In quietness and confidence is your strength...

well at least that's what God says. I'm not sure I always believe it. Even myself as much as I love my "alone time." I hardly ever rest in the peace and confidence of who God is anymore, in the quiet of, nothing but, that knowledge. I am thankful it is available to me. Thankful that God is more patient than anyone I know, for my return. I need strength these days more than ever. I am thankful for diversions, but maybe a little too thankful.......

The night after Thanksgiving

We have been so busy celebrating the last two days I didn't even post an "I'm thankful for..." on the actual day, sanctioned, for such declarations. But I am indeed thankful for two families to love us, and want us near . I am thankful that we were able to pool our resources for such good, and bountiful feasts. And I truly am thankful for leftovers. I am also thankful that all the bills have been paid for another month. That we have a pretty good idea of what we are buying for Christmas gifts, and how to get them, without selling our dogs. And I am thankful that the most wonderful time of year is drawing near, and tomorrow we will be decorating. I love our Christmas tree. I love our little home, and I love my crazy little family. "God Bless us , every one!" AMEN

Twas the night before thanksgiving ...

... and all through the house. We were tired from a day of preparation, both I and my spouse.

The dogs are all nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of food they smelled all day, dance in their heads. And John in bed also, and me writing my blog, trying to clear my brain, of the busy day's fog. Having run so many errands and cleaning the mess from the pumpkin pie batter, planning so much food we'll be taking, after then next two days of feasting, we'll surely be fatter. But we have to budget, for the next holiday, so have you no fear. We won't have much to eat after these feast days 'till the next ones are here. I'm running out of ideas for this poem I write, so "Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all , a good night.

day 2 of counting blessings...

... dawned with a so , so start. I fought most of the day with my husband, which I truly wish I could say was unusual. But for this blog I promised myself to find things to be thankful for no matter what. So today I am thankful that I got my parents Christmas gift ordered and paid for. I am also thankful that I got my, Co-pirg, insurance info sent in, for the new year. Speaking of insurance, I am glad that we can afford this coverage , because we really need it. Also I am glad that we are not behind on any payments with money being kind of tight right now. My husband is currently unemployed. But we are blessed with a small house payment, and not many bills above the normal; food, shelter and , utilities types. I am thankful for my home and loving pets that make the hardest days more bearable, no matter what. Today I am thankful to be blessed, not just surviving.

It takes more muscles to frown than to smile ....

...or so your mother always told you, anyway. It seems it would follow suit that it takes more effort to complain, than to find joy in life. That is my intent for this blog, an online thankfulness journal, of sorts. I have contemplated blogging for a while now and it seems I thought of MANY complaints to voice, and harp on, in my life. Then I thought of making my blog spot "my happy place." I WILL find reasons for joy and thankfulness. As the Apostle Paul of the bible once said; "I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content." If you know your biblical history this was a man who was beaten near death, and imprisoned, and shipwrecked, etc, etc, etc ..... If he can find contentment whenever, and wherever, so can I. So today I am thankful that I can chose to be content. Trouble will surely find me, as it has before. But it can not choose my reactions , for this I am thankful. For this reason I embark on this blogging journey, to another land, "a State of Content."