Thanksgiving Project – Wine and Chocolate

You know the phrase, “wine and roses”? Well it is wine and chocolate to me.

And after the day I have had, plus this crazy cold windy weather, I need them both. Not necessarily in that order. I can have chocolate while I work. I’m pretty sure it would be frowned upon if I popped a cork in the middle of the office.

So, I’ve had some M&M’s (my first choice chocolate) to get me by until I can get home and have a glass of wine (dinner optional).

Maybe I should just stop and get a bottle of chocovine (the best of all worlds).

So today I’m thankful for chocolate to help me get through a tough day at work. And I’m thankful for wine in the evening to take the edge off.

Thanksgiving Project – “inside” jokes

I love to laugh. Not just a smile and little chuckle. No, I really love to laugh. Belly laughs. The kind where it just makes you feel good all over. I’m lucky to have several friends that can laugh with me…and sometimes even at me.

Last night I enjoyed one of those nights filled with giggles and laughs with friends. It just lightens my mood the next day.

But I think the best reason to laugh last night was this. You know that Carnival cruises is known for their cute towel menagerie that your steward leaves for you every night. Well, I was staying at a friend’s house last night. On my bed was a towel serpent. My host took the time to not only create this, but even added eyes and a forked tongue. And it had special meaning since my daughter has several snakes which I cringe over all the time.

That definitely provided me a belly laugh. I’m so thankful for friends like that who ‘get me’. I’m also thankful for the laughs.

Thanksgiving Project – No Numbers Please

I am sooooo thankful that I don’t have to spend a lot of time looking at numbers. I am definitely not an accountant. Numbers give me a headache. And I have spent most of today looking at spreadsheets full of numbers.

So I guess today it is okay to be thankful for what I’m not. Otherwise I would be a total failure and have a perpetual headache.

Thanksgiving Project – Music

Today I don’t feel particularly thankful. But I’m sure there has to be something…even a little thing…that I’m thankful for. Let me think a second.

I haven’t laughed today. Come to think of it, I’ve hardly talked to anyone today. Our phone at work did not ring even once (except when we called it to make sure the phones were working). It is especially dreary and gloomy today. Just a blah day I guess. In fact, the most colorful thing about today is the picture I put up with this blog.

But I’m really thankful for music today. Thanks to a friend, I found a great Spotify channel that is just perfect for a day like today – Music to Read By. Or, as I prefer to call it Music to Keep Me Awake without being Obnoxious and Loud.

Seriously, I do find that music soothes my soul (or the savage beast). It helps pass the day a bit. Of course, it would be better if the sun was shining (everything is better with sunshine).

Thanksgiving Project – Movies and Books

I love good movies. I would go to the theatre every day if I could. Somehow it is different at the theatre than watching a movie at home. If you know me, you know I never turn on the television. I rarely rent movies. But I go out to see movies every chance I get.

And I read books…lots of books. I just finished Private Berlin. It was good. And immediately started Bel Canto. Barnes & Noble had that one for $1.99. It had been on my wish list for quite awhile now. I’m really enjoying it. But my “to read” list just continues to grow.

Rarely does a movie meet my expectations if I have read the book though. In fact, if I have seen the movie and liked it, I know I will enjoy the book so much more. Yesterday, I went to see Anna Karenina. I read the book back when I was in high school (or maybe it was college). Either way, it has been quite a long time since I’ve read the book. I downloaded it last night so as soon as Bel Canto is finished, I can read it.

I am thankful that my parents encouraged me to read. And that I have such a love of reading today.

Thanksgiving Project – Errand Day

Today was errand day. I hate to shop. But today I needed to run errands that included a small bit of shopping. Stopped to spend some time with my dad. He isn’t much of a talker so the burden is more on me to keep the conversation going. Luckily I am a talker so it really isn’t a problem.

But then it was time to do a bit of shopping. Today I really was in the mood. Not sure why. Maybe because I didn’t feel pressure to get tons done. Anyway, I stopped at Vera Bradley to look t the new bag I’ve had my eye on. And I absolutely love the bag design. But, the magnet on the flap wasn’t very strong. The sales clerk and I checked them all. Not only were they all like that, but thy weren’t like that on any other style bags. So, I need to think about it a little bit.

But as I was leaving Jefferson Pointe, I was overcome with the urge to stop in several stores. I couldn’t then though since I was committed to meeting friends.

