What I'm thankful for: December 31

Today I'm thankful for...

This project, the future, and YOU!

What? Three things in one day? Craziness!

Can you believe that this is the last day of 2012?? When I first thought of this project, I honestly wasn't sure if I would follow through with it. I'm not the best at finishing what I start, so I hoped it wouldn't be another thing, like cleaning out my closet, Couch to 5K, and regularly painting my fingernails, that I would start out gung ho on and just abandon. Truthfully, there were a lot of days when I didn't feel like writing, didn't feel thankful, couldn't think of something to write, etc, but I stuck with it. Part of it was because of my adoring fans (ha!), but it was mostly because I wanted to complete this. I wanted to take on a year long project that would challenge me and let me see all of the blessings in my life. And now, on December 31, I can say that I did it, and I feel more blessed than I ever have before.

2012 has been a great year. I finally finished grad school, got to do a guest posting for a blog that I love, and got engaged! Phew! I love that I have a record of these events and can think back to how I felt when all of them happened. This blog has been a little bit like a diary on steroids!

I'm looking forward to 2013, and I hope all of you reading this are too. Thank you to everyone who read the blog and commented on it, either virtually or face to face. I appreciate everyone's support!

On a side note, here are the top five most visited posts of the year:
1. Stuff Christians Like- June 29
2. My pastors- October 14
3. Hot dogs- July 23
4. My dad- January 6 (I wonder how many of those visits were from him...ha ha)
5. Friends- January 3

I have another blog that I write in sporadically, but if you really miss reading my amazing writing, this might help you a little bit. And with that final shameless plug, I bid you adieu and a happy, healthy, and blessed 2013!

What I'm thankful for: December 30

Today I'm thankful for...

Bacon!

Today is bacon day. I know this completely contradicts my post from yesterday about my gym, but life's funny that way sometimes. Bacon and hamburgers are what stop me from becoming a vegetarian. And my own laziness and unwillingness to try to cook veggie based recipes...

What I'm thankful for: December 29

Today I'm thankful for...

re:MOVE Training!

AKA the gym that kicks my butt when I'm not too lazy to go! re:MOVE is more than a gym though. I worked at the Y for close to 6 years, and I never saw anything like I did in just a couple of visits here. The trainers/owners really care about you, and they'll do anything they can to make sure you're reaching your goals. It costs a little more than the Y, but it's worth every extra penny! You can also try a class for free, so if you're interested in trying one, contact me, and I'll go with you! Check out their website for more info!

What I'm thankful for: December 28

Today I'm thankful for...

New calendars!

Even though I'm an iProduct and Google Calendar kind of girl, I still have paper calendars on my wall at work and home. Sometimes it really is easier to look at something on paper rather than something electronic. I'm always excited about new calendars, planners, whatever, because they hold the promise of a clean slate. The year is stretched out ahead of you, just waiting to be filled with activities, birthdays, and appointments. Yes, I'm a nerd, but if you've been with me from the beginning, then you should know that already!

What I'm thankful for: December 27

Today I'm thankful for...

Remote starters!

My parents Santa brought me a remote starter for Christmas. I LOVE all of the gifts I received from everyone, but I have to say, when you're getting ready to go to work, and it's freezing outside, you're definitely thankful for a remote starter that lets you have that heat cranked up by the time you make it out to your car.

What I'm thankful for: December 26

Today I'm thankful for...

Sales on Christmas decorations!

Thank you half off sales for letting me bring home the Santa and Mrs. Claus salt and pepper shakers that I said hello to every time I went to Target and the yard decorations that will show Will's neighbors that despite the fact we left the Halloween window clings up until the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we do care about having seasonally appropriate holiday related decorations. Also, against my better judgment and promises to never use wrapping paper again, I bought some. Maybe I'll spend all year practicing my skills...

What I'm thankful for: December 25

Today I'm thankful for...

Christmas!

Happy birthday, Jesus! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

What I'm thankful for: December 24

Today I'm thankful for...

Santa!

You DO exist! ;-)

What I'm thankful for: December 23

Today I'm thankful for...

Festivus!

It's a Festivus...for the rest of us!

Now please excuse me while I get out my aluminum pole...

What I'm thankful for: December 22

Today I'm thankful for...

Inaccurate predictions!

Trey got this for Christmas last year; now it's a collector's item or something

People are crazy...

Matthew 24:36. Thank you and good day.

What I'm thankful for: December 21

Today I'm thankful for...

Winter!

Okay, I'm really not, but I've been thankful for all of the other seasons, so I had to be an equal opportunity practitioner of gratitude. I really don't care for cold weather, but I do understand that it has its place. Also, for some reason God put me in a place that has actual seasons instead of somewhere tropical, so I guess I'll embrace winter as much as I can...or convince Will that we need to move! ;-)

What I'm thankful for: December 20

Today I'm thankful for...

Doctors!

I'm completely not cut out to do anything medical related. I even get a little queasy just hearing about other people's medical ailments, so I have a lot of respect for doctors (and nurses!). Thank you for being real life WebMD's...

What I'm thankful for: December 19

Today I'm thankful for...

Snow!

Because what's more appropriate than being thankful for something I probably won't see this year? ;-) I guess I should amend this and say that I'm thankful for snow when I have the opportunity to have a snow day at work. I'm 1,000% Southern and do not drive well in snow or ice, so if it snows, and I can stay home, then everything is alright in my world!

What I'm thankful for: December 18

Today I'm thankful for...

Sweaters!

Sweaters are one of the easiest articles of clothing to wear, and they're one of the only things that makes winter bearable (the others are Christmas, snow days, and remote starters...). If your sweater is long enough, you can wear it with leggings and boots and you're good to go. If your sweater isn't long enough, then put on some pants. For the love, put on some pants.

What I'm thankful for: December 17

Today I'm thankful for...

Fireplaces!

Fireplaces make just about any room look a little bit classier. Even if you can't necessarily use the fireplace because the guy from the gas company told you it would be like burning money, it looks nice to have one. You can put candles inside of it and make it look kind of like it's burning. Plus you have a mantle and a chimney, and then you can hang the stockings on it with care...or something like that...

What I'm thankful for: December 16

Today I'm thankful for...

Barbie!

Today is Barney and Barbie backlash day (seriously, I wish I kept track of where I found these things. That would make an entertaining blog on its own...). I know that there is a lot of criticism against Barbie for promoting unrealistic body standards to little girls and so on and so forth. I had a TON of Barbies growing up, and I never felt any pressure or unrealistic standards. I never even thought about it. I think sometimes people read too much into the most innocent things and twist them until you can't even play with Barbies without it being attributed to causing psychological damage. If I have a daughter, she'll get all of my old Barbies to play with. She may not like them or want to play with them, and that's okay, but I'm sure not going to scare her into thinking that she's supposed to look like a doll. God created everyone to look different, and we should be accepting of our bodies (but we should also treat them with respect and have healthy habits). I don't mean to turn this into any type of rant over something kind of silly, particularly with the events that happened on Friday, but I think children don't read into things like adults do, so let them be children and let them play as long as they can.

What I'm thankful for: December 15

Today I'm thankful for...

Hand sanitizer!

'Tis the season...for germs! It seems like just about everywhere you go right now, you hear people coughing up a lung or you hear about some kind of stomach virus that has shut down a school system. If you're in contact with people at all, there's a risk of sickness. There's no need to be paranoid, but it does help to take proper precautions like keeping your hands clean. Hand sanitizer works wonders when you're not necessarily able to go to a sink and wash your hands with hot water and soap. So stay healthy this holiday season and keep some hand sanitizer with you!

What I'm thankful for: December 14

Today I'm thankful for...

Candles!

I love candles (also, I just realized a lot of my posts start out like this. I love repetition, I suppose...). They're hypnotic to watch and they make your house smell just a little bit better. You can get candles in just about any scent that you can think of. I heard someone on the radio this morning talking about a candle that smells like burnt rubber! I don't think I'd be too fond of that one (then again, considering how much I like the smell of the kettlebells at the gym, I might like it), but everyone has their own preferences, I suppose!

What I'm thankful for: December 13

Today I'm thankful for...

Coats!

It's been cold this week. Without a cost, I don't think I could've made it from my car to whatever building I was going into. Shoot, with the way our HVAC unit is at work, I may not have even made it in my office without some kind of coat...

What I'm thankful for: December 12

Today I'm thankful for...

Symmetrical dates!

It's 12/12/12! I love symmetry. I like houses that have an equal number of windows on both sides of the front door. I like bumper stickers either centered or one on each side of the car. I just have a weird symmetrical thing, which I guess goes with all of my weird quirks that I've talked about lately. So, a symmetrical date appeals to my extreme nerdiness! Happy 12/12/12!

What I'm thankful for: December 11

Today I'm thankful for...

Purses!

It's been a really long day, and I need to go to bed, so I'll just say that purses are cool and they hold lots of good stuff, like 6 tubes of lip gloss and a Tide To Go pen without a lid. Aren't all of you guys jealous of my mad carrying skills?

What I'm thankful for: December 10

Today I'm thankful for...

The Dewey Decimal System!

Today is Melvil Dewey's birthday. If you don't know who he is, check out this page about him (yes, I know I used that website. It's easy and convenient, so there...). Dewey was a librarian rock star, but his most famous contribution to librarianship was the Dewey Decimal System AKA the way books are shelved in many libraries. For an organizing nerd like me, a system like this is wonderful. Everything has a place and can be categorized fairly neatly. I also put my radio stations in chronological order and color code my closet, so perhaps it's no surprise that I love the Dewey Decimal System so much!

