Thankfulness Times Ten

 Today's Thankfulness theme is what is going on in my life this day.....

( when I originally wrote it a week ago..... :)  )

Thankfulness Times Ten

Here are the guidelines I have for this thankfulness theme……

Just find ten things I am thankful for, in the moment. I have no rules...I may go over ten, if I cannot help myself......I may repeat myself.....and, I will write in no particular order of importance. If you feel inspired to do the same....do link yourself here in the comment section.  All of these will go toward my own 1,000 Gifts.

As I go through my days, I keep thinking of my gratitude in themes......like, ten items of gratefulness for each member of my family, when I look out my window, while I am on my exercise walk.......etc., etc., etc. 


I am thankful for......


71. .......returning to my latest "new" happy place. That special spot on the river. And where I sit now to write this post. 

The view before me.....
 

The view to the left.....
 

And the view to the right.......

 

Sigh of gratefulness.

 

72.  .........the relationships between my own children and the children of my best friend. The other best friend. The youngest six of her seven have always had us in their lives. And the youngest of my six, the same. They have grown up together and are as close as siblings. We are so blessed. They just love each other's company.

I found seven of them sitting on the couch together the other morning when I first awakened.......such a sweet surprise. 
Only one of these is mine.....and I love how he is surrounded by her three youngest.

 

73. ..........a new educational plan for my youngest. One of my other best friends......is going to include my little guy in her home this year as she homeschools her daughter in the same grade. Hopefully this will work out well for all involved. He has known her two kids since their births.....practically as siblings. And he looks like the oldest one, too. They are mistaken for siblings often.

Here they are......homeschooling themselves this summer.......  :)

 

74. .........hamburgers. I just love good hamburgers. So simple. So yummy. We are having hamburgers for dinner tonight. Yum. My oldest boy will be making them. Yum.

 

75. .........a day with low amount of smoke. California is extremely dry. Like a tinder box. And like every summer, those dry lightning storms start fires. Only this year......it's too dry. Our little valley has been smoky for over a week due to being surrounded by fires in all directions.

 

76. ........for firefighters. They put their lives at risk to protect us. I am grateful for that. And I always keep them in my prayers. 

77. ..........naps. Maybe it is the full-time job, but in this last year I have napped so much better than ever before. I also need more naps. Probably because of the job. My friend Micki who passed away in January loved her naps. Every time I think about how much I love my naps, I think of her. I miss her.
 

78. ........kids who beg me to stop by the store on the way home from the river so they can buy ME some ice cream. 

79. .........friends who can walk my four miles with me when they come to visit. Willa does it. And the other BFF, Gloria, does. That is who I am walking with this week. And probably some of next week when I go to San Francisco for a visit. Nice quality time while keeping fit. Sooooo enjoy their conversation.  So much so......that when they are not with me, I call them so they can keep me company when I walk. :)

80. ........chapstick.  I need it. I don't have very dry lips. I just don't like my lips dry. I have a Burt's Bees in every bag. Every coat pocket. Each of my cars. I even take on my walks and carry in my pocket at work. 

And that's it for now......

San Francisco Summer blessings to you,

                                                         Chari


P.S.  Research shows that folks who use journaling to write what they are thankful for...instead of just a place to vent, find their lives are more happy, more satisfying.  Let's go there!

 

 

 

 

Thankfulness Times Ten

 

 Today's Thankfulness theme is what is going on in my life this day.....

( when I originally wrote it two weeks ago..... :)  )

Thankfulness Times Ten

Here are the guidelines I have for this thankfulness theme……

Just find ten things I am thankful for, in the moment. I have no rules...I may go over ten, if I cannot help myself......I may repeat myself.....and, I will write in no particular order of importance. If you feel inspired to do the same....do link yourself here in the comment section.  All of these will go toward my own 1,000 Gifts.

As I go through my days, I keep thinking of my gratitude in themes......like, ten items of gratefulness for each member of my family, when I look out my window, while I am on my exercise walk.......etc., etc., etc. 


I am thankful for......

 

61.........for finding a new "Happy Place"   My boys talked me into going to The River with them. I can't believe I have lived here 25 years and this was the first time I have been here! Actually, I am writing this blog post from my beach chair. :) It is so nice and beautiful here. I love it! 

 

 

This is elephant palm

 

The only flower I saw that day.

