December 4, 2016

For the first snow of the year!  They said we'd get a dusting, but ended up with about 7 inches!  

For friends who listen and don't judge. I had some really great emotional support today and some truly great feedback.  

For getting home from my day safely.  I headed out to meet friends for breakfast and some shopping. When we came out our cars were buried!  There were cars in the ditch and off the road everywhere as I made my way home.  I'm so thankful my little car carried me safely back!

For a hot cup of tea and my Kindle!  Such a great combination on a cold snowy day!  Books and tea are magical!

For the soft gentle snoring of my Golden princess. I love hearing her as she cuddles against me. I love knowing she's always there. 

December 3, 2016

For these two!  They love each other so much and always make me smile!  I love waking up every day with them!

For discovering the truth. 

For the sun!  She's been hiding for a couple of days, but showed her beautiful face today!  It was very needed!

For the comfort a cup of Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea provides.  I love my seasonal teas!

December 2, 2016

For that sweet soreness when I sat down to put my shoes on this morning!  

Oh. Fucking. My!

For that phone call after work!

For texts throughout the day. 

For my amazing lunch!  Grilled cheddar and feta with pesto!  Sooo good!

For time spent talking with a friend who understands. 

For 6 new books for my Kindle!

December 1, 2016

For teasing naughty texts and conversation throughout the day!

For a surprise phone call resulting in several amazing orgasms!

For the growing strength of my body. I love knowing through hard work and dedication I am building the body of a bikini warrior!

For my sweet Golden girl. Her craziness always makes me smile and laugh!  Watching her today with her squeaky toys was more cuteness than is probably legal in all 50 states!

November 7, 2016

For my big orange kitty!  He missed me so badly the 4 days I was gone, and didn't leave my side once when I returned home.  He's so patient with me being away!

For the comfort and serenity of my room  I enjoy my well paid gigs in other's homes very much, but it's always nice to get back to my own place and my own things.

November 6, 2016

For cherry vanilla yogurt!  It always calms my restless tummy.

For bright blue skies and beautiful fall leaves.  I can't sat enough how much I love this time of year!

For the absolute joy my sweet girl brings me every day.  She makes me laugh with her crazy antics and when she hears my tears she rushes to my side, crawling into my lap to comfort me.

For sausage, mushroom and green pepper pizza!  I don't think I need to elaborate on that!

For binge watching a great tv show.  I will miss you, Hank Moody!  I enjoyed getting lost in your life!

November 5, 2016

waiting for me to throw her ball again!

For the use of his Netflix.  A great distraction for my spinning brain.

For yet another beautiful fall day!  I've been trying to soak up every minute of them that I can.  The time changes tonight and while I love fall, I always mourn the daylight we lose this time of year.

For music that speaks to my soul.

For the return of my nais! I trashed them this summer.  It took a lot of time, patience and pampering this fall but they are finally looking great again!

For my sweet pup who goes everywhere with me without complaint.  She will wait patiently in the car during my appointments and greet me like I've been gone years when I return!  I love her random puppy kisses at stop lights too!

November 4, 2016

For another day of beautiful weather.  I love fall days like this  Bright blue skies and the sun lighting up the color show in the trees.

For new books on my Kindle.  One Michael Connelly and one Ry recommended.  I cant wait to dive into both of them.

For seeing the city come together peacefully and celebrate the history making Cub's World Series win. It was an incredible celebration with over 6 million in attendance!

For a surprise hot photo texted to me and some conversation to go along with it!

For my courage today.  I overcame a big hurdle and clicked send.

November 3, 2016

For the sweet song of the birds on my walk around the lake.  So many of the birds have left for the winter, which makes those who stay song even sweeter.

For the sound of leaves crunching under my feet, and the sunny deep blue skies above me.  That magical sound calms the soul.

For some texts!  A huge improvement from where we were.

Once again for the glorious colors of fall.  I can never get enough of this season.

For another day of perfect fall weather!  A bit warmer than usual but very much appreciated!

November 2, 2016

For my sweet blonde pup.  I love watching her run and play, even in the rain!  Her happiness is contagious and always makes me smile!

