6-6-2012 The kids Tae Kwon Do Instructor

I looked back and didn't see any entry for this, but if I missed it, it is worth repeating.  The kids have been going to Tae Kwon Do for quite some time now and have had the same instructor.  He is a great guy and has watched them grow and also helped.  I think he helps me grow sometimes too even though I'm just there watching.  But, I see the lessons, both physical and mental/emotional that he teaches and sometimes learn something myself.

The past couple of months I have been taking them quite a bit which has helped them with consistency and gives us time to do some bonding - driving to and from, seeing what they are up to and sometimes Smoothie King afterward.

Craig - the instructor, has been one of those "constants" that are good to have in life to help keep things anchored, especially as changes happen.

6-5-2012 Wendy's Baked Potatoes

For dinner I had a small chili and a baked potato from Wendy's.  The baked potato half of the meal makes you feel like you are eating a real dinner even though it was drive-through and only cost $2.50.

For the convenience, value, nutrition, and the feeling that you ate an actual meal instead of just drive-thru, I am grateful for Wendy's baked potatoes (the baked sweet potatoes are awesome also)

6-4-2012 Ice Cream

Especially ice cream at home from a carton.  Nothing fancy, just ice cream.  I used to be a little more picky and only really appreciate a hot fudge sundae out some place.

But, you can't always get that.  Some times you just get a bowl of ice cream at home.  The kids like ice cream.  I like ice cream.

And, as one of the many little things in life that make life nice, I am grateful for ice cream!!

6-3-2012 Vacuuming

Sometimes, when things seem so messy it looks hopeless, all you have to do is run the vacuum for a bit and then it doesn't look so bad.  There's still lots to do, but at least it doesn't look so bad.

Today and yesterday, I was amazed at the power of vacuuming and therefore grateful for it.

6-2-2012 My Kids

I have mentioned my kids at various times, but I was thinking about how grateful I am for them.  They both did some pretty amazing things today.  My life is so much richer in many ways because of them.

5-25-2012 Shade on a hot day.

It was hot outside today.  I took my short walk to the thinking pond.  Walking across the asphalt parking lot I could feel the sun beating down.

Then, I reached the shade, and although just a few feet away from where it felt so hot, and still outside, it was completely different.

What a difference the shade made.

Sometimes, you may find yourself outside on a hot day, far from any shade and you'll wish there was a tree nearby or something to block the sun.

Finding that shade makes you realize what a difference it can make.

I'm definitely grateful for shade on a hot day.

6-1-2012 Birds Chirping in the Morning

I know I've already done an entry for birds.

But, this morning, after I got up and was sitting down at my kitchen table (which I'm about to lose - although that is such a small problem) - I heard the birds chirping outside.  It was still dark out, just barely.

Almost everywhere I've been, I can remember at some point hearing birds chirping outside in the morning - Rochester, NY,  Athens, GA, Dallas, TX, here in Florida.  I guess everywhere except for when out at sea while in the Navy and on the cruise back in January.

Hearing the birds in the morning is a reminder that a new day is starting, that life goes on, and there is a life outside of your own.  There are things to listen to besides electronics and nature is just outside your door.  The birds are also reminding me that it will soon be light outside.

All this good stuff from just a few birds making some noise.


There!  Now I'm caught up. Ok, not really, but I thought I would try a new strategy.  Every time I was close to catching up I would then fall behind again.  So, now I am doing an entry for today and will do an entry every day from now on.

I might go back and fill some in, but for now I'm going to just say that I'm caught up.