Hi again,
Well today I am thankful for great parking spots. The reason is that today I had to go in to town and made 3 stops and every stop I had the best parking spot available!!!! What made it that much more amazing is that it was -37 this morning and I hate to walk far when it's cold so the close proximity to the door every time was great! To have a good parking spot at one stop is amazing but all 3 stops I made is definitely not the usual. Mind you there are not as many people out when it's cold like this but the best spots are still usually taken because they want them too. There is just something so gratifying though to see a great parking spot empty and be able to park there you know? Usually I don't mind parking a little ways away and walking because it is good exercise but when it's cold I admit I look for the closest one. lol So I am quite thankful for getting the great parking spots this morning as well as every time I find one. Thanks for reading my blog. :)
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Day 103: Getting a new cell phone!
Hi again,
Today we got new cell phones because our contract was up and we signed up for a new one and we got new phones with it. I should mention my family and I are on a family plan so it works out cheaper to phone each other and what not so we are all on the same contract. We all got the same phone this time which is the Motorola Milestone!!!!! We got them free with the new contract so we are pretty excited about this because they are apparently worth $600!!! I don't personally understand how any cell phone should have a price tag like that but I guess there is something about them that makes them worth that much? Anyways before now we did not own smart phones so this is quite a jump! They have the Android operating system and it is quite something.I do dislike the keyboard on the Motorola mainly because I have been spoiled with the LG Keybo 2 keyboard which is quite amazing but there isn't really many that have such a nice keyboard I have been told. Anyways enough about the phone itself. :) Getting a new cell phone is always lots of fun because you get to discover all the neat things about it and play around with it and everything is new. It is fun to listen to all the different ring tones and what not as well. Anyways today I am quite thankful for getting a new cell phone and getting it for a good price. Now I just have to see if the phone is as good as it seems to be. :)
Today we got new cell phones because our contract was up and we signed up for a new one and we got new phones with it. I should mention my family and I are on a family plan so it works out cheaper to phone each other and what not so we are all on the same contract. We all got the same phone this time which is the Motorola Milestone!!!!! We got them free with the new contract so we are pretty excited about this because they are apparently worth $600!!! I don't personally understand how any cell phone should have a price tag like that but I guess there is something about them that makes them worth that much? Anyways before now we did not own smart phones so this is quite a jump! They have the Android operating system and it is quite something.I do dislike the keyboard on the Motorola mainly because I have been spoiled with the LG Keybo 2 keyboard which is quite amazing but there isn't really many that have such a nice keyboard I have been told. Anyways enough about the phone itself. :) Getting a new cell phone is always lots of fun because you get to discover all the neat things about it and play around with it and everything is new. It is fun to listen to all the different ring tones and what not as well. Anyways today I am quite thankful for getting a new cell phone and getting it for a good price. Now I just have to see if the phone is as good as it seems to be. :)
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Day 102: Snow Shovels
Hi again,
Today I am very thankful for something quite simple but it is a pain to be without-shovels. Today it is snowing again and I was reminded of how thankful I am for shovels when I reached for one this morning. I thought about what a pain it would be if it wasn't by the door to grab. I also thought about what a pain it would be to think of another way to clear the snow which may work but what ever I would come up with would clearly not work as well as a shovel. Sometimes we are without a shovel when we need one and we are then reminded how amazing they are and how thankful we are for them. Whether it breaks under the weight of the darn snow, someone takes off with it and doesn't bring it back or you forget to put one in the trunk for the times you get stuck in the snow... you realize how grateful you are for shovels. Of course the first few thoughts may not be so pleasent and for some it would possibly include swearing and yelling. lol But hopefully afterwards you would remember to be thankful for shovels for the times when you have had one and thankful the next time you do have one. :) I know I am thankful for shovels and grateful for the shovel being by the door today as it is most days. :)
Today I am very thankful for something quite simple but it is a pain to be without-shovels. Today it is snowing again and I was reminded of how thankful I am for shovels when I reached for one this morning. I thought about what a pain it would be if it wasn't by the door to grab. I also thought about what a pain it would be to think of another way to clear the snow which may work but what ever I would come up with would clearly not work as well as a shovel. Sometimes we are without a shovel when we need one and we are then reminded how amazing they are and how thankful we are for them. Whether it breaks under the weight of the darn snow, someone takes off with it and doesn't bring it back or you forget to put one in the trunk for the times you get stuck in the snow... you realize how grateful you are for shovels. Of course the first few thoughts may not be so pleasent and for some it would possibly include swearing and yelling. lol But hopefully afterwards you would remember to be thankful for shovels for the times when you have had one and thankful the next time you do have one. :) I know I am thankful for shovels and grateful for the shovel being by the door today as it is most days. :)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Day 101: My nephew's hugs
Hi again,
Today I was reminded about little things that make me happy and thankful for. There are alot but the first one that popped into my head was my nephew's hugs. He is just over a year old and I spent the last couple days with my sister and my nephew and he has started coming up to me and he wraps his cute little arms around my neck and gives me a hug. It instantly melts my heart and makes me smile. So today I am quite thankful for his hugs. :)
Today I was reminded about little things that make me happy and thankful for. There are alot but the first one that popped into my head was my nephew's hugs. He is just over a year old and I spent the last couple days with my sister and my nephew and he has started coming up to me and he wraps his cute little arms around my neck and gives me a hug. It instantly melts my heart and makes me smile. So today I am quite thankful for his hugs. :)
Day 100: Spinal injections
Hi again,
This post is for yesterday. For this post I am thankful for spinal injections because I got one and while it was painful to get, it has helped a fair bit with the level of pain I have been experiencing. It's actually kind of neat that this post is on day 100. 100 is a special number. lol It turned into quite an ordeal though because I started to pass out and I think I did pass out briefly. I was sitting when I got the injection in my back and I started getting queasy and then basically passed out as I was trying to lay down to keep from passing out. It is kind of funny looking back because I heard my specialist say "I'm going to get a..." and that was all and I was struggling to stay conscious (his voice was muffled because I was passing out) but why I thought I could stop it is funny... yet none the less I tried. :) lol I have passed out before while getting needles so I should have known better to lay down when getting the injection. Anyways it was quite unpleasent to get and I had to stay for at least 1/2hr before the nurse person would let me go because I was apparently so pale. So much for in and out. lol But it seems as though the pain has decreased significantly in the area in my back that has been getting steadily worse the past few months. It has kept me down so much the past couple of months. It isn't completely better but at least now the level of pain is down low enough that I can continue with my recovery which basically halted with this extra pain. It has been so depressing so my mood definitely went up today that I could move around more. So despite a bit of an ordeal I am thankful for it because I am in a lot less pain today and I hope it lasts awhile. So for this post I am thankful for the injection. :)
This post is for yesterday. For this post I am thankful for spinal injections because I got one and while it was painful to get, it has helped a fair bit with the level of pain I have been experiencing. It's actually kind of neat that this post is on day 100. 100 is a special number. lol It turned into quite an ordeal though because I started to pass out and I think I did pass out briefly. I was sitting when I got the injection in my back and I started getting queasy and then basically passed out as I was trying to lay down to keep from passing out. It is kind of funny looking back because I heard my specialist say "I'm going to get a..." and that was all and I was struggling to stay conscious (his voice was muffled because I was passing out) but why I thought I could stop it is funny... yet none the less I tried. :) lol I have passed out before while getting needles so I should have known better to lay down when getting the injection. Anyways it was quite unpleasent to get and I had to stay for at least 1/2hr before the nurse person would let me go because I was apparently so pale. So much for in and out. lol But it seems as though the pain has decreased significantly in the area in my back that has been getting steadily worse the past few months. It has kept me down so much the past couple of months. It isn't completely better but at least now the level of pain is down low enough that I can continue with my recovery which basically halted with this extra pain. It has been so depressing so my mood definitely went up today that I could move around more. So despite a bit of an ordeal I am thankful for it because I am in a lot less pain today and I hope it lasts awhile. So for this post I am thankful for the injection. :)
Day 99: Spending time with my Sister and nephew
Hi again,
This post is for Wednesday and my mom and my younger sister and I went to Edmonton for appointments and we stayed with my Sister and her husband and their son who is my nephew. On Wednesday afternoon my sister and my nephew and I went to Dairy Queen and I bought my sister and I ice cream and we spent some quality time together that we don't really get to do often enough. The ice cream was really good and we had lots of fun as well. My nephew is just over a year old and he is so much fun. :) After Dairy Queen we went for a brief walk because it was so nice outside. I am so thankful for this time we had together. As a great quote says "We do not remember days, we remember moments" and these moments were very special and I am thankful for these special times together and my family.
This post is for Wednesday and my mom and my younger sister and I went to Edmonton for appointments and we stayed with my Sister and her husband and their son who is my nephew. On Wednesday afternoon my sister and my nephew and I went to Dairy Queen and I bought my sister and I ice cream and we spent some quality time together that we don't really get to do often enough. The ice cream was really good and we had lots of fun as well. My nephew is just over a year old and he is so much fun. :) After Dairy Queen we went for a brief walk because it was so nice outside. I am so thankful for this time we had together. As a great quote says "We do not remember days, we remember moments" and these moments were very special and I am thankful for these special times together and my family.
