1000 Gifts - Part Six

This is part six of my own journey to list my 1000 gifts; blessings to be thankful for every day. 

It really does make a difference in my outlook when I realize how much splendor surrounds me on a daily basis.  There are so many things to be thankful for…all the little things that make me smile.

My mission is based on a book by Ann Voskamp titled One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. I plan to complete this journey by June 3o, 2013. Should you also feel inspired to remind yourself of all the things you have been blessed with (things that make you smile every day), please join me.

And so my 1000 Gifts journey continues... 

One Thousand gifts I have been blessed with Part Six:

121.   A day spent with girlfriends at the Marist Craft Festival
122.   Helping Ella secretly shop for her Mom's Christmas Gift
123.   Warm corn chowder on a chilly day
124.   New creative inspiration and motivation after the craft show
125.   Attending the Bone Garden Cantina Day of the Dead celebration
126.   Receiving a sugar skull made by Cory
127.   Playing with Stout, the beautiful German Shepard puppy. All teeth and paws!
128.   Being invited to a dinner party at Debbie's house.
129.   Fellowship with my best friends
130.   Warm apple cobbler with ice cream
131.   Rescuing a toddlers table and chairs made in the 50's from the trash heap. 
132.   Fuzzy slippers on a cold Monday morning  
133.   The freedom to vote for leadership of this country
134.   The staff at Bone Garden Cantina who always make us feel welcome
135.   Being able to give the gift of reading/books to our oldest Granddaughters
136.   Having a shopping budget that we can manage for the holidays
137.   Finding the perfect gift at 50% off...woohoo
138.   Giving the tools needed to succeed at school
139.   Seeing Bulldog puppy Winston out for his morning walk in a new plaid coat 
140.   Knowing that after the messy construction our front porch will be level and safe
141.   Earplugs to block the jack hammer noise

142.   Plans for our winter road trip to Indiana
143.   Working on handmade gifts for Christmas
144.   Time to prepare blog posts for the busy weeks ahead
145.   His and Hers Closets
146.   Realizing that I'm not sniffling today, knowing the head cold is gone.
147.   A quiet week at work due to the upcoming holiday
148.   Five days off work in a row!!!
149.   Thanksgiving day spent in jammies beacuse the kids are going to "her" house
150.   Seeing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV. I love the giant ballons
151.   Knowing that my handwritten letters will be delivered to military personnel today 
152.   Helping cook Brunch for a crowd
153.   The smell of bacon in the smoker
154.   Hugs from the grandkids
155.   Puzzles to occupy the little ones so they stay out from under foot in the kitchen
156.   Fuzzy throw blanket and cozy couch in the keeping room
157.   New coat to keep the chill out
158.   The first snowflakes
159.   Four wheel drive
160.   Kitty litter in the trunk...just in case.
Too be continued….

1000 Gifts - Part Five

This is part five of my own journey to list my 1000 gifts; blessings to be thankful for every day. 

It really does make a difference in my outlook when I realize how much splendor surrounds me on a daily basis.  There are so many things to be thankful for…all the little things that make me smile.

My mission is based on a book by Ann Voskamp titled One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. I plan to complete this journey by June 3o, 2013. Should you also feel inspired to remind yourself of all the things you have been blessed with (things that make you smile every day), please join me.

And so my 1000 Gifts journey continues... 

One Thousand gifts I have been blessed with Part Five:

80.   Dinner at Bone Garden - love the cheese dip!
81.   Being able to stay in jammies all day on Saturday until our date night
82.   Hot rollers that actually stay in my hair instead of sliding out before set
83.   A special night out for our anniversary at Bacchanalia
84.   Roasted beets with goats cheese and pumpkin seeds
85.   The most amazing selection of artisan cheese for a cheese coarse at dinner
86.   Warm gooey chocolate cake with mint ice cream
87.   The car right outside the door when it's raining
88.   A clean kitchen sink
89.   An invitation to a fun pig roast at our favorite place
80.   Knowing the Bourbon we tasted has been made by the same family since the '20s. 
91.   Having the opportunity to meet the chefs, farmer, and the brewer of our meal
92.   Meeting new friends in an unexpected place
93.   Getting a little kitty love from the social  butterfly neighborhood cat
94.   Fun decorating for Halloween 