This is The Sacramento River.  One of the two most important rivers on California. Well, the other is "just" an aqueduct. So this is the most important river in California. And it's headwaters are in my little town. 

My oldest boy and my youngest boy and a college friend of the oldest.

62. ........a warm summer. Finally. Even if we are in the midst of one of the longest heatwaves we have ever had here. Think 88*-101*, but mostly high nineties. And while our humidity usually runs around 21%, we have been challenged by humidity higher than 60%. And while that may be laughable to our friends in the East or South...... It is a lot more than what we are used to! 

The boys swimming in the river....a much needed cooling off.

 

My personal rule to never complain about the heat of summer is because I have "Fear of The Lord".......I worry that if I complain about the heat, He will cheerfully lengthen our winters. And I want no part of that!! ;)

 

63. ........the wonderful sounds of Nature! At this moment in time there are only two sounds:  excessive cricket buzzing and the mild rapids of the river. Simply wonderful. 

 

64. ........meeting an author this weekend while I was working. She just finished her third book. There is a bit of story about how I came to learn about her first book (hoping for a blog post about it).......but I will suffice it to say that she gave me a copy of that book for my local library.....but I get to read it first!  I am 45 pages in already......having an opportunity to read here on the river in my beach chair. Hooked. It's a memoir. 

 

 

 

65. ..........the lovely flower bed my friend Louise gifted to me for my birthday last year.  It has been a wonderful and colorful blessing to watch the colors appear from spring through summer. And the bees are so happy and the hummingbird comes in for frequent treats throughout the day.

 

66.  ...........the chance to feel FIT at age fifty. Getting my daily walks in has been wonderful. Wish I had taken the time when my kids were younger...... Not just with them. I did that. But I mean for my health. Young mothers......take.  the.  time. 

67. .........my offspring who are so amazing in the kitchen. Such excellent cooks. Makes up for my lack of excitement or desire there. 

My oldest boy led the way in creating a delicious four-course meal after our river outing.
As it was just the four of us home for five days,
he made a comment that it was so quiet on those five days,
none of the melancholics were home.  :)
It was so true. Just a sanguine and her phlegmatic boys.  :)

 

68. .........that my kids made it through the perils of young childhood. All that worry is gone. Of course, they are replaced by bigger and scarier fears.......but I don't expect them to choke on a penny anymore. 

69. ............the internet friends who came by for visits this summer. 

Theresa, whom I have linked on this blog before.......came by from Alaska.   

My Malachy and her J-Bug, both almost 13, got along quite well.
They enjoyed our hike out to the meadow.

 

And JoAnn, who also has six kids, about the same age as mine, but only one girl.....came by from Colorado. 

Chari & JoAnn about to sit down for a tea party.

JoAnn and four of her kids........in our meadow.
My home is on the other side of those low trees in the background.
 

 

I may live in the country, but only minutes away is the most important highway in the west, goes from Mexico to Canada. It means I am on people's' way from Point A to Point B. :)

Like I said on Facebook recently.......Blessed are those who live near I-5, for they shall see many visitors.  :)

70. .........an opportunity to sit here by the river in the cooling air, writing a blog post on my iPhone, surrounded by the sounds of nature, in a very, very peaceful setting. So. Nice. 

 

So. Good. For. My. Soul. 

Blessed. 

I need to do this more often. :)

                                    Chari


P.S.  Research shows that folks who use journaling to write what they are thankful for...instead of just a place to vent, find their lives are more happy, more satisfying.  Let's go there!

Thankfulness Times Ten: Christmas Eve 2013 Edition

 Today's Thankfulness theme is what is going on in my life this day.....

Thankfulness Times Ten

Here are the guidelines I have for this thankfulness theme……

Just find ten things I am thankful for, in the moment. I have no rules...I may go over ten, if I cannot help myself......I may repeat myself.....and, I will write in no particular order of importance. If you feel inspired to do the same....do link yourself here in the comment section.  All of these will go toward my own 1,000 Gifts.

As I go through my days, I keep thinking of my gratitude in themes......like, ten items of gratefulness for each member of my family, when I look out my window, while I am on my exercise walk.......etc., etc., etc. 


I am thankful for......

