The book is blue

I am so grateful to have a knowledge of the (#208) Book of Mormon. It has been an enormous blessing to my life. Each time I read it I gain new insight into things I need to learn about the Savior and my life here on earth. You would think that I book written so long ago would be out of touch with the things of today. But it is exactly the opposite, I find that the Book of Mormon gives me instructions on how to handle my life in these days. I so thankful to live in a time when this book is available and to know that is it given directly from God.

Mufflers, aisle 12

I am glad that there are still (#207) good businesses around these days, people who actually care about customer service. Once again my car decided to be dramatic and I needed to get a new battery. I went to the NAPA Auto Parts store right next to my house. They were very helpful in diagnosing the problem and providing me with a new battery. Apparently they don't really deal with any actual repairs for the car. But they could see I was obviously clueless in the realm of battery replacement so they put the new one in for me. They wouldn't even accept a tip. I am very thankful for those who go out of their way to help the people that come into their store.

Stand back and start her up

I am very very grateful for (#206) helpful people, for those who take time out of their busy lives to help me. I am thankful for my boss who drove me around for half an hour today trying to find jumper cables. I am thankful for the guy from Good Earth who came to help give my car a jump. I am grateful he didn't make me feel like an idiot when giving me a lesson in using the cables. I am glad we have helpful people in this world.

Time for a spot of tea

Right now I am very grateful for the (#205) British chocolate Emily brought me from Enlgand. It is delicious! Don't get me wrong, I am very happy to have her home as well. She came back with a big sparkly ring on her finger which is very exciting. But the treats she brought were also very exciting. My favorite so far have been the digestive biscuits. Yep, you heard me, digestive biscuits. They are these sweeten cracker/cookies things covered in chocolate. If this is what they use for digestive health over there than I may have to consider moving.

Ctrl Alt Delete

I am very very thankful to have a (#204) computer. Not only was it useful during school, but it is my go to item when I am bored. My favorite part is the red cover. I paid $30 to upgrade the color. Stupid you may say, but it makes me happy every time I look at it. Woot for technology.

Lets go to the movies

Big props to whoever came up with the (#203) discount movies. It's a beautiful concept for those who are cheap like me. It takes a really good movie for me to be willing to pay full price. Harry Potter is one of the only ones that falls under that category. Anything else will just have to wait. And waiting is definitely worth it when you only have to pay $2-3. Thank you to discount theaters everywhere, you make a cheapsters living better.

Go Dave

I really like reading (#202) Dave Barry's column. The guy is so stinking funny! I really admire people who have a way with words. To find ways to poke fun at every day life without insulting others is really a talent. Look him up, you won't regret it.

They walked AND walked

Happy Pioneer Day! I am very grateful for the (#201) pioneers. Not only for settling Utah and making it a wonderful place to live, put for making the journey in the first place. They had such unwavering testimonies of the truthfulness of the gospel. They couldn't have made the trip without it. I don't think I would have made a very good pioneer. The physical comforts I have would be very hard to give up. I hope though that given the command I would have the faith that they did to make the journey. From my own family history and from those I do not know, I am very thankful for the pioneers. May we all strive to live with that type of commitment to the gospel.

Baby you're a firework

I am really thankful for (#199) hair gel. It keeps the natural craziness down and lets me show my face in public.

I love (#200) fireworks! I went home for Mendon's 24th of July fireworks show. It is one of the best fireworks shows, probably because you get to sit so darn close. Living in a small down definitely has it's perks. Thank you to whoever invented fireworks. They bring the town together and are tons of fun.

Knock knock

I am thankful for (#197) locks on my door. Anyone who has lived with me can testify that I get a little nuts about locking the doors at night. I blame it on watching too many episodes of Unsolved Mysteries as a child. Whatever the cause, I am very grateful to have strong locks to keep all the creepers out. It makes me feel safe, and you can't put a price on that.

I am also thankful for (#198) household plants. We only have one and it belongs to Emily. It started as a little seed and has become a mighty plant, sort of. I am in charge of the watering while Emily is away on holiday. She entrusted me with this great responsibility and I have done my best to keep this plant thoroughly watered. It makes me happy to walk out to the kitchen and see this little guy hanging out. I am very tempted to get one of my own, but only if I can keep this one alive for another week.

Streaker

Today an incredible thing happened, I passed my safety and emission test!! This rarely happens without me having to fork over my entire savings account to fix some problem. Well today there were no issues and that left me with a little extra money in the bank. So I did what any responsible adult would do and went out to buy myself a present.

I found the most amazing (#196) work-out pants ever! They are wonderful, honestly it feels like I'm not wearing anything at all. Now, exercising without clothes is not something I have given a lot of thought to, but after my work-out today I just might. These things were light, breezy, and they looked pretty good too. I feel that anything that gets me excited to go to the gym deserves a big note of thanks.

Watch me strut

I don't get super girly about too many things, but I am really loving my (#195) new purse. There is something about a cute new purse that makes me want to go places, just so I can use it. Purses are not a necessity, but they are just great to have. I am grateful to have little luxuries in my life that make things fun.

Deeper or lighter?

