Starting to think about the New Year.  Need to make a lot of changes, and remove as much negativity and stress from my life as I can.  If everyone in the world practiced gratitude, I wonder what the world would look like?

Blessings

1. My 53 year old body that doesn't hurt anywhere or have any disease.
2. My memories of raising my little men into big ones.  It was such a treasure and a gift to have those years.
3. For the positive and physical energy I will have in 2012.
4 For all the unsung heroes in my life...the baristas who start work at 5:30 so I can have a great cup of coffee at  six AM.  The checkout ladies who come to work even though they don't feel well so I can get my groceries before work.  The librarians who are always smiling when I come to request books.  The Asian lady who owns the drycleaner who is always pleasant even though she is always FREEZING (even in July!)
These are the people who make my life in Melrose a little bit brighter everyday and for that I say, "THANK YOU!"
5. For my God who has never, ever dropped my, even in my darkest hour.

We are blessed.

Family Christmas on Dad's side today.  We are so blessed to have some of the most beautiful, funny, bright, loving your adults in this family.  Each one is a rock star of a human being in their own way, and I am blessed to lnow them all.

Gratitude

1. For the Next Generation of our family.  How wonderful they are
2. That my son found someone to spend his life with.
3, For sleep, precious sleep.
4 For the challenge of next year.  I will learn things about myself, and I will stretch and grow because I will have to.  2012 will be ONE DAY AT A TIME.
5 For the privilege of still having my parents with me for Christmas, thank you God.

Getting in the spirit!

Starting to get into the holiday spirit.  We put up the tree last weekend, cupcakes made and ready for frosting tomorrow, Richard party on Sunday, Abfab tomorrow night.  Life is good.

Gratitude
1. Firemen
2. My Melrose friends
3. The peppermint candle I am smelling right now.
4. The gorgeous blazer I found in a consignment store today,
4. My life, at 53!!!

eh.

There are days when you can only be grateful for the fact that you are alive.  This is one of them.  Not feeling positive, happy, content, any of those things today.

Just a day to get through.

The gratitude here is that I am not in a hospital with one of my family members tonight, like some poor moms are.  The gratitude is that I am not in a shelter, trying to figure out how to get a roof over my babies head tonite.

The gratitude is that you can ALWAYS start again.  No matter how many times you fail.  Every day brings a new opportunity to get it right,  To go further down the path of peace and contentment.  To banish jealousy, to banish negativity, to live consciously and to live in the moment.  To want the best for all, and for myself, and to believe we deserve it. 

God is good, and on days like this, God is enough.

Just another Manic Monday.

Starting to think about New Years resolutions.  Normally, I don't really do them, but this year, I think I am in a place where I can try,because I am finally mature enough and receptive enough to look at my life and see what needs to be changed.  I need to be less judgemental, more positive, and thank my God every day for the privilege of walking this beautiful earth.  And I need to "let GO".  Hourly, daily and weekly.  Just let it go.  Purge the negative, judgemental, worrisome thoughts and just live in the very moment.  Aside from that, the Xmas season is in full maniac swing and I am behind in the gift buying olympics!

A tall order, but the right one. 

Gratitude.

1. My friends, a collection from all walks of life.

2. People who admit they are flawed but get up and keep trying!

3. The season of reflection, a time to go inward and try to always improve.

4. Sales people that are helpful and smilling, even though the holdiay rush is upon us, and people can be mean!

5. My husband, who taught me how to always try to be better by example.

Weekends!

Yesterday was a spectator kind of day.  First, watched the Assault on Mt. Hood that my husband ran in.  Lots of friends there to cheer on.  Next, my sons very first indoor track meet.  Meet my cousin who's son runs for the opposing team.  Nice to reconnect with close relatives.

Finally, the Republican debate last night.  Many good candidates this time around, anyone better than the siting president.

Today, met my friend who works at America's Test Kitchen for coffee.  She gifted me with many of their cookbooks for Christmas!  Friends in high places!!

Should be a good holiday season this year.

Gratitude.

1. That my week long headache is finally gone.

2. For the kindness of strangers, always.

3. For the opportunity to make new friends and to be the stranger who is kind~

4. For paitence, which comes in very handy when the kids are home.

5. For the fireplace I will be sitting in front of tonite, as I enjoy a martini made from Blood Orange Liquor, from Sicily, while I smell the newly cut Christmas tree!  Heaven!

Finally Friday

Beautiful Christmas tree purchased tonite.  Ed and I worked together to decorate it nicely. He leaves to get something to eat, I take a bathroom break and CRASH......It all comes tumblin down!

Lfie is like that.  But it's what you do when it crashes.  I just picked it up, cleaned all the broken glass, and adopted my best Scarlett O'Hara....I'll deal with that tomorrow...tomorrow is another day.  And then I had a martini and went to bed!  : )

Gratitude
1. Pomegranite cosmopolitans
2. A chance for "another day".
3. It's Friday!
4. Cupcakes.
5. Old Friends.