Day 18: R

Click here to visit Lindsey's blog, my inspiration.

Well, we are winding down on our 26 days of gratitude, but we still have several more to go! I think I shall be sad when these postings stop {what will I write about???}, but I'll keep them near and dear to my heart, looking forward to next year.

Today I am grateful for roses -- especially the roses Jed has been sending me for Valentine's Day every year. He has been really good about giving me flowers since we started dating again and he knows I love them, and he's been even better about sending me roses for Valentine's Day. This is the bouquet he sent me two years ago (18 GORGEOUS roses in three colors! I couldn't even fit them all in the vase).

I know he doesn't quite understand why they make me so happy, but I'm grateful for them anyway. Roses are a romantic flower; they are probably the most common flower used for weddings. They're delicate but complex and multi-layered. They come in such beautiful, vibrant colors. All of these are reasons I love roses, and that they are my favorite flower.

Nothing cheers me up more than receiving roses. Even if it's only a single red stem. A rose always puts a smile on my face. I stop and smell them in the grocery store or at florist shops. I admire them growing in the wild. They are, simply, stunning.

{All images via weheartit.com, except for top two.}

Day 17: Q

Apologies, but I can't seem to upload images tonight, so this is going to be a rather text-heavy post.

This is one of my absolute favorite things; today I'm thankful for quotes.

As a writer, even more as a reporter, I've learned to value quotes. All through college, I collected them as if they were rare antiques, jotting them in my journal whenever I found one that inspired me or described how I was thinking or feeling. Some came in handy when I was at a loss for words in an assignment for class. Others inspired me to start that assignment, or just to keep going. Some encouraged hope, others comforted in times of pain and sorrow.

It's amazing what others' words can do for us, to us. So, I'd like to share some quotes from back then with you. I hope they touch you as they have touched me.

There is a voice inside you, that whispers all day long. I feel this is right for me, I know this is wrong. No teacher, preacher, parent, friend, or wise man can decide, what's right for you -- just listen to the voice that speaks inside.

~ Shel Silverstein

Sometimes is never quite enough

If you're flawless, then you'll win my love

Don't forget to win first place

Don't forget to keep that smile on your face

~ Alanis Morissette

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive,

and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.

~ Anais Nin

The stars they shine

In an empty void

Life is not to fear

Life is to enjoy

~ Third Eye Blind

CARPE DIEM, BOYS! SEIZE THE DAY! MAKE YOUR LIFE EXTRAORDINARY!

~ DEAD POETS SOCIETY

You have built castles in the air,

now put foundations under them.

~ Thoreau

It's all right letting yourself go as long as you can get yourself back.

~ Mick Jagger

We should be careful

to get out of an experience

only the wisdom that is in it.

~ Mark Twain

You gain strength, courage and confidence

by every experience by which you really stop to look fear in the face.

You are able to say to yourself,

"I lived through this horror.

I can take the next thing that comes along."

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Whatever you are doing, love yourself for doing it. Whatever you are feeling, love yourself for feeling it.

~ Thadeus Golas

Try to find your voice and your art,

because it comes from your own experiences,

your own pain.

~ Amy Tan

Days 14,15,16: N, O & P

Click the image to visit Lindsey's blog

This is my catch-up post. I was tempted to be lazy and skip it, but I didn't want to fall THAT far behind! Plus, I like to think that sharing my gratitudes with you helps you as well as me.

via

Ok, so I'm watching the Pats game from yesterday now -- had to DVR it since I had plans last night. I heard the score on the radio this morning when the alarm went off, so I knew how it ended, but watching it, I honestly couldn't figure out how they got there... until about two minutes ago. I called the plays for the rest of the game; let's see if I'm right.

{Update: I was right.}

via

So, obviously, despite their loss, I'm grateful for my New England Patriots (this counts as "N"). Without them, countless Sundays and Monday nights would have been such a bore. {Don't even say I could have done something more valuable with them; it would have been boring in comparison!} They give me something to be passionate about when I'm at a loss for passion. They inspire me to be great. To work out. To learn about the game and speak intelligently with fellow followers. And then there's the men. Oh the men...

For "O," I chose oceanside.

via WeHeartIt

I now consider myself lucky to live in the Ocean State because I love the ocean. I'm not quite oceanside, but it's never far in this state... or in most of New England really. Within an hour, I'm strolling on seaside sand, hearing the waves caress the shore. I could never live in the middle of the U.S. where I'm miles and miles and miles from the ocean.

While I love tropical beaches the best, there is something to be said for the New England shoreline. It's not the warmest water or the softest sand or the cleanest beaches, but it's calm. Especially this time of year, the seashore is such a serene place.

Finally, for "P" I'm choosing paperbacks.

via

Where would we readers be without paperbacks? They have made literature and non-fiction available to the masses. They are cheap. They are dispensable should you regret your selection. They are ultra-portable. They are easy to hold and read nearly anywhere. I'll invest in a quality hard-cover for a book I'm going to keep forever, but the majority of my library is paperbacks picked up on a whim.

Do it now!

Got your attention, didn't I?

Well, this is important.

Seems like Perricone giveaways are all the rage these days.

And, in case you've missed out, I'm letting you know about a great one.

Appropriate for all ages and skin types.

So, go ahead, click the image.

You know you want to.

