• for my daughter's compassionate heart... her friends really needed her last night and she overcame her own fears to be there for them... all without my prompting...
• for my other daughter's natural exuberance of life... she came home today... absolutely filthy and looked like she had a marvelous day
• for the chalk all over the driveway... I drove in and thought... I wish I had been here drawing with them... looks like they had a super time ... oh to be a kid again
• for my cousin's talent... went to my cousin's play tonight... he is very talented and gifted... I admire him very much
• for my mom... who called today from somewhere on the water in Europe... to send congratulations to my hubby... her remembering something special when she is far away is a wonderful example of her love and dedication to us
• for the lovely brunch my mom in law treated my hubby and I to
• for my niece, who I am very proud of, she got wonderful marks this year and she is growing up to be a lovely woman... she is independent and intelligent and her head is in the right place more often then a lot of us.
• for my husband being finished his master's degree... he received it today... a lot of work completed and now he can enjoy the fruits of the labour and we get to have him home more evenings then last year!
• for my cat... she loves me unconditionally... I have to remember to appreciate that... unconditional love is quite the gift

• for the lovely gifts my girls made me for mother's day
• for the exquisite breakfast my hubby and children brought to me in bed
• for the spectacular supper my hubby made me
• for an awesome season of Survivor
• for finding Guitar Hero for Wii after looking for months
• for my youngest not needing to have her tonsils removed at this time
• for our haircuts today... my girls looked adorable with the curls she gave them after the cut
• for the original candy apple at RMCF
• for the restaurant the kids opened for us and served us at tonight... LOL

what about today?

today was my day off

I spent the majority of the day working on these two reports that have been haunting me for weeks.... and then I had a meeting late afternoon and then I realized that I had not finished an application I had to send off....

SIGHHHHHHHHHHHHH

so I need to express some gratitude and positivity:

• my hubby's delish chicken waiting for me when I came home! yummmmmm!
• creamy chocolate fudge melting in your mouth
• my daughter's sleepy disheveled look as she staggered over to me this morning when she came downstairs and snuggled into my arms hugging me
• big gi-normous staples
• the looks of the faces of the ladies I handed paper surprises to today
• fabric headbands that one thinks hides a bad hair day
• my freshly laundered massive snuggly tink hoodie that I snuggled into while watching t.v.

• for my parents, for being there for me and my hubby and my kids, for loving us and blessing us in so many ways
• for a husband who really does co-parent (well often anyway... LOL)
• for good friends
• for my health
• for sunshine
• for safe travels

recent flashes of gratitude:

-I think for the chat with HM and the blog info... although now that I am utilizing analytics... as she encouraged.... she is right... might be exciting or scary (that is why I say I think)
-for everyone's face and excitement when they saw my laptop skin I created! they said it was gorgeous! (has my kids on it of course) (check it out... cuz here is where I did it!)
-for HM (different)'s efficiency... holy smokes... she was a goin' guns blazin'... I was coughing in the dust behind her all day
-yes, CG, I am thankful for time with you today... you taught me several things on Excel!!! I am still in shock! and I liked teaching you and any time with you is always a revelation.
-for EW's excitement, enthusiasm and validation
-for MM's excitement and potty mouth
-for my kids hugs and kisses
-oh and for HM#1 calling me at 5:30 a.m. to exercise today... yay! too bad the freezing rain's coat of ice kept us from getting together.

Getting Started

Now that I am reading A New Earth and trying to be more positive in as many ways as possible:

I decided this evening, after supper, that I should, every day, or as often as I can, blog things:

• that I am thankful for
• that I appreciate
• that made the day brighter
• etc.... you know what I mean, right?

So today, March the 3rd, 2008:

• the day was beautiful, blue sky and the air was cold but crisp
• my mom and dad got home safely
• dinner with a large amount of family (was yummy and fun!)
• I got some things done today!