What I'm thankful for: December 9

Today I'm thankful for...

Soup!

Okay, so when I planned this entry, I anticipated that it would be kind of cold today (since it is close to wintertime). However, it's been pretty mild lately, so this is kind of out of place. I think it's supposed to be colder this week, so just wait on reading this one. ;-)

Soup is the best. It's an entire meal in a bowl! Plus, it's a good way to use up leftover vegetables and meat that may not have a home otherwise. When it's cold outside, a warm bowl of soup is delicious! You can make soup in a crock pot too, so even cooking amateurs like me can manage to put together a bowl of soup!

What I'm thankful for: December 8

Today I'm thankful for...

Email!

Short one tonight since I've had to battle a migraine today. Email is great for staying in touch with people without having to talk on the phone or text. Plus you can pick out a creative email address that expresses your personality...and makes people laugh at you whenever you have to give it out. That's always a fun one...

What I'm thankful for: December 7

Today I'm thankful for...

Libraries!

I might be just a little biased since I've worked in libraries for nearly 7 years, but I'm extremely grateful for them. I love free stuff because I'm cheap frugal, and libraries are the ultimate place to get free stuff (as long as you return items on time and don't run up a ton of late fees. Not that I've ever returned stuff late or anything...). Libraries don't just have books; most have movies (and good ones too! Not just documentaries...unless you like those...they have them too!), and many larger libraries have music- both physical CDs and MP3 downloading services. Plus, some libraries have quiet spaces to study and get work done, which is great if you're a student, a writer, or just like to sit in relative silence sometimes without paying for a coffee at a coffee shop. And libraries have computers (and often free WiFi) that you can use, so if your home computer is being terrible, you have an alternative.

If you've never visited your local library, then quite frankly, I'm not sure how we're friends still. ;-P

Also, today (as always), I'm thankful for our military as we remember Pearl Harbor. Hug a soldier today, and then direct him/her to the nearest library. Ha.

What I'm thankful for: December 6

Today I'm thankful for...

Politeness!

Working with the public can be...challenging, to put it nicely. People can be temperamental, and sometimes they take things out on you just because you're an easy target. Thankfully, in my current profession, this is the exception rather than the rule, but it is still nice to have interactions with polite people. Politeness goes a long way; it can make the difference between receiving adequate service and having someone go the extra mile for you. During the Christmas season, it's especially important to be polite to those who work in retail and the service industry. Goodness knows they need all of the politeness they can get!

What I'm thankful for: December 5

Today I'm thankful for...

Ninjas!

Today is International Ninja Day, and I'm definitely thankful for them because if I'm not, they'll know about it. In fact, there's probably a ninja standing behind you, reading this over your shoulder at this very moment.  Don't turn around. Just give a small nod and a thumbs up to show your appreciation for all that they do...

What I'm thankful for: December 4

Today I'm thankful for...

Ebates!

If you're into online shopping like I am, then you need to check out Ebates (this is my referral link so help a girl out and sign up through this if you choose to create an account. Thanks much and whatnot!). Ebates is a website where you can get cash back on your online purchases. It's not a huge amount; I have something like $1.39 pending right now, but it will eventually add up, and honestly, who doesn't like cash back?

What I'm thankful for: December 3

Today I'm thankful for...

A day off after a concert!

My brother is a huge fan of The Who, so he got tickets for the show for his birthday (my parents bought him tickets, then my mom managed to win a pair also. Go figure). The concert was last night, and even though I didn't know many of the songs, they put on a great show! They rocked out hard considering they're close to 70 years old! But, the downside of a Sunday night concert is being out late on a work night. Thankfully, I planned ahead and was off today. It was good timing too considering the gorgeous weather!

What I'm thankful for: December 2

Today I'm thankful for...

Hot water!

If you've ever taken a shower when the hot water is running out, you'll completely understand this one...

What I'm thankful for: December 1

Today I'm thankful for...

Presents for other people!

I LOVE buying and giving presents to other people. I like the idea of picking something out that they probably would never get themselves and then surprising them with it. Presents also don't have to be physical items; sometimes the gift of time can mean more than anything else to someone. I planned this post in advance, but we talked about this during our women's event at church this morning also! This Christmas season, take pleasure in giving gifts to others!

What I'm thankful for: November 30

Today I'm thankful for...

Dollar Tree!

I posted about Dollar Tree on Facebook yesterday, so I thought it would be fitting that this is what my post was about today. If you've never been to Dollar Tree, then you are seriously, seriously missing out. Yes, some of it is junk, and yes, most of it is probably made in another country and not green or responsible or whatever, but everything in there is a dollar. Some things are even 2 for a dollar. It's the best place for cards, holiday decorations, and all sorts of other things. Do yourself a favor and go to a Dollar Tree immediately...and take me with you, please!

What I'm thankful for: November 29

Today I'm thankful for...

My brain!

Because really, without my brain, I'm nothing. And I don't even mean "smarts," necessarily. I'm including all of those involuntary bodily functions, like breathing and my heart beating, that my brain controls. Clearly, my brain is too busy doing those things to let me write a wonderful post, but I'll let it slide for today...

What I'm thankful for: November 28

Today I'm thankful for...

French toast!

Today is French Toast Day. To honor that, I think that someone should make me some. Or take a picture of some and send it to me, which would probably be the better option since I've been off the healthy wagon lately...

Le sigh (that's a sigh in French in honor of French Toast Day...)

What I'm thankful for: November 27

Today I'm thankful for...

Creativity!

Creativity is the driving force between everything that we have in this world. Even things that don't seem "creative," such as medicine, came about because someone was creative enough to experiment with things he or she had and put them together in a new way. So, do something creative today. You may end up making the next big thing...or reinventing the Twinkie...

What I'm thankful for: November 26

Today I'm thankful for...

Online shopping!

Today is Cyber Monday, and I'm more than glad to do a lot of my Christmas shopping online. I love to shop in physical stores, but I'm not a big fan of being around tons of people who are crazy. Online shopping makes it acceptable to shop in my pajamas. Also, since Will works at an Amazon fulfillment center, I feel like every time I shop online, I give him something to do at work. ;-)

What I'm thankful for: November 25

Today I'm thankful for...

Hulu!

Even though I don't use it as much as I used to, I'm thankful that Hulu lets me watch shows on my iPad while I'm on the elliptical. That's the only thing that can distract me enough while I'm on that evil machine...

What I'm thankful for: November 24

Today I'm thankful for...

Hootsuite!

I won't be great at explaining what Hootsuite is, so check out the website for more details. We use Hootsuite at work to schedule social media postings. I also use it to post notifications on my Facebook and Twitter accounts whenever a new blog entry has been posted. It's really helpful in marketing yourself or your business, and the free option works fine for me and for my job. Also, this is how I posted updates on social media during Lent when I gave them up; you can schedule things to be posted for weeks or months in advance and it almost always works flawlessly. Plus, their logo has an owl. You can't go wrong with anything owl-related...

What I'm thankful for: November 23

Today I'm thankful for...

Not working in retail!

Godspeed to all of you retail workers out there today. People are straight up crazy...

What I'm thankful for: November 22

Today I'm thankful for...

Thanksgiving!

Today is kind of like the Super Bowl for this blog. A blog about being thankful on Thanksgiving? It's so Inception-esque, I kind of expect Leo and Joseph Gordon-Levitt to pop out of my computer...

Okay, maybe not.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving today!

What I'm thankful for: November 21

Today I'm thankful for...

Pull through parking spaces!

Partially because I told Will this is what I would write about today and partially because I encountered a few today. I'm not the best driver, and I'm particularly bad at backing out of parking spaces, so when I encounter the fabulous pull through parking space, I take full advantage of it, even if it means I'm parked a mile and a half away from my destination. But hey, that just means I get more walking in, right? ;)

What I'm thankful for: November 20

Today I'm thankful for...

A short work week!

Thank you Thanksgiving for making my workweek blissfully short!

What I'm thankful for: November 19

Today I'm thankful for...

Men!

Since International Women's Day was on March 8, I guess the men needed their own day. Today is International Men's Day, which, according to the web encyclopedia that shall not be named, is a day that focuses on men's and boys' health, improving gender relations, and promoting gender equality. I've got a lot of great men in my life, and I hope they have a great Men's Day...or Monday...

What I'm thankful for: November 18

Today I'm thankful for...

A good night's sleep!

This week has been rough on the sleep front. I've not slept too well most nights, and I have stayed up too late just about every night (including tonight, but I'm nursing my injury from demonstrating the Gangnam Style dance...ha). However, last night, I finally got a good night's sleep. I actually felt pretty rested this morning when I woke up, instead of feeling like I hadn't even rested. So, here's to sleeping better this week, which is something that everyone around me will be thankful for too!

What I'm thankful for: November 17

Today I'm thankful for...

Words With Friends!

After writing about the Words With Friends board game yesterday, I wanted to talk a little more about the game. I love the electronic version and the board game. The board game is pretty close to Scrabble, so you can't go wrong there. The app lets you play against multiple people and be competitive with people you may never sit down and play the board game with. Plus, it showed me that qi is a word. I don't know what qi means, but I do know that it lets you get rid of that lone q that you always have left at the end of the game!

What I'm thankful for: November 16

Today I'm thankful for...

Board games!

Will and I have been on a board game kick lately: Monopoly, Battleship, Words With Friends, and it made me remember how much I love board games. They're cheap entertainment, don't require electricity or wireless Internet, and they can be pretty fun...unless you're like me and you're super competitive and hate to lose. Then they can make you vow never to play Monopoly every again. Ever.

