October Gratitude

Hello, hello. I have not posted anything or read my blog for three months. I just found out tonight than my paid domain has been deleted. *gasp* I am still here though, back with my old Blogspot name.

However busy I had been, in the back of my mind, I kept thinking I have to post my gratitude. I owe it to you to share my good news. Life is not always bad. I don't want to write just when I have something to complain about. But forgive me, I have to get this one thing out of the way. I was pretty bombed that someone really closed to me would say hurtful things about me when she thought she has hung up the phone after leaving me a voicemail. She was talking to someone else and her words HURT.

Today, after church, my daughter and I went to a store. She is picking up a dress for senior picture taking (fun) and it was taking a long time. So I went to the book section and got a book by John Hagee--Daily Truth, a daily devotional book. For today, he wrote that many times people attack...others deflecting their own shortcomings . . . shine the spotlight on  your [my] mistakes..." He added, "Rather than fretting, focus . . . fully expect.. the blessings of heaven . . . "

I found ten pictures above I am thankful for. I thank God for:

1. My personal clown, Paul, for putting laughter in my life, Halloween or not.
2. Funny friends who can also be clowns.
3. Yummy Halloween cookies and fun decors.
4. Velvet, who can put a serious picture on her face while playing.
5. Velvet, who makes my loyal walking companion, unlike Paul.
6. Props from Facebook. Who needs to buy expensive Halloween costumes when they are virtual props for free?
7. Old pictures from 7 years ago of my kids and their friend, one day in October. Aren't they're cute with their arm tattoos?
8.  Many days of warm-enough day to walk with my dogs.
9. A reminder that my kids (now teens) were very helpful raking leaves eight years ago in Fall. 
10. My health that I have the strength to rake the leaves, walk the dogs, and go to a Halloween party (and be a dark Morticia for a night). I really tried to look white like Morticia but I am not good at this at this makeup thing.

***

A schoolmate of mine passed away recently. She was 47, still young, but had chronic illnesses. I pray for her soul and her family. At the same time, I have so much gratitude I still have my health. I will never take that for granted.

***

I am so excited to hear from you and read your blogs. Thank you all!

Forcing Myself to Express Gratitude

Hello. Hello. Here I am again this week. Back with a thankful post, I did not feel like writing.

My oldest child (18) surprised me with an old car he bought a few days ago--a Dodge Stratus 2003, sedan, with a sportsy look. Never mind the paint that needs to be redone. That is just cosmetics. But the windshield has cracks in two spots. In addition, the front tires are bald, and the first time he introduced it to me, it did not even start.

"Oh, I must have left a light on."

Maybe.

The car is operable again but I am still nervous. He was supposed to work today at 4 pm, I thought. At 3:45 pm, I got hold of him. He was about to drive from a park to home. He said he'd go home to change his shoes before work. Half an hour later, I could not concentrate. My head is hurting and I was almost certain he got into some kind of trouble.

He came home for a couple minutes. He seemed OK. He works at 4:30 pm, he said. I wished he would have told me earlier.

Communication. We need to talk more.

I told him about the dangers of driving with two front bald tires for the minute I had with him before he left for work. He was already late anyway. His work was ten minutes away.

Anyway, for my sake, I should avoid thinking negatively automatically. He was not answering the phone earlier because he was driving. He knows he is not supposed to use the phone while driving, maybe, just like I told him.

What should I be doing? Be thankful. Think positive.

I took this week off. I planned this ahead as, during summer, my hospital unit is slow. So I am thankful I can do some fun things I enjoy like watching my dogs get silly and jealous with each other as my daughter pet each one.

I decided to declutter my home so I can actually see and use the things I want to use. Plus, I boxed several things for donation. My kids let go of their bikes as well that they have not touched for more than a year, so more room in the garage for my son's (very old) new car.

My daughter and I did some gardening. I have a small backyard that my three dogs use as a toilet so no more vegetable gardening there. I cheated and bought a tomato, squash, peppers, rosemary, and basil already in pots, some already with flowers. My daughter likes planting the flowering perennials so I let her do that.

I earned an Amazon card for participating in healthy activities at work so I used it to but a small electric mower. I have a small lawn and only a manual mower, but boy, the electric made the job a breeze. Oh, that reminds me, I am donating my old mower as well. That may have been easy pushing a manual mower ten years ago, but not anymore.

We had a good time watching Paul's son play high school basketball this summer. I still want to complain, though, about the entrance fee of $8 per person for adults. This is high school, geez.

Isn't Velvet, my brown dog so cute? Who said Pitbull (mix) dogs are fierce?

I am thankful for Blue Apron meals my aunt let me try for free. I have made gourmet-hotel-good home cooked meals because of the service.

Okay now, the sky is dark, and it might rain. I am worried about my son again driving his car with bald tires. Soon, I hope, he'd change them.

Do yourself a favor and express your gratitude with this fun team.