Beautiful Art (By a Beautiful Artist)

The other day, I was over visiting a sweet friend and helping her with a few things on her computer.  As we sat in her computer room, I happened to notice a beautiful canvas painting.  I knew she is an artist, so I commented on how beautiful it was.  She told me she had always wanted to live in an Irish Cottage, so she envisioned it in her mind, and she painted it. 

I also noticed there were some other paintings behind that one, so I asked if I could look at her other work.  The one behind it was a beautiful sunrise.  I was drawn in by the colors.  Honestly, I love sunrises and sunsets.  The are so beautiful.  And so this painting was.  She told me the story behind the sunrise painting. 

And then she told me I was welcome to take a painting.  Or even two. 

I was shocked.  And hesitant, honestly.  Could I really take these treasures home when they meant something to her?  The thought made me feel almost greedy!  But with the sweetest smile, she assured me she wanted me to have them if I appreciated them so.  She said she wanted them to go to a place they would be appreciated.  She then told me of others who had loved others of her paintings and now those paintings are theirs.  She laughed as she told me one lady saw one and said, "Oh that is so beautiful!  Can you leave it to me when you die?"  Instead, this beautiful artist insisted the woman take the painting right then.  Just as she insisted I do.

And so I did.  I still feel just a little guilty.  But I am excited to have them hanging in my home. 

So many pieces of art are beautiful.  I am no artist.  That is definitely not a talent I have.  I am grateful there are those who do have the talent and can create beauty.  And, to me, art is more beautiful when I know the artist.  These will be treasured for as long as I live.  As will the artist.


What are you grateful for today?

Fruity Pebbles

Judge me if you will, but I have a category of things in life I like to call guilty pleasures.  They are things I know I probably shouldn't enjoy...  But I do.  And so, on occasion, I allow myself the guilty pleasure of enjoying them.

Well, Fruity Pebbles is one of them.  I am fully aware they are packed-full of food colors and dyes.  And sugar.  And I am fully aware that is not healthy for me. 

But there's just something about those Fruity Pebbles that, to me, is oh-so-yummy.  (My husband thinks I'm crazy.  He thinks they leave a waxy coating in his mouth, so he doesn't enjoy them.  But I do!)

So, because I know they aren't the best option for me, I don't buy them.  But sometimes you just have awesome friends who know you like certain things.  And sometimes those awesome friends bring you those very things you like as a "hey, you just pushed a huge baby out of your body!  You should enjoy something you like!" gift. 

And so I've been doing just that with these -- in those very very very very rare quiet moments when it's just me.  So I'm grateful for Fruity Pebbles to enjoy.  And the awesome friend who brought them for me to enjoy :).

What are you grateful for today?

Compassionate Service and Those Who Render It

Five days ago I gave birth to a healthy (and big!) baby boy.  It's a blessing. 

It also means lots of adjusting for everyone, and lots of sleepless nights for mommy and daddy.

And every day since we've been home from the hospital, we have been blessed by the love and service of others who are caring for us by bringing us meals to help alleviate the "things to do" on our list every day.

I cannot even adequately begin to express my gratitude for these wonderful people who so abundantly bless our lives.  With post-pregnancy hormones raging through my body, the truth is I get choked up when I think about how much this service has meant to our little family.  Truly these wonderful people exemplify Christ-like love.  Their generosity has been enormous.  And there truly are not words enough to thank them. 

I know there are others more needing and more deserving of this service.  But it has been so wonderful to have one less thing to think about these days. 

And just as I'm thankful to be receiving this service at this time in our lives, I'm thankful that I have opportunities to serve others when they are in need.  I'm grateful to be able to help, even in a small way.  And I'm grateful that, through receiving the service we are receiving, we have an even better appreciation for and desire to do such service to others -- for we know what a blessing it is.

So to all you wonderful people (some of whom may read this and others who may not), thank you.  Thank you for blessing our lives.


What are you grateful for today?

Friends Who Come to the Rescue!

My husband has been put on graveyard shift for the next two weeks.  Two weeks.  I can officially say (after 3 nights of this already) that I am not grateful for that!

