Day 468: Salt and Pepper Napkin Babies

Fall is finally here! After months of warm weather, it finally got below sixty degrees (in the shade) today. I'm so excited. There's something about cozying up in a big sweatshirt or sweater under a blanket with a warm drink. So I totally stocked up on warm drinks today, buying a healthy supply of caramel apple cider mix, chai and Coffee Mate. All while wearing one of my brother's giant sweatshirts.

Today, I am grateful for:
* the change in season/weather.
* caramel apple cider. I forgot how much I love that stuff.
* new salt and pepper shakers for Phil's and my place.
* comfy sweatshirts and sweaters.
* having a clean house. After a nice day of house work.

Days 462-7: Mine

I've been terrible about sharing my gratitude this month. I promise it's been there. It's just been...semi-fleeting. It comes and goes a lot. I've been having weight issues and father issues and where is home issues, and I've been letting it cloud my gratitude. Sadly, it's a lot easier to focus on the bad.

But no more of that (I hope). The truth is, I have a lot of things to smile about. I have great friends (Go Team Diva.), an amazing boyfriend, a damn good kitchen to work in and some pretty cute dogs. And I need to take those less for granted.

I am grateful for:
* good music that can always bring me out of a funk.
* tasty, healthy recipes.
* an a-mazing salad the other night.
* having it just be my mom, me and the dogs for the weekend.
* gorgeous weather.
* Phil's job going so well.
* hopefully being a little closer to getting to move back.
* NaNoWriMo starting soon.
* great friends.
* good memories.
* Phil.

Days 460 & 461: Promenade

Today was a rather perfect day as far as normal days go. (Especially since I woke up damn grumpy.) My mom and I took the dogs in to the promenade and Arlington Park during the late morning. We met the cutest kids who were out with their grandma for one of the boy's 7th birthdays. They loved the dogs and wanted to know if we could spend the day with them (since we clearly came with the dogs). And their grandma was wearing a 2008 Race for the Cure shirt! Then it was mother-daughter shoe shopping for new sneakers. (A 5k tends to murder your old walking shoes...) And to end the day, I got to make the house smell amazing by baking fresh dog biscuits.

Today, I am grateful for:
* gorgeous weather.
* new sneakers. (I've been doing dog walks and memory/awareness walks in my 8th grade basketball shoes. I'm so glad those can just be my Humane Society shoes.)
* Lauren's recommendation of a good dog biscuit cook book. The dogs love them, and I'm so glad I know they're safe for them.
* School Pride. Seriously. That show makes me smile and cry all at the same time.
* Em including me in her wedding planning. It really is an honor to have someone want my input on such a special day.

Days 457-59: My Pastry-Friendly Fat Ass

Today we wore purple. One simple color to make a statement: bullying is not okay, especially when it is costing kids their lives.

Today, I am grateful for:
* everyone who wore purple.
* good books.
* Netflix Instant.
* my mama's split pea soup.
* hearing from Val today!

Days 454-56: Race for the Cure

Race for the Cure was yesterday morning. It was an experience that I thought I would be vaguely familiar with. But I was wrong.

No amount of AIDS Walks and Relays for Life could have prepared me for walking through downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock with almost 46,000 other people as the sidelines of the race were filled with people cheering us on, marching bands, local bands, radio stations, yoga studios, belly dancing classes, fraternities and cyclist training sessions. And all of it was to support the search for a cure for breast cancer. My mom and I walked in the 5k, a little over 3 miles. There were kids, babies, people of all ages, and for a little over an hour, we were all one entity.

I can honestly say that yesterday was one of the best experiences of my life. I walked for my grandmother, a two time breast cancer survivor before Alzheimer's claimed her life last year. Others wore the names of survivors they were walking for. Still others wore the names of those they had lost.

I want to send all of my love and my gratitude to the other participants, all the supporters, the volunteers, the committee and the survivors. They have become a part of me, and hopefully I have become part of them.

Days 450-53: A Question

Okay, so I spent the day in Little Rock with my mama and Rufus picking up our stuff for Race for the Cure on Saturday and hanging out by the river. (We actually saw the little rock. (There actually is one.) If you had asked me around 6, I'd've said that today was my best day since I've gotten back to Arkansas. And then there's my father... Who I can't stand. And who doesn't do the best job of standing me either.

So, I suppose, tonight I have a question: How do you focus on the good of your day when the bad is so much easier to remember? I'm still looking for an answer.

But I think listing up my gratitude is a good start, so:

I am grateful for:
* Race for the Cure.
* love.
* The Last Word.

Day 449: "Just because I love you doesn't mean you're not a whore."

I am grateful for:
* Sonic Blasts.
* job opportunities that let me show off my writing skills.
* having a job opportunity that I'm excited for.
* Miss Amy, whose birthday is today.
* good music.

Days 447 & 448: Missing You

I'm back in Hot Springs, which makes it hard to be grateful in a way. I wish I was back in Seattle, back in Phil's arms, back in the bed I've gotten used to. So I need to remind myself that there are things worth my gratitude at the moment, like:
* getting to spend so much time in Seattle.
* amazing friends.
* love in all forms.
* getting to spend Becca's 21st with her.
* getting to be in Seattle for my anniversary.
* Phil.
* photos.

Days 444-46: Bitch of Living

I'm currently playing Spring Awakening for Phil...

I am grateful for:
* cupcakes.
* a shopping trip with Becs.
* nap time.
* The Goonies last night. Love that movie.
* Becs' 21st tonight.
* fun photos.
* excellent toy stores.
* cute dogs.
* love in all of its forms.
* fun earrings.
* gifts to give.

Days 433-43: Long Time Gone

I've been absent for a while now, and for that, I apologize. I don't want to give the impression that there was nothing to be grateful for over these past several days. On the contrary, there was so much to be grateful for that I barely had time to slow down.

I have been grateful for:
* starting my new position at the Humane Society. I got to meet all of the dogs and pick a few to be projects (to spend extra time with so that they're well socialized and can find a good home). The dogs instantly found a way into my heart, and I encourage everyone to support their local animal shelters, to consider adopting a shelter pet and to remember that animals need love too. It's one of my favorite experiences, and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity.
* my mother agreeing to walk a 5k Race for the Cure with me on the 16th of this month. My grandmother was a two-time breast cancer survivor, and we lost my great-aunt to the disease. It's killed enough people and halted enough lives. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so there are lots of ways to help. Even make up brands are selling special products with the proceeds going towards research funding. So this 16th, I'll be remembering my family, and walking to find a way to save lives.
*being in Seattle this week. Phil and I celebrated our one year anniversary this past Friday, so I came into town so we could celebrate together. We've had the most amazing time, and every day I'm reminded of reasons why I love him.
* meeting Phil's extended family! We all had dinner together, and I had the best time. His grandpa and I got to spend a lot of time together (He even offered me one of the toys he made!), and I know that I've found an amazing family to join.
* my dear friend, Justin, getting the opportunity of a lifetime. No one could be more deserving, in talent or in heart.

Love to you all.