I am so smart, S-M-R-T

I received a tender mercy today for which I am very very grateful. When I got out of work (#31) my car started. I realize this is what's supposed to happen when you put the key in the ignition and turn, but today I was so lucky it actually did. When I got to my car I realized that genius me somehow managed to leave the head lights on. Who knows how this happened, it was the middle of the day so there was no need for them. Well the car sputtered a bit but it would not start. I began to contemplate my options and congratulate myself on what a smart girl I was. Eventually I said a little prayer, offered an "I promise I won't be a big idiot and leave the lights on again" speech, and tried again. Apparently there was a little life left in the battery because I was able to start the car. Now a dead battery would not be the worst thing in the world. I am sure I would have found someone to help me. But I am so thankful for that tender mercy, it saved me a lot of frustration. It also taught me a lesson: make sure the lights are off!

No soup for you

High-five to whoever invented the (#30) crock pot. I find it to be one of the best pieces of kitchen equipment ever. Today before church I dumped a bunch of random things into the pot and when I came home it had magically turned into a delicious soup. It makes me feel very talented without having to really do anything. I am grateful for tools that turn my laziness into something wonderful.

Just stay put

I have been living on my own for quite a while. This has led me to develop a highly independent nature that only seems to intensify over time. I like being on my own, I like taking care of myself. But I won't lie, sometimes it is nice to have some else look after you. Tonight I was very grateful for (#29) Emily's mom, Joanna. After an exhausting day at work I went to Emily's house to watch Prison Break: The Final Break with her family. (Excellent show by the way, it gave me some much needed closure.) Joanna made me sit on the couch while she made me dinner. Then she brought the delicious food to the living room so I could eat and watch tv. I got to eat an egg/cheese sandwich with orange juice without moving off the couch. Emily's mom is awesome. Sometimes it's just nice to have other people take care of you. Watching Prison Break while stuffing my face made me feel right at home. Thank goodness for wonderful people.

No brain freeze here

(#28) Frozen yogurt is so yummy. You get the delicious taste of ice cream and the guilt-free calories of yogurt. One place I would suggest Yogurt Bliss in PG. You get to fill up your cup with all the yogurt you want and cover it with candy. Not much more you can ask for in the yumminess category.

Respect the fluffiness

Nothing very interesting happened today, nothing really substantial stood out. But I was very thankful for my (#27) pillow this morning. The right pillow can make or break your sleep. Mine has always been an excellent support to the neck and head region. It makes me happy just thinking about my nice fluffy pillow. I think I shall go spend some quality time with it.

On we go to vanquish the foe

Yesterday I was very thankful to have (#25) boots. It has been wet and soggy lately and the new Christmas boots have been a blessing. I'm not normally a boots person, I stick with the same boring shoes. But I am now a believer. I didn't even realize how cold my feet were until I started wearing the boots. I discovered how nice your feet could feel, even when you are outside. Thank goodness for boots!

I love (#26) BYU Basketball, especially when we win! Tonight was the best game ever! The Cougars beat San Diego State 71-58 breaking their  undefeated streak. I haven't been to a college sporting event in such a long time. This was the perfect reunion between me and the Cougars. I am so excited to see if we move up in the rankings!

Ooooh, it's really sucky

I finally have a  (#24)vacuum that sucks, literally. Anyone who has lived with girls knows that hair on the floor comes with the territory. It is something that cannot be escaped. Unfortunately I seem to be cursed with broken vacuums. I would say that most of the apartments I have lived in had pretty crappy ones. All they seemed to do was redistribute the hair and dirt around the carpet. Well Angela bought a new vacuum when we all moved in and it is amazing. This one has a clear container where you can actually see everything you are grabbing. While it's gross to see what has been on the floor I am glad that it is getting picked up. I am so grateful to have clean carpet.  Also, I'm thankful to have lost the extreme rage I've come to associate with using vacuum cleaners.

Guess what...... I got bangs!

Another double dose today.

My head feels ten times lighter today. That is because yesterday I got a (#22) Haircut! I really think I may have lost five pounds. I have a lot of hair, that's just the way it is, so getting a haircut is always a freeing experience. Plus my friend gave me some swoopy-bangs that I am really enjoying. Seeing that I haven't had bangs since I was 14 this is an adjustment, but no worries, things are going well. The only draw back is that eventually I will have to wash my hair. That will be a sad day because I can never again style it the way the stylist does. Oh well, all good things must come to an end.

