Blessings, Blessings

I decided to have a page just to note the blessings I see every day around me, in no particular order or importance.

•  Another year to celebrate my mom’s birthday with her – yea!!!
• Weight Watchers. Free advertising for them? Yes absolutely! Do I gain anything from it? Nope! I may blog about it in the future but suffice it to say that I have lost a LOT of weight that no one said was possible due to my medical conditions, plus the side effects of medications, as well as my limited mobility. It feels good to be at the same weight I was as a newlywed (a mere 28 years ago…)
• Macaroni & Cheese from Panera. I can think of no more perfect food after surgery. Except tapioca. Tapioca makes everything feel better also.
• Duct tape – who knew it was good for plantar fasciitis?
• An insurance company that hasn’t cancelled us after 2 accidents in 3 weeks
• Pumpkin Spice Lattes
• Honest car salesmen
• Loan officers who process loans quickly
• Text messages from my daughter. I’m so thankful for technology that allows us to still stay in contact when life gets hectic!
• Watching the miracle of hummingbirds in flight
• A day filled with moderate temperatures and a nice breeze, especially after temperatures in the 100’s for so much of the summer.
• Today (August 6) is National Wiggle Your Toes Day. Enjoy!
• The hopes and dreams of a newly-married couple. They are ready to take on the world, a good reminder.
• Breathing
• BCG ~ more about that later!
• ebooks
• Social media like facebook, Twitter, and others that allow me to stay connected with other people
• My mother
• We are still here after the nearby tornado in Joplin
• Springtime rain ~ realizing for anything to grow, it takes both sun and rain
• Food on my table ~ we support a child through WorldVision. She has 11 older sisters, and daily food is never taken for granted by her family.
• My neighborhood ~ I am surrounded by people who will help me and encourage me, if I do my part and also make the effort
• My family ~ where do I start? Those closest to me do not see me as their ’cause’ or pity me. They love me. Priceless.
• My Bible ~ which takes on different meanings as technology changes. Now it is on my phone as much as it is my leather-bound one.
• My accountability group ~ we share in a Bible study, we laugh so loud we’ve been heard 50 feet away, we turn to each other for advice, and we pray for each other
• Technology ~ it can be used for great things! It keeps me connected with people in the outside world, from outside my home to China ~ literally.
• YouTube ~ WebMD says we change physiologically when we laugh. We stretch muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure go up, and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues. It is a great source for making me laugh
• Friends ~ most importantly, friends who see me as a wife, mother, and/or friend. I am not defined by medical situations, I use them to define my purpose and goals.
• Vacations ~ short ones or long ones, they recharge me mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually.
• Plants ~ one of my favorite hobbies is planting flowers in the spring. It is a good reminder to me of taking good care of things & people around me, or they wither and die.
• Friends
• I have the opportunity today to make an eternal impact on the world. 
• I have air conditioning
• I have medical care
• I have exceptional friends