Day 305

I am grateful for anniversaries.

An anniversary is the yearly recurrence of the date of a past event and the celebration or commemoration of that date. They remind us of a day we want to remember, no matter the reasons. We party over wedding anniversaries. We lay flowers over griefs. We remember.

Today is my parents' anniversary. They were married 53 years ago. For most of my life, their anniversary made this day more about celebrating their love and life together than about candy and costumes. That's still true today. I remember.

Thank You, Lord, for these dates.

Day 304

I am grateful for roundabouts.

I'm as impatient as the next girl, so if I don't have to stop at a stop sign, I'd rather not. I don't mind yielding, slowing down and then getting to keep going. It's the best California stop ever.

A friend of mine finds them confusing, which I find puzzling, as she's extremely intelligent. She said no one can figure out who gets to go, but if you know how to yield, you know who gets to go. Simple and easy. My kind of traffic.

Thank You, Lord, for this great invention.

Day 303

I am grateful for beef.

I've always loved beef. I could only be a vegetarian if my life absolutely depended on it. I'd have to have some titanic allergy that would cause immediate cardiac arrest, migraines,  stroke, and seizures. I like my beef. My mom always said I should marry a rancher when I grew up because of my appetite for it.

I'm on this Paleo diet, which is basically animal and produce, preferably grass-fed animals, not grain-fed. That's the tricky part. It's hard to find. I'm going to check into a small ranch I found online that produces it. In the meantime, I'll enjoy a steak or two, some burgers, and a pot roast. Eeyum.

Thank You, Lord, for meat.

Day 302

I am grateful for Carol Burnett.

I watched her show growing up, and I loved it. I loved the variety, the talent, the humor, and her humble manner. She was always funny in the Q&A part of the show, and I watched down to the tugging of her ear at the very end as a nod to her grandma. It was good, clean, fun stuff.

I just finished her audio book, which she narrates herself. It's called This Time Together, and it's a collection of memorable stories from her life. Most of it was funny, some of it was touching, and all of it was interesting. Definitely worth your time if you're at all into autobiographies. She's one of those G-rated comediennes who makes you laugh often at her own expense, a class act all the way. It's appropriate that I would honor someone my mom admired on this, my mom's birthday. *tug*

Thank You, Lord, for this marvelous lady.

Day 301

I am grateful for Broadway musicals.

I have loved musicals since I was a kid. I think I watched South Pacific five times before I was twelve. My enjoyment was limited to TV and movies until I was about 30. A woman at our church couldn't go to "Les Miserables" at the Opera House with the group that had arranged to attend, so she gave me her ticket.

We sat in the middle of the very back row in the nosebleed section. I didn't care. I didn't even notice. I was spellbound from the opening note. I hated that I had to go to the bathroom at intermission because I didn't want to miss anything. Seeing, hearing, experiencing this live changed something in my DNA. Or something. I was mesmerized by the sights, sounds, plot, and emotions.

I've had the privilege of going to other musical productions, but there's always something innocent, something forever special about your first love. Jylle and I hope to see "Phantom of the Opera" together someday. Maybe that will be her first, and she'll know what I mean.

Thank You, Lord, for this extraordinary entertainment.

Day 300

I am grateful for Elizabeth Prentiss.

When I was about 28, I read her book called Stepping Heavenward, the fictional journal of a young woman recording her life experiences and her thoughts and feelings about them. I loved it.

There are at least ten noteworthy quotes from the book, and these are two of my favorites:

“She says I shall now have one mouth the more to fill and two feet the more to shoe, more disturbed nights, more laborious days, and less leisure or visiting, reading, music, and drawing.

Well! This is one side of the story, to be sure, but I look at the other. Here is a sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God; and the body in which it dwells is worth all it will cost, since it is the abode of a kingly tenant. I may see less of friends, but I have gained one dearer than them all, to whom, while I minister in Christ's name, I make a willing sacrifice of what little leisure for my own recreation my other darlings had left me. Yes, my precious baby, you are welcome to your mother's heart, welcome to her time, her strength, her health, her tenderest cares, to her lifelong prayers! Oh, how rich I am, how truly, how wondrously blest!”

