Thankful November: Day Thirty

The last day of Thankful November!  I stuck with it and posted every day.  Today, I'm thankful for...ME!  I'm not the smartest (but I know a little about a lot of things), or the prettiest (but I do alright) and definitely not the skinniest (always a work-in-progress) but I am truly happy with myself and my life.  Overall I've made good choices in life and do not regret what I've done and I hope to never regret what I haven't done.  I have a family that loves me unconditionally (I think...I haven't tested the waters that much!), good friends, my health, a stable job, a college degree, two loving fuzzy babies, enough money to pay my bills, save some and have some fun and a wonderful partner who shows me love every single day.  He cheers me up on my not-so-good days and when I'm having a bad self-esteem day.  He makes me laugh more and harder than anyone else has. He keeps me safe and comforts me when I need a little added security.  He says I always look good and thinks I'm cute, beautiful or sexy, depending on the day.  I am so damn lucky to have all of these things!  I truly am.  I'm so happy to be alive and be ME!

Me-Today!

Thankful November: Day Twenty Nine

Today I'm thankful for slippers.  Our house is cold quite often and I wouldn't be able to live without slippers in the winter.  I have all kinds of fun fashion for my feet already but M's mom is making me a pair of "Happy Feet" which are slippers she's been making for people since the '70s.  I should be receiving them soon so I'll be sure to post them when I get them.

Thankful November: Day Twenty Eight

Today I'm thankful for my state, the state of Minnesota.  I was born here and I'll probably die here as at least a part-time resident.  I LOVE Minnesota and can't imagine living elsewhere.  I love that I live in the Twin Cities but just two hours away I can be on the North Shore next to Lake Superior.  I love that I can be in another state in about 25 minutes and even another country in about 5 hours by car from my house.  We're lucky enough to have multiple professional sports teams (and want to keep it that way...Vikings!), lots of great restaurants, tons of culture and a wide range of people.  There's not many places in the country where it can be -60 degrees as well as 114 degrees in the summer.  So for those that have never been to Minnesota but only know the stereotypes, it is not cold and snowing in Minnesota all the time!  Check out more about MN weather on Wiki.

Thankful November: Day Twenty Seven

Today I'm thankful for the ocean.  I didn't get to see an ocean in person until 2002 when I saw the Atlantic Ocean for my first time.  Then I saw the Pacific Ocean in 2006.  I am not a big fan of water but I love the beauty and mystery an ocean has.  I would take the ocean for granted if I saw it every day but on cloudy days like today in Minnesota, it's fun to dream of the ocean which makes me appreciate it each time I do get to see it in person.

My first view of the Pacific Ocean- California 2006

Thankful November: Day Twenty Six

Today I'm thankful for my health. My overall health is good.  I've been old enough for awhile now that I think about the big picture when it comes to health so I try and lead my life preventing diseases such as diabetes, coronary heart disease by eating healthier and paying attention to my diet.  I need to exercise more though!

As for the state of temporary health, my poor Michael got food poisoning and was violently sick all night long. I'm glad I'm here to be his nurse until he gets over this.

Thankful November: Day Twenty Five

Today I'm thankful for music!  I've always been into music since I was a kid and I know I always will be.  Music shapes my soul and I'm so glad I have a partner who loves music also, actually more than I do.  Today we went to The Depot at First Avenue to pick up these tickets to a concert both of us are extremely excited to see.  Now we just have to wait until February.

Thankful November: Day Twenty Four

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Today I'm thankful for my family, both immediate and extended family. It was hard to wait to until the 24th to say I'm thankful for my family as I wanted to be thankful for them on Day One of Thankful November but I thought it was appropriate to save them until today since I was with them all day today.  No family is perfect but I wouldn't change what I currently have for anything.  I love you Mom, Dad, Jamie and the rest of you, extended family.

Thankful November: Day Twenty Three

Today I'm thankful for dark chocolate.  Sometimes I just want it and sometimes I need it.  It's a perfect treat that makes me feel better and just a small amount tides me over...usually.

