Friday Five and giveaway [at bottom]

Happy Friday!! My favorite day of the week. A day that gets a bit more relaxed as it goes along. A day filled with possibilities, creating projects and preparing for the weekend {all the while listening to the BEST 80's music. Hey, mopping my floors is easier with The Go-Go's  in the background}

This is my first "Friday Five" post. Each Friday (or there abouts) stop by for 5 of my favorite things from the past week...maybe even a rant or two [like today-American Idol eliminations anyone?]

For most of today's post I'd like to focus on gratitude. I read this really awesome article on gratitude this week...here is a bit from that article, taken from "Ensign" magazine...

"Gratitude is a positive experience that comes from recognizing gifts or blessings and feeling thankful. It is also an attitude, a way of perceiving life, in which individuals are willing to receive and acknowledge the beneficial actions of others on their behalf. It is also a habit that can be cultivated, causing one to focus on the blessings of life."

Don't you just love that part the part that says "It is also an attitude, a way of perceiving life..." Gratitude is not what happens to us but rather how we see our life.

The article goes on to share what effects gratitude has on our lives.


"Grateful people tend to generate more positive memories, reminding them of the good in their lives. Those with higher levels of gratitude are viewed as more empathetic and supportive, more forgiving, and more likely to assist others. Grateful people report feeling less envious and more generous with their possessions. They enjoy better quality relationships."

This article has really made me stop and think about my own attitude. Am I grateful enough? Do I tend to dwell on the negative rather than the positive? And how do I feel when I'm being negative? When I'm being grateful?

The afternoon before I read this I had a major grumpy attack. I've had this annoying cough all week, my house was messy, we had a guest coming for 5 days that I wasn't exactly thrilled with...and the list just kept going. I went to bed that night anxious, uptight and feeling like Oscar the Grouch. It was this night I read this article. I felt like it was meant just for me!! I went from being really grumpy to really grateful. I grabbed my "Little Book of Possibilities" and began listing all that I was grateful for from that day. Okay, so my house is messy...but I spent time with Dave today. Yeah, we have a guest coming that I may not be happy about BUT it will allow my thoughtful husband to enjoy his favorite hobby...hunting.

Just for fun I snapped a few photos around my home of what I'm thankful for today...THIS is my NEW computer!! Just got it this week. LOvE iT!!

My sweet little doggie that follows me everywhere Gizmo...

My living room, which when every other area of our home is in chaos, I can come here and know that it's clean and comfy.

My faith sign that greets me as soon as I walk in the front door.

And this darling, wonderful art piece I bought at the Maryville Art Festival a few years ago. I adore sunshines so this is perfect!! It sits on my kitchen counter. Makes me SMILE!

I also promised myself I would keep my gratitude list in my Possibilities book a few times a week.

[Look for more ideas on expressing gratitude in later posts!!]

Now just ONE rant today...this girl, my FAVORITE girl DID NOT MAKE THE Top 12 on Idol!!!!!!!! WHAT???????????????????????

Ever since the second season of Idol {when I started watching} I have rooted for the guys. Bo Bice, Ruben Studdard, Adam Lambert, etc. But this year...this year I actually was rooting for the girls...this girl in particular Lily. Love her.

And America...you voted her off. *sigh*

So, let's see...My Friday Fives are gratitude, Lily being voted off Idol and, let's see...oh yeah...

Check in on Monday for the fabulous new "Make My Monday". Whoo Hoo!! Am I excited!!! I will tell you all about it...Monday!! {or maybe not. I just remembered by sweet Em has oral surgery on Monday! Hmmmm, I may have to tell you all about it on Tuesday!!}

Anyway...as soon as I tell you...you will be sooooo EXCITED!

Just had to tell you about this woman blogger...love her!! I found her on SITS. Today is her F.A.B. Friday...why not check her out??

And last but not least...what is SITS, you ask? It's this truly awesome, cool blog I found that helps promote women bloggers!! I stop by daily now and have found some remarkable blogs. I tell you...we women got it going on!

There ya' go...Five things I think are just great this week...well, not Idol so much...but you know what I mean:)

Happy Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**{written at 4pm CST} I just realized that one of my favorite Bloggers Stacy Julian uses the term "Friday Five". I really don't want to be a copy cat so I need to think of another name. Any ideas?

Leave me your ideas to be entered into a drawing for some Me and My Big Ideas scrappy goodness!!! I'll pick a winner next Tuesday!!!