Tag Archives: gratitude

December 2, 2025 · 2:47 am

Things You Deserve

Nanea Hoffman – Sweatpants & Coffee, LLC.

___________________

Since I died twice on February 11th, my heart stopping and requiring surgeries for a temporary, then permanent pacemaker, my priorities have changed.

I always thought my husband would die before me. The statistics led me to believe that I would probably live as a widow at some point, although 56 years of marriage to my husband is definitely not enough. When the kind people at the hospital gave me a second chance at life, I decided I wouldn’t let it go to waste.

My husband and I moved to Thailand, deciding to really retire, since our health was suddenly such that we couldn’t take care of our house and 8 acres in Arkansas anymore, no matter how much we wanted to. Our son came from Thailand to help us. We had some serious discussions and made the move to be close to our son. Two weeks after that, my husband had a stroke and is now in a nursing home, bedridden and very confused. He is comfortable, though, and is receiving the best of care.

All this is to say that life suddenly got my attention. My priorities and attitude changed to embrace whatever life has to offer me now. I’m grateful that I can still make myself healthier and stronger and enjoy each day in real retirement – a thing I thought I would never have. I can be thankful that my husband’s stroke happened here, so that we can afford to get him the care he needs. My son and I go visit my husband three days each week, making sure things are going as well as possible, showing my husband that we love him, reaching out for whatever he is able to share now.

Nanea Hoffman points out that we all deserve kindness, peace, and to enjoy the little things that make life so wonderful. Without guilt. squeezing as much joy out of every day as we can, being honest about our feelings, good and bad, and just BEING.

My son has encouraged me to spend 5 minutes each day, eyes closed, sitting up with my feet on the floor, just thinking about something that brings me joy. Right now that is a mental picture of my son kissing my husband’s head, telling him he loves him. It brings tears to my eyes, a lump to my throat, and gratitude simply spills out all over the place. Taking the time to embrace the kindness in the world brings you peace.

I now believe that I can spend my days going from one thing I love to another as I want, such as working on a jigsaw puzzle, reading a book, playing in my art alcove, writing blog posts, learning something new on the computer, taking a short walk, and more.

I don’t feel guilty now that I am embracing life in a new country, meeting new people who are unbelievably kind to a stranger, trying to learn a few Thai phrases, enjoying perks like having a housekeeper for the first time ever, getting a massage every week, getting a mani/pedi every six weeks, having a good haircut at about the same frequency, sharing a chocolate drink with my son…

Life is short. We live under the illusion that we have time. The fact that I’m alive is a miracle for me. I am loving spending time with our son. I’m grateful that my husband seems to be comfortable and shows us from time to time that he is happy we come to visit him. My health is improving and I’m feeling stronger. I’m taking care of myself so that I can enjoy my second life for as long as possible.

Take Nanea’s good advice. We ALL deserve it.

6 Comments

Filed under Attitude

Tagged as , , , ,

November 16, 2025 · 3:53 am

Almost Thanksgiving 2025

This is one of the mailbox decorations my husband and I made.

And this is one of the metal critters in our yard we made out of an old propane tank and scrap metal in Arkansas.

Thanksgiving quotes include the famous line, “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings,” by William Arthur Ward, and John F. Kennedy’s advice to “find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.”

I am filled with gratitude these days, and so take the quote by William Arthur Ward to heart. Each night I take 5 minutes. I get into a comfortable sitting position with my feet on the floor. I concentrate on something that makes me feel grateful. Two things that I concentrate on lately is (1) a photo I took of Brian kissing Harvey’s head before leaving the nursing home, and (2) the feeling I get when Brian hugs me or kisses my head. That’s it. Usually I end up in tears as the gratitude fills me up and spills over. Just 5 minutes and I’m calm, thankful, and full of gratitude.

Second, I am trying to show people how very much I value them. I tell my good friends how much they mean to me and how much I love them. I thank Brian, and tell him I appreciate him taking such good care of me. I have made some ‘thank you’ cards I will take to my massage Friday to let the two ladies there know how much they are changing my life and how much I appreciate that. I’m painting individual Christmas cards for the people here in my new country who make a difference in my life on a daily basis. I want them to know I don’t take them for granted and realize how they go out of their way to make me feel welcome.

Thanksgiving is EVERY day – not just one Thursday in November. We gather the family, have a special dinner, enjoy being together – but that should just be the beginning. How amazing our lives are and how much we have for which to be thankful!

4 Comments

Filed under holidays

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

October 21, 2025 · 12:14 am

Do

Source Unknown

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

My mom was a smart lady, and she said a lot of smart things; one of which was, “Attitude is all.” That really resonated with me and is a cornerstone of my life.

Instead of looking at things happening and immediately assuming the victim – poor me – attitude, I’m really trying to look at each thing as a problem to be solved one step at a time. It may take a long time, try my patience, try to overwhelm me, but I CAN break most things down into pieces and try to do what I can to resolve them. Some of the things here in Chiang Mai have been trying to drive me nuts since the end of March when we first arrived. Piece by piece I (with Brian’s help) am solving them one jagged, frustrating piece at a time. I have finally moved two things off the LONG, LONG list on which I’m working. I will continue to do what I can on each remaining thing until I get a handle on each.