51. .....the heavy whipping cream for my tea.  I only allow myself to have it in my house from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day.....or......if I am visiting someone and they have it.  This keeps me from taking in all those unnecessary fat calories that I do not need.  I have to get my fat from the good stuff......this is definitely not the good stuff.  Though it tastes so good. My! can it transform a cup of tea!


 52.......the cinnamon roll recipe that I inherited from my brother-in-law's wife about 24 years ago.  It is now my own version......and I will just say this year's batch is especially delish!  I always made them and filled the freezer before each baby was due so that we could quickly celebrate.  Always for Christmas breakfast and for Christmas gifts......and many times for Easter breakfast.  Can I just say: NUM?  Please come by to share with me!


53......... my Internet friends, Rachel and Theresa, introducing me to Doctor Who.  I always felt like I was missing out on a fourth of their Facebook conversation.  They sent me in the right direction.....and I have been hooked ever since.  Today, while I work, I will see the last episode of Season Six.  Now where can I go from here?


54........my iPhone.  Easy to take that Doctor Who around with me while I work.....and easy to bring Christmas music into my day.


55.......the college kid who drove himself all the up our very long state and safely arrived yesterday.  Love his sense of humor and his conversation.


56.......the oldest daughter who is driving home from San Francisco as I write this.......after a visit to her other sister.


57........sunshine in December, and a green Christmas.  Yes, we desperately need the snow.  But I am definitely not going to complain about this mild weather. Nope.  Not me.

58. ........the two girls sleeping on my couch.  The oldest daughters of my own best friend Gloria (the other one who is not Willa), they are best friends to my kids........Catherine is 14 years, Clariemarie, 12.  Last night, with my 12 year old Malachy, they had a jolly time cooking up goodies in the kitchen....without any adult supervision.  We have arrived.  And they were making meringue cookies, of all things. These kids have never known life without each other, they have been friends for so long.....closer than cousins.


59........my best friend Gloria and her family are here in Mount Shasta for two weeks.  Since they purchased a second home here last September, we have had many more visits. Looking forward to lots of quality time together this Christmas season.


60........my husband who cooks up the Christmas Eve dinner every year.  It seems to have become our tradition.  I appreciate how it frees me to stay focused on getting the rest of Christmas together so we can keep on making our family memories.


60.5.......that handful of readers we have for our blog.  You are wonderful to interact with......we enjoy your company very much!  Thank you for sharing with us.



And..........now we have my fifth entry.  Only 900 to go.  1/10 completed!


God bless all of you on this Christmas Eve 2013!


                 In Christmas Gratitude,

                                    Chari


P.S.  Research shows that folks who use journaling to write what they are thankful for...instead of just a place to vent, find their lives are more happy, more satisfying.  Let's go there!

 

 

Thankfulness Times Ten: Thanksgiving Day 2013 Edition

Motivated by Thanksgiving Day.........

Today's Thankfulness theme is what is going on in my life this week.....

Thankfulness Times Ten

Here are the guidelines I have for this thankfulness theme……

Just find ten things I am thankful for, in the moment. I have no rules...I may go over ten, if I cannot help myself......I may repeat myself.....and, I will write in no particular order of importance. If you feel inspired to do the same....do link yourself here in the comment section.  All of these will go toward my own 1,000 Gifts.

As I go through my days, I keep thinking of my gratitude in themes......like, ten items of gratefulness for each member of my family, when I look out my window, while I am on my exercise walk.......etc., etc., etc. 


I am thankful for......


41.........my oldest son (kid #2) coming home for a week for Thanksgiving......including his 23rd birthday on the 26th of November.  Happy Birthday, Matthew!


42.......... my son feeling comfortable enough to bring three friends home with him from college.  I am glad that they have had a chance to take a "vacation" from the stresses of school.  Joe from Canada and Jordan from Minnesota could not go home for such a short visit.......though it may have taken just as long to drive here as it would have for them to have flown home  ;).........and Micah from Southern California.  Nice boys.  I mean, men.  They are all over age 20.  All juniors at Thomas Aquinas College..........about ten hours away.


43...........my other best friend and her husband buying a house in Mount Shasta at the end of summer.  I love that they come up so much more often from San Francisco.  I wish I could see her more.......but at least our kids are getting more time together. 


44..............my dad deciding to come visit us for Thanksgiving week.  The kids are thrilled to have him here.  As I write this.......they are all laying on top of him on a couch.......watching Indiana Jones.  Okay.  Maybe laying next to him. Donuts, chips and salsa, rootbeer and ice cream all purchased.  Oh, and whipping cream for coffee.