Call me a heathen but I love having snacks at church. I am fully aware that I'm no longer five years old, but sometimes you just need a little snack. Today the meetings were all great, very uplifting. But my bowl of cereal did not hold my stomach over during church. My roommate Angela was so nice and gave me a bag of (#23) Jolly Ranchers to keep my stomach in check. She is the greatest and it held me over until I got home. I realize that it does not contain a significant source of  calories, but it kept my stomach from talking throughout church. Go green apple!

Please let me in

I was too consumed with Prison Break last night to blog. Not that I wasn't thankful for things, I just couldn't pull myself away from the television to write about them. So we get two things today!

Yesterday I was thankful for my (#20) elderly client who made me smile. He was so funny. I was standing outside the door waiting to go in and all the sudden I heard him yell, "Erica, COME ON!" Then I came into the room and he promptly told me, "Erica, I have a hearing aid. So if it looks like I can't hear you, I can't, I took it out." That just made me laugh to myself the whole massage. (If you don't find it funny try reading it in a really old man voice.) The rest of the day was really busy and tiring, but he just made my day. I am grateful for those little things that people do to make me smile.

Today I am really thankful for (#21) Shannon, my co-worker. As I was helping to close up the spa tonight I went to bring our plant in from outside. What I didn't realize was that someone had already locked the door. I found myself locked out, holding a giant plant, in the freezing cold.  I knew we had some customers that should be heading out soon so I tried to be patient and think warm thoughts. They didn't come. Lucky for me after a few minutes Shannon noticed I was missing and came to find me. It's nice to know that people realize when you are gone. I was very grateful to her for letting me back inside the building. So word to the wise, check the door before you grab your plants.

Sharing is caring

Normally I love to cook, but lately when I get home it has been a trial to think of something for dinner. That is why I am thankful for (#19) roommates who cook great food and let me eat it. For the last two days I have  been living off the delicious food  my roommates  make. Lindsay shared some of her amazing pasta with the name that I can't pronounce. Then Emily let me have some of her dinner two nights in a row. What pals they are. Not only are they good cooks, but I get to eat as soon as I walk in the door. No milling around the kitchen racking my brain for a quick meal idea. Thank you awesome roommates. My stomach and I appreciate you.

Look, it turns on when you move

Whoever decided to attach a small screen to a piece of workout equipment is a genius. I cannot count the number of times this has saved me at the gym. Thank goodness for (#18) workout television. Provided that there is actually something interesting to watch, it makes the time go by very quickly. Plus I am distracted from the fact that I don't particularly enjoy what I am doing. I love the post workout feeling and I love feeling healthy, but to be honest sometimes I just really don't like being at the gym. Having entertainment right in front of my face helps me get past that. Nothing does the trick like your favorite show pushing you along. (Other than the occasional fireman who picks the machine in front of you!) So a big thanks to whoever put that sweet little idea into action.

Another great thing that happened at the gym today was that Emily and I discovered how to use the remotes attached to our ellipticals. Apparently you have to be moving to get the darn thing to start working. After our feelings of extreme stupidity wore off we were very excited about this discovery. It's hard to believe but our gym experience just got better.

Check out those pearly whites

For as long as I can remember I have had this reoccurring dream that my teeth fall out. Sometimes it’s the molars, other times my front teeth. Usually after my teeth fall out my mother informs me that there is no money to fix them and I will have to live that way forever. In the dream I am fully aware that my previous dreams have been about my teeth falling out. The worst part is when I discover that the dream has finally come true and my teeth really have fallen out. Who wants to go through life with gaping holes in their mouth? Not me.

Well I had that dream again this week. And as usual I woke up being so very grateful for my (#17) teeth. Think about how important they are, without them we would be condemned to a diet of liquids and mush. Teeth are also important not just for chewing things, but for actually looking like a normal person. I think our faces would take an interesting turn for the worst without our pearly whites. Thank goodness for teeth.

(Side note) I decided to look up what dreams about teeth mean since I seem to have this dream all the time. According to several online dream interpretations, dreams about your teeth falling out have a few different meanings. It could mean you feel powerless and unable to take control of what is going on around you. Or it could be a sign that you are over concerned about your physical appearance. Great. So I am either horribly vain or a control freak. How kind of my subconscious to inform me of this little fact.