Day 98: The book How To Raise the Perfect Dog
Hi again,
I would like to apologize for my absence because I have been so busy the last few days and I was gone in Edmonton Wednesday and Thursday and didn't have time to post on here. So I am now going to catch up on here. :)
For this post I am thankful for the book "How to Raise the Perfect Dog through puppy hood and beyond" written by Cesar Milan. I have been learning lots from this book and I wish I had read it before I got our puppy who is definitely a handful. She is apparently half coon hound and half pit bull and since learning she is half pit bull I have learned alot about pit bulls and the incorrect stigma around them. In this book Cesar (who is the Dog Whisperer) talks about pit bulls specifically and how "the bad rap that pit bulls get here in the United States is, to my thinking, a crime" My puppy is not a handful because she is part pit bull but because she is very exuberant and has issues with jumping on people and actually being quite scared of many things. Even straw hats scare her. Anyways this book has talked about many things on how to raise a dog and picking the perfect dog and sadly the characteristics he talks about to look for in a perfect dog is many things Coco isn't. lol She isn't calm-she is very exuberant. I am learning techniques also on how to raise her better and I am so thankful for any help I can receive through what ever resources I can find.
I would like to share a couple more excerpts from the book to maybe take away some of the bad stereotypes that pit bulls have because through reading about pit bulls I have learned that they are not all bad. Some are yes but those are trained to be guard dogs and they become dangerous and they bite. Of course all dogs have the potential to be aggressive and bite-not just pit bulls. Here are the excerpts from the book that I would like to share where Cesar talks about pit bulls. "First of all, pit bulls are dogs first. They're not wild animals; they're domestic dogs like any other domestic dog. Of course, pit bulls are not always the right dog for every family-but blaming pit bulls as a breed for all those horrendous incidents we read about in the news, we're forgetting the basic fact that we humans have created the very characteristics we vilify in pit bulls, simply to fill our own needs. We are responsible for them. Over the centuries, we have genetically engineered these dogs to have strong jaws, relentless staying power and a high tolerance for discomfort or pain. Those are the plain unvarnished facts of their DNA. But even in the dog world, DNA isn't destiny. Pit bulls are not born aggressive to dogs or to people-we make them that way."
"Properly socialized and raised with the same consistent rules, boundaries, and limitations that their natural pack would instill in them, it's been my experience that pit bulls make the most amazing pets. The very pit bull attributes so often maligned by society can actually be rechanneled into the most positive outlets. For instance, the inborn characteristics of determination and staying power can be transformed into unwavering loyalty and patience. A balanced pit bull has the ability to wait calmly and respectfully for long periods of time..."
There is so much more in this book that is quite amazing to read about and learn but I have made this post quite long already and I would like to keep it as short as I can. Anyways for this post I am very thankful for this book and what I have learned from it.
I would like to apologize for my absence because I have been so busy the last few days and I was gone in Edmonton Wednesday and Thursday and didn't have time to post on here. So I am now going to catch up on here. :)
For this post I am thankful for the book "How to Raise the Perfect Dog through puppy hood and beyond" written by Cesar Milan. I have been learning lots from this book and I wish I had read it before I got our puppy who is definitely a handful. She is apparently half coon hound and half pit bull and since learning she is half pit bull I have learned alot about pit bulls and the incorrect stigma around them. In this book Cesar (who is the Dog Whisperer) talks about pit bulls specifically and how "the bad rap that pit bulls get here in the United States is, to my thinking, a crime" My puppy is not a handful because she is part pit bull but because she is very exuberant and has issues with jumping on people and actually being quite scared of many things. Even straw hats scare her. Anyways this book has talked about many things on how to raise a dog and picking the perfect dog and sadly the characteristics he talks about to look for in a perfect dog is many things Coco isn't. lol She isn't calm-she is very exuberant. I am learning techniques also on how to raise her better and I am so thankful for any help I can receive through what ever resources I can find.
I would like to share a couple more excerpts from the book to maybe take away some of the bad stereotypes that pit bulls have because through reading about pit bulls I have learned that they are not all bad. Some are yes but those are trained to be guard dogs and they become dangerous and they bite. Of course all dogs have the potential to be aggressive and bite-not just pit bulls. Here are the excerpts from the book that I would like to share where Cesar talks about pit bulls. "First of all, pit bulls are dogs first. They're not wild animals; they're domestic dogs like any other domestic dog. Of course, pit bulls are not always the right dog for every family-but blaming pit bulls as a breed for all those horrendous incidents we read about in the news, we're forgetting the basic fact that we humans have created the very characteristics we vilify in pit bulls, simply to fill our own needs. We are responsible for them. Over the centuries, we have genetically engineered these dogs to have strong jaws, relentless staying power and a high tolerance for discomfort or pain. Those are the plain unvarnished facts of their DNA. But even in the dog world, DNA isn't destiny. Pit bulls are not born aggressive to dogs or to people-we make them that way."
"Properly socialized and raised with the same consistent rules, boundaries, and limitations that their natural pack would instill in them, it's been my experience that pit bulls make the most amazing pets. The very pit bull attributes so often maligned by society can actually be rechanneled into the most positive outlets. For instance, the inborn characteristics of determination and staying power can be transformed into unwavering loyalty and patience. A balanced pit bull has the ability to wait calmly and respectfully for long periods of time..."
There is so much more in this book that is quite amazing to read about and learn but I have made this post quite long already and I would like to keep it as short as I can. Anyways for this post I am very thankful for this book and what I have learned from it.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Day 97: Hugs
Hi again,
Today I am thankful for hugs which are so simple yet so comforting. When ever I am having a bad day, I can always count on my mom to give me a hug. I have gone through alot of days where I have needed hugs from my mom! Even though a hug doesn't fix the problem, it is so comforting somehow and helps. Maybe a hug reminds me that I am not alone and someone else cares. I have grown to love hugs actually so I suppose it is fitting to be thankful for them! I am going to keep this short though because there is not much more I can really say to convey this any better. So today I am thankful for hugs. :)
Today I am thankful for hugs which are so simple yet so comforting. When ever I am having a bad day, I can always count on my mom to give me a hug. I have gone through alot of days where I have needed hugs from my mom! Even though a hug doesn't fix the problem, it is so comforting somehow and helps. Maybe a hug reminds me that I am not alone and someone else cares. I have grown to love hugs actually so I suppose it is fitting to be thankful for them! I am going to keep this short though because there is not much more I can really say to convey this any better. So today I am thankful for hugs. :)
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Day 96: Dairy Queen Sweet Deals!!!
Hi again,
Today I am thankful for Dairy Queen Sweet deals because it is back to the price it started with which is 2 for $4 or 3 for $5 or 4 for $6!!!! My family and I love to get 4 sundaes for $6 and today my parents picked up sundaes for dessert for us and they are soooo goooooood! I love the chocolate fudge personally. :) The sweet deals menu makes Dairy Queen affordable so I am very thankful for it! Of course there is quite an assortment of items on the sweet deals menu but we just go for the sundaes. So today I am thankful for the Dairy Queen sweet deals and my parents for being so generous for buying me a sundae!!!! :)
Today I am thankful for Dairy Queen Sweet deals because it is back to the price it started with which is 2 for $4 or 3 for $5 or 4 for $6!!!! My family and I love to get 4 sundaes for $6 and today my parents picked up sundaes for dessert for us and they are soooo goooooood! I love the chocolate fudge personally. :) The sweet deals menu makes Dairy Queen affordable so I am very thankful for it! Of course there is quite an assortment of items on the sweet deals menu but we just go for the sundaes. So today I am thankful for the Dairy Queen sweet deals and my parents for being so generous for buying me a sundae!!!! :)
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Day 95: Chickadees singing in the winter
Hi againToday I was having some trouble again finding something to write about and then I thought about the Chickadees I heard earlier singing away and it is such a beautiful sound on a Winter day. Yes I will admit that it is currently quite warm (around freezing) because we are going through a warm spell but it is still winter. :) I do not know why Chickadees make me smile when I hear them but they do. Maybe it's because they sound so happy and carefree when they are singing. They are also fun to listen to during the winter because most birds have migrated for the winter and there are very few birds here to listen to. During the summer there are a multitude of different birds around and it is wonderful to sit outside and listen to the different birds singing away but during the winter there are very few. So I am so thankful that the Chickadees stick around and happily sing away even when it's cold. I have also been thinking I should try to get some photos of them at the bird feeder as well which I will share here if I manage to do that. :) Thanks for reading my blog!
