Gratitude Challenge #28

As Thanksgiving weekend winds down, today I'm thankful for the 4-day weekend!

As much as I love my job, the 4 days away from the office are just the break that I needed. I'm saving my vacation time for my visit with my family at Christmas, so I haven't taken any days off in a while, and won't be taking any until I hop on the plane on 12/18. So, this weekend was especially precious to me.

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #27

Today, I'm thankful for my Mother's fruitcake tin of buttons.

As a kid, one of the things I never really appreciated was my Mother's talent with a sewing machine. She could sew anything from a plain dress to fancy lingere. I remember spending time in the fabic stores with her, looking through the giant McCall's and Simplicity patten books, running my fingers across bolts and bolts of material and helping her pick out 'notions' to go with whatever it was that she was making.

But, I think my favorite thing about her sewing were her buttons. She had oodles of buttons which she kept in a tin from a holidy fruitcake. I can rememer sitting for hours, sifting through the buttons, sorting them by size or by color. There were so many different shapes, colors, sizes and patterns. It seemed like an endless supply. Of course, I had my favorites, but they were all fascinating and each one had a story to tell.

Last year, when my parents visited me, my Mom brought me the fruitcake tin of buttons. I had asked her if I could have them since she was no longer sewing. I wanted to use them in my crafting projects.

What I didn't realize when I got that tin was how attached I am to those danged buttons - I haven't used one yet!!

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #26

Today, I'm thankful for my iPod and the music that's on it.

I really love music. I go to sleep with music playing each night and wake up to it each morning. I have the radio on all day in my office as background noise. When I'm home, if I'm not riveted to some mindless tv show, I've either got a cd playing orthe radio on.

But my iPod keeps me company most often when I'm on the treadmill. Walking on the treadmill has to be the most boring of all workouts. I've worked up to 30 minutes now, but boy, can those 30 minutes seem like hours. Sure, the gym has a couple of tv's that you can watch and listen to while on the equipment, but I have a hard time concentrating on the screen without tripping over my own two feet. I'm not the most coordinated of people.

When I have my iPod with me, I get lost in the music while I'm walking and don't notice how long I'm on there. My collection of music includes Cajun, Jazz, Easy Listening, Christmas and the soundtrack from Walt Disney World. I just concentrate on the music and find myself lost somewhere other than on the treadmill - either walking through EPCOT or seeing the sights around New Orleans or any number of other places.

So what do you listen to on your iPod?

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #25

Wow. It's Thanksgiving day. This year seems to have slipped away so quickly and we're in the countdown to 2009.... I find it hard to believe.

This morning, as I sit here watching the Macy's parade, I can't think of just one thing that I'm thankful for: I'm overwhelmed with emotion as many things cross my mind that I'm grateful for:

• My family: Even though we're miles apart, we're still very close. I talk to my Dad (and sometimes my Mom - if she happens to answer the phone!) just about every day. I talk to my sister Jamie quite often and I travel with my favorite Aunt, Loretta, to fun destinations (like Disney World) many times.


• My health: I have a few health issues, but thankfully, I've found the tools to keep them in check and have found the strength I need to stay focused on keeping myself moving.


• My dog: Well, what can I say? I love that little dog, no matter how annoying.


• My job: I moan and groan about going to work every day. But, in today's economy, I'm ever so thankful to have a great job in an office that has great harmony and teamwork.


• My friends: I've surrounded myself with some really wonderful women (and men!) who support me, cry with me, cheer with me and smack me on the head to keep me grounded and focused.


• My country: I was just listening to James Taylor sing "America the Beautiful" from the Macy's parade. It reminded me how lucky and privileged we are to live in this great country and have the freedom that we sometimes take for granted. The next four years are going to be exciting ones for us here with our new President and leadership.

And finally, today I'm most thankful for my "family away from home" - the Galindo family. I've been in California for 19-1/2 years now, and for 18 of the last 19 Thanksgivings, my good friends Marie and Hank Galindo have opened their home and hearts and welcomed me (and many others!) to their family celebration. The only Thanksgiving I've missed with them: 2004 when I went to Disney World with my 'real' family. Not only have I spent all these Thanksgivings with them, but many Chrstamases, Easters, birthdays, anniversaries, trips to Reno and random days with them. They truly are my family away from home.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #24

It's Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. I'm at work, and it's a pretty quiet day. The office is relatively small, with about 50 people total who work here. Today? There's probably 20 of us here.

