Another friend did this on her blog and LOVED the idea (thanks Loretta!)...a few of ours are similar. I am so BLESSED and I have MUCH to be THANKFUL for. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday...a day to remember to give thanks! Enjoy and think what YOU are thankful for today!
The A, B, C's of Thanks
(things I am thankful for, in alphabetical order)
A-Art...drawing, crafts, sewing, cooking...art is expressions of ourselves.
B-Books...Love all kinds--fiction, non-fiction, bio, medical, picture books, children's, poems, plays. Thankful to have access to so many great books...especially thankful for THE book...the BIBLE
C-Camera...one of my dearest possessions! To record memories, special moments and be creative and express myself...I have always LOVED taking pictures.
D-Dark Chocolate...proof God loves me! :o) Choc makes everything better AND dark choc is good for ya!
E-Electricity...makes my front loader washer run, dryer, computer, printer, dishwasher, music, stove, lights...don't forget a/c in humid summer. Blessed indeed to have electricity for so many wonderful things!!
F-Family...one handsome, hardworking hubby and soon to be 9 children beautiful inside and out. So thankful for my many blessings!
G-GOD...without HIM we'd have NOTHING, zero, zilch!! Thankful for all He has created and all He has blessed us with...He really is first in my thanks, but G is the 7th letter :o)
H-House...roof over our heads, real house that won't blow away w/wind, a LOT more room than we used to have and NO brown recluse spiders!!
I-Internet...my window to my friends and an aid in our schooling, business, ministry, homemaking and my continuing education, plus fun w/blogging and FB...instant connection w/friends/family...priceless!
J-Jesus...thankful for his sacrifice on the cross so that I can one day be in Heaven...not on my own, but because Jesus paid a debt I could not pay...
K-Kindred Spirits...where would I be w/o you?!?!? WHO would I be w/o you?!?!? I am so thankful for all the kindred spirits God has placed in my life over the years...dear friends that KNOW me and still love me, encourage me and accept me for who I am and we hold each other accountable...you know who you are!
L-Laughter...necessity...healing...soothing. I have finally learned after many children and many "accidents" it's better to just laugh and go on...less wrinkles and it makes your day go MUCH better! :o)
M-Music...love music...listening, playing, singing...I FEEL music...the words, the notes...just love music.
N-Nature...the beauty, the sense of peace surrounded by nature, little creeks, sun warming your face, snow falling down, leaves changing colors, garden growing, rain, rainbows, tadpoles to frogs. God created so many wonderful things in nature to enjoy. He also gave us herbs to heal, and food to harvest.
O-Outdoors...tied to last one...sometimes I want to just sit outdoors and just be still...I also love camping, hiking, walking, exploring, horseback riding, canoeing, swimming...all things you do outdoors.
P-Pets...love our furry family members! EVERY ONE of our cats and dogs have killed multiple rodents and one of our dogs killed a copperhead in our yard this year!!! Not only are they great companions...they earn their keep!
Q-Quiet...essential need to find moments of quiet, to reconnect with God and refresh myself, to have quiet to THINK...needed so I can have that peace later in the midst of storms.
R-Riddles...puzzles...brain teasers...sudoku...crosswords...FUN!! I just LOVE riddles... plus keeps "the little grey cells" working. One reason I LOVE mysteries, something to solve...
S-Sibling(s)...for me that was my little...SISTER...I am so thankful for my one and only sister! I love YOU!! I enjoy watching our children as they develop their sibling bonds!!! I'm also thankful for my sisters (and brothers) in CHRIST!
T-Tea...good ol' Southern SWEET iced tea...and also herbal tea and tea cups and little sandwiches or cookies especially with my girls. MMMMMMM...good times...tea parties are for all ages!
U-United States of America...our country has it's problems but I am still thankful to be born in the USA, to live here in freedom, to have the freedom to vote...thankful to our founding fathers and the heritage they left and pray we return to our roots, to the original design...soon!
V-Vehicles...amazing how not having one to drive for a week changes your perspective LOL! Makes me realize just how important and thankful we should be for this huge BLESSING to drive to so many places as needed...doctor appts, store, field trips, worship, family, park, library!
W-Water...thankful for water at the turn of the faucet. After 2 winters in a row with one week each time of no elec or water (have a well) you REALLY appreciate water from the tap...plus no issues here of well going dry! Another thing to be thankful for indeed! Abundance of CLEAN good water!
