I accept

So Misty has accepted this challenge from her friend Ashley. Here is the challenge: "It's November and I've got a challenge for you!! Can you sense my enthusiasm?! Feel it, people, and then get on board! It's an easy challenge. Really, super easy.

Every day this month, record five things you're grateful for. No stipulations, they can be anything at all, as long as you feel some measure of gratitude for them. people, things, places, events... if you blog, throw your five up here. if you don't, write them down. you know, the ol' fashioned pen and paper way.

I could try to get the whole gosh darn blogging world on board, but really, all I want is to take a minute every day to think about how good I've got it and not focus on all the things that are potential problems. So come on... who's in??"

So here goes:

November 1st-
I am grateful that -
1. Allen and I both very healthy.
2. I am married to such a kind and loving man.
3. I have such a sweet family - kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. Amazing!
4. We own our home.
5. We are not in debt and don't owe anyone!

November 2nd-
I am grateful that-
1. My bosses are great
2. My bosses understand that I like to travel.
3. I have a job.
4. Daylight savings didn't throw me off too much this year.
5. I lost 2 pounds.

November 3rd -
I am grateful that-
1. I have really slowed down (not stopped, but slowed down) considerably on Pepsi.
2. I have a real voice again.
3. Allen and I can still laugh together and just be silly.
4. I have great friends who let me win in Dominos (sometimes)
5. I have two great sisters and a brother whom I adore and miss horribly!

November 4th -
I am grateful that -
1. Someone invented Imitrex for migraines and that I had one left this morning at 4!
2. I can accept change and roll with it. Changing anything at work throws most of our staff - I don't get that.
3. We have a little temperature change today to make it feel more fall-like.
4. I can buy fabric to make gifts for family and friends.
5. I have been taught some fun ideas recently that I will be sharing with a group on Saturday.

November 5th -
I am grateful that-
1. Allen MADE me buy a serger! I am just finding it so wonderful to use.
2. It is my Friday. I have a busy weekend ahead of me and I need tomorrow off - yeah!
3. I finished a birthday gift and a Christmas gift last night. Yeah!
4. I might be seeing my sisters next month - a sewing sisto seminar - SSS!
5. I bought a health club membership to help out a charity and it is helping me.

November 6th -
I am grateful that -
1. I was healthy enough to donate blood yesterday.
2. That Stephanie, a niece, shared the story of her brother's death. He died at age 37 of AIDS. I so appreciate all of our family and our good health.
3. I will able to share my time and talents with the Relief Society Sisters tomorrow.
4. I have enough courage to share my time and talents with the Relief Society Sisters tomorrow.
5. I am able to help the Children's Hospital (CMN) on Sunday.

November 7th-
I am grateful that -
1. I served today by teaching in Relief Society and re-newed some old friendships and made some new ones.
2. I feel more at home and at peace in Relief Society.
3. Kathe helped me with teaching my cooking class today and she was a great help.
4. I got a wonderfully peaceful nap on the couch this afternoon and that Allen didn't give me too much grief about how badly I snored and I SNORED!
5. I finished the knitting job I had for my boss' 95 year old grandmother. Now just have to line and put on the handle.

November 8th -
I am grateful that -
1. They have invented Aleve for back ache! Okay, this is my second post about pain relivers, I think I am a drug addict. Intervention anyone?
2. That an adorable little great-granddaughter giggled for me tonight - her name is Autumn. So cute! Had a great visit with her Dad and Mom too!
3. My husband's friend, Vince drove them safely home today from a golf tournament 2 hours away after the original driver got very ill. Thanks Vince.
4. The CMN Torch Relay kicked some serious butt this year in Los Angeles - it is about time people got on board with this event. We had a great day and about 400 walkers.
5. That it is bedtime and a hot bath has just been poured for me by my ever loving, sweet and darn cute hubby! Thanks honey!

