Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thanksgiving Appreciation... A Little Late...
And really, I have no great excuse. I haven't been doing anything that important.
I've been cooking. And eating (So much for low-carb the last few days...Oops). And shopping. And relaxing. And having nice happy family time.
And I've been loving it!
Next week is my last week of classes, which include tons of papers and projects and tests, followed by 2 weeks of "make me want to KILL myself" finals. Ugh.
And I could have spent the last 5 days trying to get ahead and writing papers and working on projects. But I didn't. And I'm glad. Because now I can head into the next 3 weeks feeling relaxed and rested.
And thankful.
Despite how incredibly much I miss Colorado, and my friends, and my family, and my life there, I still have a lot to be thankful for.
I'm thankful that I'm able to complete school. I'm thankful that my babies are happy and healthy. I'm thankful that I got the chance to spend Thanksgiving with new friends. I'm thankful that I found some badass Black Friday deals that are going to make my boys super happy come Christmas morning. I'm thankful for beautiful Texas fall weather that allows for outdoor football playing in November. I'm thankful that both of my sisters have found and married the man that they want to spend their life with. I'm thankful that I'm going home for Christmas in 3 weeks. I'm thankful for the crazy, beautiful, wild ride that is my life.
And I'm thankful that people can change. Really really change.
There is a lot to be thankful for this year.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thankful Thursdays...
I've been slacking... I know... Life is CRAZY. But here it is - my short list of what I'm thankful for.
I am thankful for...
... caffeine. Especially of the Starbucks variety. I'm not sure if it's the triple shot of expresso, the caramelly deliciousness, or just the fact that I know it should wake me up that gives me the adrenaline jolt I crave so strongly. But I heart it. A lot.
... lift kits and sexy wheels. I KNOW that's shallow, but I'm super excited about how dang good my truck is going to look after this weekend. *I'll post pictures* If I have to drive an hour to work and an hour home everyday, I might as well be doing it in a vehicle I love to drive, right? Just don't ask about gas mileage. It's not pretty.
... creativity. I have none. No joke. But I do get to benefit from the creativity of others. Gorgeous artwork, beautiful music, fun little projects that add life and character to my home and my world. You have to appreciate it when people put a piece of themselves out into the world to be judged and critiqued and enjoyed.
... self-help programs. Like the one I'm currently doing. Gasp. I know. Me? Yep. I realize that I am eternally screwed up and would like to do something about it so that a) I can live a happier and more productive life and b) I don't pass on all my crap to my boys. Life is hard enough. I'd like to give them the best chance possible. So I am thankful for a place where I can go and sort through things without being judged. -More on this later -
... Chick Fil A. I can't help it. It's SO yummy. Especially the original chicken sandwich with extra pickles. Covered it honey and hot sauce. OH so good. And no, I'm not pregnant.
What are you thankful for today?
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Thankful Thursday
I am thankful for...
...the Texas Longhorns. I was a fan since waaay before I moved to Houston, but it's fun to be in a town where pretty much everybody adores them. I'll be SUPER thankful if they win tonight, too!

...my ability to fix things all by myself. My washing machine decided to completely stop working today, and I was so unhappy. I don't know a dang thing about washing machine repair, and I certainly don't have the money to pay someone to come fix it, so I was less than thrilled. But once I got over my little pity party (ok, to be honest, after I actually kicked the washing machine several times and then got over my pity party) I decided to see what I could do about fixing it. So I googled "washing machine troubleshooting" and got some ideas about what might be wrong. I then found a screw driver, figured out how to turn the water and electricity to the washer off, and set to it. Within 10 minutes, I had it in pieces and discovered what the problem was. 10 minutes after that, I was able to ghetto rig it enough that I can wash clothes, and ordered the part online to replace the broken one. Yay for me. It's a super good feeling. I am more competent than I give myself credit for.
... a brain. I really like being intelligent. I like solving problems. I like challenges. The last few days I've been working on taxes and payroll and all sorts of really interesting things at work. I like working hard and finding new solutions. It gives me a sense of self worth, and like I'm really doing something. It also makes those 11 hour workdays go much faster and smoother.
...the ability of people to grow and change and become who they want to be. Life is not stagnant. It is always moving and flowing and changing. And the people in it are constantly reinventing themselves. Who a person was is not who they have to be. Everyone has an option, and a choice, and an opportunity. Even me.
... living in the land of the free. I think so often I take that privilege forgranted. I sometimes forget the price that was paid to make that possible. I am sooooo grateful for all the servicemen and women who make it possible for me to raise my babies in this great country.

Soldier comments and graphics
Life is beautiful. Even when it's hard.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thankful Thursday
The boys are in bed. The laundry is *mostly* done. I am watching The Polar Express and, until 2 minutes ago, was working on my Christmas letter.
... the ability to have children. I didn't think I wanted any more babies, ever. But after a couple of months ago when I thought I was going to lose that all together, I am so grateful that I can hopefully and Godwilling still have a child someday if I choose to.
