Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 23 - W

Today's letter is W. I'm thankful for:

• Westerns - my favorite kind of movies I think
• Water - its a resource we take for granted. Have you seen the water that many in Sudan have to sustain on? We wouldn't even let our pets drink that!
• Waffles - they're just little awesome crispy bread pockets waiting for some hot berry syrup to fill them over
• Wood - I love and appreciate craftsmanship in wood products. I love the look and feel of wood and hope to learn, soon, how to repurpose items we otherwise might dispose of
• Writing - it's therapy, a passion and a hobby
• Work ethic - it's not a common thing anymore but I highly admire those with an unwavering work ethic
• Winter - I love the cold - i love sweaters and jeans and warm fuzzy boots. I love my electric blanket and snow!
• Artists and bands like: Wade Hayes, Willie Nelson, Whitesnake,
• Movies like: While You Were Sleeping, When Harry Met Sally, Wallace and Grommit, Wizard of Oz, Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 22 - V

Today's letter is V. I'm thankful for:

• Vacuum cleaners (that really SUCK -- in a good way! - My Dyson rules!)
• Validation - everyone likes to feel validated for a job well done... I'm no different.
• Vegetables - I love my veggies!
• Vacations - we just got back from a fantastic one in Oklahoma
• Variety - it's the spice of life
• Vaseline - it's the only thing that keeps my fingers from splitting in the winter.
• vaccines - because they keep us well!
• Veterans - freedom isn't free
• Vail - it's not my favorite destination in Colorado but it's a great one!
• Velvet - it just feels good
• Vitamins - I swear I feel like someone twice my age but I totally believe in taking vitamins!
• Vikings! - my high school mascot
• Vanilla - my favorite ice cream and my favorite scent
• Vegas! It's a great place to go...
• Veggie Tales! They're such great entertainment for the kids

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 21 - U

Today's letter is U. I'm thankful for:

• Underwear - and for those who choose to wear it.
• Umbrellas - they're nice to have when you actually DO your hair ... and then it rains!
• Uncles -- like Uncle Buddy, Uncle Richard, Uncle Norman...

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 20 - T

Today's letter is T. I'm thankful for:

• Tea - Luzianne tea with splenda
• T-shirts - soft cotton, v-necks
• Teeth - because without them, eating would really suck!
• Tact - it's another of those character traits that seems almost extinct
• Thanksgiving! -- DUH....
• Turtlenecks - I love to wear turtlenecks in the fall/winter.
• Trucks - There's something to be said about a man that drives a truck (or a woman, for that matter)... especially over one of those ugly-ass smart cars
• Teachers - without them there would be no zest for learning
• Trust - easily given, hard to regain once it's lost.
• Talent - it seems, again, like something that people are severely lacking these days (enter the whole idea of reality television)
• Tiger cubs - Because Den 9 is the cutest!
• Artists and Bands like: Taylor Swift, Terri Clark, Trace Adkins, Tracy Byrd,
• Movies like: The Terminator, Toy Story, Transformers, The Tigger Movie, Titanic

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 19 - S

Today's letter is S. I'm thankful for:

• Sleepovers
• Salad - I eat one just about every single day.
• Sales - who doesn't like to get a good deal?
• Saturdays - there is no school, no work, just fun!
• Sitters - because Momma's gotta get outta the house sometimes.
• Sweets - generally speaking, if it's sweet... I like it
• Santa - isn't he just the coolest?
• The Sun - just not when it's 120 degrees outside. :)
• Scrapbooking!
• Sadie - our little brown rescue dog. Love her!
• Sparkles
• Sweaters - the chunkier cable knit, the better!
• Slow cookers - they're awesome and wonderful and make my life so much easier!
• Sisters - I really miss having mine in my life... and find myself envious of friends that do have great relationships with theirs.
• Stuffed mushrooms - yum! I should make some for Thanksgiving... maybe after. Hmm...
• Scouts - Boy and Cub!
• Storage - I love bins and tubs and organization of space in storage!
• Artists and Bands like: Shania Twain, Sara Evans, Shelby Lynne, Shenandoah, Sheryl Crow, Sugarland, Springsteen
• Movies like: The Shawshank Redemption, The Secret of Nimh, Star Wars Trilogy, Saving Private Ryan, The Sound of Music

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 18 - R

Today's letter is R. I'm thankful for:

• Rain - we still need so much of it over Texas.
• Relatives - it's great when we can get together... sit down and listen to the stories of our ancestors that are passed down
• Radios - I would die without mine! I live for music
• Rotweillers - Moose is such a sweetie pie
• Rings - I miss mine.
• Remembering - I'm going to live a life like The Notebook - my memory sucks! Thank God for Scrapbooking!
• Rainbows - it's like a scientific experiment right before your eyes when you see one
• Artists and bands like: Rascal Flatts
• Movies like: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Remember the Titans

