Just Wednesday.

I just heard my dryer beep. So. This will be short. I am trying to finish this month and jump start my Christmas spirit all in the same breath. I was inspired by a person on Pinterest talking about RAOK. (Random acts of kindness.) And I am taking up that challenge. Only I won't tell you everything. And it might not happen every day. But I hope it does. 'Cause it makes me feel real good.
Today it was something that I didn't even think of but it ended up making me happy. I was in the fruit section of the grocery store. Checking out the gala and fuji apples. A man in a wheel chair asked my opinion about which apples were the best. He liked his chilly and crisp. Both varieties looked inviting. I told him to get one of the two and be sure and tell the lady at the checkout that another store was selling them for .88 cents a pound. Have her price match them, I suggested. I said wait and I will get two bags so we can both pick our apples. He asked if I would pick out his apples. To which I happily complied. He chatted just a moment and then we went in different directions. It was so small that it might not even count. But it felt really good to just be nice.
I have done one or two other things this week that I will not tell. But if you are reading this I suggest finding a random act of kindness or two and enjoy the glow. Sometimes it is a simple as a smile or a touch.

I am going to finish out my gratitude challenge right here because I will be out of pocket for the next few days. So here are my last three -
1. Today I am thankful for serendipitous moments.
2. Tomorrow I will be thankful for clear weather and good travel.
3. Friday I will be thankful for my sister's seafood gumbo.

And there you have it. A month of giving thanks. Whew. I am thankful to be finished.

****
Going to visit Mom and Dad for a few days. He isn't doing so well. My heart is telling me to go be with him one more time.

Home.

Today I got to just sit back and be with Daughter and her sick baby. Her house is in the painting process and so they fled the fumes to my house. Here I was able to offer hot shower, the use of the washer and dryer, lunch, and hot tea in the afternoon. I was happy to provide an escape.

Poor Merritt is so under the weather. Not only does she have ear infections and a respiratory virus...she is also cutting teeth.

I sent them home with clean clothes, homemade turkey vegetable soup, and corn bread muffins.

I am thankful for time spent with my daughter.

Stirring the pot.

The smell of my turkey vegetable soup is permeating the house. So many leftovers dumped right into the pot. Even the green bean casserole got dumped. Whew. The fridge is looking less crowded.
Thanksgiving decorations have been placed on the shelf. Christmas is creeping into the house. Quietly. Ever so quietly.
Clean clothes are coming out the dryer.
Paperwork got filed.
Checking account is reconciled.

Daughter and Super Carrot are coming over tomorrow for a pajama party. The Carrot is having more infected ears and respiratory virus crud. She needs a spa day at Nanny's. Done. We will just veg out right here and let little one sleep off the bad gris gris.

There are so very many everyday things that I am thankful for. But to be perfectly honest I am getting tired of trying to think of them to write about. My aim was to create a heart of gratitude and it has been trying, to say the least. I have had some pretty mellow moments this month of just breathing in the air and appreciating that moment. Friday morning. Back porch. Cup of hot coffee. Leaves lifting high on chilly currents bringing weather for coats. House filled with family. Voices of children in the house. Laughing while playing games. Watching my children love their sibling's child. What a treasure. Giving thanks for all that. And more.

Mixed bag.

The house quieted yesterday. Out of Town Son was the last to leave. Mr. Macho and I settled in for a long evening of football.
Today after church we went in different directions together. He went to work - I drove over to Daughter's house to see if I could be of any help with cleaning the new abode. She got a few things done and I helped watch Merritt. I did one or two things. Not much. But every little thing brings a feeling of getting closer to claiming this space as their own. Painters are due in tomorrow. When the painters finish the REAL unpacking will commence. That is when things will find their niches. After Christmas it will really begin to feel like their home.
 Already they have visited with friendly neighbors and the children have found new friends and old friends that live close.
I am so thankful that they have moved into a good neighborhood.

The grind.

Seems a bit of 'back to the old grindstone' today. Daughter and children awoke, ate breakfast, and headed home. Out of Town Son and wife are having lunch with friends. Mr. Macho is vacuuming the yard. I have a small hill of clothes that I am washing.
I think I will make some turkey taco soup today. Have plenty of leftover turkey. And ham. And cornbread dressing.
Still basking in the glow of having the family gathered and being thankful that all are healthy.
My Weight Watcher's diet got derailed over the past two days. My stomach is telling me that it is hungry, but I am back on the wagon. Counting the points.

Thankful for routines. And a good washer and dryer.

Good days.

The feast was well received. Mr. Macho helped clean the house. Rhonda, Tom, Edith and Grandaddy Bob came to enjoy the day with us. The food was good and plentiful. The day was gorgeous. The company was excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and was more relaxed than I thought I could be.
Am so thankful all went off without a hitch. Not like last year (or maybe it was the year before?) when the oven caught on fire!
Thankful that all our children and grandchildren were here with us today to consume the leftovers!! We missed Son-in-law and were sorry he couldn't join us. Duty was calling him.
Another gorgeous day. Cousins got to play outside. We tried call for the cat across the street but the screaming scared her from venturing over. She couldn't help it. Merritt was so excited to see a real cat she just screamed for her.
Am filled with a special thankfulness for terrific offspring.

