Gratitude

Life is really sneaky sometimes.

I seem to recall wanting to learn gratitude in 2013.

Well, be careful what you wish for.

But I guess if I were going to wrap up a year about gratitude and wanted to really drive the point home, having to lose something as basic as power and returning it 9 painfully long days later would make anyone grateful.

Lesson learned.

And perhaps I need to make one final gratitude list for the year as well....

• I am overwhelmingly grateful for our friends who have prayed, listened, hugged, made food, took our kids in as their own, texted, posted, twittered, and loved us through it all.  I firmly believe that you will see how well you are loved when in crisis.  The crisis part sucks, but we know we are loved.  And Twitter makes us giggle.
• I have a whole new respect for Toby, who seems to be able to single-handedly take care of three houses without power.  #tobyrules
• Home appliances.  You never know how often you use each and every one of them on a daily basis till you can't.  
• Clean laundry.  I don't think this needs any explanation.  
• Home-cooked meals.  We have eaten out 99% of our meals this past 9 days.  Not good for the checking account, nor the waistline.  

I know there are more that I will think of later, but I will simply leave you with this picture, which I believe is the epitome of gratitude.  It was taken by a friend of mine and I stole it off her Facebook page.  I don't think she'll mind.  Her family (including her parents next door) were out of power for the same amount of time as us, and today she was able to capture so many moments that reflect only love and gratitude... not the anger and frustration of the past nine days.  It literally overwhelmed me to tears to look through the picture and see the joy.

So, while I will never want to go through anything like this ever again, it's nice to know that we are surrounded by love and were never alone.  

Bless you all who have gotten us through this week.  We truly couldn't have done it with out you...

Finally, merry and bright...

Where did Christmas go?

Well, it's been a week.

And by a week, I mean a week we'll always remember.... not fondly.

But, being who I am, I'm going to try and at least finish my 12 Days, with twelve things I'm grateful for this week.  It's going to be a stretch, but hopefully keep things light for me.

1. Generators.  (even though it sounds like someone is mowing their lawn in my bedroom.)
2. Heat.  (No-Power Fun Fact #1:  The worst reminder that your house is 44 degrees is the toilet seat.)
3. Laptops.  (Without our laptop I wouldn't have been able to snuggle with the boys Christmas Eve to watch Home Alone.  Without power we wouldn't have done it.)
4. Family and Friends.  (Both to share the misery or offerings of love.  It's been duly noted :))
5. Twitter.  (The conversations between Toby, Andy, Regina, and Andy G were simply priceless.)
6. Slippers for cold floors.
7. Blankets.  Lots and lots of blankets.  Although we figured out that Evan's down blanket has a hole.  Feathers everywhere.
8. Gas fireplaces.  We wouldn't have survived without it.
9. Sleepovers on the dining room floor.
10. Candles.  Yes, I had three setting aside as gifts for Christmas... oh well.
11. Speedway coffee.  Who knew it was so good and only 99 cents?
12. The human spirit.  This whole week has been a giant reminder of how blessed we really are.  You never know what you really have till it's taken away.  Got it, God.  And I am grateful.

I hope you all had a week that reminded you of what gratitude really is about.  Some people in life will never get it, and I simply will never understand that, but let them be a reminder of what you don't want in your life.

Happy Friday!

The Ninth Day of Christmas.

Whew... I think with this post I've caught up!  This Holiday Season is kicking my butt this year, and I was under-prepared to begin with!  Today was the first day I've been able to really relax and try to enjoy some down time.

Praise the Lord.

That's enough of a gift for me.

...So, back to our regularly scheduled program.

On the Ninth Day of Christmas,

My true friend gave to me,

9 Pins of Interest,

8 Quotes of Katherine,

7 Moments in Time,

6 Word Wednesday,

5 Gooooold Ruuuuules,

4 Christmas Videos,

These 3 Things,

2 Fun Trips,

and

An Attitude of Gratitude.

9 Pins of Interest (see what I just did there? :))

True story.

Someone needs to remind me of this daily.

Vail, CO = Bucket List.  

Literally.

This is just funny.  And true.

Best.  Soup.  Ever.

Inspired 

2014 Goals

Sigh... my hero.

