Medicines...

I don't take a lot of medicines.

I don't take a lot of pills.

But, when I need something,

I'm so glad it's available.

And, I am thankful.

Our Children

Lots of people our age are having children move in with them....or grandchildren....or entire families.

In fact, we have a granddaughter living with us right now.

But, it's okay.

I'm proud of our children for trying hard to be independent.

Some have financial struggles,  all could use some help.

BUT, they are making it, living on their own.

And, I am grateful.

Flowers in the Spring

I love flowers; I can never get quite enough of them.

This year we have quite a few pots of flowers around the yard, in contrast to last year when we didn't put out flowers until September.

So, my heart is filled with JOY when I see them.

And, I am grateful.

Home-made Bread

About 13 years ago, Linda Ricks showed me how to make her bread recipe.

So, we paid bucko bucks for a bread machine and wheat grinder.

Since that time, I've made probably hundreds of loaves of bread....given away dozens of loaves of bread, and eaten much of it.

It is so delicious.

Freshly ground wheat; yummy morning toast.

What's not to love?

And, I am grateful.

Books on Tape

I love to listen while I drive around town or exercise.

Just finished listening to this today; Fabulous.  I didn't know anything about Truman;
he was a very honorable person and a man of integrity.

Not my favorite, but my grandsons, Eli and Miles, asked me to read this, so I will listen since I'm not really getting into the book.  Listening will be much easier and I will jus listen as I drive around town.

It's just a great way to get through a long book.

It's a great way to get through a long exercise session.

Holy cow!  I do love me some Dickens; this is a great story with such interesting characters,
including the kindest of women...Amy Dorrit.

Let's face it;

Books on tape are great.

And, I am grateful.

Scanners

Man, sometimes technology is so amazing.

So, here's a lovely picture...old, fading, but precious.

What can I do with it so it won't continue to deteriorate?

Why, digitize it of course.

Scan it into the computer.

Put it on a website where it will be for eons to come.

I have hundreds of pictures and documents.

I'm scanning away.

Preserving these little suckers...

My Uncle, Orrin S Merrill receiving a citation of merit.  He was a good, funny man.  And, the best story teller ever!

And, I am grateful.

The Ability to Read

I am watching a movie based on a Charles Dickens' novel.

One of the main players cannot read.

He wants to read very badly, but cannot.

It's a skill that I definitely take for granted.

But, I am so very thankful to be able to read.

Music

Some days I forget to listen to music.

But, I do love and appreciate music.

On Sunday evening, Gardner Gee sang for us.

Man, I do love to hear him sing.

I love Allen's music.

Allen shows Chloe and Cody how to strum a guitar.  Notice the look on Cody's face.  Priceless!

And, I am grateful.

Stephanie and Gardner

Stephanie is a saint.

Pure and Simple.

Gardner is pretty close by also.

They invite us over for dinner frequently.

It's so thoughtful and kind.

And, I am grateful.

People in My Life

It's so amazing when you think about

ALL

the people a person meets over a lifetime.

Cousins, Annette from Germany; Marie from France.  They were guests at Stephanie and Gardner's last night for dinner; such amazingly interesting women.

So many different kinds and

so many different personality types.

And, for all the people I have met over a lifetime.

I am grateful.

Mornings

I like mornings.

Sometimes it's hard to get up and get going.

But, at least I can.

And, I am grateful.

Working Internet

For about two months, out internet was sporadic and sometimes even non-existent.

I was BEYOND frustrated.

So, when we changed companies and it now works...

Holy Moly, am I grateful.

Oh yes indeed.

Running Hot Instant Water

I'm very grateful for:

Water

Instantly

And Hot in seconds.

In this day and age, it seems like a for-granted-thing.

But, not everyone enjoys these blessings.

And, I am very grateful.

The View From My Window

The tree is bursting with little tiny green leaves.

There are three flower pots with colorful spring flowers.

I can hear the birds.

The sun is trying to penetrate the clouds.

The kids have walked by on their way to school...

It is peaceful.

And, I am grateful.

Pictures

There are so many events that I forget.

Places I've been that I can't remember.

Events that slip my mind.

And, that is where the value of pictures plays such a significant part.

I love that pictures can remind me of something I had long forgotten or perhaps didn't even recall because I was too young.