X-Xerox...copies from my printer/copier...thankful for this little tool here at home with schooling, business, bills, charts, recipes, and more!
Y-Young children (Youth)...their energy, their innocence, their fun-filled play, their intensity, their quickness to forgive and forget, their joy in the simplest of things. So many lessons learned from watching and teaching children.
Z-Zion, another name for HEAVEN...thankful for our real home God has prepared for us! While I love my family and home here, I am not fearful of death and look forward to Heaven and reuniting w/Christian family.
Now it's YOUR turn...what's your A, B, C list of things to be thankful for? If you facebook it or if you blog it share it! Love to see what you all come up with.
God is good...ALL the time! He works all things together for good. Love ya!
Blessings and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
45 Things To Do Before 45
I love lists, but my follow through?? Well, no, not always done, but I LOVE lists! LOL! Got this list idea from an IRL (In Real Life) local friend who also blogs...Wendy is fun, spunky, creative, and oh, so much younger than I! Her list was 35 Things Before 35 Anyway, I loved her list and sparked some ideas as I too had a list running in my head and they say if you don't write it down and set goals...it won't get done. Of course putting it out in blog world makes it a bit more um, permanent! LOL!
I originally wrote my list in a notebook this summer of 40 things I wanted to accomplish before my 40th birthday, which is in April of 2011. A short while after writing this down before I started this blog, I found out I was expecting our 9th child! Well, first trimester nausea and being preggy soooooo changes a few things...so I changed end date to 45th birthday (2016) and I added 5 more entries, but still aiming for MOST of these to be accomplished before 45!! I have totally done #6 already!! :o) I stole the last entry...to give myself grace...from Wendy. I just loved that reminder that these are goals and not to sweat what I don't finish. Just do what I can....so here we go...red notes to the side are ones that are DONE or in the process of being finished! #1-39 are the orig list...40-44 are the new ones added.
I originally wrote my list in a notebook this summer of 40 things I wanted to accomplish before my 40th birthday, which is in April of 2011. A short while after writing this down before I started this blog, I found out I was expecting our 9th child! Well, first trimester nausea and being preggy soooooo changes a few things...so I changed end date to 45th birthday (2016) and I added 5 more entries, but still aiming for MOST of these to be accomplished before 45!! I have totally done #6 already!! :o) I stole the last entry...to give myself grace...from Wendy. I just loved that reminder that these are goals and not to sweat what I don't finish. Just do what I can....so here we go...red notes to the side are ones that are DONE or in the process of being finished! #1-39 are the orig list...40-44 are the new ones added.
- Run a 5K or at least fast walk it--I really prefer to fast walk over running and better on your knees.
- Cake decorating class via DVD or local class with my Bonnie (she LOVES to cook)
- Start a garden...for real...finally
- Potty train Angus and be a diaper/pull-up free household for 1st time in over 14 yrs [part way done on this one!!]
- Ride a horse again! I so miss it...at least once or twice but have to wait now that I'm preggy
Start a blog---DONE!!- Write something every day [almost do this...almost...]
- Write at least one book
- Sew aprons
- Make more of our own clothes...skirts, dresses
- Go canoeing
- Go tent camping as a family...half of our dc have never been
- Teach piano--hope to eventually do this for pay [have started teaching my own!]
- Set up sewing area...do more sewing and creating
- Sell some of my/our creations
- Get back into my favorite jeans [cue in manic laughing...um, will have to wait now til WAY after 40th and baby's birth!]
- Set up clothesline outside to use when allergens not bad...I actually miss it in GOOD weather, and will help on our elec bill!!!!
- Read Bible through
- Memorize new scripture verses
- Paint my bedroom
- Paint girls' room
- Emergency food storage...we live out in the country and after two yrs in a row of a week w/o electric and water this is very important!! [started...]
- Set up game night
- Help raise awareness for adoption and the need for those in foster care...hoping someday to foster or adopt
- Visit nursing home...make goodies to take and share
- Take crew to Discovery Museum
- Go rock climbing @ the Lewis' and Clark store--yep, that one will have to wait a while LOL!
- Set up workboxes [finishing this one...rough first trimester pushed this one back a bit!]
