a person. 
Biggsuzi

30 Days of Thankful ~ #19

For those of you old enough to remember, Art Linkletter had a show on TV many years ago called, "Kids Say the Darndest Things". On it, he would have a casual conversation with children about any number of subjects and more often than not, they would say something totally hilarious, unscripted and unplanned.
My grandkids would all make wonderful subjects for that show if it were still around today. They come up with some of the funniest, most clever things that have me rolling on the floor laughing most every day.
While spending the weekend with us, Abbey had her bath and asked if she could wear my Turbie Twist. It's a towel that is made to use after you wash your hair to help get the moisture out. I said sure and wrapped her hair in it. I guess at their house Maddy has one. Abbey said, "Yeah, at home Maddy always gets the Turbie Twist and what do I get?? Wet hair on my pillow!" Oh the injustice of it all!!
Today, I am thankful for the funny things that "come out of the mouths of babes." They make me laugh a lot and make me aware of simple joys.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #18

Today, I am thankful for being alive. No, not in that flowery way, "Life is beautiful." "Each day is a gift." Blaa, blaa, blaa! I mean, I am truly thankful to be alive today. While on my morning run, I was almost hit by a car four times!! Two were within INCHES!!! To that young girl, driving the big truck, turning right from La Colina onto Newport, talking on her cell phone, I hope your heart didn't stop pounding hard all the way to school after I screamed at you to pay attention! You should have seen the look on your face!!
Here's the main problem as I see it. A runner is running on the opposite side of the flow of traffic (not with traffic, but facing oncoming) and this is the recommended side. When a driver comes to a stop and intends to turn right, they only look to see the cars coming at them on their left. Once they think that's clear, they proceed to make the turn and often, they turn right into a runner. It is a dangerous situation. I do think runners need to be hyper aware of this possible problem and do what they can to avoid it, but, drivers, please take some responsibility also. Look BOTH ways when making a turn. Maybe look twice. The life you save may be yours...or mine!

Today, I am thankful to be alive after running 6.5 miles and having a few "close calls".

30 Days of Thankful ~ #17

Young people today have no idea how easy and accessible information is to them. I remember when my parent's bought us the World Book Encyclopedia. It costs hundreds and hundreds of dollars and it was amazing! So many important facts, alphabetized and put in volume after volume of books. Each year we'd even get the new one with things that had happened or changed in that year. Many reports were written for school using those books as my reference.
Today, we grab our phone and "google" for any information we may want or need. Sometimes, we are watching TV at night and will see some movie star and ask each other, "How old is______?" I grab my phone, always on the nightstand charging at night, and in seconds we can discover the answer. What used to take a long time, now takes seconds.
If I get a craving to make a certain thing for dinner, I just search for the recipe online and have multiple options in seconds. They even have a site where you plug in what's in your pantry and they will suggest recipes to make from those items.
Shopping was never so easy. Google an item and see where it's sold, for what price and how many are in stock. It can often be on your doorstep in 24 to 48 hours.
Lose the instruction manual to some device you have? Just Google and download a new one.
Oh, I know that with this availability of information, comes the bad side, but, I still say, it is a wondrous tool if used properly. I am a data person and it instantly satisfies my desire for information.
I am thankful for the modern world of Google and having information, literally, at my fingertips.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #16

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
― Mother Teresa

 “It's being here now that's important. There's no past and there's no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can't relive it; and we can hope for the future, but we don't know if there is one.”

―George Harrison

Well, there are two pretty divergent people who gave us those quotes and yet they both said the same thing. I am a worrier by nature, so I stew much too long over past shortcomings and future dreaded possibilities. Frankly, both are such a waste of time. Living in the present is a difficult mental attitude to achieve, at least for me.  When do I notice that I am in the present? Usually, when I am aware of the small joys around me. I stop all the "head chatter" and listen to the world I am in at the moment. I really listen to the little ones. I am sitting and petting my dog. I am savoring a good meal rather than rushing through it.

Today, I am thankful for the precious present. I am especially thankful when I can "Be here now."

30 Days of Thankful ~ #15

Reading has been a love of mine for my entire life. Usually, I have two books going at once, one fiction and one a self help book. I am embarrassed to admit how many magazine subscriptions I have. While my husband cruises the television stations each night, I immerse myself in a book or magazine. Reading is a ticket to anywhere. It can teach you, jar you to see things differently, make you laugh or cry. Dinner has been known to be delayed for hours at my house if the book was good enough!
I have worked hard to instill my love of reading in my grandchildren. The girls loved it right from the start. Jack, being a boy, not so much. I finally found a way to make him realize how important reading can be to him. After the umpteenth time he asked me to read something on one of his iPad video games, I said, "You know, Jack, if you read more, you can learn all these words and what they are trying to tell you about playing the game." It was if I saw the light bulb go on above his head! Now, he still brings it to me, but he tries his best to read it himself. We figure out the harder words together. Where reading was once a chore, part of homework to be endured, he now has a reason to get better at it because he wants to know their meaning.
Today, I am thankful for the power of reading and the places it has taken me, the people I have met, the adventures I have experienced and the new ideas I have pondered...all through the pages of a good book!
Biggsuzi

30 Days of Thankful ~ #14

I love my morning ritual. It involves a cup (or two) of coffee and the morning paper. I am an early riser and it is my favorite time of day. It is quiet and peaceful. The day is before you and holds all kinds of possibilities and potential. No matter what occurred yesterday, the morning is ripe with a clean slate and a new start. The busyness will come. The list of "to do" will grow, but for now, nothing matters except the aroma of coffee and a good, old fashioned newspaper to read. In fact, all five of my senses are used in my morning ritual. I touch and see the newspaper. I smell and taste the coffee. I hear....nothing, except the sound of silence.
Today, I am thankful for this pocket of peacefulness in my morning ritual.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #13

