Thankful for Thankfulness: November 15 - 30

No, I have not forgotten about this blog! And since I still have a few more hours left in November, I figured I'd better get caught up on the rest of my November thankfulness items! Here goes...

November 15: Quality
I did not need the vintage Singer sewing machine. I have a wonderful, perfectly good "new" Singer sewing machine. But when one of my dear friends developed the vintage sewing machine interest (obsession? said with love, of course!) and found a 1930's machine on Craig's list for an awesome price a mile from my home, I couldn't resist. I dropped it off at the repair shop for an oil and lube and without even seeing the machine (only the cabinet it's mounted in) the man offered me $150 to take it off my hands. I had to laugh since I'd only paid $40, but of course, I wasn't about to give up my new found treasure! He told me he could have her up and running in no time and she'd run another 50 - 60 years. How's that for quality!

November 16: My dog
I have the world's coolest dog. His name is Oliver, he's almost 8 years old and he's a black and white Cocker Spaniel. He doesn't bark and he only growls if a stranger comes near the kids without Craig or me giving the "stand down" signal first. He has chronic "cocker ear" and he often gets overlooked in lieu of the kids, but he's my first baby and I'm so happy to have him as such an important part of our family.

November 17: Laughter of a child
My 5-year-old is into knock-knock jokes these days and of course, the 2-year-old loves to follow her lead. They spend hours making up jokes that make absolutely no sense but keep them rolling. And of course, when the kids laugh, it's contagious. What's not to love about a child's infectious laughter?

November 18: DVR
It's like TIVO only through the cable company. It lets Craig and I tape our favorite shows and eventually (read: on nights we can manage to stay awake after working all day and getting the kids in bed) watch them without commercial interruption. It's a beautiful thing.

November 19: Eat, drink and be merry...
I was in Salt Lake City on a business trip on election day in 2000. We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant and they wouldn't serve me a beer because there's a law against drinking on election day. I was baffled! Though I knew there were (must be, right?) valid reasons behind it, I bought myself a shot glass that says, "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you may be in Utah!"

Don't get me wrong, I know wonderful people in Utah and I certainly don't judge a whole state because of a law about allowable alcohol content on election day. And it's a good thing I don't, because one of the best friends and greatest people I've ever known lives in Utah. I "met" her online almost 6 years ago when we were pregnant with our daughters, who ended up being born on exactly the same day. Her daughter was late, mine was early and we both questioned what God was thinking at the time. Six years and the deepest friendship later, now we both know. (I blame the vintage Singer squarely on her, but still love her to death!) Today, I am thankful for friends near and far, and especially this one who means so very much to me.

November 20: Chocolate chip cookies
I'm not sure this one really requires explanation, honestly. Who isn't thankful for chocolate chip cookies? Amazing how a little bit of flour, sugar and chocolate can melt away a foul mood and put a smile on my face. Yes, I'm a girl of simple pleasures, about as low maintenance as they come.

November 21: Friday nights
My favorite time of the entire week is Friday night when I crawl into bed with my husband. Don't get any R-rated ideas, it's not that kind of blog! I just love the feeling of being cuddled up in my nice, warm, comfortable bed with my favorite person on earth, with the prospect of two full days of weekend ahead of us. What a calm, relaxed feeling it brings. No other night of the week comes close.

November 22: Lunch dates
My friends from Manila invited my family to enjoy a traditional Pinoy (Filipino) lunch with them and of course, knowing what great cooks they all are (not to mention great, fun company!) we immediately accepted the invite. Pansit and grilled pork, yum!

November 23: Church
I attended church every Sunday until I went off to college. Unfortunately, working full time to put myself through school meant weekend shifts at the mall, not conducive to church-going. Then I moved away from home and then farther away again. Worship services became fewer and farther between. Recently, Rachel (the 5-year-old) asked if we could start going to church and of course, I had her there the following Sunday. It makes my heart smile to see her so excited about going each week... waking early, picking the perfect outfit, "is it time to go yet"-ing me for 3 hours on Sunday morning. I'm so glad I've started to attend again. I didn't know how much I missed it until I started going again, and I really don't know how I got along so long without it.

November 24: Adobo and "See you soon"
When my bespren (that's Tagalog for "best friend") came onshore 2 months ago, I knew the time would pass quickly. This was the last day we'd both be in the office before he returned home and he treated me and my co-workers to a wonderful homemade feast of chicken adobo. Though I miss him already, I know I'll see him again next year and I'm glad for the time we got to spend these past few months.

November 25: A good cut and color
Yes, perhaps vain, but I couldn't stand the gray roots any longer. (I am waaay too young for gray, I might add!) Tuesday I worked a half day and spent the afternoon letting Tony (read: the greatest hairdresser on the planet!) pamper me with a great cut (similar yet just enough different from what I had) and a great color (strawberry blond... a cross between my blond and Rachel's red - it's gorgeous!). I walked out of there feeling like a million bucks. Amazing what some scissors and a little dye will do for a girl!

