Thankful Me

Isn't it funny that getting stuck in a rut is a bad thing, but finding a groove is positive? As far as blogging goes, I think I've been stuck in a rut for a long time, but recently I'm starting to get back into a regular blogging groove. I'm excited to explore new ideas and hope I can provide interesting, positive content.  Speaking of positive content, thanks to founder Lizzi , each week the Ten Things of Thankful community gathers online to share those things that each member is thankful for. We are a diverse group of people from all over the world, yet we are connected through our expressions of thanks. I hope you will join us! 1. I'm thankful for the tool of technology.  2. I'm thankful for those who understand how to fix technical difficulties. (Calling tech support is on my to-do list; I trust I'll be able to get some help.) 3. I'm thankful for the participants of the TToT. It's not always easy to compose and publish a post, yet people ...

Photo: "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other. . . ." (Spencer W. Kimball) I'm thankful for quotes like this to help me remember to watch for ways to help others. 

We've been living in our house for over two months now, and I realized that I haven't shared many before/after pictures since we moved in, so I thought I'd give you a peek at the living room today. Before, the walls were a color that I don't know the name of, but imagine it is something like "gruel gray." Although the entry had wooden floors which extended into the kitchen, the living room was carpeted. Overhead lighting consisted of just two little recessed lights. On the plus side, the room had a window seat and another big window. Photo: A view of the living room from the stairs We painted (more accurately, we hired someone to paint) the living room a pretty blue (Skydiving), had the carpet removed and hardwood flooring installed, had new baseboards put in, and had a overhead light fixture added.  Photo: The window seat area of the living room, after the walls had been painted, and hardwood floors and baseboards installed Photo: The newly-in...

Some tourist attractions have instant name-recognition; others, like the Crandall Historical Printing Museum, might not even be well-known in their own town. However, those sites can be just as enjoyable as their more popular cousins.  Photo: The small brick building that houses the Crandall Historical Printing Museum In this age when online newspapers are growing, and books can be read on electronic devices, a museum dedicated to the printing press might seem archaic and dull, but the tour given here is surprisingly engaging, entertaining, and yes, educational. It holds the attention of everyone from grade-school age on up.  Perhaps the biggest claim to fame the Crandall Historical Printing Museum has is its working replica of Gutenberg's printing press. The museum's webpage includes the following video that demonstrates the press in action: During the tours, a lucky visitor is selected to actually pull on the handle of the press and print a page.  ...

Seven years ago, I followed the television show, The Amazing Race, because my parents' friends, Bill and Cathi, were competing. With that connection, I cheered them on week after week. Just when I thought they might win the entire season, they ended up going home. However, they played well and made all of us proud.  This year, I am watching Relative Race. The show is similar to The Amazing Race, in that the teams are traveling (in this case, all over the United States, as opposed to all over the world) and that there are challenges to complete. The key difference is that each team gets to meet (formerly unknown) relatives along the way. Though the teams are competitors, the teams also rejoice together (and mourn together) as they learn more about their families. The emotional roller coaster compels me to continue watching each week. Relative Race airs Sunday nights on BYU-TV, or it can be viewed online on byutv.org . Here is a trailer for this season: I'm thankful for ...

This week marks the official end of summer and the beginning of fall. I'm thankful: 1. . . that summer was not as hot as the previous sixteen. I'm starting to enjoy summers again. 2. . . I can look forward to crisp autumn mornings and the coziness that comes with fall. 3. . . for my parents, who celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary this week. 4. . . for my oldest grandson, who turns 3 on the same day as my parents' anniversary. 5. . . for continued healing. I've discarded the crutches. 6. . . for grasses. I've decided I really enjoy the impact they make in the landscape. Photo: A clump of decorative grass 7. . . for the fall harvest.  Photo: A pear hangs from the tree 8. . . for neighbors who share their bounty, whether that be carrot cake, cookies, or zucchini. 9. . . for the chance I have to attend a social media convention today and tomorrow. I'm looking forward to learning how to improve the blog and better utilize other ...

I've been fortunate to take some wonderful vacations in my life, but when I read this week's Six Sentence Story prompt word (trip) I knew immediately what story to tell.  The classified ad sounded perfect: an old upright piano in excellent condition, and at a price that the tax refund would cover. After speaking to the seller on the phone, the young couple loaded their two children in the car and set off to find the Seattle address. After pulling into the apartment complex,  she carried the baby and he held the toddler. In her excitement, and perhaps due to rain hitting oil spots,  she tripped in the parking lot; as she was falling, all she could think was, "Don't land on the baby!" Miraculously, she saved the baby from harm, but unfortunately, her face took some of the impact.  "We're here to look at the piano, and, by the way, do you have a Band-Aid?" Photo: The old upright piano, with fall decor on top