The Hair Shop

Carly is my hairdresser at The Hair Shop. She takes really good care of me. Today I am grateful for Carly and people everywhere who do their jobs with joy and love. By doing one's job with joy and love one is blessing and serving others. Anyone in any job has the ability to bless and serve others simply by doing their job with joy and love. Thank you, Carly!

Barnes and Noble

I love books! I love book stores! I can spend hours in a book store. I am grateful for the Barnes and Noble I visit.

Pedicures

Yesterday I was exhausted both physically and mentally. I had a gift card for a pedicure. I went. Aaa. Thank You, God, for people who bless others by caring for their feet. I don't think I could do that job, but I sure am grateful for people who do. Thank You, God, for my wonderful kids who blessed me with the gift card. Thank You, God, for one hour of relaxation. And for pretty feet.

My Siblings

I have been blessed with four caring wonderful siblings. I was also blessed with a loving step-sister. Thank You, God, for Ann, Helen, Jim and Dodie.

Bridal Showers

Yesterday, I attended the bridal shower of my daughter Meredith's best friend Megan. Meredith is the maid of honor. I was so proud of Meredith. Her participation in this shower overwhelmed me with momma pride.

It has been a while since I attended a bridal shower. I had forgotten how nice they can be. This one was beautiful. The presence of joy and love was deeply felt.

I noticed that there were three age groups present: the kids, the moms and the grandmothers. I am so blessed and grateful to be in the mom group. Thank You, God, for blessing me with the best gift in the whole world, CHILDREN!

All Those Who Choose To Protect Others

God, thank You for everyone who chooses to protect others. Thank You that there are more who choose to protect than choose to hurt. Thank You for every person who has contributed to my quality of life by choosing to be a protector.

Firemen

Today I am thankful for firemen because they selflessly choose to be the helpers in this world.

Walks Around the Lake

Today I am abundantly grateful for walks around the lake. The lake is so peaceful, and I enjoy the company of family and friends. Thank You, God, for walks around the lake.

Those Who Bless and Serve Others

Today, the day after the bombs at the Boston Marathon, I am grateful for all those who bless and serve others. God, thank You for the people who rush in to help others. Thank You for all those who are true expressions of Your Divine Love. Amen.

Forgiveness

Today I am grateful for the gift of forgiveness. I am grateful to all who have forgiven me. I am grateful for God's unconditional unceasing forgiveness. Thank You, God!

Sundays

I am abundantly grateful for Sundays.
Sunday mornings are wonderful!
Hours are spent drinking coffee, praying, reading, writing.
Sunday afternoons in my Studio
Knitting, sewing, blogging.
Sundays are pizza day!
Fun joyful dinners with family.
Sundays are days of rest and renewal.
Thank You, God, for Sundays.

A Chance to See Dot

Thank You, God, for the opportunity to see Dot.

Dot is my 86 year old stepmother. I had not seen her in six years. (Shame on me.) On our way home from Florida we (Gary, Tracy, Helen and Joe) stopped to visit her. I am so thankful we did. We had a wonderful visit. Thank You, God.

Perspective

It is wonderful to see lots of old people really enjoying life. I spent my spring break in Florida this year. There are a lot of old people in Florida. They were a joy to be around, because they were enjoying life to the fullest. The older people I met were happy, swimming, dancing, walking. They were socializing abundantly. They cared for one another. They read. They rested. They laughed. They made growing old look good. Thank You, God, for showing me how wonderful life is at all ages.

Shopping With the Girls

I have been blessed with both sisters and daughters. They make shopping lots of fun! This week I was blessed with the opportunity to go shopping in West Palm Beach with my daughter Tracy, my sisters Ann and Helen, my sister-in-law Doreen, and a dear friend Darlene. What an absolutely gorgeous place to shop! Plus, much to my delight, the prices were no different than my local mall. The stores I usually shop in, Bath and Body Shop, Macy's, Fresh Produce, Zephora, etc. were all there and the prices in those stores were exactly the same they are at home. The difference - West Palm Beach is BEAUTIFUL! This shopping experience was delightful! I am grateful for the opportunity to spend a day in such an enjoyable space. Thank You, God, for treating me to a day shopping in West Palm Beach with some of the ladies I live most in this world.

Shopping in West Palm Beach

Oo la la! My sisters, my sister-in-law, my daughter, a wonderful friend and I went shopping in West Palm Beach. It was the most beautiful place I have ever shopped! Thank You, God, for a wonderful shopping experience!

Easter in Florida

Thank You, God, for Easter with my siblings in Florida. This year Gary, Tracy and I drove to Florida to spend about a week with my siblings Helen, Jim, and Ann. Of course it was equally wonderful to be with Peter, Joe and Doreen. We were also blessed to spend our vacation with wonderful friends Ken and Darlene.My brother and sisters and I figured out that we had not vacationed together since I was six weeks old, 54 years ago, and we had not had Easter dinner together in over 40 years. I am so very grateful that we had this wonderful time together. Thank You, God.

Running Away With My Husband

Every now and then Gary and I run away from home.

We started this about six years ago, when the kids were 19.

One Friday in July his company was having an outing at the Mammoth Race Track. We secretly had packed our bags and planned to stay away over night. We didn't tell the kids because we didn't want word to get out that we were not home. When we returned all was well.

We have been doing this a few times a year ever since. Sometimes we tell them ahead, and sometimes we just go and leave a note. It is a very healthy thing to do for a marriage.

Thank You, God, for a wonderful marriage. Being happily married brings so much good in so many ways.

Saturdays and Sundays

I love my job, but I really love Saturdays and Sundays! Today I am grateful for the weekend time to rest, refresh and renew. 

Two Hours Alone

I am almost never alone. There are times when my soul seeks silence and solitude. I am grateful when I have some time alone. 

For My Microwave

27 years ago my husband and I rented a VCR and a microwave oven. Gary was not convinced that we really needed either one, and that we would use them enough to spend the money buying one. Well here we are in 2013 and yes, the VCR has been replaced with the DVD, but the microwave is still going strong. I am grateful for my microwave because it definitely makes my life easier. Thank You, God, for blessing those who created the microwave with their gifts and talents. I am grateful that they chose to use those gifts and talents to bless and serve others.

Manicures and Pedicures

I enjoy having pretty fingers and toes. However, that is a job I have definitely not been called to do. Today I am grateful for manicurists and pedicurists. They bless and serve others everyday.

My Daily Walk

I have been walking (sometimes running) regularly for 12 years. I am grateful for my body that enables me to enjoy walking. I am grateful to live in an area where I can walk out my front door and safely walk in my neighborhood. I am grateful for the blessings my walks bring to me. I am grateful for my family and friends who often walk with me. I am grateful for walks alone with God. I am grateful for the gift of walking.

Sunshine and Warmth

I am loving the first sign of spring! 70+ degrees! Yay!

Home Sweet Home

It is wonderful to go away, and it is wonderful to come home. Thank You for vacations and thank You for a wonderful home to return to.