But I did get all my errands done. Thankfully I had a list. But today I am thankful for getting all my errands run in a non rushed day. I’m also thankful that I took a nap today. Of course, it was after I had been up for only an hour. But a nap is a nap. And this one was two hours. And I really didn’t sleep well last night so it was much needed.

Thanksgiving Project – Clean House

There is nothing like going home to a clean house, especially one that I didn’t have to clean.

Now, if you know me at all, you know that I’m pretty fanatical about a clean house. I get nervous when my house isn’t clean. And I spend a lot of time keeping it clean. But, it is hard when I work all week. And really, I like to clean my house – it makes me feel good. I always thought that if I really needed a job, I would clean houses because I really do like it. But not after working hard all week – I need some downtime.

I’ve been asking Warren for years now to get someone in to clean the house. He has always insisted that it is a waste of money – and I needed him to pay for half of getting it cleaned. Of course, he’s retired and doesn’t lift a finger to help me clean the house. But a few weeks ago when I wasn’t feeling well, I asked him to clean the bathroom. He came out later huffing and puffing and said “we need to have someone come in and clean”.

Well, I jumped on that instantly. I asked my facebook friends for recommendations and within less than a week, I had interviewed three people. Warren was pleased with the price (as was I). And yesterday, Angie started cleaning my house.

So, I got to go home from work to a clean house and it was WONDERFUL! Today, I’m thankful that my house is clean – but especially, that I didn’t have to take time to do it. Oh, but I will do the “special” things that only get done once in awhile. You know, the things you never have time to do. Well, now I will have the time to do them 🙂

Thanksgiving Project – Routine

So after yesterday and my blog about electricity issues, I decided I was thankful today for a routine morning. Well, routine as it could be since I got up extra early for a meeting.

But really, I know I’m thankful for electricity. Just take it away and everybody is grateful when they get it back. But just being able to have an uneventful, boring, routine morning is good. I like change. I like mixing things up. I don’t like starting my day like that.

Thanksgiving Project – Electricity

Wow! I have certainly had quite a morning.

I was in the shower when the the bathroom lights got very dim. That should have been a sign. But no, I forged ahead and put shampoo in my hair. Of course, that was when the well pump quit pumping water.

Instantly I became frantic. So, I’m running around the house with nothing but a towel around me and suds in my dripping hair. No water anywhere. Finally, I knew I had no choice but to use bottled water to rinse my hair. Do you have any idea how cold bottled water is that is stored in a 35 degree garage?????? Well, it certainly woke me up. I am pretty sure I didn’t get all the shampoo rinsed out….plus no conditioner. It was not pretty trying to comb out my tresses.

Okay, so the lights are still dim and my hair is wet. But I could at least get dressed and put on my face….and brush my teeth with more bottled water.

So, I decided to try and use my hair dryer. I mean, the lights kinda worked so why not. Well, the hir dryer kinda worked too. It never got hot and even on high it was about half power of the low setting. I at least got it mostly dry. But of course that is still a long way from styled. So, I gathered up my styling appliances and headed off to my office.

I might mention that I had a campaign meeting first thing today. In 14 years of doing this job, I have never canceled a meeting. I have gone sicker than sick, but never had to cancel. This morning I was very tempted. But I made it. I do feel very un-put-together though.

We still have enough power to kinda have lights (very dim lights). Not enough to run the well pump. Not enough to run the fan on the furnace. And it is 10 degrees! The gas fireplace uses way too much propane, but it will at least keep the pipes from freezing.

So, today, I’m so thankful for something I didn’t have – electricity. We take it for granted that when we flip a switch the lights will come on – when we turn on the faucet, water will magically start running out of the pipes – and that the furnace will work.

Just got an update. The electric company is there now. It seems it is their problem and they have a crew there and they are hoping to avoid trenching up the yard. All I know is I need electricity.

Thanksgiving Project – My Garage

It is bitter cold this morning. Thermometer registered at ZERO, but the wind chills have been -10 to -16 degrees. Not sure if it feels any colder at -14 than it does at -4 though. They are both unbearable. I hate cold.

But today I am especially thankful that I have a garage to park in. No scraping and the car is at least a little warmer than it would be if it was sitting outside. It isn’t a heated garage, but I’m okay with that. The temp in the garage this morning was 35 degrees. But way better than 0 degrees.