Remembering to let go

I'm grateful for:

• this blog and you girls for reminding me to let go of frustration and annoyance and focus on the positive. I've had several moments at home and at work the last couple of days when I've let little things get to me... I'm grateful I have Daily Offering to remind me to let it go.
• those certain songs I always listen to when I need an escape.
• Halloween candy. Can't.. stop.. eating.. chocolates... (Even though I cringe a bit at all the waste that accumulates from those individual wrappers...)
• our new vanilla shortbread home fragrance at BBW. It's this perfect mix of vanilla and cream and lemon... heavenly. I took home the small candle in that scent as my associate freebie and love it so much that I bought the matching wallflower today.
• spending time with my dad in Seattle Friday morning. He was scouting churches for performance and rehearsal venues for the upcoming choral convention and asked if I'd tag along to keep him company. I think my favorite part of the day was just listening to the final cut of the new PLU Christmas CD in the car on the way up there and back. I actually started getting a little choked up hearing how absolutely beautiful it was - I know that sounds silly, but somehow the combination of the music, the message of the lyrics, and my memories of singing it really got to me. Yet another example of the power of music, you know?
• being chosen for the internship at 5th Ave! (Not really news anymore, but I just realized that I hadn't expressed my gratitude here yet.)
• Clare, for making the promise with me that we'll keep encouraging each other to "get our wings ready." :)
• feeling like I'm ready to go to bed with an open heart after coming home from a looong day at work with tight muscles and immediately getting annoyed with my family. I'm letting it go, and I know that will help me sleep better and wake up grateful for a new day.

Day 85: Baby, It's Cold Outside.

It was fifty-two degrees outside today, and I'm pretty sure my body went in to shock. Seriously. It was eighty degrees out two days ago, and that's the temperature I'm used to. So I now feel like a total wimp because it would not be a big deal in the Homeland. But I actually busted out real shoes and a hoodie today. Which is a big thing for me.

But it was nice to spend a cozy day not wanting to get out of bed and then holding my head above the stove so that I could smell my mother's soup as it cooked. It's finally Fall here.

Today, I am grateful for:

• my mom's split pea soup.
• new books from the library.
• new reading glasses (that are tres cute), so I can actually read the books from the library.
• random quotes from Leverage and its cast.
• texts that make me smile.

Day 84: Friday Night

Today, I am grateful for:

• mother/daughter Friday nights.
• having "Let's clean out the fridge" dinner night turn out delicious.
• cooking again.
• late night chats.
• having a routine.

Day 83: Old Friends and First Dates

I need to remember that not everyone is as surgically attached to their cell phone as I am. Actually, no one is as surgically attached to their cell phone as I am. I wrote off a guy because he didn't text me back after I had sent him a pretty bluntly flirtatious text. But I woke up to the most amazingly sweet text this morning. So I'm in a pretty good mood today.

Today, I am grateful for:

• reconnecting with old friends.
• amazing first dates.
• tortilla and black bean pie. I'm in the middle of making it for dinner, and it looks kind of amazing.
• diet A&W root beet. (It's my soda addiction.)
• sunshine and rain. It's alternated between gorgeous sunshine and massive storms, and I'm loving it.

October 7th

I'm grateful for:

• the crispness in the air that tells me autumn is really here.
• the way the sunlight illuminates the red and orange leaves on the trees.
• getting to hang out with Chris Tavern and watch his school play rehearsal on Monday. He has a great connection with his kids - you can tell they really love him - and he's created something really funny with this group of young actors. I appreciated that he wanted my opinion and implemented my suggestions. He's also asked me to assistant-direct his NOMT in May/June, which is very exciting.
• finally finding a black cardigan I like today. (I've been wanting one for my work wardrobe now that it's getting colder.) You'd think it'd be the easiest thing in the world, but most of the cardigans I'd found either made me look like an old lady going to bingo or a five year old. Very happy to find a good one today.
• Clinique Bonus Time. Gotta love free cosmetics.
• SYTYCD Vegas Week - I love it when the choreographers kick the dancers asses and show them what it really takes to be in the Top 20. I also adore when Tyce and Mia get brutally honest. I was sooo sad to see Ryan cut, though... loveloveloved him.
• being totally spoiled by my company. BBW is launching it's new and improved body creams and shower creams soon, so all associates got to pick out a free body cream, shower cream, and a small candle. I love getting to try new products, especially for free!
• chai tea. Yummm.
• very, very good dreams involving Jason Mraz.

Day 82: Captain Planet is a fucking genius.

I am grateful for:

• the cramazing FB message from Amy. So classic.
• the Wednesday night television line up (as always).
• solidarity.
• this weird "just do it" bender that I'm on.
• PLU approving my exemption request.

Day 81: The Old Me

I got the old Me back somewhere on the trip to Seattle. I'm not sure if it was the stress or the circumstances or just being home, but I feel like me again. And I haven't felt that way in a long time. So that's mostly what I'm grateful for today.

Other sources of gratitude include:

• getting to have a political nerd moment with Lisa.
• a walk in the rain.
• realizing a lot more about myself.
• having a little bit more of life figured out.
• having it more together than I thought.