Three Things...Gratitude Thread

[flyingdumbo127]

Newski_mom! God Bless your boss what a kind man!

Bobbiwoz, thank you for the nursery school reminder! I was so blessed to direct and teach preschool for may years and work/volunteer at church camps. Kids singing throughout the day or as part of a group time activity was always joy indeed

God used years ago a Smart and Final angel (I have shared this before I believe) to make a huge difference to me! I was doing some summer camp snack shopping one very hot afternoon. I was exhausted from another day, week of camps. The Smart and Final charge card I had been given to use by the church at that time was having issues being processed correctly and often caused trouble at the register which sure enough it did that afternoon. I had gotten a lot of snacks for the kids, some perishable, of course. The card didn't work. Nothing the cashier did could make it work. I couldn't afford to pay out of pocket for everything. God truly reminded me in all, always big and small that He is with me no matter what and no matter what all is good. I absolutely pray to give thanks in all always. Each moment I believe is a precious gift from God that I might make a kind difference in witness. He sure sent extra of His love to me that day. A lady in line behind me, immediately handed the cashier her credit card, insisting on paying for the kids' snacks. I had shared these were all for kids at a church summer camp. This angel didn't want to give me her name or contact information, no surprise, of course, she just was fulfilling God's call to her that moment. Reminder there is indeed joy in all

 

[leebee]

Nice things people have done for me...

I have learned over the past few years, especially when facing medical crises in our lives, how truly kind people can be. Several years ago DH had knee surgery that became infected; the infection almost cost him his leg and could have cost him his life. At the time, i was 3 to 4 months post-bariatric surgery. DD lived out of state. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for friends and strangers who helped support us during this time period. In no particular order: The neighbor who brought over his snowblower when we'd had 40" of snow, and his wife who brought her shovel, unasked. I'd still be snowed in to this day if not for the kindness of James and Emily. The Trader Joe's checkout clerk who, upon hearing that I was trying to get "interesting" snacks for DH (who was on IV abx in a nursing home), threw a bunch of candy bars in my order as well as a bunch of flowers, free. Our good friends, with whom we have dinner and game night at their house several nights a month, came to the nursing home for dinner and game night. We had dinner in a conference room and then played games, with DH accompanied by his IV pole. The evening nurses joined us for dessert. It was a little oasis of sanity in the midst of the craziness. There was nothing in this for any of these people except a heartfelt "thanks" at a time when I really needed it.
And then there are all you guys, veritable strangers but virtual friends, who kept us in your thoughts yesterday as DH faced another surgery (he's going great, obviously your support and prayers worked!), who have been there to support me through my knee replacement and rehab. Once again, all I have is a deep, grateful "thanks."
As always, I find that there are folks EVERYWHERE who want to help, who want to be kind, if only we let them.

 

[leebee]

Kids music...

I was very involved in the youth choir at my church when I was in elementary and junior high schools. I loved our concerts and singing in church, but my fondest memories are of rehearsals, hanging with friends, singing, being supported by the 2 men who ran the youth choir program. THose were wonderful times, and being at choir rehearsal in the lower sanctuary truly felt like being at home. These two men were fired from their positions when I was a sophomore in high school (because they were gay, although not a couple) ; it was one of the things that led to my separating myself from this congregation several years later. That disappointment/bitterness aside, I truly loved being in the youth choir!

Raffi!! We lived in East Lansing, MI, but my family was all in southern Maine. I wish I had a nickel for every Raffi song DD and I sang over the years on that long, long drive. Do you have any idea how many choruses of "Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow..." I've sung?

Disney songs. DD was a Disney video addict (ok, me too) and we have Disney songs on CD for the car- which we sang over and over and over after she outgrew Raffi. I sure do love some of these, and I still get teary-eyed when Ariel sings "bright young women, sick of swimmin', ready to staaaaaand..." Isn't this what we all want for our daughters?

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Loved your posts dear Leebee minus the firing part of course. How sad I thank you always along with everyone in this kind thread daily for all you each do to shine faith, kindness, and care.

 

[Tink-osophy]

@mumto3girls - it's really nice to see you back on here!

Children's Music

One particular occasion, after a long (for their age) handwriting assessment I had to do with a class of 6 year olds, we moved all the tables, put on some music and danced. Now I think of it, I put on relaxing 'brain' music while they did the assessment and it made a big difference, especially to the kids who struggled to sit still and focus.

Singing traditional Christmas carols in school assemblies when I was a kid.

Lots of crossovers between schools and the professional theatre where I grew up - very special memories from those times.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

ITA, dear Tink! Welcome back mumto3girls!to both of you!

Traditional Christmas carols are my very favorite!

 

[WDWEPCOT]

Awesome to hear your hubby is doing well I hope he has a very speedy uneventful recovery!!!

 

[PollyannaMom]

I didn't even know there was a World Card Making Day, but I enjoy crafts and card-making was one of hobbies I rediscovered during the pandemic.

