Cleanliness and a solid work ethic!

I am so very thankful for Carmen! She truly is a gift. I am so much less stressed today than I have been in weeks, and I had such a productive day without the stress. God bless her for her hard work and perseverance.

Laziness with no consequences

I'm thankful for traditions that are easily carried on with no help on my part. Technology saved this blog until we were ready to use it again. :)

The Downey dog park

I'm thankful for the new Downey dog park. It's 5 minutes from home, and Ivan has already made several new friends. :-)

timing and placement

I keep a wooden serving tray next to my reading chair in the living room. It acts as an end table, so that I can have a place to keep my books, pens, and morning coffee. This morning I accidentally bumped into the tray and sent everything on it sprawling all over the livingroom. I'm grateful for two things -- First, that I had already removed the coffee and put it in the kitchen (no coffee stain on the carpet), and second that the water I did spill managed to soak everything that had been on the tray -- EXCEPT my cell phone, which missed the center of chaos and managed to stay dry.

Friends

I know it's been said a million times but I am so thankful for friends who have been with us for years and years and still love us.

Cross-generational friendship

I think it's time we started this up again. Afterall, Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away. Can it be only two? Anyway -- We all have so much to be thankful for. In some ways it has been a difficult year, yet we are so very blessed. So. . . I thought I would post at least one thing I'm thankful for. I'd like to say I'll do one a day between now and Thanksgiving, but that may be a bit ambitious.

Today I am thankful for cross-generational friendships. I enjoyed my walk around the neighborhood with Drea, and I'm grateful for who she is.

The Living Nativity

A friend shared this video on Facebook today, and I thought it was worth passing on. "A hilarious and heartwarming mockumentary that tells the story of an actor performing in a living nativity who takes his role way too seriously."

Upside Down: A Christmas video

We talked a little at Thanksgiving about continuing this blog so that we can reflect on Christmas. So I'll start by sharing a Christmas video that has a unique way of presenting the Christmas message.

To view the video, click the image to the left, then scroll down the web page to the video window and "click to play."

Hot water...

...and the friends who helped us get it.

Pilgrims

I am thankful that the pilgrims were willing to risk all to worship God in freedom and because of that we today, live in the land they came to and are still able to worship God in freedom.

Those who are willing to serve

I am so thankful for the young men and women (like Drea) who are willing to serve their country, helping protect our freedom to give thanks.

Turkey

I am thankful for the person that raised the turkey we will enjoy on Thanksgiving Day.

honesty

I'm thankful for friends who can be honest when you screw up instead of letting you walk around with a kick me sign on your back all day... figuratively of course. I'm thankful that we know even when we screw up, we can come back and be loved...

Ovens

I'm thankful that we were able to find ovens to fit the space we had, so that we didn't have to also replace the entire wall of cupboards.

The Universe

I'm thankful for the amazingly beautiful universe we live in. And I'm thankful that God has made brilliant scientists and creative artists who can create places like Griffiths Observatory, where we ordinary folks can get a little closer to understanding (or at least appreciating) the order and beauty that surrounds us.

Doctors

I'm thankful for doctor's--like the one who did Erin's knee-- and --like the one who took the cataract from Bob's eye-- and the healing that is taking place for both Erin and Bob.

A bike and a job

I'm thankful for a bike to ride to work each day during these crunch times. I'm also thankful for a job to ride to especially since it's only 2 miles away.

IBM

I am thankful that in 1951 I went to work for IBM. Back then it was "the" company to work for. Noted for white shirts and singing IBM songs when at schools. It was a wonderful 31 years and provided Pat and me the means to travel all over the USA and the means to retire at 56. It has been a wonderful life.

Southern California

I'm thankful that even though it's November, it's still warm enough to take walks without having to get all bundled up.

The play is over

I'm thankful that The Merry Wives of Windsor play is over and done with. Ushering was fun, but I'm thankful I can go to bed at a normal time now.

Adopted

I am thankful for my adopted family, you know the ones that live at Pam's house. Joan has been like an adopted daughter for many years and Drea I have known from day one. Love you guys(gals).

For Generous Friends

I am so grateful for all of my generous friends. This weekend I am once again humbled by Carol and Gary's generosity in letting us use this amazingly beautiful home. Whenever we stay here, I am inspired to be more generous in my own life. I am also thankful for the ever-changing beauty of the ocean!

Family

I am thankful for family The ones that live in Downey and other parts of CA. and NV. They are all wonderful.

Atherton

I am thankful that I live in a place like Atherton with the freedoms we enjoy and a host of friends.

Brothers

I am so thankful for brothers that love me so much they will get up extra early to get my car that's way out of the way where I locked my keys in the car... you know, just in general.

God's timing

Yesterday I had lunch with an old friend from FileNet. Lynn left FileNet to become a lawyer and has been practicing for about a year now. She's been working with a couple of attorneys who specialize in Social Security issues, and she wants to continue this focus, especially related to people with special needs.

There's been an item at the top of my "to do" list for a couple of months now. I've looked at it again and again and can't figure out where to even start. The item? "Find a lawyer who will help me with the appeal for Erinna's SSI benefits".

Lynn wants to help. I am so thankful to God for bringing Lynn back into my life at this particular moment.

Atherton

I am thankful I can live in a place like Atherton. As one resident said: "If you don't like Atherton, you won't like heaven." Amen to that!

a job

I'm thankful for a job that make me feel like I've accomplished something every day. I'm so thankful for God's provision through the hours...