National Ifish Appreciation Day! I am Thankful for...

[Jennie@ifish]

Just wrote this on my column. Can you join in and write a list of what you are thankful for?
I need it! We all need it!

July 24th
National Ifish Appreciation Day!

Who says? I says!
It seems that people are on a roll, lately, including myself. A bad roll, indeed. Fishing is bad. Salmon are disappearing. Our environment is in trouble. Our lives are chaotic. The economy is tough. Our car needs repair. Our children are difficult. Our relationships are trying. We didn't get enough sleep. Our relatives have medical issues that worry us, or worse yet, some of our own ifishers are in a medical crisis!
Just read ifish! It's spreading like wildfire and it's scary! I just wish we could change our tune.
I read a letter from Bill Monroe yesterday about his trip to Kenya. He wrote at the end about how we take for granted the many life pleasures that we have. The people there have so few. Let me see if I can find it. He said he may post it on Life in General. I found it! Now there is a story to humble us into thanksgiving and appreciation!
I need "National Ifish Appreciation Day!" and I'm going to start, first!
As I was looking through old files, I came across one called "Family". It contains bits and pieces that are important in my personal family history.
In it, I found several long cut strips of typing paper with my family names on it. "Dee Dee", "Roo", "Jennie" and "Bill".
On each piece of paper were lists in scribbled handwriting of things that each of us found to be grateful for. It was during a Thanksgiving week some ten years ago or so. Thankful lists!
On my strip of paper I had written things such as "My dishwasher", "Hot water", Laughter, "Clean Sheets" and more.
Bill wrote things like"Good friends", "Animals are healthy", "Beautiful house and land" and three strips of paper, more!
David's list contained sweet things like "Andrew, sleeping in my room" and "Getting good grades".
Andrew had "VW vans" and "Sleep", and "Fresh eggs".
It kind of makes me giggle to read them all, but more than that I see that most of these things are simple, inexpensive pleasures that we sometimes forget.
In the folder are many thank you letters to me, that make me smile.
So, first off, I'm going to kick off appreciation day by writing thank you letters to folks. It's tough on me to hand write since all I do is type, lately, but I'm going to sit down with my thank you cards, and get started. I wish you would do the same! It really feels good!
In addition, I'm going to start a "National Ifish Appreciation Day" thread for all of us to make our own lists of what we are thankful for, and what we appreciate in our own lives.
Here it is! If you aren't a member, perhaps make your own little strips of paper and sit down with your family, tonight and fill them out. Keep them! They are a treasure to read, later!
Oh, wow! Look at this! I started one in 2001!
Wow! I did a search on ifish for "Thankful" and my name. I found the one where I started the little strips of paper thing, here!
Happy Ifish Appreciation Day to you! Look, search out and FIND those things that you appreciate! You'll be amazed at how many there are!

[Jennie@ifish]

...and I'm going to start.

I am thankful for

... the blue sky, this morning!
My warm, cuddly robe.
Hot coffee
the feel of my uggs on my feet. Cuddly! Furry!
The massive green trees surrounding our house.
The color of the river in all seasons.
The smell of food at dinner time.
My kids when they smile.
Bill, when he laughs.
Our animals, our chickens, our dogs!
hot showers
hot baths!
dishwashers, still!
Cooking and having David cook with me, last night!
So many things! I'll be back!

[butwhymalemodels]

I'm thankful there's Romans 8:1

[CGRFish]

Great Idea!

I'm thankful for...
My children, who I love so much....
My wife, and 25 great years together - (anniversery next week!)...
Oregon...
Living in the willamette valley, where I can enjoy the ocean one way, or the mountains and desert the other...
The green grass...
The beautiful trees....
The fish in the rivers, lakes, and ocean...
Gas for our cars, no matter how much it costs...
Living in a country that still has freedom...
Great medical care for the challenges life gives us...
My Lord and savior above, for blessing us all so much...

And for Jenny, for providing this great site for us all!

[Jennie@ifish]

Excellent! Please, you guys... more! More! It is my ultimate wish to hear from ifishers on all boards. Spread the news! Everyone participate, at least one thing you are appreciative of, today.

You have no idea how much that would make my day, my week, my year!

To hear happy things that we are all happy about. Please?

SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS THREAD!

[Jennie@ifish]

..you know, because then we can read that the world is good!

These are difficult times, but there are things to be happy about.

