Thankful Thursday

Today, on this last Thursday of February, I am thankful for...

• the grace and never-ending patience of the good Lord
• faith
• my man
• my family and friends
• my health, and the health of my loved ones
• a mind that recalls nearly everything I stuff in it...I'm learning not to take my memory for granted
• a roof over my head, shoes on my feet, clothes in my closet, food in my fridge, clean running water whenever I want it, a (little teeny tiny) bit of money in the bank
• legs that are strong enough for me to walk miles every week
• my job, my coworkers, my beautiful school, and the little people I get to spend my days with
• challenges...I'm determined to use them to make me a stronger, better person
• a fun return trip to D.C. coming up...what's more fun than traveling 13 hours on a bus to our nation's great capital with a group of 300 other people? :)
• the opportunity to make up a whole mess of burp cloths this week...fun, satisfying, and easy
• getting to celebrate Mama's birthday with the fam this weekend
• a glorious, much-needed day off for Presidents' Day
• remarkably warm, springlike weather lately...seeing as how it was 75 degrees today, can we officially declare that winter isn't going to happen this year?
• happy, healthy pregnancies for some sweet mamas-to-be who really appreciate the precious gift they've been given
• good music
• my fabulous new little cheek/lip "color stick"...$1 at Target, E.L.F. brand, "Pink Lemonade" color...it's a delight
• the subtle smell of wood smoke drifting around the little town where I work...a new high school is being built (yay!) and the brush is being burned off...I love the smell of wood smoke, and I just LOVE the excitement that this town has over its very first high school being built
• laughter
• a sense of humor, both in me and the people I choose to surround myself with
• the gift of sleeping through the night, and my comfortable bed

HAPPY WEEKEND, yall!

Thankful Thursday...3 months later

Oops. I didn't realize it had been so long since my last Thankful Thursday post. Not that I haven't been thankful in the last three months, because I have. I just haven't gotten around to sharing with the world. Back at it today! The world can start turning again.

Today I am thankful for...

• the good Lord and the work He's doing in me and through me lately
• my man
• my family and friends
• my health, and the health of my family and friends...our minds and bodies all still functioning fairly well, and that truly is a blessing
• a day off on Monday
• my job, my coworkers, and the little people I get to spend my days with
• a roof over my head, shoes on my feet, food in my fridge, clean running water, clothes to wear, arms and legs that do everything I want them to do, ears that hear, eyes that see...when you think of your life this way, you realize how incredibly blessed you are
• hot showers
• a nice, comfortable bed to jump in at night...I'm sleep's #1 fan
• perseverance
• a few opportunities lately to be humbled...finding out that you're in the wrong is never fun, but it sure helps you to grow...I'm all about growing, even at my own expense
• having a Valentine this year :)
• the pretty new charm for my bracelet given to me by the aforementioned Valentine
• a day off on Monday
• laughter, and multiple opportunities to experience it this week
• Mimi's birthday and a chance to have a good, long chat with her the other day
• Grandad's new job...answered prayers right there, folks!
• my Bubba fitting in nicely at his new job in the ER...another prayer answered!
• Bubba getting his nursing license this week...he's officially official!
• duty-free lunch tomorrow...it's Soup Day :)
• our "walking club" meeting all three times this week, and an unexpected new member yesterday...you can join us any time, Teri!
• nice weather this week...this winter has felt just like spring...I've only worn my pea coat once!
• feeling a big bloggier lately
• challenges that force me to evaluate what's really important, what I can actually change, and what I've got to leave up to God...I'm glad He can take on much more than I can
• seeing this sweet face pop up in my facebook newsfeed today, courtesy of his mama
• 
• I can't believe Mikee's been in Heaven over five years now. Seeing his picture pop up on facebook brought the biggest smile to my face. I'm excited to get one of his famous bear hugs again someday.
• a day off on Monday

HAPPY WEEKEND, yall!

My Mimi

Today is Valentine's Day. Since I've never really had a romantic, special Valentine's Day, I've always preferred to celebrate this day as Mimi's birthday instead. Mimi does indeed share her birthday with Valentine's Day. She's always been good about sharing :)

{pit stop in front of the Plaza Hotel in New York City...September 2006}

I absolutely adore my Mimi. There aren't many people in my life that I think of and instantly get the warm fuzzies and a smile on my face. Mimi is special enough to get that reaction from me. Every time. She's celebrating a big, bustin'-into-a-new-decade kinda birthday today, and I'm very glad I've still got her around.

*She's my partner in crime. She's literally up for anything, and we've had ourselves more adventures than I can begin to count.

*She loves me exactly the way I am, and lets me know it.

*She calls me "Bug".

*She tells me I've got a serious smart alec streak, and is secretly very proud when I tell her I got it from her.

{about to go to my very first...and now favorite!...Broadway show}

*We share lots of the same interests.

*I spent many of my growing up years helping her host parties, showers, and teas. I'm very thankful for all she's taught me about hospitable Southern entertaining.

*She's got the world's cutest laugh, and I love to say something that makes it come out.

*I love to get her really tickled, because then she gets this really mischevious look on her face that makes her look about 9 years old. Love it.

*She and Grandad have successfully maneuvered 50+ years of marriage. What an awesome example.

{with Cousin Sarah at Arlington House...July 2011}

*She gives great advice, and I know I can talk to her about absolutely anything without any judgment.

*She gives of her time and talents very selflessly.

*She has such a sweet group of friends, many of whom have been by her side for over 5 decades. I hope I can look forward to that myself some day.

I could go on and on, but I know she'd probably pinch me the next time she saw me. She doesn't like a big fuss. She'll have to get over it, though, because she's worth it...and because this is my blog :)

Happy birthday, my sweet Mimi! Your Bug loves you very much.

Wide open spaces

Do you ever remember your dreams? I don't often, but I've had several over the last month that I've remembered. They all involve one thing: wide open spaces. In my dreams, I'm standing in the middle of a prairie watching the sun rise or set over the horizon. I'm admiring the beauty of a completely natural, untouched landscape. I'm blissfully, ridiculously happy...and completely unburdened.

What does it all mean, man??

Maybe I need to start saving for a vacation. Until then, I'll just listen to my new favorite song on repeat...