thankful list.

This week I am thankful for positive people.  It's so nice to be around positive people constantly.   I'm a lucky girl lately.  Life is more fun and the things that aren't so fun are more bearable.  Sometimes I think, particularly with the younger generation, it's not cool to be happy or excited about things and I just don't get that... nor have I ever.  Positive thinking & exuding positivity are the way to go.  Look on the sunny side, fake it til you make it, smile, CHOOSE JOY.  Life's not always easy but it doesn't always have to be hard. 

Say hi to a stranger, hold open doors for someone, smile at the parent struggling with children at the supermarket or restaurant, ask the checkout person how their day is going, genuinely listen to the people that are talking to you.  And more importantly, pat yourself on the back and tell yourself (out loud!) a few things you like about yourself.  You are amazing!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

wknd update.

I forgot to do a thankful list on Friday.  I found myself entirely too busy.  John's mom flew in to visit with us on Friday (she's still here, too! flying out tomorrow) and we've been having fun with her.  Topping my thankful list last week probably would've been FAMILY -- it's so nice when we have family over to visit.  It makes me feel even more content.  We had a wonderfully quiet weekend filled with a Farmer's Market trip, Pretty Little Liars marathon (John's mom just started getting into it & asked if we could watch -- OF COURSE I said yes!), a bit of thrifting, games of Bananagrams, naps during the storms, and just having lots of long, amazing talks.  It's been pretty great.  Lauren also sent me a picture of a sweet letter her niece Stella wrote me -- she also has audio of Stella writing the letters.  Oh how I love that girl -- I'm thankful for her too!

1.  John tries to cheat at Banagrams, if someone else calls Bananas first, he just puts his letters down and says he had Bananas too.  Notice how he only has one real word - denial.  Seems appropriate ;)
2.  I had a glass of champagne this weekend while we PLL marathoned.  In a Hello Kitty glass no less.
3.  I've never fallen in love with a couch before, but this one at the thrift store made my heart ache.  A hideous cream & green crushed velvet sectional -- already claimed.  John and I tried super hard to get the guys to let us buy it instead.  Our friends probably would've disowned us for putting it in our house though.
4.  One of the two Stella letters:  "Rhianna, Will you please come see we're (our) garden? And please bring your dog?"

thankful list.

I've recently found myself with more "computer time" on my hands which means... no excuse to not blog (somewhat) regularly.  Recently I posted my progress on my 52 Books in 2012, and on that list I included The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin as my favorite non-fiction book I've read so far this year.  One thing that book taught me is to regularly list and appreciate the things in your life you are thankful for.  I have to say, for a year now my whole outlook has changed quite a bit -- I've tried to cultivate a "Joy Choosing" attitude and bring positivity into every aspect of my life.  So I keep regular gratitude lists in my head, but maybe I'll start sharing some with you.  Sometimes I get, like, weirdly private online and tend to be kind of vague -- so I'm sorry if some things are vague, I just like to keep my personal life pretty close to my heart & small circle of confidants. 

But here are five things I'm thankful for right now (kind of in the spirit of the old livejournal days with "Friday Fives.").

1.  John.  Are you sick of me gushing about him yet?  Too bad.  Skip this one then.  He has to be number one on this list because he is the ultimate positive force in my life.  It's a joy to have someone like him be my best friend - positive, giving, smart.


2.  Flowers.  Oh how so many have bloomed the past few months.  Flowers in the garden or fresh-cut in a vase, they make me so happy.  John and I have gotten in the habit of almost always having star-gazers in the house... they smell amazing and have bright blooms.


3.  Books.  Okay, we get it, Rhianna, you like to read.  But I can't help it... when I'm not working or visiting people, I'm most likely reading.  Books take up a sizeable chunk of my time.  I'm so thankful for books.  I love that they broaden my mind, teach me, take me on adventures, let me cry, and let me laugh.  I just treasure them so much.


4.  Quiet Mornings.  I am a morning person.  I like to get up early and start my day... but at the same time I hate to talk or interact until I've slowly woken up -- I like to lie in the bed for a while with my eyes open & get used to the idea of the day.  I love starting my day quietly, wrapped in a blanket with a mug of hot tea or coffee, reading the news or watching a mindless tv program on Netflix.