What I'm thankful for: November 15

Today I'm thankful for...

My car!

Although I suffer from the occasional bout of road rage and wishing that I had a sports car/convertible/something cool, I'm pretty thankful for my car. Not only does it get me to where I need to go (usually work, home, Will's house, and church...and Walmart), but it gets pretty good gas mileage. It's also comfortable and tall. Clearly, I'm not super picky about what I want in a car...

What I'm thankful for: November 14

Today I'm thankful for...

Pickles!

Today is National Pickle Day or something crazy like that. I don't discriminate between sweet pickles and dill pickles. I like them all, raw or fried. Yay for pickles!

Also, I've been sick today, so this post may have been slightly influenced by NyQuil...

What I'm thankful for: November 13

Today I'm thankful for...

Contacts!

I've been thankful for my glasses, so I thought it was time to give my contacts a shout out! I wear my contacts 99% of the time when I leave my house. If I'm ever in public in my glasses, I feel like something is wrong, like I'm sick or slumming it or something. My contacts let me fake better vision than I actually have...unless I wear a ripped one all day (like I did recently)...then they just annoy me.

What I'm thankful for: November 12

Today I'm thankful for...

Umbrellas!

(Also, for the Rhianna song about umbrellas, ellas, ellas, hey, hey, hey...okay, I couldn't resist...)

Umbrellas are great on days that started out like today. A hood can keep you dry, but an umbrella takes it up a notch. Also, I saw a girl with an umbrella hat today, so I had to be thankful for umbrellas. I mean, who has an umbrella hat?

What I'm thankful for: November 11

Today I'm thankful for...

Veterans!

Thank you to all past, present and future veterans. I don't even like to let people merge in traffic, but you all are willing to lay down your lives for people that you have never met and will likely never meet. Your bravery, generosity, and unselfish nature should inspire all of us, regardless of political affiliation, stance on combat, or thoughts about the military in general. One blog entry is nowhere near sufficient enough to express my gratitude to all of you. Happy Veterans' Day.

What i'm thankful for: November 10

Today I'm thankful for...

Boots!

I'm not really one for cold weather, but I love boots! I like to wear them over leggings (ha!), tights, and skinny pants. I'm trying to grow my collection, but sometimes it's hard to find boots that zip over my insanely muscular legs. That last line may or may not be sarcasm. Anyway, in the fall and winter, it's easy to throw on some leggings, a long shirt, and boots, and you're ready to go. That's the only benefit to cold weather!

What I'm thankful for: November 9

Today I'm thankful for...

Leggings!

I know, I know, but I can't help it. They're easy. Plus, they make those awkward length dresses and tunics wearable in a way that sheer-ish tights can't. I know they're not pants, and I always (okay, mostly always) make sure my hindquarters are covered when I wear them, so stop judging me...

What I'm thankful for: November 8

Today I'm thankful for...

Sandwiches!

Sandwich day was a few days ago (can't remember the exact date), but I think there was something else going on that took precedence. Anyhow, sandwiches are great. As Will can attest, I constantly want to go to Subway whenever we go to eat. I'll also settle for Which Wich. There's just something about meat, veggies, and bread that appeals to me. Sometimes if I'm feeling bold, I'll even throw in some mustard. Slow down, wild child.

Also, I've written about grilled cheese sandwiches before, so this post is excluding those. Ha. Can you tell that the end of the year is getting tough?

What I'm thankful for: November 7

Today I'm thankful for...

The end of the political commercials for a while!

"I'm the best and this is why." "No, I'm the best, and the other person smells like poo." "No, I don't, and I'm the best."

Pardon me, but that's what I hear when I hear political commercials, whether they're on the radio or TV. I wrote this post a couple days early, so I don't know who won the presidential election, but either way, I'm so, so, so, so, so glad that we'll have an end to the "Paid for by Americans who don't want a smelly poo candidate" commercials for a little while.

Now for Christmas commercial overload...

What I'm thankful for: November 6

Today I'm thankful for...

The freedom to elect a new president!

Okay, this is not a political post. I did early vote, but my choice was more based on the party with which I most identify, rather than the actual candidate because  I really don't care for either of the main party candidates. With that being said, it is an honor to be able to have a say in who could potentially be the President of the United States for the next four years. I know that there are a lot of political battles going on right now, but if you stop and think about it, it's just a privilege to be able to have the chance to vote. I think voting is a great opportunity, and I feel blessed and honored to have the freedom to do so.

What I'm thankful for: November 5

Today I'm thankful for...

Spinach!

November is Spinach and Squash Month (side note, I would've expected this during the summer, but I guess I don't have any agricultural knowledge and therefore don't know when things grow or harvest or whatever). Spinach is one of my favorite vegetables. It's a better salad base than lettuce, and you can blend it into smoothies for an extra serving of vegetables. Plus, it's fun to see people's reactions when you tell them you're drinking something with spinach in it. Also, spinach has vitamins and all of that good stuff.

What I'm thankful for: November 4

Today I'm thankful for...

Daylight savings time!

Even though I'll be complaining next week when it starts getting dark at 2:00, but today, I'm so, so very thankful for the extra hour of sleep that I got. Free sleep is always worth being thankful for, even when it comes with strings attached...

What I'm thankful for: November 3

Today I'm thankful for...

Cliches!

Today is cliche day, so break out the cliches and annoy people with them all day long. Here's a list for your perusal: http://clichesite.com/alpha_list.asp?which=lett+1. See how many you can work into conversations today and let me know how it goes!

What I'm thankful for: November 2

Today I'm thankful for...

The end of the workweek!

Even though I just talked yesterday about how much I like my job, it's been a rough week. I taught lots of classes (20!), held an all day research workshop, we were a person short because of a planned vacation, and it was just busy overall. I like my job, but I'm human and am extremely thankful for the end of this workweek!

What I'm thankful for: November 1

Today I'm thankful for...

My job!

I've been at my job for five years today! I can still remember my first day there and feeling nervous, not really knowing how it was going to be. Now it seems silly that I was ever nervous about it!

A student asked me last week if I liked my job. I told her that 99% of the time I do. She asked me what the other 1% was that I didn't like. I told her that it was the early mornings when I was running late. Truthfully, there's more than that, but, like every other job, it's not going to be perfect. My job is great for me, and I'll stay there until God directs me to go elsewhere!

Also, since I officially hit five years, I should be getting a sweet commemorative pin at our spring in-service. Since I tried to get it at the fall in-service ahead of time, it's high time for it! (Chances are, I'll end up losing it but it's the thought that counts, right?).

What I'm thankful for: October 31

Today I'm thankful for...

Halloween!

I know that Halloween is not the most popular holiday. Some people associate it with negative things, like witchcraft and evil. I like Halloween though. It gives me an excuse to dress up in a costume and eat candy (well, maybe not this year since I'm doing the challenge at the gym...). Plus, The Great Pumpkin comes on Halloween. How can you dislike that?

What I'm thankful for: October 30

Today I'm thankful for...

Tootsie Rolls!

I love Tootsie Rolls. They're small, chocolatey, and a serving consists of 13 of them. I don't think I've ever eaten that many in one sitting, so it's one of the few candies that I have eaten less than a serving of at a time. Take that M&M's...

What I'm thankful for: October 29

Today I'm thankful for...

Toilet paper!

I think this is one of those entries that really doesn't need much explanation...

What I'm thankful for: October 28

Today I'm thankful for...

Clean sheets!

What is it about having clean sheets on your bed that makes you sleep better? Maybe it's having them tucked in tighter. Or maybe it's knowing that you're sleeping on something clean. Whatever it is, I'll take it!

What I'm thankful for: October 27

Today I'm thankful for...

The Vise Library!

The Vise Library is 23 years old today, and despite its cracks, crevices, and roof problems, it's been my second home for nearly 5 years now, and I really do like it. Happy birthday, Vise!

What I'm thankful for: October 26

Today I'm thankful for...

Hot chocolate!

On a chilly, rainy day like this one, all I want to do is curl up in my Snuggie blanket without sleeves and read and nap. Unfortunately, I had to work today and have plans tonight, so the next best thing is to make some hot chocolate and act like I'm up and moving around because I want to be...not because "the man" made me...

What I'm thankful for: October 25

Today I'm thankful for...

Magazines!

Another one where I waited too late to post and am now about to fall asleep. Magazines are great, particularly the ones that come in a digital format as well as print. There's nothing like being able to read a magazine on an iPad and not having to worry about recycling it afterwards. That's pretty much the only green thing I do also, so yay digital magazines for taking that burden away from me!

What I'm thankful for: October 24

Today I'm thankful for...

Newspapers!

I'm in a time crunch today, so all I have to say is that I still like newspapers. Of course, as a librarian, I think I'm required to like them, but that's fine by me.

Short but sweet...just like me. ;-)

What I'm thankful for: October 23

Today I'm thankful for...

Will's new job!

Will is back at Amazon as a permanent employee, and I'm thrilled! He worked there last year as a temporary employee and loved it, but unfortunately, they laid off all of the temp employees after Christmas. This time around, he's in for real. He even gets insurance, stock options, and all of those other grown up things that other jobs haven't offered him. Plus, he's working days now!! After 8 months of the night shift at his last job, it's a welcome change! I forgot what it's like to actually see him during the weekend. =)

What I'm thankful for: October 22

Today I'm thankful for...

Nuts!

Today is National Nut Day, and while it could mean a celebration of people you know (ha!), it's referring to the food. I love nuts- almonds, peanuts, cashews, etc. I also love peanut butter. Some nuts are healthy in small doses, but others have such a high fat content, that it's better to steer clear of them. Why must something I love be not so good for me sometimes? Aw, nuts! (I know, I know...)

