A Year Has Passed

Wow... my blog started on Nov. 3, 2013
365 days would have ended on Nov. 2, 2014.
As you may have noticed, I did not make it all 365 days. I stopped writing in July.

However, it is not because I am not grateful. I still have plenty of things to be grateful for. Life just got in the way...

Today, I am going to pick up where I left off. I may not post every day as life's demands are real and not something invented by someone's imagination :)
Rest assured, though, that I find things to appreciate and be grateful for every day of the year and every moment of the day.

For today, I am grateful that I was given another year here on earth. It was not perfect, but it was what I needed in order to learn who I am, where I come from, and where I am going.

Until next time, be grateful for what comes your way and make the best of it.

Lack of Money

I am grateful I have enough money for my needs and that of my family, but not enough to buy whatever I want, whenever I want it, and for whomever I want.

Don't get me wrong. I like money. I like to spend money. However, tonight, as I was talking with a friend, she was saying how if she saw a child crying at the store because he wanted something, she would love to be able to buy that something for him.

This made me think. What message would this child get? Cry and it shall be given unto you? I heard someone else saying how she wanted to find a second job so that she could buy her children everything they wanted. What happened to spending time with the children being better than showering them with material things?

May be, this is what is wrong with today's society. Back then, children made due with what they had. They used their imagination. They received toys (many times handmade or hand-me-down ones) only at Christmas and possibly a birthday.

Nowadays, many children (not all children) get whatever they want when they want it... And when they grow up, they expect the same thing.
Then...life hits them... they cannot get what they want whenever they want it and, therefore, they get angry and they do (and/or say) things that are less than desirable.

Tonight, I am grateful I was never able to buy whatever my children wanted and whenever they wanted it. There have been times I did buy things for them just because, but it was not the norm and they were educational things (like books). Even so, one of them has grown up thinking he can spend money like there is no tomorrow. I am afraid to think at how he would behave if I did get whatever was wanted whenever he asked for it.

Just Because

Today, I have lots of things to be thankful for. They are all things that I have already mentioned in the past and that, most of the time, I take for granted.

For example, being able to wake up in the morning. I never give it a second thought, but there are so many people that will not wake up tomorrow. This morning, I had the blessing to wake up.

Health: this is another one I take for granted until something happens and I need a doctor. I do am grateful though for the gift of health. A sniffle here and there do not constitute sickness, at least not the kind that keeps you in the hospital, or requires surgery or some other invasive treatment.

Friends: I always have someone I can turn to for advice, help, or just laughter. Someone I can be there for as well. Friendship is not just about receiving but also giving. In Italian we have a saying that says, "Chi trova un amico, trova un tesoro" - he, who finds a friend, finds a treasure. It is true. When we find a true friend, we do find a priceless treasure.

The list of things I take for granted could go on for ever. I will stop here for today, and, perhaps, these things will give you something to think about.

My Dog Buddy

I am grateful for Buddy.

He is a 15 years old pit bull, blind in one eye. I took him in about two years ago to save his life. It was supposed to be just a temporary situation while waiting to find him a permanent home. It turned out that he would have ended up with a rescue group who would have kept him in a pen.

We could not let that happen. He needed to run and he needed to roll in the dirt!
Yes, he loves his dirt!

His owners called him Dirty and I could not image why he would be given such a name. I soon found out!

He has several places he can sleep on, but his favorite is the dog house that does not have a base...he loves the dirt in there.

You can also find him under a small tree, reveling in the dirt. He acts just like a puppy when he has access to just plain dirt. He shows off a big smile and, although he has almost no teeth left, he melts the heart!

I do love my Buddy. Here is a picture of him. I did not catch him in the dirt, but he is adorable, nonetheless!

New Friends

Sometimes, things happen that don't quite go your way. Sometimes, you have one of those days that brings worries and a blah feeling. Nonetheless, it is important to find something to appreciate.

A list of things comes to mind:
1. being alive
2. having a job
3. having food and clothing
4. having a family

These are the first things that my tired brain processes. I don't want to take away from the importance of the previous items; however, today, on a blah day, I would like to show gratitude for new friends.

I had the chance to work at a different campus and, while there, I met two new colleagues. The two ladies were very nice and it was a pleasure meeting them.

We exchanged thoughts and laughter and this interaction made my day a bit better. It was manna from the sky and for this, I am very grateful.

I want to challenge you to find something to give thanks for even on a day that seems dark and dreary. Will you accept this challenge?

Lesson Manuals

I teach Sunday School class to children who are 4 and 5.

Today, I am grateful for lesson manuals as they outline what to teach and give you ideas for activities.