There's always an excitement on the day before Thanksgiving. I don't know if it's because we're all anticipating our Thanksgiving celebrations or the upcoming 4-day holiday or that maybe the office will close early today... I'm guessing it's the possibility of closing early!

It's just after 11:00 and the e-mail from the managing partner and office administrator has just arrived: we can leave 2 hours prior to our normal end of day time! Yippee!!

Today, obviously, I'm thankful for the opportunity to leave the office at 3:00 instead of 5:00 - it'll make getting to my cardio strength training class much easier!

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #23

Today, I am very, very, very thankful for the contractor who's building my parents' new home.

They bought their first house in 1964 when I was just 2 years old. It was a tract home in a new subdivision in Marrero, a suburb of New Orleans. Nearly all of the other neighbors buying into that subdivision were young families with young children and it was a time when neighbors got to know each other well.

All of the kids grew up together as friends as our parents went about the business of raising a family. The houses were renovated, added on to and changed as time went on. But the biggest change for that tiny neighborhood happened on May 3, 1978. That was the day of the "Great Flood." It rained like crazy that day and the pumping system which drains rainwater from the area failed. Most of Marrero (and a lot of other parts of New Orleans) flooded. The little red brick house had 18 inches of water, and my Mom was home alone when it happened.

After that initial flood, the house took on varying amounts of water 9 times in the next 26 years. Each time, my parents cleaned, replaced, repaired and did what was necessary to keep the little red house liveable. A lot of the neighbors didn't.

Then, in 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit. While the were evacuated, the house sat in about 6 inches of water for nearly 2 weeks. While it didn't seem like much, it was enough to send it to its ultimate demise: the foundation cracked. When they returned home, they cleaned and did some minor repairs to once again keep it liveable while they tried to decide what to do.

Jefferson Parish, where they live, started a program to help homeowners raise or rebuild their flood and hurricane damaged homes. After nearly 3 years of red tape, forms, meetings, setbacks and anticipation, their day came: they got the green light to start demolition of the little red house and construction of a new, raised, hurricane-resistant house that they can live happily ever after in.

The demolition happened in a day. Then the frenzy of the construction started. Today, they were told by the contractor that they're working hard to finish the house so that they can celebrate Christmas in it this year.

And I'll be there to celebrate the first Christmas in the new family home on Warwick Drive in Marrero.

So, many, many, many thanks to Hyman Bartolo, Jr. and all of his subcontractors for working so hard to give my parents a lovely new home to spend the rest of their lives in.

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #22

Ahhhh.... the pool.

Anybody who knows me well (and has read my blog for a while) knows I hate to exercise. Oh, I do it because I know I have to. But I don't like it.

But, for several years now, I have found that water aerobics is a form of exercise that I actually LIKE. There, I said it. I LIKE it. I've taken classes at several places around the area and have found that not all pools are alike - some are freezing, some are not so clean and some are just odd. No matter which pool I go to, it's excercise.

Over the last several months, I've been dedicating myself to getting my workouts on land and had stopped going to water aerobics classes to concentrate all my efforts on 'normal' workouts. And every day I missed being in the water more and more.

So today, I called my friend and pool buddy Marie and we decided to head to the pool after work for the first time in a long time. We went to the pool at the hospital's rehab center (where they offer water aerobics classes 4 nights a week) and attended the class of one of our favorite teachers, Linda.

What a joy - even for exercise! The water was warm (a toasty 90 degrees!) and the people were friendly. While I didn't get much of an aerobic workout, I did get in some serious stretching, which felt great.

So, today I'm thankful for that warm pool at the rehab center.

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #21

Today, I am thankful that I grew into a strong, independent woman.


You see, it was 24 years ago today that I married the man that I thought I would spend the rest of my life with. I was the dutiful Southern wife, falling into a pattern that I thought was normal. Did what he wanted. Cooked and cleaned for him. Admired him and supported him in whatever he wanted to do. Then, two years later, my world came crashing down around me when he announced that he didn't want to be married to me any more, that he didn't love me and he was moving out. Needless to say, I was completely devastated.

For the next year, we fought about every single thing, including who would take care of the 2 dogs, the cat and the tank full of fish. In September of 1988, we signed the final divorce papers, and that was the end of that. For the next 8 months, I went through the days feeling sorry for myself and noticing that a lot of people I knew were taking "pity" on me as "J's ex-wife." It was more than I could take.

