Thankful Thursday

I missed this last week, and it's nearly the end of Thanksgiving, so I figure I better get my post up now. Here's what I'm thankful for today:

1. Family. Sometimes you crazies stress me out, but I'm lucky to have you. Thanks for being mine! This means you, too, taller half.

2. A good job. Work, too, can be a stressor, but I am so thankful to be compensated decently for doing something I enjoy.

3. Hobbies. They make the non-family and non-work part of my life even more wonderful.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I will post my advent calendar project soon.

Thankful Thursday

I have so many things to be thankful for right now, so the following three are only a sampling:

1. Supportive friends. One of my nearest and dearest recently had her heart broken. I admit that I'm not always the best friend. I'm the one of my group least likely to show up to a gathering or to call everyone else. However, we all dropped what we were doing to rally around my incredibly amazing gal pal. I hope she knows we're always there, and I know she would be for me, too.

As another example of good friends, the members of my book club brought all vegetarian treats to our meeting this week. In fact, the charming hostess made vegan chili with me in mind. I was overwhelmed. This is not a group of ladies I know very well yet, and that they were willing to plan around my dietary needs was so thoughtful. You can read more gushing about this here.

2. Successful cooking experiments. I threw caution to the wind and made a baked rice dish with Brussels sprouts and beets, two things I'm still learning to like. The end result was love -- beet love:

The recipe is posted on my food blog here.

3. A wonderful not-really-my-family-yet. I got a friendly, out-of-the-blue letter from my taller half's sister yesterday. She just wanted to be friendly and send me some tea she had recently tried. Her thoughtfulness overwhelmed me. I'm lucky to be surrounded by non-relatives who treat me like family. I hope they know I love them, too.

Thankful Thursday

Here's what I'm thankful for today.

1. Nice coworkers. It makes the long work days so much more palatable.

2. Chain restaurants with at least a few veggie options. Cheesecake Factory ain't exactly a culinary heaven, but I was able to get a vegan lunch there with no trouble. It may have cost $16, but at least I could eat it.

3. My new camera. I still love it! It's so tiny and takes great photos. I feel like a permanent tourist.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

I had an easy time thinking of things for which I'm thankful today. :)

1. Tom Petty! Oh, my dear friend, thank you for canceling your Dallas show and coming to Tulsa. I hope you make it last all night.

2. A supportive network of crafters. I think you know who you are. Knowing you is a privilege. Thanks for everything!

3. The library. Since overcoming my outlaw status, I've become a constant user. I love how they forgive and forget, and how they keep me knee-deep in great stuff to read.

Now I'm off to get ready to see my friend Tom rock it out. Love you all!

Thankful Friday

I'm a big (well, little) stinky liar. I promised the return of Thankful Thursdays, and then poof, it was gone again. My intentions were good, but my memory was not, so I present a make-up Thankful Friday.

1. A sense of humor. Sometimes life sucks. Sometimes things don't go your way. I try (try being the operative word) to take it all with a grain of salt and a much larger grain of humor. I need to buy more of this:

2. Vacations! Have I mentioned my upcoming trip to Italy? I can't wait! Here's a shot of me in Rome in 2005 wearing something completely ridiculous:

3. A nice dose of sugar first thing in the morning. I know how to start my day off right. (You can read about my homemade peanut butter cups here.)

The return of Thankful Thursday

It's been a long, long time, but I'm reinstating this uplifting blog feature. Yay! So here's what I'm thankful for today, on this eve of my 26th birthday.

1. My taller half. I'm a little more freaked to be leaving 25 behind than I expected. Luckily, I have an understanding -- and decade-0lder -- man to put things in perspective for me. As Trudy said to Peggy, however patronizingly, on this week's Mad Men, "you know, 26 is still very young."

2. Silliness. I'm ringing in my second quarter of life with some tea-party fun. Expect a post full of pictures soon.

3. My bike, Marcello. I've been riding him a lot lately and having a wonderful time. I'm down a couple of pounds, and my legs have never looked or felt better. So if I start to feel aged, I can at least remind myself that I'm in better shape than ever.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

It's time for another Thankful Thursday!

1. My new job. It's going well. I'm settling in nicely. :)

2. Love notes from my wonderful boyfriend. There's nothing like coming home from a long day of work and non-work-related meetings to find little Post-Its all around the apartment. That brightened my whole week.

3. The weather. It's not exactly spring, but we are temporarily saying goodbye to whole days below freezing. It was 55 yesterday!

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday, New Years Eve style

Today is the last day of 2009. It's also my last day at my current job. I'm full of bittersweet feelings today. 2009 and this place both treated me pretty well, but I am boldly moving forward towards a better year and position. This is what I'm thankful for on the precipice of this new adventure called 2010:

1. Memories. I'm not a live-in-the-past kind of gal, but memories are still invaluable to me. They remind of us of what we've done, who we've known, and who we've become. They are little treasures.

