Pay Day

I am thankful for PAY DAY! I love working on our budget and paying for things out-of-pocket, not on credit. Jared and I have been credit-card debt free for several months now, and I am thankful (after a few setbacks--including necessary car repairs and funeral expenses for a friend who recently passed away) we have been able to stay on track. Every payday means we are a pay day closer to being 100% debt free! Woohoo!

Rosetta Stone

I've been working on Rosetta Stone this past week, and I am excited that I am taking my first steps towards learning Spanish. I am thankful for the chance to learn and hope that I can become semi-fluent, especially with the help of Jared and his current fluency in the language.

Parents

Today I am grateful for goodly parents. I have been volunteering as a CASA over the last few months, and it is (unforunately) overwhelming how ignorant and selfish some adults/parents exert themselves to be. Because of this, I now have an even greater appreciation for my parents and their good example to myself and my many siblings. I hope that Jared and I can instill good values in our own children!

Physical health

Today the lesson in YW's was on Caring for Our Physical Bodies. I am grateful for the opportunity to have a healthy, shapely (Jared likes to say that "round is a shape!") body. Knowledge, exercise, rest, grooming, nutrition are all requirements of taking care of our body. I am trying my hardest to maintain balance in taking care of my body, and I am thankful that H.F. has blessed me with a desire to maintain the health of my physical temple.

Running with Jared

Today I am grateful for Jared running with me. We only went 4 miles this morning, but he tagged along and was excited to spend time with me. Thus, the day is already off to a great start. I am grateful for the opportunity to take care of my body. We are taking the plunge and trying to conceive, so I am grateful that I am in shape (and can continue to run in the event I get pregnant) since I am already on an exercise regiment.

Cinnamon rolls

Today I am grateful for homemade cinnamon rolls, and the bread machine that makes them easy to make.

Bishop

This month a new bishop was called to serve our ward. He is young, energetic, technologically savvy, and eager to serve. Today, I am grateful for his counsel, knowledge, and the time he donates to us as members of his ward.

I was reflecting upon a short lesson he shared with the youth this week at mutual: doing anything 15 minutes a day, turns in to 90 minutes a week, which turns in to 5 hours a month, which turns in to 60 hours a year. 60 hours a year of practicing the piano, reading scriptures, or learning a new language means that you could get pretty darn good at one of those things! He has inspired me to start learning Spanish (Jared knows it and I would like us to try and speak it to our children), practice my instrument (clarinet/piano) again, and spend more time during the day studying/reading the scriptures. Thank you bishop!

Budget

Today I am thankful for our cash budget. We've been living off a cash budget for over two years (I was looking back to the original computer file and it is dated June of 2007) and we are in a great spot for sticking with it. I am grateful for my great grandma Evelyn, who used a cash envelope system her entire life, and her example of staying out of debt! In addition to having a nice cushion of savings and investments, Jared and I are (and have been) credit card debt free, almost car debt free, and soon-to-be student loan debt free. I am grateful for the ability to stick to our budget!

Fall!

Today is the first day of Fall, and I am grateful for that. Although no leaves are swirling down to the ground around us, the temperature is already more pleasant than a month ago, and a breeze has picked up. I am greatful for four distinct seasons! I missed that while living in Japan!

Cream of Wheat

Silly, I know, but I love cream of wheat. It has been my breakfast of choice this week (sometimes I eat the same thing 4 or 5 mornings in a row). I feel healthy when I eat it for breakfast--that or fresh oatmeal with brown sugar. Perhaps I feel this way because the Lord gave us THIS? As an aside, we've been limiting our red meat intake, and not only has the grocery bill gone down, we've been able to try a whole lot of new fish and chicken recipes. Anyways, I am grateful for warm cream of wheat for breakfast.

Water

Today I am grateful for clean water that gives life to creatures, plants, and the Earth.

Pioneer Heritage

Jared and I chaperoned the Sierra Vista Stake Youth Conference today. We participated in a pioneer handcart trek along the San Pedro Riverbed, one of the historic trails that the men of the Mormon Battalion traveled along, after Brigham Young called them to serve their country. Today, I am thankful for pioneer heritage, and although I am not related to any famous pioneers, I am grateful for the Mormon pioneers and others who trekked West in order to establish religious freedom. I am further grateful for the heritage of my own family, and those who willingly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ; this provided me with the opportunity to accept its truth.

Alarm System

Today we had our alarm system re-installed in the new home. After two months of living here (and two months of paying for monitoring despite NOT receivng services!), installation was a great accomplishment! I am grateful for the alarm system, and the sense of safety that it brings to our home.