November 26: Changes in plans
I had planned for a long time to take off from work the day before Thanksgiving and had a long list of things I was going to do on my day all to myself. I was a teeny bit ticked off when I realized that Rachel's school was closed this day and I wouldn't get the day to myself after all, but decided to instead enjoy the day as it came, with one of my favorite people in the world. We went non-stop from 8am to 4:30pm but took the day at a 5-year-old's pace instead of my own. It was the best day I've had in a very long time and it reminded me that even curve balls can be hit out of the park.

November 27: Icing on the cake
So much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day itself, but after a nice afternoon and a great meal with family, the "new email" indicator on my Blackberry delivered the icing on the cake. It was the sweetest email from a co-worker of my dad's, telling me how my dad was so proud of me and my girls and this blog and she wanted me to know. Fortunately, I did already know, but what a special thing to see it in writing from someone else. That email now lives in my "never delete" folder and to the sweet lady woman who sent it, Thank You!

November 28: Technology
I was in the car with the girls, singing along loudly with them to our favorite Sugarland song when Craig called. From the emergency room. The cat scan showed it to "just" be a kidney stone, and it had passed, but there was another one behind it. I have never had a kidney stone myself but I hear it's like childbirth without the epidural. I'm thankful for the cell phone that let Craig call me and for the CAT Scan machine that told us it wasn't something far worse.

November 29: Sweet treats in the mail
The package arrived with no return address, but the giant Disney World tote bag and chocolate princess advent calendar gave the sender away in half a second flat. What a sweet treat for the whole family to receive some unexpected love in the mail from a very dear friend!

November 30: 24-hour pharmacies and lazy Sundays
Craig's 2nd kidney stone attacked around 3am. I knew he had gotten up, but I figured he had fallen asleep on the couch watching Sports Center. It wasn't until I got up at 6:45 that I realized what was going on, then immediately headed to the pharmacy to fill the prescription the ER doctor had given him on Friday afternoon. It took an hour or so for the meds to kick in and he finally got a little sleep, but I decided to follow his lead and we spent a quiet, lazy Sunday doing a whole bunch of nothing. I'm sorry it took him being sick to get us there, but it sure was nice to have a full day of nothing... like watching football, sewing, watching TV with the kids and finally, at long last, blogging!

I hope that you had a blessed November and that your December is the same. Happy Holidays, everyone!

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~
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Blessings,
Kat

Thankful for Thankfulness: November 14

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Freckles

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It's Photo Friday and today, I am thankful for freckles.

Need I say more, really?

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~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~
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Blessings,
Kat

Thankful for Thankfulness: November 7 - 13

November 7: Home
No matter where you live, no matter who lives with you, home is where the heart is. How amazing to wake at home last Friday (after being away for a few days) with my very favorite people in the whole wide world -- my husband and two beautiful little girls. Doesn't matter where our house is, our home will always be where they are.

November 8: Sharing my home with others
One of the best parts of my job is working with people from all over the world. Some of these folks come onshore to work for several months at a time and on Saturday, I invited my team over for a barbecue and a bounce in the bounce house. They are so wonderful to my children, so wonderful to me, and it's always a blessing to share my family and my home with others. Even more a blessing still to watch my children learn about new places, new cultures and meet amazing new friends.

November 9: People who are as silly as I am
Maybe "silly" is the wrong word, and the backstory is too long to post here. Short version is that when I travel, my older daughter doesn't like me to be alone and always sends me with 2 of her "friends" to keep me company. I started taking pictures of them at the places I visited and made her a story book. On my trip to Atlanta last week I didn't have a lot of time so I "wished" that the concierge would help me out taking some pictures around the hotel. Not only was he willing to do so, but told me his family does the same thing and their doll has her own Facebook page! The picture below shows the princesses at Bliss Spa in the W Hotel in Mid-town Atlanta. THANK YOU to the wonderful staff there for showing Rachel's princesses such a fun time!

November 10: Gainful employment

Until this week, my job allowed a lot of flexibility in where my work got done. Since we have team members all over the U.S. and around the world, most of our work is virtual to begin with. I enjoyed the great privilege of being able to work from home 2 days/week, which was a true blessing given that my commute to the office is 60 miles each way. This week, though, for a variety of reasons, the overall policy changed and now we are all required to be in the office 5 days/week. This is a huge blow and requires a lot of adjustments not only for me and my team, but for our families. I started out bitter on my drive to work Monday morning (which should have been a "work at home day"). However, I decided to look at it from a different perspective. In today's economy, there are many, many people who would give anything for a job to go to and a paycheck at the end of the week. I have both and for this, I am truly thankful.

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November 11: Our Veterans

I have always felt an overwhelming sense of pride for and gratitude to the men and women who so bravely serve our country. Because of them, I am granted many freedoms that so many people can't imagine. For their service, their sacrifice, their honor and their heroism, words cannot begin to express my thankfulness.

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November 12: My amazing family

I was going to try to stay away from the "cliched" things to be thankful for, but I am just so blessed. Rachel had a school assignment this week to make a Family Coat of Arms to display in her classroom. It had 4 quadrants, and each needed to be decorated with something specific: A picture of the people who live in her house; a picture of where her family originally came from; something her family likes to do together; and something that makes her special. Working on this project together this week, as a family, I am reminded just how blessed I am to have not only a family, but this unique, special, amazing family who, even when times are challenging, can always pull together as one with our love and devotion and commitment to each other.

