Day 409: Swag

Today, I am grateful for:
* Hobo having a part-time family! Hobo is a super sweet dog that lives on my inlet who happens to hang out at my house a lot because he's big on lovins. Well my mom talked to a neighbor today, and he's decided to take care of Hobo's medical stuff and bring him in during the cold winter. Plus, he feeds him barbecue for dinner, which is just awesome.
* October looking like a pretty kick ass month. There are some seriously cool options in the works, including my big bro inviting Phil and I to PA for a weekend.
* pink leopard-print hair barrettes. Thanks, ModCloth. Busting out my latest accessory kind of made my day. It's just impossible to be anything but happy while wearing it.
* a mother-daughter dinner. My mom and I went to Cracker Barrel tonight, just the two of us. It was nice to just get to talk (in French, Spanish and English) about life before looking at ridiculous Razorback swag.
* grits with maple syrup. A-mazing.

"Did you just call me deadly furniture?"

Today, I'm grateful for:

• BBC's Being Human. Kind of obsessed. Fantastic plot lines, characters, and music, brilliant acting, and Aiden Turner. What more could a girl want? (And why is everything British inherently better?)
• Kelli sharing said obsession.
• my new haircut & color. Love.
• fall fashion editions of fashion magazines.
• Fall being just around the corner. It's my favorite season. I'm so ready for the changing leaves, the sweaters, boots, scarves, the glowing fires in the fireplace, the smell in the air, fall foods, and my favorite pumpkin spice lattes returning to Starbucks.
• all the fall scents we have out now at BBW. Caramel Apple and Creamy Pumpkin candles... yesplease.
• my puppy.
• attending Kim and Steve's wedding this weekend. What a perfect couple. It was such a beautiful ceremony, and I'm so glad I was invited to witness it. I love love.
• love, in all forms.

Day 408: Toast

Today, I am grateful for:
* chicken noodle soup.
* Rachel Maddow.
* how gorgeous it is today.
* Bec's fashion advice.
* getting to meet Phil's extended family next time I'm in town!

Day 407: Little Buddy

Today, I am grateful for:
* Riley being here!
* Charlotte's fresh baked goods.
* relaxation.
* the adorableness of Hobo.
* Emmy ridiculousness.

New Blog

Well, today has been strange. Tornado hit my dad's house. Some damage, but everyone is okay. And I got the first exit applause of my acting career in leading ladies tonight. Such a freaking rush!

So on to gratitude:

1. My new blog. http://msclaremarie.blogspot.com/ A new site for updates on my post college life and where I will hopefully be updating everyone on my road trip adventures this fall.
2. The giant trees in our backyard not falling on our house. (This is my dad's house I'm talking about, my mom's is fine)
3. Exit applause. Holy crap. Such an amazing feeling.
4. Having a great show tonight.
5. Picking a guitar. I'm going to buy it in a week or so in Bozeman at music villa! So excited.
6. My road trip coming together. I think it is truly going to be amazing.

namaste

Day 406: The Knot

Two of my dear friends got married today in Washington. So congratulations to Kim and Steven for tying the knot and taking another step in their life together! I can't think of a more perfect couple.

Today, I am grateful for:
* love, in all forms.
* picture books.
* beautiful quilts.
* the Cowboys currently losing the the Texans.
* pictures.

Day 405: Victory

Today, I am grateful for:
* this whole stressful situation being over with.
* having the most amazing and supportive boyfriend ever.
* late night texting.
* SYTTD.
* good music.

Day 404: National Dog Day!

Today, I am grateful for:
* my pups.
* adorable little kids. (I'm such a sucker for kids.)
* a-mazing crawfish.
* root beer floats on a summer night.
* text messages that make me smile.