Automobile

I found myself running a lot of errands today, going back and forth from post and home (several times due to cat vet appointments, work, lunch etc...). Today I am thankful for my vehicle and for the places it brings me to. This Thanksgiving we will be spending time with some of our most favorite people, and I am grateful to have an automobile to drive and visit them.

Microwave

Today I am thankful for the microwave. Although there is some debate regarding the safety of their use (the whole breaking down a cell thing), I love microwaves! Every meal I consumed today required use of a microwave. Thank goodness for that invention.

Grocery Store

Despite previously mentioning that I love our food storage, I also love the grocery store and the easy convenience it provides. I am grateful for the ability to pick up nearly any ingredient in a location, and if need be, zipping out the door of the store in less than 5 minutes time thanks to speedy checkers. The next time I am in a long line at he grocery store, I will remind myself that I am not plowing, seeding, weeding, watering, or growing all my food. Or ringing anything's neck, for that matter.

Nice Neighbors

Today I am grateful for neighbors. We were able to spend a few minutes chatting with some of our favorite neighbors. They are the type of neighbors who let us borrow things from them, help kill our weeds, and accept our baked goods despite being on diets. They particiapate in garage sales with us, volunteer with us, listen to us moan about bad neighbors, and grill out with us. I love good neighbors!

Constitutional Rights

Today I am thankful for our Constitutional rights, including our 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. Jared and I sat through an Arizona carry/conceal weapon course yesterday, and I learned a lot about gun safety and gun owner rights and responsibilities. I am grateful that we have that right to have that protection in our home!  I’m also grateful for speech and religious freedoms.

Computer

Tonight I am thankful for my laptop computer and the ability it gives me to complete my long-distance education, keep in touch with faraway family and friends, organize photos, play games, and balance the checkbook accurately!

First-responders

Today I am thankful to first-responders (Soldiers, Marines, Policemen, Firemen, etc.) who assist during tradegies and emergencies. I am thankful to those kind strangers (to me) who lost their lives on 9/11 for a good cause. I pray and hope the surviving family members of those volunteers feel peace and understanding, knowing that their family members sacrificed for the noble cause of saving lives.

Music

Today I am thankful for GOOD music. I am grateful to the Lord for giving people musical gift/genius for creating symphonic arrangements and musical works/hymns that uplift and bring peace to our hearts. This week I will "sing unto Him a new song" and "play skillfully with a loud voice" in sacrament meeting! Psalms 33:3

Healthcare

Today I am thankful for my inexpensive, comprehensive dental and medical care, thanks to Tricare and my hardworking Marine Corps husband. I am grateful that for medicine, allergy pills, and the like that allow me to live in comfort on a daily basis.

Moon

Today on my early morning run I was able to see the moon set behind the Huachuca Mountains, and the sun rise from the West. I wonder how many people can say the same? For this, I am grateful.

Sewing Machine

I am SO grateful for my sewing machine. I can only imagine how it would have been back in the "old days" to sew things by hand, and do a good job! How time intensive that must have been, too. In order to more thoroughly participate in the upcoming Pioneer Trek (with Jared as a chaperone "Ma" and "Pa"), I have sewn a slat-bonnet and matching apron. It took me over 4 hours to do both--and that was with an electric machine. I am thankful that Jared bought it for me as a Christmas gift a few years back...

Rain

Today I am thankful for the much needed rain/thunderstorms that have been rolling in throughout the morning and afternoon. The storms sound peaceful, the lightning is amazing and the cool air feels wonderful.

America

Today I am thankful that I am an American and that I was born a free citizen in a democratic country. We had quite a few Mexicans drive up to buy things at our yard sale today--what a rough life! I almost wanted to hand things over to them for free!

Shooting Range

Jared and I went shooting this afternoon.  Out of 50 shells, 31 of them are accounted for on my target! Woohoo!  I’m thankful for something to do in this small desert town.

Paper Shredders

I am thankful for paper shredders and how they minimize the hassle of disposing of old bills, new receipts and daily junk mail. A paper shredder at the Office of the SJA makes light work for me when I shred old client files. Additionally, I am thankful that the city of Tucson recycles shredded paper (and many other things of course) and that we can travel up there and dump our recycling off on the way to the mall or cannery.

Sushi

Today I enjoyed lunch with girlfriend at Hanna Tokyo. I love sushi! I miss the fresh "stuff" from Japan, but some of the local restaurants come pretty darn close. I am grateful that Heavenly Father placed so many things on the Earth for us to eat and enjoy!

Tissues

Today I am thankful for tissues and the fact that they clean boogers outta your nose and wipe tears outta your eyes (in a sanitary manner).