Be Thankful Challenge Complete

Today is the last day of the be thankful challenge.  Surely it is not the last day to be thankful though.  Since it is the last day of November, I would like to go above and beyond one thing in which I am thankful.  I want to tell you how thankful I am for this life I was given.  Each day I am reassured how lucky I am. Through the friends and family I have, the environment I live, the places I am able to work, the opportunities I am given, and the people who support me no matter what crazy idea I may have, I am terribly thankful for it all.  And you know what?  That's enough.

What I want to say is, this life we are given is flooded with great things.  Wonderful, even.  And sometimes, it may seem difficult.  Things may not go your way and being thankful may be the last thing on your mind.  I just hope you won't completely forget to be thankful each day.  There is always something in which to be thankful.  Always someone to whom you can be thankful.  And you know what?  That's enough.

So as you go into the month of December, feel free to be thankful.  Be grateful.  Be happy.  Be satisfied.  And you know what?  That's enough.

          Best, 

                 Anne

In between holidays

I sort of cannot believe we just celebrated Thanksgiving.  I mean, I was there.  I ate.  I slept.  I saw family.  I thanked.  I cleaned up Rafa's pee 20+ times. Yet, I still cannot believe it was here and then there in no time at all.

I have a sneaky feeling I will be saying the same thing once Christmas rolls around.  In between holidays can be such a blur, but I'm going to try to make each day productive.  There is a lot to be done before Christmas and a lot that can happen.  I suppose that is what keeps it interesting.

So I thought you may need some ideas in the meantime. I have created a list for you.  I even checked it twice.

• Send a letter or a card
• Take pictures of your favorite meal
• Vacuum 
• Turn off all of your lights for an entire day
• Wave to someone when you know they are waving to someone else
• Participate in some arts and crafts 
• Call a friend
• Pray for snow
• Shop for holiday gifts online
• Walk around Williams-Sonoma because you will want to bathe in that Sonoma-aroma
• Adopt a dog (just a suggestion)
• Go on a long walk with a dear friend
• Make homemade pizza
• Attend a concert
• Get a job
• Watch a holiday movie
• Go up in the space needle (well, you'll have to visit, won't you?)

So that should help pass the time.  Try them all out or just try several.  Please at least vacuum...

         Best, 

                Anne

Be thankful challenge: I'm thankful for festive lights that line the streets. 

New day

Despite the fact that Monday is not always the best day, it does refresh me somehow.  It seems every week goes by fast once they are over, so I assume this will be no different.  What are you doing this week to refresh?  Sleeping more?  Exercising more?  Eating healthy?  Drinking water? Smiling more?  I hope you do all of the above.  We can check back at the end of the week to make sure you did.

Have a wonderful Monday and a delightful rest of the week.  We'll make it through.

image via Pinterest

      Best,  

              Anne

Be thankful challenge: I am thankful for tights! 

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.