Giving Thanks

I know it’s 5 days after Thanksgiving, and probably kind of late for me to be posting on what is probably a way-too-common topic this week, but there’s never a wrong time to think about what we’re thankful for, right?

So here goes – my list of what I’m most thankful for this year:

1) Nate

Nate’s just the best, what else can I say?



He’s my best friend, and I love the fact that I feel like we’re always working toward the future together. And even though most people think he’s pretty serious and straight-laced, I love that he’ll do whatever it takes to make me laugh (then again, I’m kind of easily amused, so maybe that doesn’t require so much effort?). Anyhow, seriously – I’m thankful that I have such a wonderful, supportive husband. I may have to pick up his underwear and clean his dirty dishes, but it’s totally worth it.

2) My family

I get a kick out of my family – we can all hang out and have a good time together on a typical day, and I think that’s something that not everyone can say. Sure, we have our moments of annoyance with each other, but we wouldn’t be family if we didn’t… I’m thankful that they’ve witnessed the majority of my bratty moments, and still love me.

3) My friends

(This is the point where it begins to look like my list of thanks is the same as everyone else’s, but I’ll continue anyways since this is for me)

I have a cool bunch of friends. I have friends that I have nothing in common with, and friends that I have everything in common with, and I learn from both. I love that I have friends who are different enough from me to challenge my thoughts and beliefs. I wouldn't be who I am without them.

4) Bailey

Otherwise known as the cutest dog in the world. Seriously….

She keeps me company when I’m lonely, and even when I’m being a loser she’s happy to see me. Who could ask for more?

5) All the other big stuff

I’m thankful that I live in Colorado, where I can do all the fun outdoorsy stuff that I love to do. I’m thankful that I have a good steady job – I may complain about it a lot, but I’ve learned a lot this year and I’m pretty fortunate to be in this position. I’m thankful that I can paint – I’m a total art geek and I love that just looking at a good painting can put me in a better mood...

I could go on for pages about what I’m thankful for, but I’ll knock it off now. It’s just nice to sit down and reflect on the fact that I have a pretty good life, because I have a tendency to get overstressed and crazy and forget about all the good things. And the good things make everything else worth it.

The Coolest Kid Ever

Since I don't have kids of my own, I have to brag about my sister's kid instead. He's got to be the coolest kid ever. Here we are, hanging out together on Halloween (he paused for 1 second to take this picture in between bouts of bouncing off the walls from a serious sugar high). Now, isn't he just the cutest?


We went and saw the new Harry Potter movie together today. My favorite moment had to be when Ron told Harry to piss off, and 4 year old Daniel turned and asked me, "Why did he say to PISS OFF??"

Procrastinating, Like Usual...

So, I had all sorts of productive things to do tonight. Instead of doing said productive things, I created a blog.

Apparently I've found a new way to procrastinate.

Seriously, my life is way too busy for this, but I was sucked in anyways... My job has been insane lately, which has had me completely frazzled. Aside from work, I'm trying to put some serious effort into developing a portfolio of my landscape paintings so that I can (hopefully!) obtain gallery representation for my work sometime next year. Outside of that, I have no life anymore - seriously. Three months ago I was in the middle of the triathlon season, in the best shape of my life, and loving it. Now I'm totally out of shape and stressed out and just hoping all this gets me where I want to be. Yet somehow I've managed to rationalize that rambling in cyberspace will make me feel better - you know, like organizing my thoughts or something.

So anyways, that's me. Now that I got that off my chest, I'm going to get my butt off the couch and start a new painting. Then I'm going to ride my bike in a last ditch attempt to cling to what fitness I have left from this past summer. Well, okay, ride my bike on the trainer inside since it's freaking snowing out. Can winter be over already?? Please?