November 9th
I am grateful that -
1. The CMN Torch Relay and fundraising is over for the yeah! So much work, but a great cause.
2. That my hubby and friends and I just got tickets to Kooza (Cirque de Soleil) in Santa Monica for next week.
3. That we are able to give a fairly decent computer to Allen's brother, Clay.
4. I have booked a suite and connector in Salt Lake City to have a "sisto sewing seminar" in December - yeah!
5. It is time to go home and crash! Tired today, hmmmmmm, I wonder why?

November 10th -
I am grateful that -
1. I work with some really nice people, that appreciate my weirdness.
2. That my Mom's name was mentioned today on Facebook and some sweet comments were made about her cooking. As Piper would say. "I miss her!"
3. I love that my grandkids miss my Mom. She loved each one of them so much!
4. I have the cutest photo of my Mom looking over my shoulder when I sew. Thanks to Brighton Gardens for taking it and thanks Mark and Kristen for framing it. It tickles me so. They captured the essence of Dody in that photo, right down to her fingertips!
5. I am writing what I am grateful for, so amazing what thoughts go through your day and then they are just gone!

November 11th-
I am grateful that -
1. I get to go work out tonight. Really, can't believe I am saying that but I now love it.
2. I found candy canes for our holiday party at work cheap! Yeah!
3. We have thick fog this morning, it is so cool and crisp outside. Nice change. Kind of puts me in a holiday mood. Our California change of season.
4. My husband's smile still just makes me melt! We had such a great time cooking together last night and laughing with our friends.
5. I can laugh at myself when I make stupid mistakes playing games. Glad that I am not that competitive. I did some really dumb moves last night, but it was fun to laugh! It's just a game!

November 12th -
I am grateful that-
1. I can enjoy a really good gut wrenching, snorting, tears dripping laugh and that it wasn't at someone else's expense.
2. I just got some free books that I have wanted to read, but just haven't gotten out to buy - yeah!
3. Surprising someone for their birthday with something totally unexpected, but you know they love it gives me such a rush!
4. I enjoy meeting really nice people from other countries. Actually just meeting really nice people.
5. A friend is joining me at the health club this afternoon.
5. Sharing the joy in someone's else

November 13th -
I am grateful that -
1. I got a great report from the dentist - no cavities! Odd to still worry about that at my age.
2. Christmas music - I just love it!
3. New teeth cleaning techniques, not so much scraping! Yeah!
4. A dinner out with just my cute hubby.
5. A hot bath with a good book - that is so nice.

November 14th -
I am grateful that -
1. I was able to accomplish a task today for someone special's birthday - Mark!
2. That Misty and Louisa got their birthday cards - thank you US Postal!
3. That I found a great handle for my boss' purse and cute fabric to line it.
4. I got great tickets to Kooza in Santa Monica for next week. Awesome!
5. I got to sit and watch a kid's movie "The Tales of Desperaux" by myself.

November 15th-
I am grateful that-
1. I had Misty! I had Misty! I had Misty! What a great joy she is in our lives. She makes me laugh, she sets me straight, she loves life and she is a great wife and Mother. She has a great heart and a wonderful mind! We are very proud of her! Happy Birthday skooks!
2. Blogs were invented! How else would I be able to keep up with the family. Love them! Love them!
3. All the family that lives here is coming to our house today to celebrate Rob's birthday! This gathering is long overdue!
4. I found cute fabric yesterday to make baby quilts for Kristen.
5. Misty challenged me to this task - love you Misty!