Thanksgiving eve.

Cheesy broccoli rice casserole. Check. Fig-pecan pie. Check. Sweet potato casserole. Check. Clean floors throughout the house. Check. Clean bathrooms. Check.
More to do in the morning. Am so thankful that I had Mr. Macho's help this afternoon.
I am thankful to have gotten these things done before midnight.
Still have to put a fruit salad and green bean casserole together and cook the turkey. Dressing is thawing and will be cooked tomorrow, too.
I am thankful for all our bounty. Thank you, Lord.

Connection.

Mimi. She connects me to Mom and Dad on the bad days.
Most good days Dad is at his computer and we Skype.
Last week I was out of the house for a few days. When I got home I would check my computer and see that Dad had tried to reach me 3 or 4 times.
Skype is his greatest pleasure these days. It connects him to his children.
I have known this time was imminent since about February.
Dad is getting weaker. The bad episodes are coming closer together.
Mimi feeds me information that keeps me in touch with what is happening.
I need this.
Can't say why.
Just do.
Thankful for Mimi. Today. And always.

A good day.

Lauren and Tucker have been with us since Saturday night. Yesterday, while Mr. Macho and the crew brought aid to the weary Daughter, we went to the movies to see "Wreck it Ralph". It was a cute story. We followed that up with an hour of free play at the real neat playground by the hospital. It has a nice cushioned surface under all the equipment. Cool equipment that included a set of three bongo drums.

Today we made a trip to the store-that-has-everything and picked up some fun things for their new house. Dirty clothes baskets for each of their rooms. Sparkling peach/grape juice to toast the first night in the new house. We also brought some surprises for their mom. (New dish towels and dish cloths for the new kitchen. Spray bottle of Lysol and some Mr. Clean magic sponges to keep the clean smell going. AND. The best of all. A huge-ass package of toilet paper. Because she is now the proud owner of 4 bathrooms. Yes. Four.) She will find the items interspersed with the clean folded clothes in the hamper when she starts to unpack them. Won't she be surprised!?

We dined at Chez McDonald's after our shopping excursion. Then I had to hurry home because I kept forgetting to take my turkey out the freezer. Meant to do that yesterday. Got it done.
An hour and a half at the 'business park'. (Because Uncle Son in Town made a comment years ago - something about "none of your business". Thus the children dubbed the park "the business park".)
When we came home Son in Town and Sweat Pea came over and played. Cousins. They had fun. And I have to say that Lauren is so, so good with little children. I hope that she continues her sweet nature in care taking. Tucker? Well he is still a bit of a bull in a china shop with the little ones.

A good supper of fish sticks, peas, salad, peaches and chocolate chip cookies and the kiddos are happily ensconced in front of the TV. Ahh. Baths are about to commence. Bed time can't be far off.

I am thankful I can say that it has been a good day. There have been melt downs. I am thankful they didn't last.

Pinch hitters.

Today I am thankful for Mr. Macho and our sons who are going to bat for Daughter. She is on the emotional roller coaster of moving and in the 9th inning needed some relief. Enter the dad and brothers. Because, isn't that what families do for each other? Show up at a moment's notice when called upon?! You're darn tootin' it is.
So I send a big thank you and shout out to my man and my boys. You are awesome.

Added later...and I am thankful for Out of Town Son's wife. She will probably win the golden lifesaver award, too.

Falling leaves.

Mr. Macho and I raked and mulched leaves this morning. We also burned a pile of sticks in our fire pit. I am thankful that the pile is gone.
I am also thankful that my Dad is feeling slightly better after a not so good morning. I don't know what tomorrow will bring. I am thankful for today.

Mad rush.

The store was crazy with people today. I should know better than do my grocery shopping on a Friday afternoon.
Daughter had a blip in the house buying/selling process today. I would really like to take the previous owners of her new house and shake them 'til their teeth rattle. They were nasty people and left a nasty mess. Professional cleaners are making a valiant effort to clean the disaster.
In the end she will have a wonderful house with so much good space that life will be nicer. Children will have play space in and out of the house. She will have a terrific sun porch to relax on. There will be a good outcome.

I am excited about the possibility of some surprise guests for Thanksgiving. I do hope it works out and they can be here. It will be more like a celebration of thanks with more people.

Since typing the ugliness of the nasty house sellers I am feeling it leave me. The anger that I felt for them.

I am conjuring happy thoughts of a warm new home for Daughter and family. I am thinking of how much fun they will create and all the memories they will make in their new home.

Right now I am thankful for this moment as it fills with peace.

Rats.

Okay. I missed a day. Woof. Was up and running yesterday. Have an order for two crochet hats and was getting busy on them after I finished at the gym in the morning. Carpenters arrived to work on Mr. Macho's shop!! Then in the afternoon I got my cornbread dressing put together for Thanksgiving.
Daughter called and put out and S.O.S. for a babysitter because Merritt is sick.
So, for yesterday I am thankful that my dressing is in the freezer.
For today I am so thankful that I am able to go help. Nanny to the rescue!