Day 94: Sunrises
Hi again,
This post is for yesterday as I was unable to post yesterday. For this post I am thankful for sunrises and how beautiful they are. One great part of winter is that the sun rises much later than in the summer and you can actually see it without having to get up early. lol Currently the sun rises about 8:30am and on the shortest day (Dec.21) it rises about 9am or a bit after. I love seeing the sun rise each morning-it can be such a beautiful sight. Thinking back on all the sun rises I have seen over the years-there have been some really breathtaking ones. I used to work in the bakery at Save On Foods and I would work the 5am shift and during the winter when I would work a 5-9am shift I could actually be done work as the sun would be rising and that was always weird but it was neat to be able to see it on the drive home. During the summer it would rise before I left for work though and during my drive to work (when the days started to shorten again) if I am remembering correctly. Anyways sunrises are beautiful and I am thankful for being able to see them when I can. I am also thankful for shorter days in a way because it enables me to see the sun rise without having to get up too early. But I am also thankful for the days lengthening again because we have more sunlight in the day. Currently it sets at 5:03pm-it finally past the 5pm mark!!!! We actually have about 8.5hrs of sunlight in a day now! lol I am thankful for a few things I suppose for this post. lol Thanks for reading my blog!
This post is for yesterday as I was unable to post yesterday. For this post I am thankful for sunrises and how beautiful they are. One great part of winter is that the sun rises much later than in the summer and you can actually see it without having to get up early. lol Currently the sun rises about 8:30am and on the shortest day (Dec.21) it rises about 9am or a bit after. I love seeing the sun rise each morning-it can be such a beautiful sight. Thinking back on all the sun rises I have seen over the years-there have been some really breathtaking ones. I used to work in the bakery at Save On Foods and I would work the 5am shift and during the winter when I would work a 5-9am shift I could actually be done work as the sun would be rising and that was always weird but it was neat to be able to see it on the drive home. During the summer it would rise before I left for work though and during my drive to work (when the days started to shorten again) if I am remembering correctly. Anyways sunrises are beautiful and I am thankful for being able to see them when I can. I am also thankful for shorter days in a way because it enables me to see the sun rise without having to get up too early. But I am also thankful for the days lengthening again because we have more sunlight in the day. Currently it sets at 5:03pm-it finally past the 5pm mark!!!! We actually have about 8.5hrs of sunlight in a day now! lol I am thankful for a few things I suppose for this post. lol Thanks for reading my blog!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Day 93: living in the country
Hi again,
To be honest, I was having incredible difficulty coming up with something new for today's post and wasn't really sure what to write about. So while I was thinking about what to write about, I decided to look at the weather forecast to see the current temperature and was very surprised to see that it's above freezing! So I decided to take a walk outside and think about what to post and when I stepped outside it hit me. I am so thankful to be living in the country. The reason that this came to mind tonight was because the moon is so bright tonight and it is somehow illuminating everything and it's so neat to see. Normally when I look outside at night, it is pitch black and you can't see a thing unless you have a light of some kind. We have no street lights out here which comes with advantages (to see the stars) and disadvantages (not being able to see where you are walking lol). :) Anyways on nights where the moon is really bright, it is so neat to walk outside because you can see everything. Tonight it is cloudy but the moon is still shining brightly enough to illuminate everything. It is such a soft light tonight possibly because the moon is shining through the clouds? Anyways that is one reason for loving the country. Other reasons I love it out here is the lack of noise from traffic, the ability to go outside and look at the stars on clear nights, the privacy, the room to move around and still be on your own property. I have always enjoyed looking at the stars so it is really nice to be out here. There are obviously the disadvantages too but to me the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. :) So this is why I am thankful for living in the country!
I wanted to mention that today I was very thankful to have warmer weather start returning which was amazing!!! My goodness it feels so nice after the cold temps we have been dealing with! It is supposed to last a little bit so it is a nice reprieve from the cold winter days.
To be honest, I was having incredible difficulty coming up with something new for today's post and wasn't really sure what to write about. So while I was thinking about what to write about, I decided to look at the weather forecast to see the current temperature and was very surprised to see that it's above freezing! So I decided to take a walk outside and think about what to post and when I stepped outside it hit me. I am so thankful to be living in the country. The reason that this came to mind tonight was because the moon is so bright tonight and it is somehow illuminating everything and it's so neat to see. Normally when I look outside at night, it is pitch black and you can't see a thing unless you have a light of some kind. We have no street lights out here which comes with advantages (to see the stars) and disadvantages (not being able to see where you are walking lol). :) Anyways on nights where the moon is really bright, it is so neat to walk outside because you can see everything. Tonight it is cloudy but the moon is still shining brightly enough to illuminate everything. It is such a soft light tonight possibly because the moon is shining through the clouds? Anyways that is one reason for loving the country. Other reasons I love it out here is the lack of noise from traffic, the ability to go outside and look at the stars on clear nights, the privacy, the room to move around and still be on your own property. I have always enjoyed looking at the stars so it is really nice to be out here. There are obviously the disadvantages too but to me the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. :) So this is why I am thankful for living in the country!
I wanted to mention that today I was very thankful to have warmer weather start returning which was amazing!!! My goodness it feels so nice after the cold temps we have been dealing with! It is supposed to last a little bit so it is a nice reprieve from the cold winter days.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Day 92: bookcloseouts.com
Hi again,
Today I am thankful for another website/business that I love. It is a place that sells scratch and dent books for really cheap and they are actually still in good shape despite a few scratches or what ever has happened to the books. I have very little money right now to spend on things like books so when there is a book or two that I have been wanting and it shows up or is on this site-it really makes my day! Today I got an order I placed in the first week of January and was reminded how thankful I am for this site and the cheaper books. I don't do this often-usually only manage about once a year but it is so nice to own a book vs taking it out from the library and having to get it back in 3weeks. I mainly like to buy books that I will look at or use often that it is worth it to buy them. This site makes it possible to buy some while still keeping within my budget. It is actually a Canadian company but it sells books in US currency though I am not sure why. Also with this last order I learned that they have great customer service when something doesn't go as it should and I am quite thankful for that as well. So today I am thankful for Book Closeouts and their great deals and affordable prices. Thanks for reading my blog.
Today I am thankful for another website/business that I love. It is a place that sells scratch and dent books for really cheap and they are actually still in good shape despite a few scratches or what ever has happened to the books. I have very little money right now to spend on things like books so when there is a book or two that I have been wanting and it shows up or is on this site-it really makes my day! Today I got an order I placed in the first week of January and was reminded how thankful I am for this site and the cheaper books. I don't do this often-usually only manage about once a year but it is so nice to own a book vs taking it out from the library and having to get it back in 3weeks. I mainly like to buy books that I will look at or use often that it is worth it to buy them. This site makes it possible to buy some while still keeping within my budget. It is actually a Canadian company but it sells books in US currency though I am not sure why. Also with this last order I learned that they have great customer service when something doesn't go as it should and I am quite thankful for that as well. So today I am thankful for Book Closeouts and their great deals and affordable prices. Thanks for reading my blog.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Day 91: Forgiveness
Hi again,
Today I am thankful for forgiveness. I am not sure exactly why I thought of this for today but I am quite thankful for it. I think we have all screwed up at least once in our lifetime if we are being completely honest with ourselves. I have screwed up several times and I am thankful for forgiveness. I am thankful for that second chance that you get after you screw up. Maybe it isn't even just a second chance-maybe it is a third or fourth chance because sometimes it takes a bit for something to sink in before we learn. :) Not everyone is willing to give us more than a second chance so it is especially wonderful when you have friends or family willing to continue to forgive you. But we should always learn from our mistakes and not continue to make the same mistakes because otherwise it isn't fair to the person we hurt each time. One thing I have learned through out the years and from others hurting me (and sometimes very deeply and very wrongly) is that forgiving a person is not saying you are ok with what they did but you are letting go of holding on to what they did. Forgiveness is for yourself to not hold on to something someone else did to you and let it fester inside of you. You also don't need an apology to forgive someone else even though apologies are nice yet they don't always come. We can't let that stop us from forgiving a person.That was a hard one for me to learn. As a Christian I am thankful for God's forgiveness because I know I have screwed up often and I am far from perfect as no one is perfect. Sometimes you can forgive a person but what ever happened between you is something that has caused you to be unable to repair the relationship and you need to part ways. I am thankful for the act of forgiveness also because I think it frees us as the one forgiving and possibly also the one being forgiven. Forgiveness sadly doesn't erase the pain immediately but I think it lessens over time. So this is what I have been thinking about today and I am thankful for. Thanks for reading my blog. :)
Today I am thankful for forgiveness. I am not sure exactly why I thought of this for today but I am quite thankful for it. I think we have all screwed up at least once in our lifetime if we are being completely honest with ourselves. I have screwed up several times and I am thankful for forgiveness. I am thankful for that second chance that you get after you screw up. Maybe it isn't even just a second chance-maybe it is a third or fourth chance because sometimes it takes a bit for something to sink in before we learn. :) Not everyone is willing to give us more than a second chance so it is especially wonderful when you have friends or family willing to continue to forgive you. But we should always learn from our mistakes and not continue to make the same mistakes because otherwise it isn't fair to the person we hurt each time. One thing I have learned through out the years and from others hurting me (and sometimes very deeply and very wrongly) is that forgiving a person is not saying you are ok with what they did but you are letting go of holding on to what they did. Forgiveness is for yourself to not hold on to something someone else did to you and let it fester inside of you. You also don't need an apology to forgive someone else even though apologies are nice yet they don't always come. We can't let that stop us from forgiving a person.That was a hard one for me to learn. As a Christian I am thankful for God's forgiveness because I know I have screwed up often and I am far from perfect as no one is perfect. Sometimes you can forgive a person but what ever happened between you is something that has caused you to be unable to repair the relationship and you need to part ways. I am thankful for the act of forgiveness also because I think it frees us as the one forgiving and possibly also the one being forgiven. Forgiveness sadly doesn't erase the pain immediately but I think it lessens over time. So this is what I have been thinking about today and I am thankful for. Thanks for reading my blog. :)
Monday, January 17, 2011
Day 90: Martin Luther King
Hi again,
Today I am thankful for Martin Luther King and what he accomplished. While I am not black and I am not American, I still very much admire what he did. I also think that we can learn from him that it is important to stand up against hatred towards others whether because of skin colour or beliefs or what ever. He stood up for equal rights and he made a difference. He stood up for something he believed in and he stood up for what is right and not what was popular. I admire him for that and thankful for him and others standing up for equal rights among everyone. Too many people know what is right yet they don't stand up for it or for other people because they are too afraid. The world is a better place because of this man and others like him who stood up against racial discrimination. They showed that it is possible to make a difference. thanks for reading my blog.