What I'm thankful for: October 21

Today I'm thankful for...

Color Run!

Okay, confession time: last night I wasn't even sure that I wanted to go. I wanted to sleep in this morning and not get up and go do a 5K, especially because I've been having some weird knee issues this week. However, Will encouraged me to do it because I had already paid for it, and I have to say...I loved it! The Color Run is "the happiest 5K on the planet," and on the course, there are four color stations where people throw powder on you (made of cornstarch and dye). There were around 10,000 people who participated, so it was insane! We were in the last wave of people, so by the time we went through the color stations, the volunteers were just throwing the powder on us. Also, at the end, people were throwing powder packets everywhere. Let's just say, I'll be cleaning powder of out my nostrils for a week!

This is how we looked after it was finished:

The Color Run was untimed, and I didn't want to use my timing app for fear of messing up my phone, but I did some research, and I'm thrilled to say that I jogged a consecutive mile of it!! I don't know if I've ever jogged a mile in my life!! It was slow, but I did it! So yay Color Run for being fun AND for giving my first jogging mile!

What I'm thankful for: October 20

Today I'm thankful for...

Good deeds!

Today is "Sweetest Day," and while I have no clue what that is, it did remind me of how thankful I am for good deeds. Good deeds can be small, like letting someone get in front of you in traffic, or they can be monumental, like letting you use a building free of charge for an event. Both of those things make a difference to the recipients and the givers. So today, do a good deed for someone, and notice how whether it is small or large, it will probably benefit you more than the recipient!

What I'm thankful for: October 19

Today I'm thankful for...

Mom!

Mom and I before the Turkey Trot in 2009 or 2010

Today is my mom's birthday! Unfortunately, she's been down with the Tennessee sinus funk all week, so she doesn't even really get to celebrate today. My mom is the best (I know, I know, everyone says their mom is the best), and I'm not even saying that because we're the same person! She would do anything in the world for her kids and husband, and she has had to make a lot of sacrifices in her life in order to make sure that my brother and I have a happy life. She's definitely inspired me throughout my life, and even though I don't always show it, I love and appreciate everything she's done for me! Happy birthday, ma! I love you!

Also, happy "3rd birthday" to my dad who had heart surgery 3 years ago today. I'm definitely grateful that God took care of him (and us) during that time!

What I'm thankful for: October 18

Today I'm thankful for...

Bananas!

Even though bananas are gross sometimes, I love them. They come in their own container, they can be mixed with other foods (like peanut butter!), and they're great to blend into smoothies. They're evidently full of nutrients and stuff like that too, but who's keeping track of junk like that?

What I'm thankful for: October 17

Today I'm thankful for...

Aldi!

I don't know if I should be telling people about Aldi because I don't want more people to shop there! ;) I love Aldi for things like produce, Greek yogurt, and (sigh) eggs. They have a rotating stock of some other name brand products, so you may not find the exact same packaged products twice, but you can always find staples, like veggies and milk. Also, if you're not satisfied with a product, they have a double money back guarantee where they replace the product and give you your money back on the product. I've only had to do that once with some funky pears, but I've had problems in other grocery stores too, so I don't think it's unique to Aldi. Check them out, but make sure you bring a quarter for your cart and your own grocery bags!

What I'm thankful for: October 16

Today I'm thankful for...

My boss!

Today is Boss's Day, and although I'm like a boss (get it? There's my SNL reference for you today), I'm not a real, legitimate boss. Sometimes I think I would like to be the boss. Then, other times, I feel like I'm doing just fine in my little spot in the front of the office. So, my hat's off to the actual boss lady!

What I'm thankful for: October 15

Today I'm thankful for...

Dictionaries!

Tomorrow is dictionary day, and as nerdy as this sounds, I'm thankful for dictionaries. I love words, and I love knowing what they mean. In fact, I used to read the dictionary on occasion (NERD ALERT). I'd like to say that's the reason I'm a pretty good speller now, but we all know that it's really because of spell check.

What I'm thankful for: October 14

Today I'm thankful for...

My pastors!

Today is Pastor Appreciation Day, so I definitely wanted to express how thankful I am for my pastors! I go to Joy Church, and we have 3 pastors: Pastor Jim (the main one), Pastor Dave (the associate one), and Pastor Rob (the youth one). They are all awesome men who make the church a wonderful place. I'm very grateful for all of the work they do!

What I'm thankful for: October 13

Today I'm thankful for...

Pumpkin spice anything!

This is the time of year when just about everything is pumpkin spice flavor/scented/whatever, and I love it! I like the way it smells, and before I was doing my gym challenge, I liked the way it tasted too. :-p Yay for fall...as long as the weather stays in the mid to upper 70s!

What I'm thankful for: October 12

Today I'm thankful for...

Eggs!

Today is World Egg Day. Even though I generally don't like eggs, they are healthy and full of protein and all of that good stuff. Plus omelettes are pretty filling for breakfast. There eggs, that's the nicest thing I'm going to say about you...

What I'm thankful for: October 11

Today I'm thankful for...

Teddy bears!

Yesterday was Take Your Teddy Bear to Work and School Day (dead serious here...). While I didn't celebrate this, um, special occasion, I think it would've been fun to have seen all of my coworkers and the students carrying teddy bears. You never truly know a man until you've seen his teddy bear...

What I'm thankful for: October 10

Today I'm thankful for...

Walking!

Walking is such a simple thing, yet it really clears your mind and puts you in a better mood. I was so grumpy yesterday that I was determined to be better today, but then A, B, C, and D happened, and I let my circumstances control my emotions and was grumpy again today. But, after going for a walk this afternoon, I feel focused. I feel like my head is clearer and my attitude is better. It wasn't a long walk, but I think it was long enough to fix my mental state. I'm sure those who deal with me tomorrow will appreciate it.

But enough about me. Where is your favorite place to go for a walk? =)

What I'm thankful for: October 9

Today I'm thankful for...

People who use their brains!

Because they seem to be in short supply lately. Argh and harumph. I try to always choose joy, but sometimes my joy rope gets frazzled. Tomorrow will be better!

What I'm thankful for: October 8

Today I'm thankful for...

Columbus Day!

Evidently there's quite a bit of controversy about whether or not Columbus Day should be celebrated. Since I don't get a day off work for it, I could take it or leave it (kidding, kidding). I don't really participate in the controversy; I'm cool with whatever your view of the day is. Honestly, I could be just as thankful for Canadian Thanksgiving being today also. It's just that kind of Monday for me...

What I'm thankful for: October 7

Today I'm thankful for...

Saveup.com!

For my last Financial Planning Week post, I thought I would go with something kind of fun. Saveup.com is a website that allows you to get credits by doing things such as paying off debt and watching short videos about financial topics. You can use those credits to play games to try to win prizes or to be entered into drawings for prizes like a $100 deposit into your savings account. It's free and secure and gives you a little extra boost when you're trying to save money or pay off your massive student loans. Give it a shot!

What I'm thankful for: October 6

Today I'm thankful for...

Emergency funds!

This is related to yesterday's post on Dave Ramsey. An emergency fund is a savings account that's earmarked for using towards those little life emergencies and unexpected expenses that seem to pop up. Since all of you reading this are grown ups (or pretend like you are...), then there's no need for me to say that wanting a new pair of jeans (or even needing them) is not an emergency. But there's my public service announcement anyway. Emergency funds are great because when something happens, you don't have to dip into your regular savings account or rely on credit cards.

If you need to know how to save up for an emergency fund, check out the picture below!

Infographic via http://yobucko.com/saving/smart-money-tip-build-anemergency-fund-infographic

What I'm thankful for: October 5

Today I'm thankful for...

Dave Ramsey!

Whether you love him or hate him, you have to admit that Dave Ramsey has made a huge impact on how people approach their finances. Terms like "gazelle intense" and "emergency fund" have entered the public's vocabulary as people strive to become debt-free and forever change how they handle money. I personally am a fan of his, but I don't follow his program to the letter. He has a lot of good, common-sense advice, such as not using credit cards and the idea of the debt snowball, so for anyone who is looking to change their financial blueprint, I'd suggest checking out his website, listening to his show, or reading his books (and you can borrow them from your local library so you don't have to spend money to buy them!).

What I'm thankful for: October 4

Today I'm thankful for...

Health savings accounts!

I'm new to the whole health savings account thing, but so far it's a good option for me. My employer puts $55/month into it that can be used for all of the IRS approved HSA expenditures. This allows me to have a specific account dedicated to health expenses, like co-pays, prescriptions, etc. I'm (relatively) young and healthy right now, so I'll take the free money each month. I might even be able to get glasses off of second cheapest wall next time since I've got this account. A girl can dream anyway...

What I'm thankful for: October 3

Today I'm thankful for...

Employer matched retirement funds!

Boy, financial planning week sure does make for a lot of excitement, doesn't it? Regardless of how fun these topics sound, they are important and will be helpful for people in the long run. Take employer matched retirement funds. I work at a place that matches my retirement contributions up to a certain amount. It may not be a large amount, but it's basically free money towards my retirement. Let me repeat that again: free money towards my retirement. So, it could make the difference between me getting to eat cat food when I retire or premium cat food. Kidding, kidding, but it does make a difference. If your employer offers any type of matching, run to the human resources department (um, maybe wait until tomorrow when they're open though) and sign up for it!

What I'm thankful for: October 2

Today I'm thankful for...

Debit cards!