- Menu plans
- Stock new-to-us freezer w/cooked meals and dessert (even MORE important w/baby on the way, but decided to wait to totally stock until March...see #22...I don't want to lose my food this winter!)
- Write more REAL letters (especially to our children)
- Go to the aquarium in Jenks...planning a winter field trip...fun!
- Work on sign language
- Learn to make a pie crust from scratch
- Read fiction books...at least 2 or 3 just for fun...just for me, not school related...miss that!!
- Get more bikes and ride as a family
- Go geocaching
- Complete a BIG jigsaw puzzle as a family...haven't done that in YEARS!
- Jump out of an airplane...tandem w/a pro...for my 40th birthday [my mom was THRILLED when I told her THIS one wasn't gonna happen cause I was preggy...I'll just move it to 45th or 50th bday now!]
- Go back to my Nourishing Traditions recipes, healthy, natural, REAL foods as much as possible.
- Work on my photography skills, improve, learn, strive to do more. Would love to get a more professional camera...dreaming now...
- Learn more about natural healing w/herbs, homeopathy and essential oils, restock my natural first aid kit.
- Teach other moms about breastfeeding, child birth and newborn care
- Go fly a kite more :o) Reminder to self to not take all things seriously and remember to take the time to just go out and be a child again and have fun while my children are still young!!
- Give myself grace if I don't get all the things on my list checked off.
What about you? Do you have any lists or goals to work on? If so, share a link below in comments!
Blessings and Memories from MaMarie
Sorry, it's been awhile. Had that lovely first trimester nausea going strong and for me it's never just morning, it's ALL the time, and add to that drop down exhaustion...probably due to slightly advanced age <cough> and number of small children I have to get to chase after :o) I decided to use the wisdom of my years and slept/rested a lot. Feeling MUCH better now and ready to post more. FINALLY got some of my pictures loaded to computer so hang on there will be several posts coming next few days.
My dear grandma that my children named MaMarie, passed away March 2010. I was to get the piano that orig was in her house and then in ours growing up. My sister got the one that they later moved in their house from Grandpa's homeplace. Anyway, this July, my folks rented a U-Haul and brought down the piano and lots of other things including a NICE freezer, a gazillion canning jars, and well, you'll see the rest below :o) Not all are little things, but it's little things like inheriting special items that belonged to those we love that make me SMILE. Several items were NEEDED items and we were blessed to not have to buy them. Enjoy!
My dear grandma that my children named MaMarie, passed away March 2010. I was to get the piano that orig was in her house and then in ours growing up. My sister got the one that they later moved in their house from Grandpa's homeplace. Anyway, this July, my folks rented a U-Haul and brought down the piano and lots of other things including a NICE freezer, a gazillion canning jars, and well, you'll see the rest below :o) Not all are little things, but it's little things like inheriting special items that belonged to those we love that make me SMILE. Several items were NEEDED items and we were blessed to not have to buy them. Enjoy!
From l to r...friend of nephew, my dad, my hubby, his nephew and brother looking over our VERY heavy Amish-built wood cookstove. They finally moved it into our garage (um, storage). Hoping to get it set up inside soon for heat, not only is it great to heat the house and cook on top of stove, but we will be able to bake and heat hot water as well.
Happy girls!! My older girls and I have been anxiously awaiting this day!! I enjoy the sound of my children playing on the piano during the day... Love that they are learning how to play piano on the same piano *I* learned how to play. A-M still remembered her song she composed when she stayed down there to help. The flower picture is of July flowers...my grandparents anniv was July 1and was an anniv gift. Our anniv is July 11. Very special to now have that picture!
A "Ben Dawdy original"! Hubby drew this in high school and my uncle who used to frame pictures for a living framed it. Thought it looked good next to piano! Isn't he talented??
One year, when they were first having health issues we found a GREAT deal on these recliners and Hubby decided to bless my grandparents at Christmas...they LOVED these chairs and was such a help those last yrs for them. Now we are blessed with them and just in time, we needed these.
SHHHH....baby boy sleeping...so sweet and quiet when they sleep :o)
Grandma's Singer Sewing machine--built-in cabinet and stool
Old sewing notions from the little pull out drawers. I want to put them in a shadow box for display.
Sewn many times on this machine. THRILLED to have this!! Still works great--back when Singers were made to last!
Almost brand new set of dishes that we SO needed! Set of 12 dinner plates, bowls, dessert plates and mugs!
