Give THANKS with a GRATEFUL heart...

Not exactly original--writing a list of things I am grateful for on Thanksgiving--but, today, I TRULY am thankful for SO many things. I have more than I ever thought I would have in life...more than I could ever deserve. Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts today.

1. I am OH so thankful for my beautiful home. Be it ever so humble, it is warm and cozy this Thanksgiving morning. And paid for. 
2. I am OH so grateful for my health. Though my back sometimes hurts and my feet often throb, I know that I am SO fortunate to be able to get up, dress myself, run around at work and not have to depend on anyone to assist me physically in any way. 
3. My job. I know, I know...the hours are rough, I ache at the end of the day, people yell at me quite often and I have to work every weekend and all Holidays. But I am employed. And, for that, I am thankful today. (And I am at work today!)
4. My four sisters, two nieces and four nephews! Tomorrow, the majority of these beautiful, fun and OH SO lively people will be here to share dinner with us. And dance the night away!
5. Monday morning I met my parents for breakfast! At 50 years old I am VERY grateful to be able to spend time with my Mom and Dad who are able, willing and always ready to join me for a meal! So fortunate that they live so close too!
6. My phenomenal daughter and incredible son. When your children are 28 and 31 the only thing you really hope is that they are happy and healthy and loving life. Allison and Zachary are all of these things. Plus independent and making an impact on the world in many ways. I am deeply grateful for this! 
7. My friendships--most which span DECADES and are cherished beyond belief! I LOVE all the friends who fill our home, join us for parties, laugh at our silly stories...and are there when times are rough or you just need to talk. I am OH SO fortunate to live within driving distance of just about every single friend. 
8. Facebook, Instagram, email and my iPhone! Honestly, I SO enjoy being able to keep up with everyone and share in their joys and life experiences! I am grateful for technology which helps us stay close even when we cannot be together. 
9. Getting older. Yes, I still believe getting older is WAY better than the alternative. I have so many friends and loved ones who never made it to 50 years old! I am thankful for the wisdom and experience I now have. I am grateful for how comfortable I am with WHERE I am in life. I am happy to have LIVED all the years of my life. 
10. My soul mate and best friend, Dave. He has changed my life in every single way and brought me JOY and LAUGHTER for nearly three years. He cares about me and listens to me and cooks for me and keeps me warm. I have never enjoyed life more. I am eternally grateful FOR him and TO him. 

Life is Good
Happy Thanksgiving
I am grateful for you

It's November 27th!

 Happy 50th Birthday Sweet Lu!
Thank you for a lifetime of friendship over the last four years! 

Bait and Switch

 It's no secret that I hate to spend money. The kind way to say this is that I'm frugal, however it's really that I think SO much of what we spend money on is ridiculous.
My car is filthy. It's been months--yes months--since I've had it washed. I drove over to the car wash yesterday and, as I stopped the car in the appropriate spot, I could see the prices posted on the wall in front of me. $16.95 for the simple car wash. OK, I thought, I'll break down and spend this to get a good wash and vacuum out my faithful car.
The thing is, when I told the man that was the wash I wanted, he offered me TEN other options--"Today only--$99 for a complete detail!", "OK, for you, $75--we'll clean the rims, the undercoating, and the engine will sparkle!", "How about $50 and we'll throw in your choice of Pina Colada or New Car Scented air freshener!"
Are you kidding me? Do I get a lobster dinner with that? A ticket to Disneyland? $99?! Sheesh!
I said, "No thank you--just the $16.95 wash please."
He wouldn't give up.
I got in my car and as I drove off, I realized why I never go back to the car wash.

It's the same reason I don't get a manicure or a pedicure. Sure, it's posted out front "$20 pedicure", but somehow--through TRULY high pressure sales--it ends up costing me $50 or more. It's so stressful to me when they start offering me all the extras! No thank you!! Can I just get the $20 pedicure, please?!"

I really have a hard time with this...I hate being pressured into buying something I don't want--or MORE than I want--when I really don't even want to spend the money in the first place.

And so, my car is still dirty--but amazingly, still drivable. 
And I trim my own toenails and scrub my own feet.
And they look pretty good.

And my stress level is way down.
And my bank account balance--way up.

And...

This was the verse I had printed on my change of address card when I purchased my home in 2006.
I was definitely clothed in strength and had (finally) regained my dignity.
I really did laugh without fear at the future! I was NOTHING but EXCITED for it!
And today (oh so MANY years later..) I am even stronger.
And more confident...and practically dignified...
And I'm SO happy with how 'the future' is turning out.
And I'm still laughing.

November 19

My 50th Birthday was six months ago. 

My 51st--six months away. 

...no matter how slowly and carefully you must go.

This is my life now!

(Except that my waist is not quite as small...)

NOTHING better than having a true partner.

The perfect day!

A birthday breakfast with a life-long friend.

Got 90% of my Christmas gifts organized and wrapped.

Did laundry, ironed, cleaned the bathtubs and toilets and even stitched up my torn camisole strap.

Ended the afternoon at Reggae concert/contest with my sisters...

And a few others...

The end of a perfect day.

SO dang true!

Honestly...this is SO amazingly true!!!

I believe I believe...it's silly but I believe

Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to...

Hellooooo....

Ours is just a bit of sorrow...

I LOVE thinking that I am an 'extra' sipping coffee in the background of someone else's life.
It's quite arrogant to think that it's all about me. To think that MY problems, issues, worries, thoughts...are ANY more important than any one else's or matter to anyone else in the whole world at all! To be honest, this paragraph brings me comfort. I know that I am just one tiny little part of this great big universe. And my problems, issues, worries and thoughts are of zero concern to the majority of humanity.
This paragraph is why I have always found solace in going to Target or Costco or even Disneyland or another country! I can see all around me that others are concerned with their own lives and their own issues and thoughts and their own happiness...and I can just take care of me and my own little world.
I'm allowed and encouraged to take care of just me.
Deep thinking on this early Saturday morning.