I love my debit card. It gives me the convenience of a credit card but without the high interest rates and debt. Debit cards keep you accountable too (well, most of the time) since you can only spend what you have in your checking account. Plus, my debit card has a lovely picture of me on it that keeps people who aren't me from using it. Win win.

What I'm thankful for: October 1

Today I'm thankful for...

Budgets!

It's financial planning week, so for this week, I'm going to focus on financial related things I'm thankful for! Budgets get a bad rap, but they're actually pretty helpful. I always make my little budget/tracking spreadsheet, and even though I don't always follow it to the penny, it helps me stay on track and know how much money I have left to spend. It's also nice to look back and see where I can cut some spending or if I'm being unrealistic about how much I need to spend in certain categories (like gasoline usually...sigh...). If you're new to the budget bandwagon, check out Mint.com, which lets you categorize your spending, budget for goals, and other cool things.

What I'm thankful for: September 30

Today I'm thankful for...

The challenge at my gym!

My gym started a 3 month challenge yesterday where you pay a set amount of money every month and at the end, the person who has lost the most body fat wins the entire pot. I'm so excited about this because it will be an added layer of accountability for me as I work to get in shape and lose weight. Also, I'm slightly competitive, so this will really fire me up! I'll probably post updates about my progress on one of my other blogs, so stay tuned!

What I'm thankful for: September 29

Today I'm thankful for...

Charity 5K races!

I participated in a 5K today called Sam's Sprint. This was the third year it's happened, and it was started by a couple who lost their five-month-old son to SIDS in October 2007. The event is held in honor of him and helps the family raise money for local organizations, such as the library and a new YMCA. I think charity 5K races are a wonderful idea. You donate money to a worthy cause, and you get to do something active. Plus some races give t-shirts, coupons, and other "swag". A 5K race sounds intimidating, but it's only 3 miles, which almost anyone should be able to do. Some 5K races (like today's) even have an option for you to be a "ghost runner," which means you donate and get a t-shirt but don't have to participate in the actual race. This is a great option for those who aren't feeling quite up to this distance yet. So, if you're looking for a way to contribute to your local community, and you want to do something beyond just writing a check, find a charity 5K race in your area!

What I'm thankful for: September 28

Today I'm thankful for...

Women's events at church!

We're starting a new series for our women's events, and I'm so excited! I love having the chance to hear from different people and gain a new perspective on things. Also, I usually get to meet new people, so that's fun! If you're a woman in the area and want to check out our event, come to Joy Church at 7 PM tonight!

What I'm thankful for: September 27

Today I'm thankful for...

Belts!

I'm particularly grateful to belts on a day like today when I did not make a wise outfit decision and have been fighting with the gravity of my pants all day. No one likes to see people's cracks (and if you do, you're sick!),  so I'll make sure I don't make the mistake of wearing these without a belt again!

What I'm thankful for: September 26

Today I'm thankful for...

Bowling!

A couple of weeks ago my church's college and career singles group (which I'm still in until I'm a married woman) had a bowling night. Will and I didn't really want to go at first, but we, along with my brother, went thinking we would just hang out for a little bit.

We bowled five games. In a row.

I always forget how much fun bowling is! For a little over $14 per person, we were able to bowl unlimited games for 2 hours, and our snazzy rental shoes were also included. It was a cheap date night and it was more active than me falling asleep on the couch while Will watches TV, makes paracord bracelets, etc, which is what's been happening lately. Getting old is rough!

What I'm thankful for: September 25

Today I'm thankful for...

Spell check!

Although I consider myself a relatively competent speller (although I'm no spelling bee champ), there are times when certain words just flat out stymie me. And, it's usually not a difficult word either. It's usually something like rabbit (2 b's? 2 t's? Both? I don't know!!). Thankfully, almost all websites now have a spell check feature, so when I get confused about a word, I just type it and wait for that little red squiggle to tell me I'm wrong. Even databases and search engines are on the spell check train, asking me "did I mean..." So, thank you spell check for making me seem smarter than I really am.

For some reason, today's post reminds me of Jimmy Fallon's "Thank You Notes" segment...

What I'm thankful for: September 24

Today I'm thankful for...

Punctuation!

Today is National Punctuation Day, and on this day, I am reminded of the importance of punctuation, no matter how large or small it may seem. After all, the difference between: "let's eat, Grandma!" and "let's eat Grandma!" is pretty substantial!

Happy Punctuation Day! Now, go forth and use a semi-colon!

What I'm thankful for: September 23

Today I'm thankful for...

Football!

UT and the Titans both won this weekend! That may never happen again, so I'll be excited about it while I can! Admittedly, I don't know much about football, but I'm learning. Also, I'm marrying someone who will watch football no matter what team, league, etc it is, as evidenced by him being enchanted by a high school football game on TV when we were at dinner Friday night. Guess I'd better brush up on my football for dummies...

What I'm thankful for: September 22

Today I'm thankful for...

Fall!

It's officially the first day of fall! I've always loved summer but in the last few years, I've really started to appreciate fall. The weather is beautiful and you don't sweat every time you walk to your car. Plus, fall means wearing more pants, which means my ghostly white legs aren't on display as much, so everyone wins!

What I'm thankful for: September 21

Today I'm thankful for...

Diaries!

Tomorrow is dear diary day, so I have to take a moment to be thankful for my diaries. I started keeping one in elementary school, and now it's so entertaining to go back and read about all of the things that bothered me back then or things that I thought I would never get over. It's also nice to see how far I've come as a person. I also have a five year journal that allows me to write briefly about each day over the course of five years. I started it when I was 25 and I will be done with it on my 30th birthday in July. Although it's time consuming sometimes, it will be interesting to go back and look at in the future (kind of like this blog...).

What I'm thankful for: September 20

Today I'm thankful for...

Work from former co-workers!

This is the "professional version" of me being thankful for past assignment examples on websites. Right now at work, I'm the only person teaching library instruction classes. Instruction isn't necessarily my strong point, so when I get requests for things like a nursing research class, I may or may not panic a little bit. Luckily, two of my former co-workers left me great resources that they compiled, which I can build upon or downright steal. Lest you think I'm being shady, know that I change things and go through everything myself. I don't do the entire presentation the same way. Also, I asked a professor and she said I should use existing resources, so I'm legit. So thanks Claire and Jenny for the fabulous files you both left for me! Can't wait to share them with someone else!

What I'm thankful for: September 19

Today I'm thankful for...

Pirates!

But let's be clear, I mean mythical, Johnny Depp pirates, not the real ones that are mean and bad (big, mean, stupidheads...I've reverted back to being a kindergartner...). Today is Talk Like A Pirate Day, and any day that gives me an excuse to say booty and ARRRRRRRRRRR is a good one. So, shiver me timbers, I'm getting my booty to bed. May not be the right use of the word booty, but when else am I going to use it three times in an entry??

What I'm thankful for: September 18

Today I'm thankful for...

Bedtime!

This isn't what I had planned for today, but it was a busy day that got away from me, and this is for real what I'm thankful for above almost anything else in the world right now! 

What I'm thankful for: September 17

Today I'm thankful for...

Unexpected blessings!

They can be tiny, like someone complimenting you, or they can be huge, like a completely surprising gift from your family, but either way, I'm thankful for them!

What I'm thankful for: September 16

Today I'm thankful for...

My brother!

When I was younger, I asked for a younger brother, sister, or puppy. I got a brother, but sometimes I tell him (purely joking of course ha ha) that I would have a nice, loyal dog by now. Today is my brother's 21st birthday. I can't believe he's already 21! I remember my aunt picking me up from school on the day he was born. I remember us going to Sonic. I remember going to the hospital. I vaguely remember getting to see him after he was born, maybe through the nursery windows. Even though sometimes we argue about the dumbest things, I can't imagine my life without him. Happy birthday T! I love you!!

What I'm thankful for: September 15

Today I'm thankful for...

Concerts!

Yay for Kelly Clarkson!! (Oh and The Fray and whoever else is supposed to be there). I've been preparing for the concert by singing along with her songs really loudly and really off-key...so basically just continuing to do what I always do!

Also, for anyone curious, last night's celebration took us to the Omni Hut restaurant, which was delicious! I think I'm still kind of full from dinner ha ha.

What I'm thankful for: September 14

Today I'm thankful for...

Family celebrations!

Right now, I'm heading to a mystery restaurant with my parents, brother, and Will to celebrate my brother's upcoming birthday and my finishing grad school. I don't know where we're going, but it's not important. The important part is that we're celebrating! I love family celebrations, whether they're for me or someone else. There's something nice about celebrating accomplishments with the people who love you the most. It makes it feel more important and special. Plus, it's always nice to get some free food family time. ;)

What I'm thankful for: September 13

Today I'm thankful for...

Apples!

Saturday is International Eat an Apple Day, but I already have another topic for that day, so I decided to celebrate apples tonight. I love red apples. Green ones can just mind their own business. The only thing that gets me about apples is that I feel hungrier after I eat them. Does that happen to anyone else?

What I'm thankful for: September 12

Today I'm thankful for...

Joy Church!

Yesterday marked my two-year anniversary of attending Joy Church. It's the only church I've ever regularly attended and been a member of. It's also where I got baptized and where I met my husband-to-be. The pastor is hilarious but his teachings are Biblically based, so you're given Truth along with laughter. Plus, they have Saturday night services, which is great for a lazy person like me who wants one day of the week where I don't have to get up before 8 AM! If you're in the middle TN area and looking for a great non-denominational church, come visit Joy Church. I'll come with you...even if you go on a Sunday! ;)

What I'm thankful for: September 11

Today I'm thankful for...

Everything!

And you should be too. God Bless America, and never forget.

