I am having a hard time coming up with something. For those of you who don't know, my family is moving over seas without me. Halloween we are having Thanksgiving (Thanksoween if you will) and I really want to do something in the grateful theme. Like have everybody write something down or say something. But since I'm not in a very err... grateful and happy mood lately, I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions? Perhaps a family Thanksgiving tradition you'd like to share? I want to do something special, I do... but I don't have the heart to think about it a whole lot or come up with anything (read: Lazy *LOL*) I want it to be special because I have a feeling it may be our last holiday together.
Thanks in advance for the help. I AM grateful that I can turn to these boards for inspiration and help and support from such wonderful people!

I think having everyone write something down and having each one read their thoughts out loud is nice.

Maybe saying a special prayer before supper would be good? I am not really good at this kind of stuff either :shrug:

Hmmm... I'm not good at this, either.
What about a Thanksgiving scrapbook? You could fill it with photos, menu, memories ... stuff. :?:

Great idea ellis!

Maybe you can copy some of the pics of previous holidays and make a scrapbook for the family to take overseas with them? I think that would be really nice. :)

Those were some good ideas. Thanks a lot. We had a nice time, we just watched some movies and ate dinner and ignored the elephant in the room completely. So it worked out fine. :) I was thinking about putting together a little scrap book for them of the holidays, but everything gets ruined with the humidity and buggies down there it may not even be worth the effort.

BTW, I am greatful for my Alternachick buddies for all their helpful suggestions and great conversations!

I am very grateful for a perfect weekend.
I had fun with my Mom & nephew, watching a celebrity hockey game that was being played for charity.
One of my dear friends had a beautiful baby girl.
I got to take a wonderful, warm, bubble bath, while reading a good book, and drinking Tim's Hot Chocolate with a shot of toffee liquor.
I had a nice birthday lunch with my family at my favorite place.
2 of my favorite people called to talk.
My house smells like apple pancakes.

I am very grateful for the good mood, since normally by this time of year, my mood is pretty poor.

I'm happy and grateful that I have a kind, intelligent, reassuring and competent vet and the money to pay her. Hershey has some sort of post partum infection and we are all worried but my vet, Leslie, made us all feel better!

Ruth, I'm so glad that Hershey is/will be all right. :grouphug:

Geez, Squeak, I'D be feeling good with all that stuff, too! I'm so glad for you, sweetie. :)

I'm happy that (I think) I've got my Christmas shopping done. And I'm OP.
And I'll be VERY grateful if the garbage man takes everything I've put out today. (I know that man just hates me because we're renovating)

Ruth - hope Hershey is doing better :grouphug:

ellis- We are on the garbage man's love list too with the amount of stuff we have put out over the last two weeks :lol:

I am happy and grateful that we had a safe journey home last night as I was nervous about flying during the winter. We are home safe and sound.

I am also grateful for my wonderful mum and dad who showed up at the airport to pick us up at 10:30 pm last night bearing a flask of Tim Horton's coffee, some doughnuts and scarves and gloves for us :lol: ( it was -18 c when we got home)

okay. I am forcing myself to be gratful instead of cranky. it's tough. *LOL* I'm grateful for the people who offer to give me rides home from work so I don't have to take the horrible bus.
I'm grateful for working out and going more often and the fact that I've lost 2 lbs.
I'm grateful for a very nice day last sunday with my husband. We were alone finally and we had a wonderful time, even when we were just cleaning the house.
i'm grateful my family is going to be getting a phone very soon and then the internet after that and i'll be able to talk to them again.
there. that wasn't so bad. :)

Mauvais, your parents are so sweet. :)

Lizzi, you DO have lots to be thankful for! :hat:

I'm happy because I just had a small article published in a newspaper, and I got paid for it! (the money is irrelevant, but it made me feel good)
And I'm happy because it's Friday, and that means major headway on the kitchen renovations coming up this weekend!

I am happy and grateful to know someone who writes for The Globe and Mail! :lol:

I am H&G for my friend Rob who put up my front porch garlands and lights yesterday while I was shopping. They look gorgeous.

Congrats Ellis! :bravo:

Thank you, Ruth and Squeak. :)

Ruth, I was trying to think what H&G meant. I thought you meant, "Home and Garden". snicker.

Ha! Ha! I read H&G as Home and Garden too! Guess we have been reading too many home decor magazines lately! :lol:

Congratulations on getting your article published ellis! :bravo:

Thanks, Mauvais!

I'm happy and grateful that DD isn't sick this morning. She called me at 5AM yesterday and was sick all day and all night.

i am happy and grateful that I was raised by good and sane people. and i am also grateful that my husband turned out as good as he did, considering he was not. :)

I'm happy and grateful that I didn't mangle my ankle completely last week, and that I've got the Dr.'s go-ahead to start exercising again. And for Solstice gifts that I made with my own hands to give to my lovelies.

Be well!
Solarmama
P.S. Also happy about the groovy trackers for signatures - Yay!

Well, since the "bite me" thread is gone.. I'll put a positive spin on this and say I am grateful to have a job at all, and i'm grateful that I don't have a car (especially one that is financed) and i am very grateful that my husband and i are credit conscious people and both understand how to take personal responsibility. How's that? good right? I really am grateful for all those things, but it saddens and baffles me that other people in the world are completely opposite. I'm especially grateful for not having the burden of a car or a car payment.