November 16th-
I am grateful that -
1. Both speakers at church yesterday spoke on the importance of gratitude! I loved it. Very inspiring and motivating as well. The meeting had such a great spirit about it today. Maybe because I had a head start on the gratitude piece already.
2. We had all the local family over for dinner and had a great time.
3. We have Rob in our lives. It is his birthday today and we love him very much, even though he beats me in Dominos. We appreciate he and Kathe coming to visit the "old folks" on Friday nights.
4. I am a "can do" person and will make things happen rather than waiting for someone else to do it. For example, no toners in several machines at work and the toners are right there. I don't understand the mentality of not doing the job. I am grateful to my parents for teaching me this trait - "Just do it!"
5. We had 3 great-grandkids at our house yesterday and I just enjoyed the house ringing with their little voices. Great to hold a little 9 month old baby again! Autumn is adorable, Caleb is so funny and Marley is just a sweetheart. Marley made us Thanksgiving AND Christmas cards that said: "To silly grandma and silly grandpa." I loved that this is how she thinks of us. I love that she thinks of us period!

November 17th-
I am grateful that -
1. Just a few more days and some of our family will be at our house and we will be feasting and giggling.
2. Misty's little girl, Piper, is so very funny and cracks me up so much! What a funny kid!
3. Louisa is in our life. She is another very funny and very talented grand-daughter. She was kind of quiet on the phone last night, but normally she is just a crack up. We miss her and love her so much!
4. Our copier at work is a new machine as tomorrow I will be joined at the hip with that lovely beast copying and killing trees. Sorry environment!
5. That I get to work out tonight - I need to hit the gym or I will be hitting someone called Jim!

November 18-
I am grateful that-
1. I am still being grateful and I am amazed at how you can find at least 5 things daily to be grateful for - great lesson.
2. That my sister has retired with her husband and will now be more available for me!
3. Other people realize what an amazing man I am married to and tell me how lucky I am and I AM!
4. Tomorrow we have tickets to Kooza - Cirque de Soleil! Yeah!
5. Allen and I are having so much fun at night playing Wii!

November 19 -
I am grateful that-
1. We saw Kooza and had a nice dinner and evening with Rob and Kathe for his birthday.
2. We got home safely as there was lots of traffic and crazy people out on the road.
3. A nice hot bath and an interesting book to read when I got home.
4. Piper is excited to find a gorilla at "Papa's" house to hit in the face.
5. This week of work is over as it has been a hectic one.

November 20-
I am so grateful that -
1. My throat specialisty said I have healthy vocal cords! Yeah!
2. Most of our Christmas shopping finished today - Yeah
3. I was able to help a friend with hotel rooms in Amsterdam at a discounted rate. He is going to have special treatment for his cancer. We also lent him our GPS that works internationally. My prayers are with he and his wife. Good luck Terry!
4. My hubby is barbecuing pork ribs - yeah!
5. The heater in our house is new and works wonderfully - yeah! Life is good!

November 21 -
I am grateful that-
1. Nan and Misty and their families are arriving tomorrow! Yahoooooooo! I am so excited to see them all!
2. Emma's birthday tomorrow - can't believe she is turning 15. What a sweetheart she is.
3. Got a lot of things finished today which means I can spend more time with the family.
4. My boss is going to let me take half days off on Monday and Tuesday.
5. Almost finished with a knitting project that has taken me MONTHS. I am making it for a very special someone.

November 22nd -
I am grateful that-
1. Emma Leticia Hunter was born. Emma is the only grandchild or other child than mine that I have witnessed being born. I have known her from second 1 and I love her more and more each second. I am glad that she will be at our house tonight on her birthday. I love you Emma so very, very much!
2. In church today Rob spoke and one of the things he said was the "when we are grateful we are humble and teachable." I really loved that line.
3. More great quotes today in Sunday School - "it doesn't cost a penny to be kind." I think I am going to make that my new motto. Love it!
4. I was able to sing today in church for the first time in almost a year and the song was "Come ye thankful people." And I broke down in tears. This gratitude exercise has really put me in a great holiday spirit. I was so thankful that I can sing again. I have missed it.
5. We have such a beautiful earth - another of my favorite hymns I got to sing today was "For the beauty of the earth. I am grateful that my parents taught me to notice the beauty of the earth - even down to the smallest caterpillar. I love nature and I am so thankful for its beauty. Great day today!