“But you will imagine that it is best that He should at once enable you to see clearly. If it is, you may be sure He will do it. He never makes mistakes. But He often deals far differently with His disciples. He lets them grope their way in the dark until they fully learn how blind they are, how helpless, how absolutely in need of Him. What His methods will be with you I cannot foretell. But you may be sure that He never works in an arbitrary way. He has a reason for everything He does. You may not understand why He leads you now in this way and now in that, but you may, nay, you must believe that perfection is stamped on His every act.”

Thank You, Lord, for this sweet, grace-full author.

Day 299

Sandy, Kevin, Me, Tim, Denise, Ken, Tracy, Vicki, and Tom

I am grateful for old friends.

This group goes back to our college days when we all attended Fourth Memorial Church. We did all kinds of things together, everyone got along really well, and we grew up a lot because and in spite of our friendships. We didn't know then that what we had was rare and of great worth. There were about 40 of us, but Kev and I mostly did stuff with about 10 or 12. A lot of couples came out of that group married, Kev and me included. I don't know why it's hard to make friends today like we did then, but I'm deeply thankful for this wacky and solid group.

There are five of us couples who still get together regularly. We try for every month, but sometimes it's every other. We have dinner, maybe do an activity or game, tell stories, catch up, and laugh a whole lot, especially when the guys poke fun at one another. The last get-together was at Tim's, and there was a couples shooting competition that Kev and I won! The only prize was bragging rights, but it was great.

It's a treasure to have friendships that last your whole life. I was 20 when I joined in at the invitation of a classmate in college who just happened to be the college group pastor. It felt like a kidskin glove, and I never looked back. I only look forward to making more memories with these foundation friends.

Thank You, Lord, for lifelong friends.

Day 298

I am grateful for shortbread.

Having adopted the Paleo diet for the last three months in an attempt to drop meds for high BP and high cholesterol, my new doctor suggested this diet, and it's been great overall. The one goodie that seems to satisfy my sweet tooth is shortbread. I was bummed when I thought I'd have to forego that, but then I found a Paleo recipe for it, and I was on top o'the world! Yay! Hurrah! Hip, hip and all that!

Thank You, Lord, for sweet splurges.

Day 297

I am grateful for this proposal.

Ryan proposed to Amy this last Saturday. He invited her parents, grandma, three best friends, and the two of us to be part of it. What a privilege, and what fun!

He had it all planned out, and of course, there were glitches, but it all worked out, and we all were able to keep our one-on-one appointments with her, one after the other in the scavenger hunt type agenda he worked out. One after another, people important in her life met with her, blessed her, spoke blessing into her life and their life together, prayed with her, and we all met together afterward at her house to eat, chat, toast the couple, and report chronologically our part in the proposal.

We sooo love her family. They have the same values that we do as far as God, family, and service. We are as comfortable with them as we are our own family. We look forward to this June wedding and the uniting of  our two families. May the Lord bless this with His grace, abundance, and joy!

Thank You, Lord, for this tremendously wonderful occasion!

Day 296

I am grateful for Zon.

I adore my cousins. Most people call her Zon, but I've always called her ZonZon (pronounced 'sohn sohn'). She was nine, and I was 18 when my mom and I went to the Philippines for a month. She would hold an open umbrella out in front of me to protect me from being seen. She took her self-assigned job seriously too. We had the best time together. It was an unforgettable and incredibly short month.

She grew up and moved here with her parents about 20 years ago, making their home in the south. With her generous loving heart, fiery temperament, and quick wit, she is my mom's clone, and that's what she still calls herself. She said she's more like my mom than her own because hers is too sweet!

