Grocery Stores

Day Four of Count Your Blessings

Today I'm really grateful for grocery stores.  In all of the history I've read and studied nothing amazes me more than the stories of families moving to the wilderness in covered wagons and making a life in the middle of nowhere.  Talk about self-sufficient, oh my.  No stores, restaurants, pizza delivery, or even neighbors.  What you carried with you was what you ate until you could grow something, which involved clearing land, plowing, planting, waiting patiently, harvesting, then preserving whatever it was you were able to grow.  We are SOOOOOO spoiled today.  Which is why I'm so thankful for grocery stores.  I make many things from scratch, but when I'm tired or in a hurry it is wonderful to open a package of some sort to make a meal (my idea of "fast food" is canned beans instead of the soak and slow cook kind).  I'm grateful to the farmers, the truckers, and all the others involved in getting the food from the farm to me.

I made a grocery store run today and picked up some cases of canned goods, and bottled juice on sale, to stock my pantry.  I love reading about others who have gardens and put up all their own produce, but that has not been within the scope of my life.  So I'm doubly grateful for a well stocked store.

I'm really grateful for a stove and refrigerator, as well as hot and cold running water. I can "pioneer" when called upon to do so, but I'm thankful I 'm not called on to do so at this time.

How Much Does Stress Weigh?

I don't know about you, but I'm a stress eater.  Very bad for health.  I knew a woman a long time ago in Virginia who said "I eat three times a day, and my metabolism eats five times a day."  After age thirty-five I was lucky if my metabolism ate three times a week!  The only way I've found to jump start it and then keep it going is by walking briskly three to five miles EVERY DAY!  Well the every day is difficult enough without little children (and no stroller), but nigh impossible WITH.  And the stresses of life just add the wrong mix of hormones and eating.  Oh my!  I guess I use that as an excuse, but I ask you, what's a girl to do?  Watch for some major progress as my life settles down, stress is decreased and I'm free to do the best things to get healthy and fit.  And work on my long neglected projects.

I originally wrote this October 19, and then didn't post it and I can't remember why.  Well here it is.  My stress level is decreased somewhat, but I'm weak and undisciplined so haven't made so much progress.  TopDad and I have plans to help each other, but life keeps getting in the way.  Deep sigh.  Does anyone have wise counsel for us? What is the formula for success? What works as a motivation? How does one conquer self?  HELP!

Courageous

Day Three of Count Your Blessings

Yesterday when TopDad came home from school (which is work) we sat on the couch and reviewed the day, enjoying a few moments of togetherness.  He asked what the dinner plans were as there was nothing visibly ready.  I told him that it was "clean out the fridge" night.  Then I said "I feel like going to a movie."  He said "Okay, what do you want to see?"  He is so easy!  We hurriedly got ready and left some hazy instructions with Dandylion and departed.  We drove over an hour to West Des Moines to the gigantic megaplex there (20 theaters) and saw Courageous.  Which brings me to my Day Three Gratitude - I'm so grateful for 1) people who produce films as fine as this one; 2) a righteous husband who has overcome much (alcoholic father, broken home, single mother, high school drop out, divorce, etc.) to become a loving husband and good father; and 3) The Family, A Proclamation to the World, which gives us eternal truths relative to families, marriage, parental responsibilities and such.  What a huge blessing to have this document and know the word of the Lord concerning these things.

I highly recommend Courageous as a film to see.  It is well done, a tear jerker, and has a rousing finish.  We both liked it.  And it is the reason I didn't post yesterday; we got home late in the evening and I was too tired to stay up and try to write.  5:30 AM comes really early and I never feel like I've slept long enough.

So, what you thankful for today?

Read The Proclamation here

Let it Snow

Day Two of Count Your Blessings

I'm really glad I took my pictures yesterday of the beautiful autumn colors, 'cause look what happened today:

View from the front porch

It's beginning to look a lot like winter!

View to the north from the front porch.

So today I'm thankful for a heater that works, storm windows and doors, warm blankets and clothes, a gas stove and oven, and a water heater.  All the modern conveniences that make life during the winter in Iowa bearable.  I recently read, as I do each year, The Long Winter, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  This book, more than any other, helps me remember my many blessings.  I have it so easy!

Count Your Many Blessings

Here it is November already; time for my favorite holiday - THANKSGIVING!

Think about it, there are no decorations, no cards, no gifts, no costumes, no pageants, programs or parties. Just family, food, and gratitude (no football in this house for which I'm very grateful).

Join me this month as I blog each day about the things I'm grateful for. Thirty days of gratitude!

DAY ONE - I'm grateful for the beautiful world Heavenly Father created for us.


Flames of Virginia Creeper licking at the back of buildings in town:

Statue of John James Audubon, for whom our town is named, in the town park:

Last of the fall color in the town park:

Close up of the spot of color - the last of the petunias:

The colors of Autumn are some of my favorites; natural for a redhead, since I look so good in them.

Thank you Heavenly Father for a glorious world.