What I am thankful for.

24 11 2008

“When you are troubled and cannot sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep.”

As I head into the holiday season, I am once again in the battle to remain positive. So in the spirit of Thanksgiving I am listing my blessings in no particular order.

  • My husband, who is beyond compare, who has been by my side through thick and thin, who does dishes, laundry, cooks and knows that when I ask for “rocks for my birthday” I mean landscaping rock and NOT diamonds.
  • My son, who healed my heart, makes me laugh and smile daily, and makes me want to be a better person each day.
  • A home, my cozy house and garden that has been a nest for my happy family.
  • A job that I love to do and an employer who has been tolerant of my families needs.
  • An education paid for by grants not loans.
  • Parents who taught me the value of hard work, and self-reliance.
  • The opportunity to travel and see first hand how others in the world live.  
  • The ability to cope with the things that are not blessings.

I know that all these things are cliché and unremarkable.  They are the same blessings that many of us have in common.  As I look over this list, however, the subtraction of anyone of these things would make my life very different, and in most cases much more difficult.  And so, for these things I am thankful.





Tag, I’m it! The Book Meme: Page 56, Nearest Book

17 11 2008

Thanks to Sandwiched I have a post for today.
The rules for this meme thing are :

  • Grab the nearest book.
  • Open it to page 56.
  • Find the fifth sentence.
  • Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.
  • Don’t dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST.

My book is “Eyewitness Travel: Vietnam & Angkor Wat”

Was this the closest, no.  The closest three books belonged to my son and did not have a page 56.  I’m not sure if non-fiction counts, but there is nothing that says that it shouldn’t be.  So here we go.

“Today, Dong Khoi’s vibrance is unparalleled in the city, and it does justice to the city’s old nickname “Paris of the Orient.”

Dong Khoi is a street in Ho Chi Minh City, District One, close to the US and French Embassies. I agree with the description and hope I get to see this place again someday.

This book is put out by DK (Dorling Kindersley) who do beautiful travel guides.  My favorite feature is the bird’s eye view maps of areas suitable for walking.  My first DK travel book was for London, now I’m hooked.  They are the ones I always look for.  The Lonely Planet Guides are also excellent. Like having an knowledgeable resident in your pocket who understands that you are a westerner.  

I’m now supposed to ask 3 bloggers that I know of to do the same:

Jump in if you want to, and leave a link with your comment. Enjoy!