Winter Wonderland Gratitude and Favorites

Science shows that one way to combat feelings of depression and anxiety is to be intentionally and demonstrably grateful every day.  That is the reason I make a gratitude list in my journal every day, and join weekly with like-minded grateful bloggers who link up over at Susanne's blog, Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five. 

Snow - We needed it and we got it!  The snow started Tuesday evening and continued all night long.  This was view from my front porch on Wednesday morning.

This was what I woke up to on Wednesday morning.  Officially, the area where we live area got 12-15 inches.  

This was the view from our front yard Wednesday afternoon. I am grateful for the snow.  It is not fun to drive in, but it is quite beautiful and we need it for our water supply.

Snow removal - We have an HOA where we live and one of the great things about it that on snowy days, we don't have to worry about shoveling snow.  The HOA landscaping team was out very early to clear a bath on the sidewalks, driveways, and access drives.  We did however have to buy a snow shovel so that Josh could get his car dug out. The HOA doesn't dig out cars.  I am grateful that I no longer have to get up at 4:30 a.m. so I can shovel our driveway (which is what I had to do at our old house that didn't have an HOA). 

A warm, cozy home - I am grateful for my warm, comfortable and cozy home - especially on days when it is covered in snow. 

Online learning day- Because of the snow, I got a very early morning text and email from my school district and principal saying that Wednesday would be an online learning day and teachers could work from home!  Online learning is one of the good things that came out of our Covid experience. The students all have technology and they know how to access their lessons and assignments online, and everyone can stay safe at home out of the weather.  I am grateful I could work from home on a very snowy day.

A good nap - Wednesday afternoon, I got so tired, that I decided to lay down for a short rest - expecting to be back up in twenty minutes at the most. I fell asleep for an hour and half!  That is unusual for me, but I must have needed the extra rest.  I felt better the rest of the day.  I am grateful for the opportunity to get some extra rest. 

Christmas gifts - All of the Christmas gifts I ordered from Amazon and other places arrived safely and on-time, and are now wrapped and under the tree.  I am grateful for the means to buy gifts for those I love, and I am grateful that all the gifts arrived without any delays. 

Christmas cards - cards continue to trickle in.  I love hearing from friends and family near and far.  Seems like we get fewer and fewer every year, but I do love keeping in touch.  If you want to be on my card list, just send me an email. So many of my Christmas cards now come from blogging friends and I love it.  I am grateful for friends and family who keep in touch at Christmas time!

New Furniture in my classroom - when we moved to the new building at our school last summer, we were supposed to have several new pieces of furniture, including a new modular desk and filing cabinet unit.  The new furniture was delayed due to supply chain issues.  It all arrived last week.  This is what the teacher area of my room looks like now. The desk is a good size - must bigger than the table I had been using.  I am grateful to have my classroom in the new building and to have all the items that I need to do my job.  

Each week brings so many good things to be grateful for, but that's all for this post.  Have a good weekend and I will see you again soon.

🤶Deb🎄

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind.  To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, 

is to have the real spirit of Christmas."

~Calvin Coolidge