Today's Topic (Sat, 10/7) - 3 homemade things you're grateful for

(can be things you like to make, gifts people made for you...take it in whatever direction you want)

 

[WDWEPCOT]

Omg crafts !!
I’m grateful for my aunt and I was a little kid who always had a craft for us to do - we did all kinds of crafts even made stuffed animals once! We did cards and she told us to knit to crochet we were always doing crafts at her house
I love doing scrapbooks specially after a Disney trip
Themed dinners will you make up all the designs and items to go with the theme
I like that crafts were a huge part of my childhood I really think it helps make make you more creative and to think outside the box back when I went to school we had a art class and our teacher was extremely creative and we did so many different crafts and that has I was stuck with me we did macramé she has paint she had us do pottery I mean you name it we did it I still have several pieces and that was back in junior high school did they turn out right no but it was still fun
It’s always fun trying something new and seeing how it turns out
I used to refinish wood items but I’m not allowed to do that anymore since my surgery I do miss doing it
I’m very grateful that I was shown crafts and I still do them they are great fun and you’re making memories!!

 

[slo]

Good Morning!

#1 - I’m grateful for all my girl‘s childhood artwork - my kitchen is decorated every Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas with it. Some items are 20 years old now. These items are precious to me.

#2 - I’m grateful for the pottery pieces that each of my girls made for me in ceramics class in HS - they are in my china cabinet safe and sound.

#3 - I’m grateful for the baby afghans my mom made for my first daughter - one is so warm and my daughter used it every winter.

 

[WDWEPCOT]

I have an Afghan that my grandmother made me when I was a little kid but I still have it it’s a very cherished item
My grandmother used to make me slippers she knitted them ! Fun memories of it!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I love personalizing cards and other using stickers and sometimes images, too!

Dad and I years ago always smiled at an old (long gone now sadly) design of Dixie 3oz cups. They looked like this Should any of you ever find these exact cups only brand new anywhere, would you get them for me please? We ill figure out how to get them to me, I promise. These cups also brought a smile to church campers and other kiddos, they were fun. Dad made me a decoration that contains one of each design of these cups. It's hanging in my bedroom. Work of

Dad's late friend Cynthia when I was born silk screened for me a rainbow that I still have on my wall. I always thought dad made it. Instead, he, was the love behind it and his friend created it

 

[leebee]

My mother loved to sew, always made our clothes (which we hated at the time), etc. Although I don't have anything she made for me, we still have the dresses, hair scrunchies, sunsuits, halloween costumes, and knitted baby blanket that she made for DD30.

I have a whole bunch of pottery/ceramics pieces that DD painted at one of those "paint your own" places... Mugs, bowls, dishes, etc. I use them for all kinds of things. Some of the smaller pieces hold my earrings, we use the coffee mugs, mugs with broken handles are now pencil/pen holders on my desks here and at work, etc.

My son-in-law's grandmother gifts her homemade/preserved garden bounty every year at Christmas. We are (SIL/DD live with us) the recipients of many jars of dilly beans, corn relish, apple pie jam, incredible strawberry jam, etc. I have neither the gardening interest nor the patience to do this myself, so I really appreciate that Gramma Stevie does, and loves to share with us!

 

[DawnM]

Homemade things I am thankful for.

I have my grandmother's crochet items she made and I treasure them.
I made a couple of jewelry collages for my dad out of my mom's jewelry. I know I am the one who made them, but I love them and now that he is gone, I still treasure them because they were items that belonged to my mom.
My son made me a ceramic snowman thing for the holidays and I love it.

 

[newski_mom]

(Sat, 10/7) - 3 homemade things you're grateful for:

1. I"m grateful for the quilt that my grandma made for me. She made each of her grandkids one and gave it to them for their wedding gift. She then made little doll quilts for her great grandkids (my kids). They are probably about 18"x18" and so cute.

2. I'm grateful for the crafts / ornaments that my kids made in school and various activities that they did when they were little.

3. I'm grateful for the pieces I have that my aunt painted. She used to do tole painting (not sure if that's still a thing) and was pretty talented. I have a lot of neat things that she did many years ago!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

As always friends, thank you so much for your kind shares! I absolutely enjoy reading daily your replies. More than that, what matters is seeing each of you post every day to know you are okay

Grandma when I was a kid and loved playmobile kids lovingly hand knit from pink felt playmobile kid sized sleeping bags! She also knitted clothing for a few stuffed animals and of course, was doctor to many loved stuffed animal friends of mine.

Her were sure always baked with love too!

 

[maryblanchard49]

Today's Topic (Sat, 10/7) - 3 homemade things you're grateful for
1. Home made meals from my mom
2. Pillows my Great Grandmother use to sew for the children with cute children patterns
3. My mother in laws crochet stuffed animals she'll make the kids along with cute little keychains

 

[mumto3girls]

1. My paternal grandmother painted China as a hobby after my grandfather passed away. She did a big set of dishes for many family members including my mom. As the older generations have downsized or passed on, I’ve been lucky enough to have been gifted several pieces—bowls, vases etc.
2. My mom painted a wooden vanity with a bench seat for each of her granddaughters. My girls all still use theirs even though they are a bit small for them now. She also painted a table with 4 chairs that all my girls used when they were little—she did a Winnie the Pooh theme for the table and flowers on the vanities.
3. I have all the ornaments my girls made at school over the years and they always go on the tree. So precious.

 

[mumto3girls]

@mumto3girls - it's really nice to see you back on here!

ITA, dear Tink! Welcome back mumto3girls!to both of you!

Traditional Christmas carols are my very favorite!

Thank you both!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Holiday crafts made with DS and my nieces when they were little

Quilts made by different friends/family members

A favorite sweater made by my aunt