by Ellie on February 27, 2010
Today I Appreciate….
- Getting Up the Driveway – (well at least halfway up!) I don’t even know how much snow we have anymore! At least 45 inches…. maybe more!
Yesterday we did get a break and the snow was slow… my driveway had been plowed the best they were able to… and down the driveway I went with walls of snow on both sides of me. I went into town for a few things…. then back up our road, which is steep…. everything was going good…
Turned into the driveway… at that point you really don’t want to loose momentum this is a long steep driveway…. I was slipping but I was going up… just getting to the last turn…..and I stopped.
I backed it up a little – tried again… Well the result is what you see in the photo…. It slipped and turned and went sideways… I got out – got my groceries and walked the rest of the way.
I called the guy who plows to see if he could help…. I haven’t heard back from him as I guess he is very busy. So later today I’ll try again…. and eventually we will get it up the rest of the way! 
I have never seen so much snow fall in such a short time – this is definitely a new experience! Spring is just a few weeks away! 
by Ellie on February 26, 2010
Today I Appreciate….
- Over 40 Inches of Snow – OK – I am really trying to appreciate this snow!
I have never seen so much snow in just a few days!
The photo above is the back of our house – taken from the sliding door in my office. Hmmm looks like we won’t be having a BBQ on that deck for awhile!
And what about the apple tree? This photo is not a bush it is the apple tree! I’ll be taking some more photos later
today, if I can get around the yard….and post them on facebook – http://facebook.com/LivingLOA
I guess I might as well appreciate this snow – as it is here for awhile! And the weatherman says more is coming!
by Ellie on February 25, 2010
Today I Appreciate….
- Spring – How can I appreciate Spring when we just got over 20″ of snow?… And today they are saying more snow is on it’s way!
Well this is winter’s last hurrah –Spring is truly on it’s way… and all this snow will soon be melting! So go ahead winter raise your head one more time and then make room for Spring time! 
What do you appreciate today?
by Ellie on February 24, 2010
Today I Appreciate….
- Bugs in My Eyes – How do I explain this? Well Abraham explains it perfectly — when the man asks Abraham “Why do dogs risk getting bugs in their eyes sticking their heads out of car windows?” and Abraham answers that the contrast of the bugs in their eyes is a small price to pay for the exhilaration of that ride!
We’ve all lived that! Didn’t you get on line for that roller coaster that petrified you because you knew the thrill of that roller coaster ride would be worth the fear you were experiencing!
Today I drove back to Windham to get the afghan for my niece. That ride is normally 1 1/2 hrs round trip but today it was over 3 hours because it was during a snow storm! I had to go way up that mountain… and it was an interesting ride! But the forecast for the rest of the week is even more snow …. and I knew how important this afghan was for my niece….so I took off knowing today was going to be the best day to do it and deciding I would follow my inner voice and let it make the decisions.
Yes – there were a few times my brain was saying – “I should just go back” — then I would check in and I had this “knowing” that all was well and truthfully there was a part of me that was indeed enjoying the “thrill of the ride”
The afghan and I got home safe and sound… a little late – but safe and sound… And I was thinking – This is truly what life is about — No not driving around in snowstorms.. But finding the thrill in each day!
You can see the video that Abraham answers the mans question about the bugs in the eyes at this webpage.
by Ellie on February 23, 2010
Today I Appreciate….
- A New Day – The promise of each day — the knowing that this day is filled with opportunities just for me.
This crisp new day – I can step back and watch the wonder of the Universe unfold in front of me… and I can partake in all it’s spectacular joy and glory.
I wish you a Wonder-Filled Day!
by Ellie on February 22, 2010
Today I Appreciate….
- A, Made by Grandma, Afghan – I received a call from my niece yesterday evening… “Ellie I need a favor. I left the afghan that Grandma made me at the house in Windham. Will you go get it?” “That is the only thing I really have from her…”
The Grandma she is referring to is my mother who made her transition 4 yrs ago. My mother was very close with all her grandchildren. My nieces and their families were on a skiing vacation up in Windham Mt for a few days. They left on Sunday to go back to Long Island….
“Sure I’ll go get it – but I can’t get there till Wednesday. Don’t worry – we’ll get it – just call the people and tell them I will be there Wednesday.” Windham is about 45 minutes from my house and I don’t have an extra 1 1/2 hr till Wednesday.
Now this is not an expensive item… But it is totally irreplaceable to my niece – her Grandma made it, with love, just for her with a tag that even says that. I absolutely will go get that very special afghan and mail it back to it’s owner!
Hmmm The day before I was appreciating forgetting things – wonder what opportunities await me?!
by Ellie on February 21, 2010
Today I Appreciate….
- Forgetting Things – Do I really appreciate forgetting things?! Well I do appreciate finding the opportunity in everything that happens…
Thursday Carol & I drove to Windham to go snow tubing with my family. After tubing we all went back to the house they were renting. We got to hang out and ate dinner with them. When Carol and I arrived back home we realized her purse was still at the house in Windham!
I don’t get to see my family that often as they live about 3 1/2 hours from us. Windham is only about 45 minutes from us. What a great opportunity I thought – I’ll drive back to Windham on Saturday to pick up Carol’s purse and I will get to play with my family again!
So I went back yesterday — had another great dinner with them (my nieces are good cooks) and got to see the kids and play scrabble… They are going back to Long Island today – so this time I made sure I remembered the purse!
There are opportunities in everything that goes on… do you appreciate them?
by Ellie on February 20, 2010
Today I Appreciate….
- Everything Always Works Out For Me – There was a time I wanted to fight with that statement…
“No it doesn’t I didn’t get what I wanted….” But as I looked back over my life – I was so aware… Everything Did always work out for me! There were times I thought things would fall apart and it all worked out. Times I thought I was going down the tubes… yet that too worked out..
Time and time and time again… Things do work out for me…As I realized that I became so aware of this flow of natural well being – this flow of love. Today I know… no matter what the situation looks like – no matter how bad it might look … the flow of love is there.. and Everything Always Works Out For Me
Look back on your own life and take note of this flow of love… and rest within that serenity.
by Ellie on February 19, 2010
Today I Appreciate….
- Snow Tubing – Yesterday we went snow tubing at Windham Mountain, NY. I know many are shocked – Ellie who doesn’t like the cold went snow tubing?!
OK — So… it’s not that I don’t like the snow …. but I really do appreciate sand, grass and warmth much, much more!
Several members of my family are staying at a house on Windham Mountain… They are all skiers. Windham is only about 45 minutes from where Carol & I live… so we took advantage of how close they were to us and went to play with them.
There were 20 of us there – 12 adults and 8 kids… and we had a fantastic day! Unfortunately I didn’t get any pictures of us tubing… as we were all tubing! We didn’t even get a group photo.. but we did have a Glorious and Fun Day!
I think what I really appreciate is playing with my family!
by Ellie on February 18, 2010
Today I Appreciate….
- Learning New Things – All these years I have had MS PowerPoint on my computer and had no idea how to use it. I have finally opened it up and I am now learning how to use it to make videos.
I am amazed at how many things it can do… I like creating … and I like playing with all the effects it can make.
And I am very appreciative of all the help files and tutorials that are on the web!
What do you appreciate today?