But I am grateful for awesome friends who come to the rescue.  And this is how they do it:  They are always up for play dates so the munchkin and I can get out of the house in the mornings and let my sweetie get some solid hours of shut-eye. 

True, I could just leave the house every morning and go to a park by myself or something.  But it's so much more fun with friends!  So I have some awesome friends who are helping me fill my mornings for the next two weeks with play-dates at parks as well as play-dates at their homes.  It's great to watch our kiddos play together, too :).

Seriously, ladies, I cannot thank you enough!  I owe you big time!!!

What are you grateful for today?

Birthday Love

Today was easily one of the busiest birthdays I've ever had.  And, honestly, I should be in bed! 

I spent the majority of the day at a vendor event at the local mall -- mostly just getting my name out there and introducing THRIVE Life to people.

Then I had a doctor's appointment.  Which the check-in gal totally messed something up and I waited an hour past my appointment time before I got called back.  Have I mentioned patience isn't my strong suit? 

Then I bought Burger King (dinner of birthday-girls, right?  Eh, not so much, but I needed food fast -- I was fading.) and brought it home and shared with my sister and nieces (and toddler).  My sweet sister came to watch my munchkin so my hubby could go to work while I was still at the mall and then the doctor.  I appreciate her.

Then I went to talk to a couple of other lovely ladies about THRIVE.  And got home after 8.  Showered.  Put the baby to bed.  Made dinner for my husband who isn't such a fan of fast food... ;).  Opened my presents... finally!

Oh, and did I mention I had two gifts dropped off at my house -- both while I wasn't here!

I have said it before, and I'll say it again:  I have the most amazing friends and family.  And today, I felt tons of birthday love.

I also love that my friends know me so well....  book of lists, awesome 80s cereal (some that even have face masks I can cut out, by the way ;)), chocolate...  Oh my.

I am blessed.

What are you grateful for today?

A Living Prophet

Twice a year, members of my faith (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) gather to listen to the Prophet and Twelve Apostle and other church leaders.  It is called General Conference, and it is broadcast from Salt Lake City.  We are able now, with technology, to view it on the internet from home.  I always feel really good inside when I hear the words they speak.  The messages are timely, and I know these men are speaking the words the Lord would have us hear.

Today the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, spoke briefly in the morning (he will speak more tomorrow morning).  As I listened to his words, what stuck out to me was how he spoke of loving others.  All others.  He talked of how it is a commandment from the Savior to love one another.  And that His disciples are expected to do so.  I'm not sure why that really stood out to me in his brief comments today, but it did.  Because love truly does make a difference.  It changes lives. 

I truly am grateful to know we have a living Prophet on earth today.  To know he receives revelation from God on our behalf.  I'm grateful for the counsel we are given -- to love others, to be prepared in a variety of ways, to recognize the hand of the Lord in our lives...  I find that, when I strive to follow the counsel he gives, I am happier and more grounded in life.  And I'm grateful we can hear him speak at General Conference :).

What are you grateful for today?

Guests Who Graciously Tolerate the Ghetto-Fabulous

Because I had a lot of company tonight...  And they all had to do the whole walk-around-the-building thing due to our stairway situation mentioned yesterday.

So as I apologized for our ghetto-fabulous apartment complex...  I was so appreciative that everyone was kind and willing to just go with the flow.

What are you grateful for today?

Awesome Cousins

One of my cousins had a birthday today.  Late -- as always (but still on the day!) -- I texted to tell her Happy Birthday!...

She responded with "We need another cousin vacation."  And I concur.

And so, I reminisced about memories shared with this particular cousin.  Memories of making cheese olivettes with our moms.  Memories of riding the train from New Jersey to New York City.  Of eating cheese-steaks at one of the authentic places in Philly.  Memories of sleeping on the pull-out bed in the living room of our grandparents' house right before our family reunion in 2008.  Memories of laughing about the dog.  And laughing about Dwight-isms.

And then I start to remember memories shared with my other awesome cousins (of which I have many...).  Memories of chocolate lovers' dreams and climbing on the Fine Arts building at a certain Southern Georgia university.  Memories of macaroni and butter and Jerry Springer and How Bizarre.  And maybe even the smell of fritos after a perm...

