Grateful

A friend once told me that she would write down one thing each and every day for which she was grateful. (Isn’t that an awkward sentence? I didn’t want to write “…that she was grateful for” because it’s incorrect, but it sure sounds better.)


I decided that I would list some of the more unusual things down. Trust me, I am VERY grateful for my family, my home, food on the table, my lifestyle, health, etc. But by writing about my oddities, you may learn a little more about me, and I just might learn more about myself!

I’m grateful for the smell of cow manure. It’s true. It brings back childhood memories of spending the summer on the dairy farm with my aunt & uncle.

I’m grateful for my Kitchen Aid stand mixer. Since I am constantly cooking or baking, it is used nearly daily. It tears up those tough batters for cheesecake.

I’m grateful for having two vehicles at my disposal…the van for when I have lots to haul (kid-wise or cargo) and the faithful little Honda Civic with her wonderful gas mileage.

I’m grateful that I have the Internet. I’d be MORE grateful if I had something other than dial-up, though! Good thing I’m patient.

I'm very very grateful for my gardens, even though they aren't perfectly weed-free. They bring me much pleasure.

I’m grateful that I live in the country where privacy is not an issue. Many times I’ll be outside in my pajamas (T-shirt and flannel pants), working in the gardens or mowing the lawn, confident that no one will see me.

I’m grateful for eggs. They are SO versatile and convenient when I don’t know what else to make for dinner or I when I am short of time.

I’m grateful for the rocking chair in the sunroom. My mom made it years and years ago, and sometimes I like to just sit out there and rock and read. Soon I will have another grandson to rock to sleep in that chair, just like I rocked my two children.

I’m grateful for hummingbirds. The kids love to watch them almost as much as I do. They are fascinating, happy creatures, so full of life and mystery.

I’m grateful for fuzzy blankets. I love those big fleecy things that are snuggly and warm.

I’m grateful that my husband gives me my freedom, and is not horribly picky about a clean house.

I’m grateful for my garage refrigerator. I LOVE being able to cook a lot, and keep it safely cooled until it’s needed. The Coca-Cola Classic comes out perfectly chilled…enough to give me goosebumps!

I’m grateful for birdhouses, even the cheap cheesy ones, because they provide entertainment as the birds fly in and out. I love to watch the eggs hatch and the fledglings fly away.

I am grateful for remote controls for the television. I remember when we actually had to get up off of the couch and turn the dial CLICK CLICK CLICK to tune in the four or five channels that we were lucky enough to get. Oh, how spoiled I am now!

I’m grateful for magnets. I have magnets holding notes, pictures, recipes, appointment cards, and more stuck on the ‘fridge and the door leading to the sunroom.

I’m grateful for my purse calendar. Without it, I’d be totally lost. The calendar is the best $1 investment that I’ve ever made.

I’m grateful for my retainers. After going to the trouble of braces, I want to keep my teeth on the straight and narrow, and I couldn’t do it without retainers.

I’m grateful for all of the catalogs that I get in the mail. It’s fun to browse through them, circling things that I would like to own and writing down family members’ names beside items I think they’d like. I rarely purchase, but it’s fun to dream. (There are some playhouses and a jungle gym in PoshTots that I dream about for the kids.)

I’m grateful that the road in front of the house isn’t busy. I can walk a mile each way and rarely ever meet a vehicle, so I can go right down the middle and avoid the poison ivy growing in the ditches.

I’m grateful for my riding mower. Need I say more?

I’m grateful for vinegar. In the past eight months or so I can’t get enough of it. Vinegar with onions and cucumbers, coleslaw, squeaky bean salad…mmmmm.

I’m grateful for crock-pots. I have three, and use two of them frequently.

I am very grateful for sunglasses. Since I have cataracts, the bright sun kills me.

I am grateful for DEET. The mosquitoes are vicious out here!

I am grateful that all of my family members are readers. That way we can share books and not have to spend a fortune. I call it readcycling. (Get it?)

I’m grateful for my history, the bad as well as the good. If I hadn’t of experienced what I did, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today and would not have the family that I have.

I am grateful for my friends that remind me to spend time with them. Sometimes I spend too much time with family and forget about just laughing with friends.

I am grateful for fingernail polish remover. Polish never stays on long. I guess it’s because I use my hands so much!

I am grateful for the smiles I see on the faces of the babies and toddlers that are out and about. When I am standing in a long line at a grocery store, fretting about getting home to start dinner or whether or not I have enough money in the bank, I tend to forget the sweet things. Then I look up and see a child in the cart in front of me, smiling this carefree smile for no particular reason, and I am reminded that life is good. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

I’m grateful for hearing Jaden’s footsteps as he runs to the back door to greet me when I come to visit. It lifts my heart, knowing that he is so excited to see me. I realize this is only a short-term phase, but still, it’s great.

I’m grateful that Ady still likes to bond with me by doing the gingerbread house. This year we will do both a Halloween and a Christmas house. I’d like the tradition to continue, and be a memory for her long after I’m gone.

I am grateful that Bryan still likes to cuddle. I like to hold him at night before I put him to bed. He snuggles right into me, holding his blankie and stuffed lion in one hand with his thumb in his mouth and his long, curling eyelashes resting on his cheek. I hope he never outgrows it, although it will be hard to hold him when he’s 15!

Well, Id’ better stop, or I could keep on with this list forever. What makes YOU grateful? I’d love to hear about it.

shel