way better than WalMart

Bring yourself on by Attic 17 (the place, not the blog) tomorrow morning from 8-9am.

Shop inside a warm home with laughing, not shoving and tons of vintage goodness.

If you are in the Southern California area (or want to fly in, to shop:)), email me for address and directions.

Can't wait to see you!

Thankfulness

My husband. My daughter. True friends. Learning. My family. Joy in trial. The ability to walk. Stillness. Faith. Disappointment. Love. Our country. My brother's laugh. My home. Laughter. Opportunities. A garden. Bravery. My dog. Growth. God's Mercy. Moments. The journey. A listening ear. My salvation.

I have so much to be thankful for.

the Banks are within reach.

Sidenote: Soooooo many people wrote/emailed that they were curious what my blog name stood for. No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane is the street address of the Banks family in Mary Poppins. Another fun fact?? Mrs. Banks first song mentions the place my daughter was named after! Go watch it tonight and think of me!

****

Yes, i know it is Thanksgiving on Thursday.

And yes, I know how important that holiday is.

And I will enjoy every moment of it. Filled with thankfulness and blessings. Eating each morsel of buttery goodness that graces my plate.

But I just can't get mind off of what I will be doing....

On Saturday.

****

It was three years ago that I was in NYC, seeing MP on Broadway:

I remember sitting in our horrible seats (literally the very last row) and saying to Mary, "if this comes to LA, we are seeing it and buying GOOD seats."

And we did.

So, I have Broadway on the brain and I want to know....

What was the best play/musical/production you have seen?

******

And wouldn't you know it? Im blogging in front of the TV and a commercial for MP comes on. Just perfect.

Practically perfect.

you can listen to Johnny Cash and eat crackers too.

I get lots and lots of emails from you.

You wanna know what question I get the most?

"Where did you find your record player"?

The answer is.....My friend Mary bought it for me several Christmas' ago. She got it at TARGET. They discontinued it for awhile.....(making some people very mad)

BUT......

It's back in stores right now. I saw them today and they are $72.99. Honestly, it is one of my very favorite things. I use it EVERY day. If you don't know what to get someone special....this gift is a "one size" type of thing. Who doesn't love the rich sound of an LP?

Go now...while the gettin' is good.

And just because I can....here is a video of my kid. Enjoying said record player. And eating crackers. And listening to the man in black.

goodbye, my friend.

Today is Day 9.

I haven't had Diet Coke, my water, for over 8 days and I'm still standing.

I can't tell you all how different I feel. Seriously. I don't think that I realized

a.) how much I REALLY drank and

b.) how it totally effected everything about me. My sleep, my attitude, my energy level.

I feel clearer, happier, more rested. I get better sleep, have more energy (although for at least the first 6 days, I moved a little slower) and am generally happier.

I NEVER, EVER thought I would actually stop drinking Diet Coke. EVER. And I'm pretty sure I'm not out of the woods. I think I will take this even more seriously when it's been 3 or 4 months.

But for now, I'm pretty proud of myself and happy with this choice.

And to all my fellow Diet Coke addicts.....

I feel you.

But seriously--just stop. You won't regret it.

And to you, my Diet Coke....

Thanks for the good times.

Over at Attic 17....

Something ENCHANTING is happening, this Friday!

Head over to A17 for details!>>>>>>>>>>>

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has taken over the Monday Prayer Post. Let's praise the Lord for all the good He has done!

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Psalm 100

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

Gina:

I am thankful for:

* my salvation

* my husband who is God fearing and loving

* the Lord's provision - we always have all we need

* the Lord strategically placing people in my life at crucial intersections

* the Lord placing on my heart the importance of starting each morning with Him

* relationships built with neighbors

* for 10 years of marriage without children

* for the last 4 years of marriage with children

* ShoreLife church

* the fact that I am able to stay home with our kids

* women who have become wonderful friends who are in my stage of life

* hardcore lessons in discipline - spiritually, mentally, physically - this year

Amy:

God's grace, my amazing husband, my two beautiful daughters that give me so much joy, my wonderful church, my mom and dad, my dear friends, and the blessing of living in America.

Amber V:

I am thankful that God gave my hubby to me at such an early age. I feel privledged that I have been able to watch him evolve into the man of God that he is today. Also for a healthy little boy that through parenting him I can catch glimpses of God's love and mercy for us.

