Oh So Thankful!

Can't possibly let this special Thanksgiving holiday pass without doing a little early Thanksgiving edition - Thankful Thursday. And so, I am very thankful this year for:

• My dear sweet Mother who is battling cancer and does so with grace and beauty and no complaints.


• My sainted Dad who doesn't mind that I call him "Al" and he sits waiting by the phone (so he says) for my daily calls.


• My own little family - Mr. Tennis, Philip & Catherine, Connor and Miss Maddy -- they make my life complete.


• My friends in real life, at work, my neighborhood and my bloggy friends -- so happy and blessed to have all of you.


• My twin sister who is hosting Turkey day for us and her many relatives.


• My favorite Thanksgiving dish, not turkey, not stuffing, not pie -- though I do love all of those, but Fudge, that I am making -- yum!


• My job -- thankful to have one and so many friends at work who make it a pleasure to come to work every day!


• My faith -- I know there is power in prayer and feel it, especially this year.


• Decent weather -- I know this is vain, but the cooler, less humid weather is so much kinder to me and my hair!

I could go on and on, as you can probably tell.

Best wishes to all for a very happy Thanksgiving.

Thankful Thursday for Teachers -- Reposted! :)

Thank you to each and every one of you teachers! I'm sure we parents don't say it nearly enough, but I really appreciate all you do and how hard you work! It can't be easy -- I know when I've visited and helped out in the classroom, I wonder how you do it and maintain your calm! Is there a bottle of Extra Strength Tylenol hiding in your drawer? :) As the school year is drawing to an end, I am especially thankful for Maddy's school and her wonderful teachers. She has had a terrific year in first grade, and I know that a great deal of the credit goes to her wonderful teacher - Mrs. P. She's been so understanding and helpful -- truly a great teacher. Last night, without any prompting and totally out of the blue, Maddy said that she will really miss her during the summer and next year.

Maddy has learned to read so well in first grade - nice and smooth and even with appropriate inflection and emotion at times! Math has been fun for her too, even though she sometimes gets a little mixed up when adding and subtracting 9s. Maddy still has one more week of school, but we sent our little end-of-the-year gifts yesterday. I thought (and was right) that it might be the last visit Maddy had with her public school teacher who comes in once a week to work with her.

Of course, we borrowed (really copied) the idea from Jodee! If you ever need an idea for anything, ask Jodee! Maddy said that both teachers loved the gift. The cute cello bag has a Star*bucks cup and inside the cup is a gift card. The note reads: "Thanks a latte for the great year." Yes, we love our teachers! Thanks for all you do -- now teachers -- go on, take a break and have a latte and scone and some nice quiet time -- you've earned it!

[Had some issues with Blogger today (and I think it's them - not me) so am reposting.]

Thankful Thursday - The Teacher Edition!

Thank you to each and every one of you teachers! I'm sure we parents don't say it nearly enough, but I really appreciate all you do and how hard you work! It can't be easy -- I know when I've visited and helped out, I wonder how you do it and maintain your calm! Is there a bottle of Extra Strength Tylenol hiding in your drawer? :) As the school year is drawing to an end, I am especially thankful for Maddy's school and her wonderful teachers. She has had a terrific year in first grade, and I know that a great deal of the credit goes to her wonderful teacher - Mrs. P. She's been so understanding and helpful -- truly a great teacher. Last night, without any prompting and totally out of the blue, Maddy said that she will really miss her during the summer and next year.

Maddy has learned to read so well in first grade - nice and smooth and even with appropriate inflection and emotion at times! Math has been fun for her too, even though she sometimes gets a little mixed up when adding and subtracting 9s. Maddy still has one more week of school, but we sent our little end-of-the year gifts yesterday. I thought (and was right) that it might be the last visit Maddy had with her public school teacher who comes in once a week to work with her.

Of course, we borrowed (really copied) the idea from Jodee! If you ever need an idea for anything, ask Jodee! Maddy said that both teachers loved the gift. The cute cello bag has a Star*bucks cup and inside the cup is a gift card. The note reads: "Thanks a latte for the great year." Yes, we love our teachers! Thanks for all you do -- now teachers -- go on, take a break and have a latte and scone and some nice quiet time -- you've earned it!

The Early Edition

Here we go with the Thankful Thursday and Flashback Friday- The Early Edition -- all rolled into one post! We have so very much to be thankful for this year.

• Of course, number one on my list is my dear Hub and incredibly sweet children. You are all absolutely the best!


• For my parents, Rickster's Mom and our brothers and sisters and their families. Such a wonderful group -- I'm sure we'd all be friends, even if we weren't related.


• For our good health. There have been a couple blips on the screen in years past, so I am so thankful that we are all feeling good and strong and happy this Thanksgiving. Let's keep it up and stay out of hospitals!


• For our jobs and all of wonderful co-workers. Work would not be half as fun without you. I know, I know -- you're asking . . . work is fun??? Yeah, sometimes it can be.


• For all of our friends, far and wide, in real life and in the bloggy world.

Happy Thanksgiving!

And the Flashback Friday photo is from our 2005 holiday photo card.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thankful Thursday

As usual, I'm a little late to the "Thankful Thursday" party, but there are so many things to be thankful for this week especially. And so, I am:

1. Thankful that the hip replacement surgery on Mr. Tennis (the Hub a/k/a The Rickster) was successful yesterday, that he seems to be feeling better already and ready to tackle physical therapy. Hoping that he can actually play tennis and golf again after he recovers.

2. Thankful that two of his brothers drove out from Illinois to lend support to him and our family. Thanks guys-- you're the best! It was so sweet of you to drive 7-8 hours each way to help out your bro.

3. Thankful that my sons have been so thoughtful and helpful, even though they are both busy with school, studying and their own busy lives.

4. Thankful for sweet little M who provides the light in her Daddy's eyes. As she hopped out of the car yesterday for school, she said, "let's remember to pray for Daddy today."

5. Thankful that my parents and sisters have been so helpful and caring during this stressful time.

6. Thankful for all my office friends who have taken the time to ask about and check on the Rickster this week.

7. Thankful that the FM system in Maddy's classroom has been set up and she is enjoying first grade.

8. Thankful that a three-day weekend is coming up soon!