Today I am thankful for Martin Luther King and what he accomplished. While I am not black and I am not American, I still very much admire what he did. I also think that we can learn from him that it is important to stand up against hatred towards others whether because of skin colour or beliefs or what ever. He stood up for equal rights and he made a difference. He stood up for something he believed in and he stood up for what is right and not what was popular. I admire him for that and thankful for him and others standing up for equal rights among everyone. Too many people know what is right yet they don't stand up for it or for other people because they are too afraid. The world is a better place because of this man and others like him who stood up against racial discrimination. They showed that it is possible to make a difference. thanks for reading my blog.
3 Months down
Hi again,
I planned awhile back to give an update every month and I imagined that I would have good news to give but today it isn't quite positive. This post isn't easy for me to write but I feel I should be honest. While I have noticed improvement in the way I view each day, the last week and a half have proved to be more than difficult for me with so many little things happening that caused pain and together they brought me downhill again. Yesterday I finally snapped unable to hold it together any longer. I am not proud of this as any other person would not be but it happened and I can't change that. I still recognize the blessings in my life more but at the same time I also spiraled this week. It was kind of a strange thing to me. I think more is needed than just seeing the blessings but also knowing how to deal with the bad stuff that comes my way so it doesn't build up. People say things that hurt and my family says things that hurt and I think I am just brushing it off but in reality I am just stuffing it down and it builds and then it all comes out at once. It isn't just what other people say though, it's also my limitations that frustrate me and that builds up as well. I am sharing this to say that I recognize this is not the way to deal with problems as I am sure most people already understand, but maybe some are like me and do the same despite efforts to change. I am hoping that while I continue with this project that I can also improve in other areas of my life as well and maybe in another month I will have more positive news to share. Thank you for joining me in this journey.
I planned awhile back to give an update every month and I imagined that I would have good news to give but today it isn't quite positive. This post isn't easy for me to write but I feel I should be honest. While I have noticed improvement in the way I view each day, the last week and a half have proved to be more than difficult for me with so many little things happening that caused pain and together they brought me downhill again. Yesterday I finally snapped unable to hold it together any longer. I am not proud of this as any other person would not be but it happened and I can't change that. I still recognize the blessings in my life more but at the same time I also spiraled this week. It was kind of a strange thing to me. I think more is needed than just seeing the blessings but also knowing how to deal with the bad stuff that comes my way so it doesn't build up. People say things that hurt and my family says things that hurt and I think I am just brushing it off but in reality I am just stuffing it down and it builds and then it all comes out at once. It isn't just what other people say though, it's also my limitations that frustrate me and that builds up as well. I am sharing this to say that I recognize this is not the way to deal with problems as I am sure most people already understand, but maybe some are like me and do the same despite efforts to change. I am hoping that while I continue with this project that I can also improve in other areas of my life as well and maybe in another month I will have more positive news to share. Thank you for joining me in this journey.
Day 89: My Upbringing
Hi again,
This post is for yesterday because I was unable to sit at the computer to write this post. Earlier in the day I realized I am thankful for my upbringing. All the good and the bad that happened has helped shape me into the person I am today. My parents taught me the value of money and how important it is to work hard at what you do even if it is something you don't want to be doing but have to do. They didn't spoil me which is something I sometimes wished for not realizing that it would have led me to be a different person-a less thankful person. Something that really stands out is how we only got money that we earned where other kids would get handed money each week regardless of what they did. When I was younger I thought that was unfair but now that I am grown up I see that it taught me the value of money and I appreciated it more because I earned it and it wasn't just handed to me. There is much more but I will leave it at this. Maybe I can touch on it further another time.
This post is for yesterday because I was unable to sit at the computer to write this post. Earlier in the day I realized I am thankful for my upbringing. All the good and the bad that happened has helped shape me into the person I am today. My parents taught me the value of money and how important it is to work hard at what you do even if it is something you don't want to be doing but have to do. They didn't spoil me which is something I sometimes wished for not realizing that it would have led me to be a different person-a less thankful person. Something that really stands out is how we only got money that we earned where other kids would get handed money each week regardless of what they did. When I was younger I thought that was unfair but now that I am grown up I see that it taught me the value of money and I appreciated it more because I earned it and it wasn't just handed to me. There is much more but I will leave it at this. Maybe I can touch on it further another time.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Day 88: Hope
Hi again,
Today I am thankful for something that isn't really tangible but very important and that is hope. If you lose hope, you lose so much-possibly everything. Hope is the belief that something will come, something better and it wills you to keep living, to keep pushing forward and if you lose hope- what reason is there to continue? I feel as though I lost hope a few months ago. I felt as though I could not keep fighting through each day, that life would continue the way it has and it would never improve. I felt that every person I opened up to would cause me great pain because it has happened so often that it seems as though it will always happen. I lost hope that I could ever get back on my feet. I lost hope. I thought I had nothing left to live for and I wanted to die.
Somehow I found it back though and I am still here today thankfully. I don't know if I will continue to live a life with so much physical pain but I think because I have hope again, I feel there is a possibility of living a better life physically. I feel that there is a chance that I can get back on my feet again. I am still having difficulty with being willing to open up to people again though. Yet just posting this post shows that I am taking a great risk of being open about this because I have hope it will not cause me pain to open up about this. I have hope. Hope in a better tomorrow. Hope that good will happen. Hope that what ever I face, I can get through it. Hope that I will become a better more positive person than I am today or I was yesterday. Maybe it took spiraling so low a few months ago to really start seeing things differently. It has helped me to realize that we can't always trust our own judgement because I thought my life would never improve yet I have had days that I never saw possible that were not so bad. I am thankful for hope because it makes living possible. I am not talking about existing here-I am talking about real living where you live the best life you can live. We also don't need perfect circumstances to do that. We just need to live the best we can in the circumstances we are in and hope for a better tomorrow because it can happen. Thanks for reading my blog.
Today I am thankful for something that isn't really tangible but very important and that is hope. If you lose hope, you lose so much-possibly everything. Hope is the belief that something will come, something better and it wills you to keep living, to keep pushing forward and if you lose hope- what reason is there to continue? I feel as though I lost hope a few months ago. I felt as though I could not keep fighting through each day, that life would continue the way it has and it would never improve. I felt that every person I opened up to would cause me great pain because it has happened so often that it seems as though it will always happen. I lost hope that I could ever get back on my feet. I lost hope. I thought I had nothing left to live for and I wanted to die.
