THANKFUL FRIDAY

The turkey has been cooked (successfully). Dinner has been eaten. Leftovers have all been divided and put away. Dessert and coffee has been consumed. The kitchen has been cleaned. The parents have packed up and headed out. All of this happened in moments. Snippets of time. Writing a gratitude entry on the day after the Thanksgiving Holiday should practically write itself. The turkey eaters raved over the turkey and I have yet to hear any news of food poisoning. Surprisingly enough, there were no Lucille Ball moments. In fact, the entire meal was easy peasy. I have a small kitchen and I like it that way. I was a bit worried about how mom and I would get along in such a small space, but we handled it quite well. It reminded me of when I would work next to mom in her kitchen when I was little except this time I had an idea of what I was doing.

I am thankful that we were able to sit down and share our Thanksgiving meal together in our first house. I am thankful that my parents are still capable and able to travel to be here with us. I am thankful. Simply thankful.

Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Holiday and Thankful Friday.

THANKFUL FRIDAY

This week seemed to move in slow motion. I used to hate weeks like this. If a week had dragged on like this before, I'd be writhing in despair under my desk. But today, I was trying to schedule a training for someone who wants to use a microscope and as I looked at the calender I realized that this month is practically gone. This year has flown by in a crazy blur. I am thankful to have a week where time slows down a bit and I have a chance to catch my breath. The slowness of the week has inspired me to spend some time with the manual settings on my camera, take the time to be still for that night picture, knit, and finally take that polish off my toenails (the same polish I've had on since maybe June). Also, Monday I taught my third class at the private catholic school for underprivileged teens. I haven't wanted to say to much about it until I knew how the class would go. I have twelve to thirteen teenage girls and we meet in a small reception hall at the back of the church. There's a huge statue of the Virgin Mary staring right at me as I teach these girls sun salutation. Some of the girls are there because they think it's an easy grade, but most of them are really into it. Even the apathetic ones try. I have three rules for the class: never endure pain, be present on your mat, and it's OK to laugh. And we do. We laugh and giggle, but when it's time for final relaxation they all lay quietly on their mats. I love it and I'm sure I enjoy teaching the class more than they like being there. I am so thankful for each one of those girls and I am thankful that I've been allowed to teach them yoga.

As always, I am thankful for Chris. I am thankful for dog who has taken on the habit of sighing like a leaky balloon. And I am most thankful for all of you. Happy weekend and Thankful Friday.

THANKFUL FRIDAY

November is a big birthday month. Katrina (my sister-in-law) celebrated another wonderful year of life last Saturday. Misti and Traci celebrated another fabulous year yesterday. Next week will rock another spectacular year for Anna and Jen followed by our friends Nikki and Madchen. That's a lot of cake and of course I am extremely thankful for all of it. You see, all of those women are very important to me. They are my champions, my cheerleaders, my heroes. I am so thankful that they are present in my life. There is something special about every single one of those gals. November is a month dedicated to being thankful. Taking that one day out of the year to be thankful is what inspired my Thankful Friday entries. Most weeks it's pretty easy to find something to be thankful for. There were times early in the the Thankful Friday venture where I struggled to find things to be thankful for. I've found that the harder you look for the blessings in your life, the easier they are to see.

So this week, I am thankful for birthdays and beautiful strong women that I can call my friends. I am thankful for the (literally new) roof over our heads. And I am thankful for Trader Joe's caramel dipping sauce.

Happy Friday to all.

THANKFUL FRIDAY

Today Chris is picking me up at 3:30. Then, we're going to drive out to Lee Summit and finally, finally!, sign papers to close on our house. That means, by the end of today, we will be home owners. This makes me laugh and cry all at the same time. In fact, I can't really talk about it at all. The words that I have roaming around my brain on this subject makes my throat close up and my eyes burn with tears. I don't think I can type them, let alone re-read them for editing (who are we kidding, I never edit). I've been reading about battles with seasonal depression a lot lately. I usually get a touch of it, but just a dusting that's easily brushed off. This time around has seemed like a bit more than a dusting and I think I've finally realized why. Every year since 2005 we've been visited by a monster. The monster comes and steals our happy. It seemed like his visits were so consistent that I started to brace for them even if they didn't happen. This time around, I have even more to loose if that monster shows up. Do you see how stupid this is? I am waiting for the bad to happen instead of enjoying the good I have. Sabotage. That's what I'm doing.

