Thanksgiving Project – He is Risen

I know I said this little project of mine was going to be about finding the little things in everyday life to be thankful for – but without some of the big things, nothing matters.

Today is the holiest of holy days in my mind. Christmas is important. But Easter is the day that makes eternal life possible.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a very good rule follower. That means I would never have survived in the Old Testament times. I’m saved by grace – God’s grace. It is my only chance at eternal life in heaven.

So today (and everyday) I’m thankful that God sent his only Son for the express purpose of taking on all my sins and dying on that cross. I’m thankful that He rose again for me. Christ is Risen indeed. HALLELUJAH!!!!!

Thanksgiving Project – Sunbathing

Everyone knows I just love the sun. I can’t think of anything today that made me happier than being outside in the sun.

I started out with my sweatshirt and sweatpants on…and flip flops of course. After sitting for a few minutes in the warm sun (although it was only 48 degrees), I changed into shorts and a tanktop. I figured a swim suit might be pushing it. I got the chaise lounge out and just laid there for about an hour listening to the Beach Boys (perfect summer music). Interestingly, my view included snow still laying by the fence line. Perhaps I need therapy for my obsession with the sunshine. But I’m pretty sure if the sun was out all winter, I wouldn’t need therapy at all. Hahaha!

But, alas, the clouds came in and covered up the sun. Without the sun, it really wasn’t that warm so I changed back to my sweats.

It just gave me a taste of the weather we will have as we get closer to summer. Then, the only places you will find me are out on the deck or by somebody’s pool.

Today, though, for a portion of the day, I was most thankful for the changing seasons…fin

Thanksgiving Project – Silly Friends

Shopping? I normally hate shopping. But the other day I took a small break in my day and had lunch with a good friend. Then we walked in the sun and did a little shopping. And were silly. It felt great to get outdoors. It felt great to spend time with a friend. Plus I found a couple of bargains.

Today I am thankful for friends I can be silly with – friends I can laugh with – friends I can just be myself with and have

Thanksgiving Project

Spring has been here for 8 full days now. Today was the first day I felt a tiny glimmer that it may actually arrive this year. The sun was gorgeous. The sky was blue. Still only 40 degrees, but just maybe it will start warming up.

I know that every day it is still acting like winter, it is one day closer to acting like spring – or maybe summer. So, even though it has been cold, I’m thankful we are inching closer to spring.

Thanksgiving Project – Wednesday’s Child….

The children’s poem says Wednesday’s child is full of woe. I say Wednesday’s child is happy and headed downhill.

I am not a huge fan of Tuesdays. It just doesn’t have anything special to offer.

Mondays are fine because it is a chance to begin again. Thursdays are great because the work week is nearly over. Fridays…well, we all love Fridays.

But Wednesdays are usually a good day because it is midpoint in the work week. It reminds us that Friday will be here soon. Hump Day is the day that reminds me that the rest of the week is downhill.

Today I’m thankful that Hump Day is even more than that. It is a short work week (we have Friday off). So this week, Thursday is like my Friday!

Thanksgiving Project – Have a Great Day for No Reason at all

Ever have one of those days that nothing spectacular happened, but you just feel great?

Today was like that. I got up early so I could get to work early. I knew it would be a busy morning and I would be out all afternoon at a meeting. And, it was. But my afternoon meeting was a good meeting. I felt energized and it seemed everything was firing ideas in my head.

Then tonight friends gathered for dinner, wine and laughs. I even decided to make the appetizer. For someone who doesn’t cook, I’ve been doing more. Actually, it isn’t that I don’t cook, but that I won’t cook unless someone appreciates it.

All in all, it has been a really good day – for no apparent reason. That makes today a great day!

I’m thankful for days like today. They don’t happen that often, but when they do, it just lifts my spirits and makes me feel good about life and about myself.

Thanksgiving Project – Spring Break

I remember as a kid how excited I was to be off for Spring Break. We would usually go to Florida….and that always meant Disney World.

Those days are long gone for me though. First, I don’t want to be on those crowded beaches with a bunch of kids. Second, I can’t afford to travel then when prices are jacked up. I prefer my vacations when it is quiet (and relatively cheap). That being said, this silly snowstorm that hit last night really makes me wish I was in Florida right now.

But how am I thankful, you ask? I’m thankful because I will still plan a vacation where it is warm. I will still have time with friends. But today I’m thankful that it makes for a relatively quiet week at work. I can get one things done that need to get done.

Go ahead, enjoy your week in Florida….I will be here to welcome you home. And soon, I will take a trip of my own…a quiet, relaxing, peaceful vacation.

Thanksgiving Project – Empty or Full?

I’ve read several things lately on various blogs and posts about how important it is to approach life from the standpoint of abundance.

Why is it so hard to do that? I’m a generally “glass is nearly full” person. But it seems to be easy to either want more or not be happy with what I have. Then when you throw in the glass is half empty people. (As an M&M’s aficionado, I especially liked the graphic with them in a very full glass.)

One thing I have discovered with this little Thanksgiving Project blog is that there is always one thing (or six hundred things) to be thankful for. I know I need to be more appreciative. It keeps everything in perspective. Granted it is easier to do that when the sun is shining, but there is still something to be grateful for on gray days (she says laying on the couch waiting for a major snowstorm to hit at the end of March).

Today I’m just thankful I have found so many like-minded people with a positive outlook on life. You boost my spirits and make me smile. Let’s all try and do even better to bolster each other’s spirits. Together we can do it!

Request for your vote

My adorable grandson has been doing some modeling. He has done some local jobs. His mom (my daughter) has entered his picture into a Facebook contest at CHCKids. It is based on the two highest number of likes and is over a midnight EST Sunday, March 24. So there isn’t much time left. You have to “like” their page first and then “like” his picture.

He started out strong, but is now tied for third place. Can you please take a few seconds and vote for him? He really is cute. The picture to vote on is below, along with a picture from a photo shoot yesterday. Here is a link to the Facebook page for CHCKids https://www.facebook.com/pages/CHCKids/399452460107804?id=399452460107804&sk=photos_stream

Thank you

Thanksgiving Project – Alone Time

I love Saturdays when I have no plans and I’m home alone. I never really accomplish much and that’s good. I sometimes don’t even get dressed until noon and that’s okay.

What it does do is rejuvenate and refresh me. I putter around the house, I read, I nap, I eat when and what I want (or not at all), I might go shopping, I might stay home, and in the warm weather I definitely am outdoors. I can almost never say I accomplished something or was productive and that’s okay! And I always have music playing…sometimes loud and wild….sometimes soft and smooth.

When I first met Warren, he worked swing shift. It was perfect for me. Every week was a different shift. So basically I didn’t see him except for every third week other than hearing him come home at midnight and fixing him dinner at 9:00 pm. It was heavenly to have so much time to myself. He, if course, wouldn’t agree. It was hell on his body.

Anyway, I really got used to time alone. When he retired eight years ago, it turned my world upside down. I’ve never really gotten used to him being around so much. I still go out with friends when I want. I still work long hours. I still don’t cook. But I miss having that one day totally alone on weekends.

Today I’m thankful that he is gone all day. And, is it wrong for me to hope he doesn’t get back until tonight instead of late afternoon?