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The chance to wake up each morning and make it better than the day before. -Jodie

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So I can pound some pavement. Running is my escape, stress reliever, and it is for, me myself and I. -Jodie

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I honestly wouldn't be anywhere near where I'm at if I hadn't started running 5 years ago. So this is my go to place to get my running shoes. -Jodie

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We became friends in 7th grade and have been friends since. We don't see each other very often but when we Do, it usually involves Disney and brownies!
-Jodie

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I played all through college. Unfortunately don't play a lot these days. It was always something I enjoyed. -Jodie

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It’s my favorite!! Love being able to wear sweaters, scarves, boots and hoodies. All the bonfires, s’mores, pumpkin and apple picking and corn mazes. Just wish the weather cooperated most of the time!! -Stephanie

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I am grateful for the moment my stepsister Anne was strong enough to leave the hospital and  go to a rehab home. Anne

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I love being by the water, on the water, in the water…-Anne

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If they don’t have it I probably don’t need it.-Anne

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I am grateful for work friends that have become my family here in Illinois.Anne

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I'm sorry everyone...but really the only thing I don't like about winter is driving when roads aren't clear. -Jodie

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Whenever it’s someone’s birthday in my family we always go out to eat. We go eat at whatever restaurant the birthday person wants to go to without complaints!  -Stephanie

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It has everything that I need that I use daily!! -Stephanie

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I try to get some Christmas shopping done or also wait until Cyber Monday! -Stephanie

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They’re my two favorite!! -Stephanie

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I love being able to not have an alarm go off and sleep in. I enjoy being able to relax and not have any plans for the day. -Stephanie

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I agree with the above responses. In today's world of technology, having a phone at hand for many uses, is helpful. -Jodie

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I’m glad my mom forced me to take piano lessons many years ago. I’m definitely a hack but when I’m very stressed out sitting down and playing for a while will relax me. Anne

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I love the beauty and the crisp clear mornings.Anne

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I am grateful for a vehicle that is safe and reliable that can transport me where I want to go including trips home to Minnesota.-Anne

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I don't like crowds and I think Black Friday has no purpose. There are just as good of deals on any other day. -Jodie

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I really could do without the turkey. But I can't get enough of the stuffing and potatoes. -Jodie

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I don't know how this weird Thanksgiving tradition started, but my aunt makes a seven layer salad and it's not Thanksgiving without it!

Casey

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I love mornings where I don't have to rush out of bed, and Marley and I can cuddle up! He loves to have a lazy morning in bed!

Casey

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After dinner every Christmas night, we sit around in a circle and play catch phrase. My uncle ALWAYS gives away the answers, and usually the game gets thrown at someone to pass quickly before the buzzer. It's nice to spend time with family who aren't local and just laugh!
Casey

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We bought new furniture this summer and it is SO comfortable!

Casey

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My mom's spaghetti sauce is the best! She makes it in bulk and always brings some over so I can freeze it and have on hand
Casey

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Village is a family- the staff, students and community make it a great place!
Casey

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I love playing softball and have all of my life prior to my neck surgery. It was nice to have a movie that was about women in sports to watch!
Casey

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We've made our backyard a little "haven" that we love to spend time in during warmer weather.

Casey

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I have a caretaker mentality and like people to feel comfortable and loved!
-Casey

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We create at least 1-2 crock pot meals for the week on Sunday. It makes for an easy dinner during the week!
-Casey

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I love making spreadsheets, color coding, organizing data, etc!
-Casey

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We have a fantastic couch for tall people!
~Katie O.

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I'm most grateful for the mornings, before my day gets started I'm able to stop and do my devotions to get my thinking on the right mindset and have a positive day. -Roxy

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I'm grateful for the sun to keep us warm and give us light. -Roxy

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I know that I can find anything that I need to prepare authentic Mexican dishes. -Roxy

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I'm grateful for my close friends that I can talk to and know I will get their honest opinion. I know I can always count on them.- Roxy

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I'm grateful to be able to multi-task to be able to get things done in a timely manner. -Roxy

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I’m an early shopper. Pretty much done by Black Friday.-Anne

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My sister makes the best sweet potatoes. I can’t wait. -Anne

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My mind wakes me up anyways but not having to wake up to an alarm. -Jodie

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Summer is the season I’m most grateful for. I love the hot weather.- Roxy

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I agree with Natalie, I use my phone for everything.- Roxy

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I’m grateful for good deals on Black Friday. I’m able to get most of my Christmas shopping done then.- Roxy

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I am thankful for sleeping in and being able to enjoy some extra hours in bed-Veronica

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We all had stockings at my grandma's house and she always made sure we had a box of frango mints in our stocking.
The Christmas after she passed, my grandpa made sure we had frangos. Although he didn't shop often and got everyone the bigger box.
He has since passed away, so our family tries to keep these little traditions going. The little things make me happy. -Jodie

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As soon as we are done with Thanksgiving, we start  watching Christmas movies.
We also do the Advent prayer every Sunday, we start 4 Sundays before Christmas- Veronica

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Drinking coffee in my pajamas and snuggling with my boys!!!
-Lorissa

