30th Day of Gratitude - Just the Beginning

I could write a lot here, but I will save that for another day. Whenever I embark on something, even as small and simple as this, I do hope to come out a little better on the other side. What I do know is that I have so much to be thankful for, both big and small, and if you are reading this, you are a part of that. Thank you. And now, let December begin...

29th DoG- New Shoes!

So, my friend, Susie, has been rockin' November with different shoes each day as a challenge! She has some pretty cool shoes, stories to go along with the shoes, and neat photos to go along with each day! I warn you, though... you may want to go shopping! That's what I did!!

I needed a new pair of shoes, but my feet have issues, so I am really limited to styles and brands. I always look to see what nurses and hairdressers are wearing! When I was getting my haircut the other day, my hairdresser told me about her shoes, and after going to check them out... I had to try them...

The brand is Alegria. They are a little chunky and funky, but that suits me just fine. Plus, the nurses love them! I hope they work for me as well... They are certainly comfy to start out with...

Days 27 and 28 - Thankful for Random Little Things...

It's always a little exciting when you get a good deal, right? Especially if it is something you needed anyway. Well, Saturday I checked my e-mail and saw a couple of stores had a sale on-line for some clothes for the kids. The kids need new, warmer pants (not for Christmas, for right now!) so I was thankful to take advantage of all the deals going on, and get free shipping too!!! No picture for that, so I am cheating a little and combining yesterday with today.

Today, as with most Sundays, I am just full of gratitude to spend it with my family and enjoying our time together. Every once in a while I think I might get a job that takes me away on the weekends, but the truth is, I would hate to miss days like today. All four of us together... not always doing something together, but just being around... I know soon enough, they won't always want to do that, so I enjoy it now.

and Ross and I made homemade eggnog lattes... yum!!

26th Day of Gratitude - Gray Friday!

And what a difference a can of paint can make.

We didn't want to even leave the house today because of the crowds and shoppers (not really our thing). But, it was cold outside and we didn't have any other plans, and we figured Lowe's wouldn't be too crazy...
So, we decided to tackle a small room to paint! The laundry room. It is the entrance to the house from the garage and often gets marks on the walls from shoes, kids, groceries, Ross, etc. It has a utility sink that we wash up a lot of stuff from projects, and so splatters are everywhere on the white walls. So I figured a darker color on the wall would help that and make it look better altogether!

I didn't get an exact before picture, but this is good enough...


And this is what I am hoping to help hide a little...

You may have noticed that I didn't actually state myself as a reason for the marks on the walls, but I am probably the one who did this! I am so clumsy! So there, I confess.

And a finished room! YAY!


Thankful for the nice change it made and for just being able to do a quick fun project on a Friday afternoon.

25th Day of Gratitude - the reason for the month...

Happy Thanksgiving to you! How thankful I am for all of you that read this! You have touched my life in big and small ways and I am blessed.

I certainly have much to be thankful for. I miss my parents, sister and her kids, but enjoyed talking to them today! Love you, Mom and Dad, Tina, Rachel, Joshua! I am thankful to talk and communicate with them whenever I want to or need to.

We had a nice, low-key Thanksgiving, that in the end was really just the perfect thing. We had Ross' brother's family here for a short time, and then we have just relaxed, just the four of us, for the rest of the day! So many blessings, so much to be thankful for.

24th Day of Gratitude - Counterspace and Pie Memories

I am not a baker. HOWEVER, I enjoy making pies for Thanksgiving, and even look forward to it. It is all tied to the fact that when I was a kid, it was the job I helped with the most on this holiday. Peeling potatoes, too, but that just wasn't fun...

The memory that stands out the most was in a house in Ramstein, Germany and I was probably 9. Just older than Zoey. I made pumpkin pies and pecan pies. When Zoey asked for an apple pie and a pumpkin pie and said she wanted to help, I couldn't wait to spend this day with her doing just that. I don't even care if we end up eating the pies or not. Making it was worth it.

And I have to add... I am also thankful for my kitchen counterspace. We have a HUGE island in our kitchen and I think it is the greatest thing ever on a daily basis! I have had lots of kitchens, most with very little space, so this was top on my list! (I think one apartment had 18 inches... that was the worst).

I thought I would take some pictures of our baking day...






We made the Pioneer Woman's Decadent Apple Pie...


Our finished products! Yum!!


Oh, and hand turkeys! So, So, Cute!!

23rd Day of Gratitude - An Evening Glass of Vino

It doesn't happen too often, but sometimes, Ross and I can enjoy a nice glass of wine in the evening.