2. Hopes. Despite my recent grumpiness, I'm an optimist overall. I know that things can always get better. It helps me look forward to new experiences. I like to start the New Year with my eyes, arms and heart wide open.

3. Experiences. Good or bad, I thrive on experiences. I love to try new things. Whether they bless me or burn me (quite literally sometimes -- I guess lampworking isn't for me), experiences expand the limits of what we can do, what we believe in, where we've been, etc. Just as "the unexamined life is not worth living," I think a life empty of risks is only half-full (see: still an optimist). I know 2010 will bring a whole new array of experiences.

I'm wishing a joyous New Year to you all! I hope it's a celebration that prepares you for a beautiful 2010.

Thankful Thursday

As I mentioned in my last post about my winter blues, I'm a very lucky gal despite my funk. I wanted to make sure to acknowledge that with a Thankful Thursday post. Here's my three:

1. Job security. Actually, I just signed on to start a new job. My last day here is two weeks from today, then I get a week off, and then I start my new position. The pay is a little better, and I think it'll be a good fit.

2. Health. I get allergies and migraines, but I've had no serious illnesses or injuries in my life. It's as much luck as it is hard work.

3. Things to look forward to. I know sometime in January, I'll start feeling better just because the holidays are over. When that happens, I'll have a new job, crafting, fun classes, time with friends, vacations, and so much more to keep my occupied. As much as I hate the cold, the first part of the year is one of my favorites. It just teems with possibilities -- and the chance to relax. :)

So there are my three, as begrudgingly as I produced them. I hope you have a reason to be thankful today. (Also, please feel free to go back to my last post to give me more ways to cheer myself up.)

Edited to add this picture to fully demonstrate how whiny I am these days (or at least how I would look if I were this whiny...IN SPACE):

Thankful Thursday, Thanksgiving-style

I'm sending another Thankful Thursday your way ... FROM THE FUTURE! Yeah yeah, I guess it's actually from the past since I wrote this before the day you'll actually read it, but FROM THE FUTURE! sounds so much cooler than FROM THE PAST. Anyway, here is what I"m thankful for this Thanksgiving Day:

1. Time with someone else's family. Is that bad? Thanksgiving has always been a stressor in my life due in part to having divorced parents and then attending college far, far away. I'm enjoying spending time with my taller half's loved ones this year.

2. Long weekends. I'm enjoying three days of vacation thanks to the holiday and one day of annual leave. Did the printed materials I ordered for work arrive safely yesterday? I don't care! I'm on vacation!

3. Having someone to share all my holidays with. I love you, baby, and I'm always thankful for you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Thankful" Thursday

I am having a hideous, rotten, no good, very bad week. It's the kind of week where everything goes wrong and everyone seems to think it's your fault. There's been yelling, stomping, accusing, and passive agression. The Rilo Kiley lyric fits me so well right now: "There's blood in my mouth 'cause I've been biting my tongue all week." It's hard to feel thankful when the 40-hour grind is this, well, grinding, but I'm trying to keep myself out of a funk. So here's my less-than-enthusiastic list of what I'm thankful for this week:

1. My little purple Nano, once again. It has helped me drown out the sounds of angry and crazy this week.

2. My boyfriend. He makes me feel better when I'm ready to kill somebody or dissolve into a puddle.

3. My Taylor Swift albums. I know no 25-year-old, indie-rock lovin' lady should enjoy her teenybopper music as much as I do, but oh well. It makes me sing along, which always improves my mood. (Before anyone says anything, ask yourself, "Did I read and enjoy Twilight? If so, you don't get to make fun of me! :P)

So go ahead, tell me something that will make me smile.

Thankful Thursday

It's a drizzly mess outside, but I'm in a great mood. Here's why:

1. Black bean soup. I'm not sure there's a more satisfying, cold-weather, vegetarian food out there.

2. Yarn. My fellow crafters know what I mean. There's nothing like making something cozy and warm while the rain falls outside.

3. My Little Purple Nano. It makes today's glorified data-entry project much, much more bearable.

What's keeping you happy on icky fall days?

Thankful Thursday

It's that time of the week again. Here's what I'm thankful for today:

1. My 365 Days of Italy calendar. Every day is something else beautiful and inspirational. It does make me sad I'm not there, though.

2. Chap stick. My lips exploded into a big, swollen, throbbing mess this week. Blistex medicated lip ointment made everything better.

3. Projects. My list is so long, and I can't wait to tackle it! I wish I was more excited about the cool weather, but it just isn't my thing. I have decided to make the best of it, though, by making lots of scarves.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursdays

Here's what I'm thankful for today:

1. Nasal spray. My allergies have gone crazy!

2. Organic, fair-trade tea in my handmade mug. I bought the latter from Forever Tuesday at Indie Emporium. (The tea is Choice Green Moroccan Mint.)