So here's what I'm thankful for this week. I am thankful for our home. OUR HOME! I am thankful for the clarity to recognize my self sabotage. I am thankful for my strength. Because when and if that monster shows his ugly face around here, I know I can kick his ass. Because I'm strong. Ain't no one's gonna steal my sunshine.

As always I am ever so thankful for you. Have the best weekend and a very Thankful Friday

THANKFUL FRIDAY

The mood is shifting. It could be because it's the end of the week. It might have something to do with carving my pumpkin (all by myself!). It could also be because we have friends visiting us this weekend. Or it could be just because it was time to lift up out of the funk. Whatever the reason, I am thankful. This week I've done little things to boost my mood. I had enough fresh flowers to put some on the kitchen table, the dresser in the bedroom and even a small milk bottle full in the bathroom. I've worn different earrings every day this week. One day I even wore the fancy pearls Chris bought me for Christmas the first year we were married. I always save those for special occasions. This is silly; every day is a special occasion. I bought a new red lipstick and refrained from picking off my lips for one whole day. All of these little things add up and by the end of the week, has become a big pile of happy. I am thankful for all of these things.

And with any luck, this time next week I can be thankful for finally closing on our home (I know!). There is so much in my life to be thankful for, but sometimes it's important to be thankful for the presence of mind to realize this.

I am thankful for all of you. Happy Thankful Friday!

THANKFUL FRIDAY

I don't think of myself as a writer or photographer, but I realize that in some way I am both of those things. Actually, I am more than those things. This is probably why I avoid those labels. I am not just a writer, or a photographer, or scientist, or a yogini. I am all of this and more. This week, I am thankful for the clarity to realize that it's okay to be all of these things. But what I am even more thankful for is that it's okay to be none of those things. It's easy to get caught up in doing and being, but sometimes I hear the voice of my yoga teacher saying "it's okay to do less". For years I've always felt that I needed permission to do things. I still sometimes ask Chris if it's okay if I do this or that. I remember a student telling me one time that yoga class was worth it just for the time where you are given permission to lie still and rest. It is a lesson that is easy for me to teach, but not always easy to do.

I am thankful for the times this week where I've given myself permission to do less. I am thankful for the moments where I've given myself permission to be still and present in this moment and not dwell on things that need to be done. Because really the only thing that needs to be done is what ever it is I'm doing at that moment. I am thankful for the times I have asked myself "what am I doing right now?".

Those flowers are flowers I give myself permission to buy every week. They bring me joy. Give yourself permission to accept joy and be thankful. Happy Thankful Friday.

THANKFUL FRIDAY

I have been the busiest at work that I have ever been. Everyday this week, I have left work with a brain of mush. I am thankful that today is Friday. I know I try really hard not to be in camp with the TGIF crowd, but today I have to say "TGIF". I am thankful that tonight, when I lay my head down on the pillow, I will not have to remember to set the alarm. I am thankful that tomorrow I will be able to just open my eyes when I'm good and ready to do so. But I have to say, I am thankful that this week was so busy. I got things accomplished. I wasn't busy fixing things I had messed up. I was busy just doing things and this felt good. It also made the days move by faster and reminded me of why I stopped wearing a watch. I don't have that constant pressure of time looming over my head. I just work and get things done. I am thankful for this.

My evenings have been just as busy. We have met with our landlord almost everyday this week, discussing the next step, signing paperwork and setting dates. We will close on this house at the very end of this month. I am excited, but I also feel a little queasy. I am thankful for our landlord who has worked so hard to get us into this house. I am thankful for the people who are helping us with this venture and I am thankful to finally settle down. No more gypsy.

That's a lot to be thankful for. Happy Thankful Friday!

THANKFUL FRIDAY

Tuesday night, Hooper came in and went straight to bed. He didn't eat his food, didn't even want a cookie. He didn't even want to do his nightly front yard patrol. He had us worried. All night I fretted over having to take him to the vet and how we would pay the $5,000 fee to save his life. The next morning I got up and he'd cleaned his food bowl. He was right as rain. It reminded me of that time he sprained his tail from excessive wagging. We thought he'd broken his tail or had some spinal injury. No, he just wagged his tail too much. Well, today I am thankful that Hooper is OK. I am thankful that he's back to his crazy old self. I realize that Thankful Friday posts get to be random disconnected entries and this one will be no different. I promise. Most of my Friday entries are typed up every week on my iPad. I love my Apple products and the loss of Steve Jobs saddens me. But I am thankful for the things he has brought to this world. I am thankful for his reminder to "think different". I am thankful for his visionary thinking. 

