here on Clay Pit Creek...

I'm thankful for Skype. I'm thankful for the oharas I'm thankful for sushi, New Years, and new beginnings and fresh starts.

I'm thankful for John and Barbara. I'm thankful for the gym. I'm thankful for flannel sheets on cold mornings!

I'm grateful for rainy,windy nights and a nice warm fire. I'm grateful for Madelie readingaloudto herself. I'm grateful that Alan got the car after the movie and spared us the walk in the raw weather.

I am grateful for an easy Christmas at my house where everyone behaved. I am grateful for Madeline's "Santa knows me! He really knows me!" I'm grateful for waffles and blueberry compote, christmas crackers, and Jennifer.

I'm grateful we are home today! I'm grateful for character. I'm grateful or a good nights sleep. If I could change my life I would: Move...live in Spain or South America or somewhere with a slower pace. Not worry about money. Fix the stereo in my car, listen to my music. If I can't move, how can I have a slower pace here? No rt 35. Center myself in red bank. More yoga.

I'm grateful my dad is doing ok. I'm grateful for Rocky's Song! I'm grateful for Madeline's hugs and smiles and dances and songs and kisses. I'm grateful for the train. I'm grateful for funny people who make me laugh. I'm grateful for all my friends. I'm grateful for leftovers. Things I can do to feel better... Exercise Take a walk tomorrow Take five minutes to meditate on the word HEAL Wear something pretty

I'm grateful for Mrs. Browne. I'm grateful for little gifts under the tree. I'm grateful for early morning quiet and coffee. I'm grateful for unexpected gift cards! I'm grateful for Madeline smelling o deliciously last night, after her tub.

I'm grateful for flannel sheets. I'm grateful for lunches with friends. I'm grateful or indie bookstores. And the nice cashier At AC Moore.

I'm grateful for rainy nights. I'm grateful for little girls who conga through the halls. I'm grateful for Miss Aimee, because she is so sweet and fun. I'm grateful for Madeline and her guitar and Taylor Swift! I'm grateful for every minute of every day. Thank you God, for not giving me more than I can bear.

I'm so thankful that Madeline is alive, and that it wasn't our school. I'm thankful for the wonderful weekend we had together. I'm thankful we could make cookies with nana. I'm thankful for a fab dinner Friday night. I'm thankful that I have the determination to do things and aim to change the world. I'm thankful for a fire and eggnog and a snoring Sadie and Alan on the couch. The whole world is sleeping.

I'm grateful for my blankets and coffee and having a hideaway morning. I'm grateful for that elf. I'm grateful for sleeping late. I'm grateful for new friends.

I'm grateful for real apologies from my little girl. I'm grateful for words of wisdom from people I respect. I'm grateful for days in bed!

I'm thankful for Christmas lights. I'm thankful for friends who live nearby. I'm thankful for a husband who does listen to me. I'm thankful for the clubhouse at the shoprite. I'm thankful for peppermint mochas. I'm thankful for my mom sending the peace sign bedding early. I'm thankful for a good nights sleep!

I'm thankful for my mistakes, they help me to learn. I'm thankful for sauce in a jar. I'm thankful that I am Maddie's favorite thing in the world.

I'm thankful for coffee. I'm thankful for friends. I'm thankful for baby goats.

I'm thankful for extravagant compliments that make me smile for hours afterward. I'm thankful for little girl hugs. I'm thankful for a sleepy dog who curls up on my lap.

I'm thankful for rainy mornings. I'm thankful for author lunches in NYC. I'm thankful for a good nights sleep. I'm thankful for my friend Deanna.

I'm thankful my husband was sweet and supportive today when I was mopey. I'm thankful for a day spent decluttering. I'm thankful for Madeline's Attitude of Gratitude rap. I'm thankful a little black dog who snores! I'm thankful that Madfie beat me at tic tac to twice, and we tied the rest. I'm thankful that we had a fun time playing hangman. I'm thankful for bedtime stories. I'm thankful for my spot on the couch! I'm thankful foran early bedtime tonight. For me, because I'm tired.

I'm thankful Thanksgiving is over! I'm thankful that I have a sense of humor! I'm thankful for red wine! I'm thankful my little girl pulled out of her morning funk and was a good girl for the rest of the day. I'm thankful I was able to shake off the holiday blues yesterday, with a visit to my own family. I'm thankful for a great night at the town tree lighting, and for bagpipers and Christmas music. I'm thankful for the moment when Maddie yelled out " I see Santa!"  across the crowd at the tree lighting. I'm thankful for Elf.

I am thankful for my little sister. I love her! I cannot wait to meet her baby in March! She's a good listener, and supports me as I feel like I'm careening fron disaster to disaster. I'm thankful for my mom...she's strong and energetic and so creative. I'm thankful for cough syrup, which gave me my first good night of sleep in a while. I'm thankful for music.  Maddie had choir rehearsal last night...it makes my so happy. I need to find a way to get more music in my life .

I've been a bit gratitude challenged lately, which I know is bad when I have been so lucky and have so much to be grateful for...I thought maybe if I took the time to write things down I could turn my attitude around. I'm grateful for my family, especially Madeline and Alan.  Alan is a good soul, and he gives a lot, and he's very kind.  He's funny, and he makes the world a better place.  He helps people, and he works hard. Madeline is full of energy!  She loves to entertain us, she loves to give me hugs, she loves to snuggle at night and tell secrets.  She loves her friends and dancing and I love hearing her laugh and watching her sing and dance. I'm grateful that Hurricane Sandy didn't damaage my home or the boat!  Thank you, God, for that.  They say that God doesn't deal out more than people can take, and I wonder if He knew that I've been on the edge lately and couldn't handle that kind of disaster again? I'm grateful for good good f