Three up, three down

Work has been crazy the last few days and I was just too tired in the evening to blog. Lame excuse I know, but it’s the truth. So today I am due for three new things I am thankful for. Here we go.

First, I am thankful for my (#14)eyes, for the ability they give me to see. In one of my massages this week the lights in my room went out. It was completely dark except for a small seam of light coming from underneath the door. My client was off in la-la land so they didn’t even notice. I however was forced to channel myself back to a day in school where we did a blindfolded massage. After some calm and reassuring words to myself I was able to continue. It was nice of them to prepare me with the tools to handle such a crazy situation.

No worries, all heck did not break loose. I knew as soon as I went back outside the lights would be on and everything would be under control. I would be able to see again. Not everyone is able to say that. For some people it's dark all the time. I am so grateful I can see. I really need to try and enjoy all the things I get to look at every day.

My second thankful thing sort of goes along with the first. I am thankful for my (#15)good eyesight. Not just that I can see, but that I can see really well. For some reason this week I felt like my eyesight was starting to slip. I couldn’t read the small print on the menu board at a restaurant or fully see some of the words on the tv. I'm sure my roommates got really tired of me complaining about my eyes failing me. Well after rigorously testing myself with small print at different distances last night I discovered that I am not going blind. Bright lights glaring off different surfaces will sometimes makes you squint, but that does not mean your eye are failing. My eyesight is fine. It may not be not perfect, but I don’t need glasses or contacts and that is something to be thankful for.

Finally I am really thankful for (#16) hair ties. That sounds so simple compared to eyes and the ability to see. But when you have been “blessed” with thick hair such as mine you find that a good hair tie is worth its weight in gold.  More than once I have found myself without a hair tie and had to resort to pens, string, or those horrible rubber bands that catch and pull your hair. Bonus points to whoever decided to invent those lovely little lifesavers.

Do bed bugs really bite?

I am so thankful for my (#13) bed. It is my favorite place in the apartment. I can't imagine having to sleep on the floor all the time. My bed has the perfect amount of cushion so as to promote a good deep sleep. It also has bright pink sheets which make me very happy. Right now it has six blankets on top to keep me warm, and it is calling to me.

It said to veer right!

I am thankful for (#12) GPS. Navigating through uncharted areas has never been a strength of mine. Normally I have to check Google Maps and write out all the directions. But today on our way to the Bountiful Temple my brother brought along his GPS. "Samantha" as he calls her was very helpful in getting us to our destination. She also helped us find a Texas Roadhouse to eat at once we were done. I love these contraptions that make life easier. Thanks Samantha, you're a peach.

Keep it under control

Recently I have discovered that there is an entire population of people who cannot stand watching tv. They never sit down in the evening to watch their favorite show. Usually halfway through a movie they get antsy and feel like they need to be up doing something else. I admire these people. The constant need to be doing something or accomplishing some goal is impressive. This however does not describe me. I subscribe to a different philosophy. I love to watch tv.

Now there is always a time and place for tv. Most of life should be spent in productivity. But once that time is over I love curling up on the couch and watching a good movie or tv show. It relaxes me more than almost anything else. That is why I say thank goodness for (#11) Netflix. This combined with the awesome powers of the Wii have given my roommates and I a large variety of shows and movies right at our fingertips. However with this great power comes great responsibility. The awesomeness of Netflix must be used with caution and control or it is likely to take over your life. Work was really slow today and so thanks to Netflix I ended up watching an inappropriate amount of Prison Break today. (Anyone who has watched Prison Break can attest that this is not my fault, I was sucked in and there is no return.) So those who are members of the tv viewing party I say embrace the powers of Netflix, but please proceed with caution.

You don't know what you got till it's gone

Today I am so thankful for (#10) Socks. They are one of those things you don't really think about or miss until they're gone. This morning I planned ahead and packed work-out clothes so I could hit the gym after my errands. Unfortunately I forgot to pack some socks. So I found myself in the locker room faced with a difficult decision. Option #1-Leave the gym planning to work-out later but run the  risk that I just won't come back. Option #2-Go against everything I believe and wear my tennis shoes without socks. Well I chose to be healthy and went to work out anyways. (Don't judge, I am fully aware of how gross this is.)

It was not a pleasant experience. My feet were sweating the entire time and I kept thinking about how gross it was. I really missed my socks. It was definitely one of those "This really sucks and I will never forget again" type of experiences. As soon as I was home I scrubbed my feet clean and put on a wonderfully clean pair of socks. Thank goodness for these simple little comforts.

