365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 56

I am grateful I happened to see my.neighbor today :):):) I haven't seen her forever and she is having a garage sale tomorrow so we are going to join in......should be great fun:):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 42

I am grateful for wonderful people that help you out when you need it just because :):);) Thank you Kristin!

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 41

I am grateful for a terrific Christmas. 

This year was remarkable in that we did zero gift giving ….that is correct, 0.  It was spectacular!

I love gifts just as much as the next person, however, one day a year when you are trying to find things for everyone you love is overwhelming at best.

This year Christmas was so close to T Day that it truly did sneak up on us.  We all proactively made a choice for our gifts to be no gifts.

This was so incredibly liberating………….the day was about the day, the experience and enjoying each other’s company.  There was no frantically running around, late night wrapping, pre formed expectations, wondering if you bought the right thing, did you buy enough……….none of that.

We woke up early and watched the sunrise while sipping coffee, listened to the stillness and calm of the morning.

After making our yummy green drink in the Vitamix, we went for a bike ride to the top of Friendship Park where we took in the incredible views of the city, harbor and all the way down to Orange County.

We then decided we would pack up our swim stuff and the dog and head to Belmont Shores for a swim.  We donned our wetsuits and jumped in……….OMG was it cold. Our faces and heads were freezing at first but we adjusted after the first ten minutes or so ----- I do have to say, the best part was probably getting back out J Note to self, get myself one of those neoprene hoodies for winter swimming. 

My husband then went for a long run and I took the dog out for a stroll in Belmont – it was about 75 degrees and terrific. 

Afterwards we all went and got lunch at a wonderful Mediterranean Restaurant called BouBouffe  ,  eat and relaxed.

Stopped at the store to get dinner makings, came home, made some dinner (wasn’t one of my finest unfortunately) we wished all of our friends and family a  Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and called it a day.

All in all, perfect :):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 24

I am grateful we were able to sponsor a booth and runners at "Quench the Fire" an awareness run for chronic pain! It is a great cause, was a terrific event, lots of fun and we had great team support :):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 14

Got a little distracted with all the holiday goins ons :) I am grateful that Thanksgiving was a smashing success!  All family got along swimmingly as usual, we stuck to our pescatarian ways for the second year in a row, my vegan mashed potatoes were a crowd pleaser and we got up and did a long run :):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 13

Today I've got nothing :(.
Just kidding :):):):):)
Today is the big day of Gratitude......it is Thanksgiving, the day when people all over the US of A are celebrating what they are grateful for.

I am grateful I am joined with family and friends. I am grateful that it is a beautiful crisp day outside and the sunshine is beaming proudly. I am grateful for the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen (even if it is bacon and because of my pescitarian ways I won't be partaking) --- it does smell delicious!  Yesterday I got to run in the rain and there was a little creek flowing and it was so rejuvinating and peaceful.........I am grateful for all of these things and many more!!!!!


How bout you? I would love to hear what you are grateful for...........


Happy T Day!

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 8

I am grateful for the rain :):);) The rain is amazing with its healing properties, soothing sounds and ability to wash away the soot and leave us with beautiful skies, snow covered mountains and crisp views of the city and ocean :):);)

Don't forget to vote below on what you are grateful for:

"Stunning views from the Central Coast "

365 days of Gratitude Rollover day 7

I am grateful I got to come home to a warm house, a warm bed, my husband and dog and we all cuddled up and watched movies together :):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 6

I am grateful my friend Millie enlisted me to help her take a persons bags who has been homeless for awhile to the bus stop.
This person needed to catch the bus and was having a hard time getting around and she offered to help with the load. We all gathered his things and started our journey.
I could see he was having a tough time with the cart, he was limping, he didn't have a belt to hold up his pants and was carrying way too much, so I offered to pull that. Once I started with his cart I could understand why he was having such a tough time because it was heavy! As we trucked down the sidewalk 2 women and this man who is homeless all carrying his belongings, needless to say, we got some strange looks. The trick with carrying his cart to ease the load was to keep it low to the ground so Millie then offered to carry that since she was shorter......she is great - offering to help, bringing to it her effervescent laugh and smile and making the whole experience fun and not awkward for any of us, especially him:)
What really took me aback in this process was that this man may not have had a lot of things and certainly has disadvantages beyond normal, but what he did have is pride, determination, resourcefulness and a big smile.
We got to our destination and dropped him off  and wished him safe travels......he turned to us and thanked us and hoped we had a nice day.
As we walked back together we couldn't help but discuss the plight of being homeless and how hard it must be. She discussed how we get caught up in our own stuff and forget there is a world of problems out there with real people connected to them and that she wanted to do more to help.

I am grateful I have a home, a friend like Mil and the opportunity and desire to help where I can and in the future to remember to look for more:):):)

How do you help? I would love to hear your story

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 5

Today I am grateful I mustered the energy to go running last night, I have been learning a ton of new skills at my leadership class and I can hear the ducks quacking outside of my room :):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 4

Good Moring;)

I am grateful I was able to change from my noisy room and got moved to one on the fourth floor. I woke up to a beautiful silhouette of palm trees with a burst of the sunrise through the clouds behind them.

Quick appetizer or side dish:

Sauté oyster mushrooms (or better yet a combo of oyster and crimini) in a tablespoon of back truffle oil (finally found some at Trader Joes) with a bit of salt and pepper.

Sauté for about 5 minutes and voila ;););)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 3

Hello:). Today I am grateful all the scheduling worked out, everyone was seen on time, met some nice people, I found my misplaced items and I got to the airport with time to spare :):):)

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 2

Today I am grateful that I accomplished so much yesterday :):):) I am grateful for the yummy soup recipes that I got from my mother-in-law that I made for dinner last night.  I am going to share it all with you so you too can enjoy.
Anyone have any gratitudes they want to share?