Perfect for our family of 10, soon to be 11...
Forgot what this is called, but used to mash cooked apples to make applesauce or cooked tomatoes for sauce. Love older kitchen tools. Been in family a long time...
LOVE flowers--some I got marked down--microwave they brought for us in the background...it never worked after it was moved though--LOL! Oh, well, at least it worked for Grandma!!
MaMarie's wedding set. Isn't it beautiful?!?!? My Grandpa worked so hard in the Depression to buy this diamond set for his bride...but she stopped wearing her rings as they were worn paper thin in the back about to break. In fact, I didn't even know she had a REAL wedding set, only saw her wear a plain gold band. I was in high school before I knew!! I vowed the day she showed it to me, that one day I would see her wear it again. The romantic in me couldn't stand the thought of her not wearing her wedding rings.
One fall after Ben and I were married (before children), I secretly "stole" her ring--with PaJohn's knowledge and blessing :o) and took it to LR to her nephew, a former jeweler. He made my wedding set and my mom's. With threats of bodily harm if he changed the style at all, I left the ring in his care. He did a wonderful job!
Our best Christmas ever, last gift opened and we videotaped it--she was so happy and so emotional when she saw her rings! Grandpa put it back on her hand and she wore it the rest of her days. For the last 10+ yrs of her life! After Anna-Marie was born (her namesake and the 4th generation of firstborn females on that side)...MaMarie told me she wanted her to have the rings after she was gone. A-M didn't find out until after the funeral. I wore it for awhile in their memory. They were married almost 70 yrs!! My parents for over 40 yrs now...I come from a Long Line of Love! Now, they're safely stored in the orig box...waiting for A-M.
Briar's cat, Patches, wore herself out from the full time job of inspecting the new things moved in and all the extra people in the house. After everyone else left, she crashed out on one of our new items...my comfy computer chair. They had used a set of these swivel chairs w/rollers for the dining table.
Grandma's kitchen before we finished packing it all up a few weeks later. To the right of the sink is a GREAT built-in feature I want someday...under the white cutting board (to right of the coke cans) there is a cut out in the counter, lined w/laminate for compost items! Better than a disposal--just toss items thru the opening into the pail below. Pail sits in a drawer that pulls out. Easy, clean, and practical way to compost...LOVE it!
I always loved their hardwood floors and this door to the bedrooms and bathroom.
Memories...
Down in the basement....just some of the many glass jars that I ended up with...did I mention they used to garden and then can?? I remember those canning days! I used to snap a LOT of green beans LOL!
I always thought this old gas cook stove in the basement was neat.
Meet Mr. Tux--Grandma's cat. He wouldn't stay at Dad and Mom's, he kept walking back, but the new renters did not want him. Being the softie I am, he came home with us...after living outdoors all his life, he is LOVING the indoor life!!
His favorite place is to sit in my lap while I'm at the computer!! In fact, that is where he is right now! LOL! He loves to sit and read with me! :o) I love being claimed by a cat again!! I love our doggies, but I will always be a cat lover at heart!!
That's all for now...I finally figured out how to post pictures and have the captions like I wanted...took me off and on all day...still learning...LOL!! Think I have it finally fixed!
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| Grandparent's old record player/stereo unit. We listened to Sound of Music that night!! |
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Perfect for our family of 10, soon to be 11...
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One fall after Ben and I were married (before children), I secretly "stole" her ring--with PaJohn's knowledge and blessing :o) and took it to LR to her nephew, a former jeweler. He made my wedding set and my mom's. With threats of bodily harm if he changed the style at all, I left the ring in his care. He did a wonderful job!
Our best Christmas ever, last gift opened and we videotaped it--she was so happy and so emotional when she saw her rings! Grandpa put it back on her hand and she wore it the rest of her days. For the last 10+ yrs of her life! After Anna-Marie was born (her namesake and the 4th generation of firstborn females on that side)...MaMarie told me she wanted her to have the rings after she was gone. A-M didn't find out until after the funeral. I wore it for awhile in their memory. They were married almost 70 yrs!! My parents for over 40 yrs now...I come from a Long Line of Love! Now, they're safely stored in the orig box...waiting for A-M.
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Memories...
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That's all for now...I finally figured out how to post pictures and have the captions like I wanted...took me off and on all day...still learning...LOL!! Think I have it finally fixed!
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