Or that stupid little feather in Forrest Gump and sitting up late into the night around the dinner table telling stories and laughing.  But trying really hard to keep it down so we don't get in trouble -- but my brother can't help himself when he hears the stupid little feather comment and, I believe, manages to almost choke on the soda he is drinking...

Or the cockroach that fell out of the sugar -- and the cousin who, in the middle of the night while our moms were asleep and all us cousins were sneaking spoonfuls of sugar (hey, they help the medicine go down, so they can't be all that bad, right ;)?) in the kitchen when someone just had to have white sugar and just couldn't settle for the brown sugar (which was better anyway...), when the cockroach fell out of the sugar, declared, "Oh darn!  the cockroach fell out of the sugar."  (It wasn't a real one, by the way...).

I have cousins with a variety of talents (like cake decorating and crocheting and game programming and amazing musical talent...).  I have cousins who are amazing examples of motherhood.  Cousins who are amazing examples of strength.  Cousins who have endured hardships I don't know if I'd have the strength to endure. 

I have been abundantly blessed with amazing family -- and my cousins are definitely in the top ranks of that list.  And for that, I am grateful.

What are you grateful for today?

Getting My Veggies Via Yummy Green Smoothie!

This morning my munchkin and I went over to hang out with a friend and her kiddos.  Somewhere around mid-morning, my friend made everyone green smoothies. 

This was my first ever green smoothie! 

Not because I was opposed to having one.  Frankly, the thought of getting my veggies disguised in a delicious smoothie was very appealing to me.  But I still have an old-school blender, and I simply don't think it would be quite as nice an experience as with one of those super-awesome-high-power-motor blenders...

So today, since my friend Janet has one of those nifty blenders, I had my first green smoothie.  And so did my munchkin.  And she sucked down her share of it out of my glass, so I'm pretty positive I can speak for her and say she loved it too!

So I got zucchini, kale, spinach, beet tops, and crookneck squash disguised by banana, pineapple, 3 berries, and a couple other ingredients that weren't produce (like a milk and protein thing).

It was really good.  And I got a lot of veggies.  By 11:00 this morning.  Which is gangbusters in my book!  And so is Janet.

I need to get one of those blenders...

What are you grateful for today?

My Sweet Niece Emily

So lately, I've had the opportunity to help my sister by watching her girls.  My niece Emily is 5 and will be starting Kindergarten in a couple of days.  But she still wasn't in school today like her big sister was, so I had her for most of the day (and her sister later in the afternoon too). 

Emily is awesome.  She used to call me "mama" when she was just learning to talk.  Mostly because I think that's the term she used for people she trusted and felt safe with.  I saw her the day she was born, and it's still hard for me to believe she is already 5 1/2.  Even harder to believe my little girl will be 5 1/2 one day.  (I held a newborn today and couldn't believe my munchkin was ever that small...  And yet she was.  It's a little heart-breaking how fast the time goes and how easily we forget what was...).

Anyway, as I had Emily here today, I noticed again how incredibly sweet she is with my toddler.  The difference in abilities between a 1 year old and a 5 year old is pretty vast.  And yet Emily is always so patient with my little girl.  She creates games they can play together -- even if my little one doesn't quite get it.  Emily always encourages my baby girl to follow her as she goes from room to room.  And my little girl loves it.  She adores Emily, I can tell. 

And it touches my heart to know my little girl already has such a loving and doting cousin.  Not that she doesn't have other loving cousins...  But there's something special about that Emily when it comes to my little girl.  She makes my little girl feel included and special.  And what that does for me as her mommy...  I lack words.  I've loved Emily for a long, long time.  Truth is, I think I loved my sister's girls as close to loving them like a mom loves her child as I could get (seeing as I didn't have a child at the time).  And this just makes me appreciate and love them (and her) even more.

