January 14

Early this morning, my children raced to Julie and Brandon's to help shampoo four squirming puppies and get them ready for Pet Adoption Day. After witnessing more than one puppy "oops" on more than one carpet, I'm grateful that it didn't happen at my house.

January 13

I am grateful for our wonderful neighbors who came over tonight bearing gourmet burgers. You rock, Julie and Brandon!

January 12

I am so very grateful that Hart does not have to have surgery on his shoulder. He's going to have to deal with pain for a little while, and suffer through physical therapy sessions, but at least his clumsiness did not lead to the knife.

January 11

Tonight, I am grateful that winter has finally arrived and my son will stop singing the "woe is me, I live in a no-snow state" song.

January 10

Not only am I thankful for the incredibly delicious orange that Harald brought to me today, but I'm also grateful that I made it most of the way through my lengthy TO-DO list.

January 9

After having three weeks off because of the holidays, I'm grateful that Monday evenings are once again bringing me dinner provided by someone else. In tonight's case, I'm grateful that Matt and Sharon can fix up a really mean bowl of chili.

January 8

I'm thankful that I have the use of my hand again after this fall's mishap. This upcoming weekend will mark my reintroduction to the accompanying world with a gig on Saturday for the local Job's Daughters installation, followed by the pounding out of hymns for the non-skiers in my church on Sunday.