She's come to visit three times, and it was obvious where ZonZon was because there was always laughter. One of the greatest gifts she could have ever given was to bring her mom up here for my mom's birthday in October, 2010. Mom was absolutely shocked as my aunty walked in. Mom was in a lot of pain then and sat on the edge of her recliner, sobbing and hugging her as if for life. We still have that video, and I still get choked up at the sight of their reunion, made possible by the generosity and thoughtfulness of the most wonderful clone I will ever know. A heart as big as the whole wide world with a wonderful, quirky, loving, funny family of her own now, her friendship is priceless to me, and she continues to bless me by keeping in regular touch with my dad. She is an amazing soul, and I treasure her.

Thank You, Lord, for my ZonZon.

Day 295

I am grateful for forgiveness.

I have been forgiven much. I try to remember that when I need to offer it myself. I am positionally guilt-free before the living God, and it blows my mind whenever I try to fathom it. My freedom cost me nothing, but it cost the Father His greatest treasure.

I've received it. I've given it. It's a life-changing gift.

Thank You, Lord, for this priceless endowment.

Day 294

I am grateful for worship music.

Church music is far different from what it was years ago. It's about experiencing and enjoying that Relationship personally. "I don't want to talk about You like You're not in the room. I want to look right at You. I want to sing right to You," are lyrics from "You Won't Relent" which sum up that intimacy. We can savor His presence through the ministry of lovely or lively music and meaningful words sung right to Him.

Thank You, Lord, for this precious gift.

Day 293

I am grateful for Cassie.

She is a senior, just turned 18, beautiful inside and out, intelligent, wise, insightful, gracious, super fun, compassionate, talented, and all around quite amazing. Raised by her grandma, the youngest of three, her capacity for kindness, cheer, and all-out fun are unequaled. She has excelled in spite of some strikes against her in terms of circumstances. She has flourished where most would have failed. She has risen above and beyond ordinary expectations with grace, humor, and integrity. She will become a great woman, and I mean that in its fullest definition. I am proud to know her and pray for her as she shoots for the stars.

Thank You, Lord, for this incredible soul.

Day 292

I am grateful for Google technology.

I remember when I first heard of "Ask Jeeves." I was amazed at the very idea of a search engine. Key words were the thing. Find the words that will narrow down your search. THEN Google popped onto the scene, and I was completely hooked. Why would anyone use any other search engine?!

THEN Gmail hit. I received an invitation to create an account, and again, why would anyone use any other email?! The same incredible technology that comes up with a million hits allows me to find a particular email I'm looking for just by plugging in some key words. Hooked again. Grateful.

Thank You, Lord, for this amazing technology.

Day 291

I am grateful for the Amplified Bible.

My friend Cheryl recommended this Bible to me when she realized what a word girl I am. She said it expounds on the meaning using extra words and phrases to help the reader better comprehend the text. She nailed it. This Bible makes the meaning pop for me. It is my favorite for that reason.

Thank You, Lord, for this priceless translation.

Day 290

I am grateful for online bill paying.

There are four bills I pay online monthly. Not only do they save me four stamps, but I am able to schedule them whenever I want, and I can schedule that with a little fudging if I need to. It all seems to work out in the end, so it's a great payment option.

Thank You, Lord, for this alternative.

Day 289

I am grateful for fans.

Having passed age 50 and the hot flashes associated with menopause, I am extremely indebted to the coolness brought about by a portable fan, especially one that can be propelled on a night stand. Coolness. 'At's what I'm talkin' about. 'Nuff saId.

Thank You, Lord, for this cost-effective li'l device.

Day

I am grateful for fresh picked apples.

I love apples. There are a few varieties I love a LOT--Cameo, Fuji, and Honey Crisp. Fresh picked off the tree is the absolute best. There is no wax, no processing, no nothin'... We had a small crop of Fujis this year, and they are what we're aiming for. Juicy, luscious, fresh, crisp--all those wunnerful adjectives!\

Thank You, Lord, for organic apples fresh off the tree.

Day 287

I am grateful for Trudy.

My older brother married Trudy, the neighbor girl, when I was 14. She was cute, sweet, little, fun, and flexible. Time has not changed those virtues much.