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November 13: Flexibility and Fun

I said earlier that our work-at-home policy changed and I have to be in the office 5 days/week now. Well, there are some exceptions. Rachel has an early release day from school today and her aftercare program is hosting a Fall Festival for the children and their parents. Today I'm working only in the morning (from home!) then leaving to go spend the afternoon playing games with my favorite redhead. Though I'm sure I'll still check emails this evening, I'm thankful to have the flexibility to take some time and have some fun with one of my favorite people on a random Thursday afternoon.

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What are you thankful for today?

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~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

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Blessings,

Kat

Thankful for Thankfulness: November 6

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Whatever, whenever, what is your wish?

That's what I heard from the front desk attendant when I called last night for a wake-up call this morning. How often do you get to hear that in life?? I like it! With a question like that I felt I should think of something much more creative than, "may I please schedule a wake-up call for 6:00am?" But alas, I couldn't think of anything better on such short notice.

I'm staying at the W Hotel in mid-town Atlanta. Too pricey for me to ever stay at when my company is not picking up the tab, but if you ever have the chance, visit one. It's a very modern, very trendy hotel, truly a unique experience. The lobby is dimly lit like a night club. There are velvet couches with big pillows, a spa, two bars, more lounge areas... all the stuff that would have been SOOO cool when I was in my early 20's. Alas, here I am at 30-something, in my room, in front of my laptop, trying to catch up on emails instead of enjoying the hotel. But hey, it's still SOOO cool to have a young man ask, "Whatever, whenever, what is your wish?"

But guess what... it's not the hotel or the young man that I'm thankful for today, though both are very nice! Today, I'm thankful for wishing. And dreaming. And imagination. I'm thankful to live in a world where I can not only wish and dream and imagine, but where I have the power to make those wishes, dreams and imaginations come true.... not only for me, but hopefully, for those that I love and those I haven't met yet. 'Cause I think wishing and dreaming and imagining, and making wishes, dreams and imaginations come true is really SOOO cool. And for that, I am thankful.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Thankful for Thankfulness: November 1-5

I had a goal for myself to blog here every day this month on something that I'm thankful for. There are so many blessings in my life and I'm thankful just to have so many things to be thankful for, really. I started keeping a daily list and alas, as has been the case for the past many weeks, time is not on my side. As I write this, I'm sitting in a hotel room in Atlanta (which is not where I live!) and I really should be going to bed. However, I've been so anxious to get back to blogging that I thought I'd post this quickly before turning out the lights. Hopefully I'll be a little more timely in my updates in the days to come but in the meantime, here are some things I'm thankful for. Some are heavy, some are silly, but all are truly blessings.

November 1: Unprompted love
My 2-year-old is now talking up a storm. She's also going through a "mommy phase" right now, after about 6 months of only wanting Daddy. She's home before I am and as soon as I walk in the door, she runs to me and says, "Mommy! Uggy!" (translation: Mommy! Huggie!) She's been doing that for a while but has recently started adding, "I mub woo!" to the end of it. (translation: I love you!) Is there anything sweeter than an unprompted declaration of love?

November 2: Running out of Halloween candy that I like
Every year I debate if I should but candy that I like, in case there are leftovers... or candy that I don't like, in case there are leftovers. This year, I opted for bags of assorted, mixed varieties, and by November 2, I had eaten all my favorites. My waistline is thankful it's over now.

November 3: An end in sight for my braces
Yes, I'm a grown-up with braces. I don't tell that to many people, it's a sore spot that I struggled with for years. About 21 months ago I decided to get braces on my teeth, for cosmetic reasons, and I've felt like the work would never be done and I'd look like an over-grown 12-year-old for the rest of my life. But on my November 3rd orthodontist visit, my wonderful orthodontist declared an end in sight. Amen!

November 4: A decisive end to the election season
My husband and I are political junkies but still, I try to avoid discussing politics here (though I'm happy to share any/all of my own personal views offline with anyone who is interested!). However, as everyone who's been alive for the past year knows, this has been a long, hard-fought, overwhelming election cycle. I did a lot of praying over the election and one specific thing I prayed for was a final, decisive victory for whomever the new president would be. No hanging chads, no recounts, no lawsuits, no popular vote vs. electoral vote debates. I am thankful that it's over, it's decisive, and we can now look beyond November 4. This is Kat and I approve this message.

November 5: The Buddy System
Ah ha! To read about this one, you have to click on a link! My good friend Julie over at The Surrendered Scribe is taking on the NaBloPlomo challenge to blog every day in November, and she has invited guest writers to post each day on something they're thankful for. Today is my day and if you click here, you can read why I'm thankful for the buddy system. Go on, you know you want to!

More to come....

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Note: I have no idea why the headings aren't all posting as pink... they're pink in the preview and I just can't make them work. Oh well... you probably didn't even notice until I pointed it out anyway! :-)