November Thankful Challenge, the 13th

I am thankful for in-laws!  Sound weird?  People really do love their in-laws!
Let me list them for you:
-My SIL, Kelli was my first in-law.  She has been around since I was about 10 or 11 and put up with me through puberty - enough said!
-Next was my BIL, Jim (aka Big Red).  He and I could not be more opposite, but I love him the purpleist.
-When I got married I got 2 sets of parents-in-law.  They have all been loving and accepting of me.  I love spending time with each of them!  I am so thankful to know them all.
-I have 2 more SILS now: Karen and Amy.  They are both so sweet!  I've gotten to really know Karen in the last few years.  I have come to the conclusion that we would get in a whole lot of trouble together if we lived in the same city.
My family keeps getting bigger and bigger and I LOVE it!
Her are a few of the ILS for a birthday lunch today!

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November Thankful Challenge, the 12th

I am thankful for road trips with my hubby.  It isn't often that we have time to talk at length.  And it isn't often that we aren't with other people or busy doing something.
We are headed to a few hours from home to visit with family and we will be headed back tomorrow.  It is nice to have time to get into a deep conversation!  He actually has some pretty good things to say.

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November Thankful Challenge, the 11th

Today I am so very thankful that my Daddy got to "run" his first 5k with me.  You see, my daddy is a double amputee and rides in a power chair now.  I started my series of monthly 5k races in September in his honor.
This month's race was World Run Day.  It is a day set aside to promote the sport of running.  It isn't limited to time, distance, or pace.  It is all about just getting out there and doing it where ever you are!  Daddy can't roll on a closed course, so this was the perfect race for us to do together.
Several his friends, my friends, and even my step-daughter's friends joined us at the Pelham YMCA today for a 5k. The Pelham Y was sweet enough to measure out a 5k in their parking lot so that Daddy didn't have to try to get through grass or gravel.  We did our 13 laps - some people walked, some ran, some rolled, but we all finished!
It was so much fun to look over my shoulder and see my Daddy in a race!!!
I was overwhelmed with how much it meant to both me and Daddy.  What a fun day!  I am thankful that we had that opportunity.
The first time for everything is a learning experience - I'm ready to do it again, but bigger and better!

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November Thankful Challenge, the 10th

Today I'm thankful for serendipity (not the movie, although I do enjoy it).  I had a horrible experience with some TSA agents at the airport today - won't go into it right now because I'm NOT thankful for it.

What I am thankful for is the nice older couple who got up on the tram and let a pregnant lady holding a toddler have their seats.  I am thankful for the precious little girl who opened her bag of Hershey Kisses on her own exclaiming, "I did it!" as they flew all over the waiting area at our gate.  After I helped her pick them up, she gave me a piece of her candy and sat in her seat across from me smiling while I ate it.  I am thankful for the strange, but very friendly man who sat near me on the plane and talked to me the whole flight.  I didn't have a moment to sit and brood about how mad I was at those TSA agents. I am thankful for a sweet hubby who parked the car at the airport so he could come in to welcome me home.
Each of those little moments were a gift from God.  Reminders that there is good in this world and that He never takes his eyes off of me.
I am thankful for those little happy moments in every day of my life!

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November Thankful Challenge, the 9th

I'm so thankful for my parents.  After every health complication they have both been through, they are still here!
I am thankful for the hard work they put into my raising.  I am thankful for the Christian foundation they provided for me.  I am thankful for the financial commitments they made to make sure I got an excellent education.  I am thankful that they are so forgiving.  I am thankful for their unconditional love.
I am thankful for all of the ways that they prove their love to me and my family.
I am thankful that they have been married for over 47 years!

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November Thankful Challenge, the 8th

After taking a run in Orlando this morning, I am thankful for my ability to get myself in shape.  I'm thankful for my success this far and for what I know is coming as I continue my hard work.
I've lost 23.5 pounds so far!  My body has completely changed and so have my energy level and self-confidence.  I have gained muscle tone and flexibility that I haven't had since I was a teenager!
I am thankful that I have the health and ability to run, lift weights, and do yoga.  I am thankful for all of the resources I have to learn from and to encourage me to keep going.
I am thankful for the supportive family and friends who compliment the changes in my body and my dedication to being healthier.

 

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November Thankful Challenge, the 7th

Today I am thankful for my girlfriends.

Where do I start?  These women in my life are amazing!

Photo by Kim Brantley - AMAZING photographer!

I'm thankful for the ladies in my small group at church.  They set an example for me daily in how to show the love of God.  They support each other in every endeavor - as big as battling cancer and as small as picking a vacation spot.  They are fun and funny in a wholesome, but not prudish way.  They accept me and each other completely - warts and all - with a love that can only come from one place.

I am thankful for the other ladies in my life who have traveled with me, worked with me, been unemployed with me, and done anything I ask for me.  I feel like I take so much more than I give, but they would never make me feel that way.

I am thankful for old friends that I never get to see, but I know are still my friends. I am thankful for things like FaceBook, email, and unlimited texting that keeps me in touch with them!

God has seriously blessed me in this area of my life.  I feel that these women make me be a better woman myself!

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Thanksgiving Mantel

My mantel is my favorite place to decorate in my home!  I try to change it out as often as I can - pretty much whenever a vision hits me.  After Halloween, I knew it was time for the skulls to come down, but I wasn't feeling it.
So I just started putting things on the mantel that I thought I might use.  And it just kind of happened - no plan, no vision - just did it!
It is much simpler than what I would normally do, but I really like it.  I even left my pumpkins in front of the fire place because I just love them so much!

I used leftover burlap to make bunting that says GIVE over the  mirror...

And THANKS across the mantel.

Just a couple of random pieces - a pumpkin from the one-spot at Target and a couple of fall hued hydrangea stems I've had for a long time.

November Thankful Challenge, the 6th

Today I am thankful for the right to vote and to live in a country where I'm free.
I am thankful for the men who died to give us that right.
I am thankful for the women who faced all sorts of trials so that we can have a say in our future.
I am thankful for my parents who demonstrated good citizenship, using their vacation days from work to be poll workers until they could no longer do it because of sickness.  They instilled a sense of duty in me.
I am thankful that no matter who wins this election, God is still King!

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Christmas Cards!

I always wait until its ridiculously late and stressful to even start thinking about the Christmas cards.
Let's be honest - you really want the cards that include either updates or photos or, better yet, both!
Shutterfly now has photocards with space for family updates!  I'm excited to try them out this year.
There are a variety of cards - flat, folded, square, rectangular, one picture, multiple pictures, religious, whimsical, etc.  It always takes me SO LONG to get my cards done because there is so much to choose from!

I love both of these cards!

I just love this picture!  Hilarious!