Let's concentrate on those, OK? Please?

[Sweet Melissa]

A new niece - welcome to the world Skye!
Two happy children
Coffee and ifish every morning
A husband who makes me laugh
Health insurance
Eggs from my chickens
Hot showers
Clean water
Good books
Good movies
A loving, merciful Father
The opportunity to catch some TUNA! this weekend

[Jennie@ifish]

Awesome! I'm going to read every one of these, and I love it so far!

[12244]

The kindness from complete strangers, that then become new friends.

[fishkisser]

Coming home to My Wife
Doing a good job at work
Trying to help people with their problems
Still being able to enjoy the outdoors after hip surgery
Spending time fishing with My wife
Having My ifish Family
Being able to stop smoking cigs and drinking booze

[Dullhook]

Oh there are so many things!

Family and good friends
The gift of free will that enables us to love and forgive
A free country that provides the right to express our faiths and pursue our dreams
The Cascade Mountains and Kokanee fishin'
The undeserved material possessions provided to live our lives
A loving God and the gift of His Son

[tt3886]

I'm thankful for,

A completed 40th b-day.
Two beautiful children.
A wonderful wife.
Family and friends.
All immediate family members are healthy.
Today is going to be beautiful.
The pacific northwest.

I could go on and on.

[bkedman]

I am thankful for today
and the prospects of tomorrow

[RogueFishr]

I'm thankful for:

* making it to almost 40 years old.
* My 2 daughters (7 & 9), who have taught me about unquestionable love, patience, innocence, and what is really important in life.
* my wife who has put up with me for nearly 20 years.
* the men & women in the armed services, that are (and have) protected our country, and provided me with the freedom and opportunities I have had.

* and finally, I am thankful for being able to day trade crude oil futures

RF

[bcline76]

I'm Thankful for

My best friend/mentor/fishing partner....DAD
Living in the great Pacific Northwest
Salmon/Sturgeon/Steelhead/Trout/Crab/Tuna
Waking up every morning and going to a job I love
My sister, brother in-law and two nephews
Ifish and all of the hard work everyone puts into it

bc

[mullert]

My beautiful wife
My beautiful daughter
The fact they both LOVE to fish
My health
Having a job that I love
Spending time with good friends and family fishing
Living in Oregon
Our new tent trailer
The many camping trips I've taken with my family this summer
The thought of more trips to come
Did I mention fishing?
Jennie and all of the hard work she puts into Ifish (the BEST website around)

[StickFish]

Thankful for someone helping me rediscover B E A D G and all the rest of the notes on the fret board, where were you when I was 16

Thankful for the people who have blessed my life and I can call them - Friend.

[OceanBlue]

Wow. What a great thread. Thanksgiving in July!

I'm grateful for:

A wonderful, sweet, kind, talented & loving husband
great kids (all 4 of them)
a loving and supportive family (both biological and in-laws)
Good friends
employment
Ifish!
A roof over our heads & food in the fridge
Being debt free!

I may not have monetary wealth, but I'm rich beyond belief!

[codyor448]

I am very very very thankful that my dog's knee surgery was successful this morning!
I am very very very thankful for my hubby, who was as worried as i was, and loves dogs as much as i do.
I am very thankful for Dr. Reger, who cares with such love and skill for our girl!.
I am thankful for;
My family,
friends, old and new,
blue sky's with no clouds like today,
Living where hurricane's and tornado's don't.
Laughing till I cry at some of the hysterical things written on Ifish!.
All of the people who donated to the Columbia County food bank this last weekend, so our neighbors in need can eat this month.
Not being in Debt,
All of the great forums where i have learned so much here on Ifish.
and last but not least, Jennie, who does such a great job, with ifish,and has taught me through her actions, grace under pressure,
and, all of the mods who so graciously keep us on track,

Codyor448

[Lou]

I'm thankful for being alive!
My wife and kids!
My grandkids!
All my friends!
Great life saving Dr's. (Many)
Honda car to move around in.
My boat, old but dependable.
On and on

[xdynamite]

I am thankful for:
*GOD
*My wife and 3 wonderful kids that have all taught me how to love and live.
*Being able to spend time on the ball field with my kids. (Or whatever their doing)
*Getting up early to watch the sunrise and feel the wind in my face.
*Being able to teach my kids to hunt, fish, and respect there surroundings.
*The Nehalem River.....One of my favorite places to be.
*Friends
*A job that allows me to spend all day on ifish (Thanks, Jennie)
*Cherry chip cake....which I don't get often enough