Mama Sue “Lentil Soup and Pea Soup”  Fast/Easy and Super Healthy and Tasty

Lentil:

2-3 carrots diced

1 Cup celery chopped

½ Cup green pepper diced

1 small onion chopped

Garlic, black pepper and oregano

Sauté all ingredients in 2 TBLS olive oil

add 8 oz tomato sauce

6 Cups water

1 lbs of washed lentils

Bring to boil ad lower to Med heat for 30 minutes

Add 1 large or 2 small diced potatoes

Cook for additional 30 minutes

Add salt, pepper ad some chili powder

Stir pot every 15 minutes

Eat and Enjoy – YUMMMMMMMM JJJ

Pea Soup:

Same as lentil except:

Use split peas

Omit tomato sauce, green pepper and chili powder

Note, with pea soup you may need an additional 15 minutes of cooking

Enjoy!!!!!!! 

365 Days of Gratitude Rollover day 1

A year ago I decided to challenge myself to write down 365 days of Gratitude as I felt I had so much to be grateful for :).
Fast forward, I did it!!!! I completed all 365 days - it went fast. I learned that it is all the simple things that I am truly grateful for in life ......... Family, friends, nature, and the ubundance of options and opportunity.
Moving forward, I miss documenting my daily gratitudes so I am rolling it over for another 365 :):):).

My hope this time around is that you share with me what you are grateful for as well........

Today I am so grateful that God has a greater plan and knows how and when to set us on the better course. I am grateful for this beautiful day, the never ending encouragement my husband gives me to pursue DoggsLife.com, the walk I took with my dog and the rose that was hiding that I found and got to enjoy its aroma.

Find your daily gratitude, share with us all and enjoy everyday as if it was your last.

Xo!


Viva la DoggsLife!!!!  Why should Dogs have all the fun;)

I will miss you :(:)

Today I lost my best friend, my dog - Woody.

I cannot begin to describe the sense of loss, despair and complete hole in my heart that has been left behind. For anyone that is reading this that has lost a pet that they loved and cherished, you know exactly how I feel. My dog Woody found me 16 years ago when I was not even thinking about having a completely unconditionally loving, caring, loyal and full of life little canine in my care.

16 years ago I went out for hair products, minding my own business I stumbled across this adorable, furry friend that wanted nothing to do with me - that's right, nothing to do with me. Well, me of course being a glutton for punishment thought " I will show you" ignore me, no way -- you will come home with me and I will take care of you:) It was love at first sight for me. I bailed on the hair product and found myself signing some adoption papers and 30 minutes later carrying this adorable little pup and placing him in the front seat of my red convertible Driving home with the wind blowing through our hair, he still wanted nothing to do with me - turns out, he was not well and had a gimpy stomach to say the least.

He was clearly uncomfortable wimping and wining so I put him down on the living room floor with a little blanket and I carefully laid down next to him for the next four nights trying to comfort this sweet little being. Well he perked up like no one's business and within one week and without even asking he became my most faithful guardian and friend.

We of course had our trials and tribulations but like a fine wine, this little hound just kept getting better with age.

I am still numb at the fact that my most faithful friend is no longer here to greet me at the door, wake me up with "snout-hoggling and kisses", patiently and expectantly waiting for his morning breakfast and wagging his tail feverishly while eating it. I will miss all the little nuances to my furry friend and loyal companion. He was full of life. love and happiness - you could actually see him smile.

Here I am 16 years later with my loving friend, losing a year long battle with melanoma of the lip. Three surgeries, a course of radiation and six melanoma vaccines right back where we started -- sleeping on the floor with him for four nights trying to comfort my best friend, desperately hoping he will perk back up. I searched, hoped, prayed and googled trying to find some other solution than what ultimately took place -- to my complete and utter dismay, there was no solution. I never thought that I could have my dog put to sleep as I selfishly wanted him to be with me forever. To see him suffer was more than I could bear - he didn't deserve cancer or to be in the pain that it was causing him - the pain killers didn't make a dent and he was most bravely suffering. Wednesday I took him to my regular vet and that night he got even worse - on Thursday, July 8th I reluctantly but knowingly took him to the cancer specialists who informed me that the cancer had spread to his brain and there is nothing more we can do and it was time to let him go. As much as I didn't want to admit it, I knew that was where we were heading. I couldn't let him continue being in pain. They were extraordinarily kind, compassionate and patient. While I waited for my husband to arrive i cradled Woody in my arms and tried to calm him as much as I could. When my husband arrived we sat with him together - i held Woody in my lap and my husband held me -- the doctor came in and gently explained what would happen and asked if we were ready - If we were not my beloved dog was - he was shaking and whimpering uncontrollably. They gave him a dose of medication to put him to sleep and than a medication to stop his heart - it happened within minutes, there he was looking so peaceful laying in my arms. I burst out in tears immediately feeling my loss. My husband was so loving and supportive and he too devastated by our loss. They let us take as much time as we needed with him and we must have cradled him for an hour. Unable to really fathom what life was going to be like without him we hesitantly had to leave his body behind but brought his soul back home with us.

If you had asked me a week ago if I would have ever considered euthanasia, I would have said there is no way I could do that -- for me, when I saw him suffering I had to put his needs ahead of mine. I love him with all of my heart and I miss him ferociously. We are truly lucky to have had such an incredible friend with his funny side winding walk that loved us with all his heart. i know that we got many more months of quality time that we took wonderful advantage of and we were able to be there with him till the end and hold him in our arms to help him to his next destination.

I love you Woody - I miss you incredibly and I thank you for being such and extra-ordinary part of my life!