Gratitude.

so grateful right now....
~papa's pizza...they deliver right to my door too:) & because they shut down the branch in my little area of town they sent out $10 gift certificates so my lunch for the next few days cost $2.37! thank you, papa:)
~ a husband who doesn't mind when i need a break to get away & sometimes even offers without my asking.
~a little boy who wears his lightening mcqueen shirt everyday 24/7 (except when it's in the wash) look closely. it's always on. even under his other clothes, it's his little secret i tell him:)
~a baby girl who gives smiles so freely, it's like they don't cost a thing! oh wait, they don't! guess i should give some out too:)
~baby wipes, best invention ever
~ the office is on tonight
~great blogs to read & spur me on to greatness:)

sorry for the funk. been there done that.
my grateful list includes:
- there's some sunshine poking out from behind the clouds today
- my baby is napping
- the house is clean
- i got a box of goodies from 2Peas today
- ate a yum lunch with hubby
- did i mention my house is sparkling clean? :)
Hope your day/week gets better!
R

I'm grateful for:
1. My caring, gentle & loving husband
2. My opportunity to work doing something I love and have a wonderful relationship with my clients, who usually become my friends.
3. My family's health and abundance of wealth in all areas of our life.
4. Ebay and online shopping. :)
5. My home and other material objects that make my life more convenient.
6. My computer - since it's a portal to greater and better things, online education, blogs and inspiration. It's the best way to communicate with people I love, admire or want to learn from.
7. My 2 cats that light up even the gloomiest of days.
8. Green tea, exercise, chlorella, goji berries, anti-oxidants, salmon, and Omega 3's for keeping me looking and feeling younger.
9. Chocolate
10. TV!!

Such fun thinking of what I'm grateful for right this minute!
Of course, my family is on this list, but aside from them, I'm grateful right now for:
A wood stove that's heating my dining room & the rest of the house slowly---somewhere I can go immediately to and get warm.
I've been able to attend 2 Salsa dance lessons on my recently sprained ankle, and it doesn't seem to be getting worse, but better!
My new Canon XT----bliss!
Watching The Secret dvd our friend gave us---then being amazed to see how popular it is becoming in just the week I found out about it! Learning from it how to attract what I want into my life.
Knowing my husband is just a few steps away at work, and I can go chat with him right now if I want.
Life truly is amazingly good---I love living here in the Willamette Valley, an hour from the ocean, 2 hrs. from the Mts., in less than 10 minutes I can go in any direction and be out of my town & in the country (by car), I can hop on a bike & be downtown in less than 5 minutes, I can walk (when my ankle is better) & be at my favorite restaurant in less than 20 minutes... I love our location!
Wishing you lots more good things to help pull you out of your funk---it's not fun to be there!

I am so grateful for my friends - I've received care package and so much love since surgery.
I'm grateful that I'm recovering faster from that surgery than was anticipated. Hopefully soon I can even scrapbook again!
I'm grateful for my sweet husband who bought me a replacement electric throw blanket because he saw me bundled up all the time and still freezing.
I'm grateful for my insurance - in spite of all the copays I know that this injury has cost thousands upon thousands of dollars in medical costs, and I've only had to pay a few hundred.
And I'm grateful that you let us into your life and challenge us to stop and think about these things.

Hey Ali - hope you get out of your funk soon. I totally understand the funk-ness! We have been a sick house for over a month and so ugh from it all. But at this moment I am thankful for:
1.) the Coconut Cream pie slice i picked up at a little cafe in my town. totally calming my queezies from my pregnancy
2.) that my house is clean today after the laides were here to clean it!!
3.) that my son is happy watching the crazy show Boobah and not getting into a million things
4.)that i got a cute homemade birthday card in the mail today
5.) that its snowing out today and cold and I can feel totally comfortable at my laptop with a blanket and comfy clothes.
I hope your funk passes...go to Jessica's blog and look at those blue skies and water...maybe that'll help!

Man, those "blahs" are hard to shake, aren't they? Especially this time of year in the Northwest. I've actually been using the full-spectrum lights...not sure if they help, but it's 15 minutes of peace and quiet in my day. :) That in itself helps, for sure! I hope you get out of that funk. Have a great day!

Hi Ali
Not so good to here you have been feeling a bit low. But IT'S OK!
I suffer from the blues as well now and then. A fail proof strategy for me to get out of that frame of mind is to do a few good deeds. I put a coin in a buskers hat, make tea for one of my collegues at work, buy cheap cute junk for my hubby that he will like or make a small wish for one of my kids friends come true.
a) I am usually rewarded with a big smile, b) it makes me feel good about myself,
c) it takes the focus of me for a bit and d) convinces me again that the world is a good place.
On a previous occassion I have maintained a gratitude journal for a few months. I often in times like these read through that journal again and think what a luck girl I am.
I am going to make a list of things I am thankful for right now.
Warm greetings from downunder
Dalne