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 17

Today's letter is Q. I'm thankful for:

• Questions - I question everything and everyone. I hope my children do the same. Questioning leads to a thirst for knowledge of the truth and if they take the time to find it on their own, I will feel as if I've done my job.
• Quilts - I still sleep with a ratty old but well loved quilt on my bed. They're comfortable, comforting and warm

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 16 - P

Today's letter is P. I'm thankful for:

• Photography - I wish I had the time to pursue this as a career
• Pirates - Jack Sparrow does it for me.... Mrow!
• Popcorn - YUM!
• popsicles - great way to cool down on a hot day
• puppies - they're all cute... even the ugly ones
• Positivity - love people who exude this quality
• Passion - it's under-rated
• Pickles - I found THE best pickles... I won't share
• Perseverance - underrated in today's society of quitters
• Pacifiers - the unequivocal mute button
• Pancakes - Drew's favorite breakfast
• Paper - I have an addiction to it (see my scrapbook room for proof)
• polite people - they're so hard to come by
• Perfume (just nothing floral -- GAG!)
• Packages (in the mail) - it's always fun to get a package!
• Artists and Bands like: Pink, Poison, Prince and Puddle of Mudd
• Movies like: Princess Bride, Pirates of the Caribbean

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 10

Today's letter is J. I'm thankful for:

• Josh - my first born.
• Jesus - duh! I don't think He really needs an explanation
• Jedis - because Star Wars is just friggin cool, man!
• Jeans - finding a good pair of jeans taht compliments you is pretty close to heaven
• Jewelry - I like it...especially when it comes in little turquiose boxes tied with white ribbon
• Places like Jefferson, Texas
• Artists like: Jon Bon Jovi, Jo Dee Messina, John Mellencamp, Johnny Cash, the Judds, Waylon Jennings, Janet Jackson and Jennifer Lopez.
• Movies like: Jumanji, Jerry Maguire, James Bond (pick one... they're all good!),

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 9

Today's letter is I. I'm thankful for:

• Independence - both as a union and as an individual.
• Individuality - who wants to color inside the lines?
• Ice cream - Blue Bell homestyle vanilla to be more specific.
• Italian food - lasagna, spaghetti.. you name it! :) It's my friend.
• the Internet - www baby!
• Insurance -- though not enough people have the vehicular kind.... and always be sure to check that you have the JEWELRY RIDER kind (shakin' my head)
• Ice - specifically from Sonic.
• Intelligence - it's waaaaaay underrated
• Illusionists - Chris Angel is a freak! Love that stuff. Ticks me off when I can't figure it out!
• Itineraries - because that means I'm GOING SOMEWHERE!
• Improvisation - some of the best comedians I've seen were at an improv
• Irving - it's where I'm from, baby!
• Songs like "Ice, Ice Baby" and "If I Know Me" or "If Today Was Your Last Day" or "If Youre Gone" or "I'll Be There For You" and "Imma Be" "I'm Free" and "It's All Right."
• Bands like Information Society and INXS.
• Movies like: The Incredibles, Ice Age, It's A Wonderful Life, IQ,

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 8

Today's letter is H. I'm thankful for:

• Headphones - primarily because I don't want to listen to half the crap I know other people are listening to, too.
• Hair - I'd be ugly as a bald chick
• "Horked off" - it's one of my favorite terms. I'm thankful that I have a sense of humor about me enough to make up words like this instead of dropping "f" bombs in front of my children.
• Hammock - I love having a hammock to lay upon when it's slightly chilly enough for a blanket... and a good book to keep me company
• Humanity - I wish more people would exhibit this quality
• Happiness - it's way under-rated
• Hats - not just any hats will do but I do love hats -- in the winter! (Baseball caps the rest of the time)
• Holidays - you get to gather together with those you love -- what's not to love?
• Horses - they're strong, beautiful and amazing creatures.
• Hummingbirds - they are small little wonders that are a delight to watch
• My Home - I complain about it a lot because it's got so many stupid, annoying characteristics but it's mine... and they're fixable... but I'm still thankful for it
• Honor - it's something that few people deserve yet so many claim
• Heffalumps - if you don't have children, you just won't get this one. :) Drew had to have three (one for the car, one for school, one for home) and that was good so that if one was left behind, we had spares to snuggle with!
• Hot chocolate - it's da bomb when its chilly outside!
• Hot air balloons - there is a festival in Colorado Springs that is just the most amazing sight to behold. I can't wait to go back.
• Hiking - it's so fun to be able to leave it all behind and get out and be with nature
• Honey - it's best in a glass of hot tea OR on a steamy, hot biscuit
• HGTV - love this channel. It makes me happy.
  