There you have it... I'm caught up and feeling good.  I may just have to reward myself with an episode of Scandal!

Have a great night...

The Eighth Day of Christmas

On the Eighth Day of Christmas

My true friend gave to me,

8 Quotes of Katherine

7 Moments in Time,

6 Word Wednesday,

5 Gooooold Ruuuuules,

4 Christmas Videos,

These 3 Things,

2 FUN Trips,

and

An Attitude of Gratitude.

We all know my author-crush on Katherine Center, and today I'll take it to a new level.  Someday I just want to sit and have a cup of coffee with her... or a bottle of wine.  Both would be great.  So, when I thought of doing a day of quotes, I went to her page first.  After I couldn't narrow down which one I wanted, I decided to make the entire day about her.

So here we go....

And so my hope for you, good boy, as you grow taller every day, is that you will learn to take good care of yourself, and you will learn to take good care of others - and, someday, you'll see how those two things are exactly the same.

My goal is to try and be as happy as I can - going through every day just as it is.


We are at our finest when we take care of each other.

The way that I love you makes me a better person.

You are writing the story of your only life every single minute of every day.

The truth is, being a woman is a gift.
Tenderness is a gift.
Intimacy is a gift.
And nurturing the good in this world is nothing short of a privilege. 


And there you have it.  Of course if you need more, here is my favorite video of all times....

Have an amazing day.

The Seventh Day of Christmas

On the Seventh Day of Christmas,

My true friend gave to me,

7 Moments in Time

6 Word Wednesday,

5 Gooooold Ruuuules,

4 Christmas Videos,

These 3 Things,

2 Fun Trips,

and

An Attitude of Gratitude.

This has been a year filled with ups and downs, like most years, but how often do you really look back and see what your moments are that you'll carry with you?  I don't think many people do, and hopefully after this, you might rethink that.  It doesn't take long, and I think it brings a certain amount of closure to this year before looking ahead to the next.

So, here's my 7 Moments in 2013

Happy in the Land of Oberon!

1. Finishing my book.  I loved writing every word in that book, but finishing it was just joy.
2. Sitting with Blake watching his beloved Penguins beat the Rangers during Spring Break.  
3. Round Barn.  Needs no explanation for anyone who was there.
4. Watching Hannah's long program at Mids.  Simply one of the best skating moments I've seen in person.
5. My first visit to Bells Brewery.  Again, you probably just had to be there.
6. Mrs. Stornant's funeral.  It's so hard to say goodbye, but seeing the love and courage that day was undeniable.  
7. It was snowing on the last day of January.  I know this because it was also the first day Evan drove himself to school.  The gray hair hasn't quit growing since.

Of course there is more, but sometimes you just have to highlight the big ones.  The little ones can stay in your memory, but make sure you write them down!

Sweet dreams of holiday bliss :)

The Sixth Day of Christmas

So how is it that the Sixth Day of Christmas also falls on a 6-Word Wednesday?  Too bad the giant lotto was last night.

On the Sixth Day of Christmas,

My true friend gave to me...

6-Word Wednesday,

5 Gooooollllld Ruuuuules

4 Christmas Videos,

These 3 Things,

2 Fun Trips

and

An Attitude of Gratitude.

To sum up 2013 is quite difficult.  

I'm at a loss of words.

Totes Magotes is my new phrase.

And gratitude is my best attitude.

A friend is the best gift.

I'm blessed with many gifts indeed.

There you have it... Six 6-word Wednesdays for you.

Have an awesome Wednesday!

The Fifth Day of Christmas

On the Fifth Day of Christmas,

My true friend gave to me...

5 Goooollllld Ruuuuulllles

4 Christmas Videos,

These 3 Things,

2 Fun Trips,

and

An Attitude of Gratitude.

It's no mystery that we learn as we go along through life.  If you're not always learning and growing, then something is seriously wrong.  

Just my opinion.

So we all know the ultimate-original Golden Rule:  Treat others as you want to be treated.  But what if there were more than that, and by living the rules, we actually were happier?  I have added four more to my list, and everyone's list will look different, so don't think that you have to follow what I do.  You need to figure out what makes you happy and try to incorporate that into your life.