95.   Being able to buy the "Good" candy for trick-or-treaters
96.   Seeing colorful pansies in the porch containers, a sure sign of fall in Georgia
97.   Getting an unscheduled break this morning because of the fire drill
98.   Finding dollar bills in the fall jacket that I haven't worn for a year
99.   Watching the kid's Halloween parade at work, so cute!
100.  Seeing the rolling cribs filled with babies in animal costumes on parade; it was like the Ringling Brothers main street parade only much sweeter, baby elephants, baby lions, baby monkeys, and babies in every other animal costume you can think of......
101.  Having our own daycare right here at work; wonderfully convenient for families.
102.  Mini BabyRuth bars
103.  A visit at my desk from the cutest little girl in a lady bug costume
104.  No more conference calls this week!
105.  Project timeline on track for my construction project
106.  The end of the day and it's Friday.
107.   An emergency flashlight that goes on when the power goes off
108.  No trees down in our neighborhood after the storm passed
109.  Quick power restoration after the storm
110.  No family or friends in danger (so far), most of my family lives in the Lake Michigan area which is still under storm watch and flood warning due to Hurricane Sandy.
111.  My cozy throw blanket to keep the drafts away
112.  Seeing the little red fox and knowing that she survived the flooding near her den
113.  Finding that lost sock from our last camping trip, it's my favorite pair, so warm
114.  Tuna Tacos at our favorite Cantina
115.  Carving a great pumpkin
116.  Handing out candy in our neighborhood; it is known for it's Halloween decor/celebration; car loads of kids arrive from all over the city.
117.  Gazing at the full moon and wondering how many others are gazing at it too
118.  Reminiscing about the childhood costumes that I sewed by hand; I was unusually tall for my age so I had to make my costumes so they would be long enough.
119.  Sick-day spent relaxing on the couch.
120.  Puffs with lotion...aahhh....
Too be continued….

1000 Gifts - Part Four

This is part four of my own journey to list my 1000 gifts; blessings to be thankful for every day.

It really does make a difference in my outlook when I realize how much splendor surrounds me on a daily basis.  There are so many things to be thankful for…all the little things that make me smile.

My mission is based on a book by Ann Voskamp titled One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. I plan to complete this journey by June 3o, 2013. Should you also feel inspired to remind yourself of all the things you have been blessed with (things that make you smile every day), please join me.

And so my 1000 Gifts journey continues...

One Thousand gifts I have been blessed with Part Four:
60.  Snuggling with my sweetie before the alarm clock sounds

61.  Biscoff cookies to take to work

62.  Finally a reduction in the swelling from my broken ankle

63.  A new keyboard that doesn't have the letters rubbed off

64.  Seeing the first Pumpkins at the grocery store

65.  Second in line upon arrival at the post office (very rare indeed)

66.  An email from a friend who moved to Mexico

67.  The mailbox full of Fall catalogs

68.  Seeing a little boys excitement when the volcano erupted at the Hibachi Grill

69.  Driving the scenic route home, not having to take the highway

70.  The smell of freshly baked bagels

71.  Being able to walk down the stairs normally; not step-hop, step-hop

72.  Knowing that it's date night, something to look forward to during my day

73.  Five o'clock on Friday...WooHoo!

74.  Zero aaggravation or stress at the dealership ( I love CarMax) 

75.  Knowing that my Husband will be safer on the highway in his new car

76.  Discovering a little independent BBQ restaurant with amazing pulled pork.

77.  Having Chef Hall (Local Three) make me a special short ribs plate "just because"

78.  The ease of finding the perfect outfit for work the day after laundry day

79.  Easing into Monday at the office before everyone else arrives

Too be continued….

1000 Gifts - Part Three

This is part three of my own journey to list my 1000 gifts; blessings to be thankful for every day.

It really does make a difference in my outlook when I realize how much splendor surrounds me on a daily basis. Whether it's a morning stroll, the sound of my sweetie arriving, or the leafs turning, there are so many things to be thankful for…all the little things that make me smile.

My mission is based on a book by Ann Voskamp titled One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. I plan to complete this journey by June 3o, 2013. Should you also feel inspired to remind yourself of all the things you have been blessed with (things that make you smile every day), please join me. Add a comment to this post and let me know you’re onboard; I'd love to read about your gifts too.

And so my 1000 Gifts journey continues...

One Thousand gifts I have been blessed with Part Three:

39.  Surprising a co-worker with a special award
40.  Meeting someone you've only spoken to on the phone
41.  A sqeaky clean bathroom
42.  Cooler weather in Atlanta (finally)
43.  A front porch with rockers to enjoy the cooler weather
44.  Marshmellow peeps shaped like Pumpkins
45.  My desk calender that transports me to Greece via photos
46.  Having a full tank of gas to go where I need to go
47.  Finding out that my eyes are in great shape with little change in prescription

48.  Picking out eye glasses just because I want a new pair
49.  Receiving an email from my Sweetie just to say Hi
50.  Putting my favorite quilt on the bed because it's 'chilly'
51.  A purchase in my Etsy shop
52.  The first turning leaf on the oak tree outside the kitchen window
53.  Having my Sweetie at my side when I said goodbye to my beloved cat Beau, RIP
54.  Paws, Whiskers, and Wags making saying goodbye a tiny bit easier
55.  Knowing that I’m loved when I’m having a really bad day

56.  Getting an unexpected $$ bonus at work
57.  Totally disrupting "puppy training" and getting puppy kisses at Petsmart
58.  Count down to Bacchanalia night, my favorite dining spot ever!
59.  Shopping (enough said) :)

  

Too be continued….