Somehow I found it back though and I am still here today thankfully. I don't know if I will continue to live a life with so much physical pain but I think because I have hope again, I feel there is a possibility of living a better life physically. I feel that there is a chance that I can get back on my feet again. I am still having difficulty with being willing to open up to people again though. Yet just posting this post shows that I am taking a great risk of being open about this because I have hope it will not cause me pain to open up about this. I have hope. Hope in a better tomorrow. Hope that good will happen. Hope that what ever I face, I can get through it. Hope that I will become a better more positive person than I am today or I was yesterday. Maybe it took spiraling so low a few months ago to really start seeing things differently. It has helped me to realize that we can't always trust our own judgement because I thought my life would never improve yet I have had days that I never saw possible that were not so bad. I am thankful for hope because it makes living possible. I am not talking about existing here-I am talking about real living where you live the best life you can live. We also don't need perfect circumstances to do that. We just need to live the best we can in the circumstances we are in and hope for a better tomorrow because it can happen. Thanks for reading my blog.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Day 87: the book "28 Stories of AIDS in Africa"
Hi again,
Today I am actually thankful for so many things that I have already mentioned because today it is so cold outside (felt like -33 with windchill and -25 without) and I was so thankful for a nice warm home and the woodstove and winter clothing to keep me warm outside etc. But this project is about finding something new each day to be thankful for so I am thankful today for a book I read called "28 Stories of AIDS in Africa" because it has helped me to understand better what it is like for the millions of people in Africa and what they are going through living with AIDS. Of course it only gives me the tiniest glimpse at something so huge and I can never really fully understand what it is like but this book helps me understand a little bit more. It is very difficult to read because of what these people go through and I went through so many different emotions from sadness to feeling I need to do something to feeling helpless because I don't know what to do to feeling grateful for realizing all that I have to anger that anyone should have to live like that etc. I didn't feel the emotions in that order but they are some of the feelings I went through. I cried while reading parts of it because I feel bad for the people who suffer from AIDS when there is treatment available (but not always available to them) and because I realized that I have so much to be thankful for that I have taken for granted. You may be asking why I am thankful for a book that brought me to tears and made me feel sad. I am thankful because it helps me to be more aware of what is going on in the world and who needs help and while I don't know how I can help yet, I know better what is needed and maybe I can find a way to help. It also helped me to realize how blessed we are to live in North America because we have so much here-even those who have little here have more than people living in poverty in countries like Africa. I have hope that I will find something that I can do to help others in need even if it's only a little bit. If we all helped a little bit, it would make a big difference. So I am left feeling hope (that I can help fellow human beings in need) and thankfulness (for all that I have been blessed with) after reading this book which is why I am thankful for this book. I encourage others to read this book also to be more aware of what is happening and maybe find ways to help as well. These books are not meant to cause us to feel bad for people in Africa and then go back to our own lives-I think these books are meant to motivate us to do something to help. Thanks for reading my blog.
Today I am actually thankful for so many things that I have already mentioned because today it is so cold outside (felt like -33 with windchill and -25 without) and I was so thankful for a nice warm home and the woodstove and winter clothing to keep me warm outside etc. But this project is about finding something new each day to be thankful for so I am thankful today for a book I read called "28 Stories of AIDS in Africa" because it has helped me to understand better what it is like for the millions of people in Africa and what they are going through living with AIDS. Of course it only gives me the tiniest glimpse at something so huge and I can never really fully understand what it is like but this book helps me understand a little bit more. It is very difficult to read because of what these people go through and I went through so many different emotions from sadness to feeling I need to do something to feeling helpless because I don't know what to do to feeling grateful for realizing all that I have to anger that anyone should have to live like that etc. I didn't feel the emotions in that order but they are some of the feelings I went through. I cried while reading parts of it because I feel bad for the people who suffer from AIDS when there is treatment available (but not always available to them) and because I realized that I have so much to be thankful for that I have taken for granted. You may be asking why I am thankful for a book that brought me to tears and made me feel sad. I am thankful because it helps me to be more aware of what is going on in the world and who needs help and while I don't know how I can help yet, I know better what is needed and maybe I can find a way to help. It also helped me to realize how blessed we are to live in North America because we have so much here-even those who have little here have more than people living in poverty in countries like Africa. I have hope that I will find something that I can do to help others in need even if it's only a little bit. If we all helped a little bit, it would make a big difference. So I am left feeling hope (that I can help fellow human beings in need) and thankfulness (for all that I have been blessed with) after reading this book which is why I am thankful for this book. I encourage others to read this book also to be more aware of what is happening and maybe find ways to help as well. These books are not meant to cause us to feel bad for people in Africa and then go back to our own lives-I think these books are meant to motivate us to do something to help. Thanks for reading my blog.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Day 86: Access to an Education
Hi again,
Today I am thankful for something that I have already been through but was reminded of how lucky we are to have access to an education. Most of us are able to go through kindergarten to grade 12 and it is something that is almost expected and normal to go through school. But for many children in countries around the world it is a luxury that they can't afford. I was watching Doc Zone tonight (a show on CBC) and it was on Haiti's Orphans. I will provide a link to the website where it talks about the episode at the bottom for those interested. Anyways while watching it, one of the things that they talked about was schooling and how it is unafforable to many and it hit me how accessable and easy it was for me to go to school and how little I appreciated the opportunity to be able to learn. I love learning but I never saw it as something that I should be grateful for while going to school. There were many aspects of school that I strongly disliked. I had many problems in school though which I won't get in to and there is alot that can be improved on with our school system but we have the ability to learn where so many don't. I can read and write and I have always loved learning new stuff and what not but never quite fully appreciated how easily accessable it was to me until now. I still wish that our school system would be much better than it is and there wasn't the bullying or such large class sizes and so on but on the other hand I am also grateful for our ability to go to school and learn. I won't get started on the flaws of the school system though because that is not the point of this post. The point of this post is to share that I am thankful for being able to have schooling and we shouldn't take it for granted because there are many that can only dream of going to school. This is why I am thankful for our access to an education. Thanks for reading my blog!
Here is the link. Doc Zone: Haiti's Orphans
Today I am thankful for something that I have already been through but was reminded of how lucky we are to have access to an education. Most of us are able to go through kindergarten to grade 12 and it is something that is almost expected and normal to go through school. But for many children in countries around the world it is a luxury that they can't afford. I was watching Doc Zone tonight (a show on CBC) and it was on Haiti's Orphans. I will provide a link to the website where it talks about the episode at the bottom for those interested. Anyways while watching it, one of the things that they talked about was schooling and how it is unafforable to many and it hit me how accessable and easy it was for me to go to school and how little I appreciated the opportunity to be able to learn. I love learning but I never saw it as something that I should be grateful for while going to school. There were many aspects of school that I strongly disliked. I had many problems in school though which I won't get in to and there is alot that can be improved on with our school system but we have the ability to learn where so many don't. I can read and write and I have always loved learning new stuff and what not but never quite fully appreciated how easily accessable it was to me until now. I still wish that our school system would be much better than it is and there wasn't the bullying or such large class sizes and so on but on the other hand I am also grateful for our ability to go to school and learn. I won't get started on the flaws of the school system though because that is not the point of this post. The point of this post is to share that I am thankful for being able to have schooling and we shouldn't take it for granted because there are many that can only dream of going to school. This is why I am thankful for our access to an education. Thanks for reading my blog!
Here is the link. Doc Zone: Haiti's Orphans
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Day 85: LOLdogs
Hi again.