Days 12 & 13: L & M

Happy Friday the 13th fellow bloggers! I hope you are all having a good day and not feeling the curse. These are always good days for me, and today is no exception.

I missed out on yesterday's Thanksgiving post, so I'm doing two-in-one today!

Click the image to visit Lindsey's grateful posts!

As for me I'd like to thank my lucky stars that
I'm alive and well... ("I'm Alive" by Kenny Chesney, featuring Dave Matthews)

via weheartit

I am so thankful for life; like health, I often forget what a precious gift it is. As the song above states, it's not always easy, it's not always pretty, it's not always fun, but that doesn't mean it is not something to be treasured and thankful for.

So when life gets hard, do as Kenny does, and just be grateful that you're alive... and well.

And, for today, I am thankful for Morris!

My little Lhasa Apso puppy is hiding from you in a blanket on the couch. Hehehe... it's not really a puppy anymore, but I still call him one.

I was NEVER a dog person; I didn't grow up with one because my mother is deathly allergic. My friends had dogs, but I always felt they were dirty, and secretly, I was slightly afraid of them. That is, until this little guy came along. Funny how he MADE me a dog person; I am SUCH a dog person now. I stop every dog I walk by to say hi and pet him. I get excited when I see dogs as I'm driving along. I ignore the dirt, and Morris goes on the couch, sleeps in my bed, and licks my face. I love doggy kisses.

So, I guess while I'm so grateful for Morris coming into my life, I'm also so thankful that he opened up my world to dogs in general. I still don't like shedding, and I still don't appreciate drooling, but I do love dogs.

Grateful Day 11: K

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Today I am thankful for my kitchen.

The kitchen is what sold me on our house. I liked the rest of the house, but I LOVED the kitchen. As far as a first-home-buying experience goes, this kitchen was perfect. The cabinets and hardware are beautiful but simple. The color of the countertops complement the wood perfectly. The island, which the previous owners left for us, fits in just right and offers some extra prep space (not that I really need any) and storage. The professional series stainless steel appliances all match, and they have all the bells and whistles Jed was looking for. The "hardwood" floor isn't really hardwood, but laminate, which stands up to liquid spills and cleans much easier.

The double window over the sink faces East, letting in the morning sunlight, and the opposite side opens to the dining room on one side and the living room on the other -- perfect for entertaining. We have more cabinet space than we can use, and there's room to put a small cafe table, if we wanted an eat-in kitchen.

See the border on the backsplash? Those roosters? That is the only thing I want to change. It will, eventually, be redone with glass tiles. And maybe granite countertops. Maybe.

What are some things I would look for in my next kitchen? First of all, more light. While we get some light through the window, that is the only window in the room, and I like a bright kitchen. I'd also like a pantry so all the food is in one place, which means I could do with less cabinets, but I love all my counter space, so I wouldn't want to lose that. I'd also have a professional stove hood with a powerful (but quiet) fan. The fan we have above our stove is in the bottom of the microwave, and it kinda sucks. Or not... not the way it's supposed to. I think that's about it though. Oh, and maybe a double sink. That would be cool.

Grateful Day 10: J

Click the image to check in with Lindsey

I have been waiting for this day since I started this little journey with Lindsey. This is one thing that I need to remind myself to be thankful for every moment because it is so precious, and unfortunately, to easy to take for granted. It hasn't been easy all the time, but it's definitely something worth fighting for.

I am thankful for Jed -- my boyfriend. Doesn't he look cute in that suit? The only way I could get his picture was to sneak when he wasn't looking.

One of my favorite things about him is that I can be myself around him. I've known him for over 10 years, and there's a certain comfort and familiarity that comes with that. He's seen my goofy side, my depressed side, my angry side, my frustrated side, my determined side, my loving side, and sometimes I think he sees sides of me that even I don't see.

He is my travel buddy. We've been on so many adventures together: trips across the country, cruises, business trips, weekend trips, road trips. I'm looking forward to so many more!

And it's so fun to share new experiences with him. He's convinced me to try things I never thought I would: see ATV trek above and riding a Segway (which I was actually better at than he was!).

There's a special bond between us that I don't think either of us can let go of; it keeps bringing us together.

He is, and has been for a long time, my best friend. He's showed me the light when I was in the dark, he takes care of me when I'm sick, he teaches me new things, he listens to me and gives me advice, and he confides in me. The only thing he doesn't do is hold my hair back when I'm sick... eek.

Yeah, he's my lover boy too. *wink* *giggle* He's not the most romantic guy you've ever met, but he's sweet in his own subtle way, and he'll surprise me with those dreamy romantic moments when I least expect them.

And let's not forget the families. My mother has been rooting for him from day one, and the rest of my fam really loves him too. His parents are wonderful to me, and they are always there for us when we need some help around the house or someone to watch the dog while we sail away to paradise.

And let's not forget the things he does for me that he HATES! For instance, not only buying me tickets to see Kenny Chesney for my birthday, but coming with me to an entire country music festival... and sorta pretending to enjoy it... = )

He hates humoring me, but there are times when he'll "do it for me." Like helping me clean the house, or cuddling with me before we go to bed, or rubbing my back when it's sore.

To my Jed: You're my man, my love, my best friend. You're my one and only from day one. I love you with all my heart -- even when I'm yelling at you.