Ah, The Blogosphere!!

Today I am so grateful for the blogosphere.

I was asked to complete a meme about real moms. While I've tried to stay off my soapbox on the ole blog, I sort of got going and before I knew it I had an army. It was all in my head of course.

But then the most amazing thing happened.

People started commenting with the most gracious words.

Becoming a member of this weird blogging world has been an incredible experience for me. The community of women--real women--who have so easily extended a hand in friendship has been incredible. There is nothing more empowering than realizing that you are not alone in the world. Women for so long have been sectioned off and pitted against one another. The blogosphere seems to be providing the opportunity for us to join together and realize our strength. I look forward to seeing where we take it.

In the meantime, I'm terribly grateful for the people I've met through blogging and for the chance to be part of this...whatever it is.

Wet Dog Noses

You can be having a REALLY chaotic day and sometimes all it takes is a wet dog nose on your leg to remind you it's the simple things.

Today I am thankful for Charlie's wet dog nose.

Sweet Tooth

I am giving thanks tonight for Ben & Jerry's Creme Brulee ice cream. If anyone else has a flavor worthy of gratitude, me and my tastebuds would love to hear about it.

Sunshine

I live in the Pacific Northwest, the home of rain, rain and more rain. We've had an especially RAINY winter and set records for rainfall over the last few weeks for sure. Flooding everywhere. Rain. Every. Single. Day. It. Rains.

So today, when the clouds parted and the sun came out, I looked up and felt enormous GRATITUDE. Thank you. For the Sun. I missed You, Sun!

So on a day when life handed me lemons in the form of a very unwelcome Aunt Flow, it was nice to look up in the sky and see the lemonade of sun, shining down on me.

Grateful for the sun today. After the rains are over, we are so grateful for the sun.

Lucky Ducky

I ventured over and thought after a day of not feeling so gratuitous I ought to dig down deep and find some sunshine. We all need sunshine in our lives and sometimes it takes a little bit longer to find but it's always there.

My daughter and I fought all day, all day. But I am grateful I have her, very very grateful. She adds so many wonderful things to my life. So much laughter, so many tears. Beautiful photos and drawings and memories. She made me a mom, I am so grateful for her. And to add to that, I am grateful for all those women who made me see just how lucky I am to have her.

I am a lucky ducky.

Thank you

Thank you to Canape for starting this blog, and for giving me the opportunity to contribute. I have been realizing lately how easy it is to complain about little things (the temperature in the office, the traffic, the stressful events at work) -- but that the great things in life are often taken for granted. I look forward to using this space to truly express my appreciation for all of the blessings I have in life.

Today I am extremely grateful that I had a chance to spend time with one of my best friends last night. She's been very busy in the last several months, so I haven't been able to see her much. Her husband arranged a surprise birthday party for her -- and the look on her face when she saw her friends and family gathered was priceless. I'm so glad I could be there to help her celebrate her birthday.

Good friends are worth their weight in gold. I never take a true friendship for granted -- it's a rare and special thing.

Perspective

I am grateful for being comforted by other people's words and photos. That is one of the best things about blogging.

Today, I'm thankful for Bon.

Simple Things

Today I am grateful for some really simple things.

• An arugula salad with local goat cheese, grilled chicken, and strawberries.
• A former student who has returned to my studio. She still trusts me and I am so glad.
• No need for slippers tonight because my little Pupstar is being the perfect foot warmer.
• New sheets that aren't cotton sateen.

I am also grateful that several talented writers and inspiring women are signing up as contributors. I'll make a roll call soon. Thank you for embracing the idea.

Welcome

This blog is for all of us. You can read, you can comment, and you can contribute. Finding the little things in life for which we are grateful is a beautiful way to live.

There are times for sorrow and times for disappointment, every season, and so forth.

Here though, here is a place where we can share our joys. Share the people, moments, pictures, and whatever else it is in our life that causes us to feel grateful.

If you would like to contribute, that would be great. You can become a writer for this blog, or you can email me a submission.

Welcome. I'm grateful you stopped by.