There has been some estrangement in the family, but time has a way of addressing that. She was one of the chief cheerleaders of that change, and I applaud her for hanging in there, for wanting what's best for us all, and for remaining her cute, sweet, little, fun, and flexible self. I shall always adore her for that. And for a hundred other wonderful things.

Thank You, Lord, for my sweet sister.

Day 286

I am grateful for deluscious cookies.

Chocolate chips cookies were a staple in our freezer for years while the kids had friends coming and going all the time. These cookies have gotten a lot of attention, and I've often gifted them to people. I'm not the best baker, but I can make a decent chocolate chip cookie.

Our nephew Brian sent an assortment of cookies to Kev and me for our birthdays (they're exactly one week apart). These were the most delicious cookies I have ever had that weren't homemade. They were shipped overnight from California and arrived in a lovey box, individually wrapped in cellophane. They looked like something Grandma whipped up. Totally taste like the secret ingredient is love. EeeYUM!

Thank You, Lord, for great cookies.

Day 285

I am grateful for my senior pictures.

I have a couple of cupboard doors decorated with senior pictures. It got its start Brett's senior year when I put up his classmates' photos. It's blossomed since then, and I  hope to keep adding to it as these precious people complete their high school careers.

It used to be a lot more scattered and less uniform. Jylle tackled it as a small project and made it look a whole lot better. I appreciate her talent.

There is one up there that's not a senior picture. Pretty soon it will be of senior citizens.

Thank You, Lord, for this wonderfully lovely collage.

Day 284

I am grateful for Amy.

Amy and Ryan have been dating--courting maybe--for a year and a half. She is gentle, kind, thoughtful, intelligent, wise, funny, and loves Jesus. She brings joy, sweetness, life, and adventure to Ryan, and he loves her to da moon and back. Her family is great, and we really enjoy them.

Something I really like about Amy is her willingness to learn and not be so certain that she knows the final word on stuff. Her humility is touching, and I find that I yearn for the better angels of our nature when she's around.

Thank You, Lord, for this dear girl, and please bless her on this, her 22nd birthday.

Day 283

I am grateful for the sunrise.

The sunrise is a beautiful thing. It's quiet, the air is sweet and clean, a new day awaits, and the whole landscape slowly slips on a rosy glow as the sun is lifted up and over that eastern mountain. It's a glorious few minutes.

Thank You, Lord, for Your incredible artwork.

Day 282

I am grateful for a vacuum.

We have two indoor dogs and a cat. We have pet hair everywhere. It's just a fact of life. Without my vacuum, it would be a nightmare. It's bad enough with one. We could never have people over in good conscience without one. It would just be gross. I don't have to think about it or complicate the situation. I need my vacuum, and I'm totally grateful for it. In fact, it's time to use it now.

Thank You, Lord, for this necessary appliance.

Day 281

I am grateful for cotton candy.

I usually only have it once a year when we go to one fair or another. It's almost like paying for sweet air--it's there, and then it's gone. Having inherited a sweet tooth the size of Canada from my dad, I have loved cotton candy all my life, never outgrew it. I remember doing the puppy head tilt thing whenever friends would say "it's just too sweet." It's sugar--heck yeah, it's sweet! It's delightful! It's deluxe! It's perfection! I want another one!

Cotton candy reminds me to enjoy the present moment. As a kid, I tried to save some for the next day. I was shocked and disappointed to find a small glob slightly glistening with pink dewdrops all shrunk and pathetic in its formerly well-fitting plastic bag. Enjoy it while it's there in front of you. Enjoy right now.

Thank You, Lord, for simple pleasure and life lessons in sweetness-on-a-stick.

Day 280

I am grateful for an empty nest.

I tend to dwell on loss and regret, so it's a struggle to be optimistic and marinate in the positive. I have been grieving the loss of the most wonder-full time of my life. We have worked ourselves out of a job, and there will never be a time when one of our kids lives here with us as a child growing up. I know things are as they should be. We wouldn't really have it any other way. They have gone out into the world in a healthy and proper way. Still though, I grieve. Jylle leaving marks the end of something I have loved doing with all my heart and soul, probably the best thing I will ever do in this life. I'm not underestimating God, just weighing the value of pouring into three precious, priceless treasures.