This is the meat drawer, where you would keep your meats

(#9) Mellissia Yonk is the best. Thanks to her I had my first experience with buffalo meat. She made me the most delicious buffalo burger for dinner tonight. It was a wonderful treat since it is rare to have someone cook for me. Mel and I go all the way back to high school and we are once again living in the same town. I think that this is a fabulous new development. It is fun to see her and be able to hang out on a regular basis. Plus now I have someone who enjoys experimenting with food as much as I do. I think next time we will have to try frog, I've heard that's pretty good.

Hey now, hey now--my roommate is back

My roommate is back! My roommate is back! Lindsay is back from her month long vacation to Vietnam and boy am I glad to see her. I love having a (#8) Room-roommate again. To those who treasure the sanctity of their private room this may sound crazy.  But for me, sharing a room is tons of fun. Growing up in a large family sharing a room wasn't really an option, you just did it. That must have rubbed off on me because now I actually prefer it. Now I won't lie, there are benefits to having a room all to yourself. In the month that Lindsay was gone I grew quite accustomed to walking around all the time without clothes on. That was a big plus. And seeing that I am usually the last person to bed in this apartment I didn't have to worry about waking anyone up when I finally made it to my room. But I am gladly trading in those luxuries to have her back.

Luckily I have never had to share a room with someone I dislike. If you are forced to share a room I highly suggest it be someone you can stand seeing every morning and every night. Usually my room-roommates have been one of my best friends and so this makes for a very enjoyable situation. It's nice to have someone to talk to before you go to bed, almost like having a slumber party every night. If your roommate happens to talk or walk in their sleep that makes for an entertaining situation as well. Lindsay will be leaving me again in a few months, but until then I will enjoy sharing the room and for her sake try to keep my clothes on as much as possible.

And you can take that to the bank

Thank goodness for (#7) Payday! It's the real reason I keep coming back to work every day. Don't get me wrong I love what I do, but not enough to do it for free. This particular payday is wonderful because I have already paid all my bills this month. So now I get to use this money for whatever I want.  Pay off more of my loan, put it in savings, buy some new clothes, the possibilities are endless really. Maybe I will just let it sit in my account for a while. It's best not to rush these important decisions. Eventually it will get used but it's always nice to check the balance and see a number bigger than zero.

It says buy one get one free

Blogspot was being a poor sport last night and would not let me post. So we get two things to be thankful for today!

 Mr. Pricklepants

What ‘s worse than massaging a girl with really prickly legs? Massaging a guy with really prickly legs. If a guy decides to shave his legs, good for him. But I beg you, please make sure you do a touch up job before you come to me! I do not like running my fist and knuckles over the multiple bristles that are coming out of your leg. I am so thankful for #5) Smooth legs. I appreciate them on myself as well as my clients. The oil glides right on and my hands don’t sustain any damage. So today’s lesson is either keep those legs silky and smooth or soft and hairy. I think it’s a pretty nifty concept. 

Get in my Belly!

Is there anything in this world better than (#6) Food? I submit that there is not. Today was one of those days when I came home starving and ready to eat the first thing that fell out of the cupboard. Besides being essential to our survival, food can be comforting and oh so delicious. Today I am just grateful for food in general. For that satisfying feeling in your stomach when you are no longer hungry. I don't think I really understand what a blessing that is. I am sure there are many who spend much of their life without that luxury. I am so thankful that I always have enough food to eat. I am so grateful that I don't have to worry about where my next meal is coming from. 

Food is just fabulous. I love to eat it, cook it, read books about it, and make my roommates watch endless television shows about it. Food is likely to make an appearance on this blog again. I can almost garuntee that I will be thankful for more specific foods later on. There are so many wonderful things to choose from.

Who you callin a loser?

(#4) The Biggest Loser Season 11 started tonight! That may sound like a strange thing to be thankful for but it is an awesome show and a great motivator when you are trying to work out. Winter work-outs are hard because you trudge away on a treadmill or elliptical while your mind goes crazy with boredom. Lucky for me The Biggest Loser was on tv at the gym tonight.  It made the time go so fast. Before I knew it I had been on the elliptical for one hour. I really get drawn in to the personal stories. Some of the contestants are so funny and others have really moving histories. I hardly ever cry, especially in front of other people, but this show has me tearing up during almost every episode. I probably look like a big weirdo at the gym. One minute I’m laughing, the next I'm crying and all the while I am still getting red faced and sweaty. What a delightful sight I must be. Not only does this show entertain me, but it helps me keep my pace up. When I start to get really tired and am tempted to slow down I just tell myself that if they can do it than I can too. Plus it is a huge motivator to never let myself get to such a heavy state. Not that I am anywhere near obesity, but it’s always nice to get a little reminder that a healthy lifestyle is definitely the easier route to take.

