Gratitude.

Just emailed you a thank-you, then came to check the blog! lol Totally sympathize with the blahs, though. Have a good day.

Your family has had some BIG CHANGES in the last year, the election is done, your business is revving up even more.......this is a BIG deal to your system.
I say....WALLOW in the grumpiness until you are sick of yourself and then just gas-dust it away!!!

right now, i am grateful for:
1)conan o'brien: makes me laugh out loud, even though i am tired in the am
2)internet - connectivity to outside world
3)easy quesadilla & rice dinner
4)church last night. so much to think about this season.
5)the smell of marty's soft little hair after his nap
6)kids have school tomorrow = 2.5 quiet hours!
how can you really read all of these posts?

Thanks for this reminder. I think I will make a similar list on my blog.

Hang in there, girl.
I can definitely relate. Being a mom, a wife, and a woman is not easy. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am so incredibly lucky for these things. Knowing you're lucky and being grateful doesn't always make it any easier, though. I'm just at a point now where I know there will be times when I am down and it is OK. The truth is that it is hard to be a woman...hard to be a wife, a mom and a person with a career to attend to. There is no rational explanation for feeling down, but I've found that the more women I talk to about it, the more people I find who can relate...who have felt similar emotions. You're definitely not alone.
Try to take some time for yourself, doing something that will nurture your soul. I find that sometimes that's the only thing that helps.
And don't forget that despite it all, no matter how down or grumpy you may feel, you have lots of people in your corner. You've touched a lot of lives - encouraged us all to see the joy and value in the everyday moments. It takes a lot of courage and honesty to admit that valuing those moments includes the good AND the bad. We are all entitled to our moments of sadness or depression. Without them we wouldn't be able to fully understand or appreicate the moments of joy.
Hang in there...remember that you're not alone and that lots of positive thoughts are coming your way.

and as for me, I'm grateful for...
-Falling asleep with my husband's hand on my swollen belly and taking such joy in knowing that our baby girl is going to have an amazing dad.
-My girlfriends...they make it impossible for me to ever feel alone.
-The Office... that show makes me laugh out loud when I need it most.
-A belief that good changes are coming in this country.
-The desire to contribute something meaningful to the world, no matter how small.

Hey Ali,
How timely, I have been having a lousy day myself.
Gratitude... sometimes it's hard to remember all that we have when certain things are out of alignment. I just started reading 'The Secret' and gratitude is an integral part of it - 'nothing new can come to you without gratitude'.
So, here are a few things that I am thankful for...
1. my twins are healthy and able bodied - born 3 months premature weighing 3 lbs 5 oz and 2 lbs 11 oz we consider this somewhat of a miracle.
2. a warm and comfy home
3. running water - makes dishes, showers, baths and laundry so much easier than it was for my grandmother and she had 16 kids!
4. the opportunity to prepare and eat healthy food.
5. my parents - always so supportive
6. yoga - I should do it more - it feels so good
7. creativitiy and imagination - it's fun to play
8. you, Ali - your blog and your newsletter are always real and uplifting at the same time.
and, on a lighter note...
9. chai tea and chocolate - two of my weaknesses
10. magazines - Domino, Body and Soul, Creating Keepsakes, WonderTime, Martha - and many more.
Hope your soul is filled up once again with all the positive vibes we're sending you, Ali - chin up!!
Best wishes,
Alexandra

1) My husband- who loved me enough to get married, twice
2) That I can go to school- even though it seems like it's taking me forever to get through my undergrad, I need to quit complaining, buckle down and be glad I have the opportunity at all
3) Friends and family- wouldn't this be a lonely life without them?
4) That my car still works- even though it's not super cute, I'm so glad I have it!
5) The hint of spring in the air
And for you, Miss Ali!!

You caught me in a grumpy phase too (over a week now). What am I grateful for? The times when I'm not grumpy -- I hate feeling like this. The sunshine that's pouring in my door -- a welcome change from the rain. A hot cup of tea -- really, there's nothing that warms me more, inside and out. My wonderful now-7-year-old son who has befriended a boy in his class with a brain injury and can't wait for him to come to his birthday party. And you, for giving me the push to get out of the grumps. Hope you get to enjoy some of this sunshine in your day too -- it's wonderful!

1. Friends for my kids to play with (they are with friends right now).
2. A husband who has an awesome sense of humor.
3. We get to go out with our best friends Saturday night to celebrate a birthday.
4. Babysitters for our kids when we go out of town next Month.
5. A major transformation in my overall scrapbooking over the last year thanks to CK and 2peas.