• Hippos - because they're huge, they're fat, they look happy but you don't want to mess with them!
• Hummers - They're so awesome looking. I've always wanted to drive one. The gas mileage isn't practical but man...they're SO COOL!
• Honeycomb cereal - one of my favorites!
• Artists like Merle Haggard are always a welcome sound to my ear...
• The album "Hysteria" by Def Leppard! Good one!
• As are songs like "Hanging By A Moment," "Here Without You," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Here I Go Again," and "Hella Good"
• Movies like Harry Potter, Housesitter, Homeward Bound, Hamlet, Honeymoon in Vegas, Happy Gilmore, Hope Floats and Hotel for Dogs.

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 7

Today's letter is G. I'm thankful for:

• God - His impact in the world is a good thing.
• Grandparents - I haven't any and I sure do miss them.
• GPS - I love not having to call everyone for directions. LOVE IT!
• Geeks - because without them, we wouldn't have all the cool gadgets we have
• Gadgets - because they're FUN!
• Guitars - they're just sexy...
• Ghost Hunters - it's intriguing
• Graciousness - people just don't exhibit this anymore. They're expecting everything instead of being gracious when they DO receive something.
• Grizzly bears - who wouldn't want to be one? The fatter you are, the better off you are. No one messes with you and they know to stay the heck away from your children!
• Gravy - mmmmmm.... gravy.... hmm... perhaps I need breakfast
• Grapes - they're a portable, poppable snack
• Gum - it's completely bad manners but darnit, I really like chewing gum.
• Giraffes - they're SO adorable.
• Games - It's fun to play them and to watch them being played
• Gidget - she was my first female Boston... miss her.
• Grass-roots efforts -- on all accounts. That's what is going to bring this country back to where it needs to be. Big government needs to take a flying leap!
• Guns - may we always be able to bear arms to protect and defend ourselves!
• The Gap - generally I really like their jeans (when I can fit into my favorite ones) ;)
• Singers like Gary Allan and bands like Godsmack, Green Day, Guns and Roses, Gravity Kills and the Goo Goo Dolls
• Movies like Groundhog Day, Goodfellas, Grease, Gladiator, Ghostbusters and The Green Mile

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 6

Today's letter is F. I am thankful for:

• Family - I mean, without them, you're not who you are.
• Fall - it's one of my most favorite seasons... like... EVER! The colors, the smells, the holidays! Love it
• Friends - sometimes these are even closer than your family. That is definitely something to be thankful for! I know I have a handful of true-blues that I know I could call night-day and they'd be here for me in minutes... those are the kind you keep close to your heart and pray for them because they are such a blessing
• French fries - they're so bad for you but they're SO yummy
• Fleece - because it's warm and fuzzy
• Flannel - because it, too, is warm and fuzzy and pairs nicely WITH fleece. I see something from the LL Bean catalog in my future!
• Flowers - I'm not one to really like receiving them because, well, they just die. However, on occasion, and for no reason... I love to get them. A big old bunch of wildflowers are my favorite mixture... flowers make the ordinary, extraordinary.
• Flip flops - especially my Reef ones that are formed and perfect!
• Fonts - because I love to make things I prepare fancy
• Four-wheelers - They're functional and fun.
• Fun - if you're not having fun... what's the point in living?
• Movies like Forrest Gump, Flubber, Fried Green Tomatoes, Finding Nemo, Father of the Bride and Fantasia

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 5

Today's letter is E. I am thankful for:

• Elmo - sing it with me. La la la la... la la la la... Elmo's World. I just love that furry red monster. Drew's loved him. Benji loves him. I love him.
• Education - becuase when you stop learning.... you stop living!
• Easter - I love much that this holiday celebrates -- even the idea of the bunny!
• Eating - but this is both a blessing and a curse. LOL
• Elaine - because we've been friends for SO LONG and I still just love her to pieces!
• Entertainment - be it dogs, children or the company of strangers... I love great entertainment
• Evelyn - she was my grandmother. Miss her.
• Singers like Elvis Presley, Enrique Iglesias, Eddie Rabbit, and rappers like Eminem
• Bands like Everclear and the Eagles
• Movies like ET, Elf and Eddie and the Cruisers

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 4 - D

Today's list is for items I'm thankful for that begin with the letter "D"....