5 Gold Rules

1. Treat others as you want to be treated.
2. Read something every single day, even if it's a magazine article.
3. Count your blessings before you fall asleep.
4. Be honest about who you are with other people.
5. Listen to music (preferably with headphones) every day.

Of course there are others I could add, but then it becomes a chore.  5 is doable, and anyone can come up with 5 things that will improve and add meaning to their lives.  

Sit down at some point today or tomorrow and see if you can come up with 5 things you can (and are willing to) do everyday.  You just might surprise yourself to see what you want or need in your life.  

Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday!  I know I will :)

Fourth Day of Christmas

On the Fourth Day of Christmas,

My true friend gave to me,

4 Christmas Videos,

These 3 Things,

2 Fun Trips,

and

An Attitude of Gratitude.

Yes, some of these might be repeats from years past, but that only means I really really love them.  My new favorite one is the first one from Love Actually.

I hope you take the time to enjoy them... and create some Holiday Spirit.

Happy Monday!

The Third Day of Christmas

On the Third Day of Christmas,

My true friends gave to me,

These 3 things,

2 Fun Trips,

and

An Attitude of Gratitude.

I have to admit that I have not done my homework like I usually do for the 12 Days Tradition.  Most years by the first day I kinda have an idea of what I'm going to write about each day.  When I first started this, I would have a detailed outline in a notebook and sometimes tweak (not twerk) as I went along.  I've done a little less prep each year, but almost always have some notes.

This year I've got nothing.
Zip
Zero
Nada

Each day I wake up and wait for the something to inspire me to write about.  Not exactly what I'm used to, but I have to admit I'm paying attention to things around me a little more.  So when I sat down with Blaker at breakfast and let him put ESPN on, I wasn't exactly looking for the inspiration there.

However, this is the commercial I saw, and I almost missed it.  Almost let it play out without me even looking up from my phone, but I heard '3 things,' and my ears perked up.

It was almost as if God said, pay attention... this is for you.  Of course I started to google Jimmy V and the speech, and yes, I was inspired.

So today, for the Third Day of Christmas, I give you Jimmy V's three things we all should do every day...

1. Laugh
2. Think - spend some time in thought
3. Have your emotions be moved to tears.

If you do those three things every day, that's a full day... that's a good day.

You can also watch his full speech here.  It truly is an inspiration... 

Happy Sunday!

The Second Day of Christmas

On the 2nd Day of Christmas,

My true friends gave to me...

2 Fun Trips

and

An Attitude of Gratitude

Two Fun Trips.  Yes, this year I was blessed enough to pack a suitcase twice.  The first was for Pittsburgh, a family trip that was far different from anything we had done before.  The second will forever go down as the First Annual Wine Tour 2013.

One happy boy watching the Penguins

Beautiful (and chilly) view of Pittsburgh

Favorite time killer.

My favorite ladies

I believe this was Stop #1

Oh Gravity... How I miss you.

True story.

Sigh... what fun memories.  It reminds me how much I love to travel and hoping that 2014 will bring even more memories on the road.

Happy Saturday!  Enjoy that snow coming down :)

The First Day of Christmas

I know what you're thinking, and for the record, I'm thinking it too.

Where the hell have you been?

That's the giant elephant in this tiny room of a blog here.

I have lots of excuses (some are even good ones), but really, I'm not going to bore you with those.  They're always the same anyways, and I know you remember my go-to list of reasons I don't write.  Thankfully the dry spell doesn't last forever, and once again, I am wanting to give you something for the Holiday Season.

So here we go with the first day....

On the first day of Christmas

My True Friends gave to me...

An attitude of gratitude.

Yep, gratitude is the big lesson this year for me, and I'll admit I've worked for this one.  Gratitude doesn't just happen, and one really has to work at it on a daily basis.  Some days it comes naturally and others... not so much.  But in my heart I believe this is truly the answer to most of our problems.

I believe we always have something to be grateful for, even in the bad times.

Grateful for health.
Grateful for a paycheck
Grateful for laughter
Grateful for friendship
Grateful for social media
Grateful for Charlie
Grateful for love.

Day 1... make your gratitude list.

Word.

Have a fabulous day, my friends.