Day 60 of Thanksgiving....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Memories.  It has been said that memories are the one thing that can't be taken away from us.  That isn't necessarily true we have found, but we have to treasure and nurture our memories each and every day.  I love watching old videos and especially looking at the multitude of pictures of our family because these things allow me to remember  and relive those wonderful memories.  Time has a way of making memories dull a little and our tangible reflections are sometimes the best way to hang on to our most treasured life moments.  Memories are golden.

Day 56 of Thanksgiving......

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Today I am so very Thankful for Neighbors.  Neighbors are a special kind of friend and if you have good ones, you are blessed in deed.  They are there when you leave town to watch over your house, pick up your mail, etc.  They keep a close eye on your pets when they stray from home and when an emergency arises, they can be the lifesaver you need.  I have been so very fortunate to have many wonderful neighbors over the years that I am blessed enough to call friends.

Day 58 of Thanksgiving.....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Recycling and Upcycling.  The older I get the more passionate I feel about recycling and the more you do it the easier it gets.  One tool I have found that really aids the process is one of those can openers that takes the whole lid off the can.  Wash that can and you can recycling it or upcycle it to another life because there are no sharp edges and the lid will pop back on.  Fabulous!  I have found so many ideas for upcycling t-shirts, clothing, old furniture and more.  There is an abundance of information out there and just think of the resources we are saving by doing this.  Now I know that the hoarder in me has to be kept at bay so I try to be careful not to go too far but you would be surprised how easy it is.  I am writing this while looking at a beautiful chair I found at Good Will for $20 and it looks like a million bucks!!  We save money while saving the planet - how great is that!!

Day 57 of Thanksgiving

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Today I am so very Thankful for the Beach!  I feel so fortunate to live in a state where the beach is accessible within an hour or two drive.  The beach is and always has been such a peaceful place for me and I love to just sit and watch the waves come and go. When hubby and I got married we went to the beach, and on vacations with our family, we went to the beach.  Of course when I was younger, I loved getting the ever so popular tan - no more.  But...thanks to great sun screen, I can still enjoy the cathartic wave watching and relaxing.  If I listen carefully, I can still hear the voices of my 4 little boys when they were young - laughing and running in the surf....nothing better.

Day 56 of Thanksgiving......

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Today I am so very Thankful for the City of Charleston, SC.  We all have those places that we love to visit and feel a sense of pride for enjoying them.  Charleston has always been that for me.  Living in South Carolina, I grew up with such respect and awe for the city of Charleston.  It's history and beauty as well as simplicity and roots embrace you when you visit this old city and you immediately feel a part of the community.  As a South Carolinian, we get lots of kidding about being Southern but having Charleston as a part of our State, gives us a special respect and familiarity that we would otherwise not have.  Most would readily know what Charleston  you are speaking of when you talk of our Southern Lady.

Day 55 of Thanksgiving....

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Today I am so very Thankful for the words of children.  My favorite memories are of the wonderful things my kids have said over the years as well as the utterings of nieces and nephews.  They are priceless and we all learn from their innocent hearts.  One of my very favorite quotes came from my 5 year old son (at the time) when he told us "Thank you a really lot for having this baby"  at the site of his new baby brother.  There are too many others to mention here and I so enjoy hearing the wisdom from friends and their children and grandchildren.  We learn so much from the children in our lives - they speak with a simplicity and honesty that we loose over time.  Like the old saying goes "out of the mouths of babes".

Day 54 of Thanksgiving....

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Today I am so very Thankful for time without a car!  Oh - I know you are saying to yourself that you know I am crazy now - that is beside the point.  I have not had a vehicle for almost a year and a half!  If you would have told me this would be my situation 5 years ago, I would have thought I would loose my mind - without a doubt.  I did struggle with it at first and tried to wrangle ways around it but then I gave into the idea that it wouldn't be so bad...and it's not-----really!  My 13 year old van died a slow death in November of 2010 and there was no way to resuscitate it - it just wasn't worth it.  That left a decision for us - should we buy another car for me when I rarely go out and in the end we decided it would be foolish at this point.  So here I am and I have to tell you that in loosing that freedom, I have learned to focus on other things and be content to work around it.  Sometimes doing without gives you so much more than you could dream of.  I wouldn't be honest if I didn't admit that I occasionally whine about this and at times dream of a new car all decked out with new gadgets but then I realize the money we are saving far out weighs those fantasies.  Maybe one day, but for now doing without is a good thing!

Day 53 of Thanksgiving.....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Birthdays!  Sure - I like it when I see another birthday and the older we get the more thankful we become.  But what I am most thankful for are the birthdays of those I love.  We have a big family and we try to do a birthday night each month we have birthdays to celebrate.  It is wonderful to get everyone together and celebrate life.  This year we had some milestones - one of our Daughters-in-law and our DIL to Be turned 30!  On the other end of the spectrum, my Father-in-Law turned 80 years Young!  How very fortunate we are to be able to celebrate and enjoy these blessed events in our lives!

