New Year, New Gratitude

They are not really new

Just to be true

They are common gratitude

I had from last year

My cute dog Velvet

Is still here to give joy

She does not have to do anything

Like play tricks with her toy

Just laying down comfy

With toys that are fluffy

As she's looking so comfy

She is kinda funny

I am thankful for Fitbit

It inspires me, I admit it

I may not push as hard to get fit

If I am without it

It's a constant reminder

I have on my wrist

I am thankful for my bike

With a Kindle holder

I can read as I pedal

And stay in when it's colder

I am thankful for candles

I used with my prayers

I found that they make

The experience a little deeper

There is something about flames

That calms my brain

It eases some pain

And lesses some strain

I am thankful for abundance of food

Paul and I don't gamble

But we splurge on food

We like to sample

It's a simple pleasure to try different dishes

Japanese, Mexican, Chinese

Cooked and prepared by others

(No need to wash the dishes)

Oh there is something new I am thankful for

It's this cool eye pillow

I bought from FSA store

It relieves my eyes that are sore

And reduces puffiness

I use it sometimes

It feels good, also,  on my head

Happy Thanksgiving

At Into The Fire ceramic painting studio with helpful staff, Arvada

The Christmas season is here! 

Wait, it is Thanksgiving week here in the U.S. Some streets are already decorated with Christmas lights. I am not ready yet. 

"Can we put the Christmas tree up?"

"Not yet. Let's wait until this weekend," I told my daughter.

We have a small foil tree that literally takes only five minutes to put up and decorate, ready with its light and all. Anyway, it does not matter. It is too early to put a tree up.

I feel hurried. 

Can I take the time to be thankful first?

Of course, I can. It is the Thanksgiving week, anyway . .  .It will be Thanksgiving Thursday before the Black Friday Christmas shopping event. 

Moving on, I am thankful for:

1. The freedom I get to enjoy in America. "God Bless America, my home sweet home."
2. The approaching year to give me a chance to start anew. I want to be more productive. I already started a new planner, ditching an old one, and using two guidebooks for gratitude. I am excited about 2018.
3. Teens staying home and being good. 
4. Look at me painting ceramics with my daughter.
5. Food on the table; most I got on sale. 
6. Early turkey and ham? Oh, yeah!
7. A stable job.
8. Financial room to increase my retirement savings contribution by one percent. Baby steps!
9. A little pampering I get to enjoy with my daughter, relaxing yoga, for 10-11 dollars per class in one of the top 5 yoga studio in my area. That's a good deal!
10. The weekly (or twice weekly) acupuncture continues to benefit me medically, and my insurance reimburses me for it. 

That is it for now. I may not have ten pictures this week but I am indeed thankful.

Have a good week. 

Smile!

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