Update on Giveaways

I am working on giveaways and reviews of both National Geographic Super Readers packs and Xlear Candies/Spry Dental children's toothpaste, and they should be completed in the next few days. Something for YOU to be thankful for...upcoming goodies! :-)

A Month of Gratitude, #14, 15, and 16

Day #14: I am grateful for the beauty of this earth, for the oceans and lakes, ambling rivers, peaceful plains, and majestic mountains.  I am also grateful for the opportunities that I have to enjoy them, through hikes and travel, and so forth.
Day #15: I am grateful for laughter, and those moments where I can make others laugh, or when I get to experience those rare belly laughs that make me teary eyed.
Day #16: I am grateful for two reliable cars. I know that as soon as I write this that one of them will break down because I am a champion at jinxing myself, but I am thankful that I have a dependable mode of transportation to get me and my family everywhere that we need to go.

A Month of Gratitude, #10, 11, 12, and 13

I'm totally not very good at this whole "updating daily" thing.  ;)
I am grateful today for:
-Second chances.  The fact that we can wake up every morning and start anew.  And as someone who makes a lot of mistakes, I really need that gift.
-My job.  I can be frustrated with my work at times, but I still truly love what I do, and I am grateful that I have an employer who works with me and my schedule, allowing me to still spend the days at home with my little ones.
-Good books.  I struggle going to sleep at night these days without the escape of a good read.  When I first received my Master's in English Literature, I went through a spell where I had trouble reading for "fun" instead of for "work."  Luckily, I am past that, and now have 5 hard copy books and 5 e-books I am working through all at one time.
-My friends.  My friends have taught me that family is what you make of it, and that there's more to the concept than simply blood.  I am blessed to have and know them.

A Month of Gratitude, #7 and #8

I have some catching up to do....
I am grateful for my animals.  Although they shed and make me sneeze, and sometimes they drive me bonkers, they also are so wonderfully cuddly, and they are a constant source of unconditional love, my flaws and mistakes and all.
I am also grateful that we live in an area where I have access to bulk food stores, thrift shops, discount grocery stores, active online yard sale sites, inexpensive local produce/farms, local butchers, reasonably priced organic foods, etc.  This area makes it easy to find high quality clothing, furniture, and food for my family at good prices.  And if I cannot find what I need, there are multiple resources an hour in any direction.

Toddler Was Here

A Month of Gratitude, #6

I am grateful today for modern conveniences that make my life easier: the washer and dryer that remove the dirt and grime from my kiddos' clothes (even though I don't know how to fold said laundry), the bread machine that takes the fear out of yeast and rising dough, the stand mixer that preps cake batter while I work on other tasks, the vacuum that removes the pet hair from my carpets and furniture, the heat pump that can cool and heat my home at the touch of a button...I am a spoiled mama.

A Month of Gratitude, #5

Today, I am grateful for fall...pumpkins, the smell of wood burner smoke in the air, hoodies, fallen leaves, seasonal foods, mild weather, hayrides, warm apple cider and hot chocolate...le sigh. :-)

A Month of Gratitude, #4

I am grateful today for a good night's sleep--the ability to rest, recover, and wake up to start afresh another day.  What a wonderful blessing for us all.  Today especially was nice, seeing as we gained an extra hour to our night--I look forward to the "fall back" portion of Daylight Savings Time every year. 

A Month of Gratitude, #3

Today, I am grateful that we live in a society where we have the right to elect members of our government (or to not elect them, as the case may be).  I might disagree with a candidate, even strongly at times, but I am also grateful that we live in a country where I feel we do not have to worry about having another Hitler in power, or someone who is seeking to destroy us as a nation.  Contrary to what some may feel, while I have strong feelings on who will be the best option for us as President, I believe both candidates would be capable of the job, and would do what they felt was best for the country (I just might not agree with it). 

Coming Full Circle

In other entries, I have mentioned the fact that my church counsels its members to have a food storage and to be prepared for those little emergencies and crises that come up along life's path.  I have also mentioned that, in the past, before I understood the value of this advice, that I used to gleefully make fun of the women who became excited over traditional things like storing wheat or making their own bread/flour. 
I have now come full circle...in addition to the seven #10 cans of wheat that we have on our shelves, I just purchased 100 lbs. of wheat, and a few pounds of spelt and rye, and I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new Wondermill so I can make my own whole grain flour (I'm also getting a hand operated mill for Christmas).  (To be fair, once I received the diagnosis of insulin resistance, and was told to avoid commercially processed foods and to eat more whole grains/fiber...and less carbs/sugars/fats...the idea of processing my own flour became appealing, perhaps even necessary.)
So, who's laughing now?  I stand corrected in my views.  :)

A Month of Gratitude #2

Today, I am grateful for my children.  I might get frustrated sometimes, and feel lost as a parent, but they still provide me a joy that nothing else even comes close to.  They warm my heart and soul, make me laugh, teach me how to enjoy the little things in life, and their sweet spirits are an example to me of how to embrace and experience life.  They are my motivation to be a better person, and I am grateful for what they show and teach me every day.  I never realized how much I can learn from little ones.  I love them so much.

A Month of Gratitude: #1

Throughout the month, I will be posting something that I am grateful for each day in November.
Today, I am thankful for the counsel my church gives to keep a food storage and a 72 hour kit. When facing a "super storm" such as Hurricane Sandy, it was a relief to me to know that we would have food, water, and light, should we need them. The counsel is even more important to heed when you have a family that relies on you. So, today, I am grateful for my food storage and emergency preparations.