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Ten Things of Thankful: Life's an Adventure Edition

Photo: Part of my front yard. Yellow maple leaves dominate the photo: still attached to trees, and also fallen to the ground. A still-green forsythia stands at the corner of the porch, and pinkish-purple geraniums grow in white planters on the porch rail.

Color is all around me, as fall puts on its bright display. Our high temperatures are approaching 70 this weekend; but then are forecast to drop to the 40's by Tuesday. Now is the time to embrace autumn, to live in the moment, to be present and intentional. Today's TToT is a bit of a selfish one, because I am writing it as much for me as for you readers. This afternoon, I am being brave and adventurous and will have 3,900 feet of fun, as I tackle the world's longest zip line over water. This post is my pep-talk to myself, as I think about all the lovely colors of autumn, the moments I have been present and intentional this week, and anticipate beautiful views and a rush of excitement as I zip line for the first time today.

 Ready? Let's get started!

 1. I'm thankful for the vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds of the changing leaves.

 2. I'm thankful for the satisfying crunching sound I hear as I walk through the fallen leaves.

 3. I'm thankful for fun projects completed together. 

 4. I'm thankful for Drexel, who is always happy to see me, even if I was only out of his sight for 5 minutes. 

 5. I'm thankful for tasks underway that will make life easier. (Doggy door installation is scheduled, and a temporary little fence is up. I'm not sure Drexel will think it is fair that we have indoor plumbing and he can brave the elements outside without us, but at least he won't have to wait for us to open the door for him.

 6. I'm thankful for an evening out with John's parents. We enjoyed good food and good conversation. It's nice to live close.

 7. I'm thankful for laughter, as my siblings and I (normally considered as relatively intelligent, capable individuals) took way too much time trying to figure out how to navigate a conference call. 

 8. I'm thankful for healing. After a six-week hiatus, I started in on my treadmill again this week. I only walked; I'm not going to make the mistake of running too soon this time. So far, so good. Good-bye, little hobble-step I had been taking upon standing!

 9. I'm thankful for my kids. After reading my last TToT post, my oldest daughter texted me to say, "If you need to know which child to blame for your scary gift it's me!" She then sent this proof:
I learn something new every day. (I like being pushed out of my comfort zone?!) My children know me so well. I actually do appreciate a little encouragement to try new things. (As my children know me so well, though, they also know that while zip lining is a go, bungee-jumping, sky-diving, or anything else remotely like that would be a definite no, thank you. You do know that, right, kids?)

 10. I'm thankful for John. I'm a million times braver because of him. 

 Whew. OK; I've got this. Tune in on Tuesday, and I'll let you know how it went. Meanwhile, check out the other TToT posts below, and feel free to link up your own. 

 Towanda!




Comments

  1. Tired TeacherOctober 26, 2018 at 5:32 PM

    You've got this! Towanda, indeed

    ReplyDelete
  2. messymimiOctober 26, 2018 at 7:36 PM

    Autumn and dogs and family sound like plenteous thankfuls indeed. As for the zip line, you can do it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pat BOctober 27, 2018 at 4:55 PM

    I love that crunch sound too, although it may be more of a mush sound if we get more rain.

    I hope Drexel enjoys his new door as much as you are going to enjoy it.
    Has Drexel had the fun of pouncing into a pile of leaves yet?

    It was your oldest daughter's idea!? I was guessing that idea was spearheaded by one of your sons. Just proves how wrong I was.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiOctober 29, 2018 at 12:21 PM

      Drexel isn't much of a pouncer, but there are certainly enough leaves for him to try.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousOctober 28, 2018 at 6:29 AM

    "I have been present and intentional this week..."
    Surely excellent words to live by, everything we need and require resides in the here and now and virtually all of the things we do not want, fear and anxiety, are confined to the past and the future.
    And, of course, Number 4 provides the perfect example/illustration of this sentiment. Dogs do the live in the present thing most excellently. Drexel, I will offer my opinion, does not gauge his response to your company on the basis of the length of the preceding absence nor would he, even if he were able and inclined to anticipate the future, measure his happiness as a ratio of how long he was required to wait.
    (Dogs being perfect lifeforms and all...lol)

    ReplyDelete
  5. GirlieOnTheEdgeOctober 31, 2018 at 12:02 PM

    A delightful TToT Kristi. The picture of your yard and porch, gorgeous. Epitome of fall, leaves all golden and orange and smoky reds *sigh * Love fall. Words of wisdom. The most challenging thing to do sometimes, living in the moment. Thank you for the reminder and a most excellent example of "if life is not an adventure, then what is!" Zip lining over water? Heck, any zip lining for that matter ... yow-wee!! lol. Couldn't do it. Glad to hear you're healed and taking a gradual approach on the treadmill. Laughter is always a good thing☺

    ReplyDelete

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