People in the Neighborhood

(First of all, just as a side note in regards to yesterday's gratitude post, let me say that my nephew, Gardner, called late last night and his air conditioning was broken - they were suffering greatly.  Ah, in heat like this, I am so very very grateful for AC!)

Party last night - good people - way too much good desserts.

But, thinking about the marvelous people in the room, I realize - AGAIN - that we live in an extraordinary neighborhood with such incredibly GOOD, good people.  They have lived amazing, diverse lives.  They are helpers, givers, just wonderful fun people.

What a great blessing to always have strong happy people in my life!

I am grateful.

AIR CONDITIONING!

The West is in record-high scorching heat right now...it is hot, hot, hot and going to get HOTTER!

So, it totally makes me appreciate air conditioning...what a great blessing.

It always makes me wonder how early settlers here and other places could stand it....how did they work, build homes, build schools, churches.  They are inspiring.

So, I'll just say again - IT IS HOT!

Air conditioning...oh, yes, I'm very grateful indeed!

8 Wonderful Years of Family Close By

There were a whole lot of tears being shed yesterday...she won't know and I won't tell.

But, it has been a blessed 8 years.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, I am grateful!

The Challenge to Read the B of M in 80 Days

It was a challenge to the youth...

read the entire Book of Mormon over your summer break.

It sounded like a great thing to do; so I decided that even though I am FAR from a youth, I'm not far from needing the guidance and testimony of that great book.

So, I've been reading it.

It's marvelous.

And, I am grateful for that challenge.

A Home

When I see these homeless people carrying EVERYTHING they own in one small bag, I am reminded how wonderful a HOME is.

I've always lived in adequate and good homes....while not always elaborate, they have had electricity, heat, air conditioning, running water (although at present, we are having some water issues, but the water stilll works and it will all be resolved.)

At any rate, I am so grateful to have a HOME.

the Five Senses

Last night on the news, they had a story of a young boy who had a coclear implant to hear.  It showed a picture of him hearing his father's voice for the first time; his face literally lit up!  It was an absolute miracle.

It reminded me how marvelous it is to be able to:

See
Hear
Taste
Touch
Feel

And, I am so very very grateful!

Having Jenni and Family Close for Seven Years

The Fishers have lived 25 minutes away for seven years.

That is about to change.

I will miss them more than it is possible to say.

But, for those years they were here, I am eternally grateful.

Laughter and Joy

Many times when we are in public Allen will say something like,

"Isn't it great to see people having a good time?"

And, yes it is.  I love that he pointed that out to me - the JOY of seeing people have a good time.

It's such a fun thing.

And, I am grateful.

Jeremy almost always seems to be JOYful.  I love that.

Tools...

a paper punch,
scissors,
can opener,
ruler,
paper cutter,
calculator,
utensils,
printer,

Ah, such great simple useful inventions.

And, I am grateful.

A Car

Man, a car is awesome.

It's so great to have a car that works.

And a pickup.

I am grateful.

Fruits and Vegetables

Truthfully, I eat way too many sweets, candy, cookies, pie, yogurt, chocolate, etc.

As a result, I cannot seem to lose any weight.  I'm very discouraged.

BUT, on the flip side of that, I realize how important fruits and veggies are to good health.

And, I'm very grateful Heavenly Father created such a wide variety of good, nutritious things to eat!

Pain Pills

I often think of the pioneers and some of their ailments.

If they had a stomach ache or toothache or headache, or sunburn; they had no way of relieving the pains.

Right now, I have a nerve pain that is painful and annoying and constant and wretched.  So, I take a couple of Ibuprofens to alleviate some  of the pain.

And, I am grateful!

Fruit and Veggies Fresh From RAH's Garden

So far this year, we have had:
apricots; lots of them
apples; just a few so far
lettuce; a tad so far
peas; oh, so delicious, but over so fast
beans; a very few for stir fry
zucchini; mighty tasty with more to come
radishes; ouch, something happened to this crop.

RAH has nurtured, tended, watered, weeded, cared for, nourished.

And I am grateful.

Grandkids

I'm tending Miles and Eli for a week.

It's a great blessing to be with them.  They are smart, fun, and good.

I'm grateful.

Friday night - late - just arrived and it's time for bed!

This Might Sound Strange...

but I'm grateful for BING, which I have as my home page.

I love the pictures they feature every day.

Today's page features a flag in honor Flag Day.

Other days it might be animals, incredible places in the world.

It's always fun to wake up and see what's on the home screen today!

And, I'm grateful.

Hot Water

Sometimes in China, the water wasn't always hot.

Showering in cold water is not the most pleasant.

So, I'm grateful for HOT Water.

Email

Oh, what a way to communicate;

fast,

efficient,

free.

And, I am grateful.

RAH

I should say it more often...

I'm very thankful for Allen.

He is very good to me and is a good person.

I'm grateful.

The Ability to Read

I totally take it for granted.

But, it's such a great blessing to be able to read.

And, I am thankful.

An Income

The man was 82 years old and he came to the LDS Employment Center looking for a job;

he had lost his entire retirement:

$400,000.00!

My heart still aches for that man who lives on social security.  He is a former bishop, senior missionary.

So, I am so grateful for a very good income.

Thank you, Heavenly Father!

MUSIC!

I love music.

And, I am so grateful that I can hear it.

Friends

She called and asked to come over; I was excited that she was coming for a visit.

But, nothing could have surprised me more than when she had me open the big package she was carrying and which was a lovely home-made quilt.

Unreal!

I was very stunned and surprised by that unexpected turn of generosity.

And, it reminds me once again how marvelous it is to have dear friends.

Thank you dear Sharon.  I am beyond grateful.

Kristi!

What a daughter!

What a dear.  I do love that girl!

And, I am thankful.

The Promise of a New Day

so many things to do,

but a new day to try to get them done.

And, I am grateful.

Water

It's pretty scarce in the desert.

But, so far, we are blessed to have enough for our needs.

And, I am grateful.

Our Mission

I always look forward to Monday mornings....

Because, as hard as it is, it's great to see the missionaries.

I love their dedication, commitment, enthusiasm, goodness, dispositions, humour, kindness, fellowship.

And, I am grateful.

A Good Movie

We rarely go to movies; they are just getting too violent, too much sex, too crude, too rough.

So, to see a good one is so fun.

We saw 42, which is the story of Jackie Robinson, the first Black ball player.  It was based on a true story, which I really like.

I'm grateful that occasionally a good movie can be found.

The Sun Rise...

...especially when the night is long.

And hearts are heavy.

I'm always glad for tomorrow and the HOPE of a brighter DAY.