I love good old fashioned (#148) family time. I am at home for a few days and it's nice to be haning out with the family. One thing I like about our family is that we don't do a whole lot, we're not busy people. To some that may sound super lazy, but I love it. We just spend time with one another, sit around talking, watch movies, and just enjoy the company. It's low key and I am so thankful to have this time just to be together.

Call me icebox

I made it up to Logan today thanks to my reliable, although sometimes temperamental, (#147) car. I named her Becky after an awkward encounter I had with someone a few years ago. Later I realized that Becky is also the name of the Icebox in The Little Giants, so really it fits quite perfectly. (Hey, who didn't love seeing Devon Sawa in those football pants?)

I am very thankful to have a car. I wasn't able to buy one until I had graduated from college. Before Becky I was used to bumming rides and memorizing the bus schedule. There is such a feeling that comes from owning your own car. Becky is a little on the mature side and so occasionally repairs need to be made. Each visit to the mechanic leaves me frustrated and wanting to wash my hands of the whole thing. But that's just the post-spending anxiety talking. I really do love my car and am so grateful to have a way to get around. I truly feel that Becky and I still have many good years to spend together. Let's hope she doesn't kick the bucket any time soon.

Clock in for me will ya?

I am so thankful to have (#146) co-workers I actually enjoy being around. This is somewhat of a new thing for me. It's not like I have hated my previous co-workers. However, this particular group is enjoyable during and after work. Things have been a little stressful lately and so it is nice to have fun people around. We vent, make each other laugh, and help one another get through the day. They are probably the most enjoyable part of work at the moment. I am so glad they are there or I wouldn't be able to stand it.

One day more

Tonight I saw (#145) Les Miserables, and it was the best thing ever!! I love broadway musicals. There is something so magical about them. The set was incredible and the voices were amazing. I have always enjoyed singing and other musical events, but something about these big productions blows me away. No I did not cry, but I was still greatly moved and impressed. There is such a power behind them, especially when the entire cast all combine as one. I am so grateful I got a chance to experience it and now I am off to itunes to buy the soundtrack.

Hip-hip-hooray

(#144) White strips are a wonderful invention. It's almost like using a time machine and going back to your original teeth that were perfectly white. They tend to make my teeth a little sensitive, but I will suffer through just to have a brighter, whiter smile. White teeth make me super happy, so three cheers for the white strips.

Catch the wave

I will be forever thankful for the (#143) Costa Vida pork salad. It's one of my favorite things to eat, but today it was especially wonderful. I got out of work late and had no motivation to make dinner. I was trying to be strong, but the call of Costa Vida was too loud and I went there anyways. That incredible salad saved me from hunger and the horrible chore of having to make dinner. Thank you thank you awesome deliciousness.

Thank you for the thanks

This is going to sound really corny, but I am thankful for (#142) thankfulness. Last night I was feeling super stressed and anxious. I couldn't fall asleep because my mind kept running in circles. All I could think about was work and life and how things have not been going in the direction I want them too. I feel like I have been spinning in circles and I physically started to feel it last night. Sleep alluded me and I was starting to have a minor freak out.

For some reason I thought of this blog and decided I needed something to take my mind of the stresses of life. Instead of counting sheep I started thinking about everything that I have, everything I have been blessed with. The effects were instant and amazing. I felt myself calming down physically, emotionally, and mentally. This may sound completely goofy to anyone else, but it really brought me back to reality and what is important. I would suggest this to anyone who feels the stress of daily life is crushing them. It may feel weird at first, but you will be amazed at the difference it can make.

Where is my shirt?

I am very very thankful to have (#141) clean clothes to wear. Recently I started reading a book that talks about homeless people and the struggles they have. Not having clean clothes is probably not the worst problem, but it would still be very uncomfortable. I am grateful I don't have to worry about my clothes smelling or being completely worn out. I have clean clothes that I enjoy wearing and I am very thankful for that.

3 for me

(#138) Balloons-Something about balloons just makes me smile. I guess it's the little kid in me who loves to hold on and watch them float around. Then there is always that small temptation to let go and let them sail away. I refrained because that would be like letting $6.50 just rise up into the air, but it's still a fun thought.

(#139) My car door is not broken-I had a minor heart attack this weekend when my car door would not open. I had to crawl out of the passenger side and looked like a big goober. But as it turns out the lock was just jammed. I am so grateful to have a working door, it makes my exit from the car a little less awkward.

(#140) Awesome Sunday lessons-I am really thankful for Sunday lessons that inspire me. Sometimes I struggle to pay attention and take something away from class. But today I walked out wanting to be a better person and thinking about specific ways I need to improve. I am grateful for the time and effort that goes into these lessons. I always like to start off the week with a resolve to be better. Good lessons help me in that effort.

No work for you

I am thankful for (#137) slow days at work. I get paid by the massage so usually slow days are a very bad thing. But every once in a while it's nice to not be busy and running all over. While I am there it sucks, but at home I usually realize that I was given a nice little break and that will give me the energy to get through tomorrow.

And hold 2,3,4

(#137) Stretching is awesome. My body gets run down and beat up during the day. It's nice to take a few minutes and stretch out the aching muscles. I feel very content and happy afterward, like my whole body it telling me "thank you".

Let's rock tonight

Today I had a job interview and I'm not going to lie, I rocked it. I love it when (#136) interviews go well. I don't know where half  my answers came from, but they all sounded really good. It's nice to walk out of a room and know you made a really good impression. The crazy thing is that I feel so good about the interview that I won't be heartbroken if I don't get it. I know I did awesome and that I would be great at this job. If they don't offer it to me I know it's not because I am under qualified. Maybe someone else needs that job more than I do. Or maybe there is something else I am meant to do that is right around the corner. All I know is that I feel pretty great today, and for that I am thankful.