Fun day.

Thankful to have some new friends. I enjoyed going to lunch and watching a movie with them this afternoon.

Cha ching!

And the Christmas shopping is officially under way! I bought the first Christmas present today. It was 50% off and I even got free wrapping. Woo. Hoo.
And I bought enough stuff to fill two Christmas shoe boxes.
It fills me with joy to be able to share. I am thankful for sharing opportunities.

Quick day.

Where did the day go? After church we had little time to relax. Mr. Macho grilled some chicken and I cooked the veggies. After dinner we drove over to T-Town and shopped at Sam's. Ran into Daughter's real estate agent and had a nice store visit with her. After that we dropped by Daughter's house for a quick visit. Merritt was not feeling well...seems that several of her classmates have RSV. Not a good thing. She will see her doctor in the morning.
Daughter's house is in the throws of the move. Boxes are lined up ready to be hauled to the new house. Next weekend Lauren and Tucker will come over and spend several days with us until the new house has new carpet and is ready for occupation.
***
Today I am thankful that I live in this country. I am free to worship as I like. I am free to travel as I like. I am able to live in comfort. I am safe. Thank you men and women that have served to insure our way of life. God bless all our Veterans. God bless all our soldiers. God bless our country. Amen.

Weekend gratitude.

Thank goodness for Saturdays and sunshine. Separate. And together.

3 things.

Today I am thankful for 3 things.
1. Thankful to be feeling better.
2. Thankful to have had time to work (and almost be finished)  on a baby afghan for an LSU grandmother-to-be.
3. I am thankful for the sound of keys being hung up as Mr. Macho arrived home in this afternoon.

Oh my.

What am I thankful for today? Good question. I am thankful for kleenexes. Cough drops. A good sofa. And the TV channel TLC.
Got a nasty little head cold and am taking the day off.

Test?

This is a test. What will you make of the next four years?
In all things give thanks. Consider this the perfect, God given, opportunity to do something worthwhile and meaningful. Stretch yourself wide. Go beyond your comfort zone to help someone, to do something good and right. Think positive. Be positive. Turn your other cheek. Give thanks that you have been given a very real opportunity to put your faith into action.
Give thanks and go make a difference.

Election day.

I voted. I love my country and I view my duty to vote an honor.
Today I called off our scheduled trip to the coast to visit my parents. Mr. Macho and I have both developed scratchy throats and sniffles. We will not share the germs with Mom and Dad.
After voting I dropped by the Dollar General and picked up some vitamin C, cough drops, Vapo rub, and Alka Seltzer cold tablets. I am thankful for the convenience. Gotta love those Dollar Generals. They are everywhere.

Monday's warm fuzzy.

It was a mostly good weekend. If you subtract the football. Our team lost Friday night. Two more of our teams lost on Saturday. Saturday night we were split in the cheering section. My team won. His team didn't.

Out of Town Son and his sweet wife spent the night with us Saturday night. Yesterday we so enjoyed visiting with them. Son in Town and his wife and Sweet Pea came by after church and it was a good visit with them, too. 

The Minnie Mouse hat was finished and Sweet Pea got to take it home. 

We visited with Daughter on Skype and the Super Carrot is also learning like a sponge right now. She points to her teeth when prompted. With help she finds her nose and hair. She says "dog" and barks softly. She knows a cow says "moo". 

Sweet Pea serenaded us with her renditions of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "The ABC Song" - sung right into the end of a jump rope for her microphone. 

I just know these two girls are going to be great cousins to each other - Sweet Pea and Super Carrot. Peas and Carrots! 

***

I am so very thankful for my children. I am so proud of each of them. They color my world. 

New digs.

Today I am thankful for decisions made. I have been riding on Daughter's roller coaster ride = making a decision on buying a new house. The deal is made. In a few weeks they will be moving. Relief washes over me.

Ahhh. Saturday.

Slow wake up. Change of pace.
Visits with my offspring.
Football games.
Many reasons to be grateful.
Dear God, Thank you for inventing Saturdays.

Day #2.

Mr. Macho. I am thankful for him. As I set the table for breakfast this morning I could hear him whistle while he was gathering the trash to take out. At table we are at ease whether silent or chatting. 35 years and I still like him. Most days. But always am thankful that it is him I wake up next to.

November?!

It has been a fun year of blogging. Daughter challenged me last year. In keeping with the seasonal theme of thanksgiving, she dared me to blog my gratitude every day during the month. And so. I did. I have returned the favor and given her the same challenge this year.
My first gratitude blog for this year...
Today I am thankful for warm things. A warm bed. A warm robe. A warm cup of coffee. I can't explain why, but I have consciously chosen not to turn on our heat, yet. The house has been in the mid to low 60's in the mornings this week. So the warmth of the bed, and the robe, and the coffee feel extra nice in the chilly house.
What is making you feel all good and warm today?