In May of 1989, I took my first trip to California to visit my friend Becky and her husband. They were living in a suburb of San Francisco and had invited me out because she thought I could use a break after all the turmoil of the past year. Well, I got here, fell in love with SF and the Bay Area, went on several job interviews and accepted a job with a law firm as a floater secretary. It was the first time I felt empowered as myself, not as someone's ex-wife.

I started that job on June 11, 1989. I've now been living on my own for nearly 20 years and have never looked back. I've had to do things like buy a car by myself, negotiate leases and move to new living spaces on my own; I even had to put down my first furbaby, Spike, all by myself.

Today, I think of the happiness I had in the time I knew him and how happy I was the day I walked down the aisle to become his wife. But it also makes me think of the favor he did me when he left and how it forced me to grow to be the strong, independent woman I am today.
Take that, jerk face.


Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #20

Today I am thankful for: CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!

Yippee!!!

I know - it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I don't care. I love Christmas music. I was so happy when I turned on the radio when I went to bed last night and they're already doing ongoing Christmas music until midnight on December 25. I went to sleep listening to Elvis telling my how blue his Christmas will be without me....

I don't even care if it's good Christmas music or not. I own the "Bubba Claus" cd and can sing along to "Frosty the Beer Mug." My favorite non-traditional cd: "The 12 Yats of Christmas." (sorry, if you're not from New Orleans, this one would probably be lost on ya'.)

And I can sing most every song. My friend Angela was utter shocked one night when I belted out all the verses of "Frosty the Snowman." She didn't even know there was more to the song than the first few lines.

So, sing on, fellow Christmas music lovers!!

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #19

This afternoon, I got to go on a shopping field trip for my job. I had to go to Fry's Electronics (it's the McDonald's playground for computer geeks) to purchase a pack of cd's because we had a large burning project and ran out of the little buggers.

I grudgingly went over there - now mind you, the store is located practically across the street from my office - and zipped in to grab the pack of cds and dashed to the check-out line. They have 40 checkouts! The nice thing is that you wait in one line with a greeter who keeps an eye out for which check stand is available and she (he) directs you to it. It's a very efficient system.

I was directed to checkstand #30 and as I was walking up, an older woman working the register started welcoming me and asking if I found everything I was looking for this afternoon. And she had a SMILE the size of California on her face! My transaction was short, but she had to be the most pleasant person I had ever dealt with in retail. Her voice was soothing and her eyes were kind and gentle and she seemed to enjoy her job and having a conversation with me. It's one of the few times I've actually enjoyed being at a checkstand!

So today, I'm thankful for the lovely lady at checkstand #30 at Fry's for making my day a little happier.

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #18

I'm a tv addict. Always have been. Always will be.

Tonight, I'm thankful for my tv. I love Thursday night tv. I look forward to it all week. It's the one night that I sit mesmerized by the flashing box for 3 hours. The only time I get up is when Aero needs to go outside or we need a snack refill.

That three-hour time slot on Thursdays is my veg time. I let myself get totally immersed in the show I'm watching, so I'm tuning out what happened during the day or what might be going on the next day. It's a stress-free time for me.

And besides, Aero likes the popcorn!

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #17

Today, I'm thankful for my little godchild, Adrienne.

She's the daughter of my cousin Ryan and his wife Ruth, both of whom I adore (heck, they're my landlords, too, so a little kissing up is a good thing, right?!). When they asked me to be her godmother, I was thrilled and excited that I'd be able to have a special relationship with this little girl. I was so happy the day "Miss A" was born and very proud to stand up in church the day she was baptized.

Even though they live 3 hours away, I still get to spoil her with girly goodies for just about any occasion, whether or not it calls for a gift. She's totally fun to shop for! Whenever Ruth and I chat on the phone, Adrienne always insists on talking to me and starts our conversation with "Hi Nanny Kelly!" It warms my heart so much when I hear that.

It's my hope that as Adrienne gets older (and I start turning into more of an old lady than I alreay am) she'll think it's cool to spend time with me and we can enrich each others' lives as we grow.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #16

On my drive home tonight, I saw my first Christmas lights! At first I was shocked - after all, Thanksgiving is still a week away. But then, I thought about it: who cares? They're festive! They're colorful! They made me giggle a little after a rough day at the office.



I love the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I enjoy seeing other people's decorations, listening to seasonal music and getting gifts ready. So, those few strands of lights on the front porch of a home on West Hillsdale Boulevard made me smile tonight and made me happy that it's almost my favorite time of the year!