I suppose I like a lot of the simple things in life, but to me it's the simple things that make me feel alive. Great thread
XD

[Dan-L]

I Am Thankful
My Health
My New Grandson Wyatt
a Good Wife That Loves Me
6 Grand Kids
Joining IFISH
Oregon
The Great Out Doors
Fishing
Good Friends
The Man Above
-----------------
Dan-L

[Joe C]

Thankful that things are steadily falling into place for us here in Oregon and hopefully a new home is not too far off in the future.

Thankful for my wife and son and all the awesome outdoor experiences we've had in this beautiful state.

thankful that my wife caught her first oversized sturgeon and then proceeded to catch a few more. Now when I talk about buying a boat, she's actually the one going online looking at different ones

Thankful that football season is just a couple weeks away (I count preseason too since I'm in complete withdrawal by now each year)

[RidgeRunner]

I am Thankful for:

A happy family
having a good home
have the greatest job there is
the great outdoors of Oregon
the Service Men and Women in our Armed Forces (past and present)
IFISH (my wife calls JENNIE my girlfriend)
having great hunting partners
great friends

[Jennie@ifish]

Wow. No kidding. I'm crying! Thank you so much for adding to this thread. It is so amazing to me that with everyone's stresses and problems that we can still see the good things! And, oh! Are they ever good! --and so fun to read and agree with, too!

I love it when you say you enjoy your family, and coming home to your wife. Most people joke about that as a bad thing. I like that you like it! Awesome!

And when I think of my age... nearly 48!!!! And they said I wouldn't make it past 30! Wheeeeeeeeeee ha! I mean, I'm old! I never thought I'd get old! That's awesome! Isn't it????!!!!

People always dislike their birthdays after the age of 40. How come? Do you want them to stop? I don't think so! The alternative is not good!

And I can still do things and go places and SEE things, too!

This morning I was out on the deck upstairs and I was just looking out to the trees and I could see individual leaves and I had no glasses on! It was so pretty and amazing!

And there are berries on my bushes and I made a rhubarb/raspberry pie. Something my Mother thought could never happen! She said raspberries don't make pies. HA! I proved her wrong and it's so good! LOL

And... and... the dogs are happy and the cat rides in the canoe with me and these are all awesome things I'm thankful for!

And over 30 people here posted good things about their lives! Thank you for that, too!

Jen

[javahead33]

I'm thankful for God, who is merciful and generous.
I'm thankful for my folks, and my brother, and all of our families.
I'm thankful for my wife, and the kids (who are all turning out great, despite my questionable parenting skills).
I'm thankful for the great outdoors and for the peace I feel when I get away from the buzz and hum of city life.
I'm thankful for my career, and the great people I work with.
I'm thankful for my home, my truck, and my boat.
I'm thankful for music.
I'm thankful for the great dogs I've had.

This thread was a great idea. I feels good to take a moment and count your blessings.

Matt

[viigfish]

I'm thankful for my wife of 34 years, I love her more each day.

I'm thankful my family is close and I see them often, both childern and grandchildren

I'm thankful the doctor got all of the cancer during my recent surgery.

I'm thankful to celebrate my 60th birthday next week. Dad and Grandpa didn't make it that long.

I'm thankful for Ifish, when things are tough this site helps me keep afloat.

I'm thankful for living in the Northwest where I have lived my entire life.

I'm thankful I work in a place I enjoy and work with great people, and also meet interesting people every day.

I'm thankful for the men and women in the Armed Forces that provide me the freedom to enjoy life to the best of my ability.

RV

[bkedman]

I'm thankful for music. Hearing it on the radio, playing my sax with the band, experiencing a live concert... Music in all of its forms speaks to me.

[Oregon_Lass]

I’m thankful for my health

I’m thankful for my two girls, Diana and Deidre, and their health

I’m thankful for my handsome, funny and loving boyfriend whom I adore

I’m thankful for my job so I can pay my bills and put gas in my car

I’m thankful for the leaves on the trees blowing in the breeze and making that sound they make

I’m thankful for my cat, Milo He's thankful that I give him a bath only once a year

I’m thankful for shrimp and lobster

I could go on and on…