My 2014 gratitude list

2014 wasn’t a perfect year. It kinda stressed me out. Overtime at work and my stupid ear continuing to plague me ate up a lot of my joy. I’m trying to move forward into 2015 with hope. I have goals that I am thinking about, but before I share those, I wanted to share what I’m grateful for from 2014.

1. As always, my husband. New Year’s Eve marked seven years since he asked me to marry him.

2. Creativity and the chance to use it in my job. My coworkers and I created a pretty sweet haunted house for a Halloween event.

3. Speaking of creativity, we also created Santa’s Workshop for a Christmas event. Although the process of building this is crazy exhausting, I relish in the creative details all over.

4. This adorable puppy. I was heartbroken when my sister had to put her sweet 13 year old Lacey to sleep in June. This sweet face filled our hearts with lots of joy. Gracie is a welcome addition to my sis’s family.

5. A chance to see the beauty of Niagara Falls. 

6. A surprise trip to Las Vegas. Drew totally pulled it off. I had no idea until we were on a shuttle to the airport. We saw the Impractical Jokers live, and then explored the city, including the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop from Pawn Stars.

7. Pie. I started making homemade pies this year after reading this book, and the therapy of playing in flour and butter has been amazing for me. 

8. Fun and laughter. I forget how much this will replenish your tank. Playing Lego Harry Potter with Drew is super fun, and a ridiculous game with my nephews had me laughing so hard I could barely breathe.

9.Yoga. I’m learning more how this craft makes my entire body feel relaxed and at ease.

10. Cross-stitch. I rediscovered this craft this year. It’s been a new avenue for my creativity. It’s nice to create something from an existing pattern. Sometimes coming up with things from scratch is exhausting.

I hope 2014 was just as good to you. What are you thankful for from the year?

 

 

 

Gratitude: Cheese and crackers

As 2013 wound to a close and 2014 began, I’m continuing to focus on gratitude. Here’s what I’m thankful for:

  1. A steady job with some amazing coworkers. I’ve been working lots of overtime in the past few months, and I can think of no one else I’d rather spend extra work hours with. Though the job can be stressful, I am so blessed to have the coworkers I have.
  2. A chance to make extra money. As much as I don’t like working more hours and coming home exhausted, my paychecks helped our budget a lot.
  3. Baking. I didn’t get to do a lot of baking in December, but I took one day to bake up a storm. There’s something comforting about flour and pastry blenders and the smell of cookies.
  4. Cheese and crackers. It’s a tradition in my family to have cheese and crackers on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning is fun with wrapping paper strewn all over, but I prefer the quiet of Christmas Eve, some wine, cheese and crackers, and a little Phase 10 with the family. We had a blast.
  5. My in-laws. I hear other women complain about their mother-in-laws and I just smile. I have some great in-laws. I was welcomed into my husband’s family with open arms. We had a great visit in North Carolina with them, and I loved meeting our new nephew, Jackson.

    Such a cutie
  6. My husband. I love dreaming alongside this man. We love coming up with crazy life adventures we can partake in together.
  7.  Christmas trees. My absolute favorite scent in the entire world. I love coming home and smelling the Christmas tree.
  8. Fireplaces. Though we don’t use it much in Florida, I love my fireplace. So cozy.
  9. Fuzzy boots. Again, not a lot of use in Florida, but when the temps dip into the 20s and 30s, I’m so glad I have them.
  10. Laughter. I found this box to gift wrap my nephew’s Christmas gifts in, and it was a bigger hit than the gift itself. 

What are you thankful for this month?

Pumpkin and sweet pups: Gratitude

It’s time again for a gratitude list.

  1. Pumpkin flavored anything. I took a trip to Trader Joe’s and grabbed pumpkin croissants, pumpkin bread mix, and pumpkin spice. Yum.
  2. Amazing coworkers. I am incredibly blessed to work with the people I work with. I’ve never seen teamwork like at my current job.
  3. The chance to be creative in my job. I helped build a haunted house this month. Never done that before.
  4. The fact that I have to fill my bird feeder a couple times a week. I have a busy front yard, and I love that.
  5. This sweet pup. My sister’s dog was diagnosed with cancer and had to have a leg amputated. After only two weeks, Lacey is doing quite well on three legs. And still as lovable as ever.
  6. Trying new things in the kitchen. I’m trying to make fresh pumpkin puree. Can you tell I’m obsessed with pumpkin?
  7. The chance to dream with my husband. We like to dream crazy dreams. After watching a show about real estate in Alaska, we dreamed of moving there. I’d love it until the winter hit.
  8. The sound of heat running. It makes me happy to be warm and safe.
  9. Walks in the sunshine.
  10. Cool air on my face. So thankful the summer heat is finally over.

