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Saturday, July 14, 2012

Being Thankful from A-Z + A Giveaway

The idea of telling people what you are thankful for has become popular around the blog world.  In today's world I feel it is important to shout out these thankful statements as you just never know which way your life will turn.

If you are a committed reader, I just may have a giveaway at the end.

Here are my thoughts from A-Z.

A: I'm thankful for my name, Ally.  It's not too common, so I rarely run into anyone with the same name.  In fact, my real name is Allysa.  Somehow Ally stuck as a child, and we never went back.

B: Bread.  Need I say more?  So many people are afraid to eat bread and it annoys me.  Yes, it's all carbs, but it's delicious.  Just eat in moderation.  In fact, I have a recipe coming up about this bread.


C: Cars.  Without my car, I wouldn't be able to get to and from work, and I wouldn't be able to haul the kiddos around to the library, park, store, etc.  And this car needs to hold out for a couple more years...then it's on to the minivan.

D:  Dogs.  We have two.  Yesterday, I wouldn't have even mentioned our dogs, as when I came home our black lab had had explosive diarrhea all over the house.  I was ready to set him on the curb.  But, then I felt bad because he was sick and looked so pitiful.

E:  Eggs.  Farm fresh eggs to be exact.  They are so buttery and delicious.  I think we have eggs at least once a week for dinner.


F: Flowers.  I'm not a green thumb.  But I do enjoy a bouquet of flowers that I didn't have to pick or put together.  Hence, this bundle that I brought home from work.


G: Girlfriends.  There is a group of 5 of us that have been together since early elementary school.  We've been through everything together - deaths, break-ups, births and weddings.  We are FINALLY marrying off the last one in October.

H: Hot sauce.  Found this at Target yesterday and cannot wait to try on some grilled chicken.  The hotter the better in my opinion.


I: iPads.  Someday I'll get one.  Someday.

J: Jobs.  I love my job.  I work three days a week, and I like to say 4 days a week at home being a stay-at-home mom.  It is the perfect split.  Not to mention my husband's job, without his we'd be living on the street. I know many in the country aren't as lucky as us.

K: Kids.  My kids.  They are perfect.  Doesn't every mom say that?  We have been blessed with two that are keepers.  Maybe someday we'll be blessed with a third (but not anytime soon!).

L: Laughter.  I love to laugh.  Sometimes in tense and serious situations I laugh.  I can't help it.

M: My mom.  She's great.  Her and my dad watched the kids for 4 days this past week because we needed help.  I can't thank them enough.

N: Nacho Taco Pizza.  A knock-off the famous taco pizza around these parts.  I would eat it everyday if I could.


O: Oceans.  I live smack dab in the center of the country, but can appreciate their beauty.  Wish I had a house in the Hamptons.

P: Penmanship.  I was blessed with nice hand writing and lets face it, some people aren't.  Why can't they take the time to write a little better?  I'll never know.

Q: Quirks.  I've got a lot of them.  I'm fearful of ever being late.  I prefer sleeping on the left side of our bed. I cannot relax until all toys are picked up when the kids go down for a nap or bedtime.  I loathe water chestnuts.  These quirks, just make me, well me.

R:  Reading.  I was fortunate to grow up in a house were reading was a part of our lives.  Each one of us kids to this day is always reading.  Both of my parents read.  It is just what we do.  And now I love that both of our kids love reading looking at books.  It makes this mama proud.


S: Sleep.  I try and get 8 hours a night.  And if I don't I try and catch a cat nap if I'm at home and the kids are napping.  It gives me a ton of more energy.

T: Terrible Twos.  I know, I'm thankful for this?  Well, I am.  It gives me a chance to work with my kids and let them know that the world will not end if their sibling stole their toy.  10 seconds later?  They're fine.

U: Underwear.  Enough said.

V: Victories.  I'm fiercely competitive.  I love any board game, sport or challenge.

W: Wine.  Especially, this White Wine Sangria.  One of my favorites.


X: Xylophones.  Just kidding.  I had no idea what to put for X.

Z: Zoos.  Both of our kids, especially the Little Miss are fascinated with animals.  Thankfully there is a nice zoo about an hour away from us.  It is on the list of things to do this summer.