Today I am thankful for a website I visit sometimes when I need a laugh or a smile. The website is http://www.icanhazcheeseburger.com/ and I love looking at the cat and dog photos but today I felt like looking at the dog photos. They are funny photos that get funny captions that make it even funnier usually. Sometimes a photo and caption are not that funny but most of them are. To be honest, the last couple of weeks have been really tough and today is no different. There are a lot of things going on like my back getting worse and needing to see my specialist, not being able to get through to my specialist to make an appointment because he is so busy and currently waiting for a call back, personal stuff, being sick off and on, etc. It is weird how everything seems to pile up at once. lol Anyways I could really use a few laughs to brighten my day so I visited the site. :) But in the midst of all of this not so pleasent stuff(there is alot I haven't mentioned because this isn't the place to do so) I am still finding something to be thankful for each day which I feel is quite good. Some days are more difficult yes but I suppose I am trying to say that it is possible to find something new to be thankful for despite all the bad stuff going on. Anyways back to LOLdogs. This site is quite funny and if you need a laugh and have not visited this site before-I reccomend it! I would like to share a few that made me smile today. :) I hope they make you smile as well! :)
This is more cute and true than funny. :)
This next one is one all the facebook users will get! lol
and I can't leave out the cats. lol
Today I am thankful for a website I visit sometimes when I need a laugh or a smile. The website is http://www.icanhazcheeseburger.com/ and I love looking at the cat and dog photos but today I felt like looking at the dog photos. They are funny photos that get funny captions that make it even funnier usually. Sometimes a photo and caption are not that funny but most of them are. To be honest, the last couple of weeks have been really tough and today is no different. There are a lot of things going on like my back getting worse and needing to see my specialist, not being able to get through to my specialist to make an appointment because he is so busy and currently waiting for a call back, personal stuff, being sick off and on, etc. It is weird how everything seems to pile up at once. lol Anyways I could really use a few laughs to brighten my day so I visited the site. :) But in the midst of all of this not so pleasent stuff(there is alot I haven't mentioned because this isn't the place to do so) I am still finding something to be thankful for each day which I feel is quite good. Some days are more difficult yes but I suppose I am trying to say that it is possible to find something new to be thankful for despite all the bad stuff going on. Anyways back to LOLdogs. This site is quite funny and if you need a laugh and have not visited this site before-I reccomend it! I would like to share a few that made me smile today. :) I hope they make you smile as well! :)
This is more cute and true than funny. :)
This next one is one all the facebook users will get! lol
and I can't leave out the cats. lol
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Day 84: Down In the Boondocks song
Hi again,
This may seem odd to be thankful for and I suppose it is more a memory attached to this song than the song itself that I am thankful for. Today we got groceries and on the way home, the song "Down in the Boondocks" came on the radio which reminded me of a memory from years ago. I was fairly young and we were in the car and it was me and my sister and my mom and we were driving along and this song came on and my older sister and I both thought the song was Down in the Moondocks. lol It made so little sense to us and so one of us (can't remember who) asked our mom what that meant and she corrected us that it was down in the Boondocks which made no more sense to us than Down in the Moondocks. lol So she explained what it meant and we had a good laugh over what we thought it had been. It is a memory that isn't maybe that significant to others but to me it stayed with me and I smile when I hear that song. I smile while remembering that time and the moments we spent laughing about something silly. My mom doesn't even remember it and I am not sure if my sister does but for some reason it stuck with me and it makes me smile. Then it leads me to other memories of times where we would laugh over a song or have the lyrics wrong and it made the song funny. The song itself isn't even that fun or exciting but that time we spent laughing was fun. Then today I told my mom about that time and she didn't remember but we had a good laugh again. I have a quote that is on my wall that sums this up perfectly actually. "We do not remember days, we remember moments" This memory is just about a few happy moments-not days. Yet they make me smile and anything that makes me smile when I think about it is definitely worth remembering and holding on to! So this is why I am thankful for the song Down in the Moondocks.... er ...Boondocks. Lol
This may seem odd to be thankful for and I suppose it is more a memory attached to this song than the song itself that I am thankful for. Today we got groceries and on the way home, the song "Down in the Boondocks" came on the radio which reminded me of a memory from years ago. I was fairly young and we were in the car and it was me and my sister and my mom and we were driving along and this song came on and my older sister and I both thought the song was Down in the Moondocks. lol It made so little sense to us and so one of us (can't remember who) asked our mom what that meant and she corrected us that it was down in the Boondocks which made no more sense to us than Down in the Moondocks. lol So she explained what it meant and we had a good laugh over what we thought it had been. It is a memory that isn't maybe that significant to others but to me it stayed with me and I smile when I hear that song. I smile while remembering that time and the moments we spent laughing about something silly. My mom doesn't even remember it and I am not sure if my sister does but for some reason it stuck with me and it makes me smile. Then it leads me to other memories of times where we would laugh over a song or have the lyrics wrong and it made the song funny. The song itself isn't even that fun or exciting but that time we spent laughing was fun. Then today I told my mom about that time and she didn't remember but we had a good laugh again. I have a quote that is on my wall that sums this up perfectly actually. "We do not remember days, we remember moments" This memory is just about a few happy moments-not days. Yet they make me smile and anything that makes me smile when I think about it is definitely worth remembering and holding on to! So this is why I am thankful for the song Down in the Moondocks.... er ...Boondocks. Lol
Monday, January 10, 2011
Day 83: Tractor to plow the snow
Hi again,
Today I am quite thankful that we have a tractor to plow the snow. Over the weekend we got quite a huge snow storm that apparently dumped close to a foot of snow except because of the wind it blew into knee high drifts (and higher) making the driveway impossible to get through. We also have quite a large driveway that would take forever to shovel by hand-trust me! lol So we are so thankful to have a tractor that my dad can plow the driveway so much faster. It was kind of interesting to watch though because even the tractor had a hard time in a few spots with the packed snow. lol I just keep thinking how long it would have taken to do by hand and it makes me so incredibly thankful for that tractor. Now if we can only find back our unfinished skating rink... lol I tried to walk there to guage how deep the snow is and the drifts on top of the ice are easily knee deep. On the plus side, somehow the one corner of the ice isn't covered-the wind must have been blowing just the right way to keep the snow from settling in that spot. So we have a starting point. lol
I should mention I am also so very thankful that this morning the snow finally stopped and the sun actually came back! It is crazy how much you miss the sunshine after just a few days with out it! So for now the driveway is cleaned off and the snow has stopped and the sun was out and all is good. lol Well except for the cold snap now which is not fun-today it was feeling close to -30 and it is supposed to stay that way for awhile. Plus more snow is in the forcast for later this week. It must be January! lol
Today I am quite thankful that we have a tractor to plow the snow. Over the weekend we got quite a huge snow storm that apparently dumped close to a foot of snow except because of the wind it blew into knee high drifts (and higher) making the driveway impossible to get through. We also have quite a large driveway that would take forever to shovel by hand-trust me! lol So we are so thankful to have a tractor that my dad can plow the driveway so much faster. It was kind of interesting to watch though because even the tractor had a hard time in a few spots with the packed snow. lol I just keep thinking how long it would have taken to do by hand and it makes me so incredibly thankful for that tractor. Now if we can only find back our unfinished skating rink... lol I tried to walk there to guage how deep the snow is and the drifts on top of the ice are easily knee deep. On the plus side, somehow the one corner of the ice isn't covered-the wind must have been blowing just the right way to keep the snow from settling in that spot. So we have a starting point. lol
I should mention I am also so very thankful that this morning the snow finally stopped and the sun actually came back! It is crazy how much you miss the sunshine after just a few days with out it! So for now the driveway is cleaned off and the snow has stopped and the sun was out and all is good. lol Well except for the cold snap now which is not fun-today it was feeling close to -30 and it is supposed to stay that way for awhile. Plus more snow is in the forcast for later this week. It must be January! lol
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Day 82: A&W Teen Burgers
Hi again,
Today I am thankful for teen burgers. I have not consumed one today but I have been craving them and I realized through Twitter that the U.S A&W does not sell teen burgers. I did not believe the person at first thinking how could A&W not sell teen burgers in the States? But I checked the American website for A&W and it seems that the American A&W restaurants do not seem to sell teen burgers. I am still slightly suspicious because the Teen burger is probably the best burger I have ever had and I love them sooooo much and I know many people who love them also. My mom thought it was funny when I asked if she could imagine living in a country that does not have teen burgers. lol I still need to do more checking though before I am convinced because I still have doubts that you can not find teen burgers in the US.They are relatively expensive so I don't get to eat them very often but I love every chance I get to have one. So realizing that I can have teen burgers here in Canada has led me to feel extra thankful for these wonderful burgers. I am thinking there may be a better burger out there but from the burgers I have tried-A&W Teen Burgers DEFINITELY top the list!!! I have been craving one now for a few days and I will have to somehow satisfy that craving with some coupons we recieved in the mail recently. lol I have not had one in awhile. My mouth is seriously watering thinking about the burger. I apologize to any Americans who may read this post but I suppose it just gives you another reason to come visit this beautiful country called Canada! :) Thanks for reading my blog! Also if there are any Americans reading my blog or Canadians that visit the US that can verify this or not-I would really appreciate it!
Taken off the Canadian A&W site http://www.aw.ca/
Teen Burger Components :Pure beef patty, A&W seasoning, sesame seed bun, lettuce, tomato, bacon, processed cheddar cheese, Teen sauce, ketchup, mustard, pickles, diced onion
Today I am thankful for teen burgers. I have not consumed one today but I have been craving them and I realized through Twitter that the U.S A&W does not sell teen burgers. I did not believe the person at first thinking how could A&W not sell teen burgers in the States? But I checked the American website for A&W and it seems that the American A&W restaurants do not seem to sell teen burgers. I am still slightly suspicious because the Teen burger is probably the best burger I have ever had and I love them sooooo much and I know many people who love them also. My mom thought it was funny when I asked if she could imagine living in a country that does not have teen burgers. lol I still need to do more checking though before I am convinced because I still have doubts that you can not find teen burgers in the US.They are relatively expensive so I don't get to eat them very often but I love every chance I get to have one. So realizing that I can have teen burgers here in Canada has led me to feel extra thankful for these wonderful burgers. I am thinking there may be a better burger out there but from the burgers I have tried-A&W Teen Burgers DEFINITELY top the list!!! I have been craving one now for a few days and I will have to somehow satisfy that craving with some coupons we recieved in the mail recently. lol I have not had one in awhile. My mouth is seriously watering thinking about the burger. I apologize to any Americans who may read this post but I suppose it just gives you another reason to come visit this beautiful country called Canada! :) Thanks for reading my blog! Also if there are any Americans reading my blog or Canadians that visit the US that can verify this or not-I would really appreciate it!
