Day 91-97 Weekly

As all good things come to pass- I had wanted to write daily gratitude blogs- yet I am finding it extremely difficult to find the time (not the gratitude) to post each day. So, I will now blog on gratitude each week. I am grateful that I have much to be thankful about- and I am enjoying this blog journey too!

Day 88, 89, 90: Networking

This morning I will be leaving with a fellow writer (and one of my very best friends) for a weekend writers conference in Florida. The workshops are wonderful, and the networking opportunity is invaluable. There will be many authors, editors and agents to meet and I always feel invigorated upon my return from these events- and I it seems there are always a few requests to see my manuscript- so that's a bonus too!

Day 87: Off to serve

One of my dear friends' eldest son, 18 year old Christopher,was recently sworn in to serve in the USA Navy. To see this young man, in full uniform, hair freshly cut, standing straight and tall- made me proud. I am grateful for those who serve to protect and honor the USA.

Day 86: Musicals

Sean, my eldest, is part of his High School's annual big Spring Musical production. It is such a joy to see such talented and hard working teenagers putting on a terrific show. Last year it was "Guys and Dolls" this year it's "The Pajama Game."

Day 85: Little helpers

My youngest daughter, Tiffany, loves to help out around the house- with cooking and sewing being her favorite tasks. Someone once said "When they are little they want to help out all the time, when they are actually old enough to do a better job- they are interested anymore." I am glad to say- that at nine years old- she not only does a great job - she is still very much interested as well.

Day 84: Crisp air

A cold snap at the beginning of Spring is a reminder of the winter we are leaving behind.

Day 83: Easter

Sunday mass, brunch with friends, Easter egg hunts, flowers in bloom, the warmth in the air, spring busting at the seams- for all of this I am grateful. Happy Easter.

Day 82: Baby Turtles

While my husband was doing yard work this past weekend, he discovered a baby turtle. In our neighborhood, there are many lagoons, and we are sure this little turtle wandered away form his. Yet my Dr. Doolittle youngest daughter Tiffany decided that she had to adopt it, and take care of it and create a home away from home for it. The baby turtle's home now sits next to her fiddler crab's home. I am the designated babysitter when she is away.

Day 81: Yellow Peeps

Nestled in a box, side by side, Covered in sugar, yellow and gooey- marshmallow peeps are one of my children's favorite Easter treats.

Day 80: Spring Break

No homework, sleeping in, lazy days, playing and relaxing- this is the time to unwind form school for children. I am grateful for Spring break so that my children can recharge their batteries and have some downtime from the rigors of school.

Day 79: Marsh Views

Today, I had the privilege of having picturesque water marsh view while enjoying a wonderful lunch with a friend. For mother nature and all of her glory- I am thankful.

Day 78: Imagination

"Mom, I had a dream that I am going to be a famous designer, with a brand called Tiffany's designs," my nine year old, Tiffany said. And I do wish that whatever my children- or anyone for that matter -wishes and imagines will come to be in reality.

Day 77: St. Patrick

Although Savannah celebrated St. Patrick's early- with the parade on the 14th (Due to Holy week) today is the real day to honor and celebrate the patron saint of Ireland. Erin-go-Bragh.

Day 78: Spring

Savannah has an enormous amount of perennial azalea bushes that pop into their full glory and color right before spring. The city is all decked out in the pinks, oranges, and shades of red form the azalea bushes, lining streets and medians. It's a glorious sight, and one I am always grateful to see.

Day 75: Great weather

I've been to St. Patrick's day parade in torrential rain (our family was chosen to be on the Catholic Schools float five years ago), I've been to the parade in intense heat and humidity too. However- yesterday was humidity free, slightly cloudy, and in the low 70's- perfect parade weather. Considering we get up before five am and set up at seven for the ten o'clock parade. And it went until after two - so it makes for a long but fun day. The weather made it even better- and for that I am grateful.

Day 74: Parade

Horse drawn carriage, marching bands, floats, clowns on bikes- all of these and more are the reason that Savannah had the second (or is it the first) largest parade in the States- a great time to spend with family and friends- even if we have to get up at four am and get downtown before seven to get a spot when the parade begins at ten. The parade lasts over three hours. Often over four. And none of the watchers seems to mind- its all a big party anyway. Oh and the parade is such a huge deal for the city too. It is a holiday in Savannah. The schools are closed- as well as many business.