Something else I've noticed about Emily in recent weeks is how she understands things intuitively...  Social situations.  The other day, when the nail polish was spilled on my rug, and I was trying desperately to clean it up as quickly as possible; my munchkin was interested in getting into the middle of everything.  Which was frustrating to me for two reasons:  1.  She was in the way.  But 2. Much more importantly, I was messing with a variety of chemicals I didn't want her to put her hands on and then in her mouth...  Emily could tell I needed my toddler entertained elsewhere.  She immediately stopped what she was doing and said, "I'll take her to her room."  She beckoned to my little girl, and the two of them went to the bedroom happily, and Emily kept her there entertained until I was through doing all I could do.  I was amazed at the wisdom and understanding at this 5 year old.  And grateful for it and her willingness to do that without being asked.

Yes, I love that Emily.  She is a joy in so many ways.  I'm glad I get to be her auntie.  Glad I get to be around her.  And glad I've been a part of her life since she was born.  What a blessing she is.

What are you grateful for today?

A Day Full of Awesome Friends and Delicious Food!

For me, there are few things finer in life than great friends and great food.  Today was packed full with both.

Munchkin and I started out the day by meeting up with Lea and Chuck for some breakfast at Denny's and a whole lot of fun conversation.  My munchkin loves hanging with (Auntie) Lea and (Uncle) Chuck, because she knows they think she's so stinkin' cute (but, hey, who doesn't ;)?).  And what can't be great about some blueberry pancakes, bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns with orange juice?  Absolutely nothing.

Then we met up with the awesome Megan and her cutie Jack.  We started out our play date by going to a Reading Up program where someone read our two cuties The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and then they each got to pick a book to take home -- for free!  We got Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?  Because we needed to rectify the fact that we didn't previously have any Dr. Seuss books in our library...  After that, we went to their house and enjoyed lunch and play-time!  Let's just say that someone else's toys are always cooler than your own.  And let's just say that Megan is amazing.  Her house is always gorgeous, she is always beautiful, and she is super sweet and inviting -- always.  And she makes really great food.  Today it was ham and cheese pockets and Asian Chicken Salad.  Play dates are awesome.  Both for kiddos and for mommies.

Then this evening, I enjoyed a Girls' Night Out, thanks to the wonderful Mariah.  Mariah is always so generous with opening her lovely home to a bunch of crazy ladies to come hang out.  And she always provides yummy (and in tonight's case, healthy) food!  Tonight we had a red lentil chili and a really yummy salad (because she takes the time to slice up a ton of yummy veggies to put on it) along with some grapes and a creamy (which I love) pasta dish.  And pineapple upside down cake (sort of -- my cake didn't turn out quite like I'd hoped due to baker error) for dessert.  It's nice to sit and chat with other ladies.  Share stories of whatever...  Maybe climb up on a soapbox...  And never get around to actually playing the games that were brought, because -- hey -- visiting is just more fun!

And my sweetheart took care of getting Munchkin to bed so I could go enjoy some grown-up mommy time solo :). 

So today was just an awesome day.  The best kind, if you're a Nilla ;).

What are you grateful for today?

Being Invited to Learn About Freezer Meals!

So this afternoon, while my little one slept, I got a random text from a number I didn't recognize.  Once I read the text, I knew it was from someone who, at the very least, knew me (and whom I probably knew as well ;)).

I was being invited to attend a Provident Living lesson on freezer meals!!!  I replied asking what time the meeting was, and who was inviting me.  Haha...  Clearly it was someone who knows all about the foodie in me ;).  The ever-awesome Brenda H. 

And, seriously, she is ever-awesome. 

So I went and have been inspired to do some freezer meals!  We had a tasting table and were able to try 5 different freezer meals.  YUM!  So I definitely have several to try -- and they don't look hard to put together!  The very best kind!

Anyway, it was a treat that Brenda thought of me and invited me to attend her class.  She is one of the coolest women I know -- so organized and "with it," for lack of a better term.  She's one of those people I'm just glad I know and can call a friend!  So I'm grateful for her too -- and that makes two gratefuls for today :).

What are you grateful for today?

My Little Shadow

Tonight, as I was talking to my dad on the phone, I walked into the kitchen (to get dessert, of course ;)).  After a few minutes of randomly doing stuff in there, I looked down and saw my munchkin sitting on the floor in the kitchen with a couple of her library books.  She was just as happy as could be, flipping through her books and making a little sound every now and again.  And I commented to my dad that she follows me everywhere and described to him that she had come into the kitchen with me and was sitting contentedly on the floor. 

