Week 1 - Today I'm thankful for...

Day 1: 11.1.12

For some reason, I just feel like blogging. It's been so long since I've really put my thoughts into words and just typed. First off, I feel like I should clarify the three images added below. Well, I'm part of a family Fantasy Football team and on ESPN you have to have a hyperlink to add a picture for your team so I used my blog as a placeholder for these images. The dog and hulk picture is from www.dogshaming.com, if you're not too sensitive, "there's no such thing as a bad dog, just bad owners" type of person (which I agree with)- I think you'll find this site hilarious. Anyways. the picture is because I crushed my brother, Scott in fantasy and his team is the Incredible Holcs! (See Scott on the Hulk's body below) - You'll need to know my last name for this to make much sense.The other is a picture of my dad, Timbo Slice. Like Kimbo-Slice. Yeah buddy rollin' like a big shot. Trunk hit hard like TIMBO SLICE. We're ridiculous, but my team is awesome in fantasy. If you ask my family brother he will credit it to the fact I was late to the draft and had Arian Foster automatically recruited to my team. Whatevs. My boy Foster is the man!

The real inspiration for operation start blogging again is because I saw my facebook friends putting "day one thankful for" posts for November and I was like I want to do this, but I use too many words and just can't do it in a status so here I am...blogging. Let's not hold our breath though because we know i'll start and not finish but I'm going to make an effort! I think I might post every couple of days to my facebook for my die hard fans to read, just kidding. I may have met my quota yesterday on the facebook posting since it was Halloween and I wanted to show (off) my Pinterest inspired stolen costume. Oh you're dying to see it? Fine. Here it is!

Price is Right contestant!

I'm aware my numbers are backwards - I had to use my camera on my laptop...so that happened. Look it was either that or a phone picture in my bathroom mirror, deal with it! 

Day 1 I'm thankful for my parents and coworkers - This is a sob story, no joke! 

I'm not going to single out any certain coworkers because they are all truly great, but today 3 in particular stood out and I was thankful to have them a Kleenex distance away!

 I prepared for this - I really did. The number showed up and it was my dealership service department. I had prepared for an almost painless $220 expense for brake pads so you can imagine my dismay when I got an estimate that was double, no triple, no quadruple of what I had imagined. I cleared my throat and was thankful that it was almost time to go...as a flood of tears made it's way to my bottom lids - I tried my hardest to swallow it down and just breathe. It's days like this you realize that you may not be cut out for your lifestyle or your career choice. I work for a nonprofit, I'm not sure I would trade it if I could but it does seem like life would be easier if I joined the for profit world. Unfortunately just like when I thought going to college = money, I have a feeling that's how going to for profit would be too. And I know I'm not alone - I don't need another political ad to tell me that. In this case misery doesn't love company and quite frankly I'm not miserable. I'm just one or two shopping trips behind where I thought I'd be. Did anyone else imagine their closet being filled with designer brands? Nope, I still haven't graduated to that. But it's okay. I'm thankful for what I have and in this instance I'm thankful for my coworkers.

Today I'm thankful for my coworkers. For the rides, jokes, and "I was in your shoes" experiences that really brought light to my situation. We all have our struggles and sometimes when you're so busy worrying about making ends meet or what you don't have - you forget what you do have. Which is a good segue to my parents.

I am thankful that I have my parents. Yes, that they are here with me physically but I'm also thankful for their love, acceptance and compassion. They not only did an excellent job raising my siblings and I, but they continue to be there for us in our journey with adulthood.It's not an easy transition and I'm just glad I'm not alone. Even though I accuse them of hovering the truth is their reassurance means the world to me on days like this...

I think that's the beauty of life is no matter how bad the situation- there is always something to be thankful for.

I'm hoping for some funny thankful's and not so serious ones the entire month, but I'm a pretty serious person so we shall see.

Day 2: 11.2.12

Day 2 I'm thankful for my connections to MaDee

If you've ever read any of my blog posts or have known me for even just a few days, you know MaDee. You may have never had the privilege to meet MaDee, but you know her. In case you don't, MaDee passed away nearly three years ago from a long, hard battle with cancer. MaDee was my best friend of nearly 20 years and no doubt losing her has been the single hardest thing I've ever had to deal with. But with that said, I'm thankful for my connections to her.

I have found hanging out with those closest to her therapeutic. And on Day 2 I had the chance to hang out with 2 very special people. 

I should say 2.5 special people since it started with a text message from Brittany, MaDee's cousin. Brittany "Lil Cuz" is dear to my heart and it seemed like once she got a little older she started hanging out with MaDee more and more. I use to see her as MaDee's little cousin, but now she's a real friend to me. She has some of the same qualities that I loved in MaDee and some of her mannerisms are spot on but she's her own person and I love her. 

Brittany texted me to meet up with her parents who live in the same town as me. I don't meet them out nearly as much as I should but when I do make it out I always have the best time. MaDee's Aunt and Uncle are two of the funniest, sweetest people I know. When MaDee introduced me to them it was Aunt Sara and Uncle Charlie so I still refer to them as that. I loved how MaDee did that, people that she loved so much she wanted you to love so much which is why I can't tell you half of her families real names because I've always called them by their family name, like Nan, Pop, etc. (Just kidding, I know their real names) 

It was easy to identify on Day 2 what I'm thankful for and it's my connections to MaDee. Each of her family members were near to her heart, I can't single out any of them that I don't absolutely love seeing when I do. 

Whether it be her sister, brother-in-law, nephew, mom, dad, our friends, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles,etc...it always warms my heart, all my connections to MaDee. 

Another connection that warms my heart is MaDee's legacy, The MaDee Project. I think a shameless plug at this point is appropriate. 

I'm thankful for ALL my connections to MaDee.

Day 3: 11.3.12

Day 3 I'm thankful for Dr. Watson's

I mentioned that I'd try to do funny ones or at least not so serious ones and I feel like after Day 1 and Day 2's post that this is in order. I should probably mentioned that this is not an order of importance. I'm really just reflecting on my entire day and writing about what pops out the most. I did have a fun conversation with my sister/bffl Ashley but she will be written about another day, trust me! So will all of the predictable ones that I would have put on my turkey feathers if I was in Elementary School!

Okay, so Dr. Watson's. What the heck is a Dr. Watson? It's a delicious sandwich at Macado's. Some town's don't have a Macado's- what a sad world. Maybe I should be thankful that we have three Macado's in   a 15 mile radius of where I live and if we say within 60 miles there's about 6 or so. Not the point. The point is I freakin' love Dr. Watson. And on Day 3 I'm thankful for them.

A Dr. Watson is a grilled chicken breast on a bagel with lettuce, Canadian bacon, tomato, and mayo.
But if you've ever seen me order it I'm very "When Harry Met Sally" as I say no mayo and regular bacon instead of Canadian. One time I said American bacon instead of Canadian and I was like what the hell is that, Amanda? What is American bacon?! Then because I'm awkward, I was like you know regular bacon, strips of it, breakfast like. Thank goodness that wasn't last night among  new company.

I also am thankful for the delicious pickle spear that goes with it.

I suppose if I wanted to get serious... I'm thankful for food and access to it, the ability to afford it, the luxury of choosing where it comes from and what it's going to be (like a delish Dr. Watson)

Now I'm hungry and I've been known to order back to back Dr. Watson's.

So, that concludes Week 1 of Thankfulness...to wrap it up I'm thankful for my coworkers, parents, my connections to MaDee, and Dr. Watson's. Yep, that sounds about right.

I'm excited for Week 2 of Thankfulness!