Guitar

As the summer comes to a close I find myself getting rather melancholy. Everyone seems to be going back to school, and I had no idea how much I would want to go with them. But it is also a time of such incredible gratitude. I have so much to be thankful for in my life. So here are a few:

* Guitar. I've been playing (or at least attempting to play) every day, and getting a little bit better each day.
* The bizarre mash up I made of 9 Crimes and Umbrella tonight on the guitar. Something about the crazy combination of depressed and peppy. LOVE IT!
* Only having three more performances of Calamity Jane left. Though I know I will miss it. I will have performed it over 30 times by the end of next week. It has been a fun role, but I'm ready to move on.
* Having four performances of Leading Ladies left. It is such a fun show!
* The Taffetas. It is the musical we open in two weeks (holy crap!!). It is an adorable show and it is fun to have the energy of four girls working together. So much music to learn, but it is going to be such a cute show. As long as we all don't kill each other in rehearsal.
* Friends. new and old. Sometimes I feel like I put a lot more energy into some friendships than the other halves seem to, and sometimes that is okay, and sometimes it is not. But I feel like I have some amazing people in my life and I've been learning to distinguish which are the ones worth fighting for.
* Travel. I'm getting very excited for my road trip! Less than six weeks!
* Andrea visiting in just a couple weeks! I'm so excited to see her.
* That we all always have the ability to learn and to grow. I have a long way to go, and this summer has taught me a lot. Now for putting observations into positive actions...hmmm. :)
* This wonderful blog and the women who are so much better about posting than I am. I always enjoy reading about your gratitude.

namaste

Day 403: RZ

Today, I am grateful for:
* the Red Oak Fillin' Station.
* fashion.
* the RZP.
* fashion buddies in L and K.
* quality reading time.

Day 402: Angels

Today, I am grateful for:
* Doby's adorableness.
* decently untacky greeting cards.
* footie pajamas.
* Warehouse 13.
* guardian angels.

Day 401: Arlington Lawn

Today, I am grateful for:
* sings that say things they shouldn't.
* realizing that some of my clothes actually look better on me now that I've gained weight.
* miniature syrup bottles. (So cute.)
* the next door neighbors.
* a beautiful walk in the park to end the night.

Day 400: Memories

After hearing that a friend's great-grandmother passed away today, I started thinking about all the people I've lost. My mom and I took a drive and just talked about memories of my grandparents, my aunt, Peter... It was sad, but it was happy at the same time. I can't really explain it...

So I came back home and looked through all of my grandfather's stuff, and actually found some pretty amazing things. I'm looking forward to doing something with it.

Today, I am grateful for:
* the memories.
* my grandfather's things.
* the gorgeous day we had.
* feeling like I might actually sleep tonight.
* my cupcake picture/card holders.

Day 399: Cupcake Tank

Today, I am grateful for:
* a healthier spin on one of my favorite dinners.
* art.
* good music.
* fun clothes.
* Phil's family being home safe from SF.

Day 398: Duey

Today, I am grateful for:
* Bubba's Catfish.
* funny Southern expressions.
* Jackie's package coming in the mail today.
* my brother, who turns 27 today. (Happy birthday, baby brother!)
* Duey, the neighbor's Basset Hound. His hip is having all sorts of trouble, but he went on the walk with us tonight and kept stopping and asking for fussings. A-dorable.

Day 397: An Addition

Since Phil and his family have been in SF, I've been remembering the trip that Lauren, Kelli and I took together. They're memories I'm grateful for. They always make me smile, and it was an amazing bonding experience between the three of us. And while looking through all the SF stuff I kept, I found a list of quotes that I kept on my cell phone during the trip.

The list goes like this:

"Don't throw books on hungry!" -Kelli valiantly defending a stuffed personification of Hungry during a commercial

"Not so much devious as racially inappropriate." -Me trying to cover my face except for my eyes with my scarf in an attempt to seem mysterious

"It's the Sorting Hat. But less cool. And douchy." -My reaction to a guy wearing a Standford Business School jacket that I clearly found pretentious

"If you're going to have The Sex, you're going to get The Cancer" -Lauren and I discussing...sex ed programs, I think...

Books.

