Thankful Thursday...a day late

Hi, people...I'm sure it's still Thursday somewhere, right?  I had a more stressful than usual day at work yesterday so after coming home from a much needed happy hour, Nick fussed around me...patting my head and generally being the wonderful husband that he is while we watched Parks and Recreation.  And I fell asleep by 8:05.  I am approximately 80 years old.  Next thing you know, I'll be eating dinner at 5:00.  OH, WAIT - I already do that.

So, down to business...in no particular order, what I'm thankful for this week.

#1 - Fall...glorious, glorious fall.  It's my favorite season and aside from family and friends, the reason I could never live anywhere without the four seasons.  I've been pinning pumpkin recipes like it's my job (although I've yet to actually make any of them), drooling over boots and scarves, and just generally walking down the street some days feeling as thought I'm in a movie.  This weekend, I'll be joining the fam at Weston's Red Barn Farm for new family pictures and hopefully, some pumpkin buying. 

#2 - Yoga...I've been trying to do 30 minutes of yoga every other day since the massage therapist told me I had knots the size of Texas in my shoulders.  I used to be much more religious about practicing yoga, but I fell off the wagon.  While at first, I was huffing and puffing my way through, it's starting to get to the point where I really enjoy it again AND I'm no longer wearing my shoulders as earrings. BONUS.

#3 - This next one is an experience I'm grateful for...it's harder to explain and takes some back story, so bear with me. 

I frequently see homeless people on my drive to work...and just as frequently, I have that uncomfortable "Do I make eye contact? Do I give them money? Do I ignore them completely?" dilemma in my head.   You would think that someone who has dedicated their career to nonprofit health and human services would handle this situation better, but I don't.

One morning, I was at a stoplight and saw a homeless man on the corner on my driver side.  Not really thinking about it much, I grabbed my lunch, rolled down the window and handed it to him.  I felt such sadness as he took it and thanked me and said "God bless you."  I wanted to do more.  Later in the day, I remembered...oh yeah, you work in nonprofit health and human services, so you do more every day...even if it's indirectly.

But what I don't get every day is the opportunity to experience the human to human connection of helping someone.  And the more I thought about it, the more I realized that even though it was a small act and probably was more meaningful to me than the man I helped...(warning: I'm about to go all 'kumbaya' on you guys) the world could use more small acts of kindness.  And selfishly, I realized I wanted to be on the giving side of kindness because I could use that positive energy in my life right now.

So, I've been thinking about how to incorporate this into my life and here's what I've come up with.  Each week, I'm going to perform a random act of kindness and blog about it.  Fairly simple and certainly not a unique idea, but I know that declaring it publicly will keep me honest.  I'm hoping you all will help me come up with ideas, too.  I've already got an inkling of an idea for next week, but you'll just have to wait until then...

Have a pumpkin-filled weekend, everyone!

Thankful for Thursday...The Triumphant Return!

First off, I'm going to pat myself on the back because I'm actually writing Thankful for Thursday ON WEDNESDAY.  Look at me not procrastinate!

So, in no particular order...my intentional gratitude for this week...

#1 - Rainy days and scary books...I know most people beg for nice sunny weather, but every once in awhile, it's nice to have a gray, drizzly day and cozy up with a book and a mug of coffee and a cat on your lap.  This weekend, I read two great mysteries- Promise Not to Tell by Jennifer McMahon and Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson.  It's so rare that I'm genuinely surprised by an ending in a book and both of these left me thinking...and frankly, pretty creeped out.  My book reading moods change with the seasons and autumn is decidedly mystery and thriller season for me.

#2 - Great co-workers...I have been reminded this week how truly great my co-workers (and former co-workers) are...it's kind of like having a second family...awkward family photos and all.  :)

#3 - Now I'm going to be really mean and tell you that I can't actually tell you what #3 is because it's not my secret to tell, but I got some really exciting news on a project today from a dear family member.  I was flattered to have been asked to help with this Super Top Secret Project and can't wait to learn more.

What are you grateful for this week?

Thankful Thursday

I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude lately.  I have so much to be grateful for – husband, family and friends too great to even describe, a career that I love, a roof over my head and the chance that Nick and I will soon have a family together.

During my, ahem, minor breakdown last week, I tried to remember to be grateful for all of these things, but there’s something about being grateful about things that are so big and broad that doesn’t always hit home for me.  So…I’m starting a new blog feature, Thankful Thursday, which is really more for me than you, but dems de breaks. 

If you know me at all, you know that I’m obsessed with Oprah and she has often said that having a gratitude journal is a great way to remember all that is good about your life.  So, this is my attempt. I would have liked to have titled this feature using the word gratitude but I also have a love of alliteration - so Thankful Thursday it is.  It will also force me to post at least once a week.  I know...YOU'RE WELCOME!

The rules are: 1) I have to write about at least three things I am grateful for that week, 2) I have to be as specific as possible and 3 )I can break the rules if I want. 

So, here’s my first try.  I’m grateful this week for…

1.)    Pinterest…I love pretty things.  I love making lists.  Pinterest combines my two great loves into one handy addiction.  I actually find myself getting up earlier in the morning to spend my mornings perusing the latest pins while drinking my half-caff latte, imagining all of the craft projects I'm likely never going to do, home improvement projects I could never afford and outfits that I could never pull off.  Actually, it sounds sort of depressing when I type it all out, but I promise...I'm thankful for it.

2.)   My cats...you guys, I am a total crazy cat lady.  I probably have more pictures of my cats then I do family or friends.  The crazy thing is...I swear they know when I'm upset.  They virtually never left my side during the Week O' Crazy Meds.  Here's a couple of pictures of my adorable feline babies.

OMG! Kitty Snugglez!

Zoe is scared of thunder so she retreats to the bathroom whenever there's a thunderstorm.  Yes, that is a Jimmy Johns wrapper in the trash.  Don't ask.

Ignore the pile of linens that need to be put away in the background, but Carl likes to burrow into anything soft and cozy.   And I like to take 17 pictures of him doing that.

 3.)  Finally, I'm thankful for...gratitude.  I was driving by this house near our neighborhood the other day.  It's a gorgeous house - set up on a hill with tons of acres and a pond and horses and it's just....gorgeous.  I've driven by the house so many times and thought "What I wouldn't give to have that house..." On this particular day, however, I drove by and thought "That's a pretty house...but I have almost everything I need and I know the final piece (babies in case you haven't been paying attention AT ALL) is around the corner.  It was such a strange and surreal feeling to be happy with everything I have and completely focused on starting a family.  It was actually that feeling that spurred me to start making a lists of what I'm grateful for in a more intentional way.

Okay, your turn!  Write down or think about three very specific things you're grateful for at this moment.