I'm just very grateful for pictures.

And, here's a great one.

I'm about two years old, headed to Germany for two years.  This is the passport picture of my mother, older brother and MOI.

Oh, Yes, I am grateful for pictures.

Allen's Jobs Over the Years

Yesterday I heard about another person losing his job.

That's two men in our ward....

in one week..

Far too many.

Jobs here are scarce.

They are low-paying.

And, it makes me so grateful for Allen's job over many, many years.

He never had to come home to say he had lost his job.  He may not have always liked it, but he did it and went back day after day.  So now, we have a small pension because of it.

AND....

Oh, yes, I am grateful.

The Sounds of Children Playing

We live next door to the URES.

This is Joshua Ure; he's in my Primary class.  I adore this great, good kid.

They are a marvelous family with four little children.

They are also the most well-behaved children on the planet.

And, they love to play outdoors.

They jump on the trampoline, ride their scooters, play games.

And, I love the sounds of them playing.

I am grateful.

Books on Tape

I love to learn.

I hate to exercise.

BUT, when I combine those two;

it's all good.

Right now, I'm listening to a book about Harry S Truman, whom I knew nothing about.  He's very inspiring and a good man.

So, it's great to be able to listen to books as I exercise or drive around town.

And, I'm grateful.

Mobility

Yesterday I talked to a lady who had a serious fall and shattered many bones in her foot and ankle.

The pain was unbearable.

Now, six weeks later she is feeling somewhat better,

BUT, it's very hard for her to get around..she uses a sort-of leg scooter in which the broken leg rests on a pad.

It's awkward; it takes her forever to do just the smallest thing.

Listening to her made me realize; once again,

how grateful I am for mobility...

Oh, yes, thank you, Heavenly Father, that at this point in my life I can MOVE and WALK and have the use of my legs....

Good People

Over the years, we have met so many people.

And, I realize what a great blessing people are in our lives.

Today, I'm thankful for my orthodontist...

He is a PRINCE.

And, that just happens to be his name.

Dr. Prince.

Ha. Ha.

I am grateful.

Flowers That Bloom in the Spring

They make my heart happy...

It's so beautiful to see them every day outside my window....

They are lovely,

And, I am grateful.

HEALTH

Yesterday, we were in a public place where we overheard a very loud man talking to his friends.

A large portion of his conversation centered on his health -  or lack thereof; operations, medications, etc.

And, I was reminded, as I often am, of what a great blessing HEALTH is.

I am so very grateful.

Eating Out

I love to eat out.

My mom didn't really like it, or maybe she just got pickier as she got older.

For one thing, I think taste buds decline with age, so the food never tasted that good to her.

But, to me, I just love someone else doing the cooking and the cleaning.

So, when we eat out, I'm very grateful.

HOME, Sweet Home!

I love our home.

It's just COMfortable...

and suitable.

And pleasant.

And FINE.

And paid for.

Oh, yes, I'm grateful.

From Miles - Clay

Oh, he's a modeler this guy.

He loves to play and model with clay....

He's extremely creative with his clay and it makes him happy.

So, it makes me happy also.

Yesterday he made a water molecule out of clay and an atom out of clay.....

Oh, he loves that clay.

And, that makes me grateful.

From Eli - Beds

Whenever I stay with the Justin Hackworth family in Provo, Utah,

I get to sleep in the guest/baby room.

It's nice of them to move the toddler out and let me sleep in there.

But, oh man, what a treat!

It was the comfiest beds EVER!

And, I am grateful.

From Miles - A Pack-n-Play

Whenever we visit Justin and Amy, we take over a child's bedroom.

So, it's good there is a little portable bed for Calder to sleep in.

We have his cozy warm room

He has his pack-n-play.

And, I am grateful.

From Eli - Sleeping In

It's so great to be able to just sleep in.

I don't do it often.

Eli likes to do it.

But, when Ido it, I'm grateful too.

IT's RAINING!

And,

I am grateful.

Rain in this desert is such a good thing.

Thank you, Heavenly Father for the much-needed moisture!

SPRING!

I looked out the window and what did I see?

Green buds forming on the big front tree.

There's a bid in the top of the tree.

I hear their songs in the mornings.

I just planted some flowers.

Okay, it's just a lovely time of the year.

And, I am grateful.