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Ten Things of Thankful: Freedom Edition

Independence Day weekend--a time to reflect on freedoms, both large and significant and small and routine. 

 1.  I'm thankful for the freedoms that I enjoy as a citizen of the United States.  Despite my discouragement with the presidential election this year, I believe in the greatness of this nation.

2. I'm thankful for the freedom to choose a home phone provider.  I signed up with Ooma and now won't have to pay much at all to have telemarketers interrupt my dinner. 

 3.  I'm thankful for the freedom from clutter that a clean closet offers.  I've spent some real effort this week to make my closet a place that brings me joy, instead of someplace that constantly reminds me of my housekeeping failures. I'm not done with it yet, but there has been some real progress made.

 4. I'm thankful for the freedom to put nails in my walls and hang photos.  John's the one who did the actual work (though I did offer helpful suggestions:  "A little higher on the left!")  

 5.  I'm thankful for the freedom that comes with specialized products.  There are locked medicine dispensers that beep when it is time to take medicine, lamps that simulate sunrise to help one wake up more easily, and CDs of calming music with subliminal messages of positive affirmations to help one fall asleep. All of these items lessen the load of caregivers, and encourage a greater level of independence for those who are cared for. 

 6.  I'm thankful (for the 3rd week in a row) for freedom from significant pain.  I ran 5K yesterday without problem during the run.  I had moments of gimpiness afterwards, but not bad.  I'm thankful that my half-marathon training plan seems to be working.

 7.  I'm thankful for the freedom Drexel had to career-change to my pet.  Though he was intended to be a guide dog, since that didn't suit him, I'm thankful for such a sweet, gentle, goofy, lovable pet. He's a sweetheart.

 8.  I'm thankful for the freedom family history researchers have to access public records.  Did you know there is a way to help make records even more easily accessible?  Check out my post here about indexing.  

 9.  I'm thankful for the freedom of assembly.  Friday night John and I again ventured to the Hollywood Bowl.  Did you know the Hollywood Bowl holds close to 18,000 people?  The sold-out show was Garrison Keillor's last taping of  A Prairie Home Companion.  I grew up listening to APHC, and it was nice to be there for the taping of Keillor's last show.  At the conclusion of the show, he came back out and led the audience in a sing-along.  That isn't on youtube now (at the time I'm writing this), but can be heard at this link.  I can, however, share this youtube clip of another audience-participation song that took place during the show.  
10.  I'm thankful for John.  He hangs photos, fixes sprinklers, makes Saturday morning breakfast, repairs misbehaving ceiling fans, and makes dinner appear when I'm in the middle of a project (finalizing my Relief Society lesson for Sunday about unity in marriage).  He makes me smile!
Photo:  John takes of selfie of us at the Hollywood Bowl.  Our seats were about half-way up the stadium.
What freedoms are you thankful for?  Are you planning on indexing for family history?  




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Ten Things of Thankful


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Comments

  1. Carin DiazJuly 3, 2016 at 9:11 PM

    What a timely post. Happy Fourth of July!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tired TeacherJuly 4, 2016 at 9:19 AM

    I look forward to your Thankful posts - finding gratitude in daily activities is important and healthy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiJuly 4, 2016 at 7:37 PM

      Thank you. I find that finding gratitude helps make me a happier person.

      Delete
  3. UnknownJuly 4, 2016 at 1:10 PM

    G.Keillors second to last was here in the Berkshires...great show....the singalong time is quite impressive!!! Im glad you're pain is improving...and for goofy Mr. Drexel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiJuly 4, 2016 at 7:38 PM

      Oh, did you watch the second to last show? I loved the singalong portion!

      Delete
  4. UnknownJuly 4, 2016 at 1:11 PM

    G.Keillors second to last was here in the Berkshires...great show....the singalong time is quite impressive!!! Im glad you're pain is improving...and for goofy Mr. Drexel.

    ReplyDelete
  5. clarkscottrogerJuly 4, 2016 at 8:32 PM

    Phyllis totally loves APHC (not saying it's a rogerian thing... wait, I am saying that! lol) no, I've enjoyed listening on occasion, but not as big a fan as Phyllis.
    Drexel is proof that sometimes things (even 'career changes') happen for a reason.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownJuly 4, 2016 at 9:06 PM

    I love tidy organized closets! So satisfying to be able to quickly put things away without cramming for space.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownJuly 5, 2016 at 6:38 PM

    I really appreciate that we have the freedom to simple things like go to the market without being shot at or worrying about a bomber. We really are lucky and I hope it stays that way. I would be genuinely afraid to travel to Europe.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJuly 5, 2016 at 6:53 PM

    I love these "everyday" freedoms that you've highlighted. It's easy to think grand and large at times like Independence Day, but it's good to recognize all the rest. I learn from you always.

    ReplyDelete
  9. KerryJuly 5, 2016 at 7:03 PM

    I am thankful for the dogs that work hard to become guide dogs for those of us who might need them. And for those who take the time to be a part of the training and the raising. Even if it didn't work out this time. Glad you have found yourself a pet.
    :-)
    Nice to hear of people smiling, like yourself, with all the sadness taking place in the world.
    Happy 4th of July to you and to your family too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. GirlieOnTheEdgeJuly 7, 2016 at 8:29 PM

    I never knew Drexel was supposed to be a guide dog! How fortunate for you and John that he didn't have an affinity for guiding :)
    Amen tor organized closets! There is nothing better than being able to walk into a closet that once upon a time you just tossed things into :D
    No doubt freedom from "significant pain" would be a thankful! Glad you were able to run without it.

    ReplyDelete

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