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My big cozy chair in my bedroom. Go there for peace and quiet (only lasts about 2 minutes though before someone finds me...ha)
-Lorissa

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My aunts recipe. It’s the best!!!
-Lorissa

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I love not having to get up, get dressed, and rush out the door.  It’s fun to make a nice breakfast and sit and relax. -Anne

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Every year, for as long as I can remember, between Thanksgiving and Christmas  my family has gone to a play or a musical showing in the cities as part of our holiday celebration!  -Anne

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I love sitting down with Oliver on my comfy couch with a cup of tea and a good book or a movie. -Anne

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Close to my family and my happy, relaxing place! -Stephanie

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It’s my absolute favorite!! -Stephanie

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My favorite place! -Stephanie

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I have started to cook more and have been trying a ton of new recipes that keep coming out delicious! -Stephanie

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I have loved working here at Village and having such close friendships! -Stephanie

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I am grateful for a recliner chair I have in my living room by the window, I call it lazy chair since I am almost always fall sleep there!- Veronica

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Curled up on my parent's couch with my 50lb lap dog curled up on top. -Jodie

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I am grateful to have several of my grandma's special recipes, especially now. -Kristi

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On Thanksgiving day we cook Mexican food. I love homemade tamales. -Roxy

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I am more grateful for being able to sleep in and having a slow morning. -Roxy

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We love spending time decorating our Christmas tree as a family on Thanksgiving morning.-Roxy

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I am so grateful for Disney movies. I love watching them with my daughter because my son is too cool for them.-Roxy

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i am so grateful for my home. It's in the perfect location, only about 15 min from work and also 15 min from my kid's school and our church. -Roxy

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for the most part, I am very calm. It takes a lot to make me loose my cool. A good thing when we have kids and work with kids all day. -Roxy

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I love being able to cook at home for my family everyday. -Roxy

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I don't know what I would do without my phone. I can find any information with it.-Roxy

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I hate having my home dirty. Usually takes me all day Saturday cleaning. Once a week we deep clean. My kids hate Saturdays lol. -Roxy

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I am most grateful for our downstairs living room space. Being able to go an relax with a good movie. -Roxy

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I am so grateful for our holiday cookie recipes. I love being able to spend time with my daughter baking. -Roxy

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I am very grateful for the village staff. I feel like part of the family. I have some very good friends.- Roxy

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Speaking Spanish- it always comes in handy... especially getting better service at restaurants, hotels, stores, etc...
Natalie

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I would say Fall- but it didn’t quite happen this year...
Natalie

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Cell phone - I know it’s terrible to say... but I use it for fb, podcasts, music, audio books, gps- too much stuff I use daily
Natalie
Natalie

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Online shopping
Natalie

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Stuffing, & gravy
Natalie

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Norwegian food
My husband cooks & bakes all his traditional foods on Christmas Eve & it fits in well with Mexican traditions. In both cultures- Christmas Eve is bigger than Christmas Day
Natalie

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Sleeping in
Natalie

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Anything I can bake gluten free & still tastes good
Natalie

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I don't have a particular dish because my mom and grandma showed me how to cook some of my favorite mexican dishes, but If I have to choose I would say pozole. tortilla soup, enchiladas and tacos- Veronica

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I am thankful for the staff, I feel very welcomed and after 3 months of working here, I already feel part of the Village family- Veronica

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I am grateful for my home and also for my mom's house in Acapulco, Mexico, she has a nice place there where I can enjoy the warm weather and their company.-Veronica

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I am grateful I am a very organized person, I am not a patient person so everything needs to be taken care right away or it will drive me crazy.-Veronica

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It's still my favorite.  It's my kids' favorite too.  Comfort food and really easy to make.
--Cheryl

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My mom's spaghetti and meatballs recipe!

~Katie O.

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The days can get hectic or stressful, but it's still a fun place to come to work!
--Cheryl

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Village is a family.

~Katie O.

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My roommates, friends, and I used to watch it often during college.  We would run around quoting the movie to each other.  One friend even had the minister quote it during her wedding.  "Mawwage..."
--Cheryl

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The deck at my mom's house in Canada has a great view and is quiet.  I love it early in the morning when I am the only one awake.
--Cheryl

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I just love sports movies.
~Katie O.~

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I'm grateful for any baking recipe because I'm a good baker! - Sharon

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My grandma's toffee cookie bar recipe. They are so good! ~Jodie

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It has been wonderful to start my teaching career with such a wonderful staff. ~Jodie

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My Mom gives all her grandchildren $50.00 and a ornament at Thanksgiving.  With the $50.00 they are to pay it forward.  At Christmas time my Mom listens with tears in her eyes how everyone has used the money.  I asm so incredibly in awe how every year they make someone's Christmas a little brighter.  A few of our Village families in years past in who have fallen on hard times have benefited from my Moms gift of kindness.  Loretta

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We are such a family here. We always have each other’s back and we support each other in any way we can. Best school to work at!
-Lorissa

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It’s the one piece of technology I use all the time.

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Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service

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Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service

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This is a book by Gary Sinise.  Keith and I had the honor to meet and talk with him at Snowball Express.  Such a great man!   -Tonya