Friday Flashback: 1986

I was in 8th grade from 1986-1987.

This is my 8th grade photo.

I sure must have gone through a lot of hairspray in the 80's.

Tonight, my friend Jill is having an 80's party to celebrate her 30th birthday.

In 1986, the song "Addicted to Love" by Robert Palmer was released.

Guess who my husband and I are dressing as?

Oh, boy, I am going to have fun putting on makeup tonight!

Thursday Thanks #111

Each Thursday I make a list of my thankful thoughts. I spend time throughout my day appreciating the little and big things in my life. My posted list gives you a glimpse of my thankful heart.

My Thursdays have been so busy lately that I find myself considering whether I should make my Thanks Tank list on Wednesday night so I can post the Thanks Tank list before the end of the day on Thursday. I decided that would ruin the point entirely for me. I'd rather spend my busy Thursday being thankful and posting a list just if I get to it.

Here's my list for today:

1. Comic Strips that make me feel normal:
(click the comic to see a larger version)


2. A SAFE Halloween: We had lots of cute kids and candy. We did not have any allergic reactions. I am very thankful.
Here's my boy, safely eating candy (love the smile with the mouthful!):


3. Hair that grows back: My husband gave my 4 year old a mohawk last night. I really think my son looks cute with a mohawk. That said, I am thankful his hair grows back. (This is his "Bad to the Bone" face.)


4. Friendship, laughter, and coffee: I had such a wonderful time with our friends this past weekend. We laughed (until I cried). We stayed up way too late at night. We got our first Gingerbread latte of the season.


5. A found ring.
6. My husband's hope in his favorite football team.
7. Going out with the girls.
8. A great report from my son's teacher.
9. Gingerbread lattes.
10. Encouragement from friends.

11. My husband not waking me up with his Halloween mask on.

Wordless Wednesday: Change of Clothes Required

Pen, Paper, and Honeycombs: Expressions of Gratitude

I cannot believe that it is November. October went by too fast for me. I did not get everything done that I had planned. Now that it's November I am thinking about the holidays. We have many fun things planned. I am getting excited about my parents visiting. I cannot believe my daughter is going to be two this month. We are planning a trip to the Oregon Coast. I am also thinking about celebrating Thanksgiving this month.

I don't want to miss Thanksgiving. Commercially, it gets overlooked. I don't want my hurried life keep me from taking time to be thankful. I don't want my fast pace to stop me from considering my blessings. I don't want to simply say Grace on Thanksgiving. I don't want scramble to find a few moments on Thanksgiving to find the thankful spot in my heart.

I have decided to celebrate Thanksgiving all month long.

My tools: my pen, my paper, and my words of gratitude.

I am writing letters expressing my thankfulness. I want those that are dear to me to know that I love them. I love them and I am thankful for them. I need to tell them what I appreciate. I have to take it a step further. I appreciate. I am thankful. I thank God for them specifically in my prayers.

This month, I will write thankful letters. I will write and I will pray prayers of thanksgiving, expressing my gratitude to God - the very gratitude that I will express in my letters.


Some of my loved ones know that I love them. They may know that I appreciate them. Even so, I hope they will be touched by my words. Some of my loved ones, don't know I count them as a loved one. They are my friends but they do not realize how dear they are to me. I hope my words will be sweet to their soul.

Think about taking time to write a letter to someone that is dear to you. Pray through your words, thanking God for your loved one. Your gracious words will be powerful.


"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
Proverbs 16:24