I'm exhausted, so I'm going to keep this short and sweet today. I hope to do a real update soon. This summer has been absolutely ridiculous, and I feel you ladies would get a kick out of some of the craziness. But for tonight I'm going to settle for a quick list of gratitude.

*Smiling, it's my favorite.
* Our fall show. We are doing the Taffetas. We start rehearsing soon and it is adorable.
* Plans to go down to SLC Oct 1 to see Blue October. Yay for concerts
* My cat. Pooka, he is adorable.
* My dad's cat Pesto being negative for all feline diseases. We can now introduce him to Pooka and get him a new friend to play with! yay!

Day 397: "I got a new hair cut, new dress, a pair of new shoes / I got an attitude that might be rude, but that's how I cruise"

Today, I am grateful for:
* my ModCloth dress coming in the mail today.
* free swag. Love it.
* Spy Games.
* memories of SF.
* Next to Normal.

Day 396: My Heart In San Francisco

Today, I am grateful for:
* spending time on the mountain.
* being back on a normal sleep schedule.
* getting the anniversary plans worked out!
* UPS package tracking.
* text pictures from San Francisco.

prodigal gratitude

I know I've been mia for quite a while now, but I'm back, and I'm going to try to be back more regularly...

This summer has been bizarre, and I feel a return to a gratitude focus is just what I need. So, here goes, I'm going to keep this one short since I'm on my bberry...

*my blackberry. I love it and I'm not ashamed.
*girls' night. It was amazing.
*getting paid to do theatre for four months.
*making people happy
*the guitar. My new adventure and obsession.

Days 392-95:: Right Side Up

I am grateful for:
* my frog prince.
* picture texts from SF.
* my dress being on the way.
* toy catalogues.
* the adorableness of the dogs.
* bucket lists.
* packages being in the mail.
* eating healthy.
* good music.
* finishing both my books.
* a few new ideas about the future.
* Aveeno lotion.
* The Daily Show.
* Rachel Maddow.

Day 391: 103 Degrees

Today, I am grateful for:
* my new dress being on the way from ModCloth. Love it.
* a phone date tonight.
* finally seeing Green Zone last night. It was incredible.
* a nice, healthy dinner (except for the white win I added).
* my packages being delivered.

Day 390: "It's like getting your teeth cleaned by Paula Dean."

Today, I am grateful for:
* my awesome dental hygienist. She's the sweetest.
* a giant root beer float when it was 111 degrees today.
* Wii shopping with Bec. We're going to make great shopping partners.
* summer dresses.
* air conditioning.

Days 388 & 389: PLUtonic's Got Talent

Apologies for the lack of post yesterday. I was busy having a Lutegasm over seeing the PLU (where I went to college) men's acapella choir compete on America's Got Talent. They totally rocked it, and even though they didn't make it to the semis, I'm super proud to be a Lute and to have known some of those guys.

I am grateful for:
* PLUtonic.
* all of my Lutes.
* chatting with Miss Anne today.
* memories of the nursery rhyme song.
* getting all my packages mailed today.
* having L and Kelli for honest fashion advice.
* the sweetness of Hobo. He's sleeping on the porch in 83 degree weather instead of going home because he just wants love. He completely touches my heart.
* fun fashion.
* good books.
* good music.

Day 387

Today, I am grateful for:
* Kathy enjoying the book.
* Advil. I've had a killer headache all day.
* good comedy.
* long, hot showers.
* my brother's basketball shorts.

Day 386: "No pugs were hurt during that clip."

Today had all of the makings of a really shitty day. I woke up feeling really sick on my mother's birthday, could barely make it out of bed, missed the birthday festivities and had my mother not-so-subtly not-so-happy about it. I felt pretty damn awful. Upwards of "pretty damn" actually... But Kelli let me get it all out, and Phil made me smile (and laugh). And at just past 2am, I'm actually having a pretty good day. Better late than never, right?

Today, I am grateful for:
* always being able to turn to Kelli.
* the way Phil can always make me smile.
* voice messages.
* late night ebelskivers.
* Sophie, who stayed with me the entire day.

