Still Counting 1000 Gifts

I'm still counting and I don't plan to quit until I reach at least a thousand. Click the button at the bottom of my post if you'd like to join in.

82. Enjoyed the retirement of my boss and friend of 35 years. It's been great to work with him all this time.

83. The opportunity to learn to work with a new boss.

84. Blessed with a wonderful quiet weekend at home.

85. Completed reading a book and starting another one.

86. So thankful I was taught to read and learned to love it so much.

87. Thankful for the teachers who taught me to love a good story by reading aloud to us.

88. Thankful for a mother who loved to read and took us kids to the library all the time so we could read as much as we wanted.

89. Thankful for my youngest daughter who is learning to go along with the flow, even when things don't go as planned.

90. Enjoyed time with my youngest to watch a movie together that she got for Christmas. So fun laughing together and just being in the room together.

91. Missing my oldest but thankful to know she is okay because of all her posts on FB and sometimes her texts with nothing more than a Good Morning. Glad to know she is thinking about me sometimes.

92. Thankful that my parents raised us to always be in church and the same for my husband. Makes it seem strange when we have to cancel services because of the weather and we can't go to church. So glad to feel that way because it is so engrained to be there and worship together as a church.

93. Blessed to know that we can worship him anywhere and not just at church.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. A new Miss America was crowned on Saturday night-did you watch? If you were a contestant what would your talent be?

I watched part of it and participated in a blog party which was kinda fun...well until my computer died.  Probably my talent would be singing or playing the piano.  

2. Do you have houseplants? Real or fake?

I don't have any houseplants real or fake right now.  I do have a real plant in my office, but I'm about to kill that...which explains why I don't have any at home.  I've killed them all.

3. When you were in school did you speak up or were you more of the hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn't call on you type of student?
Depends on what was going on.  If I knew the answer, I was glad to answer it, if not, then I'd tried to avoid eye contact.

4. Next Monday marks the Chinese New Year...what do you order when someone suggests Chinese food?

Broccoli and chicken with steamed rice.

5. How would you define a miracle? What would it take for you to consider something a miracle?
A miracle is something that can only be done by God's power.  I think even the very fact that we get up every morning breathing is a miracle because we couldn't do that without the power of God.  I believe the greatest miracle of all is that He loves me and He saved me.

6. What's your favorite Disney song? If you're stuck you'll find a list here.

I don't know if I'd say it's my favorite, but I think this is a really fun song.  I love so many that I really can't pick a favorite.

7. I should have _____________ yesterday.

done some laundry

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I joined Weight Watchers tonight. Hoping I can finally get some of this weight off.

Still Counting One Thousand Gifts

Yes I'm still counting and I don't intend to quit until I reach a thousand. Hopefully by then it will be so engrained in me I'll never quit.

73. I've been blessed to have the same job for 35 years and I've worked with our current police chief during that entire time.  He was a sergeant when I started and has been the chief for over 24 years.  He's retiring this week and I know I'm going to miss him, but I'm so thankful to have been allowed to work with him all they years.  He's a great Chief and more importantly a great man.

74. Saw a beautiful sunrise this morning. The skies were a beautiful pink. I wish I would have taken a picture.

75. Kelli has been home for a month and it's been wonderful.  We took her to the air port this morning (which is why I saw the sunrise) and she flew back to school at 7:00 AM.   I've talked to her and she is back safe and sound. God is so good.

76.Spending some time in the evening with Kelli just sitting and watching some great movies together.

77. Trying to speak some words of encouragement and wisdom to each girl and knowing God has some wonderful plans for each of their lives.  Praying they will seek Him with all their heart.

78.  Fun times shopping together and eating together (all 4 of us).  Now we're back to 3 here and 1 there, but knowing that God is with all of us.

79.  Having free time today to finish a good book.

80.  Visiting at the rehabilitation center with my 87 year old Aunt and watching her and my dad (her 83 year old brother) interacting together and hoping to some day at those ages do that with my brothers and sisters.

81.  So blessed to still have both of my parents still her and in relative good health and still being able to learn so much from both of them.  And finally learning what a treasure they are and how much God has blessed us through them.

Why don't you click the button below and join in counting your blessings too.

This and That Thursday

Just sharing some things that have occurred this last week that I actually got my camera out for.  I haven't been taking many pictures lately, but I'm trying to start to take some more now.  So anyway, here's some this and that.

The girls got free passes to go see the new 3D version of Beauty and the Beast and while they were there this is what we did.  Had breakfast in McDonald's and played on our Kindle Fires.  I think we all had fun.

This is the little theater they went to.  Isn't it cute? 

I thought this building looked neat.  It was close to the theater.  You see we also had to wait in the car for a bit when we left McDonalds.

This is the town where we went.  It is such a neat looking city.

This is my new Vera Bradley.

It snowed today and I ran outside at work to get a picture.  This is my kind of snow.  Sticks to the trees and grass, but not the streets and sidewalks.

I took this picture through the windshield while driving.  I was at a red light.

And that is the end of my Thursday full of this and that.  Hope you enjoyed. 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Click the Hodgepodge button to join in and play along.
1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English in 2012-

amazing, baby bump, shared sacrifice, occupy, blowback, man cave, the new normal, pet parent, win the future, trickeration, ginormous, and thank you in advance.

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Go here to read more about how the words are chosen.
Trickeration???  Never heard of this one.  I personally don't care for baby bump.  It's just personal preference.  Why not just say baby or pregnant?

2. Are you easily embarrassed?
Sometimes.

3. What is your go-to snack?
Oreo cookies
4. Have you ever been to Washington D.C.? If not do you have any desire to go? What site/attraction would you most want to see in that city? If you have been, what's your favorite site/attraction?
I went as chaperone on my daughter's 8th grade trip.  I love DC and hope to go back again some day.  I'd love to tour the White House and Library of Congress and see the Aerospace part of the Smithsonian.  My favorite attraction that I've been to is Lincoln's Monument.  I love it and just so much want to climb up and sit in his lap.  Somehow I think that would be greatly frowned upon.  

5. sit ups-planks-lunges-squats...which do you hate the least?
I hate them all equally!! Definitely no favoritism being shown on my part.

6. What's a small act of kindness you were shown that you've never forgotten?
On my wedding day a friend unexpectedly loaned me a beautiful diamond necklace (made from her mother's rings) to wear.  I had no idea and it looked perfect with my dress.  I'll never forget her kindness.

7. Have you ever been a blood donor?
Yes I have, but not for quite awhile.  Although, I did just have a blood test today and it sure seemed like they took a lot.  :)

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I worked 15 hours on Tuesday...sure does make for a loooong day.  But the extra money sure will be nice.