Three Things...Gratitude Thread

This is the first time I've struggled with one of these LOL
Same - I live in New Jersey LOL

To get caught up:
I's - My adorable little dog Ivy, Intention (i start every day by setting one), being independent

Acts of Love - 1. My sister flaked on our plans for my birthday one year so I ended up at the beach alone. I quite enjoy being at the beach alone but I was bummed that she forgot another set of plans that we had made and my birthday at the same time. As I was sitting in my chair reading my book my son came walking up - he felt bad that I'd be alone and took off from work mid morning to join me and take me out to dinner at my favorite boardwalk spot. To this day my eyes leak a little when I tell that one.

2. Years ago as a single mom with a hectic schedule at times things had to be pushed aside for the sake of making sure that the necessary stuff was taken care of. Occasionally I would get home from work to find that my dad had come over during the day and cut my grass or something like that. My favorite though was when he was at a farm stand and he saw a wreath that made him think of me and he hung it on my door as a surprise for when I got home.

3. Anytime I spent with my grandmother, she was always showing how much she loved us. I miss her tremendously.


3 things about my home state
Keeps me humble, every time I make a little extra the state finds a way to get their hands on it :laughing:
In my area we have an abundance of farms and you can't beat the local produce, I am so grateful to have access to it
Beaches, even on a nice winter day I love to sit on the beach and listen to the sound of the ocean. It is quite cathartic.
 
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1. We get a true Fall-love the leaves changing
2. My siblings/family are here
ummmm...not a huge fan of much else...CT is not so spectacular
This is the first time I've struggled with one of these LOL

Do you like Gilmore Girls? You can count that the show is set there.
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3 things you're grateful for about your own state

1 This (CA) is home and always has been. I was born back East. We moved here when I was not even 1 so lol I think that qualifies me as a CA gal.

2 More mild (overall) weather here in SoCal just freezing at the moment in the upper 40's

3 ::MickeyMo
 
To catch up - Acts of Love:

My mom - She definitely shows her love through acts of service and she's very good at it. I'm 52 now and I keep hoping that I'll get some of her grace that she is able to show, but so far, I just don't have it. She is the person who is always sending nice cards to people, taking meals to people when they've had a baby or been sick, going through treatments, etc; volunteering at church and our local hospital; etc - she's just an awesome person with a loving heart and I'm lucky she's my mom!

DH putting up with my tendencies. He has a little bit of OCD and is a very particular person. I always say I know he loves me because he puts up with my messiness. I'm definitely not a dirty person lol, but I'm just a little more cluttered than DH likes and he really doesn't complain (too much).

My oldest DD - she calls me regularly to fill me in on the little things in her life. I know she does that because she knows I love hearing about what's going on in her life.


Things about my state (Illinois)

I'm in central/southern Illinois, so my things may seem odd to some people because everyone typically thinks of Chicago when they hear you're from Illinois -

1. Corn and bean fields - we live in a farming community and I love the seasonal changes of the landscape with the fields being planted, growing and then being harvested.

2. The seasons - I don't love winter, but I think I'd miss it if we ever move

3. That we're close to Missouri lol - we are about 35 minutes from St Louis, so even though I live in a small town, I'm close to lots of great things to do (@WDWEPCOT) named a lot of great ones!
 
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Wide open spaces
Great Mexican food
No humidity

Home state is NC which I miss tremendously

1. The beautiful beaches...Outer Banks, Emerald Isle, Oak Island...

2. The beautiful mountains...Biltmore, Blue Ridge Parkway, Boone...

3. The military...grew up mostly at Ft Bragg, largest army base. Dad was stationed several times and my husband at the Air Force base that was there at the time.

I didn't include VA where I am now. Hate it.
Can you move back to NC?
 
Today is apparently National Wisconsin Day (among several other holidays):
https://nationaltoday.com/what-is-today/

So: Today's Topic (2/15) is 3 things you're grateful for about your own state
I live in NW Oregon, so...

1) The Green. We have our fair share of colors as well, but if you have been to Western Oregon you know that we group evergreen trees really well. I love living in a place that is green all year long.
2) The variety of landscapes. We are an hour from the beach (our beaches are also beautiful, but much different then CA or FL - much colder as well - but you can't beat the storm watching) and hour and a half from the Mountains (great skiing, camping, fishing, hiking on Mt. Hood) and about 2 hours from High Plains Desert (about 2/3 of the state is Desert, but most people don't realize that) so if you love the outdoors, you have lots of options. Of course, where we live we are always a quick drive to the forests or farmland. Lots of variety.
3) The mild weather. Yeah, it rains a lot, but not torrentially. And it helps to keep it all green. But we do not have Hurricanes, Tornados or major flooding. Okay, so there was a big Volcano that blew when I was a kid just North of us, but what is a little Ash falling for a few years.
 