So, you made it through my list.  Just for reading through this, I have a small giveaway.  Another fun find at Target yesterday!


Want to win it?  

Four separate ways to win - each being a separate entry.  Go!
Open to U.S. residents only please.  I'll pick a random winner on Tuesday, June 17th!

Would you like to comment?

  1. I'm thankful too for parents who encouraged me to read and for my elementary school friends, too. We go back 50+ years. And I wish I had a house in the Hamptons, too, but will be happy to visit there. Thanks for the giveaway and I'm scooting over to facebook.

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  2. I am thankful that my family has always been there to support me and help me through times that were not so great. AND I am thankful that there are times I can return that back to them and to my friends. I say the hotter that better in food also and I am already following you everywhere else.

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  3. Hi Ally, I like you on facebook and on pinterest :)

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  4. I loved reading this post Ally! You had me at H: HOT SAUCE!

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  5. I am thankful for my son Finn!

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  6. I like you on FB! :)

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  7. I like you on facebook and Pintrest! I'm thankful for my family and health.

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  8. I also follow you on pinterest! :)

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  9. I am thankful for a job I enjoy and an 18-month old son who is just learning to really express himself in words!

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  10. I am already a FB "liker" :) (Becca Smith Hill)

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  11. I already follow you on Twitter. @beccabsh

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  12. I am following you on Pinterest too :) (Becca Smith Hill)

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  13. I am thankful for the yummy recipes you post and air-conditioning! I already like you on FB! I am also thankful to be a stay at home mommy!

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  14. Already follow you on FB. Love your A-Z!

    I'm thankful for the river! I'm so fortunate to have a river view from our house AND from my office. I've been here 5 years this month and can't imagine living anywhere else now!

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  15. I am thankful for good food, good friends & massive amounts of garlic! :O) Most of all, I am thankful for my family...I can't get enough of them.

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  16. I am thankful for my loving and devoted husband who has stuck by me through everything. Also my wonderful friends and family who are all very supportive.

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  17. A - My birthday is in April, B - my son Brenden, C - my Cabin in Harpers Ferry, D - my 2 Dogs, E - Every day I wake up! :), F - Family and Friends, G - Grass, H - Happiness, I - Ice cream, J - Jokes, K - Katie my sister, L - Life and Love, M - Mom's, N - Nachos! or any thing Mexican, O - Opportunities, P - Posts from Ally!, Q - Quality time, R - River, I love the Mississippi, S- Saturdays!, T - Tacos, especially breakfast tacos, U - Understanding, V - Variety, it is the spice of life, W - Walking, X - X-rays, I actually hate them but we have had our fair share this year!, Y - Youthfulness, Z - Zyrtec, the only way I can breathe! LOL this was fun!!

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  18. Even though our family's going through some tough and stressful times right now I'm realizing how much we have to be thankful for.....our health, our children and other family members and the fact that we have a roof over our heads. Thanks for this, it's just the reminder I needed :)

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  19. I follow you on Pinterest.....oh and I love your blog's new look!

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  20. I'm thankful for taco pizza- wish someone would mak it here in San Diego!

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  21. stephanie cummingsJuly 16, 2012 at 1:58 PM

    Fabook "liked",,they dont have a love! :o)

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  22. Hi Steph - I hope everything is okay, I saw some other posts of FB and wondered if you are all right. Hang in there:)

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  23. stephanie cummingsJuly 16, 2012 at 1:58 PM

    Followed on Pintrest...I am brand new to Pinning but I already added a bunch of your reciped to my boards!

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  24. stephanie cummingsJuly 16, 2012 at 1:59 PM

    I am thnkful for learning how to li8ve healthy, for my kids, for each day of a positive attitude, for my family (it is so large we almost cover every A-Z name there is!)

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  25. I am very Thankful for my 70lb weight lose and fighting back after having right knee replacement. It was a long road.......Love you blog and Ur Pinterest........

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  26. I am thankful for good health, my wonderful family, a job that allows me flexibility to be home with my 3 year old 3 times per week and good friends who got me back into church recently. This list could go on & on but I must get ready for the day now ;)

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