Thursday, November 10, 2011

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 10

Today, I'm thankful for the men and women of the United States Marine Corps.

I've grown up knowing that November 10th is the Marine Corps Birthday, so Happy 236th Birthday Marines!!

Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for those who serve or have served in any branch of the military but I grew up under the strict, watchful eye of a Marine so I have a special place in my heart for them all.

SEMPER FI

Until Next Time,

Kel

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 9

Okay, you knew this was coming.

Today, I'm thankful for the little brown squishy dog, Max.  Or Maxy, as I like to call him.

Yep, he's the best therapy and so much cheaper than a shrink.  He's always happy to see me (wagging that long tail furiously when I get home), loves to just hang out on the couch (or under the blankie now that it's chilly) and is one heck of a doggy kiss giver.

And he's a nut, dragging blankets across the floor, chasing balls, throwing his squeaky toy around.  His antics are quite amusing.

Brown squishy dog is a girl's best friend.

Until Next Time,


Kel

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 8

Today, I'm thankful for my "work" friends who insist that I go out to lunch with them.

Most days, my job is so nutty that I barely get a chance to have lunch and these guys watch me running around like a chicken with my head cut off all day long.

Mid morning, Marc and Ellie said they wanted me to join them at a great downtown hangout, The Royal Exchange, for a lunch where I'd actually get to sit at a table and be waited on.  How could I resist?

So, thanks to Marc and Ellie for watching out for me in the office and making sure I get a break and some real food every once in a while!

Until Next Time,

Kel

P.S.  If you're wondering what I had, it was the Black and Blue Steak Salad - gorgeous salad with lots of greens, finely chopped tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese crumbles and a well-done, thinly sliced grilled piece of steak.  Yummy!!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 7

Wow - the cooler weather is finally here!  Today, I'm thankful for the cooler-than-usual weather we're having!

Now, don't get me wrong - the weather in the San Francisco Bay Area is hardly ever "not nice."  It's part of the reason I moved here.  But we've recently had some warm weather and some humid days that have driven me nuts and worn me out so the cool, crisp fall weather is fabulous!  I feel like I've got more engergy and am not as crabby as usual and today's Monday!!!

Happy Fall, Y'all!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 6

Today I'm thankful for the extra hour of sleep each fall when wen roll back the clocks by an hour.

For whatever reason, I always wake up with an extra shot of energy the morning after and sem to get a lot done.  Today, for example, I pulled out everything from the bathroom cabinet and cleaned the shelves, threw out old and outdated stuff, reorganized it, then washed down the walls and all the stuff in there in addition to the regular Sunday bathroom cleaning.  Then, it was on to the bedroom, doing the same thing and changing linens, organizing the dresser, etc.

Now I'm pooped.

I'm sure that by tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. I'll be annoyed with the time change, because I hate leaving work after dark... But for today, I'm thankful for the time change and extra energy to clean!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Day 5

Today, I'm thankful for the rain.

Living in New Orleans most of my life, I was used to seeing rain on most days of the year.  It was quite a shock when I moved to San Francisco and it seems to only rain in the winter months.  Oh, we do get the occasional odd rainstorms throughout the year, but about this time of year, the 'rainy season' starts.

Tonight there was a pretty heavy downpour and I turned down the volume on the tv so I could listen to the sound of the rain hitting the skylight.  It was very comforting and relaxing.

We need the rain and I can't wait to see the hills turn green again!

Now if I could just get Maxy over his fear of the rain....

Until Next Time,

Kel

Friday, November 4, 2011

Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Day 4

FRIDAY. 

Yes, I'm thankful for FRIDAY.

Big ol' TGI FRIDAY!!!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Day 3

I don't know why I didn't know this, but today was my Grandpa Gerding's (my Dad's Dad) birthday.

I'm thankful for the years I got to spend with my Grandpa, who was a very smart and talented man.  He worked forever at the shipyard and when he was home, had a beautiful vegetable garden in his back yard and was an avid wood worker. 

He had his "shed" in the back yard which was filled with tools and wood and paint and metal and sawdust everywhere.  He made things like birdhouses, wine racks, kid's toys, wooden vases and flowers (yes, he actually crafted flower out of wood!). 

I remember loving to go into his shed and watch him work on his projects - guess that's where I got my love of handcrafted projects from!  I can still remember the smell of the sawdust on the floor in there and the day he taught me how to use the wood lathe.

Thanks, Grandpa, for teaching a girl that it's ok to use power tools!

Until Next Time,

Kel

Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Day 2

It's November 2 and there's only one person I think about all day:  GRANNY.



Today, she would have celebrated her 100th birthday.

I'm so thankful that I was fortunate enough that she was in my life until 6 years ago.  Not many people my age have a grandparent around when they're in their mid-40's.  She taught me so much, even after I moved to California. 

I cherish the time that I was able to spend with her, even if it was only on our weekly phone call.

Happy Birthday Granny!!!  I hope in Heaven today there's a giant fais-do-do in your honor.

Until Next Time,

Kel

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Day 1

I'm thankful for my 'scrappy' friend Sherry. 

We met online as members of a scrapbooking community, and finally met in person a couple of years ago at a weekend scrapbooking retreat.  I always enjoyed reading Sherry's posts on the scrapbooking board, but in person, her bubbly personality lit up the room and I imediately counted her among my friends.

I'm starting my month of thankfulness with Sherry because she inspires me in so many ways, even though she may not know it.  She's a wonderful wife and mother to 4 beautiful kids, a truly creative crafter (who shares my love for all things Stickled) and a woman of strong faith.  I could go on, but you get the picture.

I {heart} Sherry and would like to be like her in so many way.

So, thanks Sherry, for challenging me to be a better person in so many ways, and for encouraging me to get back to blogging.  And for starting this challenge all those years ago.

Until Next Time,
Kel

Monday, October 31, 2011

Trying to Make a Comeback

Wow.  August 2010.  When I last updated this blog, I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new four-legged furry friend, Max.

Let's get a little caught up.


Max, or "Maxy" as I like to call him, arrived safe and sound by plane.  He was nervous the first night, but has settled in quite nicely.  It's like we've been friends for his entire life.  He turned two this last August.

Anyway, the last 15 months have been interesting.  That's why I've been ignoring my blog.  I'm going to make an effort to visit and update more often, and November is a great place to start.

A few years ago, my scrappy friend Sherry issued a blog challenge:  write about something you're thankful for each day in November.  I enjoyed the challenge in the years that I participated and after exchaning emails with Sherry recently, I realized that November is coming and that this was the perfect way to revive the blog.

So, here's my goal:  posting something that I'm thankful for each day in November.  And, along the way, I'll post some updates about major stuff that's happened while I've been the invisible woman.  And maybe some social commentary or other such nonsense.

Thank you if you're reading and I hope to hear from you in a comment!!

Until Next Time,

Kel