He told me that I should cherish that, because one day, when she's 15 and 16, she won't want me around. 

And whether or not she will feel that way in the years to come, the truth is, she won't always follow me around like a shadow.  And I do cherish it.  True, it can be annoying that even potty time can't be a private time for a mommy sometimes...  But, really, I do cherish the sweet little pitter patter of her feed as she follows me from room to room.  It is one of the cutest things in this world, and, even on the days when she's rolling around on the floor in the kitchen and is slightly underfoot as I try to cook, I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I'm grateful for her -- and I'm grateful for the way she follows me around.

I love her.  She brings a brightness into my life I can't believe I ever did without.

What are you grateful for today?

My Aunt Hila

That's right....  I'm a name-sake.  If you didn't know :).

So, to give my mom the opportunity to go on vacation, my Aunt Hila flew out from New Jersey to take care of my grandma and give my mom a break.  And I'm so grateful to her for doing that.  And grateful for her. 

I'm also grateful for her example.  She is like the happiest person I know.  Well, actually, she's pretty much tied with my mom.  So I know those genes must be inside me somewhere!  Much like my mom, my Aunt Hila has a great sense of humor.  And there is nothing better than seeing her and my mom together.  They make life hilarious. 

It's been a treat to have her hang around an extra couple days so I could swing by and visit for a little bit each day.  There's just something nice about seeing family. 

Makes me want another family reunion...  Anyone else agree :)?

What are you grateful for today?

My Sister-in-Law Angie

So as I mentioned yesterday, we were in Utah.  It was a lovely trip, and so nice to get to visit with my brother and his family.  (Unfortunately I did not know one of my cousins was also in the exact same city, also visiting from out of town... what are the odds?)

I have to express particular gratitude to my SIL Angie, though.  She is a busy woman with work and two kiddos AND all the planning she did for Saturday when she and my brother got sealed in the Salt Lake Temple... AND she had to prepare for us to come and stay a few nights on top of it all.

I definitely appreciate all she did for us with this trip, but I am also grateful for past opportunities to visit with her and get to know her. Like when they came to our house and stayed a night around Christmas.  That is a great memory for me.

Anyway, I want to say more  but this tablet - though wonderful - is not the most  conducive for my mini novellas ;).  Even so, I am grateful for Angie. She is a beautiful lady and she has brought much happiness into my brother's life... for which I am also grateful.

What are you grateful for today?

My "Big" Brother Ben

Today is my older brother's birthday.  So I wanted to share several memories of growing up as his "little" (and likely obnoxious) sister to explain a bit of why I am grateful for him!

Due to the large gap in age between us (9 years, with no siblings in between), Ben was often tasked with watching us younger siblings when we were growing up.  I don't necessarily remember a lot about this, except I've seen some of our home videos -- so I know he was usually helping corral the kiddos while my mom was filming.  And I remember at least one time when he walked to pick me up from a friend's house.  I don't remember much about it, I just remember him walking me home and making a snide comment to some neighborhood kid said something rude to him (don't remember what, though).  Ah, the things we remember.

I remember, after he moved away to go to college, how excited we always were to see him when he'd go home to Panama to visit.  I remember his huge collection of cassette tapes of Guns 'n' Roses and other things (I don't remember the others, though... just the G 'n' R).  Yep, cassette tapes -- so awesome, right?  Oh, the Moody Blues.  He listened to them too at some point. 

I remember how he and I would write letters back and forth for a while.  Those meant a lot to me.  I mean, I really looked up to my "big" brother; so when he moved away and wrote to me, that was the bee's knees :).  And I recall how hard it was for me to accept that he had grown up and was moving on with life.  He was "my" big brother -- and I felt very possessive of him for a long time. 

I remember him playing the Atari a lot (old school...  awesome old school).  And I remember there was one game called Dandy where you could create your own level and I think he made one that was basically impossible to beat.  You "warped" into that level and were surrounded by all the monsters.  I can still hear (in my head) the sounds of the monsters "hitting" the character (which was a number with legs...) and then the explosion-like sound of death.  Hahaha.