What I'm thankful for: September 10

Today I'm thankful for...

Google Docs!

Last but not least in Google Week is Google Docs, AKA, the thing that let me do my homework at home or on my lunch break without having to worry about keeping up with a flash drive. I love being able to work on things like homework, writing projects, my budget, or blog topic ideas on multiple computers, and Google Docs makes it possible to do so. Okay, that's all I've got tonight because it's bedtime!

What I'm thankful for: September 9

Today I'm thankful for...

Google Sites!

I wrote the last 4 or 5 days worth of postings in one afternoon, but I forgot that I didn't finish up the last couple of days of Google Week! Oops! Guess I need to stay on top of my blog organizing skills lol.

If you've never used Google Sites, I would highly encourage it for making simple websites. Everything is laid out in an easy-to-use manner, and you can embed things like Google Forms on there. I've made a couple of sites, but I haven't kept them as up-to-date as I should, so I won't post links here. Hmm, running behind seems to be a theme tonight...

What I'm thankful for: September 8

Today I'm thankful for...

Google Reader!

I'm a blog-a-holic. I love to read them (and write them, clearly), but I get a little overwhelmed by all of the postings. Thankfully, Google Reader keeps them all together for me and lets me put them in as many nerdy categories as I want to. So if I just feel like reading about fashion or health one afternoon, I can. Or, if I want full-out blog gluttony, I can read postings for hours. They even suggest related blogs for addicts like me.

I'm starting to feel like I work for Google. Maybe they'll give me a cut for all of these postings...

What I'm thankful for: September 7

Today I'm thankful for...

Google + Hangouts!

Google + may not be super popular, but the hangouts were a lifesaver during grad school. When we had group projects and all of us were located in different locations, it was nice to have a centralized place where all of us could "meet" and share documents. They would also make a good place to have online group meetings or use as an alternative to Skype (that I'm a little less than impressed with). Google + hangouts are kind of like FaceTime for the non-Apple crowd...

What I'm thankful for: September 6

Today I'm thankful for...

Google Calendar!

I'm a little bit of a scatterbrained person (stop laughing!). I also tend to over commit myself to things and sometimes forget what it is I'm supposed to be doing. Luckily for me, Google Calendar helps my brain a little bit. I've long had a debate with myself about paper calendars versus electronic ones, and each time, I keep coming back to the electronic calendar. I can make several color coded calendars, and I can get reminders sent to me via email, text message, and pop up alerts on my gadgets. The hardest part is remembering to put everything on my calendar, but that would be a problem no matter what kind of system I used!

What I'm thankful for: September 5

Today I'm thankful for...

Gmail!

I absolutely love Gmail. All through college, I used Yahoo, and while it was okay enough, I didn't really know what I was missing until I started using Gmail. I'm a nerd librarian who likes for information to be organized, and Gmail has labels, color-coding, and all kinds of other nifty little tools that allow me to arrange my email in about a million different ways. Also, we use it at work now, and it has a great spam filter, which is handy when I get yet another email on my work account asking me about my latest "online pharmacy" order.

What I'm thankful for: September 4

Today I'm thankful for...

Google!

It was on this day in 1998 that Google was founded. To honor it and how it has taken over my life, I'm devoting the next few postings to Google and its related offshoots. Can you imagine life without Google? I know that librarians are supposed to be the "gatekeepers of knowledge," but honestly, Google knows more than I'll ever know! Plus, if you know some searching strategies, you can almost always find what you're looking for. And as an added bonus, the word Google is a lot more fun to say than librarian...

What I'm thankful for: September 3

Today I'm thankful for...

Labor Day!

Okay, I'll be completely honest. I didn't really know what Labor Day was beyond getting a day off work, the unofficial end of summer, and the end of being able to wear white shoes and pants (because Southern people stick to fashion traditions...winter white my foot...). So, I took a look at the U.S. Department of Labor's Website and found that Labor Day is "a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country." I'm still not 100% sure what it is, but at least I'll have a smart-sounding definition to use if someone asks me about it. 

What I'm thankful for: September 2

Today I'm thankful for...

Literacy!

September 8 is Literacy Day, but since I already have something planned for that day, I decided to celebrate literacy today. As a librarian, I can honestly say that literacy is a very important topic to me. Literacy does not just cover being able to read, but it also covers things like information literacy, which is the ability to distinguish between good and bad information. So, if you're literate and reading this, be thankful that you're literate. If you're illiterate and reading this, well, you might want to have someone read you the definition of literate...

What I'm thankful for: September 1

Today I'm thankful for...

Pianos!

September evidently is National Piano Month or something like that. I'm sure I've said this before, but I'd love to know how these months and days are determined! I have a special place in my heart for pianos because they're the only instrument I've ever received lessons for...twice. I took a piano class in college and learned how to read a few basic notes. I think I had to do an original composition also. I also took piano lessons when I was about 8 years old. According to my mom, I only went to a couple of classes before I wanted to quit, saying that he had taught me everything he knew (or something like that). No wonder I'm such a piano rock star now...

What I'm thankful for: August 31

Today I'm thankful for...

Peanut butter!

I promised something a little lighter after yesterday's semi-philosophical entry! I absolutely love peanut butter! I don't know what it is about it that makes me love it so much, but I can (and, um, have) eat it by the spoon full. It's a good thing that it has a lot of calories and fat or else I would probably go through an entire jar in a day with total disregard to a serving size!

What I'm thankful for: August 30

Today I'm thankful for...

Life!

This topic originally came to mind after my step great grandmother passed away earlier this month at the age of 92, but it's also appropriate after the topsy-turvy, busy week that I've had. Life is funny. You never quite know what you're going to face each day, and sometimes things don't always go how you expect or want them to, but in the end, God has a purpose. Everyone's life means something, and they're in their current situations for some reason, even if they can't necessarily see it at the moment. Sometimes things just flat out suck, and that's okay. Sometimes life's not fair, and that's okay. It's what you do with the good moments in life that really count and make you appreciate everything you have.

Now, let me try to think of something shallow for tomorrow. ;)

What I'm thankful for: August 29

Today I'm thankful for...

Popcorn!

Popcorn is a great snack food, especially if you're trying to lose weight. It smells good (um, unless you burn it...that smell lingers for weeks), you get a lot in a serving, and you can play around with different spices to make it taste better. The only problem I have with popcorn is that if it's expired, it catches on fire and then the fire department has to come to your place of employment to check on the alarm. Not that I've ever had that happen or anything...

What I'm thankful for: August 28

Today I'm thankful for...

Songpop!

I only heard about Songpop recently, so I don't know how old it is, but I'm already addicted to it (even though I don't get to play it as much as I did when I was on my staycation). Songpop is a social music trivia game where you play against friends or strangers and try to guess five songs' artists or titles in different categories. You take turns choosing genres, so I could choose Christian/Gospel for my round, and then my opponent could choose British New Wave for her turn. If you accumulate more points during a round, you win three coins; if you lose, you only get one coin. The coins can be used to buy new genres. It may sound silly, but it combines my competitive nature with my love for guessing music!

What I'm thankful for: August 27

Today I'm thankful for....

Shirts!

Evidently, yesterday, along with being Women's Equality Day, was also Go Topless Day. For some reason, I think that was created by those who oppose W.E.D., but I may be wrong. Anyway, I'm extremely thankful for shirts because who knows what kind of nonsense we'd be seeing if people went topless? The only person that I think should've celebrated yesterday was David Beckham (shirt off!), but you're welcomed to respectfully disagree...

What I'm thankful for: August 26

Today I'm thankful for...

Women's equality!

Today is Women's Equality Day, so I thought it was appropriate to celebrate our equality. Even though we still have a ways to go with some things, like equal pay between men and women, we have made a lot of strides. Think about how even just 100ish years ago (I'm not a history major ha ha), women couldn't even vote, wear pants, etc. I can't imagine not having some of the rights that I take for granted! There are also other places in the world where women are considered lesser citizens and can't even go places without a male escort. I wouldn't like having those restrictions at all, and I'm extremely grateful that I live in a country that is working towards equality for women!

What I'm thankful for: August 25

Today I'm thankful for...

Goodwill!

Today was National Secondhand Wardrobe Day, so I thought it was appropriate to dedicate today's entry to Goodwill. It's one of my favorite stores. I know the idea of secondhand clothes gross some people out, and that's fine by me because it means I have less competition at thrift stores! Personally, I get sick of clothes pretty quickly and like to have quantity over quality, so Goodwill is a great solution for me, especially with the half off days, 99 cent tags, and student ID discounts. I can often find brand new stuff at Goodwill, so why wouldn't I shop there? Of course, I don't buy all of my clothes there. I have limits on underclothes and bathing suits. But, my spaghetti costume from last Halloween was from there, so let's see what I can find for this Halloween!

What I'm thankful for: August 24

Today I'm thankful for...

Razors!

It's been a long day, and I'm exhausted, so this one will be short. Razors are great because they allow me to wear shorts and dresses in warm months without anyone thinking I'm a crunchy hippie who never shaves. I'm not sure what a crunchy hippie is, but that seems like the kind of person who wouldn't use razors...

What I'm thankful for: August 23

Today I'm thankful for...

Twitter!

Every year, we have in-service at work the week before classes start. It's supposed to be required attendance for all faculty and staff members, but sometimes there are sessions that are not as relevant to my job as they are to professors...or department heads...or people who deal with money and so on. I get slightly antsy if I'm forced to be in one spot for too long, so these non-relevant sessions are sometimes hard for me to sit through. Thankfully, this year, I discovered that a couple of my co-workers can help alleviate some of my antsy ways by entertaining me on Twitter. If you're not a Twitter-er, then you're missing out on entertainment, news, and information that you may not see immediately on other sources. I'm a little late to the game, but I like Twitter almost more than the book of faces. Almost.

