Three Things...Gratitude Thread

[flyingdumbo127]

Good Morning friends and Happy Sunday,

God's absolute blessing of trusting and asking me to learn from so many of His precious children as a preschool and school age program director and ministry worker and volunteer at church. Each of those days definitely had some fun.

Dad and I God willing next May over my birthday will take our special Disneyland trip. What fun and truly a gift of new memories to cherish that will be.

Good memories of long ago trips to Monterey, San Diego, Washington, and time with family in Texas too.

Have a lovely day everyone

 

[WDWEPCOT]

Jamaica - I so enjoyed my first trip to this beautiful Island many many years ago !!

Alaska - just my opinion but I think it’s the most beautiful state in the USA ymmv
Absolutely loved Alaska - the abundance of wildlife and beauty - the mountains the rainforest the ocean Alaska has everything even that stuff I hate so much !!!

WDW - I will never forget my first trip down Main Street or my first parade that night !! Back when the Park was open until 2AM nightly and back open by 7AM the next day !! River Country / Blizzard Beach / hanging out at the pools / chasing characters - seeing if we could hit all 4 Parks in an hour (yes) the amazing meals all the people I met waiting for my peeps to ride things I couldn’t ride - stuffed onto busses like cattle - whole bus singing Christmas carols one night going back to resort - Candlelight Processional and best of all - spotting movie and music stars !!! My two best Michael Jackson and Joe Rhode Disney Cast member showing us Stephen Tyler’s suite at AKL ( here take a peek ) we did !! He wasn’t in there of course !! Hurricanes at Disney !! Having EPCOT to ourselves before the hurricane
All the special ticket events !!! And best of all DVC and DCL !! I’m so grateful for Disney I’m made fun of and ridiculed for my love of Disney but I still enjoy Disney and I’m grateful because it brought me to the DIS Board and I love the Boards !!! Very grateful for both
They have both been in my life through the good & the bad and I’m forever grateful!!!

Edit - I think the best part besides the above I said was getting to watch my kids grow up through Disney !! Because back then Disney every time they release a movie would have a big premiere it was a big event so you were immersed and all things so it was milestones for all of their birthdays all their big events it was all tied to DISNEY so you watched your kids grow up through the years and it was all intertwine through DISNEY and it was to me just nice and wholesome just absolutely wonderful

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Since we’re currently at Disneyland, I’m going to say the Disney Parks, in general. Being here always reinforces my preferences for the Florida parks, but still grateful for the opportunity.

Europe…it’s been a long time since I e been, but it was surreal to see so many popular international spots in person while also experiencing the little things. I’ve only seen bits and pieces of opening ceremonies for the Olympics, but cool to have a few “I’ve been there” moments.

Yellowstone- One day, I’ll get to Alaska, but in the meantime…YNP is my favorite. It’s full of animals, history, amazing thermal features, and incredible views. I’m sure it would be absolute insanity with crowds (it’s already crowded), if it weren’t so remote. Still, it’s so spectacular to be in these hugely impressive natural places.

 

[WDWEPCOT]

I am with you ! One day I’m going to Yellowstone !!!

 

[leebee]

Paris- I ADORE Paris!! Watching the opening ceremonies for the Olympics brought back so many wonderful memories. I would love to go to Paris with DH (last time I went with 19 of my favorite teens!)

DisneyWorld, of course. We started going in 1999 and I feel like we were there for the "best" of the Disney years. Guest Service was foremost for every Cast Member and there were so many extra, special, unexpected things that it gave value to that very expensive vacation. Sadly it's not that way anymore, but I have the most amazing memories of sharing Disney with DD, my sister and 2 nieces, other sister and BIL, DH, and my ex-BIL. Our way of "doing Disney" has changed over the years, but Disney is always a special, warm place in my memory and heart!

Napa Valley- I loved driving around the area and checking out the wineries. One particularly memorable trip included my sister and (now ex-) brother-in-law. It's just so beautiful there, the weather is lovely, the wine is amazing. I love sitting on the verandah, overlooking the vineyards, sharing a bottle of wine and laughing!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

All the Utah national parks. (That's actually five fun places.)

 

[bluecastle]

WDW, of course! My first trip was with my DH in the early 80’s, when his parents retired to FL and insisted we go. Little did we know that after we became parents and took our DD starting in 1990, that we would be going back every year or 2 for a very long time! The 90’s were the best time!! It was expensive, but nothing like it is now. We could even afford to stay at the Polynesian! And then there were the $10.00 ETicket nights! Oh how I miss those! But, in spite of all the changes, we still manage to find magic and I still get teary-eyed on Main St.

Acadia National Park: breath-taking views and I always think some day we will go back, but we keep going to WDW!

California coast and some inland areas: took a trip with a friend driving up the coast from Ventura to SF and fell in love with the state. The quality of the light is so different than the east coast. It was like when people use lights for depression. I felt a happiness whenever I was in CA sunshine.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Disney World, of course!!

A place called Seven Springs in Pennsylvania. It was a ski resort, but my dad had a convention there in the summer "off season" and really liked it, so he took the family back the next year, and we ended up going a few times. It was so pretty and relaxing!

Water Parks - We used to plan a big group day at Water Country with DH's extended family every summer when DS and his cousins were little. Great memories!