But I think the best memory I have of him took place in 1989.  December of 1989.  It was during Operation Just Cause (a "war" that took place in Panama while we lived there).  There was a lot of fear during that time.  We lived in U.S. Civilian housing, but we weren't on-base -- which meant there were no guards monitoring the entering and exiting of our little community.  (Actually, eventually things got bad enough that there were for a time.)  I remember my parents always having the news on the tv at this time -- even during dinner, which was not the case beforehand.  One night, they were downstairs watching TV in the dark while the rest of us were upstairs.  Ben was entertaining us by drawing us little cartoon characters.  He was very talented with these types of things.  He drew us a goofy family.  The daughter was listening to a walkman with her eyes closed and not watching where she was going and was about to trip on a rock...  The sun was holding a lit round bomb (think Mario Bros bombs) and the animated duck on his shirt was freaking out looking at the bomb... the dad was sitting in a recliner eating potato chips (and was a rather large man)... and the mom was standing on a stool afraid of a mouse who was sticking its tongue out at her.  I don't know why we all remember that so well, but we do.  We thought those cartoons were the most awesome ever.  I remember, though, that we were told to go into the hallway upstairs if we wanted the big lights on (we were keeping the lights to a minimum so as to draw little attention to our home).  And then I remember my parents came running up the stairs at one point to be with us.  Apparently there had been snipers in the neighborhood trying to get onto one of the military bases which had a back-road access through our community (that wasn't really guarded), so some U.S. tanks were rolling into our neighborhood.  I'd never seen my parents act so afraid and it scared me.... I remember crying.

Anyway, that's just best memory I have of Ben...  The memory of him taking care of us and entertaining us during a scary time while my parents were trying to know all that was going on to keep our family safe. 

And I have to say that, of all my mom's 4 kids, I think Ben is the one who got her compassion.  Which is a trait I admire a lot.

So, Happy Birthday Ben!  I love you -- and I'm grateful you're my brother :).

What are you grateful for today?

R'Lene B

So back in 2011, I was employed...  But I wouldn't say I was gainfully employed.  I worked two jobs and, fortunately, one of them offered insurance.  But I couldn't afford to move out of my grandmother's house with what I was making.  It was a frustrating time for me.  Incredibly frustrating.  I had been trying everything I knew to do to get a job as a professional librarian (which I was educated to be), and nothing was panning out.  Not even for me to return to the South (I tried that too).  So I decided to change tactics and just look for employment outside of libraries.

And one day, I happened on a job posting for a job at the County in which I live.  It was a job for a front-desk person.  I met the qualifications.  I applied.  I got called to test my typing skills and such.  Then I got called for an interview.  And that's when I met R'Lene.  I remember her coming out to the waiting room to get me for the interview.  I remember being nervous.  Incredibly nervous.

A few days later, R'Lene called me again.  She said I was one of the top two choices, so they wanted me to go in and meet the Commissioners, since I'd be working with them if I got the job.  Yikes!  I was really nervous again.  I remember chatting with R'Lene as we waited for a Board meeting to wrap up so I could go in and meet the Commissioners.  I remember how R'Lene was so friendly and put me at ease.  She said a lot of really nice things to me -- about me.  I remember that it meant a lot to me -- the things she said.

But then I didn't get the job.  I was the second choice.  I was sort of bummed, but just figured something else would pan out.  She asked if she could keep my information for future job possibilities, because she said I had really impressive credentials.  I told her she could.  And I remember telling her I hoped everything went well and smoothly with the new person -- I expressed that I know it can sometimes take a while for things to even out after a new person comes on board.  I remember she said, "I hope so too.  But if it doesn't, you'll be hearing from me."

Well, it turns out they didn't.  Because a couple weeks later, I got another call from R'Lene.  She wanted to know if I was still available -- and if I was still interested.  I said I was.  And, initially, I was a little nervous, since I didn't know exactly what hadn't worked out with the first person.  But it was all good.  And I ended up with a great job -- and an even greater boss:  R'Lene.

