Stick with me, folks - this will turn into a GIVEAWAY!
This morning I was discussing the "Today Show" stories with my Oldtimer, over our morning coffee. He'd just come in from blowing the snow out of the driveway, AGAIN, and we were talking NOT about the drudgery of snowblowing, but the fact that he felt so fortunate to have a snowblower that made the job relatively easy, while watching others digging out on the news.
And while it's no secret that this isn't exactly where I planned to spend my golden years, there are a lot of things right in our life - only a couple years ago, the wolves were nipping at our heels quite rabidly. Our conversation turned to the collective ennui in not just this region, but this entire nation, where the news is loaded with bad economic, weather, and international relations stories. We aren't even getting the gratuitous "mama duck made it across the busy street with her babies" stories anymore - we are REALLY focused on bad news.
Since my mind works a bit like an eggbeater, my thoughts connected this discussion to the post on the blog of my friend Mary Pierce. I love this blog post from her: http://laughlady.com/2010/02/09/up-to-our-necks-in-noses/
Mary's taking happy little steps to make her corner of the world a happier, more positive place. Now, my disclaimer - Mary and I are *many* miles apart when it comes to religion - but not all that far apart when it comes to spirituality. And we share a lot of history. A LOT of history, but we won't go into that here...
SO, the point of all this is that it's time to remember that thoughts are things, and to recognize that there is much to be THANKFUL for, and so... I'm going to give away a "Winter Survival Kit" of sugar scrub, body butter, lip balm, and luxury soap (loaded with shea butter) for some lucky person who leaves a comment here about what they are THANKFUL for (I'd be thankful if I could phrase this in a grammatically correct manner without sounding stilted). Please leave me a note with your thankfulness, and I'll put your name in for the drawing; post a note on your blog (and tell me about it) about thanksgiving and what's right in your world, and I'll put your name in the hat a second time. Feel free to promote the drawing and encourage others to join in here. I'll draw the winner two weeks from today (Feb. 25) on Lolo's birthday. So tell me - what's right in your world?
I'll start - I'm thankful that Lolo was my mom, and she gave me an amazing perspective into gratitude. Despite numerous moves (sometimes to escape the bill collectors), collecting fallen wood and corncobs to burn to keep the wood furnace going, driving a car that caught fire under the hood on EVERY trip to the grocery store, she never let on that it got her down. Her battle cry was "Another Adventure!" and off we went - with an extra blanket in the back seat for putting out the fire.
(The above shot is the beautiful sunset over the back wall at daughter Gen's place in AZ last September. I'm thankful she came through her surgery so well, too.)
14 comments:
I love finding the positive spin on the 'bad stuff'. It makes me happy. Just this morning I was talking to son Jay about how, while it's a difficult time to be unemployed, I am so thankful to have a cozy affordable roof over my head. I can stay home, safe and warm, during snowstorms. I have the daily unconditional love of my three little dogs to keep me company. Really, I need a job, but in the meantime, Life Is Good.
I am grateful for my family - those I am "blood" with and choose to stay close to, and those who have become family through bonds of friendship. I'm grateful that I am able to see beauty in the world around me, and that I'm able to add to it in my own little ways. I'm grateful for my amazing husband's love, friendship, and partnership. I'm grateful for the wonderful dogs I've loved and been loved by. I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had, the twists of fate that have helped shape who I am, and for the troubles I've experienced that I've learned great lessons from. I am grateful that I continue to learn every day.
Thx Honeybunch for the link ;-) Glad I could bring a smile. We all so have SO much to be thankful for - and your looooong time friendship is on MY list!
Bless you BIG,
Mary
I'm grateful for living in a place that it never snows.
Wonderful giveaway, Sue. But please exempt my comment from the drawing. These northern gals are the ones that really deserve something as special as your generous gift. What a winter they've had to deal with! They are so much more deserving and in need of a Winter Survival Kit!
This is so generous, Sue, and a good way to encourage us to really think about the good things in our lives.
I'm thankful for having grown up in a loving family, and being able to build a loving family of my own with my husband of these 57+ years. I'm grateful for a caring group of friends, even though we're in touch only online, my health and that of my family members, being able to live in a measure of comfort when so many are suffering because of the world economical situation. So much more...but those are the first that come to mind.
Sorry don't know how I missed this post. I am thankful for just having enough good health to be able to do things I love to do. Thankful that my Dh is able to carry on with normal life even though he suffers from illnesses.
Thankful for a loving family and friends. Thankful for many more things there are too many.
Would you believe that I am grateful to have been forced by this economy to filter my life? It's true. Jake and I have weathered some tough times, and they are not over yet, but we are a great team and I treasure the time we have together. My girls have been so helpful and have joined in the struggle with more grace than I would have expected from them for their age. Who says teenagers are selfish clods? I love our new-found focus on what is most important in our lives, and while I thought that I would miss the things that we were forced to give up, I really don't. As Debra said, Life is Good!
Cool! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays... great food, spending time with the family on a long weekend.
I'm thankful that my daughter has taken over the chores of cooking the big meal. I wonder if she has defrosted the bird yet?
Oh, and thanks to you for being such a great blogger. I love peeking into your mind and home once in a while.
Oh so many things... My Honey Man, my Mom, and five siblings, and I can't forget our seven Grand Children-and #8 due in March. My job even though the pay isn't high. My Art room, with all my supplies stuffed into such a small space! I also have eleven hens, a rooster, five doves, and two finches. I truely enjoy where I live. Three deer crossed the road this morning in front of me, (I live on a small dirt road), a couple of squirrels, and I saw an eagle on the way to work yesterday. I may not have much money, the economy stinks, gas is to high, I'd like to loose forty pounds, but oh well-I have all the above instead! Really I'm very thankful!
I somehow missed this post, Sue, but I was directed here from Sprite's blog this morning.
I like to keep a book of gratitude by my bed where I can record at least five things I've been thankful for each day. I must admit that I've let it go to the wayside over the past few months so I am thankful for you and this wonderful post for reminding me to get back to it. I'm also thankful for my amazing kids who have been through a lot in their lives but seem to have pulled through with flying colours. I'm also thankful to my parents who have always been there for me especially when times have been tough. With all this rain we've been having lately, I've been very thankful for the roof over our heads.
Btw, you can exempt me from the draw too, Sue, because I'm sure that package would cost a lot in international postage.
I meant to say that I think your Mother is quite a wonderful lady to keep a positive frame of mind in difficult times...and to deal with a car setting on fire with every trip...what a trooper! I'd have been terrified!
Thank you, Serena, but I'm not exempting you from the draw! I am most thankful that I am able to pay postage to send someone the occasional gift!
WOW what a nice share, and I Lost my dad just about 5 years ago (march 10) In addition a LOT of bad things happened in 2005 (and 2001)
for one thing I am now permanently disabled. additionally my oldest daughter is estranged from the entire family, hubby had 2 heart attacks and a double bypass. but I am thankful that both of our "near death" experiences ended up with us both being alive!!
I try to, on my bad days (which are many) to remember the good stuff, sometimes it works, and sometimes I am in "too much of a dark place" for those thoughts to penetrate. I would love to be considered for this giveaway!!
Blessings and be well!
Susan of Pieces of Fate
http://piecesoffatesusan.blogspot.com
I'm thankful for so many things! The most current is that my boyfriend was home today when the kitchen outlet decided to go haywire and begin "crackling" and emitting a burning smell. He turned off the breaker and stopped whatever was happening in the wall. Now I have an electrician scheduled to come take a look at it. I'm just grateful that he was here when it happened!
I'm also thankful for your giveaway!
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
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