my first 30 DAYS OF THANKS!

This year, I'm gonna do it!

Every year I read other people post things that they are thankful for and I think, "What a great idea!  I need to do that!"  Not that I am under the assumption that anyone else cares, but what a great way to focus of giving thanks!  After all...I AM One Lucky (Heart) Girl!!!
But then....well, it's usually 5 or more days into the month and I come up with some "excuse" that I'm already behind and I should totally remember it for next year.  Do I?  Ha!  Remembering something a few hours later is hard enough!  Remembering something over 300 hundred days later?  Not gonna happen.
You might be thinking...Well, it looks like you remembered this year!  But I didn't.  I just saw a post this morning and was reminded AGAIN!  And look...I am only a day behind!  I can totally do this!  Perhaps I can inspire some of you to join me and give thanks each day as well.  With all of that being said, let's pretend that it's November 1st.

Giving Thanks DAY 1:  

I am truly thankful for the job offer that my husband received TODAY!  What a blessing in so many ways!  Listening to the joy in his voice as bespoke to his new boss on the phone made my heart happy!

DAY 2:

I am thankful that I am able to wake up to such happy dogs who share unconditional love for us.  Their wiggly butts as they greet us with pure joy and their happy puppy kisses on our face remind us that each day is a new day with new a clean slate.  A day to be excited & wag about!  Even if the day ahead doesn't look so great, it's still another day we have been given...here together!

DAY 3:

Technically I'm late...but since I just changed all the clocks in our house before going to bed, all my clocks say it's 11:330pm (still the 3rd day of November).  My guilt got to me and I had to post before heading to sleep.  And, as my husband pointed out, I was already thankful for today's topic.  Today, I am ever so grateful for the time that I have been able to spend with him (my husband) throughout the past 2 years.  We have both been working from home and have been able to do lunch together, stop for coffee breaks, see a matinee, run errands together in the middle of the day etc.  Spending today, Saturday, wandering around town with him made me stop and think about how lucky we have been!  As of this coming Monday things will change...for the better I assume, because he starts his new job.  Woooo hooooo!!!!  That means I will cherish our weekends together even more!

DAY 4:

For I am thankful for texting.  Sounds pretty shallow, BUT it has really helped me stay in touch with Mom.  She and Mike have been busy working in Canada for weeks at a time, with a week vacationing in California.  With the time difference between here on the East Coast, Canada, and California it could have been more difficult to stay in touch!  Luckily, through texting we were able to send updates about the weather, Superstorm Sandy, great meals that make us think of each other, CA sunsets and shared old memories, travels updates, flight info, etc.  Mom and I sent texts to each other today that made me feel like she was right around the corner, not another country away!  I'm not always huge fan of technology...but today I am!  Love you Mom!

DAY 5:

 Every night before falling asleep, my husband and I say "High-Low."  For those of you have seen the 1999 mobie "The Story of Us" (staring staring Bruce Willis & Michelle Pfeiffer) you know what I am talking about.  Those of you who haven't seen it (shame on you...everyone in a relationship should see it), High-Low is a time when you share your High/best part of your day and your Low/worst part of your day.  We have been sharing our High-Low nightly for over a decade now.  Thank you Rob Reiner for directing another great movie!  My point is...that sometimes during High-Low we cheat and say that there was a tie because we just can't pick the one best part of such a great day.  So, we say our top 2 favorite things that happened during the day.  WELL...today, I have a tie for 2 things I am thankful for!  (1) I woke up to two messages from dear friends saying that they were thinking of Rob and his 1st day at his new job.  I was surprised and touched!  Thank you, Jennifer & Heather, for making me smile and feel loved!  I am thankful to have you both in my life!!!  (2) I am so thankful that Rob is having a really good 1st day!  He isn't home yet, so I don't have the final verdict, but based on messages throughout the day he is happy and blessed!!!

DAY 6:

Today, Election Day, I am thankful to live in a country where I am free to vote, free to speak my opinion, free to choose my religion, and where I have the right to enjoy many other freedoms! 

“Freedom is the last, best hope of earth.”  - Abraham Lincoln

DAY 7:

I am so grateful that I am able to take Uli to his BARKS Reading program every Wednesday.  Having hm certified for Pet Therapy was one of the best things that I have taken the time to do.  Seeing the smile on the children's face when they walk in the room and see Uli wagging his tail is priceless!  And hearing a student, who struggles with and dislikes reading, ask us, "Can we read?"  WOW!  Uli is making a difference in these children's lives!  I am proud dog mom today!