November 23rd -
I am grateful that -
1. All the kids arrived safely yesterday and they are still just as cute as ever! Who knew?
2. My bosses are letting me work half days today and tomorrow so I can enjoy the kids.
3. I cranked out a ton of work to make my job easier over the holidays.
4. My boss liked her birthday present, a handmade Christmas stocking. However, the comment that she was going to use it for her cat was a little meow!
5. I am walking out the door to go be with the family! Yeah!

November 24th-
I am grateful that -
1. We had a very fun and touching Family Home Evening. Very fun with 5 little kids doing Family Home Evening. Piper was in charge and it was very cute. I loved her telling the story of the 10 Lepers - she was so expressive. Haven't heard the story told better. She did crack us up with some of the things she said however, such as "their skin was nasty" and "skin as soft as a baby's butt" was too funny as well. Nan's kids were so cute and very touching with their answers to the questions asked. Fun FHE!
2. The movie UP was so touching and fun! I laughed and I cried! I will have to watch it again. Great message about not looking toward your adventure in life when life is your adventure daily.
3. Rick bought us Round Table Pizza - yum!
4. Allen is so good with our family! What a great Dad!
5. Working another half day today - sent my bosses thank you emails to thank them for this time off. I am grateful to them.

November 25th-
I am grateful that -
1. I am teachable still! Had a great lesson from my 11 year old grand-daughter, Louisa on how to make pie crusts. I got step by step hands on lessons. Also, the method of how to roll it out between two pieces of cellophane was awesome. We made two pumpkin pies together for our Thanksgiving dinner. I loved this time with her one on one. Thanks Louisa! Good stuff in more ways than one.
2. Great lesson again from Nan on making receiving blankets. Just the simpliest things make me happy. Also, she has made one of the most adorable baby blankets I have ever seen. I am going to give that a try as well. I so wish we all lived closer, what an awesome team we would all be!
3. Misty made an incredible tamale chicken dish for all of us for dinner last night. I am hoping she will give me the recipe - she reads my blog, so this is the hint! Hey, she gave it to Nan, she should give it to her mother, right? Of course right!
4. Allen can play Wii with the grandkids and make them giggle still! What a riot to watch.
5. We had all 3 grandchildren and their families that live in the area show up last night to visit their aunts! Plus Rob and Kathe stopped by as well. That was very touching and quite a tribute to Nan and Misty that they all love them enough to come and visit. We had 21 family members at the house last night. That is half of our family all at our house last night! Amazing! I loved it!

November 26th -
I am grateful that -
1. It's Thanksgiving! Yeah!
2. Had a fun morning this morning cooking with Misty putting
Thanksgiving together.
3. Yesterday was Mark's 40th birthday - just can't wrap my brain around that one. Where did the time go? It has been 40 wonderful years for me! Mark has been a wonderful son and brother! He is now an amazing father and husband and I am very, very proud of him. A mother couldn't ask for a better son! He is a true disciple of the gospel of Jesus Christ! I love you very much Mark! Happy 40th!
4. Enjoyed the day with Sean, Tina, Autumn, Misty, Rick, Piper, Simon and Allen.
5. It was really hot today - 79 degrees and so Piper could enjoy the day outside.

November 27th -
I am grateful that -
1. We can afford to fly to family things such as weddings and unfortunately funerals. Allen's sister-in-law, Ardis found out 12 days ago that she had pancreatic cancer and just died. Very expensive time to fly with being the Thanksgiving holiday, but I am glad we can do it anyway.
2. Grateful that my husband has just called me to tell me that he just had a great experience as they just turned the lights on at Temple Square in Salt Lake City and he was bummed that he didn't have his camera. This is now about the 5th call in the past hour that he has called me - I think he likes me.
3. I had some time to myself to get some gifts done with sewing and knitting - thanks Misty.
4. Family is coming over tomorrow for turkey soup - yeah.
5. We have had lots of family and friends drop in this past week - amazing!