How appropriate that it's D since I'm NOT thankful for a particular DOG right now!!!!! Grrrr

• Drew - coz he's such a fun little guy
• Den 9 - my Cub Scout Den.
• Dependability - it's such an admirable quality that most do not possess. Most people will only do something for others, it seems, if there's something in it for them. It's so hard to just do something nice... just because. Those friends that actually do -- treasure them because they're more rare than diamonds!
• Donuts - just coz they're so yummy.... not that I actually ever eat them (anymore)
• Dancing - it's so much fun when you have a great partner. I haven't been dancing in years unfortunately. :(
• Decorators - because I suck at it....so I always need their input.
• Dad - coz my dad is THE best, hands down!
• Doctors - because they make my babies better when they're sick
• Dishwashers - because we go through a LOT of dishes and I wouldn't want to wash them all by hand
• Durability - because everything made in CHINA doesn't freakin LAST!
• Diamonds -- sigh. I really miss mine....
• Determination - another quality that one must possess in order to accomplish anything. It's an admirable character trait that we should all seek to have.
• Delivery! Sometimes we all need someone to deliver food to us busy moms!
• Disney World - it's the happiest place on earth! I do belive this.
• Debit cards - because paying with cash is KING!
• Deciduous trees - because without them we wouldn't have the AMAZING fall color
• Ducatis - because all other motorcycles are quite inferior. They're sexy.
• Disappointment - if we got everything we wanted and weren't ever disappointed, how would we ever learn to cope.... even disappointment is a blessing to be thankful for because it means you're not only living but learning.
• Dr. Seuss - how can you NOT be thankful for such a genius?
• Devil's advocates - because I am one...and they make you think. :)
• The Discovery Channel - because they have cool shows!
• Do-it-yourselfers - because they inspire me to pick up power tools and create stuff
• singers like Dierks Bentley, Dwight Yoakum, Daughtry, Don Williams
• bands like Def Leppard and Depeche Mode,
• movies like Dracula, Dumb and Dumber, Dangerous Liaisons, Die Hard, Dirty Dancing, Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 3 - C

Today's letter is C. I'm thankful for:

• children - our lives are richer for being surrounded by them
• computers - because without them I wouldn't be nearly as organized as I am
• Change - a lot of people do not like change... but I think it's what allows you to grow as a person. Sometimes it's difficult but it's definitely the spice of life.
• Colorado - it's my favorite place to be... ever.
• cabins - now put a cabin IN Colorado and we are in HEAVEN baby!
• Christie Williams, Corey Pankey and Christa Williams - a few of the most beautiful people I know inside and out. Friends through thick and thin and I'm definitely thankful for them.
• Cartoons - I've had several favorites over the years -- Mother Goose and Grim, Calvin and Hobbes, Charlie Brown and Family Circle are several I have always enjoyed.
• Christmas - who doesn't enjoy the most fantastic time of the year to celebrate Him. I love how this season brings out the good and generosity in people. I only wish they'd live their lives as if EVERY DAY were Christmas.
• Charity - I believe in giving of your time, money, gifts to those in need. You never know how they may pay it forward. Greed is such an ugly trait. Charity is definitely something more people need to embrace.
• Conversation - there's something to be said for good conversation
• Canton! - I love going there alone, with friends or with family. Canton, Texas is the BOMB DIGGITY!
• Cocoa - I'm not a coffee drinker though it would certainly fit here but give me a nice hot cup of cocoa and some good conversation by a crackling campfire and I'm about set for the night!
• Cheetos - I just wish they were a food group because they're THAT good (to me)
• Cameras - they allow me to capture moments in my life that I otherwise may only have in my memory (which, if y'all know me, ain't that good and don't last that long!)
• Crayolas - there's not much like a fresh box of Crayola brand crayons. That scent, the fresh points, the stiffened box... just waiting to become some wonderful masterpiece.
• Camping - I love going camping. There's something to be said about minimalism.
• Cotton Patch - a great place to eat some home-style cooking (when you don't want to do the dishes!)
• Cowboys - there's something to be said about Ree's husband (oh COME ON...don't tell me you haven't heard about "Marlboro Man? Ree... THE Pioneer Woman" Google it!) Wrangler jeans, scuffed boots, cowboy hats.... every true Southern lady definitely gets me on this one
• Cranberries - this is one of my favorite ways to add some sweet to my salads. Dried cranberries. Yum!
• Costumes - I loved watching Josh and Drew as they went through the "dress up" phase wanting to wear Bat Man to the grocery store... and you know what? I let them. They're only little once... who cares what people think!
• Casseroles - This is how I was able to get my first kiddo to eat a ton of veggies -- by loading them up in a casserole!
• Cake - specifically, white cake with white frosting. YUM!

