Thankful Me

It is a bit ironic that I don't post as much on my blog, Thankful Me, during the week of Thanksgiving.  Don't let my lack of new posts lead you to believe I'm ungrateful, though.  My week has been full of gratitude, as I've been surrounded by family for the holiday. 1. Youngest son arrived home first.  While we were out running errands, I asked him to try to get some photos of the jet planes that were flying.  As soon as I asked him, it seemed like the planes stopped flying.  However, he was very proud of this image and wanted to make sure I posted it on the blog.  I'm thankful for him, and the encouragement he gives me. "Do-DO-do-do-do-do"  2.  One of the errands we ran was suit shopping.  Youngest son was a groomsman in his roommate's wedding this week.  I'm thankful for the good friends my children have, and for the fact my son just needed a suit, not a tuxedo.   3.  I'm thankful for the safety everyone had while traveling here

I love reading the posts that join the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop.  I love the fact that the things that are mentioned can be deep, tug-on-your-heartstrings things, or frivolous, doesn't-really-matter-but-it-makes-me-smile things.  They can be bittersweet, silver-linings things, or outright sunshiny things.  No matter what the things are, the underlying attitude is one of thankfulness.    

Oh, boy, oh, boy!  For the rest of 2014, it's just one thing after another.  This week has been one of preparation and excitement for the upcoming events.  I'm afraid this week's TToT post will be one big jumbled mess, but since I don't have time to sort my thoughts out well, I'll just spit them out and hope for the best.  

In honor of Veterans Day this week, I thought I would share some photos of my grandpa, great-grandpa, and great-uncle in their uniforms.   Grandpa in his WWII Navy uniform Grandpa was allowed to come home on leave for the birth of my uncle. The inscription reads, "To my little Pardner.  Fair weather on your voyages, son" and is signed, "Daddy" My great-grandpa in his WWI uniform My great-uncle in his WWII Navy uniform  I'm thankful for those who serve.   

It's hard to believe that Drexel is only two years old.  Drexel came to us from Guide Dogs for the Blind as a young puppy.  We were raising him to be a guide dog, but he had other plans.  He "career-changed" due to scent distraction.  He just couldn't seem to keep his mind on working when there was a smell to distract him.  We were asked if we wanted to keep him as a pet, and we readily agreed.  He is a wonderful family dog.   Here's a look back over the past couple of years: meeting Drexel for the first time There's a reason we call him "Drexel the Adorable." at one year old Though Drexel learned basic obedience (and more advanced commands in his formal training), he did have his puppy moments: styling in his working gear Returning (on Valentine's Day!) for formal guide dog training   Flying off the puppy truck to return home to stay Now Drexel helps other Guide Dog puppies learn good house ma

Last week, on John's birthday, the Zaycon order arrived.  (That wasn't the original plan; the chicken had been scheduled to come in October, but the delivery was delayed.)  At the time, I was still without a large working refrigerator (I had a mini-fridge).  Fortunately, I also had a big freezer.  I kept the chicken cool in ice chests as I worked to transform 80 pounds of chicken breasts into freezer meals. 

General Conference is always such a treat! I love reading back over the talks; I can always find thoughts that stand out to me.  I've taken a few of those gems and made handouts that I might use for visiting teaching.  Feel free to print up any that you would like.  I've sized the images to print nicely on 4x6 paper.  You should be able to right-click to print.   This first handout would go well with a little umbrella.  I found umbrellas recently at the 99-Cent Store.   I'm thankful for words of living prophets, who follow the pattern of prophets of ancient times by providing guidance. 

I'm a bit late joining the hop this week.  John and I just returned from Catalina Island, so this post will be much like the vacation slide shows of old.  First, though, I have to mention something from the home front. 

Today is John's birthday!  It is also the day that Zaycon Foods is having their chicken delivery in our area.  (This delivery got rescheduled; I wasn't planning on spending John's birthday in the kitchen dealing with 80 pounds of chicken breasts.)  Anyway, I thought a birthday post was called for, and if something is worth saying once, it's worth repeating, right? This originally posted last year, but if anything, I mean it even more this year than last.  Happy birthday, John; I love you!