I am a chronic mult-tasker. Doing many things at once, never really stopping to take a breath and slow down are aliments from which I have suffered for years. There is always a project on my desk or at the dining room table. The one time of the day when I try my best to stop and just relax is when I have my bubble bath. I can't go to bed without a bath, no matter how late it might be. I don't like showers. They are purely functional as far as I am concerned. Get in, get clean, get out. But a bath, ahhh, now there is a reason to linger. It must have bubbles and it must be very hot. I would say it ranks second on my favorite things, right behind a good run. I can think about nothing or think through ideas and situations that are on my mind. Somehow the bath washes clean, not only my body, but my mind as well.
Today I am thankful for a bath and the peace it brings to me.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #12

 Almost two years ago, I got the insane notion that I needed a dog. My husband was less than thrilled with this proposition. Callie Girl has been an unending source of joy for me since the day I rescued her from the shelter in Irvine. Although he will never admit it, my husband also has grown to love her. She gets walked two or three times a day. The neighbors tease me as I walk by, saying that dog is spoiled and walked more than any other dog they know. My reply is always the same, "It's good for both of us!"

 Yes, dogs are a pain. They jump in trash cans to find food! They demand your attention when you are tired after a long day. However, I am happy to report, this rescued pup has NEVER chewed a shoe or ruined anything around the house.

She tolerates the grandkids carrying her around like a doll and stuffing her in baskets. She is always ready for a belly scratch. She is a good snuggler. She loves unconditionally ~ a great lesson for us humans.
Today I am thankful for love in the four-legged, furry variety.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #11

Here's a cold, hard fact. We do not get to choose who our children marry. The ones we love, pick the ones they love and we are just along for the ride. So far, I am happy to say, the ride has been pretty smooth and not very bumpy. My son-in-law has always been very open to us being around a lot. I think he appreciates the help with the kids. We love to cook Sunday night family dinner together, something my "non-cooking" daughter fails to understand! He also gets along great with my husband as they both love the outdoors and have been on many trips and adventures together. Occasionally, people will say, "Your father-in-law is going??!!!" Sean always tells them, "Hey, it's Marko. I wouldn't go without him!"
As most of you know who read this blog, my son got engaged last Thanksgiving to this lovely lady, Emily, or, as I like to call her, "EB". Early on, she saw we were a crazy, highly opinionated, quick to make a sarcastic joke family. She fits in just fine! She even laughs at my husband's jokes where we all just roll our eyes when we hear them. She makes my son happy, and that makes me happy. She is a part of us already, but we look forward to "officially" welcoming her into the family with a wedding. I need a new batch of babies to love! Hint! Hint!
Today I am thankful for these two and all the joy they have brought to our family.
 

30 Days of Thankful ~ #10

And I blinked my eye and they became adults! Another example of the fact that days are long, but years are short. Today, they both stand taller than I am. They are both beautiful and smart and good. They each carry parts of me in their personalities. They also have qualities that are better than me. What a gift to see them grow into adulthood and make their way in the world. They are strong minded and well spoken people. They make me laugh. They make me cry. When it matters most, they rally around each other. They make me proud.
Today, I am thankful for my two children. I will love you forever!

30 Days of Thankful ~ #9

These three beauties make my life richer and more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. All the things they say about grandchildren being wonderful are understated! On a scale of one to ten for involved grandparents, my husband and I probably rank a twelve! We see them almost daily. They are as comfortable at our house as they are their own. I know lots of people in our stage of life who are traveling and buying vacation homes.My husband does not envy these people. He says we are exactly where we are supposed to be in life, helping to look after and nurture these children. Soon enough, they will choose friends over us and we will see less and less of them. Why would we miss this opportunity to spend time with them whenever we can? We are the lucky ones.
Today I am thankful for the love and joy and laughter times three that I get from "the littles".
Blessed...abundantly blessed!

30 Days of Thankful ~ #8

This man is one of the finest men I know. He quietly takes care of his family in the simple ways that matter. He makes sure the doors are locked at night. He cleans up after dinner without being asked. He changes light bulbs that have burned out so your porch light is on during the night for safety. He picks up grandkids, takes them to practices, not just games. He listens to their long, drawn out stories that often have no ending with total attention. He throws a ball or plays in the pool with them long after the other adults have tired of it. He puts up with my neurotic rants and quietly offers solutions I didn't see. He is the guy you want to call at 3am and say, "Mark, I'm in trouble and need help." All he would ask is where you were and he'd be on his way. Believe me, many people have done it before!
He will never write on Facebook that he loves his wife. Such bravado is not his way and he finds it rather silly when people do. He believes you show love in a quiet, steadfast way that makes people know they are loved, day in and day out, year after year, even when they don't act lovable. He's so smart, he knows that's when they need it most!
Today, I am thankful for this man.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #7

A sense of humor is a very underrated thing. Studies show that the average four year old laughs 300 times per day while the average 40 year old only four! Our family has always had an edgy, sarcastic sense of humor that was not always seen as a positive to others. Family jokes are the best jokes. They carry over for years and years. They are a glue that binds you together.
Sometimes, a situation is so dire, all you can do is find the humor in it or you'd break down in tears. Sometimes, the best solution is a good laugh. It may not solve the immediate problem, but it can sure help get you through the day.
I am thankful for humor in my life. I am thankful for people who make me laugh.

30 Days of Thankful ~ #6

 I am thankful for sunsets. I am more thankful for the moments when I stop and actually notice their beauty and wonder.

 Some call it God's paintbrush in action and seeing them makes me believe this is true.

 Sometimes I am in a special place when I get to watch this beauty unfold, like the beach.

. 

 Other times, I find it right in my own backyard..

Or driving in the car...
"It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream."
I agree.