Thanks to everyone who decorates their home with Christmas lights!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #15

Tonight, I stopped at my favorite Hallmark store on the way home to pick up some cards that I'll need over the next couple of weeks. Of course, they're all decked out for the holidays now. I spent quite a while in there, circling all the displays, taking in my pre-Christmas cheer.

One of my favorite items at that store at this time of the year are the Christmas Cookie scented candles and excitedly, I found a whole shelf full of these wonderful treats. The come in all shapes and sizes from tea lights to very large pillars. I love having them burning in the house at this time of the year - all the wonderful scent of cookies baking in the oven without all the calories. Score!

So today, I'm thankful for my end of year indulgence, Christmas Cookie candles.

Taking a deep breath and enjoying the smell....

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #14

Today I'm grateful for my "little" sister, Jamie.

Since she lives in Louisiana and I'm in California, our relationship is filled with phone calls and e-mails. Today, we talked to each other several times.

I admire her so much, even though I don't think I tell her that nearly enough. She's a devoted wife to Clif, mom to Christian and Nicholas, dog-mom to Stella and cat-mom to Thunder. She has advanced in her nursing career and is now the clinical manager of the behavioral medicine emergency room at the hospital in her hometown.

Above all else, she's got a wicked sense of humor, and just makes me laugh whenever we talk. It can be about the goofiest things - a trip to Wal-Mart or Stella chasing lizards. She can put a humorous spin on just about any situation.

I can't wait to spend time with her in person at Christmas.

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #13

I remember a song from the 70's (I think) that had a chorus that said "You gotta have friends..."

Today, I'm thankful for being able to spend a fun-filled day with two of my bestest friends - Marie and Joyce.

We totally had a girls' day out. We started with our coffee stop at Starbuck's, then on to the Harvest Festival craft show, where we spent about 3-1/2 hours roaming aisle after aisle of holiday crafts, gifts and speciality food items. We followed that with a relaxing lunch, where we laughed and giggled about things we saw at the craft show, as well as getting caught up with each other. Our final adventure was a fun-filled romp through Target, filling up the back of my CR-V with bags and bags of our purchases.

So, yeah, you gotta have friends....

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #12

Today, I'm grateful for the kindness of strangers.

I went to Michael's on my lunch hour. I was on a mission to find a couple of t-shirts for myself (I love the Jerzees shirts they carry and they're cheap - only $5.99!) and get in and out of there quickly. There was only 1 check-out stand open, and I stepped up to it about the same time as another woman. We smiled politely at each other, and I'm sure we were both thinking the same thing: who's going to jump in line first. Well, she was juggling two rather large storage containers and I was only holding 2 t-shirts, so I let her go ahead of me. I figured it wasn't a big deal, she only had the 2 items and I wasn't in that much of a hurry to get back to work.

Well, I was quite surprised when she turned to me at the end of her transaction and asked if my items were full-price - she had a 50% off coupon that expired today and couldn't use it, so she wanted to give it to me to use! I thanked her profusely and very happily used that coupon and got one of my t-shirts for $3!

My mother always told me it pays to be polite - she was so right!

Until next time,

Kel

So, I Lived to Tell the Tale

Remember last week's problems during the new cardio-strength training class I was taking? Well, I'm happy to say that this week, I lived through it without feeling like someone should be calling the cute paramedics.



YAY!



All day yesterday, I was fretting about going to the class again. I kept trying to talk myself out of it, based on last Wednesday's experience. But, I dutifully packed my bag of workout clothes in the morning and made sure I put it in my car (no excuse to miss because I don't have my stuff with me!) and bought a bottle of water at lunch time to take with me. Of course, between 3 and 5:00, I argued with myself about not going to the point that I had a headache and my stomach was churning.



At 5:00, I drove toward the gym, still arguing with myself about wanting to go home and jump in bed. I think there must have been an angel driving my car with me because I somehow managed to pull into the gym's parking lot, despite my best arguments for going home.



I wasn't thrilled to be there, but I was there nonetheless. And I sweated. And sweated. And sweated. But I didn't have any breathing issues and made it through the whole class! YAY!



So today I'm feeling like I can do this class and am excited to go back next week. Then again, ask me next Wednesday how the argument is going...



Until Next Time,



Kel

Gratitude Challenge #11

Today, I am thankful for squirrels.