And while I'm at it, I might as well be thankful for technology this week. I should be thankful for this every week. Without my smart phone and gadgets I would be all alone. I wouldn't be able to talk to dad or text with my mom. I wouldn't be able to chat with friends on a daily basis. These little interactions make me happy and I am thankful for each and everyone.

Have a blessed weekend and a very Thankful Friday. 

THANKFUL FRIDAY

I am sitting here wondering what in the world has happened to the month of September. Where exactly did it go? What did I do with this month? Actually, I am thankful to be moving on to October. Mostly because I want some pumpkins. Last week I was lamenting the need for pumpkins and Chris made a grunting noise. I looked over at him and said that I promised to buy "normal" pumpkins this year. He made me double-promise that I would not get a pumpkin that required a Skil saw to carve (like last years).  Also, with any luck, this will be the month we finally close on the house. I have said that every month since July. This time I really mean it. There are plans for visits from friends this month (something else I am thankful for) and it would really be nice to say that they are visiting our house. Not the place where we are squatting.

I think what I am most thankful for this week is how uneventful it has been. There have been no phone calls of bad news. No illness. No catastrophes. Just calm. I like it this way. Even the weather has cooperated and I've been able to ride my scooter to work everyday without incident. I have had to wear socks and a heavy coat, but only for the ride in. It's odd to be living in a place that has an actual Fall season, the kind I'd see on tv. We plan on taking advantage of that starting with apple cider donuts.

I hope that you have had a week to be thankful for. I also hope that you have a weekend full of the same. Have a very thankful Friday.

THANKFUL FRIDAY

I have so many things to be thankful for this week. They just don't seem to mesh up together to form a real entry. So, I'm listing them. Let's see how much I can come up with.

1. I am thankful that Chris has survived his first week of exercise.
2. I am thankful Chris has taken initiative.
3. I am thankful for the Reese's Pieces Chris gave me.
4. I am thankful for Chris.
5. I am thankful for the food we've eaten this week. In particular the enchilada casserole Chris made Wednesday night and the apple pie I made on Sunday.
6. I am thankful for my yoga practice this week.
7. I am thankful for the sub we had for Zumba class this week. He was fabulous.
8. I am thankful that we have managed to curtail Hooper's flea infestation without using nasty chemicals.
9. I am thankful for Laundry Thursdays and the juke box at the laundromat.
10. I am thankful for these new hair ties that do not break when I stuff all of my hair into them.
11. I am thankful for cupcake trucks.
12. I am thankful that I wasn't really shot in the foot this week.
13. I am thankful that that smelly guy at the laundromat just moved away from us.

OK. Now I'm just getting ridiculous. As always, I am thankful for all of you. Have the best weekend and the most awesome Thankful Friday.

THANKFUL FRIDAY

This was one of those weeks that felt like a long one and short one all at the same time. I know I was busy. I know I accomplished tasks. But it's all so much of a blur, I don't remember what it is I did. This was an odd week. Good, bad, ugly, and good again. We are still in home buyers limbo. The good news and something I'm incredibly thankful for is that the structural engineer that visited our house this week declared the basement to be structurally sound. Woo hoo! We were a bit worried about that one. I think we are now one more step closer to this whole house buying thing.

This week I have been spot on with my yoga practice. Getting up at 5 in the morning, something that usually is easy for me, had recently become very difficult. I'm usually really good at talking myself into doing things that I don't really want to do. When the alarm goes off and I'm just too tired, I can usually convince myself to get up any way. But recently, it has been all too easy to agree with my tired self. Not this week. This week has been a week to find the joy in my practice. This has been a week when I've needed my yoga the most. I am thankful that I have the knowledge to do my own practice. I am thankful my body was willing and able this week.

I am always and forever thankful to have friends and family that love and support me so unconditionally. May your weekend be blessed. Happy Thankful Friday.