1. I am so very grateful that my husband did not go completely blind when he had a stroke in his eye last month (with his condition it could have just as easily been both eyes) .
2. I am so grateful that he that he survived the open heart surgery he needed to replace his aortic valve.
3. I'm grateful for Dr. Burk at the Cincinnati Eye Institute . He is BRILLIANT, and if it weren't for his amazing talent , knowledge, and skill , we would never have found out why Eric lost vision in his right eye.
4. I am grateful for Dr. Russell Vester, who performed Eric's surgery and changed his whole schedule, several times, to accomodate Eric's needs.
5. I am grateful for the wonderful Drs and nurses at the Greater Cincinnati Cardiac Consultants- especially Becky and Dr. Whang- who made it possible for Eric to have such an awesome surgeon, and expedited the whole process.
6. I am grateful for the most amazing hospital in Cincy- The Christ Hospital, and all of the great nurses who helped us get through this ordeal. (Especially Laura, Gary, Mike, Becky, Mary, Pam, Courtney, Krista, and Rebecca- they are the most awesome nurses EVER!)
7. I am also so very grateful for my parents, my brother and sister and law, Eric's aunts and uncles, and all of the family members and friends who helped us through this difficult time, we would never have been able to do this by ourselves.
8. I am grateful for my baby, always.
9. I am grateful that when I asked my husband to give me his word that he would live through his surgery, he kept his promise.

6 things I am grateful for right now....
1) You---it's fun to see where you are in the world today, knowing that you are a real person and it inspires me.
2)PEPSI-enough said
3)My Girlfriend's Kitchen/And the ABC15 deal that got me half off---dinners almost done.
4)The sunshine today that is allowing Boy A and Boy B to play outside right now.
5)The Library--Because I have another book to read
6)It's Thursday---GREY'S ANATOMY NIGHT.
Ali---Everyone gets moody and down, some days it is worse than others. I do this grateful excercise everytime I write in my journal...because I need a reminder that life is good. I hope tomorrow your world is brighter than today.
Robin

sounds like you need a little elmo. ;)
hang in there!

I am thankful for:
1. Being able to read your blog everyday and get inspiration.
2. Knowing that I am not the only one in a funk. (I'm serious.)
3. My cute little nephew. He brings so much joy into my life.
4. My MP3 player
5. Beating my hubby in Boggle.

Wow... a lot of us in funks lately. Fortunately my dear, sweet DH pointed out in mid-December that my funk was more severe than he thought it should be and I was acutally diagnosed with depression. I'm getting help now, but it was nice to have a trained professional tell me I wasn't crazy and my husband was right... this wasn't normal for me. I'm not saying you're depressed, but just sharing my experience.
I am grateful for:
1. My wonderful DH... his love and devotion to me and his wonderful head and heart!
2. My family, especially my mom and all her love and support.
3. Dove dark chocolate hearts
4. You and the things you create and write. They always seem to make my day brighter.

Ali, you just reminded how human we all are. I'm such a huge fan of yours and I must admit I have you on somewhat of a pedestal. I am little relieved that you too feel much I like do sometimes - no patience, grumpy, and blah. Your post reminded me that this one of the reasons I started blogging late last year. Inspired by you, I wanted to force myself to write things down daily that are worth writing about;things I am or should be grateful for. I have to remember that and re-focus when I post. So here’s a quick list of things I am grateful for right now:
- My baby is sleeping and probably for the night
- My husband is making a delicious dinner
- My oldest son is playing quietly next to me with his beads
- I am having lunch with the girls tomorrow
- I had a great workout today
- Grey’s Anatomy is on tonight
- Wine
Thanks again Ali. Hang in there and keep sharing with us. You make a difference to so many.

i am greatful for your list.
i've been laughing-hard and out loud-since i read your whole attitude/gratitude thing and it's just what i needed. i can't stop laughing!!

I've been in a funk too. Apparently we are in a Mecury Retrograde. Well that's my excuse and I am sticking to it!
I am grateful for:
* My Husband - a great guy!
* The way little themes are linking together in a serendipitous way.
* Looking at this blog everyday - a small reminder of art everyday.
* Being loving and being loved.

No matter how often I wish I didn't have to work, I at least have Fridays with my baby boy. No matter how often I complain about how messy my house is, I'm grateful that I have a pretty nice one to live in. No matter how tired I am or how much I feel like there isn't enough time in the day, I'm grateful that I don't have any more on my plate than I can handle right now. I'm grateful that I'm generally happy and healthy, have a great husband, child and dog and family. And I'm grateful for discovering this blog, which along with scrapbooking, reminds me to stop and reflect on these things. (I'll have to take that HS class one day.) Thanks, Ali! Hope you're day wound up better. (And by the way, your readers rock! Bravo to the amazing donations!!!!!)

I've definitely been in a funk! I need to do this...
1. My sweet boyfriend who puts up with me everyday and stands behind me 100%.
2. A warm place to sleep.
3. The laundry finally being all caught up - yeah for clean clothes! :)
4. Scrapbooking - it takes my mind off of not-so-fun everyday stuff like bills.
5. TV - so many good shows on tonight!
6. My good friends Sam and Noel - they make me happy.