Thankful Thursday #2

1. For parents who are approaching seventy and are still healthy, happy, vital, interested and involved (and sometimes very silly!). Not only that, but they have been married for 48 years and still the example of what a loving, healthy marriage looks like. Selfless, hardworking and generous are these two who also managed to wrangle seven kids without losing their minds and are the wonder-wranglers of sixteen grandchildren! I love them dearly.

2. Coffee - that has kept me going this week. I have to admit to falling asleep within fifteen minutes travelling on the train in the morning. Picking up a cup of coffee on my way into the office has been essential for functioning most days. I hate the fact that I need it, but I do love my one cup of coffee a day. Yesterday I tried a latte from the Left Handed Chef. Highly recommended!

3. My bloke. He really is a love. So good to talk to and a fun sense of fun!

4. Excellent performance reviews. I can breathe a little easier knowing I'm doing a good job. New things will be happening in 2015 that will be helping me financially. Watch this space.

5. Being able to see a vision of loveliness even when loveliness is not a reality. I have plans for this backyard. My kids say I am my parents daughter in that I love making unlovely things lovely/ 

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursday

Let's mix things up a little and do a Thankful Thursday, huh? What if I made this a regular thing and then we got a whole lot of other people wanting to take time out on a Thursday and think of things to be thankful for - big things, little things, seemingly insignificant things.....ALL THE THINGS! How's that for an idea? Ok, ok, ok.....I know it's not an original idea and I can't patent it or anything....there's nothing new under the sun, according to Ecclesiastes.

So without further ado......

Thankful Thursday!

1. Ecclesiastes. 

Have you ever read this? Regardless of how depressing it might seem at first glance, it's actually not. I kind of like the conclusion it comes to....that the best thing you can do is enjoy the time you have on earth. Simple really, isn't it? It's all about the journey. I think about Ecclesiastes a lot and it brings me great comfort in some strange way, so I am thankful for it. In fact, I might go home and read it again tonight. I think it's my favorite book in the Bible. If you're interested, you'll find it after Proverbs...which is after Psalms....which is after Job.....

2. Bean Boozled Jelly Beans

My daughter Chloe introduced these to us. Similar to Bertie Botts Every Flavoured Beans from Harry Potter, these crazy little beans have proved to be a fun family activity. Last night we went to the beach for a fish and chip dinner and decided to have these for dessert - with the added bonus of a daring guessing game....made even more daring when you're eating them on the beach in the dark! Not your typical delicious, sugary snack - pop one of these in your mouth and you never know what you're going to get!

See what I mean! I think the grossest one I have had has to be BARF! It honestly has the acidic taste of vomit. Our family has a theory that the makers of Bean Boozled have deliberately left out Barf's yummier counterpart, Peach. As yet, every Peachy looking bean has been Barf in the boxes we have consumed.  The best of the gross flavours has to be Baby Wipes. It's actually quite nice.

Try them if you dare!!! They have provided our family with.....enjoyment??? If not enjoyment, then a lot of laughter!

3. My job:

I know I have to commute and that the commuting tires me, but gosh I'm thankful that I have a job and that I actually do work with some lovely people. I am thankful that the management team are understanding of the fact that life just happens and that there are occasions where things come at me from left of field and that I have to change things at the drop of a hat sometime.

4. Having just enough:

I don't earn much. I really don't. There's nothing left over at the end of a fortnight....but I have just enough...

I know how to do "just enough". I've been doing just enough all my life. Just enough keeps me on my toes. It keeps me thinking. It helps to sort out priorities. It encourages gratefulness. 

5. Books: 

I am so grateful for the chance to sit with a book and be transported to an imaginary world, or inspired to take on new projects and ideas. My world is expanded with each book I read. I am reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin at the moment which is inspiring me to think about my goals and theme word for 2015. I have always been a reader, love reading and have passed that love down to my children. 

What are you thankful for this week?