THANKFUL FRIDAY

I was watching the National Geographic Channel the other day while walking on the treadmill. They played a promo for all the documentaries they had planned to play to commemorate 9/11. They also asked people send in their tweets for where they were that day. I was at work and they let us all leave. Chris, Todd and I went to Galileo's  for lunch and sat there just watching it all unfold.  I remember being sad and shocked, but also a little detached. I didn't really know anyone in New York. Chrome and Kizz where not yet part of my tribe. I knew of them and hoped they were OK, but I hoped they were OK like I hoped everyone was OK. There have been few times an event has shut down this country. Pearl Harbor. The death of President Kennedy. Just once wouldn't it be nice if the country shut down because something really good happened instead of something bad. Very quickly after that, people started talking about how 9/11 changed everything. It would take another four years for me to feel the full ramifications of that day. Because, yes, 9/11 did change everything. 

Today, I am thankful for the things that didn't change. I am thankful for the people that are part of my life now. I am so thankful for those people that I didn't know then, but know now and that they made it through those terrible events to be a part of my life today. I am thankful for the men and women who took this tragedy as a sign to do something good, to volunteer, to serve their country. I am thankful.

THANKFUL FRIDAY

I'm just going to say it. Today I am thankful for the weekend. The long holiday weekend. Also, today is First Friday and Food Truck Friday. We only get one splurge this month and it's going to be on food truck. I'm so darn excited. There's a food truck called Magical Meatball Tour. I don't know what that's all about, but I'm thankful that they have some vegetarian/vegan stuff on their menu so that I can check it out. Also, my mom was in town doing a drive yesterday. She had just enough time to stop by and have a cup of coffee before she headed back to Oklahoma. We had a nice visit and I heard all about what's going on at home. I am thankful for these snip-its of time. It's always a nice surprise and it's nice to see my parents still active and doing things.

And as always, I'm thankful for you guys. I am thankful for all the love and beautiful comments you leave. It's nice to hear. But those entries I write about beauty and loving yourself, I do those to remind you that you are beautiful and wonderful. I am thankful that it works both ways.

Happy weekend and Thankful Friday!

THANKFUL FRIDAY

I stared at the blinking cursor on my screen for a long time. It's not that I have nothing to be thankful for this week. It's just that I am thankful for things that I can't put into words. I am lucky. I have good people in my life. I have friends and family that are good at being supportive and oh so kind. I am thankful every day for this. One thing I can put into words is how thankful I am for the weather. When I talked to my dad the other day, the high here was 90. That was the warmest for the week. Meanwhile, dad has been able to cook peanuts by just leaving his roaster out in the sun. Also, we've had at least three days of rain. Chris and I planted veggies for a Fall harvest on Sunday and I think that I already see some things sprouting. 

This weekend will be a home body weekend. I am thankful for this too. I resolve to record two yoga classes to send to some of my former students, maybe get some things posted on EBay and  get all those cards organized from BlogHer. I am also considering starting a little pen-pal project this weekend. So, I am thankful for the time and the ideas.

Hope all have a perfect day and Thankful Friday.

THANKFUL FRIDAY

I'm still learning things from our 10 day juice cleanse. I've always known when I've been full, but if there was still food on my plate, I'd eat it. Now, I'm aware when I'm full and I stop eating. There may still be food on my plate or in my sandwich bag, but I'm OK with this. Another thing I've noticed is how I really appreciate the simplest of foods. Sunday, when we started talking about what we were going to eat on Thursday, I was planning simple lunches. The thing that stuck the deepest in my brain was peanut butter. I just wanted a simple peanut butter and banana sandwich.  I'm really proud of Chris for sticking with the cleanse. And when we started talking about food he said that he wanted to be in charge of meal planning for a while. This was a relief. I feel like my plans for evening dinner have grown stale and boring and the usual. Some times, I'd plan something, but by the time I'd get home I'd be so tired that I wouldn't feel like cooking. Then, I'd feel guilty for asking Chris to make dinner (stupid). Having him take it over for a while makes me happy. So, today, I am thankful for food. I am thankful for the simplest pleasure of crunching into a  celery stick and I am thankful for Chris.

We have few plans for the weekend. Saturday we will see an old HS friend and his wife for lunch (I'm actually really excited about this). We will plant fall veggies and we will rest. All things that make me thankful. Happy weekend and Thankful Friday.