Day 385: Water World

Today, I am grateful for:
* Nate's visit.
* a solid nap today.
* good books.
* a phone date with Phil tonight.
* finding the USA Swim championships on tv today.

Day 384: Mojito

It's Nate's last day in Hot Springs. I wish I had been more exciting, but I was exhausted, so I spent most of the day in bed falling in and out of sleep. But tonight was another trip into town and some good Mexican food.

Today, I am grateful for:
* Romancing the Stone.
* Nate's visit.
* a solid mojito.
* a cool day today. It was only about 85 all day. It felt sooooo good.
* sleep.

Day 383: Love

Today, I am grateful for:
* fun rocks.
* a movie night with the whole fam.
* Riley and Tyler. They're so adorable.
* last night's movie night with the kids.
* Yarnell's ice cream. It's ridiculous. But wonderful.

Celebrate Equality, Celebrate LOVE!!!

Today, I am grateful that Prop 8 has been overturned!!!!!!!

We are one step closer to equality for all, and I couldn't be happier. We are all people and we all deserve the same civil rights, and that includes the right to marry whoever we love regardless of their gender. Now that gay marriage is legal in California, it's only a matter of time before it's legal nation-wide. I am thrilled that my many gay and lesbian friends will no longer be punished for simply loving who they love.

Like Sam said, this is an amazing, historic day. So c'mon... Celebrate Equality, Celebrate LOVE!

Day 382: All Men Are Created Equal

Today is an amazing, historic day. And an inspiring one at that. Prop 8 was overturned and thrown out by a California judge today on the basis that Prop 8 was unconstitutional and violated the civil rights of gays and lesbians everywhere. Today, a court ruled that we can't deny people rights based on who they love.

I can't imagine being told that my love was less legitimate than any other love. I can't imagine being told that Phil and I wouldn't be allowed to marry. I'm extremely lucky. But others aren't as lucky, and that breaks my heart.

This is just the beginning (or the continuation of the beginning) of a much bigger fight for equality. First California, then the whole country. That's my dream.

Today, I am grateful:
* that equality and love prevailed today.
* that I have been lucky enough to have found love and not be punished or persecuted for it.
* the two amazing couples who fought Prop 8 and one. They are courageous and inspiring, and the world needs more people like them.
* love in general.
* that the movement continues.

Day 381: Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

Today, I am grateful for:
* free Clinique swag.
* text messaging.
* a movie date with Riley and Tyler tomorrow!
* pizza dinner. Not healthy. But wonderful.
* finding the perfect gift!

Day 380: Goodbye Finnish Fortress

I've been a little off today, despite spending the day with my brother looking for stuff for his place. Maybe it's the Blackhawks having let Niemi (my favorite player) go. Maybe it's that I haven't had feeling in the tip of one of my fingers since I woke this morning. (I've been told this is not such an awesome thing...) Maybe it's because I've been reading a bunch about World War II lately. Maybe it's that I'm missing my man like crazy. Maybe it's because I forgot to take my Celexa last night. "Maybe" a lot of things, but I'm definitely not at my best right now. And I'm not really sure what to do to fix it.

It's days like these that I find myself scrolling the archives of Daily Gratitude, not just for my own writing but for the writings of others. Especially for the writings of others. It reminds me of things I love and people I love and the little things in life that seem insignificant but keep a smile on my face. Today, I needed that, so I offer my thanks to my fellow Ladies of Gratitude and to the people who follow this little project.

Today, I am grateful for:
* Daily Gratitude.
* my brother being here.
* the little things in my room that hold so many memories.
* my adorable dogs.
* Naveen.

Days 378 & 379: Pregnant Women Are Smug

I am grateful for:
* Garfunkel & Oates.
* texting.
* the satisfaction of having assembled a bbq with my brother.
* good books.
* good music.
* voice messages.
* Rufus and Sophie.
* being a whole family again for a while.
* Nate inviting Phil and me both for Thanksgiving in Philly, along with my parents.
* fresh cut flowers.