What are you thankful for this month? I’d love to hear.

Life is crazy, but life is good

Life has been a little crazy lately. Good crazy, but it’s still left me little time to write, process, think, and sometimes even breathe.

Which is why I’m thankful for Sundays. I’m thankful for lazy days spent watching movies and cuddling with my husband. Lazing out on the porch on a beautiful fall afternoon, watching the birds fight over the feeder. Snuggling up in a favorite sweatshirt that reminds me of travels from years ago. Leisurely strolls around Costco eating enough samples to call it a meal. Taking my first trip to an overly crowded Trader Joe’s and grabbing every possible pumpkin flavored object off the shelf. Spiked apple cider at the end of the day.

Life is crazy, but life is good. I love these little moments where I can stop and be content.

Latte foam and road trips: a gratitude list

It helps my overburdened mind to slow down and remember how blessed I am, and how much I have to be thankful for.
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  1. Cooler weather beginning to settle in. Although the summer heat isn't giving up it's reign without a fight, I'm so thankful that fall is on its way.
  2. A reunion with my best friend. I can't tell you how much I've missed this girl. 
  3. Road trips. I love to hit the open road and explore new places.
  4. Latte art. I love people who can make a canvas out of hot milk. 
  5. The chance to meet my favorite singer/songwriter, Derek Webb. Not only was he super nice, but he recognized me from his music video and the footage I sent in for it.
  6. Chances to be bold and share the music I've been working on.
  7. Attending the Start Conference and being able to meet some online friends face to face. It was so neat to have real conversations with them.
  8. My husband, who has picked up the slack in most of our household cooking lately. He never complains, and always does it with a smile.
  9. Hosting the African Children's Choir at my church and having a packed house. Seeing and hearing the kids reminded me of my kids and brought back so many good memories. 
  10. Talking with one of the chaperones with the African Children's Choir and hearing how well my “kids” are doing back home. They're not kids anymore, as they're all in secondary school. I heard good reports, and I beamed with pride.

What is on your gratitude list this month? I'd love to hear.

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Sand and summer storms: Gratitude list

Here’s what I’m thankful for this month.

1. Cherries and berries. I take advantage of the summer harvest.

2. Sand between my toes.

3. Watching a summer storm come in over the ocean. I’m always amazed at the power of nature.
                    4. A chance to jam and record with other musicians, including my talented husband. Hopefully some recordings to come         soon.

5. Getting back into songwriting.

                    6. Ahi tuna. Yum.

7.  Fun with my new coworkers. Including dressing up for a roaring 20s themed party.

             8. Road trips with my hubby. I never get bored traveling with him.

9. Getting to be in one of my favorite artist’s music video.

10. A belated anniversary celebration with a beach getaway weekend. Love ya, babe.

Fireworks and bowling balls…A belated Gratitude List

I completely blanked out last week and forgot to do my monthly gratitude list. Whoops. Well, better late than never. Here’s what I’m thankful for this month.

  1. A new job. Things are going really well, and I’m thankful to work with a great group of people.
  2. Bowling. My old job started a bowling league right as I put in my notice. They invited me to come along and join anyway. I’m having a blast hanging out with my old coworkers, and the bowling’s even been fun. It’s been nice to do something simply for the sake of having fun.
  3. Energy to write. My energy’s been waning a bit lately, but last weekend I felt totally energized and got a lot of work done on my book. It felt good to get so much done.
  4. Music with friends. Along with my husband (an awesome bassist), and a great drummer friend, we jammed a bit recently. We’re hoping to record soon. Stay tuned!
  5. Fresh fruit. I’m not a huge summer fan due to the heat, but I love the fresh berry bounty that summer brings.
  6. A husband that cooks!!! Now that I’m working more hours and coming home a little more weary, my husband has willingly stepped up to more dinner duty. Have I mentioned how awesome my husband is?
  7. Good books. I’ve been reading a lot more lately, and discovering some great new authors like Anne Lamott, Rachel Held Evans, and Ian Morgan Cron.
  8. Fireworks. Rain delayed things by a couple days, but the show didn’t disappoint. 
  9. A good friend returning home. I’m so excited to see a friend who’s been away for a year. I’m looking forward to long coffee dates and catching up.
  10. Speaking of coffee… I’m getting to work earlier these days, so my love affair with coffee has deepened even more.