THANKFUL FRIDAY AND JUICING UPDATE

I can't believe it's already Friday! That means Chris and I are five days into our 10 day juice cleanse. And you know what? I feel just fine. I'm not starving, like I thought I would be, and I don't feel like I need to eat a hamburger. I have to admit to cheating on one meal. Wednesday, my lab went to lunch and then to a tour of the Harely Davidson Factory. I did my best to cheat reasonably, meaning I had a very simple Southwest salad and a huge glass of water. I was a little excited with the idea of eating un-juiced food. OK. I admit it. I was really excited. But as I chewed on that first bite, I was like "meh". It wasn't all that thrilling. I've done cleansing diets before and with all of them I've had what I like to call the third day woozies. I always have a crash day. That hasn't happened on the juice cleanse and it's one of the things I'm thankful for today. Yes, I still have hunger pangs, but they happen when they are supposed to and I never feel so hungry that I feel like I'm going to eat my own arm. So I'm thankful Chris talked me into the whole juicing thing. Plus I love putting things in the juicer. Who knew you could juice a sweet potato!?

I am thankful for the promise of naps this weekend and the time to organize a few things. I am thankful for the cooler weather and the garden possibilities. I am thankful for the 5lbs I've lost this week. I am thankful for our juicer.

Happy weekend and Thankful Friday!

THANKFUL FRIDAY

Do you guys know about The Happiness Project? Sure you do. Right now, I'm sitting waiting for a session to start that is being moderated by the author, Gretchen Rubin. I am thankful for the opportunity to sit in on a session with a panel of women like Gretchen and Brene Brown speaking about blogging your way to self acceptance. Actually, I'm thankful for this experience in general. It is really something to be in the presence of all these smart, amazing women. And the support and love. It's good for the soul. Right now Brene Brown is speaking and I am thankful to hear these words on being our authentic selves and I have to go because I have to be present in this moment.

Happy Thankful Friday!

THANKFUL FRIDAY

We've managed to make a friend! Except she's moving to California. In fact, she's on her way right now. We will miss her, but we will visit. I am thankful that we have friends in other states that don't mind if we sleep on their couches. This friend is another one of those we can add to that list. Plus she introduced us to a group of fabulous gay men. Some of whom are really involved in the KC AIDS Walk. I see me steppin' up my charity game. Speaking of road trips. My dad called me yesterday morning to tell me he was in town and currently lost some where near where I worked. I somehow managed to get him to my building after some really tense moments and we had a late breakfast. I am thankful for that short bit of time I had with my dad. It felt good to show him around and hear him marvel at my new fancy work digs. He also brought me the new yellow shirt I had purchased and then left behind from my last visit. Yellow shirt!

I am thankful for the cold front that is supposed to be heading this way. I am thankful for the opportunity to finally get out and clean up the back yard. I am thankful for Chris for many reasons and I am thankful for you. Happy Weekend and Thankful Friday!

THANKFUL FRIDAY

Well, it has finally gotten hot here. People have been telling us for weeks that it was going to happen. I just don't think they thought it would be this hot. I have a feeling these temps are above the norm. Something about a heat dome. So today I am thankful for cold watermelon, ice cubes, snow cones and fans. I am thankful for lazy days filled with good food, good drinks and laughter. I like the way things just kind of slow down during the dog days of summer. It makes us all stop and take some time to just be. People move around as if their made of molasses. Even the weeds slow down their creeping a bit in the garden. I am thankful for this, but I am also thankful for the promise of rain next week bringing in some cooler temps. It's a win win.

Happy Thankful Friday!

THANKFUL FRIDAY

Today is the day guys. The day Chris and I have been waiting for our whole lives. That may be an exaggeration. The day we've been waiting for for a really long time? Any hoo. Trader Joe's opens today! Today! Trader Joe's opens today! Can you tell I'm a bit excited? Our plans for dinner tonight includes a bunch of snacky stuff from TJ's. Also, I'm gonna drink a whole bottle of Two Buck Chuck all by myself. Because I can. I am thankful we now live in a town that has our favorite grocery store.  Yesterday, I got word that a cupcake truck would be stopping by work. It's like an ice cream truck, but for cupcakes. And this totally happened! She was down to one flavor by the time she reached us, but I didn't care. Cherry Mash sounded pretty darn good to me. I bought one for me and one for Chris and I even held off eating mine until we could eat them together. Willpower. Some times, I's gots it. I am thankful I live in a town where a cupcake truck stops by my work.

Well, it seems I'm thankful we made the decision to move to this cool new place. I, of course, am very thankful for friends who love us so much and let us crash at their places. I am thankful for the rain and the cooler temperatures. I am thankful for my family. And I am thankful for Chris, who I can share cupcakes with and maybe a sip of my Two Buck Chuck.