Day 20, January 20: Bob's Produce

Cub is great, but shopping for groceries in a small grocery store is a better experience. Fresh produce, fresh fruit and more made me smile today.

Day 19, January 19: Learning with Farmington

Today we met with our colleagues from Farmington.  It was good learning and sharing between the two districts.  Looking forward to continued collaboration between the two districts - it mad me smile today.

Day 18, January 18: Thankful for bookstores

Tonight I needed to get out, I went to Barnes and Noble.  While I buy almost all of my books for the Kindle, every once and awhile I like to go to Barnes and Noble.  When I go, I don't walk out with a lot of books, but rather a phone full of new pics of books I want to read.  Tonight I am thankful for time to gather new photos of books I want to read.

Day 17, January 17: Thankful for dropping gas prices

Today I needed gas really bad - was pleasantly surprised to pull into Sam's Club and find the price per gallon to be only $1.55. I filled my tank for under $20, I am thankful for that.

Day 16, January 16: Thankful for my Chromecast

I bought a Chromecast when it first came out. $35 to stream to my tv, what could be better. While I don't use it to stream movies as I have a Smart TV, I do stream Ben's games on my big screen, for that I am thankful.

Day 15, January 15: Thankful for my nurse

Not feeling the best today, but i am thankful for my nurse.  She is great at snuggling and models great napping techniques.  She knows to stay close just in case I need her - thankful for my great care today.

Day 14, January 14: Thankful for empathy

On Monday, the first graders at Northpoint, one of the K-3 buildings in Spring Lake Park, wrote letters to Blair Walsh as part of a lesson on Empathy.  Today he(and several news outlets) visited with the students as a thank you. The focus on teaching the important life skill of empathy is something I am thankful for today.

Day 13, January 13: Thankful for the opportunity to dream

The Powerball hit an all time high.  I bought tickets like others and dreamed about what I would do with all of the extra money.  I didn't win, but it was nice to dream, I am thankful for that.

Day 12, January 12: Thankful for a day of learning about Julius Caesar

Today I was fortunate to be able to work with HS English teachers.  I spent the most time with the group that was working on Julius Caesar.  It was fun to be able to learn more about JC and help find ways to transform there unit.  Working with these talented teachers made me thankful tonight.

Day 11, January 11: Thankful that I put up a few Christmas decorations

I wasn't going to put up any Christmas decorations this year, but then decided to put up a tree and my cards. Tonight I took them down, it was a little sad, but it was time - thankful they are packed up ready for next year.

Day 10, January 10: Thankful to live in a city with theatre options

Last night I went to the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and today a Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder.  Going to keep track this year of all the plays I go to this year - so far it is 3 for the year - I am thankful for these opportunities.

Day 9, January 9: Thankful I got to see Tommy play hockey today.

Tommy plays hockey for the Virginia Blue Devils.  Today they played in Cloquet so I drove up watch him play. It was fun watching that age of kids again, a winning game and finally see Tommy play - for that I am thankful.

Day 8, January 8: Thankful for another rollout

The past three days we rolled out over 1000 iPads to HS students.  With the work of many, the rollout went very smooth - for that I am thankful.

Day 7, January 7: Thankful for runtime

I like watching hockey, a good game of hockey.  When the score is far apart and things start to get chippy, there is nothing better then runtime to get the game over before someone gets hurt.  In a game with a lot of penalties tonight, I was thankful for runtime.

Day 6, January 6: Thankful for Epiphany

Today is Epiphany - it signals the end of the holiday season.  Some of my favorite holiday memories are sitting and chatting with Auntie Josephine and how she couldn't take down the tree until the Epiphany (even though the needles would be all falling off)   For that I am thankful.

Day 5, January 5: Thankful for a new accomplishment

Yep, I am the new mayor of the St. Louis Park Rec Center.  I use Swarm to keep track of places I go - it makes me smile when it lets me know the time between musicals or how many ice rinks I have been to recently.

Today I achieved a first, becoming the mayor of a place - I am thankful for an app that keeps track of where I go and shares little accomplishments along the way.

Day 4, January 4: Thankful for fun memories

Today on Facebook my friend posted this picture:

It is a one of the pins I made for all of my Central friends several years ago when the Vikings were on a winning streak. It made me smile to see others comment that still had theirs too. I don't have mine any more, but am thankful for the fun memory posted by Joyce.

Day 3, January 3: Thankful for another chance with Silent Night

I love Silent Night. I have several happy/sentimental memories related to this song.  This year Ely had only one mass on Christmas Eve at 4 pm, no 8 pm (my usual mass) so I went Christmas Day when my mom sang. After communion the shut off the lights and we sang Silent Night. It didn't work for me - singing this beautiful song in the middle of the day. Actually made me a little crabby.

Tonight I went to the Sunday night mass at my church and we sang Silent Night at communion. First the church was decorated beautifully - I think I counted over 100 pointsettias on the alter alone. Second it was night and third the cantor had a great voice.  All of this made my second chance at Silent Night perfect.  And for that I am thankful. 

Photo from the Epiphany Facebook page 

Day 2, January 2: Thankful for a day with my dog

While I have used some non-duty days over the holiday break, most have been spent with at least a few hours or more away from home.  The last two days I haven't left the house - Ella and I have had quality time together - Snuggling, playing, lap time, etc.  She will not be happy come Monday, but for now I am thankful for days with my dog.

Day 1, January 1: I am Thankful

A year ago, I finished a complete 365 day project - things that make me smile.  I took a year off, but found I missed it. No, I don't like to write, but enjoyed looking back at my day and reflecting on the good.

So today I start again, didn't know what direction it would take although I had some good suggestions (no it will not be a year of Josie), I saw this post:

So I am going to start by ending the day with something I am thankful.  Follow along if you wish or join me.  

So today I am thankful for a new beginning of a new 366 day project.