Yes, I know they're just rats with furry tails. But they're cute rats with furry tails.

In the office complex where I work, there are lots of trees and naturally, lots of little furry critters. We have both gray and black squirrels that live in the trees around here, and some of them are quite friendly. There used to be one that was extremely friendly and thought she was human - we called her Chip (because she had a 'chip' missing from one of her ears). She'd stalk anyone who got out of their car to come into our building, waiting for a peanut. Or a french fry!

But, in general, squirrels just crack me up whenever I see them. They're such lively little creatures and seem to always be happily frolicking and searching for snacks. No matter how bad my day is going, seeing a squirrel outside my office window always brings a smile to my face.

Furry-tailed little rat that it is.

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #10

Today I'm thankful for my lunch hour.



Now, I know what you're thinking - "Yeah, a fat chick thankful for her lunch hour. That's a given." Well, it's not the food part that I'm thankful for.



Some days, my job really gets on my nerves, and today was no exception. Seems like everybody needs my help today. Not that I mind - I enjoy solving problems and making things work. But it's been tedious things that people have needed help with, and it seems like the same 2-3 people are particularly needy today. It hasn't stopped all day.



So, when 1:00 rolled around, I was like a kid in school, jumping up from my desk and rushing out into the crisp fall weather for recess. For one whole hour, I get to forget who needs what and not answer my phone or e-mails. It's a welcome break.



Until Next Time,


Kel

Gratitude Challenge #9

I was having a hard time thinking of something in my life that I could be thankful about today. At lunch time, I went to an appointment at the sleep disorder clinic to pick up supplies for my CPAP machine - a new mask, hose and filters. That's when it hit me: I'm very thankful for that dreadful CPAP machine.

I have sleep apnea. I'm not sure how long I've had it, but I've known that I snore when I sleep for quite some time. There are several of my friends who won't share a hotel room with me when we travel because my snoring kept them awake. I first suspected that I might have sleep apnea about a year ago. I was tired all the time, and by 2:00 in the afternoons, was practically falling asleep at my desk. I couldn't get through the weekend without taking a 3-4 hour nap each day. Soon after, I started waking up gasping for air several times a night. That was a big clue. Then one day on my way home from work, I dozed off while driving. I was on a stretch of the freeway that had a steep drop off on the right side and my car started drifting. Luckily, the car on my left saw me, and started blowing his horn at me. I was jolted back to reality and recovered without crashing my car and injuring myself or worse yet, someone else. It scared the CRAP out of me. That night I decided to go talk to my doctor.

She immediately called the sleep clinic and got the ball rolling. On my first visit, it didn't take them long to diagnose the apnea. On my second, I was fitted with the stupid mask and machine to keep me breathing during the night.

I've been using the machine for about six months now, and as I told the technician today, I have a love-hate relationship with it. I hate having to deal with putting it on every night and hate the fact that I have to use it. But, every morning, I wake up rested and refreshed and realize that I love that machine for helping me to get a full night's sleep.

So, yeah, I'm very thankful today for my CPAP, no matter how much I hate it each night!

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge #8

Today, I'd like to show my gratitude to the men and women of the United States Marine Corps. Especially since today, November 10, is the 233rd birthday of the Marines.

You're probably asking why the Marines. Well, I guess you could call me a Marine Corps brat - my Dad served in the early 60's. I could sing the Marine Corps hymn before I could recite my ABC's. I always admired my Dad's neatness, precision and iron-fisted discipline, all of which I'm guessing he got from his years in the Corps. And no matter where he goes, he always meets a fellow Marine.

I'm grateful for all the men and women who choose to serve our country, no matter what division of the armed services they choose.

But the Marines hold a special place in my heart.

Semper Fi!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge Post #7

Today, I'm thankful for quiet Sundays.

I don't get many "down" days, but today was one of those gems of a day.

We slept late - didn't get up until 9:30. That's late for Aero, who never sleeps past 7:00. Then I leisurely read the Sunday paper with breakfast. All afternoon, I watched movies and napped.

My phone didn't even ring today. At least not yet.

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge Post #6

Rain.

I love when it rains. Always have. I remember being a kid and sitting in the big window in the living room just watching the rain come down. I always enjoyed having to go out in the rain for whatever reason - umbrellas always fascinated me, and colorful raincoats were always my favorite piece of attire.