November 28th -
I am grateful that-
1. No one was home when I dropped the enchiladas in the oven, because 3 naughty words came out of my mouth.
2. I realized when so many things were going wrong I listened to myself and just stopped and took a 30 minute quiet break to read a recipe magazine. Things got better after that.
3. Misty helped me get all the food and house ready for our family party.
4. Family all coming over to enjoy a bowl of soup and a game of Wii! Love the house full of family.
5. Allen is home safely! Missed him.

November 29th -
I am grateful that -
1. Piper was singing at church today - Allen and I love when she sings the hymns.
2. Had a little Mom memory today that made me cry and Misty gave me a hug. I miss my Mom!
3. Yesterday I finished all my handmade gifts, won't say for who.
4. I heard Misty refer to Rob as her brother and Rob refer to Misty as his sister at church today. Those two little words meant so much to me! I love our family!
5. Allen went out and helped teach a young boy in our ward the correct way to treat his little sister. The brother was pulling his sister down the hallway by her hair and then shoved her. Allen walked out and helped the boy understand (probably only temporarily) that this was not the way to treat his sister. Loved seeing him handle that so well.

November 30th-
I am grateful that -
1. It seems now that I am doing this gratitude challenge we are seeing and hearing so many different places how being grateful can be very healthy for you. Yesterday in our Relief Society/Elder's Quorum class they spoke on keeping a gratitude journal daily and how it will bless your life. I know this is very true as I have seen it personally this past 30 days. I am a happy and blessed woman.
2. Piper and I did her first wish bone from a chicken and after I explained how it worked I asked her what her wish was and she said, "I wish I could play with grandma everyday." What a sweet little one she is. How I wish her wish could come true.
3. I rescued the chicken enchiladas from all going in the oven as they were pretty tasty.
4. I am grateful today for good mental health (stop laughing) - unfortunately we had a woman walk into the lobby today and she was definitely having her challenges. Many of them. You could not make sense of what she was talking about. She was such a lost soul. I was wishing I had a jacket in my office as I would have given it to her today. She was such a sad spirit. The sad part is there are so many people like that. Need to be more aware of that this Christmas season. I think I see a new challenge coming my way.
5. I love Christmas music all year round. It is just so uplifting and fills my heart!

December 1st -
I am grateful that -
1. I have been challenged to do a gratitude journal by Misty. It has been such an uplifting and heartfilling experience. It has been fun to read her blog as well. Somedays we have been grateful for the exact same thing. I am thinking that I might continue this through the end of the year. Maybe it will help me keep the spirit of Christ in my Christmas more- how could it not?
2. I received a marked quilt top from Nan to help me start a quilt. It couldn't possibly match the one she made as that was the most adorable quilt ever. I am grateful that she did all this pre-work and then just gave it to me. I know I would never have taken the time to do that.
3. Nan taught me a better way to make receiving blankets with better corners. I have been struggling with the size and how to make the corners look nicer. I appreciate her talents.
4. This must be a grateful to daughter post as I am grateful that Misty is learning how to knit and is excited that she is understanding patterns. I am grateful that I learned basic knitting just a month before my Mom had her stroke. Oh, how I wish I had learned more so I could have enjoyed this along with her. I am glad that she saw me start and complete 3 baby sweaters. Also happy that she saw how much I love to knit. My only regret on this is I cannot pull up the memory of Mom knitting at all. I cannot visualize her with knitting needles or crochet hook in her hands. That makes me sad.
5. I learned a new enchilada recipe that Allen loved. Yeah! The more success I find in cooking the more I enjoy doing it. I have found that I now love to read recipes - okay Mom, I finally get it! My Mom loved to just sit and read recipes. I am really missing my Mom and Dad this year. How lucky I was to have such amazing and fun parents. I am glad I am going to Salt Lake City soon to be with my sisters as I need to be hugged by my siblings. They have the same ache!