Want to follow me on Twitter? Click here for my personal account and here for my professional account!

What I'm thankful for: August 22

Today I'm thankful for...

Kindness!

Today is "Be An Angel Day," and while I'm not exactly sure what that means, I think that being kind is probably a hallmark of being an angel. Kindness goes a long way. If you're having a long day and are really stressed out, then you know better than anyone that someone's words and attitude can either make or break you at that point. So, my challenge for all of you today is to practice kindness. Allow me to indulge in my cheesy side for a moment, but you never know the effect your words and kindness can have on people, so build them up!

And if I'm unkind to you today, you can throw a book at me...

What I'm thankful for: August 21

Today I'm thankful for...

Cupcakes!

Even though I just spent a week writing about food, I thought I'd devote another post to food since yesterday was cupcake day. Cupcakes are one of the best desserts ever. They come in their own little wrapper, and they have icing. I'm an icing fanatic, so any food that has it is worth its own entry on the blog!

What I'm thankful for: August 20

Today I'm thankful for...

Fazoli's!

This is the last restaurant on my list, and it's the one I'm least in love with. I used to really like them. They were relatively inexpensive, and the unlimited breadsticks made my carb-loving self happy. But, the last couple of times I've gone in there, I've noticed that they don't give out the breadsticks so freely anymore, and it costs close to $20 for Will and I to eat there. I still love their food, but I have to love it less often than I want to.

What I'm thankful for: August 19

Today I'm thankful for...

Cori's Dog House!

I'm sure the name gives it away, but this is a restaurant that's all about hot dogs! I believe this one is also a local restaurant. Now, I know some people think hot dogs are disgusting, and if you really think about what's in them, they are. However, Cori's offers veggie dogs and turkey dogs, so you can at least get something that you know is meat-ish or veggie-ish. Cori's has 30-something different kinds of hot dogs based on different regions. You can get a card where an employee will initial it every time you try a different hot dog, and when you finish, you get a free hot dog, a free t-shirt, and your picture on the wall of fame. My brother and I have cards, but we've only gotten about 6 different ones. We've got a long way to go before we get to the wall of fame...

What I'm thankful for: August 18

Today I'm thankful for...

Painturo's!

Painturo's is another local restaurant. It has a location in the town I live in and one a couple of blocks from where I work, so theoretically, I could have it for lunch and dinner every night. They have Italian(ish) food like pizza, pasta, and calzones. Plus, they have a lunch club where you can earn a free meal with every 10 you buy. I've only earned it once, but I'm willing to keep trying!

What I'm thankful for: August 17

Today I'm thankful for...

El Ok Corral!

So if you're outside of the Middle TN area, you've probably never heard of this restaurant, but chances are, you have your own local version. El Ok Corral is a local Mexican restaurant that has good, affordable food, and the servers are some of the nicest people I've encountered in any restaurant. I may be a little biased towards them since I've celebrated a couple of birthdays there, but if you're looking for something besides Los Compadres or Cinco de Mayo, check them out!

What I'm thankful for: August 16

Today I'm thankful for...

Which Wich!

I love Which Wich. Not only does it have a ridiculous name, but it's like Subway on steroids. I have a hard time ordering at Subway sometimes ("uhhh, spinach and uhhh tomato and uhh mustard), so when I go to Which Wich and get to use the little bag instead of having to be all awkward with someone. Plus, they always have avocado...real avocado too, not guacamole like the S place. I think I need to go there tomorrow. I can be healthy-ish there, right?

What I'm thankful for: August 15

Today I'm thankful for...

Chick Fil A!

Okay, my disclaimer to this post is that I've had it planned since January. I didn't know that it would become the most polarizing restaurant on the planet Earth when I decided to feature it this week. But, I like their food, and I like my food and my politics separate, and I am a Christian, and that's all for my disclaimer, and I used the word 'and' too much here...ha. Also, since my feed posting thingy for social networks seems to have stopped working days ago, who knows if anyone will ever even see this? ;-p

Chick Fil A is the cleanest fast food restaurant I've ever been to. I've never worried about getting food poisoning from it or questioned the hygiene of its employees. Plus, their food is delicious, and the employees are super polite. When the town I worked in opened a location, it was packed, and none of the employees were rude or frazzled. Sometimes I know that the requests I make aren't really "their pleasure," but I'll keep their secret safe...

What I'm thankful for: August 14

Today I'm thankful for...

Jimbo's!

Since I'm on the path to trying to lose weight (see my other blog for the grisly details), I've decided to devote the next few days to restaurants. That logic may not make sense to anyone, but it makes perfect sense in my left-handed brain...

So, the first restaurant on the list is Jimbo's! Jimbo's is a little local restaurant that is a little bit 50s diner inspired with the music and decor. They serve hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches, and you can get a lot of different toppings on them, like green peppers and mushrooms. They also have milkshakes. Huge, delicious milkshakes. Please excuse me while I drool a little bit...

What I'm thankful for: August 13

Today I'm thankful for...

Being left-handed!

Just in case you didn't know, today is Left Handers Day! As a lefty, I feel like I'm often backwards in a right-handed world, so I'm glad I have a day devoted to me (and other lefties)! For all of you who would like to get me a left-handed present, here's a site to explore: https://www.leftyslefthanded.com/default.asp. For other lefties, here's an entire website for our special day: http://www.lefthandersday.com/index.html. Go us!

What I'm thankful for: August 12

Today I'm thankful for...

Kool-Aid!

I love Kool-Aid! It's cheap, easy to make, and you can control how sweet you want it to be. Also, does anyone remember collecting Kool-Aid points to get prizes? We've got 2 sets of Kool-Aid mugs, plus who knows what else from those points. Oh yeah!

What I'm thankful for: August 11

Today I'm thankful for...

Reading Rainbow!

To continue the nostalgic TV show love, I have to mention Reading Rainbow. I always loved that it was centered around books. I guess that should've been my first clue that I was going to grow up and do something book related. It was a great show, but you don't have to take my word for it...

A little bonus video...

What I'm thankful for: August 10

Today I'm thankful for...

Sesame Street!

I think this parody from Cookie Monster:



and this parody from Grover:



say why I'm thankful better than I ever could. Sesame Street is so much funnier when you're an adult...

What I'm thankful for: August 9

Today I'm thankful for...

Sunglasses!

For a while, instead of using sunglasses, I chose to try to use the sun visor in my car and sit up really tall instead of using sunglasses to, you know, block the sun. I don't know why I was stubborn like that. Maybe I had terrible sunglasses that didn't really work that well. Or maybe I thought it was cooler to try to damage my eyes and impair my vision whenever I drove. Whatever the reason, I don't do that anymore, and my eyes thank me for it!

What I'm thankful for: August 8

Today I'm thankful for...

Keurig coffeemakers!

I never thought I would love the Keurig as much as I do, but it's amazing! It's a single cup coffee maker, and you can also make different kinds of teas with it. Plus, you don't have to buy the little K-cups; there is a filter you can put in it to use your own coffee, tea, etc. Since I've had a Keurig, I don't even know how to make a pot of coffee anymore. I guess it's true what they say about book sense and common sense...

What I'm thankful for: August 7

Today I'm thankful for...

Finishing grad school!

I've been in grad school since January 2009. Since then, I have earned a Master of Arts in Education, and upon making at least a C in both of my summer classes, I will earn a Master of Science in Information Science. I've almost always loved school, but over 3.5 years of grad school, some of which overlapped, is a little much. I'm ready to have a break from school. I always thought about pursuing a doctorate degree, but now I'm not so sure! I can't wait to have more free time this fall and to not have to schedule my life around classes!

What I'm thankful for: August 6

Today I'm thankful for...

Potatoes!

I love potatoes- baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, hash browns, french fries, tater tots, whatever. I know they're not the best vegetable for you, but they just taste so much better than veggies like green peas (BLECH). Plus, even I know how to cook a potato, and that's worth celebrating!

What I'm thankful for: August 5

Today I'm thankful for...

Tax free shopping!

It's tax-free weekend here in Tennessee, and even though the stores are ridiculous and crazy, I still love this weekend. There are a lot of restrictions on what's included in this sale, but two of my favorite things, clothes and (most) office supplies are included, so that makes me a happy girl. I feel like I get to stretch my money (or birthday gift cards!) just a little bit further, and who doesn't like getting more for their money?

What I'm thankful for: August 4

Today I'm thankful for...

Catching up with friends!

Last night I went to dinner at a friend's house and got to catch up with people that I don't get to see often enough. Life gets in the way of getting together sometimes, but when you get to catch up with each other, it's fabulous, especially when you discover a mutual hatred of crickets! =)

What I'm thankful for: August 3

Today I'm thankful for...

Watermelon!

Today is National Watermelon Day (the timing of this day makes much more sense to me than Lasagna Day being in July...). I LOVE watermelon! It's my favorite fruit. I don't know if I love it so much because it represents summer or because it's delicious, but I could probably eat it every day and be okay with that. Of course, the effects of eating a fruit that primarily consists of water would get old after a while, but it's the price I have to pay...

What I'm thankful for: August 2

Today I'm thankful for...

Passing comps!

