giving thanks, 21

... my new found patience.  even when there is a screaming toddler in the room.

giving thanks, 20

... online shopping.  :)

giving thanks, 19

today... so grateful for amazing books and the power that they have to inform and transform.

People think a soulmate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that’s holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever. Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave.
And thank God for it.


- Richard from the book Eat, Pray, Love

giving thanks, 18

... laughter.  god's greatest gift.

giving thanks, 17

... my sweet husband who, I may at times take for granted, is the greatest love i've ever known.  my partner in life.

love is a little haven of refuge from the world   -- Bertrand Russell

giving thanks, 16

... anyone who is reading this blog.  thanks!

giving thanks, 15

... modern medicine and the men and women who power through the late nights of studying and hours upon hours of classes to become doctors.

giving thanks, 14 and a big happy birthday

Happy birthday, Soulshine!  Introduced to me a mere 3 years ago, I never imagined what a rewarding outlet you would turn out to be.  Today I am thankful for you.

My pioneer post - http://simplysoulshine.blogspot.com/2007/11/just-me.html

giving thanks, 13

... carmex.  boy are my lips chapped today.

giving thanks, 12

... flowers! lilies, hydrangeas, peonies, roses, pansies, sunflowers, tulips, dasies.  all of the wonderful, aromatic flowers that make this world more beautiful. 

giving thanks, 11

... my papa sully who served in the US Navy during WWII.  a well-respected, funny, and honorable man whose name i proudly passed on to my son.  thank you to all veterans who have sacrificed to make this a better nation in which to live.

giving thanks, 10

being present when sully pee'd in the potty for the first time last night.

giving thanks, 9

my civinette's sweatshirt, circa my sophomore year of high school.  still oversized with a nice ravel on the sleeve.  nothing like cozy-ing up in that perfectly worn sweatshirt on a cold day with a cup o' joe....

giving thanks, 8

the anticipation of that buttery warm feeling that comes only from being at my mom and dad's house on thanksgiving and christmas morning. 

giving thanks, 7

john mayer and lady gaga.  i can't stop listening to either of them lately.

giving thanks, 6

the new house that John and I worked so hard to get and the neighborhood that i fall more in love with every day.

giving thanks, 5

... lunch with 2 dear friends who moved miles across the country 5 years ago and are back for a visit.

giving thanks

... my family.  New family and old.  For the years of laughter and warm memories and all the possibilities to come...

giving thanks

... the bills on the island in my kitchen.  Wierd?  Maybe.  But the optimist in me would like to remember that those bills represent a luxury in my life.  Something extra that maybe I don't have to have.  But I do.

giving thanks

... the smell of the salt in the Charleston air.  Growing up, that smell always reminded me of vacation.  Now, it reminds me of home.

giving thanks

It's the month of thanks-giving and I am feeling especially grateful and fortunate this year.  For everyday of this special month, I will be posting something i'm giving thanks for on November 25th (and every other day for that matter).

Coming in at the top of my list....

I am grateful for Sully's silliness.  Especially at bedtime.  There is this wierd invasion of the body snatchers thing that happens 30 minutes before his final "nigh, nighhhhht" and he gets overtaken with goofiness.  I can't help but join in on his antics - it's refreshing and the very best part of my day.