Gratitude - Day 13

1. I'm thankful for electricity. As Kara commented in yesterday's post, when we got to the Seattle Center all of the lights were out and apparently they'd been out all day (obviously, none of us watch the news.) The cast was ready to do the show by flashlight but I didn't think "Emma" would translate well without costumes and stuff...watching someone sitting in their sweats on the stage just doesn't scream "Jane Austen" to me. Thankfully, power was restored in time so we didn't have to make the decision to stay or go.

2. I'm thankful for Survivor blindsides. Even though Russell is basically a disgusting, lying human being, last night's shocking vote was just awesome.

3. I'm thankful my talk for tomorrow morning's Priest/Laurel retreat is done. I have to give my 45 minute talk, twice. Prayers are welcome...

Gratitude - Day 12 (holy cow, it's late!)

1. I'm thankful for Jane Austen. Tonight I went to see "Emma" at a tiny little theater downtown. It was done with no real sets, simple props, in the round and with the most beautiful costumes. I love live theater almost as much as I love Jane Austen stories. They just make me happy.

2. I'm thankful for wonderful friends. I have more amazing friends than any one girl deserves to have. One such friend listened (okay, read my countless IM's) as I blathered on and on about something kind of exciting happening in my life right now. Then tonight, I went to the play with five fun and fantastic women with whom I love spending time. Life is good.

3. I'm thankful for Panera's broccoli cheddar soup. It just might be the world's most perfect food. (Sorry, I only have 4 minutes til midnight...I had to write SOMETHING!)

Gratitude - Day 11

1. I'm thankful for restful nights. I haven't been getting enough sleep lately and I miss it. And of course, it has nothing to do with being woken up at 3:30 this morning by my upstairs neighbors (see item #6 on the linked entry and you'll know why I woke up.)

2. I'm thankful for visiting teaching. I spent a lovely evening tonight with two friends that I have grown close to over the years through visiting teaching. We ate at Baja Fresh (my first time there - I loved it.) Then we made pumpkin milkshakes with fat free milk & slow churned vanilla ice cream from this recipe. Quite fabulous but the company and lively conversation was even better.

3. I'm thankful for veterans, especially my brother-in-law Matt who is currently deployed to Iraq. I so appreciate the sacrifices he and the rest of the men and women serving in the armed forces are making on our behalf.

Gratitude - Day 10

Today's list was hard for some reason. I had one sure thing and was stuck trying to come up with two others. I think it's because I'm censoring myself (oh come on, all bloggers do it.)

1. I'm thankful for good pedicures. The pedicure I got back on October 3 still looks nearly perfect. How is that even possible nearly six weeks later? Would it be worth the three hour drive back to the Chrysalis Inn to get another one? Hmm.

2. I'm thankful I have a home to live in. It's tiny but it's mine and I don't have to do yardwork. So, win-win.

3. I'm especially thankful today for my mom. It's her birthday and we celebrated last night with dinner, just the two of us and then dinner tonight with my sisters and all of the kids at (UGH!) Rainforest Cafe. My mom is just the best and I am so blessed to be her daughter. Here we are tonight after she opened presents...we all got her gift cards to Costco. Love you, Momma.

Gratitude - Day 9...I almost forgot!

A quickie because I should be in bed!

1. I'm thankful for cute boys at work. They make the day more fun.

2. I'm thankful for umbrellas because it's pouring rain here and the alternative, getting wet, would be less than pleasant.

3. I'm thankful for my now 11 year old niece McKenzie. She is growing up into a sweet, smart and wonderful girl and she's so much fun to be around. Happy birthday, Kenzie Benzie!

Gratitude - Day 8

1. I'm thankful I save copies of my talks. I was just asked to fill in for a friend and speak at a neighboring stake's Priest/Laurel retreat this Saturday morning. Thankfully, the topic is exactly the same as my youth conference workshop from four years ago. I have a little rewriting to do but my 40 minute talk is basically ready. (I probably wouldn't have said yes otherwise...)

2. I'm thankful for my friend Kim and her many, many talents. She filled in as chorister in Primary today and did her usual amazing job. I wish I had even a smidgen of her creativity and energy. She can get anyone to try anything and then feel good about themselves afterward. She is seriously incredible at everything she does. I am so lucky to be her friend and I love her!

3. I'm thankful for cozy blankets. It's cold and wet out and I love being warm.

Gratitude - Day 7 (plus some pics)

1. I'm thankful for and appreciate my healthy body. I found out today that yet another person I love has cancer. It's so heartbreaking and unfair. I just talked to her and she sounds good, upbeat and hopeful but it's stage 3 lung cancer and has spread to other parts of her body.

2. I'm thankful that even though you can have issues with people, you can get past them and truly grow to love them -- despite your differences, despite there once being hurt feelings. Forgiveness is a wonderful thing.

3. I'm thankful for comfy beds. I slept until 8:30 this morning in my sister's fabulous bed.

Speaking of, here are some pictures of our fun night. We made Bakerella's cupcake pops. It was a messy job...

and a tedious and long process. They also didn't turn out nearly as cute as hers, BUT they were pretty tasty.

Next we tried ear candles. Honestly? I don't think they did anything but it made for funny pictures.