Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 20

I am thankful for a powerful IMAGINATION

Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more 

powerful in the mature than in the young.  ~W. Somerset Maugham

What is imagination?  Look down that road and tell me what you DON'T see.  THAT is imagination.

Bits and pieces had been sloshing around in my head letting my imagination take flight and by Thursday afternoon I conjured up the scenario that my daughter was in cahoots with my husband to come for a surprise visit.  I have a wonderful imagination and the ability to "see" things that aren't really there when it comes to putting together something fun like a surprise.  Also keep in mind that my husband is GREAT at both surprises and secrets and my youngest daughter has a really tough time keeping a surprise secret.

So after Weight Watchers on Thursday, I was telling my friend Sharon that based on a few texts that were probably merely fun and silly banter with my daughter, I was really hoping that when I got home from the meeting that she would be at my house.  After all, she had asked what we were having for lunch on Friday AND Harry had a meeting until 6 (which is very rare) and the text he just sent said he was leaving "the building" (emphasis mine not his).  You see Harry would never lie, not even for a surprise, so therefore leaving "the building" is not the same as leaving work because he never uses that term.  Clearly in my wonderful, imaginative and happy world, something was brewing and "the building" he was leaving was the airport!

Sharon and I laughed and both excitedly agreed that it would be great fun if my imagination was spot on.  We also concurred that it was smart not to get my hopes up too high lest I be setting myself up for a big disappointment.

When I arrived home and came in the house I casually looked around waiting for a "SURPRISE" that wasn't there.  That darn imagination!

So I kept my chin up, smiled and said, "How do hamburgers on the grill sound for dinner?"  

Did you happen to miss Day 19? Click here to read a short story about surprises. 

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 19

I am thankful for SURPRISES!

Knock knock
Who's there?
MY DAUGHTER, KARI!!!!!!
True story.

Yay!

They went swimming...I
volunteered to stay out
and take pictures

On Friday I was just finishing up some work on the computer and ready to go run a few errands when the doorbell rang.  I wasn't expecting anyone and typically if it rings during the day its someone trying to sell an alarm system or pest control.  I answered the door and imagine my astonishment at seeing my youngest daughter who lives 1200 miles away at our door!  What an excellent surprise!  So we spent a whirlwind weekend in and around Pensacola... the Naval Aviation Museum, Gallery Night, puppies at the pet store, biking on Pensacola Beach, lunch at Peg Leg Pete's, jumping in the waves, BeerFest, Joe Patti's for salmon, and Worship@Water followed by PBJ's on the beach before heading to the airport at noon.  It was great to have her here!  I love surprises!

Soaking up the sun
before heading home

Getting salmon at Joe Patti's

It was cool, but a great
day at the beach

 

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 18

I am thankful to be at a healthy weight

2003

On November 9, 2006, (six years ago) having lost over 50 pounds in 9 months, I became a lifetime member at Weight Watchers.  I am thankful, pleased and proud to have maintained at my goal weight since that time.  It has been such a blessing to be energetic and to have a body that is well nourished and feels good.  Making healthy food choices has become almost second nature in many ways and a knowing what an appropriate portion is has made a world of difference.   

2006

I know lots of "talk" on the subject (click here to read my weight loss and healthy lifestyle blog) , but walking the walk and not just talking the talk this past 6 years has been key to being healthy and feeling good.  
 

2012

My grandma Fern lived to be over 90 and as long as I can remember she maintained a healthy weight.  I wish I had asked her if it was something she had to work at.  I do know that she made it a practice to walk "laps" up the steps and down the halls in the complex she lived in.  She was quite mobile and fit until just shortly before she died.  She also had this belief that if she patted her belly with both hands alternating at a fast pace that it would help her stay fit.  Considering her age and fitness level when she passed I think it would be wise for me to take up that practice very soon.

In the meantime I am thankful that I have chosen to fuel my body with healthy and nutritious food helping me to live life to the fullest.  

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 17

I am thankful for friends around the world

Estoy agradecido por los amigos de todo el mundo

Аз съм благодарен за приятели от цял ​​свят

Esu dėkinga už draugais visame pasaulyje

Ich bin dankbar für die Freunde auf der ganzen Welt

Harry & I with German son
Benny, his wife Claudia
and our GRAND, Fynn

I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to get to know people around the world through mission trips to Lithuania, Bulgaria and Ecuador as well as hosting exchange students (who are now my children as well) from Germany, Ecuador and Lithuania in our home.  I have loved getting to know them all and I am so thankful that through Facebook, Email and Skype it is so easy to stay in touch with them and what's happening in their lives.

My world has become much larger and for that I am thankful.

