November 6th - Gratitude

November 6th -
I am grateful for -
1. My husband taking care of me today as my stomach was not feeling well.
2. Grateful for football, so I can rest today.
3. Hot chocolate and hot tea.
4. That our neighbors think enough of Allen to call him. He took care of an emergency tonight for a neighbor.
5. Delicious dinner made by Allen tonight.

2011 - Gratitude Journal

Misty challenged me several years ago to keep a gratitude journal each day during the month of November. This is my third year! I always have such a great November when I do this, so here is 2011.

November 1st -
I am thankful for:
1. Allen and I are both very healthy and happy and still in love and great friends.
2. Family that is also healthy (except little Simon, who has broncholitis right now) but other than that everyone is healthy and happy.
3. The ability to retire at the end of this year and pursue other things.
4. Good friends.
5. Taking the opportunity to go to Italy and visit Cinque Terre, especially Vernazza, where we stayed for 7 nights. It is now having flooding and mudslides happening right now. The city is virtually under siege of mud, debris and water. Grateful that our friends are fine. All the shops along the main street (and there is only one main street) are filled with mud. Just heartbreaking.

November 2nd -
I am thankful for:
1. Planning our trip to Seattle to see kids, grandkids and great grand-daughters! Yeah! Can't wait!
2. Trip to SLC to spend a very long weekend (but it will seem short) with my sisters in Heber City! Sewing, laughing, "ukuleleling," eating and maybe some sleeping.
3. Only 28 more days of actual time at work, so excited!
4. A message from my friend in Vernazza, Italy! So relieved to hear from Stephanie and know that she and her family are fine. Lots of prayers being said for this village.
5. My breakfast packed every day by my sweet husband!

November 3rd-
I am thankful for:
1. Being completely healthy. I have just received a letter from someone who has colon cancer and he is going through all kind of problems, procedures and trials! It broke my heart to read. Allen and I have been so blessed with being healthy and our kids healthy. I know I have already mentioned this earlier in this journal, but today it really hit me harder, so I am more grateful that two days ago.
2. Grateful that my husband was willing to sacrifice the hugh 70 foot star pine tree in our front yard because it "might" be causing damage to a neighbors plumbing. He said it was "like losing a child." I felt horrible for him. So unselfish.
3. I am very grateful that Allen treats me so respectfully! I don't see all husbands do that with their wives and when I do see it I always tell Allen thank you for not treating me that way. I am a lucky lady!
4. Grateful that I took so many photos in the town of Vernazza, Italy as they has just had a major mudslide that covered the city and I was able to send them photos of what the village looked like before. I have made a great friend over there and she asked me for my photos. Happy to help but I never thought my beautiful photos would be used for "before" photos.
5. Grateful that I have wonderful nieces and nephews that love me!

November 4th-
I am grateful for:
1. Homemade cookies being delivered in the evening by a sister in the ward.
2. Grateful that we had milk.
3. Thankful to have Rob and Kathe over for dinner and dominos (except they helped eat the cookies.)
4. Finished a Christmas gift and I really love it.
5. My eye doctor told me that my eyes haven't changed since 2007~ Yahoo!

November 5th-
I am thankful for:
1. Sleeping in
2. Went to play ukulele with a group of people in Torrance - about 30 of them. So much fun!
3. Bought two ukueleles for grandkids - Louisa and Emma for their birthdays!
4. Grateful that Misty wants a ukulelel for her birthday this month too!
5. Ability to help our kids when they need help.

Teaching 'em young!!

Doesn't Simon look like he is really jammin'? Wish I had taken this with a real camera and not my phone. So cute

Happy 5th Birthday to Piper

When I got to Piper's house she said to me, "Grandma, I am 5, can you believe it?" I can't - seriously I can't! Time is going to quickly for all the grandkids! They are growing up too fast which makes me feel old! So stop it - all of you! Quit getting older

The Little Red Hen - Baby chick played by Caleb

So darn cute! This is Caleb's kindergarten class putting on the play, "The Little Red Hen!" Caleb did a great job and Brit made his costume! Very fun!

Easter Egg Hunt 2011 - Grandkids and Great Grandkids!

Had a great time watching the "old" kids and grandkids hide eggs for their kids! Full circle, eh? Beautiful day and a delicious lunch cooked by Allen! Happy Easter everyone! and

Happy 75th Birthday, Allen!

We had a gathering of local family members last night for Allen's birthday! We watched a video of Allen's brother Owen receiving the Legion of Merit Award in Burma. This footage has just come into our hands this past week. It was fitting as Allen's gift was all about Owen. I put a thick binder together of all of Owen's papers and photos. Also, all of Owen's mementos were put in a shadow box as a keepsake and heirloom. Allen was thrilled. The grandkids and great grandkids helped him blow out the candles. Allen had gone earlier in the day with a bunch of his fireman buddies to lunch! Misty had gatherer photos and stories from all the kids and grandkids and put it all into a book for Allen. We looked at it online. She will have it printed in June after the family reunion. Great job Misty - thanks! Thanks to everyone who contributed to the book too! I think Allen had a pretty good birthday! Love you sweetie!