7 Things & 100 Thoughts

Style Shout Out to Thursday and my list of 7 Things.

As I am watching the Today Show this morning the devastation in some of our southern states is horrific. Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel is reporting from Tuscaloosa, Alabama where he started his segment by saying, "it's almost hard to kind of wrap your hands around this..."

The outbreak of tornadoes that swept through the South is being called the worst swarm in nearly four decades.  My heart goes out to all of those people that have lost loved ones and have been affected by this tragedy.  It seems that the weather this Spring has been more turbulent than in recent years and the sound of a tornado siren even after a decade just makes me jump.  Growing up in New Jersey I loved Spring...but this Spring, not so much.

So today I am giving thanks:

To the American Red Cross for being there for the thousands of people that have been displaced by the storms that swept through the South yesterday.  As the Weather Channel's Jim Cantore was talking about how there haven't been this many people displaced since Hurricane Katrina it really put things in perspective.

To those of you who have donated or will be donating to the American Red Cross.  You can make a donation by visiting http://www.redcross.org/  or by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

To the American Red Cross for all of your time and commitment given to help others.  Your dedication is appreciated and applauded.

To those companies that are still raising funds to assist Japan through the American Red Cross and Global Giving.  It's so good to give back.

To those of you who follow and/or read my blog.  I realized this morning that this is my 100th post!  For me this is a pretty big deal considering I started the blog to show my 8 year old that you can do any thing at any age if you put your mind to it and you work hard.  So I appreciate all of you that pop in from time to time to read!  Thanks for giving me a forum to express my thoughts...100 so far!  I hope that besides being entertaining, this may inspire you to do something creative that you've always wanted to do...write, dance, sing, play an instrument...

To my parents who gave me my first guitar when I was ten years old.  That guitar opened the flood gates to creative expression through songwriting which led to my love of writing. Seriously there aren't enough words of gratitude.

To my daughter who is the coolest little person I know and who inspires me every day, and my hubby who encourages my creative endeavors which over the past two decades has made me a better songwriter and musician.  You both rock and I am grateful for the health, happiness and for all of the laughter and music that creates the soundtrack to our days.

So today be grateful for the people that fill your days with laughter and joy and keep those affected by yesterday's events in your thoughts.


My Style Shout Out:  In light of yesterday I have included a link to the post about Gratitude that I wrote  a few weeks ago.  For those of you who didn't get to read it here it is: http://styleshoutout.blogspot.com/2011/03/gratitude-simple-song.html
And give what you can to the American Red Cross because every little bit helps!  It's stylish to be grateful.