(Tues. 2/14 💕) - 3 Acts of Love You've Been Grateful For
I'm totally giving "Sunday School" answers here. Ha!
1. Jesus
2. My parents
3. Seeing all the 7th and 8th graders interact with the student I work with one-on-one. They are just so kind and gentle to him, so forgiving when he does his own thing during a game (i.e. snatching balls out of their hands during dodge ball... I try. I try. :) ), and I've never heard them make any jokes about him or make fun of him.

(2/15) is 3 things you're grateful for about your own state
1. We actually get all four seasons. They may all come in a single week at times, but I love that we do indeed have distinct seasons.
2. The Muny! -- Broadway style shows locally produced in a huge outdoor amphitheater (I think it's the largest in the US?? *edited to add* Okay. So sources do not agree on the largest. Ha! It might be the largest meant for musical theater, or something? *shrugs*) with free seats in the back for every production. The Muny is well know enough that they are sometimes able to get the actual Broadway performers to come and do their role or another in the same production. I don't go to nearly as many Muny shows as I probably should.
3. Our state park system. We have some amazing, beautiful state parks, very well maintained (for the most part) and basic admission and parking is free. In 2005, there was a resivouri failure that almost completely destroyed one of the favorite state parks, Johnson's Shut-Ins. They reopened in less than 5 years, better than ever, still free. That was just super impressive to me.
 
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Also, I wanted to say thank you for the kind words in response to my story. All these messages have made me smile.

Thank You for sharing your story - I’m sorry you have had to go through this but so happy your doing better - nothing worse than constant pain
I never heard of this in children - thank you for bringing this up - if I may inquire do the Dr know why you have osteoarthritis at such a young age ? The reason I ask I myself got it at a young adult age and was told a bunch of bs - so I’m curious what you were told - that stuff is painful and unrelenting I’ll tell you that !
I’m so happy you’re doing better it’s awesome you have found great drs and they are able to assist you ! Such a shame you are traveling this path but you are doing a great job and wearing it proudly educating others !
I was told that it's not uncommon for someone who had the surgery I had when I was a child to have early osteoarthritis. So it was a result of the hip dysplasia. I mean... honestly, know one knows for sure. But it makes sense. I basically had 8 to 9 years (depending on when you want to start "counting") of unusual wear and tear on the cartilage, with the ball of the hip not being properly in the socket.

I"ve been fortunate in the fact that the pain, even with the arthritis was actually pretty minimal. I was never in constant and/or extreme pain. But I knew I would be soon, so I just went ahead before it got too bad.
 
I’m happy you are doing better ! If I may inquire are you pain free for the most part ?will you have to have another surgery in 20 years ? I know a lot if times these parts expire - do the replacement has to be replaced - I found that out the hard way - in my situation it impacts the disc above and below the fusion so it just keeps expanding and the arthritis keeps getting worse
I am hoping in years to come the discover better treatments than what Is currently being offered that I’m refusing to do
I did Google your condition last night and read about it - it’s very common yet I never heard of it - 1 in 1,000 births / pretty high number - that’s a lot of kids suffering ! It’s more than just you going through a bone issue and a surgery - I’m glad you have such a great outlook and are doing so well !!! Good for you such a great blessing !!!
 
Johnson shut ins have not been there in years
Elephant Rock - another great place to go !!
I’ve been camping when they opened that damn - not fun !!!
 
P Things:

1. Peonies—my very favorite flower—I love the way they look and smell.
2. Pajamas—sometimes the best part of the day is putting them on
3. Pizza—my DH’s favorite food. I like it too, but pizza really makes him happy.

My state:

1. Lots of good professional sports team to watch.
2. Seasons—I love having the 4 seasons (some more than others).
3. Weather—our major weather events are fairly minimal—we can get flooding from hurricanes, but nothing like other areas; earthquakes are minor and almost unheard of; no wildfires like the west.

Acts of Love:

1. I had grandparents that were really involved in our lives when we were kids. They definitely helped shape who we became.
2. Watching my dad take care of my mom—she had dementia and he took care of her even when it was really, really hard for him. Selfless doesn’t even begin to describe it.
3. Watching my youngest daughters. They adore each other and it is sweet to see. The older of the two is away at college and just had a “sibs” weekend. Younger DD really pulled out all the stops to make sure she could go be with her sister.

I things:

1. Ice—nothing like a cold drink on a hot day.
2. iPad—where I keep all my books
3. Illuminations—grateful I got to see such a wonderful show so many times

I don’t think I did all the ones I missed, but those are the ones I remember missing. 🤣 On the days where answers don’t immediately come to mind and I intend to “think about it” I often don’t make it back to post. But I like this and especially early in the day—puts me in a good frame of mind.
 














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