I can prepare activities, lessons, handouts, posters, ... that are suggested in the manual. I would have a hard time coming up with my own ideas though, especially because I have not worked with this age group in a very, very long time.

In these past few years, I have worked (both at school and church) with children that are at least 10 years old and up to 19.... I can handle these ages. I believe it is easier to teach them because they can read.

The 4 and 5 years old, however, cannot read. This makes things a bit more difficult for me. And I am not an artist. I can draw stick figures; I can trace pictures; I love to color the drawings; but I cannot free draw!

So, manuals are a life saver in my situation and I am extremely grateful for them!

Pergola

Well, it is not completed yet. As a matter of fact, only the holes for the posts have been dug; however, I am still grateful for the pergola that is being built in my backyard because it will be an awesome place for my grape vines to climb to and because it will add a piece of Italy to my home.

I am grateful to those involved who volunteer their time and talents to help with the project. It is harder than it looks, especially digging holes exactly where they need to be in order for the poles to be the right distance from each other and at the right height.

I am grateful for the big storm yesterday late afternoon that made the ground softer allowing the remaining two holes to be dug in half the time it took the morning before.

When it will be finished, I will post pictures. Stay tuned!

Pooper Scooper

Ok, it may sound very silly, but I am very grateful for pooper scoopers....

I have two dogs and my back yard has always been a mine field of stinky bombs...it has been their bathroom since day one.

I have tried to keep up the cleaning with a shovel, but I got really tired of it and, soon enough, I just let it go.... Needless to say, mowing the back yard has always been an adventure... Anyone seeing me must have thought that I had some sort of weird step routine I did while pushing my lawnmower.

Not anymore! I bought a pooper scooper at the store yesterday and it is the best $14 I have ever spent. It is so easy to pick up and dispose of their droppings.

From now on, the yard will be poop free (well, except for the corner where it is being deposited).

Now, I need to find a way to eliminate the smell... any ideas anyone?

Unlimited Learning

As long as I am alive, I can learn. Actually, I want to believe that I will continue on learning even after I have moved on.

Today, I am thankful for all those universities who have made available college classes on the internet, free of charge. Granted, accessing them this way will not give students college credit. They will, however, allow individuals to learn as much as they want to learn, thus placing no limit to their learning experience.

I have so much I want to learn, discover, experience. If I had it my way, I would be a perennial student!

Even with my limited availability, I know I can take one course at the time and expand my knowledge. And for this opportunity, I am grateful!

Housework

How many times have we complained about having housework to do?

I know I have done it many times over.

Dishes in the sink,
Laundry in the hamper (well... laundry on the floor),
Dusting,
Vacuuming,
And the list goes on and on....

Today, I am grateful I have housework to do because it means I have a home, I have food, I have clothes, I have furniture, I have everything else I need and even things I want.

It also means I am healthy enough to do the work.

Not everyone is as blessed.

I am going to make it a point, next time I am tempted to grumble because of work to do around the house, to remind myself of how blessed I am to have all the things I need to care for and the health to accomplish the cleaning.

Have a wonderful and productive day!

Phone Apps

So, my old phone (old as in age and in type of phone) finally died and I purchased one of those smart phones. I am not sure how smart they are, but they do come with some really nifty apps.

The one app I really, really like and I am grateful to have found is the "tasks app"

This app allows you to set up things you want and/or need to do, such as studying the scriptures, doctor's appointment, etc. and to set them up to repeat as often as you need them to be repeated.

If it were not for this app, I would lose track of the things that I need to do, or the places I need to be. It replaced the handwritten calendar, and I do like it a lot!

I am very grateful to those who came up with this phone application that has made my life a lot less complicated and a lot more organized!

Water

Sometimes, we take it for granted; we waste it; we don't think about it.
Yet, without water, life on earth, as we know it, would end.

Today, I want to give thanks for water. I have the blessing of have running water in the house. Many, in far away countries and even close to home, do not have this privilege.

I use water daily to clean, cook, drink, dispose of waste, and water my garden.
I use it without thinking of how precious it is. It is worth more than any of the precious metals and gems in the world. It keeps my family, my animals, and my plants alive.

We can go without food for an extended period of time, but we cannot go without water. Our bodies are made of up to 60% water (some have more, some have less). The world is about 71% water.

Yes, I am indeed grateful for water and I want to commit to be more mindful of its use so I do not waste as much of it.

Naps

When I was growing up, my mom always wanted me to take a nap. I despised it. I did not want to sleep as I had too much to do...playing with the Barbie dolls, watching TV, coloring, playing house, playing school, putting puzzles together, ...