That's a lot of talk before I get to the point of why I'm grateful for her today.

So, it turns out that R'Lene is retiring.  And, due to out-of-townedness, I won't be able to be there for her retirement party.  So Munchkin and I went to say good-bye to her today.  Not that it's really good-bye.  There will still be lunches and get-togethers from time to time...

But today, as I pondered the blessing I feel it has been to know R'Lene and to work for her, I thought over all those moments.  She was an amazing boss.  She trusts her employees to do their jobs -- she doesn't micromanage.  Her door is always open and she was always willing to listen.  She was encouraging and really believed in me.  She brought me in on fiscal responsibilities while my friend Angel was helping with other financial stuff -- and that's how I ended up becoming good friends with Angel!  R'Lene helped me expand my horizons while I worked for her, and I really appreciated that.  Because I ended up really loving the fiscal stuff.

I will never forget that R'Lene told me that she believes we work to live, we don't live to work.  And she totally showed that.  She lived it.  And she allowed that of her employees.

I will never forget that she was actually the very first person I told I was pregnant with our little girl.  The reason is because there was a fiscal job opening that she was encouraging me to apply for, and I wanted to, but I knew I would be quitting to be a stay-at-home mom once the baby was born.  That didn't matter to her.  She encouraged me to apply anyway.  I didn't get the job (there was a way qualified gal with tons of experience), but in the end, that was for the better anyway, because I ended up quitting 3 months later anyway.  (We kept the pregnancy quiet -- even from family -- because of our previous miscarriage).

And she'll probably never know it, but it meant the world to me that she went to my baby shower several months later, after I'd quit.  She drove 30 minutes or so to attend it.  And I think that was so sweet.

And so...  I had to go and say "good-bye" to such a marvelous woman.  To a woman who blessed my life in so many ways (that job allowed me to finally move out on my own, by the way).  And I'm glad it's not really good-bye.  And I'm grateful I was blessed to work for her -- and that I am blessed to know her.  She is a strong and amazing woman.

What are you grateful for today?

Olive Garden Lunch with Lea

Today was an all-around awesome day.  Productive too.  Although I did learn a lesson about how it's not exactly wise to go shopping on the 1st of the month when it's a Friday.  I think everyone got paid today.  Because they were all out at the grocery stores!

Ah well.  I'm sure I'll forget that lesson the next time the first of the month falls on a Friday. 

As part of the fun, Munchkin and I went to Olive Garden with Lea.  Then we hit Costco.  And it was all 100% awesome good times.  But there's just something about that soup, salad, and breadstick lunch that make that the absolute highlight :). 

It was a good day.  And this pretty much makes me grateful in a lot of categories!  Because it's only fun when it's fun.

What are you grateful for today?

Monica W

I've been thinking for quite some time that I need to do a "grateful for Monica" post.  And so I decided today is the day!

Monica is one of my awesome sisters-in-law.  One I married into :).  And she is amazing.  She reminds me a lot of my mom because of her personality.  And that is a good thing.  I think my mom is amazing in so many ways, and I want to be more like my mom:  more patient, compassionate, forgiving, laid-back...  I see those same qualities in Monica.

She doesn't know this, but I actually have written in my journal (from 2011) just how grateful I was for her back then.  I went to a family gathering that Fall for the first time (I wasn't officially part of the family yet at that point), and she made sure I stuck with her and she introduced me to everyone while our husbands (well, mine was a boyfriend back then) were off playing with the apple cider press.  I appreciated that more than she can possibly know... I was the "new" person and felt incredibly self-conscious.  She put me at ease and stuck by me.  Not that others weren't there to talk to too...  But family gatherings have lots of visiting going on -- and sometimes a lot of chaos with the little munchkins running around.  So I was just grateful that Monica was pretty much always by my side whenever my sweetie wasn't.

I've appreciated Monica for her listening ear and her compassion and understanding with me when I've gone through tough times. 

I've appreciated her sacrifices on my (and our) behalf -- like driving 2 hours to attend a baby shower at night, knowing she wouldn't get home until late.  And like fixing up the RV thingamabob that we always sleep in when we go to visit -- making sure all the sheets are clean and the bed is made, etc.  And insisting that we not worry about stripping it all when we leave.