5.  My New Job.  Normally something I wouldn't share online, but I've been super lucky in the job market down here in NC.  I've been fortunate enough to have to agonize over whether to stay at my current job or take a new one that was offered.  I took the new one -- time for a new adventure.  I finished up my first week and I have to say, I'm so glad I took the job.  I'm in the most positive, progressive, and female-empowering environment I've ever worked.  So it's making my thankful list.

thankful.

Rhianna here!  Since it's about to be Thanksgiving (!!!!!!) I figured I'd type up a quick post of what I'm thankful for this year.

I've had so many blessings in my life this year it's unreal.  2010 was so yucky -- safe to say the worst year of my life so far.  When we rang in the New Year in 2011 it brought so many wonderful things!  In fact, even the bad stuff that happened this year doesn't seem so bad when I think about how amazing this year has been overall.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  It's a close second only to Christmas.  I love everything about this holiday -- the time of year, the food we eat, the family gathered around the table, the giving of thanks, and the promise the holiday brings of CHRISTMAS!

Without further ado, here are the things I'll be giving thanks for this year while I eat turkey & pie!

• John. This guy is pretty rad.  I am so thankful my housewife introduced us and that he is now a permanent fixture in my life.  He is the smartest, kindest, craftiest, most talented, handsomest, and most fun person I have ever known -- and that is no exaggeration.  He is my BFF and has helped me grow as a person so much (sometimes I think he shoulda gone into counseling).  Every day with him is an adventure!  I'm also thankful for his parents because they raised him up good ;)  I ask him all the time what his parents did right for him to turn out the way he did because I'm always amazed at his wonderfulness.  And also, his parents are so spectacular and I love them dearly.
• my family & friends.  This pretty much goes without saying.  But with this year in particular, so many family & friends have shown us so much love & support, especially the past two months with my accident.  Each card, care package, phone call, or text I received during my downtime after surgery lifted my spirits so much.  I've felt so unworthy of all the love I've been shown and I am so so so grateful.
• my doctors (& nurses, & admins, etc).  Breaking my ankle was the most physically painful thing that's ever happened to me.  It was also the first time I'd need a real surgery.  Our experience in the ER was the nicest one I've had (based on the hospital in my hometown, I was skeptical about going to an ER... you'd understand if you'd ever been to that one).  I'm also so thankful for my doctor & my George doctor that put my bones back together and for all the nurses, hospital workers, workers at my orthopaedic office, and my future physical therapist (I start formal PT next week!) for helping me and being so kind, patient, and lovely as I heal & learn to walk again.
• the library. I've talked about our library several times on this blog... it's my favorite place in our town.  It's kept me stocked with books, audiobooks, & movies.  
• my animals. we added our babycat Fleas to the mix this year. I loooooooove my babies.  I get sad when I have to leave them for more than a few hours at a time.  They are dear to my heart.
• black beauty.  my wheelchair has made this no walking nonsense so much easier.  Crutches wear you out, I'm glad for my chair.  It has also made me more mindful about handicap accessibility (--and enraged at public places that don't adhere to codes).  I'm thankful that I will be able to walk again very soon.
• my health.  I'm so thankful that I haven't been really sick and that I've made it 26 years with a broken ankle being the worst thing that's happened.  
• moving.  this move to North Carolina has been wonderful and I'm thankful for all the fun & new things I get to experience with John.  Living with him is the best.  We "camp out" inside all the time.  He's an amazing slumber party partner and I'm so glad I get to have a party every night with him!
• kayaking, cooking, baking, crafting, reading, traveling, my house, decorating, cuddling, pain medication, nail polish, water, EnglightenMint tea, coffee, ginger ale, pancakes, Leslie Knope, Mexican/Thai/Greek food, Halloween, Christmastime, Mindy Kaling, teenage drama television shows (especially ones with vampires), Britney Spears, kitten paws, journaling, iFriends, our bed, and blankie (my baby blanket is in the picture... it is my most favorite material item. forever and ever amen.)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope you have as many & more things to be thankful for this year!