For small traditions.  My sweet girl has a beautiful fall foliage patterned leash and collar set.  We always break it out October 1st and she wears it until the day after Thanksgiving, when it's replaced by her pretty red leather jingle bell collar.  I don't know why it makes me smile every year, but it does.

For the sky clearing and the rain moving out for a bit, allowing us a beautiful dry walk!

For last night.  The conversation.  The FaceTime.  The unmedicated sleep it brought me.  It's still on my mind and the imagination and river is flowing again.

For the Cubs winning the World Series.  Just minutes before the end of this day history was made! An amazing and well deserved win.

November 1, 2016

For the beautiful weather! 75° and bright blue skies!  A perfect breeze on a perfect fall day!

For the colors of fall!  Nature's paint brush is always so amazing!

For my sweet pup!  I know I include her everyday, but laying in the sun with my face buried in her soft fur is the best feeling in the world!  She loves unconditionally.  As Steve Earle sang "she loves me even when I'm blue."

For cold clean water. In a world where so many don't have access to clean drinking water I'm so very grateful that I do.

For time spent with my best friend!  Some texting.  Some naughty FaceTime.  A beautiful surprise and an amazing way to spend the evening.

October 31, 2016

For the timelessness of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,  I hope I never lose my love of Charlie Brown!

For the beautiful weather today.  Halloween is usually a crap shoot here.  We've had some of our fiercest storms on Halloween.  Today was a balmy no coat kind of day!  Perfect for trick-or-treating!

For my sweet blonde pup!  She's always just cute enough and crazy enough to make me smile! Watching her play with her ball today is a perfect example.  Of course she insisted on dropping it in a big mud puddle, then happily splashing around in the muddy water after it!  It didn't phase her that she just had a bath 2 days ago for doing the exact same thing.  She finds joy in the moment, which reminds me to as well.

For the universe putting the right people in my life just when I need them.  I had a woman pray the sweetest prayer for me.  It's like she could read my mind and hit on everything my heart felt.  It was an amazing feeling!

For fat bright orange pumpkins!  My heart smiles every time I see them sitting there on the steps of the porch!

New thanks

I took a look over here today, and realized it's been almost a year since I posted. I became so wrapped up in Pea's last days, and making her as comfortable as possible, I neglected this. After I lost her, I felt I had very little to be thankful for.

I lost myself for a while there. Lost myself in medication to numb my heart to the never ending pain that I was experiencing. Tramadol and Oxy were my meds of choice. They allowed me to drift into that place where I stopped feeling. Stopped thinking. Stopped asking God and life what I had done so terribly wrong to deserve this.

I won't go into all the details of why she meant so much to me. I will just say that Sweet Pea was with me through one of the most difficult times in my life. When I lost faith in people, when I lost hope, she was there. I had no idea what I was going to do without her.

If you read my other blog, you know that Honey came into my life. I lost a job I could barely stand, and within a few weeks found a new one, with a pretty substantial pay increase. Bit by bit my smile returned.

So, I think it's time I start posting here again. Pea Pod, I miss you! I will miss typing this each evening without you sleeping next to me. I don't think Honey will sit still long enough to do it with me like you did!

I am thankful for being able to share 13 years of my life with you.

I am thankful for all the things you taught me.

I am thankful for all the sunsets we savored together.

I am thankful for all our days in the kayak.

I am thankful that your energy is still with me. I feel you sometimes. When I need you most. I hear your soft sigh. I smell you scent. I know you are still taking care of me. I will love you always. ~Mama~

Been so long.... Thursday Thanks

I can't seem to keep up with my posts in this blog. Hell, I can barely keep up with the posts in my main blog. I do write my gratitude in my paper journal nightly, I just seem to never get around to transferring them here. Taking care of Sweet Pea has become my main focus. She is doing well. We are seeing a new doctor on Tuesday to see what suggestions she might have. I post more about it in the other blog, so if you are ever want updates on her, that is where you will find them. We are making the most of each day, and taking them as they come.

I've been chewed out a bit my someone who holds my heart from miles away. Even though we talk daily, these journals are their way of staying in touch with my world. The ordinary things in my day, and the photos that make up what I saw and did. Apparently, what I though was a silly mundane thing, is very important to them. I have promised to be more regular with postings and pictures, while their job keeps them far away.

