Operation Grat-itude:

An experiment on how being grateful for the little things can improve this chicks perspective. Documenting my personal list of things that were awesome, and grrr-eat about my world.


P.S. Someday I will take over the world!



Monday, December 27, 2010

I See Christmas everywhere

Christmas is more that a time of festivities, family, and friends; it is a season of generosity, gladness, and gratitude.

William Arthur Ward



Oh what a wonderful few days!! I am so very blessed!! I ate SO Much delicious food, drank some festive cranberry martini's, and had a so much Christmasy goodness, I can barely stay awake now!! I am so thankful my Love did not get me a rock massager...;) but an IPOD instead!! Yippee...and a tripod for my camera...which works magnificently! I am also grateful that I am now going to smell like a goddess thanks to all my Lush Bathbombs, lotions, etc! Whooo hoooo! And I have a super new Bob Marley Calender to replace 2010's..I can hardly wait to play Scrabble, put up my new house decor, get ready for a rockin' new decade, and bop around to my life soundtrack once again! Being with family, albeit ever so quickly was the best gift of all!!! Oh life is good...I love Christmas!! ...and this picture for some reason!!
 
xoxo
Sara

Saturday, December 18, 2010

The Final Countdown

Ba ha...I posted Girled Cheese's post on here instead...oh well...silly me.



1 week 'til Christmas Day. I will be home with my family and having a blast like we always do! So the last few days leading up to it promise to be busy, as I've not shopped much yet, nor have I planned much, or baked at all. All normal holidays for me!

I can't wait to see the kids faces on Christmas morning, and eat all kinds of yummy foods. To nap in the afternoon, because I had stayed up far to late with my sisters. To spend the first holiday season (we are making our own Christmas day on New Years, as we cannot be together) with my Love. To get away from it all even if just for a few days, to the quiet of 'home'

Let the Holiday Season Kick into Gear!!!

Merry, Merry,
xoxo

Sara

Life is like a mirror, we get the best results when we smile at it.

Prompt: Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

I made my own holiday photo shoot for the family! We had so much fun doing it...used all kinds of props and set up a lil 'studio' in the corner of the dining room. They turned out AWESOME, and am so happy with them. I used my imagination, my camera and Picasa. As well, my girl showed me how to do some editing in Picnik, so I learned a few things, and got to hang with the kids which is great! Next, I make a painting as a gift for someone...can't say who yet ;)


 Moi

 My Love And I
 Mini Me, and Me
All our goils
Prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?


I think that I've made several wonderful new friends this year, kept the ones that are forever, and hope to hang with everyone I so love more in 2011. I would like to have more followers in 2011, and hope to get my other project up and running where I hope to meet many amazing new friends!

Prompt: Beautifully different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different - you'll find they're what make you beautiful.
 
I am somebody's reason to smile. I am somebody's happiness










Thursday, December 16, 2010

Health and Hope



Today...I am grateful for my health. I got good news from the doctor. I was expecting worse after the pictures, so I was shocked to learn that it is within my control. I do have an accumulation of small health issues which has been causing problems, but now I know what it is, and what it, thankfully, isn't. I am thankful that, that added stress of not knowing is gone. I can now focus on dealing with the small things, and getting them under control. I feel confident that better things are on the horizon, and I think I may, finally be able to stop looking over my shoulder for the next crisis!! There is health, and there is hope.

xoxo
Sara

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Just Breathe




As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.



- John F. Kennedy







Life!! It has got me under it's big, all engaging thumb lately. As you may have noticed, I haven't been here in quite a while...things went a bit KA-RAZY for a bit there. The shit truck made a big dump at our front door. I've had little time for anything else but trying to get through it.

But....that being said...as we have been wading in the crappola, there has been plenty of learning experiences, patience praticing, and remembering to be grateful for the little things.
I've been keeping a mental tally, and here are but a few of the things I've come to hold so dear that have gotten, and continue to help me through...

My dear friends, with their kind words, offers of assistance and just for being there. My amazing family....I've had the oppurtunity to visit with nearly all of them, albeit breifly in the past few weeks and it lifted my spirits immensely to share a few moments with them. My wonderful girl...who is doing SO well these days. She's back folks! She has worked so hard, and I'm so very proud of her. She's the best thing any Mom could ask for. Knowing that she's making so much progress makes all the hard decisions, and sacrifices worthwhile.

Speaking of hard choices...the move. For everyones sake, it came at just the right time as it turns out. It has been so difficult for My Love and I to adjust to being apart, and having our time cut together cut shorter and shorter due to unforseen bumps in the road...but it just makes our love for one another that much stronger. I'm ever grateful for what we have found in each other.

Speaking of My Love, who has had so much responsibility placed on his shoulders. I admire his strength, and level-headedness. He has the patience of a saint, and the ability to keep laughing and smiling throughout the chaos. He's one of the best Dad's and men that I know.

Speaking of great men, I'm so grateful to my Brothers guardian angel for keeping him safe, and here with us. He had a terrible vehicle accident, but somehow managed to make it through with just a concussion and a few bumps and bruises.
That's all I can ever ask for...a family that is safe, and happy


Okay...well maybe just a.....

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas this year is a chance to breathe.
For all our worries and troubles to be behind us.
For each and everyone of us.
For peace.


All my love, and gratitude,

Sara

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

RipvanSara

I have been sleeping for several days. Sleeping off crummy stomach issues (candida die-off is ROUGH!!) and a cold/flu...at the same time. GROSS is how I would describe myself in the past few days. But am feeling semi-human again, just in time for the blizzard of November. I kinda heart blizzards. The chaos, the unknown, the cozy feeling of being inside, all warm, and gazing out into the whirly, white stuff.  So, today I'm thankful for blizzards, flu medicine, ginger ale, tea, slow cookers, a vehicle that works this winter (fingers crossed, knocking on wood) Christmas tunes, rice (the one think i kept down), my Love for doing everything while I was outta commission and still loving me, even when I am gross, my Mommsie for helping with my upcoming rent, my co-workers and boss for chipping in and helping out when I couldn't make it in and being understanding about it always. To my immune system...I know you do what you can, and you're always busy. But I am trying to help you...so hang in there.


xoxo
Sara

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Wicked Wednesday









Today, I'm glad it's Wednesday!! I'm grateful for warm jackets, mini mitts, Crystal Light juice, eye doctors, and sleep.