... employees who keep me on my toes and keep me entertained. I love the guys who work for me. If I have to spend 8-10 hours a day with a group of guys, they are definitely the ones I would pick! It makes my job so much easier to be around people I consider friends.
... the inner strength I have only recently discovered that I have. I am so PROUD of the ability to be independent and take things in stride and do them myself. I can change lightbulbs, start fires, hang draperies, and even fix flats and kill bugs if I HAVE to. (Of course, I prefer not to do ANY of those things given the choice) But the point is I didn't think I could for a long time, and now I know that I can.
... music. It is such a gift. I love music. I love singing. I love performing. And I miss it. It's something I'm starting to seriously consider getting involved in again. Some of my BEST memories from the last 15 years involve music - London, CCC, Centralaires, junior high, singing in church, performing at the bar. All of it was pretty great, because it was just me being me, and doing something I love. And it's always nice to have something you're good at :)
... the little things. Pretty flowers, Midol, chocolate covered gummy bears, Precious Moments ornaments with tons of memories, taking pictures, hot bubble baths, warm blankets, and chilled wine.
Life is beautiful. Always.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thankful Thursday
So, in the soon to be Thanksgiving spirit, I am thankful for...
- having my motorcycle back and semi-working! So the situation isn't ideal, but it could be SO much worse. At least I have the ability to take it out of my garage and on a ride, and it's only going to get better! YAY!
- my parents coming for Thanksgiving. I realize that people who know me think that's CRAZY, but it's really true. I am super excited about getting to spend time with my parents. We have gotten a lot closer over the last year, and I'm grateful for that too. (And guess what - for the record, it wasn't them that changed)
- Google. I really don't know how I would survive without being able to look things up on the internet or my phone at any given second. I'm totally spoiled by technology, and I LOVE it.
- the way that God works in unexpected ways. I had no idea what was just around the corner, and it's amazing what happens when you just learn to trust and follow. God loves his children, and wants what is absolutely best for them. I love that!
- hot bubble baths. It's my way of relaxing and getting myself together and just being able to take a deep breath. Actually, after those couple days this summer, I'm grateful for ALL hot water. And electricity.
Life truly is beautiful. Sometimes you just have to look beneath the surface to find it!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Thankful Thursday
- I am thankful for tanning beds. Ridiculously thankful for them actually. Because they are the only 20 minutes out of my day that get to forget about everything else and just relax. I LIVE for those 20 minutes. Is that sad?
- I am thankful for funny movies. I love being able to just let everything in reality go for an hour and enjoy the smiles and laughs of comedy. Laughter is good for the soul and I appreciate it!
- I am thankful for my mother. She is an amazing woman, and I have learned a lot from her. I know that I put her through ridiculous amounts of craziness and heartache, and I appreciate her every moment.
- I am thankful for my new truck. I LOVE it. It's fantastic to have my own vehicle that I adore driving. Yay for God taking the bad things and creating good out of it.
- I'm still thankful for frozen chocolate and comfy beds. It's the little things in life...
- I'm thankful for country music - I can so relate. The lyrics are awesome, the music is great.
- I thankful for sleep - which I'm about to enjoy! Goodnight!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Thankful Thursday
I'm thankful that I have a good job that provides for my family. I'm blessed to be where I am, and am grateful to be able to earn a good living for my boys and myself.
I'm thankful that my motorcycle is almost fixed. I'm so ready to jump on and feel the wind against my body as I'm rushing down the road at full speed. It's one of those things that just makes me feel ALIVE. And happy. I'm so glad that it will be fixed soon.
I'm thankful for caffeine. In many forms. I really am. I'm not sure how I would manage to get through such long and completely exhausting days without my coffee and coke and 5 hour energy. YAY for caffeine highs - even if they are temporary and I'm pretty sure I'm addicted.
I'm thankful for the differences in my children. I appreciate how the 2 of them see the world through entirely different perspectives, and are growing into 2 very different people. I'm grateful to be the one to help develop and shape those personalities. I'm also very thankful that children are resilient, and that my many mistakes and mis-steps have not broken them.
I'm thankful for darkness coming early. It helps me to get the boys in bed earlier, and gives me a chance to finally sleep a little bit. Sleep is so foreign to me these days, that I truly appreciate every single moment of it.
I'm thankful that my heart is capable of true love. That I've experienced the awe and wonder and excitement of giving my heart and soul to another person. I'm grateful to know what that feels like, because when it comes again, I'll be ready.
I'm thankful for funny movies, frozen chocolates, nice weather, amazingly soft sheets, and an Ipod full of great music.
It's amazing what happens when you get outside yourself and simply look at all the good things around you. Sometimes I can be so self absorbed that I miss the blessings that God is trying to give me. Oftentimes it's when I step back and take a breath of fresh air, and just say "thank you" instead of trying to make things go the way I think they should, that they start to fall exactly into place.
Life really is good today.