We don't get nearly enough rain here in Northern California. We go through the entire summer and part of the fall without seeing a drop of the wet stuff. But, for the last two Saturdays, we've had rainy days.

And I've been a happy camper!

Until Next Time,
Kel

Gratitude Challenge Post #5

As much as I moan and complain about exercising, today I'm thankful for 2 things.

Even though I'm a big girl, I'm thankful that I'm healthy enough to exercise to try to get healthier. It's not an easy task for me, but it gets easier each time I go to the gym. One day I'm hoping it'll be second nature and my workouts won't be a struggle.

But more than that, I owe an enormous amount of gratitude to my personal trainer, Denise. I've mentioned her in other blog entries, but she means the world to me. She pushes me beyond what I think I'm capable of, but yet knows my limits and works within those limits. She lets me grunt and groan and even laughs at my jokes about working out. Denise is an amazingly smart and of course, very fit woman who serves as an inspiration to me (and many others at the gym) all the while being one tough cookie, cracking the whip during her classes and training sessions.

Until next time,

Kel

Who Said Exercise is Good for You?

Well, cardio kick boxing ended last Wednesday. I managed to make it through 4 of the 5 classes. I missed the last one because I had to work late that night. Phooey. I hate not finishing something.

So this month on Wednesdays, the class has changed to Cardio Strength training, and Denise is teaching it. I convinced myself that I could probably do this class, so I signed up.

Oh.My.Word. What the heck was I thinking? I thought they were going to have to call the cute paramdedics last night after about 15 minutes!

I started off great. I managed to get through the warm-ups and the first round of cardio fairly easily. Score one for me for taking the cbk class. I thought the hand weight portion would be a challenge, but would be doable since we started doing the same workout that I do with Denise during PT. Well, what I didn't count on was my arms rebelling and feeling like Jell-o and not being able to lift the 10-pound weights over my head (something I normally can do). Or that I'd push myself to try to do it so hard that I thought I would puke. Or that on the way to the ladies' room, I'd start wheezing and have a hard time breathing. Yikes! That hasn't happened since June!

You wouldn't believe how fast I got back to the studio (wheezing like a kazoo) to grab that inhaler and get a couple of good puffs. I could see a concerned look on Denise's face when I grabbed it - I think she knew I was in a bit of trouble.

Once I caught my breath, what did I do? Jump right back out on the floor and keep going. Yeah, I'm a goof. I shoulda packed it up and gone home right then, but I hate giving up. I slowed down the cardio a bit and used lighter weights for the next 20 minutes, but by all that is holy I was going to finish that class!!!!!!!

I left the gym convinced that it was too hard and I should drop out.

This morning I got up, packed my workout clothes and convinced myself to go get on the treadmill tonight and build some more cardio stamina so that next Wednesday might not be as hard.

Until next time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge Post #4

You can never have too many friends in your life. And with today's technology, it's easy to meet someone who lives on the opposite side of the country from you and have her become your friend. My friend lives in Virginia, and I'm in California.

You see, several years ago I responded to a post on a scrapbooking message community (can't remember if it was Scrapshare or its predecessor!) from someone named Scrap4U. She posted asking for ideas to boost her scrapbooking home business because she worked full time and didn't have kids (two things that are unusual for scrapbooking consultants). I responded to her post because I had the same challenges running my business. I sent her my e-mail address and told her we should chat off-line.

And chat we did.

What started as a business discussion has turned into years of friendship and sharing. It's almost like we're pen pals - those of you old enough to remember the days before the internet and e-mail remember pen pals, right? Well, that's us - only we look to our electronic mailboxes each day to check up on each other.

Linda and I have a lot in common, especially our love for Disney World. She and her husband Tim get to go way more often than I do and even though I'm envious and jealous, I always revel in their joy, excitement and fun on their trips. Oh, yeah, a new thing we just discovered we have in common: mouse visitors (and we're not talking Mickey, either). Ick!

We talk on the phone occasionally on the weekends or special occasions and we've actually met once in real life! Yes, I know, the internet is full of axe murderers and stalkers, but we've both lived to tell the tale and look forward to the next time we can hang out in WDW together.

So today, my gratitude is to Linda for being not only my 21st century pen-pal, but my confidant, shoulder to cry on, sounding board, voice of reason and most of all, my friend.

Until next time,

Kel

The Gratitude Challenge - Post # 3

I think that little face says it all. I'm grateful for my little dog and companion, Aero. He's a sweet little guy, weighing in at exactly 3 pounds. He's not exactly a puppy any more at 13-1/2 years old. You'd never know it by just looking at him.

