And Now, The Bigs

Yesterday I shared my thankful lists from 2015 and 2016 for the LITTLE things. Today, I'm comparing the BIG things on my thankful list. The big things include the obvious things like friends, family, a home but I've found that some of the big things to be surprising. Who knew?

They say that being thankful every day will make a huge, positive difference in our lives. I tend to agree.

The list from 2015:

BIG Things for which I Am Grateful:

1. First and foremost, I'm thankful for someone with whom I reconnected with a few years ago. This person makes such a wonderful difference in my life every single day.
2. My friends at school. I love these people. They are supportive, encouraging, uplifting, funny as hell, sharing, caring, loving, and I would hate going to work every day if they were not there. 
3. Daughters. Because, even when they are on my last nerve, they're still the best kids ever.
4. My Tucker. 
5. A roof over my head that keeps me cool when it's hot out and warm when it's cold out. The running water and electricity are quite nice too.
6. Every day that I am still alive. 
7. My education. I have two bachelor degrees and a masters degree and I'm darn proud of them. Even if I don't get paid squat at my job. 
8. My job. I hate working, but I love my job. 
9. A car. As soon as I get one. Not having one of your own makes you truly appreciated them.
10. Time. 
11. Family traditions.
12. My health.
13. The five senses and the fact that they all work just fine. 
14. Long weekends. In the mountains. 
15. Love. 
16. The seasons. Especially fall and winter. 
17. Food to eat, spring water to drink.
18. The healing power of music. And, the music itself. 
19. Kind hearts.
20. All my blessings.

And now, this year's list:

BIG Things for which I am Grateful 2016:

1. Daughters! My four in particular.
2. Granddaughters! Cause I have one now and I get it.
3. My SILExtraordinaire!
4. My pup! He's still the best!
5. My health and the fact that I haven't done myself in with poor eating habits.
6. Food on the table.
7. Electricity, running water.
8. A roof over my head. Even though it leaked during Matthew. Yikes.
9. Family gatherings when all four daughters and their boys are home AT THE SAME TIME!
10. My amazing friends whether here or in blog land.
11. My parents.
12. Our family traditions.
13. Blogging. Because that's how I met so many wonderful friends in blog land. 
14. Support and encouragement. It means the world. 
15. My grandparents. They've been gone a long time now but not a single day goes by that I don't think of them. 
16. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!
17. Weekends!
18. Learning from mistakes. 
19. Safety.
20. The night sky. And the morning sky. :)

Your turn! What are some of you the big things for which y'all are grateful?

It's day 13 of NaBloPoMo!

Links to my first 12 days of NaBloPoMo in case y'all missed them (because they're so dang interesting and all...Ha!):

1. TWIGS AND ROOTS! Where I introduced y'all to Deanie's new business. 
2. THE BRAVE SIDE OF ME Where I shared my nonexistent bravery with y'all. 
3. BABY M'S NURSERY Where I finally show off the pictures of the nursery!
4. KEEPERS: FALL TELEVISION SHORT LIST Where I shared the few fall shows I watch.
5. SINGING ALONG WITH BABY M Where I shared some songs Baby M and I enjoy.
6. BABY M GOES TO CLEMSON where I shared a gazillion pix and commentary on Baby M's first ever college football game!
7. THANKSGIVING FAILS where I shared that I cannot make holiday meals as good as my grandmother did. 
8. IT'STHAT TIME! where I slacked off and just posted a voting clip art. Don't judge. This is hard. 
9. HOW TO ENTERTAIN A 4 MONTH OLD where I share what I'm doing with Baby M and asking for more ideas. 
10. MY MESSAGE TO MEAN PEOPLE where I give a message to mean people. LOL
11. STAY AT HOME GRANDMA GOES ETSY where I put myself out there and cringe.
12. WHAT ARE LITTLE THANKFULS? where I compare my lists of LITTLE thankfuls from this year and 2015. 

What are Little Thankfuls?

It was so much fun comparing the hashtags about myself from last year (I did this on the Grits) that I thought I would look back and compare my thankful list from 2015 with one I made today.

Last November, I wrote a post about the LITTLE things for which I am thankful. The big things are easy to come up with- friends, family, health, a home...It's the little things that be more difficult to find if we're not paying attention or not in a thankful frame of mind...

Think about those little things we might not even realize we appreciate. The little things that can turn a sour day into something calm and wonderful. The little things that bring happiness to our days. The little things that turn that proverbial frown upside down.

My list from November 2015:

Little Things for which I Am Grateful:

1. Deep down, in my gut, so hard I can hardly breathe and makes me cry laughter.
2. The way coffee smells and how the steam rises up from the cup when you first pour it. 
3. The way the lights on the Christmas tree sparkle.
4. The smell of rain. 
5. The way snow glistens during a full moon.
6. A song that reminds me of a love from long ago.
7. A memory that brings a smile to my face that begins in my heart.
8. The rhythm of poetry. Especially when it's being read to me. 
9. The sound of a cello, and fog horns, and those little grunts that puppies make. 
10. The smell of homemade bread and the memories it evokes. 
11. Pulling out that winter jacket and finding money in the pocket. 
12. Clean sheets. 
13. A surprise phone call from an old friend. 
14. Snuggling with your puppy. 
15. That thing you wanted is on sale and reduced even more at checkout.
16. Hot chocolate.
17. Sitting in front of the fire.
18. A handmade quilt.
19. Hayrides.
20. Farmers' Markets. 

My list for this year:

Little Things for which I Am Grateful:

1. Cool autumn weather that finally shows up.
2. Irish cream in front of a fire.
3. Just the right pen.
4. Music. 
5. A walk in the woods.
6. Red rain boots.
7. Stringed instruments, especially the cello.
8. A full moon.
9. Fog.
10. Snow.
11. Fall and winter trees.
12. Feeling safe.
13. Snuggling down into flannel sheets.
14. Polka dots.
15. Sudden ideas.
16. Feelings of accomplishment.
17. Rest.
18. Conversations with special people.
19. Laughter.
20. Books. 

Yes, my list could go on. But I'd be here a really long time and y'all don't want to read THAT much.

So, it's your turn. Share your lists in the comments or on your blog. I'd love to read them!

It's day 12 of NaBloPoMo!

Links to my first 11 days of NaBloPoMo in case y'all missed them (because they're so dang interesting and all...Ha!):

1. TWIGS AND ROOTS! Where I introduced y'all to Deanie's new business. 
2. THE BRAVE SIDE OF ME Where I shared my nonexistent bravery with y'all. 
3. BABY M'S NURSERY Where I finally show off the pictures of the nursery!
4. KEEPERS: FALL TELEVISION SHORT LIST Where I shared the few fall shows I watch.
5. SINGING ALONG WITH BABY M Where I shared some songs Baby M and I enjoy.
6. BABY M GOES TO CLEMSON where I shared a gazillion pix and commentary on Baby M's first ever college football game!
7. THANKSGIVING FAILS where I shared that I cannot make holiday meals as good as my grandmother did. 
8. IT'STHAT TIME! where I slacked off and just posted a voting clip art. Don't judge. This is hard. 
9. HOW TO ENTERTAIN A 4 MONTH OLD where I share what I'm doing with Baby M and asking for more ideas. 
10. MY MESSAGE TO MEAN PEOPLE where I give a message to mean people. LOL
11. STAY AT HOME GRANDMA GOES ETSY where I put myself out there and cringe.