Taken off the Canadian A&W site http://www.aw.ca/
Teen Burger Components :Pure beef patty, A&W seasoning, sesame seed bun, lettuce, tomato, bacon, processed cheddar cheese, Teen sauce, ketchup, mustard, pickles, diced onion
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Day 81: Snow
Hi again,
As I sit here with the wind howling outside and snow coming down and being blown around, I think it is time to find something to be thankful for about snow. We are currently experiencing a snow storm with winds gusting to 55km/hr causing low visibility outside and making it nasty to be outside. It is supposed to last till tomorrow at least into the afternoon. Personally I would love to just say that there is nothing to be thankful for about snow and choose something else but there has to be something and some days I need to challenge myself to be thankful for stuff that I don't like. So I will share what I have come up with so far. The first thing I have thought of while pondering what I can be thankful for is that while there is snow, there are no bugs. LOL It may sound funny but I do love this. There are no ants or spiders or flies or other annoying insects like mosquitoes. All the bugs dissapear during the winter and while there is snow on the ground. So no bug spray is needed which I dislike too because it's kind of icky but it works. This one blessing about snow has me feeling better about snow already. lol But not enough to want snow any longer than we have it already. :) The next thing I thought of is all the outdoor activities we can do with snow when it isn't so cold that we can't be outside comfortably. Some winter activities I love that are not possible without snow are tobogganing and skating and building snowmen and skiing. It makes me smile thinking of trying to do these activities without snow. lol One time when I was young I actually attempted to toboggan down a small dirt hill-let me just say it didn't go so well. lol So there are things to be thankful for about snow and whether it makes it worth it to live with snow 6months of the year sometimes I don't know yet but it makes it seem a little less bad. Does it make up for the bad driving and the cold? maybe having no bugs does. lol no bugs splatting on the windshield that you have to scrub off is nice. :) lol But maybe not. One last thing that can be argued as a good or a bad thing is that you don't have to go to the gym for exercise-just shovel some snow. lol It is definitely exercise! Also very tiring and hard on the back. Well this is my attempt at being thankful for snow!
As I sit here with the wind howling outside and snow coming down and being blown around, I think it is time to find something to be thankful for about snow. We are currently experiencing a snow storm with winds gusting to 55km/hr causing low visibility outside and making it nasty to be outside. It is supposed to last till tomorrow at least into the afternoon. Personally I would love to just say that there is nothing to be thankful for about snow and choose something else but there has to be something and some days I need to challenge myself to be thankful for stuff that I don't like. So I will share what I have come up with so far. The first thing I have thought of while pondering what I can be thankful for is that while there is snow, there are no bugs. LOL It may sound funny but I do love this. There are no ants or spiders or flies or other annoying insects like mosquitoes. All the bugs dissapear during the winter and while there is snow on the ground. So no bug spray is needed which I dislike too because it's kind of icky but it works. This one blessing about snow has me feeling better about snow already. lol But not enough to want snow any longer than we have it already. :) The next thing I thought of is all the outdoor activities we can do with snow when it isn't so cold that we can't be outside comfortably. Some winter activities I love that are not possible without snow are tobogganing and skating and building snowmen and skiing. It makes me smile thinking of trying to do these activities without snow. lol One time when I was young I actually attempted to toboggan down a small dirt hill-let me just say it didn't go so well. lol So there are things to be thankful for about snow and whether it makes it worth it to live with snow 6months of the year sometimes I don't know yet but it makes it seem a little less bad. Does it make up for the bad driving and the cold? maybe having no bugs does. lol no bugs splatting on the windshield that you have to scrub off is nice. :) lol But maybe not. One last thing that can be argued as a good or a bad thing is that you don't have to go to the gym for exercise-just shovel some snow. lol It is definitely exercise! Also very tiring and hard on the back. Well this is my attempt at being thankful for snow!
Day 80: My heritage-knowing who I am
Hi again,
This post is for yesterday which was a very difficult day for me so I was unable to post on here. I was also having a very difficult time coming up with anything so I chose something that I had thought of on another day for days like this. So for this post I am thankful for my heritage and knowing who I am and where my family comes from. I consider myself to be Dutch Canadian because my family comes from the Netherlands. On my dad's side, my dad immigrated here to Canada himself and on my mom's side her parents immigrated here and she was born here. Since my dad was still an immigrant when I was born, I could have applied for dual citizenship which I never got to doing sadly-it would have been a great experience. But I am so very grateful for my parents teaching me about where my family comes from and teaching me about the culture and keeping part of it alive in our family. I am very proud of who I am and considering myself to be Dutch Canadian. I am also so grateful for growing up with Dutch food and treats when we could afford it. Some people immigrate to Canada and feel that they have to leave that culture behind and be Canadian and "fit in" but my parents didn't and brought us up to be proud of who we are and I am so grateful for that. I love feeling that I am not just Dutch and I am not just Canadian but I am both because I was born in Canada and have grown up in Canada and my family is from the Netherlands. I wish that more of my relatives were closer that I could know them better but I have met some when they have come to Canada to visit. Some day I hope to visit the Netherlands when I have the money and ability to travel and meet relatives I haven't yet met. thanks for reading my blog!
This post is for yesterday which was a very difficult day for me so I was unable to post on here. I was also having a very difficult time coming up with anything so I chose something that I had thought of on another day for days like this. So for this post I am thankful for my heritage and knowing who I am and where my family comes from. I consider myself to be Dutch Canadian because my family comes from the Netherlands. On my dad's side, my dad immigrated here to Canada himself and on my mom's side her parents immigrated here and she was born here. Since my dad was still an immigrant when I was born, I could have applied for dual citizenship which I never got to doing sadly-it would have been a great experience. But I am so very grateful for my parents teaching me about where my family comes from and teaching me about the culture and keeping part of it alive in our family. I am very proud of who I am and considering myself to be Dutch Canadian. I am also so grateful for growing up with Dutch food and treats when we could afford it. Some people immigrate to Canada and feel that they have to leave that culture behind and be Canadian and "fit in" but my parents didn't and brought us up to be proud of who we are and I am so grateful for that. I love feeling that I am not just Dutch and I am not just Canadian but I am both because I was born in Canada and have grown up in Canada and my family is from the Netherlands. I wish that more of my relatives were closer that I could know them better but I have met some when they have come to Canada to visit. Some day I hope to visit the Netherlands when I have the money and ability to travel and meet relatives I haven't yet met. thanks for reading my blog!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Day 79: Skating
Hi again,
Today I am thankful for skating and whoever invented skating. I should google that sometime. :) Anyways I love skating and I have many fond memories of skating and many memories of falling while skating (and just as many getting back up again lol). lol Today I went skating for the second time in the last 5 yrs. The other time I went skating in the past 5yrs was last January and it went ok but it was still too soon in my recovery from back surgery to go well. It was fun but it was very painful. The last time I was skating before that was the winter of 2005-06 which was the last winter I was physically able to skate. I used to skate pretty much every day when we had our own rink at home during the winter which has been most winters. Anyways after my first surgery in 2007, I was unable to skate because of my back healing and then complications and waiting for more surgery and so on. I have missed skating terribly. Winter isn't the same without skating. I love the feeling of gliding across the ice and today I got to feel that somewhat again. I only lasted about 15minutes but it was an amazing 15minutes and probably the most fun I have had in a very long time. I am in alot of pain from using muscles that I am not used to using anymore. :) Yet in a way I don't mind because I got to do something that I have missed doing for what seems like an eternity! I can't tell you how many times I visualized myself skating during the winter when I could not get out of bed which has been alot. Skating is also not just fun but a great physical activity! We are in the process of building another rink in our back yard since this year I can skate again and it is coming along nicely but not quite finished which is why I went to Bower Ponds in Red Deer today. I feel like I have reached yet another small milestone in my recovery and I am feeling very proud of myself and I am so happy and thankful for skating!
Today I am thankful for skating and whoever invented skating. I should google that sometime. :) Anyways I love skating and I have many fond memories of skating and many memories of falling while skating (and just as many getting back up again lol). lol Today I went skating for the second time in the last 5 yrs. The other time I went skating in the past 5yrs was last January and it went ok but it was still too soon in my recovery from back surgery to go well. It was fun but it was very painful. The last time I was skating before that was the winter of 2005-06 which was the last winter I was physically able to skate. I used to skate pretty much every day when we had our own rink at home during the winter which has been most winters. Anyways after my first surgery in 2007, I was unable to skate because of my back healing and then complications and waiting for more surgery and so on. I have missed skating terribly. Winter isn't the same without skating. I love the feeling of gliding across the ice and today I got to feel that somewhat again. I only lasted about 15minutes but it was an amazing 15minutes and probably the most fun I have had in a very long time. I am in alot of pain from using muscles that I am not used to using anymore. :) Yet in a way I don't mind because I got to do something that I have missed doing for what seems like an eternity! I can't tell you how many times I visualized myself skating during the winter when I could not get out of bed which has been alot. Skating is also not just fun but a great physical activity! We are in the process of building another rink in our back yard since this year I can skate again and it is coming along nicely but not quite finished which is why I went to Bower Ponds in Red Deer today. I feel like I have reached yet another small milestone in my recovery and I am feeling very proud of myself and I am so happy and thankful for skating!