45...........for spontaneity.  At the last minute, we decided to go to the movie theater to see the new Disney movie, Frozen.  Kind of cute.  The scenery was fantastical. 






46............for kids who feel comfortable in the kitchen.  The moment we were in the door after the movie, my 16 year old son and my best friend's 14 year old daughter Catherine immediately got to work making peppermint bark....for the second time this week.......and my 12 year old son and my best friend's 12 year old daughter Clairemarie immediately went to work baking two lemon pies. And no one asked them to do this.......it was just on their hearts and their stomachs to do so.



47......Skype, yet again.  My sweet baby girl is in Slovakia for a year as a Rotary Youth Exchange student.  Skype gives a chance........for FREE.......to not miss each other so much.  I took my computer around our property so that her host father and sister could see our property via Skype.  I showed The Mountain to them as well as the three-story fort and giant swing-set.  They thought it must be summer here because the sun was shining so bright and everything is green (evergreen, that is!) and such an incredibly blue sky.  I showed them that all of the leaves were missing in the orchard....but the green distracted them.  :)


48..........my daughter Sarah getting to make it home for a quick visit, only one month after having moved to San Francisco. Her brother scooped her up on his way up here.  Our cousin will take her back. It is nice for my oldest daughter to have her sister here for the week.  Nice for me, too.


49............living just a mile or so off of the most important interstate on the west coast.  Because of our location we get many visitors simply because they are passing by.  Even some of our internet friends have made arrangements to visit.  I am especially grateful this week because my husband's Cousin Debora and her husband David and their son Josh were able to spend over an hour with us, on their way to Oregon to see Grandma for the Thanksgiving holiday.  They are a delightful family and we enjoy their company very much.  Josh does not have any cousins his age, so he really likes to be with Malachy.  Coming back through again on Saturday..........double the visit!


50............ lastly, that Willa was able to drop her boys off at my house last Sunday and come spend 25 minutes with me at work on my break.  Not very long for two friends who are used to hours for chatting, whether on the phone or in person.  We still managed....but it was so hard to say goodbye.



And..........now we have my fourth entry.  Only 950 to go. 


God bless all of you on this Thanksgiving 2013!


In Gratitude,

                   Chari

PS  Research shows that folks who use journaling to write what they are thankful for...instead of just a place to vent, find their lives are more happy, more satisfying.  Let's go there!

 

 

 

 

Thankfulness Times Ten

Thankfulness Times Ten

Here are the guidelines I have for this thankfulness theme……

Just find ten things I am thankful for, in the moment. I have no rules...I may go over ten, if I cannot help myself......I may repeat myself.....and, I will write in no particular order of importance. If you feel inspired to do the same....do link yourself here in the comment section.  All of these will go toward my own 1,000 Gifts.

As I go through my days, I keep thinking of my gratitude in themes......like, ten items of gratefulness for each member of my family, when I look out my window, while I am on my exercise walk.......etc., etc., etc. 


I am thankful for.......

31..........an incredible and high-quality basketball coach for my middle son. The kind of man that makes my son want to work hard.


32........affordable community soccer program for my boys.  I do wish we had a more go competitive situation for them that was not over an hour away......but it is something. For that I am grateful. By competitive, I mean more challenging.....something closer to their abilities......

Malachy, age 11.9, stands closest to the ball.

33.......pizza. Especially homemade pizza. Especially kids who are all clever and excellent at baking homemade pizza. :)


34.......low-to-the-ground beach chairs. I love the way they hold me up. Like a recliner.......


35..........my beautiful Yukon XL. It is raspberry colored and so wonderful. I love.my.car. My husband researched to find just the right car for  us......we bought it in 2007 just in time for cross-country trip, Our Star-Spangled Adventure.  perfect fit.  for me.


36..........music.  All kinds.  I love so many genre........I am so glad that music speaks so to my soul.  My kids are the same........and one of them just described herself and the youngest two as "music junkies".........not sure that is a good thing.  ;)   I have to work hard sometimes to keep from turning the music on.....so my soul can have some quiet time to hear God.


37...........oatmeal.  Not my favorite food.  I do not love it.......used to barely be able to tolerate it.  But I like how healthy it is.......I know my body likes it. So, I am thankful for it. I start every non-work day with it.  Work-days get more protein in the morning.