3. Re-learning to knit. I had forgotten how much fun it can be.

Thankful Thursday

I'm still alive! Things have been completely mad lately, so I apologize for my absence. I'll have fun news soon, though. For now, here's my three:

1. Art! I'm engulfed by it lately, and even though it has taken over my life, I love it.

2. French press coffee. I bought myself the press for my birthday. I loooove it! It's delicious and wonderful and amazing. Screw you, workplace coffee.

3. My little purple Nano. It was my other birthday present to myself. I call it my little grape. I am quickly filling it up with wonderful tunes. Now I just need to get smaller earbuds. There are many great things about being small, but having to buy special things like earbuds is not one of them.

Happy almost weekend, friends!

Thankful Thursday: Birthday Edition

I turn 25 today. Well, actually, I will turn 25 at 6:29 p.m. CDT, but who's counting? In honor of this momentous occasion, I will do a big, fancy, 10-item thankful list. Woo hoo! Are you ready? OK, let's go!

1. Free cookies. Thank you, Dilly Deli, for contributing to my day's sugar intake in honor of my birth.

2. Inside jokes. I can't wait to see my new dead llama!

3. Facebook. Making me feel more loved on my birthday than ever before.

4. Twitter. Occupying my time when Facebook is acting crazy.

5. TV on the internet. Rehearsal made me miss several season premieres. What ever shall I do? Well, find them on Hulu, YouTube or one of the network web sites, of course!

6. Falling back in love with reading. You can blame my beloved for that one. I'm dying to get my hands on some Michael Pollan right now.

7. My beloved himself. He makes every day a little brighter.

8. Journaling. I am trying to find new methods of exploring my creativity. I enjoy writing, but I'm trying to do a more visual approach to looking at my life and the world. We'll see where this goes.

9. Vacations. I know, I still haven't posted about Eureka Springs. Hopefully tomorrow. It was wonderful and did me a lot of good. Next month: Hot Springs.

10. Returning my my everyday life. Yep, it's pretty great. I need breaks from time to time, but for the most part, it's charmed.

Thanks for dropping by, and happy my birthday to you!

Thankful Thursday

Here's my three:

1. Health. That virus stole a large chunk out of my week. Luckily I'm healing. I'm very grateful to have generally good health.

2. Trust. My boss has been gone for over a week, and he's left the fate of our department in my hands. I'll be glad for him to return, but it's good to know he has faith in me.

3. Theatre. I'm really enjoying rehearsing for this play. We'll see how I feel the week before opening, but at the moment, I'm having a great time.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

I'm in a fabulous mood today despite all the work obligations I'm enduring. Here's my three for today, complete with photos:

1. Yellow watermelon.

Man, I love this stuff. It's tasty, healthy and looks like sunshine. I always prefer it to the pink stuff, though I'm certainly not knocking it.

2. Sales!

I sold this vintage coin purse yesterday. It is now on its way to a new home.

3. Rain, rain, rain.

Though it makes the mornings dark and a bit hard to rise and/or shine, it's so lovely and calming.

What has you smiling today?

Thankful Thursday

And I'm belated again this week. I sat down to write it yesterday, and then suddenly projects fell into my lap. Forgive me!


I'm having a great week, though, so here are my three:


1. The state of Arkansas. I've spent very little time there considering that I've lived in northeastern Oklahoma most of my life. However, just this past week, I've planned two long weekends to take place in the Natural State very soon. We're headed to Eureka Springs over Labor Day weekend, where we shall relax, eat, sleep and be merry. We will not be running off to get married, so don't get any ideas in your head. A month later, Mom and I are having some girl time in her hometown of Hot Springs. We will have massages, attend an arts and crafts fair, and seek out the park and road bearing the family name.


2. Oatmeal. I've had it every morning this week, and I feel so great. I used to add a tablespoon of slivered almonds to my bowl, but I switched to pecans this week, and it's made a huge difference. I can actually stay full until lunch! In addition to the pecans, I also top my bowl of oats with a tablespoon each of real maple syrup, flax seeds and ground cinnamon. Yes, that's a lot of cinnamon, and yes, it's delicious.

3. Payday. This needs no explanation. :)

Thankful Thursday

I'm feeling a bit more upbeat than I have in recent Thursdays, so I'm excited to write my list today.

1. A good boss. Sometimes he drives me absolutely insane, but he really wants me to succeed. That's a lot more than some people have.

2. The Farmers Market. My mouth has been watering for days at the thought of buying squash, greens and maybe even a watermelon this Saturday morning. I can't wait!

3. Oil blotting sheets. The humidity has been vicious lately, which is wreaking havoc on my naturally oily skin. Yikes! I'd be an icky mess without these things.

That's my three. What's yours?