Day 78: Shoes
Hi again,
For some reason last night I could not post on my blog so I decided to just leave it till this morning. So this post is for yesterday. I am thankful for shoes because I was reminded how blessed I am to have shoes while reading a book called "28 Stories of Aids in Africa". The focus of this book isn't about shoes but reading through it reminded me about this blessing. Something so common that we take for granted is the ability to buy footware that we do not have to walk barefoot. Some people have many pairs of shoes and others just a few but either way we have something to cover our feet. Something so simple that we may or may not take for granted can be a luxury for other people in different parts of the world. There are people who may not ever own a single pair of shoes in their lifetime and yet here we own many in our lifetime. There are people that can't afford alot of shoes and have to make do with shoes that are worn but the fact is that we still have something covering our feet. We still have something protecting our feet from stuff on the ground that could harm our feet. So for this day I am very thankful for shoes.
For some reason last night I could not post on my blog so I decided to just leave it till this morning. So this post is for yesterday. I am thankful for shoes because I was reminded how blessed I am to have shoes while reading a book called "28 Stories of Aids in Africa". The focus of this book isn't about shoes but reading through it reminded me about this blessing. Something so common that we take for granted is the ability to buy footware that we do not have to walk barefoot. Some people have many pairs of shoes and others just a few but either way we have something to cover our feet. Something so simple that we may or may not take for granted can be a luxury for other people in different parts of the world. There are people who may not ever own a single pair of shoes in their lifetime and yet here we own many in our lifetime. There are people that can't afford alot of shoes and have to make do with shoes that are worn but the fact is that we still have something covering our feet. We still have something protecting our feet from stuff on the ground that could harm our feet. So for this day I am very thankful for shoes.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Day 77: Social Media sites
Hi again,
Today I am reminded how useful social media sites are because when I have a question, I can fire it off on twitter or facebook or online forums and I can get answers from other people who have the answers I am seeking. Whether it is about a product I am considering buying or just a general question about something-there is usually at least one person that will have a suggestion or answer. It can be so incredibly useful and today I was wondering about laser pointers for my cat and whether there are any that take batteries other than button cells. The reason is that the button cells drain so fast and even getting them from the dollar store cheap can get expensive after awhile. I have a feeling maybe that the laser pointer I have eats up batteries faster than others do. Either way, I got answers back relatively quickly because I can easily reach a very large number of people through social media sites. So today I am thankful for the sites like twitter and facebook and online forums (specifically Smart Canucks ) because I find them very useful and helpful or more accurately- the people on these sites are wonderful. I also try to help wherever I can when I spot a question someone else has that I have the answer to. Thanks for reading my blog!
Today I am reminded how useful social media sites are because when I have a question, I can fire it off on twitter or facebook or online forums and I can get answers from other people who have the answers I am seeking. Whether it is about a product I am considering buying or just a general question about something-there is usually at least one person that will have a suggestion or answer. It can be so incredibly useful and today I was wondering about laser pointers for my cat and whether there are any that take batteries other than button cells. The reason is that the button cells drain so fast and even getting them from the dollar store cheap can get expensive after awhile. I have a feeling maybe that the laser pointer I have eats up batteries faster than others do. Either way, I got answers back relatively quickly because I can easily reach a very large number of people through social media sites. So today I am thankful for the sites like twitter and facebook and online forums (specifically Smart Canucks ) because I find them very useful and helpful or more accurately- the people on these sites are wonderful. I also try to help wherever I can when I spot a question someone else has that I have the answer to. Thanks for reading my blog!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Day 76: Lindt chocolates on sale!
Hi again,
Today I am so thankful for Lindt chocolates first of all because they are the most amazing chocolate and secondly that they went on clearance!!! Normally Lindt chocolates are too expensive for me to buy but sometimes they go on clearance and they are affordable. I don't know for sure what it is about them that makes them so good but I have an idea. lol They are so extremely good with their velvety smooth texture! I couldn't go in today but my mom and my sister were going in and they are amazing because they picked some up for me! Otherwise I would have missed out on getting some. Lindt chocolates put regular chocolate to shame. lol It isn't really just chocolate but an experience. I love to close my eyes and really taste the food I eat and really enjoy it and not eat it for the sake of eating something. Food is quite amazing and I love it but I try not to overeat. I like small amounts at a time. You don't need alot to enjoy the flavour. Anyways I love Lindt chocolate and I am so thankful for it -especially on sale!
Today I am so thankful for Lindt chocolates first of all because they are the most amazing chocolate and secondly that they went on clearance!!! Normally Lindt chocolates are too expensive for me to buy but sometimes they go on clearance and they are affordable. I don't know for sure what it is about them that makes them so good but I have an idea. lol They are so extremely good with their velvety smooth texture! I couldn't go in today but my mom and my sister were going in and they are amazing because they picked some up for me! Otherwise I would have missed out on getting some. Lindt chocolates put regular chocolate to shame. lol It isn't really just chocolate but an experience. I love to close my eyes and really taste the food I eat and really enjoy it and not eat it for the sake of eating something. Food is quite amazing and I love it but I try not to overeat. I like small amounts at a time. You don't need alot to enjoy the flavour. Anyways I love Lindt chocolate and I am so thankful for it -especially on sale!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Day 75: TV shows coming back after Christmas break
Hi again,
Well this may not seem like a big deal but I have a few shows I love to watch and I have missed them over the past few weeks and was excited about them returning starting today. Yes my life may seem a bit lame. lol Tonight Heartland and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition returned and it seems like so long ago that they stopped for Christmas when in reality it hasn't been that long. I love these two shows so it's exciting for me. :) Don't get me wrong-I do love the classic Christmas movies like It's a Wonderful Life and look forward to those movies but it is sad that they have to take the place of the regular shows that I love to watch each week. I have other favorites through out the week as well but today it was just nice to have these two shows back! Well I hope everyone has a great first week of 2011!!!!
Well this may not seem like a big deal but I have a few shows I love to watch and I have missed them over the past few weeks and was excited about them returning starting today. Yes my life may seem a bit lame. lol Tonight Heartland and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition returned and it seems like so long ago that they stopped for Christmas when in reality it hasn't been that long. I love these two shows so it's exciting for me. :) Don't get me wrong-I do love the classic Christmas movies like It's a Wonderful Life and look forward to those movies but it is sad that they have to take the place of the regular shows that I love to watch each week. I have other favorites through out the week as well but today it was just nice to have these two shows back! Well I hope everyone has a great first week of 2011!!!!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Day 74: My health
Hi again,
For those that know me, the title may or may not seem a little odd but I am thankful for my health. I may not be the healthiest person in terms of physical problems but I also know I am not the worst off either-in fact there are many who are worse off than me. So I am thankful for the health that I have. I started reading this book called the Awake project and I haven't gotten far yet but I was reminded of how blessed I am not only for the health I do have but also for access to healthcare and everything else. It made me feel almost ashamed to be complaining of the health problems I deal with because in comparison to what these people in Africa go through, there is no comparison. People in Africa who have AIDS are suffering and in agony and they have nothing to relieve the pain nor do they have access to good healthcare and our healthcare would seem great to them I think. Even the people who don't have AIDS suffer from so much pain and nothing to relieve the pain. They go hungry because they don't have enough food to eat while over here we often waste food because we have so much of it. Not everyone here wastes food but so many do. All of this reminds me how blessed I am, not only for my health but for the food and shelter I have and the healthcare no matter how screwed up it is. I am not saying that I don't want the health care to get better because I do but I am thankful for what I do have because it could be so much worse. Yes I have back problems and other problems that prevent me from working but I have access to painkillers and I am not laying on some dirt floor dying alone in absolute agony. I think maybe we should really look at what we do have and think about what we can do for others who don't have what we do. I really don't know what I can do but there has to be something. But I am thankful for my health that I have. thanks for reading my blog and Happy New Year!
For those that know me, the title may or may not seem a little odd but I am thankful for my health. I may not be the healthiest person in terms of physical problems but I also know I am not the worst off either-in fact there are many who are worse off than me. So I am thankful for the health that I have. I started reading this book called the Awake project and I haven't gotten far yet but I was reminded of how blessed I am not only for the health I do have but also for access to healthcare and everything else. It made me feel almost ashamed to be complaining of the health problems I deal with because in comparison to what these people in Africa go through, there is no comparison. People in Africa who have AIDS are suffering and in agony and they have nothing to relieve the pain nor do they have access to good healthcare and our healthcare would seem great to them I think. Even the people who don't have AIDS suffer from so much pain and nothing to relieve the pain. They go hungry because they don't have enough food to eat while over here we often waste food because we have so much of it. Not everyone here wastes food but so many do. All of this reminds me how blessed I am, not only for my health but for the food and shelter I have and the healthcare no matter how screwed up it is. I am not saying that I don't want the health care to get better because I do but I am thankful for what I do have because it could be so much worse. Yes I have back problems and other problems that prevent me from working but I have access to painkillers and I am not laying on some dirt floor dying alone in absolute agony. I think maybe we should really look at what we do have and think about what we can do for others who don't have what we do. I really don't know what I can do but there has to be something. But I am thankful for my health that I have. thanks for reading my blog and Happy New Year!
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