And how she always welcomes us when we do come visit.  With open arms and lots of excitement. 

I appreciate deeply the way she loves my little girl. 

And I appreciate that she knows how to make some yummy good food. :).

And I appreciate how thoughtful she is.  For Christmas, she ordered me a book (or maybe it's for the munchkin) full of pictures of our little girl each month and the letter I wrote for my baby girl each month (and posted on another blog).  It was a complete surprise -- and what a treasure it is!  

There's a lot to love and appreciate about Monica...  And I definitely consider it a blessing that I married into a family with someone as awesome as she is :). 

What are you grateful for today?

Melanie R. (and Bob Too!)

Ridiculous sideways picture...  But whatever.  It still makes me do the happy dance.

So what does that have to do with Melanie and Bob?  Well, they have loaned us their portable a/c for the summer (they are some happy campers with a new heat pump, so this was just hanging around and she offered to let us use it...  And how can a Nilla resist?).

The truth is, there are a lot of reasons I am grateful for Bob and Melanie.  And today, I added two new ones to the list:  the air conditioner -- which will keep me smiling big all summer; and a now-long-arm-quilted quilt.  Melanie knows a lady who is very reasonable in price (like I was beyond shocked at the cost -- in a really good way).  And does amazing work.  And Melanie got me the hook up.  And my quilt is amazing.  Absolutely amazing.  I am so excited.  (I have to do the binding, but I promise I'll post a picture soon...  once it's all done). 

So I met Melanie through her husband Bob.  And I met Bob through working at the funeral home.  Bob has two nicknames:  Crossword puzzle Bob and Alligator Bob.  And here's why:  at the time, there was another Bob working at the funeral home as well.  And so, when I would tell my friends about funeral home stories, I'd have to specify which Bob.  He got the nickname Crossword Puzzle Bob because he and I would work on the crossword puzzle every day at work.  He'd keep it in his office, which I passed by frequently on my way to the music box; so I'd stop in and fill in a few words or letters... then he'd stop in and fill in some, etc. (He isn't often in his office, because it's not that kind of job.)  We completed many puzzles that way.  And sometimes even the hard one!  As for how he got the Alligator Bob name...  Well, one time I went to Florida to visit Julie.  Bob requested that I bring back an alligator for him.  More specifically, an alligator that was missing a toe.  That way, when he was taking it for a walk down the street, the missing toe would be a conversation starter.  Hahaha.  Oh Bob.  He cracks me up.  Anyway, so I started calling him Alligator Bob because of that.  In case you were wondering, I didn't manage to bring back an alligator with a missing toe...  But I did manage to bring back an alligator-shaped chocolate.  He said it was an acceptable substitution ;).

So that's Bob.  He's awesome.  He has a great sense of humor and he made working at the funeral home even more fun than it already was.  He understands conversations about kegels.  And he was always up for taking me on a "field trip" out on the grounds when I wanted to do a visual check on information in a file I was working on. (I called them field trips because I was getting out of the office.)   Ahhh... some days I really miss that job.

Anyway, we'd have lots of functions.  Christmas parties, a decades party, an 80s party...  And Bob would bring Melanie.  And so I met his awesome wife.  And she is definitely amazing.  Very talented with quilting.  Very fun.  I used to house-sit for them often, before I moved out of my grandmother's house and got married.  I don't know if they realize or not how much I appreciated those opportunities.  I was glad to help them out, of course.  But even more... I was so grateful for little pockets of time where I was "on my own."  And it was always nice to keep company with their cats.  Especially Max.  He is one cool cat.  And there were also times when just Bob would be out of town, and Melanie would invite me to stay to keep her company.  Those were awesome times too.  We'd hang out until late at night watching TV together and visiting.  Those are more really good memories.

So, though today, Melanie has given me two more reasons to be incredibly grateful to know her and Bob...  The truth is, that list was pretty extensive already.  They have both blessed my life immensely.  And I know I'll never forget them and all they've done for me.  Including keeping me from melting this summer :).

What are you grateful for today?