38...........clipboards.  They keep everything together.  My kids must be addicted to them as well.......there are not any in the cupboard.......and I have only one homeschooler here now.  They are perfect for homeschoolers.........it makes a small portable desk.  Each kid got their own when they were young........and stickers to decorate it.  And then, I had lots of extra.  Well-used here. Now, where are they?????


39............living so close to Oregon Shakespeare Festival........only one-point-two-five hours north of home.  Even though I have lived here for almost 25 years.......this year was the first chance that I was able to attend a show.  Last night I saw my third one this year!  All of them, thus far, awesome.  The best theatre I have ever seen......or at least tied with my two Wicked shows.......  Here is the reason why I have been able to attend this year......ever so grateful.  And, I just found out that the kids will have another year to apply!  Too bad I only have one kid in the charter school still.......phooey.


40..........lovely pears from our own mini-orchard.  Yum.  They smell heavenly.












And..........now we have my third entry.  Only 960 to go.  God bless!


In Gratitude,

                   Chari

PS  Research shows that folks who use journaling to write what they are thankful for...instead of just a place to vent, find their lives are more happy, more satisfying.  Let's go there!

 

 

 

 

TUAR Tea Time Rambling, and Thankfulness

 I see that I last wrote on here almost exactly a month ago!    Since then I have gone up to Oregon and back, and then waaay up to Alaska, where my brothers and I had an informal family reunion and went through the last of our parents' things up there, and visited some of our old family and personal friends.  

Lunch with my good friend in Oregon

Once I was back home, I guess because things have been so busy and now are quieting down, I plunged into a sort of ocean of philosophical reading.   And I decided to start taking fitness seriously, now that I am over half a century old, so I have been spending a lot of time walking and listening to podcasts -- mostly on philosophy and theology. 

Lupines on my daily walk in the National Forest

My daughter put together this composite photo.    The second is her wedding in 2013, and the first is her parents' wedding 28 years earlier.      Besides my 80's hair, do you notice anything?  Yes, we are wearing the very same wedding dress.    Since both my parents passed away before this latest wedding, I am glad that the dress that they paid for and that I kept in a bag under the bed all these years was repurposed so beautifully. 

When I was confirmed into the Catholic Church just at the same time that she was baptized into the Church, I would have prayed for just such a holy courtship and wedding for her as she and her husband have had.

The Dress, 28 Years Ago, and 1 1/2 Months Ago

In line with Chari's theme of Thankfulness, I will quickly list my first ten things:

1. Asian noodles and chopsticks.... the former, also a dietary staple of Aidan's.
2. Old dear friends (it is Clare's godmother Belle that I shared the lunch in Oregon with, and I actually met Belle in RCIA class when I was pregnant with Clare -- she was sponsoring her then-fiance who was confirmed the same time as me)
3. Philosophy podcasts!  I have just finished listening to this series on Philosophy and the Faith by Fr Francis Selman. 
4. New wildflowers every week on my walk.... the lupines are particularly numerous this year.
5. My daughter, who I miss since she's now across the country from me -- Aidan keeps asking, "When are we going to pick up Clare???"
6. The towering sugar pines and incense cedars -- they keep our house shady and breezy even during this heat spell. 
7. Piano lessons without having to drive 30-60 miles.  Paddy's starting to play pieces that actually sound like pieces.  
8. Aidan's bursts of joyful chuckles almost every morning as he skips across the loft on various projects -- I'm blessed that his adolescent hormones seem to make him euphoric rather than dysphoric -- most of the time, anyway.
9. Reading The Two Towers to Paddy in the evening out on our porch, as the bats and flying squirrels start gliding and wheeling.  
10.  My CSA subscription -- my first year doing this and it's great, since gardens are logistically difficult up here in the Sierra Mts.    I love trying out things that I usually don't buy at the store, like turnips, and kale, and summer squash.    It makes the kitchen more fun. 

CSA cornucopia

Thankfulness Times Ten

Thankfulness Times Ten

Here are the guidelines I have for this thankfulness theme……

Just find ten things I am thankful for, in the moment. I have no rules...I may go over ten, if I cannot help myself......I may repeat myself.....and, I will write in no particular order of importance. If you feel inspired to do the same....do link yourself here in the comment section.  All of these will go toward my own 1,000 Gifts.