Amber C:

where do I begin?

I am so thankful that God opened a door for me and I was able to obtain a job (just in time for the holidays).

I am thankful for a loving fiance, a wonderful little girl who both light up my world and make it better.

I am eternally thankful for my Dad, he has done so much for me over the years and is truly an amazing man and I am blessed to be his daughter and to have him for a friend as well.

My wonderful friends who have supported, encouraged and just been there for me when I needed them the most and even when I didnt!!!

Carrie:

I am thankful that God has given me an opportunity to be a part of this

crazy thing we call life. I am thankful for Andrew, he made me a wife and I

am thankful for Dean and Sam, they made me a mom. I am thankful for my

family (in-laws included)...and I am thankful for reconnecting with old

friends and making new friends.

Susie:

oh, rachel. i love that God knows and guides us to say something just at the right moment for someone else's listening ears(or reading eyes).

i think that this is the first year that i have truly outwardly spoken that i am thankful for something. not that i'm not a thankful person, but not at thanksgiving. i always skip over thanksgiving and go straight to christmas. my dad passed away on thanksgiving morning in '94. he was diabetic...and 66 yrs old. i on the other hand was a week away from turning 14, with a 9 yr old sister, as well. just kids. i've never been mad that he was gone, but glad that he didn't have to keep on with his daily pain. but i have never liked thanksgiving or even remotely given it a second glance. i think in a comment to you i mentioned i love the 'angel tree'...i was on the angel tree that year my dad died. the gifts that we received that yr were so important to me. so skipping the pain of thanksgiving and going on to christmas, where i can return the favor of the angel tree gift to someone else is always a big deal to me. this yr is different though. since the spring we have been slowly falling behind on our bills. my husband is a police officer here, full time student and has just returned to navy reserves, as i stay home with our kids. i have been so bitter about being home with the kids, a previous social butterfly confined to the house, cutting off the world to myself. there are so many times that people ask what i like or what i'm into and i don't have a clue. i've completely lost myself.

i came across a friend of my husband's from high school in may and with her help i have slowly come out of hiding. slowly begun to remember who I am and what it is that I dream of doing. it's because of her that i found meg duerksen from the blog "whatever". and it's because of meg that i've come across you.

so this yr i am thankful for my friend jen. for meg. for you. i am thankful for my husband and the ridiculous hours he spends away from his family to provide for us. i am thankful for my house, overlooking the drafty windows and broken garage doors. i am thankful for a running vehicle, for however many miles i have til the failing transmission finally gives. thankful that though we're not able to tithe the full 10%, we are able to share some of our offering and have our toddlers give in their sunday school classes to help the child they sponsor, who is living in a world much worse than mine. i'm so grateful to have received this e-mail and i hope that my words can somehow bless someone else, as yours do.

Joanne:

Thankful for friends. Ones I see each day, others only once in a while, still others mostly on a computer screen!

Elizabeth:

I am always thankful for my family and friends. Life would be unbearable without them.

Amy:

We just found out my cousin's sweet little three year old, Lily, is in remission. Her baby brother, who was born premature right befrore they found out Lily had Leukemia, is doing great too!

Elma:

Oh this is good:) I am thankful for myAl who works so hard so I can stay home. I am thankful for my children and the wonderful church we go to!! Jenn: I am thankful for a healthy and loving family and amazing friends! I am also thankful that we get to go and visit Daniel's family for Thanksgiving! Stacy: I am thankful for my family, friends and the Lords' provision. This has been a tough year but through it, there have been many blessings. I am thankful for my brand new baby and my husband who has gone above and beyond to make sure we are cared for! I am thankful for my best friend Jen who has stood by my side through it all. I am thankful that I lost my job (crazy, I know). And most importantly, I am so thankful to the Lord for providing for our every need. It is through Him, we have been blessed beyond measure! Rachel: My salvation, through which, I can be truly thankful for all the other blessings the Lord has bestowed. ****** I asked some of my friends to give me a one word answer for what they are thankful for. Here are some of the answers. Healing, Laughter, Giggles, Family, Grace, Life, Babies, Love, Hope, Mercy, Jesus, Togetherness, Forgiveness, Simplicity, Acceptance, Engagements, Health, Guidance, Husband ******* What are you thankful for today?