That was when I ruled the world

Today I am extremely thankful for (#135) good songs on the radio. I climbed into my car after work fully prepared to mope and grumble the entire way home. Work has been a little draining lately. However, once I turned on the radio a really cool song came on. This particular song has a very funny memory attached to it and that completely changed my mood. I spent the whole ride home singing and laughing to myself. It was an entertaining ride home for me and probably for the people in the car next to me.

A plethora of thanks

I am first and foremost thankful that (#129)blogspot is up and running. It was down for a few days and so it was impossible for me to get on and declare my thanks. But have no fear, I kept a mental list of the things I was grateful for. So here we go with the list for the week.

(#130) Big League Chew- This is the best chewing gum ever! I use to get it as a kid all the time. Since it's made for athletes it stays moist and juicy for a really long time. I found it at this cute toy shop, the name of this fine establishment escapes me at the moment. But I went through the whole pack in a day or so. It made me feel like I was in the big league.

(#131) "Sweet Caroline"- This one sort of goes along with the chewing gum. Lindsay and I went to a BYU baseball game last week and it was excellent. We won which is always a good thing, but Lindsay and I had such fun heckling everyone around us that it wouldn't have really mattered. One of the best things about baseball games is when they play this awesome song. Everyone knows the words and sings along. There is something about singing at the top of your lungs surrounded by strangers, it bonds you together.

(#132) Wind- If you've ever lived in Rexburg you will find it hard to imagine this, but I am actually really grateful for the wind. Not the rip trees out of the ground and blow you house over type. But the warm wind that comes through your open door on a sunny day and reminds you that Spring is actually here, that kind I can appreciate.

(#133) Running water- I went to wash my hands earlier today and there was a split second delay on the water coming out. For that brief moment I thought "Oh no there is no water in the apartment what the heck am I going to do?!" Luckily, the water came on and I was able to avoid a complete meltdown. But it did get me thinking out how nice it is to have clean running water whenever I want. I am so grateful for that. Without it washing hands, cooking, taking a shower, or even flushing a toilet would be much more difficult. Sure life would go on, but I am so thankful to have the convenience of running water in my house.

(#134) Naps- Who does not love a good nap? There isn't a lot of time for them in the adult life, but when the moment comes you need to grab on to it for dear life. I took an excellent nap today. Although it went a little long and I almost fell into a coma, it was totally worth it!

Moo

Some people are not milk drinkers. I say that is their choice and decision, but are they crazy?! I love (#129) milk. In cereal, with a brownie, on its own, milk is just amazing. Oh, and I guess it's pretty good for you too. We have been going though it like crazy in our apartment. But I will continue to shell out the big money for it because let's face it, nothing satisfies like a tall cold glass of milk.

But my lips hurt real bad

I love (#127)chap-stick. (I didn't realize it was a hyphenated word, spell check teaches you something new every day.) I have used many brands over the years, right now I am a fan of Natural Ice. Smooth non-chapped lips are a joy. May you always have access to this wonderful tool. 

Today is Mother's Day so it should come as no surprise that I am grateful for my (#128)MOM! I am not one to gush and gush about my mom publicly, but she is hands down the greatest. I speak honestly when I say she is my best friend. I can tell her anything without the fear of her judging me. Even at my age she still puts things aside in order to take care of me when I am home. She constantly goes out of her way to make each of her children feel happy and loved. We are all extremely blessed to have her in our lives. I love her so much and am very very thankful for her.

Triple word

I am thankful for the (#126) Words with Friends app on my ipod. It let's me keep in touch and play games with my siblings even when we are far away. It also reminds me that I am really crappy when it comes to playing scrabble. I need to start reading the dictionary more often.

Give it to Tum Tum, he'll eat anything

I for one never get tired of watching (#125) childhood movies. Tonight I was able to skip down memory lane in the form of The Three Ninjas. Sometimes these movies seem even more enjoyable to me as an adult. It reminds me how simple life use to be and how easily entertained I was. I guess some things never change.

You-know-Poo

When I came out of work today I found that a lovely little bird left a gift for me on my windshield. Scratch that, an entire flock of birds had to have taken part in the masterpiece. I am so thankful for my (#124) windshield wiper fluid. I was able to clear away a portion of the mess so that I could actually see on my way home. Tomorrow I will probably be thankful for the window cleaner at the gas station seeing as it will take some extreme scrubbing to completely erase the damage.

Novo-what?

I am so so so thankful for (#123) Novocaine. How else would I be able to sit in the chair and let the dentist drill holes into my head? A few shots to the gums and I was feeling fine, although my face started to get that fuzzy numb feeling which is always a little weird. I was surprised at how long the effects lasted. I spent most of the day trying (and utterly failing) to rub my lips together, smile, and eat things without drooling on myself. Still, I would take all those side effects in order to have a pain free dental experience. What did people do before Novocaine came onto the scene? I probably would have let my teeth rot. I am so grateful to live in an era of pain killers. Thank you Thank you Novocaine!

Money Money

I love that peaceful feeling that comes over you when (#122) all the bills have been paid. Sure, there is no money left in my account. But the knowledge that I have no other financial obligations for the rest of the month outweighs that sad little fact. I am so grateful I have the money to pay my bills. Oh I feel so free! How cool would it be if nothing unexpected  happens and I can enjoy this feeling all month?

Hey, a girl can dream can't she?

Love me some brownies

I am thankful for (#121) creativity, particularly Angela's creativity tonight. She made awesome cream cheese coconut brownies. All my favorite things combined into one fantastic dessert. Way to look outside the plain old brownie box and expand your horizons. It turned out to have wonderful results.