I am thankful for.......


 11. ....the recent & healthy delivery of sweet little Maya Grace.  Her parents were the only ones in my last childbirth class so we had great one-on-one.....I mean, one-on-two.......time.  Mom is a practicing and rosary-praying Catholic.  We hit it off so well that we are now friends and I have been invited to Maya's first birthday party. I just love this couple.  And their sweet lass is gorgeous and I am so glad that I got to be a part of their wonderful birth story.


12. .....the nice camera that I have right now.



13.......for the promise of an SLR in the next year or two.  I was overwhelmed when I began my research for a camera earlier this year.....if anyone has any advice, I would gladly receive it.


14........the gift  of my ability to catch some pretty special photos.


15........the smell of good coffee........even if I do not drink it.


16.......an excellent conversation with my littlest sister Jennifer in planning our July 2013 visit to Oahu.

Taken in Summer of 2011
while riding a catamaran out into the ocean,
looking back on Honolulu
(expecting to repeat this cool experience in Summer 2013!)

17.......the beautiful places on Oahu and the fun things to see and do while there.



18........my iPhone.  I have a post somewhere describing how happy this little gadget makes me.  (I still have to finish it.) A surprise since I had resisted it for so long.  It really does help me to get to read more books.....what isn't there to like about it then? ;)  Life really is all about the reading, right? ;)


19........the daily cup of tea.  I wonder if that will keep showing up?  I will probably be drinking my morning tea every time I write these thankfulness posts.  Just.like.I.am.now.



20........arnica.  The most used homeopathic in my house.  For bumps and bruises, muscle aches and pains, pre- and post-surgery, shock.....and concussions.


I think I might have time to add ten more today........I have been thinking in themes.....but I will save that for another time.


21..........my ability to be very good a planning travel for me and mine.  See Our Star-Spangled Adventure , our 2007 cross-country trip, for online details.  I am exceptionally good.  Really.



22........that I actually did finally start a blog in 2007........because I love finding the memories of our days and years.  I am always surprised that I wrote certain things down.  Such a gift to find the details.  For instance, I came across this memory a few days ago.......while I remember much of that week, including the pain.....I had forgotten some of the minor details. Very sweet to relive that rough week.


23........new leather couches!  Our blue couches were horrid.  Comfortable, but they fell apart five minutes after we bought them.  And continued down that path for the next ten years.

 

Out with the old.......

 

 

 

.....in with the new!

24.........sprouted wheat bread.  We started eating this type of bread over two decades ago. I hear it is the best for you: calorie-wise, CHO-wise, fat-content-wise and protein-wise.  Our favorite brand: Alvarado Street Bakery. Stole this picture from their Facebook page.....hope they won't mind.  I am offering free advertising after all.  :)  My two favorite flavors are on the top: spouted wheat bread in the green and the onion and poppy bagel in the red. Mmmmm.   They are very earthy so if you hate that flavor, these will not be pleasing to you.

25........the Summit Co-op, run by my friend Pam.....the last existing Co-op around here.......through it, I am able to buy the above bread, my favorite teas, my homeopathics, toothpaste and hair products, spices and seasonings, favorite natural sodas (for summer), organic milk and yogurt.......and more.  A huge blessing. I used to buy lots more from there.........but the effect of the economy has caused me to buy less from there.  :(

26.......access to fresh fruits and veggies.



27.........my oldest daughter, Anne, who, without being asked, has taken on all of the gardening this year........from greenhouse, to planting seeds, to watering, to weeding.  She is such a blessing.

28........visits from family........my dad is here now with my youngest daughter's best friend since birth, Tallulah.


29..........the combination of long grain brown rice and wild rice in my pressure cooker.  I have finally got close to the flavor of pilaf in those fancy restaurants........but probably healthier and tastier! Nummmmmm.


30........my husband bringing a 4 (FOUR!) terabyte external harddrive to store all of my massive amounts of picture-taking.



          And..........now we have my second entry.  Only 970 to go.  If I can keep up a good pace, maybe I shall call this my "Summer of Gratitude."   God bless!


In Gratitude,

                   Chari

PS  Research shows that folks who use journaling to write what they are thankful for...instead of just a place to vent, find their lives are more happy, more satisfying.  Let's go there!