I am VERY happy & grateful that my family got through this past year. I got a Christmas card from my cousin & his wife today. In it was a letter about the last year. I am just so happy that my cousin managed to have brain surgery and come through it so well! Only 6 weeks until he was well enough to go back to work. I am also happy that my friend's aunt came through breast cancer, and is doing well. Also that my sister and I both had car accidents this year, and the only thing that got hurt was our cars, and our checking accounts. ;) Life can be a little annoying at times, but all in all it has been a good year.

Squeaker - here's a hug sweetie :grouphug: you and your family have been through a lot this year.

and a hug for you too lizziness :grouphug: sounds like there are some things going on in your life but good for you for trying to see a silver lining.

I am happy and grateful to have all of you as on-line friends and to have a place to go to that helps keep me sane :lol:

I am happy and grateful that Mauvais thinks she is sane. :lol:

I am H&G for my wonderful friend and cleaning woman, Gail. My house is all cleaned up for Christmas now. All I need to do is finish decorating and will not be looking at dust! I wish I could clone her to share with all of you.

I wish that too, Ruth - really, really, sincerely I do. :lol:

Liziness, Squeaker, I second Mauvais' hug :grouphug: Keep your respective chins up! And *looks sneakily for moderators lurking* why not resurrect the "bite me" thread just a little - it's venting, right? ;)

Be well,

Solarmama

I don't like the bite me thread cause it is so negative :p There I've said it out loud or a least typed it very noisily! :rofl:

Ruth - you should be happy and grateful that I think all of you are sane :lol3:

I agree, we don't need that thread. It is much better for us to put a positive outlook on things. I find that difficult so sometimes it's a challenge, but I really am grateful that my husband turned out so wonderful. And as much drama and disfunction that goes on in his family, I am grateful that I am able to stay out of most of it.
I am also grateful to have a job, as in the area I live in, they are very hard to come by. So even if there are days I don't like it, it's not a retail or fast food job, and I get more than minimum wage, which is really more than most can ask for in this state! :)
I am also grateful that my mom's best friend is coming today for a visit with me. She misses my mom as much as I do, so we're going to get together and try to have some fun today. I'm glad my mom has such wonderful friends that they would come to see me even after she's left.
and I'm grateful for this group of people for reminding me to look for a silver lining at all. :)

Whoops! Just read my previous post and thought...Hmmmm... that didn't sound right.

"I don't like the bite me thread cause it is so negative"

By this I didn't mean that people shouldn't discuss problems or vent now and again since we are all here for support, not just for health and diet, but also for other things that are going on in our lives.

I just found that a daily "bite me" thread was getting kind of depressing to read and as the moderator I have to read all of the posts so I can't just not read it if I don't feel like it.

Sorry if anyone misunderstood what I wrote.

I'm happy and grateful for all of my friends here, and for the prayers that have "jerked" me out of a recent funk.
And although I'm missing him terribly, I'm grateful to have had such a good Dad. Only now I'm realizing more and more what a special relationship we had. I feel so close to him... I only wish I could hear his voice, or look at him across the room. Such a lovely man. :cry:

Squeak, I'm so glad that your cousin and your friend's aunt are doing well. :grouphug:
It sounds as though we all have a lot to be grateful for.

ellis- this time of year is tough when you are missing a loved one. DH and I were just talking about his mom last night :( My thoughts are with you and your family :grouphug:

I was just thinking this morning about the things in my life. I have a small but cozy home, a second hand car, a job, good health, wonderful parents, a loving DH and great friends (including the ones here :) ) - I have had a few ups and downs in my life but I feel very blessed and am happy and grateful for what I have.

Hi All -

As I was reading over the posts here, I was thinking "I have too many last minute things to do to be thankful!" and then I thought "WTF is that? Too busy to be thankful for the good things? That's not right."

So I'm thankful for this thread making me realize there are things to be thankful for.

Ladies, (lurking gents,) :) Thanks.

Solarmama
P.S. Hugs all around! *hug, hug*

Thank you, Mauvais. :grouphug:

Solar, hugs back for you, too, sweetie. :grouphug:

Love you Ellis :grouphug:

And thank you Mauvais, Solarmama & Ellis. :)

I am grateful for a wonderful day with my mom's best friend. I can see why they are such good friends, and I am lucky to have her in my life. I don't have very many people I consider friend, so it's good to spend time with one now and then. We had a wonderful day on Tuesday, and it was pretty much the best Christmas gift I could ask for.

Hurrah, Liziness, I'm so happy for you.

Be well!

SolarM

That's great lizziiness! Sounds like you had a wonderful time. :D

I did. I'm very lucky. I'm also grateful that I get off work early today. And also that it's a lot slower than it has been in over a month today. I can't wait to get off work and go spend time with my family.

I'm grateful that my family is happy and healthy (or at least comparatively!!) My childhood friend is now dealing with her Mom's failed (it appears) brain surgery AND her son being caught dealing at school. I wish I could fix everything for her. I'm also grateful that i don't have breast cancer! Found a pea size lump, but they say it is a "skin lesion" and not to worry about it. WHEW!! First time EVER that I looked forward to a mammogram!!! (Hubby had to kiss it better afterwards, they REALLY flattened me!!)

Lizzi, I'm so glad things are going well. I know this isn't an easy Christmas for you. :grouphug:

Den, phew! :grouphug: So glad you're okay, sweetie!
And I'm sorry your friend is having a rough time. :(

Glad to hear that your mammogram turned out okay Den! :grouphug:

Thanks Ellis and Mauvais!! (Deja what?!?!?)