1000 Gifts – Part Two

This is part two of my own journey to list my 1000 gifts; blessings to be thankful for every day.

It really does make a difference in my outlook when I realize how much splendor surrounds me on a daily basis. Whether it's a morning walk in the woods, the sound of my sweetie arriving, or the flowers blooming in our yard, there are so many things to be thankful for…all the little things that make me smile.

My mission is based on a book by Ann Voskamp titled One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. I plan to complete this journey by June 3o, 2013. Should you also feel inspired to remind yourself of all the things you have been blessed with (things that make you smile every day), please join me. Add a comment to this post and let me know you’re onboard; I'd love to read about your gifts too.

And so my 1000 Gifts journey continues...

One Thousand gifts I have been blessed with Part Two:

19.  My Sweetie stopping on the way home from work to get me a chicken pot pie

20.  Receiving the catalog order before the anticipated arrival date

21.  Opening a new bar of oatmeal and honey soap

22.  Sunday Brunch at my favorite spot: Local Three

23.  Braised Short Ribs that slice like butter

24.  Whipped potatoes so scrumptious you go for seconds AND thirds

25.  Fresh cut flowers on the counter in the kitchen

26.  A hand written thank you note in the mail

27.  A new keypad lock so I can’t lock myself out of the house

28.  Hitting the long stop light just right so I can dig around in my purse for lost treasures

29.  Finding money in the pocket of the jeans that I haven’t worn recently

30.  Being trusted by family to research cruise ship vacations to Alaska

31.  Watching “The Bachelorette” (guilty pleasure) from a DVR so I can skip commercials

32. Ear plugs at bedtime

33. An extra purple pen to replace the one that dried-up in the middle of a conference call

34. Reminiscing with a friend about “the old days” and experiences we shared at work

35. Knowing that I’m loved when I’m having a bad day

36. An express elevator trip from the 19th floor to the lobby with zero stops (very rare)

37. Pictures of Puppies Playing

38. Time to read favorite blogs today

  

Too be continued….

1000 Gifts

   This morning while visiting some of the blogs that I enjoy reading, I was intrigued by an older post by Sarah, the author of “fairytales are true”. The post was titled – “1000 gifts”. Sarah was inspired by a book written by Ann Voskamp titled One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. She made the decision to list her own 1000 gifts on her blog. After reading Sarah's blog post and additional lists, I’ve decided to join several charismatic bloggers and embark on my own journey to list “1000 gifts”…

   I too believe that being thankful and appreciative is one of life's greatest challenges and joys. As Sarah put it, “happy people are grateful and grateful people are happy” It really does make a difference when I realize how much splendor surrounds me on a daily basis. Whether it's a morning walk in the woods, the sound of my sweetie arriving, or the flowers blooming in our yard, there are so many things to be thankful for every day. All the little things that make me smile.

   I plan to complete this journey by June 3o, 2013. Should you also feel inspired to remind yourself of all the things you have been blessed with (things that make you smile every day), please join me. Add a comment to this post and let me know you’re onboard; I'd love to read about your gifts too. Also, Sarah tracks and follows the blogs of people who are participating in this journey; send her a note and she’ll add you to her list.

And so my 1000 Gifts journey begins...

One Thousand gifts I have been blessed with:

1. The deep purple hydrangea bush blooming next to our house.
2. The woodpecker tapping out his version of Morse Code on the hardwood tree
3. Seeing the spider before I accidentally walked through his web
4. Watching the grade school students in their matching uniforms walk to school
5. Help moving the heavy boxes from the tenth floor to the ground floor
6. Having a Nook in my purse so I can read at lunch
7. The fabric flowers in a pot on my desk that remind me of Laguna Beach, CA
8. The location of my cube so I can see out the window and have natural light at work.
9. The email with a picture of kittens that my Dad sent
10. Shoes that don’t pinch, rub, or squish my feet
11. Time to think while waiting in the long line of cars exiting the parking garage
12. The air conditioner is working in my car (I live in the deep south)
13. The “song of the trains” down the street from our house
14. Our cat Beau greeting me at the door (he’s elderly and doesn’t do this very often)
15. A friendly greeting from the coffee stand barista
16. A bakery fresh “Everything” bagel
17. Seeing the V formation of geese gliding down to a smooth landing on lawn
18. The elevator doors opening before I push the button

Too be continued….