I just have to dedicate an entire day to being thankful for this! I don't think I ever really explained what comps are or why I've talked about them so much. I'm in graduate school to earn my Masters in Information Science (the new and fancy version of library science). As part of the fulfillment of my degree requirements, I had to take a comprehensive exam (comps). The exam consisted of five essay questions, and I had to pick three to answer. We weren't told anything about the questions in advance; previous questions were posted on the website for us to get an idea of the types of questions there could be, but the actual questions and topics were unknown to us. So, the idea of having five questions over just about anything in the field of information science was a little nerve-wracking! Luckily, they told us that only one person had ever failed and you had to try pretty hard to fail. I'm competitive, but that's one contest I was glad to lose! So, with a passing score and at least a C in my last two classes, I'll be DONE! I'm sure I'll be thankful for that soon... ;)

What I'm thankful for: August 1

Today I'm thankful for...

Opinions!

There's been a lot of hubbub lately concerning people's thoughts on a popular chicken restaurant and its thoughts on gay marriage. I have friends on both sides of the issue and they all insist that they're correct, everyone else is wrong, and whoever disagrees hates kittens and sunshine.

Here's the thing: no one really cares.

I don't mean to be flippant or rude, but honestly, how much more of this back and forth can we take? It's gone beyond civil discourse and into hateful territory. Everyone who has an opinion feels strongly about it, and nothing that the "other side" says can make them change their mind, and that's okay. We were given free will for a reason, and it's okay to express your own opinions in a respectful way. I may not agree with you, but I don't have to. It's called an opinion for a reason. I know what I believe about this and a lot of other controversial issues, and I know that if I argue with someone with opposite opinions, I'm not doing anything to further my cause or help sway them. This may seem apathetic, but it's just been on my mind a lot lately. I will gladly express my opinions, if asked, but I'm not going to try to force people to agree with me. I think I have the right opinion/viewpoint, so what does it matter if some random person on Facebook that I don't even really know disagrees with me? Exactly.

I didn't mean for this to become a mini-rant, but I'm tired of having other people's opinions, both those that conflict and those that agree with mine, shoved in my face. I'm not going to argue dissenters, and I'm not going to rally behind those I agree with; I'm okay being a little passive here and standing up for things that I truly want to influence people about, like their salvation (Jesus juke...lol). So, you have your opinion, and I'll have mine, and as long as we both agree to disagree, we'll be fine.

What I'm thankful for: July 31

Today I'm thankful for...

Jellybeans!

Today is Jump for Jellybeans Day. I don't know why I have to jump for them. It might be because the jellybean machine I have in my office is on a tall shelf that I can't quite reach, but how would the creators of this day have known that?

If you don't like jellybeans, then I'd like to know why. They come in a lot of flavors and are pretty low calorie, fat free snacks. Plus, I make money off of my jellybean machine when others use it. Granted, it's usually just pennies and lately it's been returning them, but it's still like getting paid to eat...

What I'm thankful for: July 30

Today I'm thankful for...

Staycations!

I have to admit that even though I love combining words, this is not one of my favorite word combinations. However, I'll allow it because of the meaning behind it! That's right ladies and gentlemen, I'm on staycation! My plans include: sleeping in, going swimming, using a birthday gift card to go shopping, dinner with friends, and, I suppose homework (had to throw something in so that people wouldn't be too jealous). So, if you see me around over the next couple of weeks, know that I'm not playing hooky from work; I'm legitimately off!

What I'm thankful for: July 29

Today I'm thankful for...

Lasagna!

For some reason, today was Narional Lasagna Day. That seems like something that should be celebrated in colder weather but since lasagna is one of my favorite foods (and coincidentally one of the few I can actually make), then I'll celebrate it when someone else has determined it should be celebrated!

What I'm thankful for: July 28

Today I'm thankful for...

Pillows!

Pillows are what makes a bed seem more like a bed as opposed to a surface with blankets and sheets. Even prisoners get pillows, which proves that they're a basic human right...or something like that...

What I'm thankful for: July 27

Today I'm thankful for...

The Olympics!

I LOVE the Olympics, both summer and winter games. I love the competition, the back stories (thank you, Bob Costas!), the athleticism, and the patriotism they seem to inspire. I'm so excited about opening ceremonies tonight! Let's go Team USA!!

What are your favorite Olympic events? Mine are swimming and gymnastics in the summer and skating and snowboarding in the winter, but I'll watch just about any of the events- that's how I found out what the biathlon was!

What I'm thankful for: July 26

Today I'm thankful for...

Fingernail files!

My fingernails are fickle. Sometimes they'll grow long and look pretty, and I'll think that I have the best fingernails in the world (yes, that's how my brain works...). Then, without warning, one will suddenly decide to jump ship and break. It's usually not even a clean break either; it's usually one that requires a little repair work on my end. Thankfully, nail files always help me out in that situation. I can get it fixed back up in no time flat. I keep nail files in lots of various places- my office, Will's truck, two different spots in my bathroom- but for some reason I don't have one in my car. Wow. This blog makes me realize all of my shortcomings...

What I'm thankful for: July 25

Today I'm thankful for...

Lip gloss!

This one can also cover Chapstick and its various generic brethren! I'm a little bit makeup challenged, but if I wear some tinted lip gloss, it looks like I've made a little bit of an effort. Also, I hate how my lips feel when they're dry. Blech. I had a favorite lip gloss that I don't think is made anymore (C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine in Root Beer just in case anyone is really curious), but it fell out of my pocket while I was at a restaurant, and I didn't notice until it was too late. So, for all of you lip gloss/lip stuff users, always double check that you have your stuff before you leave a restaurant!

What I'm thankful for: July 24

Today I'm thankful for...

Glasses!

I don't know if my allergies have been kicking up lately or what, but since Saturday, my left eye has been hurting, and it's been kind of red. Yesterday morning, I just couldn't bear to put my contacts in, so I went for the spectacles. Even though I don't always love wearing glasses, I'm thankful for them. They're good for tired or sore eyes, and I look at least 20% more like a librarian when I'm wearing them.

What I'm thankful for: July 23

Today I'm thankful for...

Hot dogs!

Happy National Hot Dog Day! I'll admit that I'm not quite sure what's in a hot dog. I know there are a lot of jokes about their content. I'm okay with that because I think they're delicious, especially when you put non-traditional stuff on them like avocado. I also like watching the hot dog eating contest every July 4th. This year's winner ate 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes! As much as I love them, I can't imagine eating that many in an entire week, let alone 10 minutes! I feel like I need to go eat an antacid now or something in his honor...

What I'm thankful for: July 22

Today I'm thankful for...

BzzAgent!

BzzAgent is a "social marketing company" (according to their website). Basically, they send me different products, like razors, Keurig K-cups, and coupons for free food products, in exchange for me writing reviews, tweeting about them, posting on Facebook, etc. I don't remember how I first heard of it (I think I read about it in a magazine article), but I had to check it out. I've gotten to try a lot of cool things that I might not have ever purchased. It's free to join, and in addition to getting products, you also earn MyPoints, which can be exchanged for gift cards to places like Target and Amazon.com. I may be a cog in the marketing wheel, but I'm cool with getting free stuff!

End commercial break.

What I'm thankful for: July 21

Today I'm thankful for...

Babies!

My sister-in-law to be had a baby shower this morning, and it inspired this post. It's amazing that humans can CREATE OTHER PEOPLE. That deserves to be in all caps because it's just mind-boggling sometimes! Babies represent what's good about humanity; they're sweet, innocent, adorable, and almost everyone loves them. Of course, I haven't had any babies of my own yet and have never had to get up at all hours of the night, deal with diaper explosions, etc, so my view may be a little tainted! ;)

What I'm thankful for: July 20

Today I'm thankful for...

The moon!

Today marks the anniversary of when man first walked on the moon (in 1969). I can't imagine how exciting and terrifying that must have been! I love to look at the moon, but I'm fine doing it from a distance!

What I'm thankful for: July 19

Today I'm thankful for...

Air conditioning!

It's July in Tennessee. We've broken records with our high temperatures. It's hot enough that I break a sweat just walking to my car. I'm a hot natured person anyway, but this set me over the edge. Air conditioning, if I didn't have you in my life, I don't know where I'd be. Probably melted into a puddle in a parking lot somewhere...

What I'm thankful for: July 18

Today I'm thankful for...

The Interstate!

Despite it taking us nearly 6 hours to get to Knoxville least week because of 3 separate wrecks on the Interstate, I still love it. It's such a convenient way to travel, and if you get behind a state trooper and drive as fast as he does, it evidently doesn't take you as long to get home from Knoxville...or so I hear (Dad...)

What I'm thankful for: July 17

Today I'm thankful for...

Gift cards!

Birthday gift cards are the best! Can't wait to stuff myself at Panera and buy color coded office supplies at Target (despite what Will says, office supples ARE fun!). Thanks gift givers and well wishers!

What I'm thankful for: July 16

Today I'm thankful for...

Me!

Happy birthday to me! =) I had a wonderful, relaxed day, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to kick off being...gulp...29. Also, I feel so blessed by all of the birthday wishes from people in my life. Thanks everyone!

What I'm thankful for: July 15

Today I'm thankful for...

Gatlinburg!

If you've always wanted an airbrushed rebel flag t-shirt but never quite knew where to find it, then have I got the place for you! I love Gatlinburg. I love the cheesy shops and people watching. And, I may be in the market for a new airbrushed shirt also...

What I'm thankful for: July 14

Today I'm thankful for...

New recipes!

I'm not exactly what you would call a good cook...or even a proficient one (who thinks Will and I are going to eat a lot of frozen meals in our first year of marriage?), so when someone gives me a recipe that sounds easy enough for someone like me, then I get pretty excited. I'm not going to give away this latest one until I try it, but I think even I can manage to do it. ;) Thanks Libby!