Except of course those establishments like restaurants and bars and those catering to all the parade attendees- this is the time of years to get a great source of their revenue.

Day 73: Going Green

Savannah may have the second or third largest St. Pa tricks day parade and celebration in the USA. weeks and months even before the hundreds of thousands of party goers descend- everything goes green. The fountains, the clothing, beer, hair- well you name it and it goes green.

Day 72: Truman Parkway

A year or so ago I wrote an article for the South side News entitled "Queen of the Truman parkway" (the article is in the clip section of my website http://www.loislavrisa.com/) and today was no exception. It seemed that one of my high school children made the bus the other well- did not. So if it wasn't for the Truman- I wouldn't have gotten him to school on one side of town on time, then turned back around (to the opposite side) and got the younger ones to their school on time.

Day 71: Big brothers, little brothers

Recently, one Saturday morning, my eldest son Sean age 15, was wandering aroundthe house. I asked him what he was looking for. I was thinking that he was looking for his cell phone, or ipod, or something else of teenage value. Well I guess he was. He replied "My little brother."

Day 70: Parking lot angels

It seems that no matter where I am trying to find a parking spot- be it at the mall, a coveted spot downtown, the beach- I send up a quick prayer to the parking lot angels (Sounds pretty corny huh?) and ask them to find me a spot. Within minutes- one- usually right where I need it to be- opens up.

Day 69: Change your mind, change your life

Yesterday's blog- about my friend's leap of faith leaving one career to another- got me thinking again today about how many of us- me included- are trapped by our own mind's limitation. WE sometimes lock ourselves mentally into "I can't" statements and limit what our full potential is. Or we knock away the possibility of attaining a dream, or a goal. I decided that I am grateful that I have people, like my friend, in my life that prove that you can change and recreate your life by rearranging how you think. We have the power to create whatever we desire- it's all in our head and heart.

Day 68: A leap of faith

Last night I hosted a (rather impromptu) "freedom" dinner party for one of my best friends- who left her District Attorney career to pursue writing full time. It was very brave of her to follow her passion- take the leap and act with love and hope and not fear. To her, a role model to me- I am grateful.

Day 67: Vacation

This photo taken on a Disney Bahamas cruise in 2004, was a relaxing wonderful vacation. I love vacations for the simple fact that you get out of your normal routines, take a breather from everyday life- experience new locations together without any schedules (well it was a cruise- so you did have to look at your watch to make sure you got on the boat before it left the various ports) This was one of our children's favorite vacations.

Day 66: Siblings

This Photo, taken in 1995 when Sean was

three years old, and Melanie two years old, shows the fun side of having a sibling. They are less than 14 months apart in age- and though at times seemed to get in each other's faces too much- overall they are best friends. They still are now even in their teens. Thank goodness for children having siblings (we gave them two more also!)

Day 65: Children's smiles

Ryan (and all my children for that matter) seemed to be such happy babies. Though I know they had their shares of temper tantrums, and moments of tears. But its the big bright smiles that light up their faces that I remember the best. Here is Ryan- at one year old in July 2001, sitting in his grandparents backyard. Grinning ear to ear.

Day 64: Impromptu Get togethers

I love when this happens though it does not happen frequently enough - Impromptu get togethers. Planned ones are terrific of course, but those times a group all happen to catch up and get together at the last minute are such nice events too.

Day 63: Text Messages

Stuck in meetings all day- sometimes the only way I can communicate with my husband is via text messages. Granted that even though it's not the same as face to face communication, it serves a useful purpose. To connect, Share information. Keep in touch.

Day 62: Cozy Beds

Slumbering away on a nice soft cozy bed is the absolute best way to end a day and dream away the night.

Day 61: Great with a Purr

Sissy, our all grey cat, snuggles up to me and greets me with a purr. What a wonderful way to be welcomed back home.

Day 60: Laughter

Deep chuckles, roaring bursts of laughter, giggles, snorts- it all feels and sounds great.