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 2 - B

Today's letter is B. I am thankful for:

• books - because they take me to places I've never been (or will likely never go) and keep my senses rich with their words
• barbeque - ribs, brisket, sausage, ham... you name it... it's just mmmm mmm good!
• babies - I've had three. They're the best!
• boys - I don't think I could handle pink, ruffles, drama, drama, drama.
• Boy Scouts - it's an amazing organization for young men that I'm proud to be a part of
• beer - Shiner Bock is the preferred beverage but Newcastle is a close second.
• biscuits & gravy - it was my favorite breakfast my grandmother would always make for me when I stayed the night
• Batman hats - that are BLINGED out with crystals and that are at CANTON so that I can go get me one this weekend! :) sing it with me...na na na na na na na BAT MAN!
• blankets - i love when it's chilly to snuggle under one and enjoy some peace and quiet
• boots - I've found a new appreciation for boots (Old Gringo, to be specific) just not their price tag! OUCH!
• bacon - you can't go wrong with bacon, right?
• butterflies - my Meme (my maternal grandmother) loved them and collected things with them. They were everywhere in her house. Everytime I see one, it reminds me of her.
• baking - I love to bake....bread, cookies, muffins... and this time of the year it's a constant!
• bloggings - I love the outlet of writing. It's cheap therapy. I also love to surf and subscribe to (too many) blogs that I'm inspired by daily!
• bananas - boy I'm sure listing a lot of food, hmmmm. I eat a banana every single day!
• Bear Naked Granola - I'm pretty sure I'm addicted to this stuff!
• Brunettes - because I am one! :)
• bubbles - even though I'm pushing 40, they're still fun to play with (with the kids, of course)
• balance - I've learned to have a lot of that in my life.
• Boomer the Boston Terrier - he was my first and my most favorite Boston Terrier! RIP big guy! I still miss you like crazy!
• Brownies - I don't like chocolate cake but give me a good brownie... mmmm
• Becky - (that'd be my mom) :) We haven't always seen eye to eye on everything but I love her and she's Mom!
• Bears - like Winnie the Pooh! :) I've ALWAYS wanted to hug a real bear (and live, obviously)...they're my favorite mammal. No one messes with their babies or they get the wrath of mama. They're fat and they're fluffy and it's a-okay!
• Baseball hats - because without them, I wouldn't have anything to do with my hair other than put them in pony tails.
• Band-aids - because what else can fix a boo-boo?
• Movies like... Bambi, Babe (the pig... you know the PIG movie? La la laaaaa), Batman, and Braveheart)
• Bands and artists like... the B-52s, the Beatles, the Beastie Boys, and Bon Jovi)

Twenty Six Days of Thankfulness - Day 1 - A

It's November. It's time to shift gears from all things macabre to all things thankful. Thanksgiving is coming dontcha know?

I still remember the time my grandmother made me a pilgrim costume for a school Thanksgiving play. How I treasured that so. She was an awesome seamstress. It wasn't then, however, that I learned just how thankful the pilgrims truly were at the time of their first Thanksgiving with the Indians.

So, in honor of their many blessings of thanksgiving, I'm doing my own spin - much like I did last year (or was it the year before).... twenty-six days of Thanksgiving.

Yes, I realize Thanksgiving is on the 24th, but there ARE twenty-six letter of the alphabet. So, just work with me here, mmmkay?

Obviously, this is the FIRST of November which means today we should contemplate all things "A" and as such, I'm thankful for:

1. angels - because I know that they're surrounding me on a daily basis... my Mawmaw especially
2. aloe - it soothed my recent sunburn
3. antiques - because i love chipped paint and rusty hinges and the stories their pieces tell
4. avocados - because they're green and yummy and delicious with tortilla chips
5. apples - especially when they're chilled and crisp and juicy
6. authors - because they keep my brain stimulated and entertained
7. Andy - because of the great man and father he is
8. anniversaries - because it means you're still here living to celebrate something!
9. accents - because they make people more interesting
10. art - especially when it comes from my children
11. aglet - Because it made an interesting episode of Phineas and Ferb! (ha)
12. anticipation - because it is what fuels us...
13. Aspen, Colorado - It is one of my most favorite places to be
14. apologies - because not only should we all give them, but also accept them
15. ambrosia salad - because there's not much more delicious than vanilla yogurt, fruit, pecans and marshmallows all mixed together!
16. amusement parks - because it's a great place to spend a day with family and friends
17. answers - because I have a lot of questions
18. AND...movies like Aladdin, Armageddon, The Aristocats and Alice in Wonderland