Now that I am older, I still have too much to do, but I do cherish my  naps. They are a rarity, as working adults do not get the chance to nap during their work days; however, over the weekend, especially on Sundays, there is always time for a nap!

So, today, I am very grateful for naps. Who's with me?

Weather

These past two days, the weather has been absolutely fantastic.

Trees swaying in the breeze, cooler temperatures (may be they feel cooler because of the light wind), sunshine... perfect combination. It feels like heaven.

If I could find a place that has this kind of weather year round, I would move there in a heartbeat, as this is my favorite kind of weather.

So, I am grateful for the weather of the past two days. I hope it will continue; however, should it stop, I am grateful I have been able to enjoy it to its fullest.

MacGyver

It may seem strange, but I am grateful for the TV show MacGyver.
It is a TV show that teaches about friendship, ingenuity, integrity. It does not contain any of the immoral selling points of today's shows.

It is nice to be able to watch a program without having to worry about content. The character himself, never uses a weapon to hurt anyone. He uses anything he finds and his trusted Swiss Army knife to save the day.

I love this show and I am grateful it was made.

A New Car

I am grateful for my new car.
It is not really new, it is from 2002; however, it is new to me.

So far, it runs great! I am grateful I was able to purchase it and stay within the money the insurance company gave me. That in itself is something to be grateful for. I did not want to have car payments and my wish was granted!

Heavenly Father has been extremely good to me. He has watched over my son during the accident, He watched over his passengers, and I feel He watched over me when it came time for the insurance to pay out on the car.

Yes, I have a lot of things to be grateful for.

Sacred Scriptures

One of the first things I try to do at the start of day is to study the Holy Scriptures.

I believe that it is important we read them as they contain instructions for us to follow in order to be better individuals.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Scriptures I have access to are the Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

I am grateful today for the Scriptures as they are an inspiration, a guide, a help, and a comfort to me. I can read of the mistakes others have made and learn from them. I can read of the blessings imparted to those who followed the Commandments. And, as I study them, I can feel the love of the Savior.

No matter what religious creed you practice, you are bound to have a set of scriptures you use. I encourage you to read in them each day and live them to the best of your capabilities. Your life will be smoother. It does not mean you will not have problems, but you will have the strength to live through them.

So, pick up that book you call Scriptures; dive into it; learn from it; and share it with those whom you love.

People

I guess I should specify what kind of people. I am grateful for those individuals who, by their behavior, make common sense a rarity.

For example, today at work, this students decided to text during her midterm exam. Per testing center's policy, I picked up her phone. She proceeded to tell me that she was 42 years old and I had no right to pick up her phone and took it from my hand. I explained to her that it was the center's policy and she could take it up with my director.

Now, students are advised multiple times that no electronic devices are allowed during testing at any time and for any reasons. That is considered cheating!

How can this individual decide that she was above the rule? And how can she decide that being 42 gave her the right to behave in such a way?

I found this amazing, amusing, and interesting! I feel sorry for her because I did have to fill out an incident report and it might cost her the exam.

So, I am grateful for this student that made me realize that common sense in not that common after all.

My Mom!

I am very grateful for my  Mom!

Today is her birthday and I am grateful she is healthy and strong. I am grateful to have been able to wish her a very happy birthday, although by phone.

I am grateful for all the things she taught me and for all the patience she had, and still has, with me in spite of what I put her through. As you know, teenagers always know more than their parents, and I was not any different.

I am grateful for her wisdom, intelligence, and hard working qualities and for all of her other unmentioned wonderful traits!

I am grateful she is MY Mom!!!

Telephones

Today, I am grateful for telephones. Because of phones, I am able to call my parents and talk with them as if they were here, although they are 5,000 miles apart.

I am too far away from them, but at least I can pick up the phone and talk with them any time I wish. I must admit, it is always great to hear their voices.

So, yes, I am very grateful for telephones!

Internet

Today I am grateful for the Internet.

It is so easy to find information needed over the World Wide Web. If you have pets, you know how expensive it is to keep up the monthly preventive medicine.

Well, thanks to the Internet, through some research, I was able to find a way to keep up the monthly preventive for my cats at a fraction of the cost.

I love having access to the Internet. I just have to make sure that it is used wisely as, among the wheat one finds the tares as well. The wheat is good. Tares, however, are not.

What good and worthwhile finds have you been able to access through the Internet lately?

Work

I am grateful for work. Whether it be the regular day job, or volunteer work, or just plain work around the house, I am grateful that I have work to do.

When I am working, I get to learn new things, improve skills I already have, share my knowledge with others, serve others, and around the house make things prettier.