While I’m working on frustrating stuff, I’m embracing my new life here in Chiang Mai. I’m finding more and more to like, feeling more and more at home. I’ve concentrated on trying to get healthier; losing my remaining lard;, eating less, but healthy food; learning more Thai phrases, having a healthy routine to my days, and finding joy EVERY DAY, in my jigsaw puzzle, my sketches, my paintings, my books, my blog posts, the friends and relatives that mean the world to me, and much, much more.

I’m realizing all I have, and am very, very grateful for all of it. I have a chance to build a new life, new friendships, new hobbies, discover things I didn’t know existed, but most of all, to change what I can, make the best of what I can’t change, and keep my focus sharp.

4 Comments

Filed under Attitude

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

October 5, 2025 · 1:07 am

Today

Freepik

“Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude. If I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow. Today I am blessed.” – Maya Angelou

__________________

February 11th I died twice one night in a hospital in Arkansas. I was given a second chance at life by caring people and a pacemaker.

In April we sold everything in the States and moved to Thailand to be with our son with his incredible love, strength, and guidance, having left our dear pets in the hands of people who would treasure them. We left the pressures behind and “retired” in the country our son loves.

Two weeks after moving, my husband fell and had a stroke. After one month in the hospital here, two surgeries and a lot of care, he was transported to the nursing home we had found. He is now receiving expert, loving care, being made as comfortable as possible.

During my husband’s hospitalization I moved into my own place in the same building as our son. He has helped me make it a refuge, a safe place, a place becoming my own a bit at a time.

Pro Pond & Lake

Gratitude for all I have now simply wells up inside me and spills over on a daily basis. I will not waste all I have been given.

My own health is improving now with daily visits to the gym, walking on a treadmill, daily yoga stretches, daily exercising with water bottles as weights and dancing to music on my computer. I’m trying to eat sensibly plus lose the rest of my excess weight. I now have hearing aids to correct a side effect of my hospital stay and I’m working daily on regaining my balance, stamina, and flexibility.

We travel 3 times a week to visit my husband. He has made the decision not to cooperate in physical therapy. We are just trying to make sure he is well taken care of and as comfortable as possible. Our round trip visit is 3 hours each time, and the visit sometimes includes a bit of conversation, shared memories, and always lots and lots of love.

I get to choose what I want to do with my days. I love to write my blog posts. I’m made an art alcove in my place where I can try to learn to draw better. I’m sketching and painting on a daily basis. I’m working on a difficult, beautiful, 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle that I MAY live long enough to finish. (We’ve ordered a glass print of the “Owls” puzzle I finished which should arrive any day now.) Reading downloaded books on my Kindle is a joy, sprawled out on my new couch with a lounging end. 😁. I share meals with our son every day. I listen to music, delighting when I find a new voice that makes MY heart sing, too.

SO – to say gratitude is my main emotion these days is an understatement. I almost wasn’t here to enjoy this. I’m doing something every day that brings me joy. I’m embracing all the wonderful parts of my life, grateful for each day I have. Today is what I have. “Today I am blessed.”

Leave a comment

Filed under Attitude

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

November 28, 2024 · 9:11 am

Thanksgiving 2024

HomemadeGiftsMadeEasy.com

I hope you’re up to your eyeballs in love today – knee-deep in family and friends sharing a beautiful time and delicious food.

Reader’s Digest – THE Healthy

If you’ve read my blog for a while, you know that our son lives across the world from us. He chose his location very carefully and is very happy. He left us a message on the chat program this morning –

He said, “Happy Thanksgiving, guys. I’m very thankful for all the love and energy and patience and support you have given me and still give me.” It just doesn’t get nicer than that. :0)

We’re having a quiet celebration here, just my husband and me. I’ll cook a turkey breast. Otherwise we’ve pared things down to our favorites – the ones we look forward to all year – cranberry jelly and deviled eggs. We’ll have salad, too.

It’s the coolest day we’ve had in quite a while. The low was 29 and the high will only be 49. With the wind, it will seem quite chilly. BRRRRR!

I’m thankful for so many things –

  • because I’m losing some of my lard and keeping what’s left moving – my health is improving. I’m getting stronger, more flexible, and able to do what I need to do more easily.
  • My husband is still with me to share our lives. He just turned 81 and is definitely old and ornery. Stubborn and always right. Self-centered and set in his ways. He says that I am “mean as a snake.” We’ve loved each other for 63 years now. We’ve been married for 55. We have a good start now.
  • So far we can cover expenses, and that’s a big relief. I hope this continues.
  • Thankful to be close to our son in all but geography. We talk almost daily. I’m so proud of the man he is and how he’s living his life. My husband keeps telling him he wants ‘Rug Rats,’ but I think it would be good if he got married first, finding a good source for the love inside.
  • Thankful for two quirky pets – Amber, a 95-pound yellow lab, and Monster Cat (aka Jet), a black cat with a personality that grows daily. Both keep us on our toes while filling us with laughter and joy.
  • Thankful to be able to write this blog. Finding and sharing things I think are wonderful with you is a big part of my life. Feedback from people who take the time to read it makes my day. Thankful to be able to talk to YOU.
  • Thankful to be able to create stuff in my art room and post it in my Etsy shop. Even more thankful when someone likes something I’ve done and buys it. There is no greater compliment.