Day 52 of Thanksgiving.....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Television!  I know that is sort of taboo to say you love watching television but there are many positives and if you are someone who hangs at home most of the time it can be very entertaining to say the least.  My favorites are food programs and HGTV as well as channels like Lifetime (no surprise there) and Hallmark.  I have learned so much about cooking, decorating, organizing and so much more all while sitting in my chair at home.  Watching a good movie is also great entertainment and for me so much better than trekking out to a movie. So much fun in a box.

Day 51 of Thanksgiving.....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Mutts!  We all have seen them, had one and or loved one.  A dog who is lots of things but not any one thing.  I have one now and he brings me joy each and every day.  He is a little terrier and a lot Beagle and so much more.  In life there are some things that just turn out better when mixed up a little and a Mutt is definitely one!  My Beegie would be so different if he was all of one type dog, but his little mix gives him a calmer demeanor and a very manly personality along with some things best not discussed here.  As people, many of us are mutts as well and therefore we understand how special our Mutt friends truly are.

Day 50 of Thanksgiving.....

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theInspiredroom.net

Today I am so very Thankful for E-Books!  I spend a huge amount of time at home like many people and E-Books truly bring the world to me.  I just love finding them online and enjoying them immediately.  Many times they are written by individuals who might not otherwise be able to publish a book and therefore they are special in that sense.  Many of the titles I have read are written from a perspective of someone who has done something and learned a better way and are willing to share. Not a DIY Diva is one of my very favorites examples!  How wonderful that publishing is at most anyone's fingertips today - we all benefit from the sharing of knowledge.

Day 49 of Thanksgiving.....

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Today I am so very Thankful for my Computer!    I so remember the days when I used to dream of having a computer at home.  We started out with a WANG - haha - such a funny name but that old computer was a workhorse and I used it for years.  I can still remember the excitement that we all felt when we flicked the switch on that computer and watched the blue screen come alive.  Oh and the thrill of our first online experiences with Prodigy!  Now my laptop is a very integral part of my daily life and it really feels like it is linked to my brain.  How fortunate we are to live in a time that we have all of this information available at our fingertips.

Day 48 of Thanksgiving....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Sleep!  I sleep more than most and always have.  I sometimes wish that I could do with much less sleep but I know that isn't really possible.  So I embrace sleep and I am so thankful that when I am tired and grumpy, a nap will normally make it all better.  At my age falling asleep at night is not always easy so when I do, I am so thankful.  Sleep is a wonderful luxury at times and a very necessary resource we all need every day.

Day 47 of Thanksgiving.....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Dancing!  I so used to love dancing when I was younger and I still loving watching dancing of most any kind aka Dancing with the Stars!  I look forward to it ever year.  Dancing is the most wonderful exercise and is just plain fun.  When the boys were small we used to enjoy dancing all around the room to songs we loved.  I dream of learning to Zumba one day, but for now I am content to chair dance and I enjoy every minute of it!

Day 46 of Thanksgiving.....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Family Dinners!  Growing up we tried to eat together as much as possible and since having a family of my own, we have tried to continue this tradition.  It is one of the things that I am so thankful for as I look back on my children growing up.  While there is not always a lot of information shared, especially during their teens, just being together - showing up meant so much.  I so remember when the boys would be angry that they had to come in and eat when friends were still outside hanging out - they just could not understand.  Now they do as adults.  We still try to get together once a week for a family dinner on Sunday nights - they come as much as they can and it is truly the highlight of my week. There is nothing better than sharing a meal with people you love!

Day 45 of Thanksgiving...

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Today I am so very Thankful for Libraries!  I have always loved going to the library - as a child it was something I looked forward to at school.  As I have gotten older the library has become so much more important.  When my hubby and I went through job loss the library was there for us - we checked out books and movies and spent time there all for free!  Now it just amazes me that we can check out books on our computer virtually and enjoy them without even leaving home.  They say that in this time of frugal living the library has seen a great resurgence - what a resource.

Day 44 of Thanksgiving....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Weddings!  Seeing the love between two people and watching them express it through marriage is another magical thing in life that renews our faith in the future.  Full disclosure - two of my boys are getting married this year as well as a niece, so weddings are on my brain.  But---I have always loved them and in another life I would have been a wedding planner.  So much joy and love.  I am not naive - I know things can't always be rosy but for that one day we all rejoice and believe.  We see the world through their eyes and perhaps remember our own happy day with fond memories.  As many times we have heard, Love is the most important thing we do in this life!

Day 43 of Thanksgiving....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Winter.  Of course there are the holidays and the possibility of a beautiful snow fall along with hot chocolate and warm cider.  I love the cooking of winter like stews and casseroles and my crock pot and so much more.  Biscuits and gravy and lots of warm grits.  Yeah - OK I like food but Winter foods are so sumptuous and comforting.  But best of all, I am thankful for winter because it allows us to anticipate and appreciate Spring!

