Grateful for family (I got to see my sister and brother-in-law this past weekend), warm fires, and my puppies who have kept me warm these long winter months! Last but certainly not least...Tobby, who puts up with my every mood with love and grace. ~Laura

On friday one of my true friends died of cancer.  Why you ask am I grateful for that?  Because in her short 53 years of life she made an impact on a lot of people and she changed me.  Valerie was the kind of person that always encouraged and made you feel that you were the only one on the planet when she talked to you.  She made you think that you had gifts and talents that were out of the ordinary and praised you even when she herself was having a hard time.  Valerie fought a hard battle with cancer and was taken at a young age, but I thank God for her and the blessing she was in my life.  See you on the other side girl and thank you so much for being a true friend. xo

 I am thankful to still have my two dogs, Ernie age 17, and Reggie, 16. They are my kids with fur :)

My two babies Edward (2yrs old) and Emily (3 months)

Maria..xoxo

 I am grateful for my furnace and pink snuggie on a cold and rainy day like today, my amazing family, a wonderful church community, my friends new and old, the fact that I have a job during a downturned economy, my creativity, my cat TJ, the fact that I am and always will be smart, my strength of will, Barnes and Noble book stores and adjacent Starbucks Coffee Shops, Hot Chocolate, Macaroni and Cheese, my favorite Spin teacher, and Love of many forms and languages. 

I am grateful for a fast acting pediatric office, a top of the line children's hospital nearby, and excellent doctors and caring nurses. Most of all, I am grateful for a healthy baby girl!

Well, probably too many things to fit in here briefly...but when I wake up in the morning, I am grateful for having wonderful family and friends, for my health, for a great job (esp. in a time when so many don't have one, through no fault of their own), and ......my furry babies:  Samantha and Corey.  My cats who saved MY life about 19 years ago and are STILL with me.

I am grateful for being able to forgive people so i dont fill up with hurt and to be forgiven so i dont fill up with pride, believing I'm right when i've done wrong. I am also grateful that in my marriage we've gotten to a place where we can argue and get to the point and it not mess up our whole entire day. I am grateful for being in this moment, in this place, at this time, right now because i will never get this exact moment back again.

There is so much to be grateful for every day. Each week I blog about what I am grateful for on Sunday here. I love that Skirt added this section. Right now I am grateful for the promise of the day, and for not setting too many expectations. 

Freelance Artist & Writer

For life, having the oppotunity to live, and exist.

Simply Susan All Day...

 I am grateful for my husband who encourages me in everything. I am grateful for my puppy who is the best medicine for a down day. I have to smile every time I look at either of them. Recognizing these blessings is another reason to be grateful.

-- friends that know your history, that love unconditionally, are honest yet gentle; freinds that you can pick up with after months, years of not seeing each other, just like it was yesterday. 

I am grateful for the simple things in life. A roof over my head, food to nourish my body and the abilty to get out of bed and enjoy what life has in store for me each day.