And just relax

It is 12:53 a.m., technically Tuesday, but I am counting this post for Monday. I was so SO thankful for (#3) Massage today. A good massage therapist is supposed to practice what they preach. Getting regular massages helps you feel good and keeps you from getting injured. Sadly I have been a big hypocrite lately when it comes to getting a massage. I spend all day educating people on the benefits they can receive from regular massages, and yet mine have been few and far between. Well that all changed today. I traded with a girl from work today and it was amazing!

If you haven’t had a massage you should put that on your list of things to do this year. It can relieve stress, chronic pain, and increased overall well-being. Plus it feels wonderful! A massage table has become one of the most comfortable places on earth for me. However I didn’t always feel this way. The first week of massage school is quite an interesting experience. You come in really stoked to be getting a massage every day as part of your school work. It sounds like the easiest thing ever.  But then you find out that you are expected to get undressed underneath a sheet and lay naked on the table in a room full of strangers and then be massaged by a therapist who is just as clueless as you are. Let's just say those first few days were not the most relaxing. But, fast forward to the last week of school and you find that you don’t even care how many people are in the room. You just want to get on that table as soon as possible. The minute your face hits that headrest you let go of everything and melt into the table. You then get to mentally check out for a whole hour while the therapist kneads all the stress out of your muscles. It is a fantastic moment that everyone should get to experience.

So again, if you haven’t had a massage at this point in your life I strongly suggest you make it a priority. Your entire body will thank you.

But still I love technology, always and forever!

Today I am thankful for (#2)-Skype. This wonderful invention enabled me to talk to my roommate who is currently in Vietnam. Technology is so amazing! I can’t believe all the things we are able to do. She was thousands of miles away and 14 hours ahead of me, and yet we were able to talk as if we were sitting next to each other. While Skype may seem like old news to some people it’s pretty new to me. Being able to have such clear and instant conversation with someone so far away is fantastic. I marvel at how people come up with these cool things.

 
In the last few years technology just seems to be exploding and people are coming out with something new all the time. Thank goodness for those people who can look beyond what is and see what could be. That has never been one of my strong points. I actually have a hard time mastering all the new toys and gadgets. I feel like every time I buy something cool a new model comes out the next month. It's hard to keep up. I can’t even imagine what technology will be like in ten years. It will be exciting to see the things that people invent. Personally, I am looking forward to that day when we have legitimate apparition. Now what invention could ever top that?

Welcome one and all

It’s January 1^st! A day for setting goals and planning out the next year. I love setting goals. I spend much of December thinking of all the things I need to change to become a better person. By the time January rolls around I have a long list of things I can’t wait to start doing. However, accomplishing these goals does not seem to be one of my strong points. I have usually forgotten what I planned to do by February. That is why this year I have only one goal. I think this makes my odds of success much higher. This year my goal is to be more grateful.

Often I find myself focusing on what I don’t have or what is not going right. I want to be someone who focuses on all the wonderful aspects of life. President Thomas S. Monson gave a great talk called “The Divine Gift of Gratitude”. In it he said, “Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love…….My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.” What more could you ask for? To touch heaven and feels God’s love, that sounds like a very enticing way to live my life.

So that’s it, an entire year of being grateful. I want to think and record something each day that I am thankful for. Now there may be days that I can’t make it to the computer so I will have to make up for it the next day. The goal is to have 365 things to be thankful for by December 31, 2011. Looking back on all my blessings will hopefully change how I see my life.

So starting off today: #1-Blogs. I haven’t spent much time in the world of blogging, but I think they are really cool. It's a great way to for people to express themselves and stay connected with the people they care about. I love reading my roommate’s blog. She is so witty and it always brings a smile to my face. Plus I love it when she says awesome things about me. I hope this blog will be as uplifting. More than anything it is a way for me to record all the amazing things that I have been blessed with. I don’t think about them as much as I should. But that will be changing over the course of this year; at least that’s the goal.