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 16

I am thankful for the joy my Granddogs bring to my children

"Dogs are great.  They love you unconditionally, like Jesus." ~Lindsay Bacher

Kona

Dia

Dia

Elizabeth & Josh
with Dia & Kona

Lindsay and Samwise

Sam

Samwise

Andrew and Sam

Double Grand!
Mason & Oscar

Mason & Oscar

Oscar!

Mason and Oscar

Pongo

Pongo

Kari & Pongo

Kari's Oreo pup

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 15

I am thankful for the simple things in life

I am so thankful for simple things in life...

• Kites
• Beaches
• Hopscotch
• Jump Rope
• Bikes
• Yahtzee
• Go Fish
• Old Maid
• Butterflies

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 14

I am thankful for people who are brave enough to stand up and speak out about what truly loving one another means.  

I came across an amazing blog post on Single Dad Laughing.  It made me cry.  It made me think, ponder and search my inner being.  It made me thankful that he spoke up.  He actually posted it a year ago and he has since posted several follow up pieces which are amazing and brave as well.  I am so thankful that others are able to choose such wise words of love to share with the rest of us.   

___________________________________

The greatest spiritual leaders in history have all preached love for others as the basis for all happiness, and never did they accompany such mandates with a list of unlovable actions or deeds. They never said, love everybody except for the gays. Love everybody except for the homeless. Love everybody except for the drug users. Love everybody except for the gang members, or those covered in ink, or the spouse abusers. They didn’t tell us it was okay to love everybody with the exception of the “trailer trash,” those living in poverty, or the illegal immigrants. They didn’t tell us it was okay to love everybody except for our ex-lovers, our lovers’ ex lovers, or our ex-lovers’ lovers. The mandate was pretty damn clear, wasn’t it?

Love others.

Period.

 ~ Dan Pierce, Writer/Author/Blogger

___________________________________

This is an excerpt from one of Dan's follow up posts by James, an insightful young man with Cerebral Palsy:

“Look at the heart. Look at the mind…. When you really listen to people, and listen to the words that they are saying, then you’ll get to the heart of the person.” ~ James

“What are you guys going to do to make the discrimination and the hurt stop? It’s up to every single one of you.” ~ James

Click here to read Dan's original blog post here

Click here to watch James' follow up post.  

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 13

I am thankful for ANTICIPATION

Don't you just love the feeling of anticipation as you await something you are excited about?   Such as....

• To see a friend or loved one after a period of time apart? 
• For baby's birth, first tooth, step or word?
• For a phone call with good news?
• For the first snowfall - and the first snowman - of the season?
• For the first flower to bloom in the spring?
• For a batch of cookies or loaf of banana bread to come from the oven piping hot?
• For the rush of cresting the top of a rollercoaster?
• For the coolness of leaping into the ocean on a hot day?
• Spending Thanksgiving or Christmas with family?

Anticipation is a fun part of life and as I mentioned in an earlier post some things are worth waiting for especially when you anticipate fun occasions with long threads of witty banter.

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 12

I am thankful for POPCORN!

Long, long ago as a wee child I inherited the love of popcorn from my mother.  This was back in days prior to video, DVD and the ease of on demand movies.  I remember every year when the Wizard of Oz came on TV we'd pop a big bowl of popcorn to enjoy as we watched Dorothy and Toto sing and dance their way through the magical land of Oz. 


The fluffy, light, crunchy, salty goodness of these little morsels just enhances my happiness.  While visiting my daughter when she lived in Honduras we even had a tasty little popcorn treat Honduran style.  

I am happy to say that Samwise (one of my granddogs) is a popcorn lover as well.  The evidence follows in this cute little video:    

Filled w/Thanks = Filled w/Joy: Day 11

I am thankful for HUMOR!

Lindsay trying on her
cap and gown
Yale Div School 2009

Note:  This is a post from my personal diary dated June 8, 2008 that I thought I'd share...with a few minor edits.  I find it is still very relevant in my life today.  

Humor is a gift.  I don't know if everyone sees it that way or not, but I do.  I had a good "belly laugh" today because of Erich and KT and I took a moment to just enjoy the act of laughing.  I cannot image my life without laughter being a part of it.
Is humor something learned? Inherited? Is it in our genes? Can we learn to appreciate the sense of humor of others? Is humor only in the laugh or is it also in the eyes?
I love that my children get my humor and that I get theirs.  How cool is that?
This past few months the Jones' (name has been changed to protect their privacy) have upheld me through a very tough time with their humor. The fact that I've been able to be with them and laugh with them has truly been a life saver. I have loved seeing the humor between them in their relationship.
"Humor is a gift. Not something that can be given in a pretty package all tied up with a bow kind of gift, rather a shared gift of a piece of you that is precious. I have truly loved the sense of humor of my children. I pray they continue to share that wonderful gift with others. It makes life sweet." ~ Patti Bacher June 8, 2008