Days 7-16

Wow, how quickly the month has gone by. I feel like I just sat down to write about the first day of the month and now we are already halfway through the month.

Day 7-Grandparents I have been fortunate and thankful to have grown up with these four individuals living close around. They have been through every good and bad moment of my life. I love them all for their individuality and support.

Day 8-Technology Being able to see and talk to my nieces through the phone...who would have thunk it. I still remember the Christmas we got our first computer, the first time I needed a cellphone to call for help and the first time I heard of an iPod. Now these things are just a part of my life.

Day 9-Photography I love the way a moment can be frozen in time for forever. People can stay young forever in a photo. A moment quickly forgotten in the camera of the human mind...can be recreated seeing it in print. I'm thankful for those who share this talent...enabling us to view the world through the eyes of another.

Day 10-Fall I love this time of year...although we don't see the leaves change color, have temperatures plummet to freezing and rain turning into snow; there is something that seems to change in the air this time of year. The world seems to slow down and people seem to be a lot happier. I love that the weather does get somewhat cooler...allowing us to open up the house for a good airing out. I love that the oranges are ripe and I can have all the fresh squeezed orange juice I want. It's a time for family and holiday gatherings. It's just a magical time of year.

Day 11-Holidays Part of the reason I'm so thankful for the fall is because it brings the holiday season. Nothing says fall like the holidays. Halloween...begins the season with all its ghosts and goblins, plus it's the day we celebrate my brother and uncle's births. A holiday filled with candy and costumes. You can become anyone or anything for the night. Next up, turkey day...Thanksgiving. Nothing says the holidays like the family gathered around the table enjoying a feast prepared by the hands of one who loves you. Parades, football and food....what more could you ask for in a holiday. Finally, my favorite of the holiday season...Christmas. The sights, sounds, smells all make me love this time of the season.

Day 12- Music You know the question...what three things would you bring if you were stranded on a desert island? No, doubt in my mind music would be at the top of the list. It's what gets me through the good times and bad. It brings back wonderful memories...gives me such energy and happiness. I can do any task as long as I have music.

Day 13-Baking Nothing puts a person in a good mood like the aroma of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven. I am so grateful I have the talent to bake. I so enjoy watching others devour the creations I just made.

Day 14-Senses I am definitely thankful for my five senses. Sight...the ability to witness such beauties like the flowers blooming, a baby walking for the first time, the joy on a child's face Christmas morning, etc. Sound...to be able to listen to the birds chirp, to hear the laughter of loved ones and to hear the music that I love so much. Taste...to be able to sample those wonderful aromas. To enjoy the taste of favorite foods. Smell...to open a door and smell fresh bread baking, to smell a scented candle burning, to smell a campfire on a chilly night. Touch...to feel the warm embrace of a hug or a tear sliding down the cheek.

Day 15-Animals I am fortunate enough to have grown up around animals. They bring such a calmness to life. They bring a joy and a fear. Nothing beats having a bad day and getting up on a horse and riding the cares away. Nothing beats watching a kitten play or having a dog look up at you with his big brown eyes...knowing you care for him and will pet him for forever.

Day 16-Southern Comforts I love living the "slower" way of life. I love hearing the southern drawls to a person's voice. I love biscuits and gravy, grits, boiled peanuts and fried chicken.