I am grateful that I am healthy enough to do work in and out of the home. There are many out there who cannot work due to a disability. And there are those who do not work because they cannot find employment. It is tough out there, so I am thankful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with employment and other opportunities to serve others.

Life Is Beautiful

Life is beautiful and I am grateful for it.

Don't get me wrong, I have my challenges, disappointments, hardships, etc., but who doesn't?
The most important part is how we address and how we react to these stumbling blocks.

I have chosen to accentuate the positive. All things have two sides: the good and the not so good.
Choose to look at the good one!

I am grateful that I am able to find the positive in the various situations I encounter in life.

I hope you will give it a try!

Lost Count

It has been a very long time, since the last time I posted something.
It is not because I have not been grateful, as every day, I have given thanks for all the blessings I received. Life just got in a way...

I am back though and I am ready to resume my daily posts about gratitude.
May be I should start from 1 again and hope that life will not get in the way of my plans!

Today, I am grateful for friends who willingly lend you their extra vehicle until you find a new one of your own!

My son was in a car accident a little over two weeks ago. It could have been much worse than it was and I am very grateful that he will make a full recovery. The car, however, was a total loss. I am now looking for a new vehicle and it is very hard to find something reliable that does not cost a whole lot of money.
This family I know has allowed me to use their extra vehicle so I don't have to pay for a rental. I am very grateful to them!

I hope your life is filled with friends such as mine.

Day 100 to 103 - Safey and Dedication

These last few days we have experienced bad weather (and still are).

With roads iced over I am grateful for the safety of our travel, when we did have to travel; I am grateful for the safety of our home; and I am grateful for the dedication of all those employed in service occupations: hospital and nursing home personnel, from the janitor to the doctor who keep facilities clean and tend to patients; police and fire departments who keep us safe and come to our rescue; road and power workers who do their best to clean roads and make them drivable and who take care of fallen power lines and power outages.

Without these individuals, our communities would be totally crippled. Many of them spend nights away from their families.So, it is with gratitude that I say thank you to all them for working during hazardous times to make our lives safer.

Day 64 to 99 - Innumerable Blessings

I am so sorry for the long silence. Life is what happens to you while you are making plans, so the saying goes.

Although I have been silent on the blog, I have still been blessed and have tried to recognize my blessings every day.

During this time I have seen the hand of a loving Father in Heaven guiding me when guidance was needed and comforting me when I was in need of comfort. Although life has taken a different turn that I expected, wanted, and anticipated, there is still a silver lining. There are lessons to be learned that will make us all better individuals.

I am grateful for my life with its challenges and rewards.
I know that with Heavenly Father and the Savior on my side, all will be well.

Day 63 - Goodwill Bargains

I am grateful for bargains found at Goodwill. I was able to find a couple of items I needed for a fraction of the price! Now, I am the proud owner of two baby gates that will keep the dogs in one area, yet allow the cats to come and go as they please. Also, I was able to find a cat carrier. Now the kitties are settled, if we have to transport them.

The total came out to be about $13, much less than what one new baby gate would have cost me. Yes, I am indeed grateful for bargains found at second hand stores.

Day 62 - Weather Warnings

I am grateful for weather warning stations that tells us of what to expect and allow us to get prepared.
With temperatures going below freezing, it was imperative I fix up the rooms to accommodate the cats (they don't all get along; therefore, they have to be separated) so that I could bring in the dogs.

The temperature will rise again the next couple of days to plummet mid week to the single digits. Yikes!!!
I am grateful, though, that we have these weather predictions.

I hope that all those who do not have a permanent shelter will find a warm place to stay during this week, both humans and four legged creatures.

Day 61 - Leftovers

I am grateful for leftovers because it means I had plenty of food to eat in the past couple of days and because it means I don't have to cook!

I never had to suffer hunger and I cannot imagine what it means to go without food not by choice but by circumstance. I am grateful that I have always had something on the table. I have to admit that some times the food on the table was donated to me and at other times I was able to purchase. No matter how I was blessed with food, what is important is that I did have it to cook and eat.

In spite of the financial circumstance people are battling, I hope that this new year will see less people hungry because of the generosity of those who do have the opportunity to share.

Day 60 - A New Year

I am grateful for a new year. It is a new chapter in my life all ready to be written.
There is no past, only the present and future.
I am grateful for this opportunity to start new.

Of course, every day gives us the chance to start from scratch. Every day we can take it from there leaving the past behind. Somehow, though, it seems easier to do so when a whole new year begins.

So, I am taking this January 1, 2014 with a grateful heart and the determination to have a wonderful 2014.
I know I will have challenges, but those are there for my benefit. I can learn from them and become a better person for them.

May you all have a great 2014.