Thankful November: Day Twenty Two

I hate milk.  I stopped drinking it when I was eight years old.  Because of this issue, I can't eat cereal, traditionally at least.  Until now.  Even though it's been almost 27 years since I stopped drinking milk, I am thankful today that I've discovered soy milk.  I was definitely scared of trying new beverages that resemble milk so I've been reluctant over the years but finally sucked it up and tried it.  And it tastes good.  Good enough for me to be able to have cereal now!

Thankful November: Day Twenty One

Today I'm thankful for friends.  My friends have come and gone through the years from kindergarten to now but some have stayed with me for double-digit years.  You've all impacted me, whether it was good or bad, which ultimately has shaped my life.  Mass love to you all.

If you are not in a picture below, of course that doesn't mean I don't value your friendship!

Thankful November: Day Twenty

Today I am thankful for vacations.  I don't know anyone who doesn't welcome a break from the everyday grind.  It doesn't matter if you travel somewhere far, by plane or car or just have a staycation, I love them all.

Here's a city that M and I went to in 2006.  I love this city and would love to go back.  There's a very big hint in the picture if you can see it.  Click on the picture to enlarge.  What city are we in?

 

Thankful November: Day Nineteen

Today I'm thankful for the snow.  It's the first snowfall of the year and I'm even more thankful that it happened on a Saturday.  

Thankful November: Day Eighteen

Today I am thankful that scarves are popular again for this fall/winter season.  I love wearing scarves as part of my outfit, even with short-sleeved shirts.  Here are the scarves I have and I want to collect more.  I think I'll ask for an infinity scarf for Christmas.

Thankful November: Day Seventeen

It's green....and stucco....and old and needs a lot of work, but....it's where I live.  Today I'm thankful for the house I have lived in for the past 4.5 years. It's not the warmest in the winter or the coolest in the summer but I'm thankful to have shelter. It was built in 1900 with an upstairs addition at least 50 years later.  Michael's parents bought this house in the 50's I believe and he bought it from them in 1997.  I'm also thankful for the big yard we have and nature and wildlife that encompass it.

  

Thankful November: Day Sixteen

Today I'm thankful for being an auntie to both Keith and Colton and a Godmother to Keith.  With plans of never having kids of my own, Keith and Colton are as close as I'll get and are very important to me.  Keith is at an age where he's fun to interact with and Colton is just super cute to watch.  I love both of them very much!

Thankful November: Day Fifteen

Today I'm thankful that I'm still only seeing leaves and not snow.  That said, I am still VERY thankful of the changing of the seasons here in the state of Minnesota.  There's just some seasons that I prefer more than others. :)

Thankful November: Day Fourteen

Today I'm thankful for yummy, fall treats, like a pumpkin smoothie.

Thankful November: Day Thirteen

Today I'm thankful that I don't ever have to eat what is in that can.  I saw this at the grocery store yesterday.  What the?

Thankful November: Day Twelve

I'm thankful today for hearing of news that a kidney donor has been found for my aunt, Pat.  The process started in the summer and I submitted health information about myself to become a donor for her as I knew I was the matching blood type but never even thought that I am not blood related to her as she is my aunt by marriage, which reduced my chance of being a prime candidate like a sibling-like match.  Fortunately, there is a match within the family and once her kidney functions drop below a certain level, the transplant will happen.

I know I'm supposed to show a picture of what I'm thankful for but I didn't want to show a picture of my aunt just in case she would like her privacy.  Instead I settled for a picture of a kidney bean.

A kidney bean.  

Thankful November: Day Eleven

Today I'm thankful for my senses, all five of them.  I would be so different if I was missing any one of these.

I made these cards for M back in September and presented him with a present for each:

Feel: Massage
Smell: Candle
Sight: Went on a picnic at Mounds Park
Sound: Lindsey Buckingham concert
Taste: Went out to Jax Cafe for dinner

Bonus: Today is Veteran's Day and I'm thankful for the military men and women.