I am very grateful for those (#194) small moments when you realize that you are really good at you job. Yesterday at work I received a nice little ego boost. My last massage was deep tissue for a very muscular guy. Honestly, I was feeling very doubtful in my ability to produce a good massage for this dude. It was the last appointment of the day so I was tired, my table was way too high, looking at him on the table you could see that he had a large amount of muscle, and he told me to go as deep as I wanted because he could handle anything. I was not feeling confident at all and really wanted to go home.

Lucky for me this was one of those days when I was reminded that I picked a good career for myself. He told me that my first stroke almost popped his back it was so deep. At the end he was  impressed and said I really kicked his butt, in a good way. It was such a simple thing to say, but to me it meant a lot. I really appreciate having people compliment my work. It's nice to know that you are good at something that you are passionate about. And that you can kick a big guys butt if you need to.

I pledge allegiance to this blog

We are more than halfway through this year and I find myself forgetting to blog more and more. I went on vacation with the family earlier this week so that excuses Monday through Wednesday. After that its just a huge fail. I think of things I am grateful for every day, but the hard part is writing it down. I am recommitting myself to the blogging of my thankfulness. That is the challenge and I have renewed my dedication. So without further ado, here is my week of thankfuls.

(#188) Family vacations- there is something magical about being on vacation, it's different than a regular day off. I think it's the fact that you can do nothing at all and will still be a success. I loved spending time with my family just hanging out and relaxing for a few days.

(#189) Swimming pools- if I can distract myself from all the icky things that could be floating around, I find pools to be very enjoyable. My family has the tendency to chase everyone else away from the pool. Then we have the whole place to ourselves and that is pretty enjoyable as well.

(#190) Sunscreen- this thankfulness actually comes from my lack of using it. My face got scorched on Wednesday and it was not a pretty sight. I am very grateful for SPF and for the times that I remember to use it.

(#191) HARRY POTTER!!- I am very grateful for Harry Potter. My roomies and I went to the midnight showing of the last Harry Potter movie ever! It was very bitter sweet, happy to see it, sad for it to all be over. It's hard to explain to non-Harry lovers why the books and movies are so great. It's magic and friendship and loyalty and bravery and just plain awesomeness. Who doesn't love that?

(#192) Cereal-Have I already mentioned this before? It's a food item so that is very likely. But I just love cereal. I feel as if it should be a food group. I feel very sorry for anyone who does not like to eat cereal, they are missing out.

(#193) Peanut Butter shakes from Purple Turtle- another food item I know. But I was having an ice cream craving tonight (something that rarely happens) and this shake really hit the spot. Purple Turtle is great because their shakes are huge! Go try it out, you won't regret it.

splish splash

I am very grateful for (#187) water. It sounds like a simple thing, very basic but I really love drinking it, swimming in it, showering, water is just great. Very much needed and very enjoyed.

Pass the hammer

Mel and I visited the dollar theater tonight to see Thor, and it was awesome! I really appreciate (#186) good movies. It had the perfect combination of action, humor, and a bit of romance. Absent from the movie was the f-bomb or any other swearing, skanky girls, or sex scenes. It's really nice to see a movie and not have to worry about what you will see or hear. Thanks Thor, you are the best.

Crank it up

These days I am very grateful for my (#185) box fan. We are trying to cut costs and keep the AC off at night. My fan is the only thing that keeps me from melting in my bed. As long as I have that baby it will be cool breezes and sweet dreams all night long.

iPod sweetness

I am thankful for my (#184)iPod touch,from which I am writing this blog. Not only does it allow me to listen to sweet music and watch movies,it lets me use the Internet when I am too lazy to go out to the living room.

Proud to be an American

I've started to notice a pattern. Every time I go home I end up forgetting to blog about my thankfulness. Luckily, the weekends are usually quite enjoyable so I have plenty to be thankful for once I get home.

(#179) Pitchforths- This weekend was extra fun because it was spent with the Pitchforth family, basically my other family. I firmly believe that in heaven we were one giant family, but mom and Heidi could not decide who would be the mom over everyone. So we had to come down in two separate families. We all have so much fun together and there is never a shortage on laughs or food. They are great people to hang with.

(#180) Just Dance- This Wii game is the best. I am a big fan of it and not just because I can beat everyone in my family. It really gets you moving so it is fun and exercise. Its another great thing to do with my siblings.

(#181) Independence- Monday was the 4th of July! I am so grateful to live in this country and enjoy so many freedoms. I have never lived outside the U.S., but I do read a lot. I can only imagine what it is like in other places where they don't have such liberties. I am so thankful for America and the opportunities I have living here.

(#182) Soldiers- Our country wouldn't be so free if we didn't have people protecting us 24/7. I am very thankful to all the men and women who give lives to keep us safe and free. I am also thankful for their families who let them go and serve for such a long time.

(#183) Pudding-I ate a pudding cup tonight and it was delicious. Thanks for tasty treats in little packages.

Please place your item in the bagging area

I really appreciate the (#178) self check-out stands at the WalMart. It lets me show off my awesome scanning skills. It also allows me to get in and out with my super-sized box of panty liners and small chocolate fix without drawing too many stares.