Milk in the Mashed Potatoes

• Toilets and indoor plumbing. I won’t elaborate.
• Modern medicine
• Ginger ale
• Washing machines
• Christmas specials on TV

Can you tell the kind of weekend we’ve had?

• The ability to fly! I’m thankful for safe flights, affordable airfare and a straight flight into the little airport in Tri-Cities, East Tennessee. It’s been such a blessing to make visiting my family so easy.
• My sweet grandmother, Mammaw Lou, who has modeled Christ’s love for her family in way no one else ever could.
• My poor mom, who is sick with a stomach flu! I’m thankful for her love for Madilyn and me.
• My husband, Jeff, who took off from work today to take us to the airport. We will miss him so much this week!
• Cracker Barrel. I love Cracker Barrel.

• Cake, again. I know, I know! But I had one of my favorites: marinated coconut cake. Delish.
• Being involved in my church community.
• Challenges. I learned a new skill today by being asked to do something I didn’t know how.
• Income. I got paid today and I’m overwhelmed at how the Lord has provided for us.
• Snow. I’m hoping and believing we’ll have some good playtime in the snow when we go to Tennessee and Pennsylvania this month.

I’m going to borrow some words from my friend Tammy for today’s post. I couldn’t imagine sweeter words about the gifts from God to be thankful for:

*His only son, born in the poorest of circumstances, not as He deserved.
*His life for my sins, before I knew Him or ever even wanted to live for Him, He was watching me and loving me and waiting for the day that I would turn to Him for my every need.
*His Word that is alive to lead me, teach me and guide me every day.
*His Spirit that lives in me to help me down this road called life.
*His blessings of family, friends, church, home, food, raiment, that are more than I deserve.

Friends, who make us feel welcome …
Family, who love us just the way we are …
Macs, which make my life easier …
Cakes, because they’re a celebrating within themselves …
Sleep, because it’s awesome.

There’s been a lot of talk about gratitude lately — mainly because of Thanksgiving and all, but I think with the economy in the shape it’s in, people are being forced into becoming more content with what they have (and hopefully thankful for it as well). I’m also working on an article on the topic of gratitude for a magazine. Somewhere I read that Oprah recommends writing down like five things each night that you’re thankful for in a journal and watch how it alters your perspective. Well, I’m not recommending anything especially Oprah-ish, but it did remind me of a beautiful “gratitude” journal my sister-in-law Alison once gave me. I’ve never consistently written in it, but I have time and again … so with that in mind, I’m going to try to blog about things I’m thankful for each day. Or pretty close to it.

Today I’m thankful:

• I was able to get into the doctor’s office first thing this morning to get relief from my sinus infection.
• That today was the best I’ve felt in a week since getting this cold!
• I had a great time with some wonderful girlfriends at a Christmas party tonight.
• My life has slowed down enough to where I don’t feel stress and anxiety about my schedule.
• For my brother, whose birthday is today and who is a much-needed presence in my mom’s life right now.

It’s near the end of 2008; do you know where your resolutions are? A friend reminded me of this today. I can’t even seem to recall what I resolved to do, so I’m going to take a look back at my blog to see if professed any promises to myself. Hold on just a sec … Well, turns out I started this blog as a sort of New Year’s Resolution to write more … so I guess that worked out!

In addition to that, I thought it would be cool to take a look at the past year and see if I inadvertently picked up some resolutions … healthy new habits or worthwhile new experiences. I thought of two that I have enjoyed.

1. Gifts for the Mail Carrier

My brother-in-law’s father, Don, passed away in January, and somewhere in the midst of memories I heard poured forth from family members and friends, I heard about his habit of leaving little treats for his mail carrier. “That’s just the kind of guy he was,” came the explanation. This impacted me. Since his death, I began leaving handmade treats for our mail carrier around holidays and special days throughout the year. (He always writes a note of thanks on our junk mail.) As a result, Jeff and I have talked to Alan (our mailman) several times and gotten to know him. We are the better for it. I feel that this is my way to give tribute to Don’s life and helps the spirit of his kindness to carry on.

2. Mondays with the Mom-in-law

I don’t remember exactly when we started doing this, but it’s a great way to have Madilyn’s “Mima” over regularly to visit with her and us. Since she lives alone, this gives her family time, a change of pace and a home-cooked meal. I work from home and actually have time to cook! I’ve enjoyed finding and trying out new recipes. It’s always more fun when there’s more than just me or my husband to cook for, so our Monday nights have become a highlight of my week.

What’s something new you’ve started this year? Need some help remembering? Ninetyandnine.com posted a guided reflection tool for 2007 (but it’s one that you can use each year). Use it to take inventory of this past year and dream about the one ahead of you.