Almost the BIG "57".......

....and darn glad to be 57. Oh my, it's been a bit since I last posted.....I am so busy....lol lol. So far we have celebrated my birthday and my friend Kay's birthday (60 yrs. young)a number of times. Upper right pic was this past Sunday, bottom was last night with our friend Lyn(soon to be 60) and upper left pic - today with my mom and our waitress Lucy. What is soooo funny is that my birthday is not until April 9th (Thursday)...LOL LOL... I LOVE to stretch it out. My brother is coming from out of town tomorrow and our kids are all coming home for Easter, so that is another couple of celebrations! Gotta love it.

Julie & Luke are coming Thursday night and Anna will be here too, so we are going to dye eggs on Friday...that should be a hoot. I will definitely post pics after that.

Last year at this time I was on my 4th chemo treatment, of which I ended up in the hospital....so I am really thankful and grateful for this year that I am well and can enjoy "April"! There is ALWAYS something to be thankful and grateful for.
I saw the below on the Internet yesterday and thought it very appropriate as to how I have felt of late, especially with what is all happening in our economy.

1. Find What You're Grateful For

The real uncertainty we face about our economic future can make us quite fearful and sad. Locating those things for which we can still be grateful, brings joy even in the face of those challenges without pretending they are not real.

2. Articulate It

Tell a friend or loved one a story about something for which you are grateful. Don’t be surprised to find yourself smiling by the end of that story.

3. There's Always More to Be Grateful For

Consider the difference between wealth and value. While material wealth is important, it is not the only source of real value in our lives. We can all celebrate value, even when the material wealth in our lives is taking a beating.

4. Wealth Begins Within

An ancient rabbinic teaching reminds us that we are wealthy when we are happy with what we possess.

5. Happiness and Satisfaction Are Different

We can want more than we currently have and still be happy with what we've got. Wanting more does not have to get in the way of enjoying what we already have. If it does, we will never have enough.

6. It's All Relative

A person who lives in a $100,000 house in a neighborhood of $75,000 homes experiences living in a mansion. The same house in a neighborhood of $500,000 homes may feel like a hovel.

7. Help Yourself by Helping Others

This season is a great time to reach out to other people in need. And helping others address their needs is one of the best ways to relieve the anxiety we may feel about our own.

8. We All Have Something to Give

No matter how difficult our circumstances may be, we can all offer support to those around us. Whether it’s a penny, a dollar, or much more, the act of giving always makes us feel as if we have more than we thought we had.

God's Blessings and Happy Easter,

...and Jeff too