Each day when I leave for work, he sits on the opposite end of the couch from the front door with his back to me and a pouty look on his face, like I'm abandoning him for the rest of his life. But each evening, when I return, no matter what time it is, he's waiting at the front door wagging his tail and barking, as if to tell me how much he missed me all day.

And when we spend time together, he's very affectionate, giving more puppy kisses than any one human deserves (or would want!).

Now that he's in his twilight years, I'm so grateful for every day that I've had the little guy for the last 11-1/2 years (he was a rescue and I adopted him when he was 2). He spends more and more time sleeping each day, and I know his time is short with me. I really don't have a good way to show my gratitude to him other than to make him comfortable, give him great food and treats, and most of all, just love him for being my best friend.

Until next time,

Kel

Did You Get YOUR Sticker Today?

Okay, I know a sticker isn't a big deal. A free cup of coffee or a donut or some ice cream, now there's a prize for getting out of bed before the crack of dawn to stand in line for 30 minutes before the polls opened here in California.

But, I'm a scrapbooker and stickers are a big deal. I was insulted when I finished my vote and had to ask for my "I Voted" sticker. But by gosh, I got it.

And the funny thing is, when I got to work, the managing partner of my office asked me if I had voted before he said good morning. I proudly showed him my badge of honor (which looks exactly like the one above, only "I Voted" is written in English, Spanish and Chinese) and said "Yep, I was there when the polls opened." He looked a little disappointed and said "I wonder why you got a way cooler voting sticker than I got..." His was just a red circle with white "I Voted" lettering. I didn't have a clue.

So, did you get YOUR sticker today? I don't care who you vote for or where you live or which ballot measures you support. Just go out and get your sticker and make a difference. There's still time - it's only 6:00 p.m. on the East Coast.

Oh, and so far, I'm the only one in the office with the cool sticker!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Gratitude Challenge Post #2

Today, I'd like to express my gratitude to the people in America's history who made this great country what it is today.

This morning at my polling place I got to see democracy at its best. I arrived at 6:30 a.m. (the poll opened at 7:00) and secretly did the happy dance at my coveted #7 spot in line. For whatever reason, everyone there seemed excited and chatty for so early in the morning. I did listen intently to a conversation between a elderly gentleman and the young woman in line behind him as they talked about the voting process.

You see, the gentleman was in his 80's and was proud to say he was voting in his fifteenth presidential election. He proudly boasted of his voting record through the last sixty years and how he always votes early on the morning of election day. He's lived in many places throughout his life and has seen many changes in the voting process over the years. He was quite the storyteller, and all of us in line were mesmerized by his wit and charm.

And the young woman? She turned 18 in July and immediately registered to vote, making this her first presidential election. She was so proud to be there, but yet expressed how nervous she was that she'd make the right choices when her turn to vote finally arrived.

The two of them managed to get voting machines side by side and when they were both finished, the man hugged her and she cried tears of happiness.

Where else in the world can you see such a moving display of patriotism so early in the morning???????

Until next time,
Kel

The Gratitude Challenge

I love a good challenge. That's why when I read Midnite Scrapper's blog challenge, I knew I had to join in the fun.

This month I challenge all of you, my blogging friends, to post a gratitude post daily. If possible, post a picture to go along with it!

So here's my first gratitude post. Thanks, Sherry, for putting out this challenge.

As I got up this morning and started my usual morning routine, I started my usual morning grumbling, too. It was a typical case of the Monday morning blues - I hate to get up early. I hate the way my hair turned out. I hate my clothes. I hate my commute. I hate my job. I hate the building I work in. Yeah, it was just one of those grumpy mornings for me.

But, as I sit here in my really nice office (yes, I have an office!) and answer e-mails that had accumulated over the weekend, the grumpiness dissipates and I realize that I don't really hate getting up early or hate my commute or the building I work in. My hair and my clothes? Well, it depends on the day and how it all comes together. And my job? No, I don't really hate my job. I rather enjoy it - most days. I love problem solving, and being the local IT geek, I get to spend lots of time solving problems for other people. I learn something new every day and feel like my life is enriched by interacting with people not only here in this office, but through my communications with my peers throughout the firm all over the world.

Today, I'm thankful for my job. I'm particularly thankful that I still have a job in today's economy!

Until Next Time,
Kel