So, a very Happy Thanksgiving.

“What we’re really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?” —Erma Bombeck 

6 Comments

Filed under holidays

Tagged as , , , , , ,

June 17, 2022 · 9:10 am

Gratitude

A. A. Milne – Winnie the Pooh

Leave a comment

Filed under Attitude

Tagged as ,

November 25, 2021 · 9:06 am

Thanksgiving 2021

tenor

It’s just the two of us this year. It’s 36 degrees, gray, and rainy here. Great time to enjoy being warm and dry indoors. We’ll have a quiet day (hopefully), I’ll cook our turkey breast, stuffing, slice cranberry sauce and make deviled eggs for this evening.

I’m thankful this morning that our son left a message on the chat program, wishing us a happy day. I found a wonderful performance of a man playing two guitars at once masterfully and sent it to him yesterday. Maybe you would enjoy it, too. The musician’s name is Luca Stricagnoli.

This Iconic Rock Song Has Been Covered Many Times, But Not Like THIS. Unbelievable!
If this doesn’t provide a way to listen, here is the URL – https://amazingpandph.com/coolest-song-cover/
RumiArt-etsy.com
This is the turkey who stands beside a tree at the top of our driveway.

Have a wonderful celebration!

2 Comments

Filed under holidays, Lewis yard art, music

Tagged as , , , , ,

March 22, 2021 · 10:24 am

Noticing

A. A. Milne – E.H. Shepard – Winnie the Pooh – DreamsQuote

Leave a comment

Filed under Attitude, Favorite Quotes, Poohisms

Tagged as ,

May 4, 2020 · 9:58 am

Gratitude

A.A.Milne

Today I am grateful that Arkansas is starting to reopen its economy, allowing more local businesses to carefully supply their services. This is so important to the many small business people who fall through the cracks of Federal help in times like this, too many not qualifying for loans or unemployment.

This week my husband will get a haircut and I will get a massage. AHHHHH!  We have tried to do what we were able to support many of the important people in our personal lives, but going back to work will heal the wounds more quickly than anything else. I hope that this reopening is coming soon enough to get people back on their feet again with as little damage as possible.

As this reopening happens, at whatever time and pace where you live, remember that it is OUR responsibility to judge each thing we are doing, judging whether it is safe for us to do, or if we should defer it for later.

Take care. Be grateful. Be safe. Be well.

Leave a comment

Filed under Attitude, Health Alert

Tagged as , , , , ,

January 2, 2018 · 10:19 am

Gratitude

Doreen Virtue via Cathy Ruggiero

Leave a comment

Filed under Attitude, Encouragement

Tagged as , ,

October 13, 2017 · 3:26 pm

I’m Spoiled and I Love it :0)

smugimals.blogspot.com

We’ve had a really nice day today.

The weather is a bit warm, but I really can’t complain. We used our attic fan last night. I woke up at 5 freezing to death, reached up and turned on my electric blanket and was immediately flooded with warmth. Just before I fell asleep again, I turned it off. Perfect.

We enjoyed our good friends Kay, Linda, and Dee at Lunch Bunch. All of us were well and happy – a really good thing.

When we came home I started some eggs to hard boiling on the stove since we were almost out. When I had them going, I started some low-carb bread in my bread machine. I then cut up stuff for a beef stew and put that in the crock pot. I have many devices to make my life easier, and I love it when I can do a lot in a short period of time.

Since our bellies were full from Lunch Bunch, my husband and I surrendered to the sleepies and each took a nap. When I awoke, Amber and Molly were on the carpet, taking naps with us. Smoke, one of our cats, was sleeping beside my husband in his chair. I sat comfortably, glad we were able to catch up a bit of some missed sleep, thinking how very lucky we are.

We’re all up now. I’m about to take Amber out and figure out where I want to plant some hyacinth and snapdragon bulbs we got recently. In another few days, we’ll finally be finished with summer and I can look forward to getting my greenhouse set up for the first time. I have no clue what I’m doing, but I’m having such a wonderful time dreaming!

I have some ideas about gifts for friends for Christmas, and soon it will be cool enough to work in our shop without the air conditioning.

We’re almost to the point where we think we can mow the lawn for the last time of the season. I particularly enjoy the last time, taking more care with the edging and weed whacking so it’ll look like someone cares about our yard over the winter months. I’m getting ready to do another round of weed killing with the new spray I got. (Thanks, Cathy). It works quietly and well. You THINK it’s not doing anything, and then the weeds turn brown. :0)

This is rambling, I know, but I wanted to share how how happy I feel today, full of gratitude for being spoiled, enjoying all that we have, being thankful I have someone to share my life with, looking forward to a possible visit from our son in February or March.

Could life be better?

Leave a comment

Filed under Attitude, Encouragement

Tagged as , , ,