What are you thankful for this month?

Free books and yummy pancakes: gratitude

What are you grateful for this month? Here's my list.

  1. Coffee on the front porch.
  2. Watching my nephew pitch in his Little League game. They may have lost, but he pitched no runs in one inning. I'm proud of that dude.
  3. An awesome week off, relaxing and getting projects done.
  4. Date day with Drew. In one day, we did two movies, rooftop drinks, dinner, and cruising around town with no particular destination.
  5. New opportunities that lie ahead.
  6. A warm, cozy bed that I know I can return to every night.
  7. New recipes that turn out AWESOME. I made this pancake recipe last night and man, was it good.
  8. Evernote. I'm just starting to use this helpful app. I like being able to take down my random thoughts and organize them.
  9. The library. Have you heard about this magical place? Drew and I recently had our cards inactivated, because our mailing address is a P.O. box that doesn't prove our county residency. We finally fixed this (all it took was bringing in a piece of mail with our home address) and I checked out a book that I'm loving. Free books. How cool.
  10. My husband's endless sense of humor. This man can find humor in the most miniscule thing, and I love that he keeps me laughing everyday.
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Christe and Foosball: Gratitude List

I'm struggling with gratitude this month. I've been feeling under the weather for several weeks, drowning in self pity. I'm having to dig deep to find things to be thankful for, which is exactly what I need right now.

  1. An orchestra tuning up. It's such a full, beautiful sound.
  2. The crisp diction of Latin words like “Christe” and “Kyrie.”
  3. Medicine and doctor's offices that see you within an hour.
  4. Great movies like Hitch when you're feeling down.
  5. My incredible husband who takes good care of me when I'm really pitiful.
  6. Spending time with my nephew: the only person I can beat at foosball.
  7. essay writers wanted

  8. Being featured with some pretty cool writers in a poetry ebook.
  9. Singing Mozart.
  10. Cough drops. Even though I hate the taste of menthol, it got me through this month. The encouraging messages helped too. 
  11. Strumming guitar as a stress reliever.
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Pictionary and the Empty Tomb: My Gratitude List

Time for the monthly gratitude list! Here’s what I’m thankful for this month.

  1. A little extra winter. ?I know the Northerners are throwing slushballs my way, but down here in the humid land of Florida, I’m grateful to postpone the stifling heat of summer as long as possible. Our spring lasts roughly 3 1/2 days.
  2. Quiet Communion services. My church offered a communion service each week during Lent, and I made a commitment to go. Though I missed a couple weeks (working late and then just plain forgetfulness), I was glad I went. It was so refreshing to have a few minutes of quiet and reflection each week.
  3. Mozart. Like I shared before, that boy is making my brain work overtime each week. And I’m grateful for that. Those beautiful, soaring melodies are working their way into my heart as well.
  4. The greedy birds in my front yard. I suppose it’s the cold weather snap that’s upped their appetites. I’m filling that feeder all the time. I don’t mind. They’re fun to watch.
  5. Conversations with friends that leave you thinking for days. I’m thankful for friends who inspire and challenge me.
  6. Staying home on rainy days. I love rain… when I’m home and cuddled under a blanket. That’s exactly what I got to do a couple weekends ago. So soothing and relaxing.
  7. My hilarious husband. On this April 1st, I’m reminiscing back to the time when he and I faked an engagement on April Fools Day. We fooled many. He’s so fun to do life with.
  8. Winning at Pictionary with my hubby. I love the connection we have, and apparently it works with crappy stick figure drawings too.

    This was Drew's favorite drawing, although I did not guess it. I gave him points for creativity once I knew the answer.
  9. A full pantry. I love the feeling after grocery shopping when the pantry is plentiful. I am blessed.
  10. The Easter story. When hearing the resurrection story from John (my favorite version) yesterday, it brought tears to my eyes. I’m thankful that in spite of my hard heart, those familiar words still evoke emotion.

What are you thankful for this month?