So, here is my Thursday thanks.

1. For a beautiful walk with the Pea. Spring is finally here, despite our thoughts that it would never arrive this year!

2. For a new keyboard! Sounds silly, but if you had to type on one for 8 hours a day and 6 or so keys only worked if you hit an exact spot, you'd understand why it is such a big deal!

3. For the gorgeous sunset we were treated to last night. They never stop amazing me.

4. Grilled asparagus with olive oil and sea salt. Nothing more I need to say about THAT!

5. A letter from a fellow blogger that warmed my heart. Thank you....you! Your kind comments touched me so much. *hugs*

Monday Gratitude

1. Pea had a check up with her doctor today. She is VERY happy with how the wound is healing this second time around! *happy dance*

2. For the beautiful spring weather we had today, and for being able to leave the windows open all day so the kitties could enjoy the sun and birds.

3. Driving with the sun roof open and the breeze in my hair. Makes the ride home so much sweeter.

4. For my sweet Cali girl. I love the way you snuggle and purr.

5. Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. I am completely helpless to it's powers!

Friday 5

1. To have my girl home again. I missed her so much, my words can't even describe it.

2. The beautiful warm sun shining through the windows while we rested.

3. Pellegrino and lime.

4. The extra bit of daylight at the end of my work day.

5. Knowing that spring is just around the corner.

Saturday 5

Been a while since I posted here. Life gets weird for me after the holidays. I just hibernate and do home improvement projects. Mmmhhmm, I know. Don't even say it! I still write my gratitude down in my paper journal, but some how the time never is there to translate it to this blog.

1. For a call saying Sweet Pea's blood tests came back looking really good.
(For those of you who don't read my other blog, Pea is facing some surgery on Tuesday. I'm worried sick, and all prayers and good thoughts said on our behalf are appreciated.)

2. For my new sofas! Gaaaaa I love them.
After 17 years with the old ones, they are a welcome change!

3. For the kindness of a stranger.
I was waiting at my vet, because Pea needed to get some blood work done. A man near me asked me a question about why we were there, and I kinda melted into tears. When we were done and I went outside, he was there waiting. He asked if I minded if he prayed over Pea, and of course I said I didn't mind at all. He talked about losing his dog at Christmas this past year. He was originally from Oklahoma and had the cutest accent. His voice and prayer was just very soothing to me.

4. For my son, who had a birthday this weekend, and reminded me again about what life is all about.

5. For my home.
In this time of uncertainty for so many, I can still call it mine.

Monday 5

1. The sun reflecting off the lake while I drove to work today. It was beautifully golden, giving even the air a golden feel.

2. Homemade Beef with Mushrooms for lunch. Mmmmm so good.

3. My sweetest Pea in the pod, who greets me at the door when I come home, and excitedly runs and jumps in the truck when I say we have to go bye-bye! She didn't care that we were only going to Staples to return something. She treats every trip as an adventure!

4. Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. No need to elaborate on THAT!

5. My beautiful pink fountain pen ink, because it makes me smile. Smiling is a good thang.....everyone needs more reasons to smile.

Sunday 5

1. Sleeping in until 10 am!

2. Falling asleep to the sound of his breath in my ear.

3. A day spent curled up on my favorite sofa, completely lost in a book. It was a gloomy and crappy day out, so I gave myself the gift of doing nothing!

4. Photos of good friends that make me smile!

5. All day mimosas with a bottle of champagne you forgot you had left from New Years Eve. Ummm yep...kinda contributed to the whole #3 thing happening! *giggle*

New Years Thanks

1. For this coming year, and the promise it holds for me.

2. For one more day of work before I get 2 more off from the place.

3. For my beautiful new tree skirt and stockings from my favorite store, Pottery Barn! They are white quilted velvet and have just enough bling to make them sparkle under the lights! Mmmhhmm, this girlie loves her sparkle!

4. For a day spent relaxing and watching the kitties cuddle.

5. A long walk with the Pea to look at beautiful Christmas lights that are still up.