Before I get started on this week's gratitude post, I need to say just a word about blogs and boundaries. I have been blogging since 2007 and have been blogging friends with many of you about that long. I have always said that my blogging friends are some of the nicest people I know, and that is completely true. I am friends with many of my blogging friends on Facebook and Instagram as well as in blogland, and, for the most part, I love the interaction. Some of us even exchange Christmas cards, letters and gifts. My life has truly been blessed because I blog and have met so many wonderful people through this medium. Lately however, I have been getting some very negative and even critical and demeaning comments and messages about things that I post on my blog and other social media. It has gotten to the point that I have decided that I need to set a boundary, because the messages are tearing down the "BIG THREE" most important things in my life - my faith, family and friends - especially my faith and family. Such negative messages have been disappointing, disturbing and even hurtful, so I am saying NO MORE. I love and welcome comments and even emails and messages that are uplifting and encouraging. I am all about "agreeing to disagree" with anyone who doesn't see the world the way I do, and I love a good, positive "back and forth" about politics, religion, books, food and just about anything, but I won't allow some of the critical, disparaging communications I have getting lately. I won't publish any such comments. Any rude and disrespectful comments attached to a Facebook or other social medial post will be deleted as soon as I see them. I won't respond to texts and emails of the same nature. Let's be kind and encouraging to each other and realize that we all have our own backgrounds and experiences that have shaped us. Even though we read each other's blogs, we truly don't know what is in each other's hearts, minds and souls, and the challenges we deal with individually. It's just not OK to rudely tell other people they are wrong or deceived just because they don't see the world exactly like we do. I hope you will continue to feel comfortable leaving positive comments and that we can continue to uplift and encourage each other for many years to come. 😊
Now, that's out of the way so let's get going on the gratitude. It's been a busy week, but it has also been a week with many things to be grateful for so I am joining again Susanne at Living to Tell the Story and Jennifer at Overflowing with Thankfulness to remember the good things that happened.
😊 The number one thing I am grateful for this week is that fall parent-teacher conferences are over. I met with over ten sets parents between the two nights, and overall the meetings went well, but two twelve hour days in a row are exhausting. Our principal always gives us dinner on parent-teacher nights, which is nice and helpful. We had Olive Garden lasagna one night and Cafe Rio enchiladas the second. Another thing about parent teacher conferences I am thankful for is the we get Friday off to make up for the long conference days.
😊 After losing a crown on one of my teeth last weekend, I am grateful that I was able to take a sick day on Wednesday and go to the dentist to get the crown put back on. I am also grateful that it was a quick and easy fix. Neither the crown or my tooth was damaged so the dentist put the crown back on and I was out of his office in about fifteen minutes.
😊 After my dental appointment, there was time for Charly and I to take a morning walk, something I don't get much of a chance to do on a weekday during the school year. It was a beautiful, cool and sunny morning. I am always grateful for walks with my husband.
😊 Wednesday afternoon we had a nice, heavy rain storm and that cooled our temperatures further and gave us needed moisture - truly something to be grateful for.
😊 My big beefsteak tomatoes are finally ripening. I am grateful for how delicious they will soon taste on BLT sandwiches.
😊 I got this picture of my Virginia grand kids all ready for the first day of school. I am always grateful for pictures of the grandkids. Here are some more pictures of them living life and having fun. I surely do love my grandchildren!
That's all for now. Have a good weekend.
Until next time,
😊Deb💖
"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude."
~Denis Waitley