Hi Ali,
You just have the knack - always knowing what to say and when. Thank you for being you and just so normal, it's so easy to put people you admire up onto a pedestal, so it's great to know that we all have those "grumpy" days. I've been pretty grumpy since moving (we relocated to Florida from the Uk about a year ago), I miss my family and my friends and Blog world has so helped - especially you - you are wonderful.
So what am I grateful for:
1) My son and husband - they often drive me mad but I love them to bits.
2) Virgin Atlantic/BA - they help keep this world a smaller place and regularly bring my family here (sister arrives in two weeks - yeahhhh)
3) My family for being so supportive of our big adventure - however long it takes us and wherever we end up.
4) The friends that I have made since moving here - truly wonderful.
5) My son Harry's teachers - they have made this transition in his life so easy and amaze me every day with the things he is taught.
Thank you Ali, for making me think about this - there is always a reason to be GRATEFUL!

really grateful for the basics of life and my family.
gifts from nature.
grateful for the opportunity to create...
grateful for the chance to go to yoga tonight...
grateful for the change of seasons...
grateful for that cardboard box and set of markers
that totally has my daughter amused and happy right now
in the kitchen.
thanks for the uplifting post ali!

Ali, how can you possibly get through all these comments each day??//
maybe Simon would like some CROCS?!!?!?
Dianne & I went to Paper Source today in Georgetown..........great stuff! forgot our cameras! Spent $$$$$! :))
slowJudy

YOU

Most of the things I am thankful for cannot be bought:
1. love from my husband, my grown-up kids, and a newly adopted 2 1/2 yr old son, who said "I love Mama" for the first time last night after prayers
2. a hobby I love - scrapping - though I do spend quite a bit on that and am really looking forward to CKU Detroit
3. the power of prayer, loving support and hope - as we recently found out the baby our daughter is carrying has anencephaly.
4. living in a free nation, being able to worship without fear
5. life friends
6. this blog that challenges me to think outside the box - thanks, Ali
and last but not least
7. miracles

1. good doctors and antibiotics to help me battle pneumonia
2. snow- for playing in and making snowmen(while mom sleeps)
3. my kids for not letting me totally grouchy while i'm sick
4. my husband for taking those same kids away while I get some much needed rest.
By the way, Oprah featured an interesting sounding book on her show called The Secret, I have yet to read it but the basic idea is what you put out into the world is what will be returned to you. I have my copy ordered from Amazon and am looking forward to reading it.
Rochelle

I am grateful for...
-working marital issues out so we can remain husband and wife.
-my sister's recent bout with breast cancer having a healthy ending
-my sweet dog Kippy and my sweet cat Kisses
-opportunities
-my local crafty shop Colorful Creations
-Ali, for you and all you share with this community
-a chance of snow tonight
-ice cream!
Peace, Diane from Cape Cod

1) easy whip butter icing
2) the carpenter coming to finish my scraproom today
3) my patient husband
4) 4 day shipping from twopeas to Australia yippeeeeeeeeeee
5) my childs ability to communicate with me
6) the 26 children coming to Alec's party, they will make his day
7) my new cake tin
8) the internet for helping me find the wicked chocolate fudge cake for Alec's race track cake
9) Thomas the tank engine for helping Alec through the day
10) blogs

1. I am thankful for Abbott, they make the IV machines that pump the vitamins and iv fluids that keep me alive. Without them, I couldnt survive.
2. I am thankful for my medical insurance. I only wish everyone had medical coverage so they too could be thankful for it and not worry about paying for their child to see a doctor.
3. I am thankful for the medical professionals who keep me thriving and living my life to the fullest.
4. I am thankful for the Oley Foundation( www.oley.org). They provide the emotional support and friendship that is so imporant when living with a chronic illness.
5. Refrigerators... they allow me to keep my medications cold.
6. The families and children I care for, they invite me into their home and welcome me as part of the family.

Ali Edwards. Whenever I mention your name my mother says, "You LOVE her!"
"Cocoa Daisy's kit this month is Ali Edwards' favorite things." "You LOVE her!"
"I just got a new book by Ali Edwards." "You LOVE her!"
"I just read this great quote on Ali Edwards' blog." "You LOVE her!"
And she's right...I don't know you, but I love everything that I know! Thank you for you.
And you know what? Sometimes we go into a funk, and sometimes we just have to BE there. We might not understand it in the moment, but sometimes a funk is the labor of something perfect and beautiful.
Just BE.

Hi Ali,
Gratitude? I was thinking about starting a gratitude journal and once a day just jotting down what I was grateful for. Here is my list for today:
1. I am grateful that someone, anyone gave you the motivation to get out of the funk.
2. I am grateful that my boy hugged me today and loved the shirt I bought him so much he put it on right away. He's 16!
3. I am grateful that the puppy who was hit by a car last night at run club is okay and just has some bruises. I hope someone claims him soon.
4. I am grateful that I get to go to ARTistry and spend a day learning and playing right along with you. Checking out supply lists today!
5. I am grateful that I have family and friends who support me no matter what.
That was fun. Thanks Ali and tell Simon and Chris to give you some hugs from me. Take care!

thanks Ali for the reminder!!
I am grateful for:
-my health
-my families health
-that I can take my neck brace off now for most of the day-I am recovering from cervical spine and disc fusion.
-the success of our business
-my son and the new things he teaches me daily
-my husband, soulmate and business partner.
I could go on. Thanks for the reminder.