 

[mumto3girls]

1. Boston—my DH had a long term work assignment there when oldest DD was 2. We went with him and lived in an apartment in Malden. She liked to go places and so we went everywhere I thought would be interesting for both of us. We did beaches and parks and museums and science centers. Our complex had a pool and we made lots of friends. It was one of my favorite years. I had so much fun with her.
2. Disney—as others have mentioned, my kids grew up going at least every few years. We have lots of fun, happy memories.
3. Hilton Head—another place we have returned to many times. My kids have lots of memories there as well.

 

[Beezle2]

View attachment 880550

Today's Topic (Sun, 7/28) - 3 fun places you've gone that you're grateful for

Hocking Hills in Ohio was breathtaking at every turn. I felt the enormity of time, the vast stretch of the world.

Always Disney in some form or another. So many good memories

I am a homebody and nothing is ever as good as a good day in my own space with my own people.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Today's Topic (Mon, 7/29) - 3 layered things you're grateful for

 

[slo]

Good Monday Morning

#1 - My Mom’s 7 Layer Salad - It’s a time consuming salad to make, and she’s always willing to take the time to make it for any party I host.

#2 - My Bed Covers - The layers of the sheet, the blanket and the comforter all make for a nice sleep space.

#3 - My favorite Slushie - So many memories of getting Slushies with DD20 over that last several years. Every time I drink one I have flashes of those memories and the laughs - so many laughs. My layers are Cherry, Coke, Cherry and Coke - 4 even layers - it’s very important - LOL!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Good early morning and Happy Monday friends,

Beezle, I'm with you on being a homebody at heart. Welcome to our kind thread

Definitely blankets, dear Slo! I am particular and don't care for being weighted down just the feeling of warm and cozy.

Layers of kindness of most all hearts including all of yours.

Layers to planning a fun trip especially to

I am a very simple dresser in jeans a T. But will layer with a long sleeve T under a parka for example.

When I enjoyed richer and heavier desserts, Denny's I remember made a tasty oreo hot fudge treat in a tall ice cream glass in layers.

 

[WDWEPCOT]

I instantly thought of desserts I don’t know why…..

I can’t think of the name of it but I had it at top of the tower at Bay Lake - layered cake - it was absolutely delicious!!!

Layered pudding desserts - I love making these and enjoy eating them even more !! When I was a kid my neighbor gave me a recipe for one it’s like a banana split and I felt instantly in love with it still make it now some 50 years later I was thinking of my neighbor every time I make it

7 layer salad - I got this recipe when I was in junior high school home Econ class - I had never had a layered salad before that and absolutely love the salad it became a Christmas dinner item every year !!

layered clothes - I’m always cold so I layer up that way I can take something off if by chance I should thaw out ( not likely ) grateful I have wide range of sweaters and sweatshirts!!

 

[leebee]

@mumto3girls I was born in Malden- both of my parent's families were in Malden, and most of my cousins still live there or in the surrounding communities.

@bluecastle I'm so glad you like Acadia so much! I used to work at Jackson Lab. From the window above my desk, I could see the cruise ships when they came into Bar Harbor, and if I looked out the side windows, I could see Cadillac Mountain. It was a beautiful place to work, and we try to go to MDI as often as we can in the summer!

@Beezle2 Nice to see you over here! This is where I tend to hang out when I can't tolerate the madness on the "Dark Side" thread. I love the discussion there, but sometimes it makes me frightened and anxious. I come over here for the kindness and caring I find in this gentle, fun thread!

Gotta get the kid to camp, and think about layered things... but I'll be back!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

7 layer dip- it has to be homemade. Any of the store bought stuff tends to be heavy on the onions or refried beans.

Anything with phyllo- baklava, spanikopita and tiropita are the first things coming to mind.

Cold weather clothes- it’s nice to be able to layer according to temperatures.

 

[mumto3girls]

1. The tile pattern in our bathroom that my DH has been laying. He is doing a really great job.
2. Trifle—my family’s favorite dessert at Christmas.
3. Homemade Mac & Cheese—mine has layers.

 

[leebee]

Cake! I love Big Cake, multiple tiers with layers on each tier, or just one big cake with lots of different layers.

Enchilada casserole- layers of tortillas, chicken, cheese, veggies, beans, sour cream, repeat, all held together with either a white or red sauce. Yum! Kinda like 7-layer dip!

Sedimentary rock. I love looking at the different layers in rocks, cliffs, etc. Especially out west, there is so much of interest to see in each layer. I find it fascination- kinda like a diary of the earth.

 

[mumto3girls]

@mumto3girls I was born in Malden- both of my parent's families were in Malden, and most of my cousins still live there or in the surrounding communities.

I loved living in Malden so much. I have never lived so close to a city or the ocean. In our real life we live further out in the suburbs and are landlocked. We lived in an apartment building called Cliffside Commons on Broadway. It was new at the time 2002-2003. Most of my pregnancy with second DD was there. I loved my doctors there too. It was a magical time I only wish oldest DD remembered a little. She says she has flashes, but nothing significant. We went there a few weeks after she turned 2 and were there 13 months. I want to go back with her one day and show her the places we used to go. I had a book that had things to do with kids in Boston. We didn’t do all of them, but we did a bunch.

 

[SarahM1987]

Layered clothes in the fall and winter.

The different layers of organic compost and topsoil in my raised garden beds for our vegetables.

Definitely layered foods, like cakes, salads, vegetable bakes, and Italian bakes.