Childhood was chapter one. Being a wife and mom was chapter two. Now dawns chapter three, and we're back to where we started, just the two of us. I'm looking forward to seeing what we'll mellow into. We'll probably establish some kind of routine, something we started doing this summer when Jylle would be at camp all week and back home on the weekends. We've talked about going out to dinner and movies more often, taking mini-vacations, traveling a little and seeing parts of the state we've never visited. Having something to look forward to keeps me sane. We are living the life we hoped for and anticipated those 30 years ago. We are growing old together. And how I love the heart and hands of the one I share this blessed nest with...

Thank You, Lord, for this new chapter.

Day 279

I am grateful for sweats.

This is my uniform of choice from fall to spring. I love the ones with pockets so I can keep my cell phone, a pocket knife, and lip balm on me at all times. When I go for a hike or walk, I add a small baggie of kibble so I can treat my doggies. They are the most comfy garb ever invented, and I don't know what I'd do if they were ever outlawed. I can't imagine wearing jeans all the time! I have to be mindful though, because I remember my mom saying that she lost her waistline when she started wearing elastic waist pants all the time. Duly noted.

Thank You, Lord, for this wonderful apparel.

Day 278

I am grateful for this birthday.

I am Day 278. I have been alive 52 years today. I was born during a hurricane, and according to my mom, my eyes and hair were so dark, the nurses called me Midnight. I have lived a lot of life, and most of it has been absolutely wonderful. I have been so blessed as to consider myself spoiled rotten. I know blessing so thorough and profound that if the rest of my life is all tragedy, I can still consider my life an example of how good God is. I'm not measuring His goodness, just being deeply grateful for it.

I wish Paula Nelson, Jeanette Dobratz, and Terry Johnson a very happy birthday today as well. May they be even more blessed than I am.

Thank You, Lord, for this enchanting life.

Day 277

I am grateful for TV.

We have a hundred channels we never use. Never. Still, there are a few shows I really enjoy. I like the Ellen show, Castle, Once Upon a Time, Chopped, Glee, and Undercover Boss. My dad gave us my mom's TV, so now we have one with a clearer picture. With the old one, we could hardly read a football score. Nice change.

Thank You, Lord, for this shallow indulgence.

Day 276

I am grateful for tick medication.

My dogs go with us into the woods, and we have ticks out there. It is always unnerving to pet them afterwards and find a big, swollen, gray bag with its gnarly head securely buried into my poor dog's skin. Eeeyuck.

My dad gave me some of this tick medication last year, and we had no more problems with the pesky vermin. Costco sold the generic product this spring, so I picked up some. Works like a charm on Guido, but not so well on Doolie. After medicating him, I found a tick on him two times. Bummer. It's been a month though, and no more. I'm just grateful it works well on at least one of them and perhaps at least to a mediocre extent on the other.

Thank You, Lord, for effective medicine.

Day 275

I am grateful for clean windows.

We had were misfortunate enough to buy windows for our home from a manufacturer that didn't stay in business. As a result, the seal broke on the four largest windows in the house, leaving them spot foggy, far less insulated, and dim. We paid a company over $600 to fix them. It was guaranteed. No one ever needed them to come back and do it again. Except us. A second treatment did no good. At least they refunded our money. But the windows are still duds.

Kev cleaned them the other day, and they look a lot better. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best, they're at least about a 5, but that's better than the 2 they've been for a year. There's nothing we can do about the spots between the panes, but he at least got the outside looking better.

I frowned this morning when I opened the blind, only to find a five-inch dribble of bird poop on the middle pane--the largest--in the living room, only three days after all his hard work. Three days of pride... *sigh*

At least the front door looks good. For now.

Thank You, Lord, for rare, therefore valuable, clean windows.