Dear Kobe,

Thank you for knowing exactly what I wanted for Christmas.  I am going to spend all of Christmas day devoted to you. 

      Best, 

             Anne

Be thankful challenge: I am thankful I am not actually running the Seattle Marathon today but I am proud of every single person who is running!  To my friend Alex---good luck! 

Black Friday

Exhausted me.

       Best,
              Anne

Be thankful challenge: I know I missed yesterday. I think it's clear from the post that I was unable to blog. I am thankful that Black Friday is over and I'm most thankful for the NBA. See you on Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

To the people in my life who make me smile,

Thanks. For everything. I'm truly thankful to have you in my life. I'd be lost without you.

 

Have an absolutely memorable day! 

     Best, 

             Anne

Turkey day, it is not.

I do not call Thanksgiving "Turkey Day."  Yes, typical vegetarian, but really.  Why does everyone call it Turkey Day?  Sure, it may be your main course but are you also calling Christmas "Ham Day?" (Is that the main course on Christmas? I never know. Our family may be less traditional in that sense).  My point is that it's really not all about the turkey.  It's not about the football.  It's not about the excess of eating.  To me, it's about being thankful and spending time with those closest to you.  Do not get me wrong...I love the football (at 9:30 a.m. PST) and the eating SO MUCH.

For the third year, I will not be home for Thanksgiving.  It truly does not get easier.  I will always miss our traditions at home and the simplicity of it all.  I have so many images in my mind from previous Thanksgivings, all of which make my heart a little bit sad knowing that I'm not there to re-live and create such fond memories.  Holidays are tough away from home.  Really tough.  Knowing that your family is thinking it's just as tough is enough to make it through together...while separated.

My Thanksgiving will not lack all family, just the ones who share my last name.  I am certainly lucky to spend the holidays with relatives in Washington, both old and new!  Sure, it won't be the same, but I promise it will be a new holiday celebration for us all and gosh, we will make it fun!

We're off to Bellingham for a couple days!  I'm pretty excited for any chance to get away and spend some time with people who make me smile.  As for Rafa, I hope he can handle all of the commotion without being a little turkey.

So here we are.  All of us.  We may not be with everyone we cherish but we can certainly make it known that our lives would be missing something invaluable without them.  You do not have to be together to say that.  You do not have to be together to be thankful.  You do not have to be together every holiday.  It sure would be nice though, wouldn't it?

        Best, 

               Anne

Be thankful challenge:  I'm thankful that it's not Black Friday...yet.

I am alright with being the worst at...

keeping a straight face.

        Best, 

               Anne

Be thankful challenge:  I am thankful Tuesday and Van Morrison.

Okay.

I am thankful for finding this.

       Best, 

              Anne

Sleepy

Have you ever gone to bed at 11 p.m. and found yourself awake until 3 a.m.?  I honestly don't encounter such crazy difficulties in sleeping but I did last night.  Sometimes I get nervous.  Extremely nervous.  I have been all weekend in anticipation for Monday.  I'm not sure how these nerves get the best of me, but they certainly have more power.  As I was sitting in my room for four sleepless hours, I decided to be productive.  I did some research, listened to music, and tried to fall asleep 12 times.  I focused on editing my marathon training program that is starting in one week!  Technically it should have started 3 weeks ago but that's neither here nor there.  Take a look!

images via Pinterest

        Best,  

               Anne

Be thankful challenge: I am thankful for warm blankets!