Day 42 of Thanksgiving.....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Spring!  For those of us who experience any kind of Winter, Spring is the season that gets us through the cold dreary days.  The new leaves, buds and flowers, sunshine and so much more make this a favorite season for many.  Bunnies and chicks and pastel colors, lighter foods and alfresco dining with no more than a light sweater bring joy to our hearts.  Spring is an affirmation each and every year that the world will become new again.

Day 41 of Thanksgiving.....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Fall.  We are so very fortunate that our world includes beautiful seasons and Fall is my favorite.  I just love the colorful leaves, brisk air, pumpkins and apples and so much more!  Living in a State where the summers are so very hot, makes you so much more appreciative of the Fall - with it's relief from the oppressive humidity and temperatures that fall below 90 degrees.  Fall festivals, wonderful smells, sweater weather and walks outside make it the best time of the year.

Day 40 of Thanksgiving.....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Rain!  Of course there are the obvious reasons that we need rain and we are all very thankful for that.  Added to that is the feeling of snuggling down on a rainy day - the feeling that you don't have to worry about doing too much.  Rain gives us a free pass many times to just hang in and not worry about the hustle and bustle outside.  I remember as a child that we would smell the rain as it was coming in and it would be so exciting to run around in a summer rain.  Even more delightful was the rare rain on a sunny day - that still makes me smile.

Day 39 of Thanksgiving....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Sunshine!  I am one of those odd souls who so needs light to function and there is nothing better than a day full of sunshine to get your brain and body moving.  Thanks to my dog who is forever running away, I have to sit outside with him to do his business and on sunny days it is blissful.  I can feel it in my bones and I can actually feel myself coming alive in the glow of the sun.

Day 38 of Thanksgiving......

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Today I am so very Thankful for Water!  How wonderful it is that we live in a country where we can access clean water with the turn of a switch.  We can wash ourselves, our clothing, cook and so much more without much thought about the cleanliness.  When I stand in my kitchen waiting for the water to warm up for dish washing, I try to remember to catch the cold water in a pitcher and water plants with it as well give it to the dogs.  I hate to waste any of this wonderful resource that we take for granted.

Day 37 of Thanksgiving.....

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CraftHope.com

Today I am so very Thankful for Patterns - Tutorials and more!  I am obsessed with learning things through the guidance of others who have already tried a particular skill.  I collect them for all sorts of things - sewing, quilting, crocheting, knitting, home repairs and decor.  It just amazes me that if there is something you want to learn to do, there is more than likely someone out there who has done it and is willing to share that with you through tutorials and patterns.  There is an absolute richness of information and hands on learning at the touch of our fingers - amazing!

Day 36 of Thanksgiving....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Fabric!  Okay - full disclosure - I am a fabricaholic!  I absolutely love it and my brain is so jazzed by a beautiful piece of fabric - the possibilities are endless.  I am so amazed at the seemingly endless designs and color.  Fabric is also the thrifty persons best friend.  I use it over and over instead of costly table cloths and more.  You don't need to know how to sew to enjoy fabric!  My favorite trip away from home is to visit a fabric shop and feel and take in all of the colors and new designs - ah delicious!  When that cut of cloth is made you can dream endlessly about what it will become.....

Day 35 of Thanksgiving.....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Flowers!  Flowers speak to us in so many ways with color and beauty as well as fragrance.  Living in the South, there are blooms abound almost everyday of the year.  I have always loved Daisies and simple flowers full of color, Sunflowers and Mums as well as Pansies!  How fortunate we are to enjoy their beauty and have them live among us!

Day 34 of Thanksgiving....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Imagination!  The gift of imagination allows us to believe and create - to make our lives beautiful and enjoyable.  Many times I have been able to get through unpleasant things by using my imagination, dreaming or believing that beautiful things were coming my way.  With imagination I have seen so many take something awful and ugly and make it into something enjoyable and beautiful.  Being able to imagine what life can be is truly a gift.

Day 33 of Thanksgiving....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Walking.  Although I don't do it nearly enough, I am so thankful that I can take a stroll around the block and enjoy the trees and birds and more.  When you are limited somewhat in the things that you are able to do, the basic things mean so much more.  Walking is not only exercise but it is cathartic in that you are very likely to relax and think and take life in for that short time and notice what is right in front of you much of the time.

Day 32 of Thanksgiving....

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Today I am so very Thankful for Mail!  Yes, I am one of those people who stalks my mail man and anxiously watch and listen for his little mail truck.  When I open the little door of my mail box it is with anticipation and excitement.  Will there be a magazine, a card or something personal - each day it is like opening a surprise box.  I hate it when we have days with no mail - silly I know.  When I was a child we lived in a small neighborhood where the mail man walked the route and he was so kind and he would actually hand me the mail if I was outside - I remember his name was David.  Some days the mail brings not so good things, but for the most part it is something to look forward to.