Category: Thankful Thursday

Write A Fan Letter.

Dear Susannah Conway,

Your methods of unraveling life are brilliant. I have become accustomed to approaching each year in search of a word to guide me and to break down both the year gone and the year to come. Your beautiful soul shines like a beacon across the world wide web, and I think you should feel like a guiding light for all those who cross your path. Your photography and words inspire my creativity, and I’m so thankful that you share with all of us. Thank you for providing your innovative ideas to us. Thank you for being uniquely you. I don’t’ think I would live as rich of a life were it not for your words.

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My Top 10 Guilty Pleasures:

(Because guilty pleasures bring gratitude as well.)

1. Chocolate
2. Sugar
3. Alcohol
4. Coffee with cream and sugar
5. Sleeping
6. Pizza
7. Burgers
8. Tacos
9. Chinese food
10. Internet

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Thanks to Kat McNally who taught me to value my voice, even when I feel insignificant.

Thanks to Nicole Andrews Moore who taught me to keep dreaming big, especially when times are tough.

Thanks to Brian who taught me that love is a complex gift to cherish.

Thanks to my mother who taught me how to budget and shop smart — very important life skills!

Thanks to Teresa Lee who taught me for understanding that even overqualified candidate have bills to pay.

Like these posts? Check out Austin Kleon for more delicious ways to steal like an artist!

Over the last few months, I’ve scoured the Internet looking for ideas for my upcoming prompt series. I’ve devised a formula for this year’s format, but it required a bit of research and soul-searching. My favorite resources have been from Pinterest. Links to quotes and free stock images abound on that site, and I’ve made great use of Canva.com. Everything is coming together beautifully. I’m still beaming that Teresa Deak will be providing the prizes for two of my lucky participants. Life is good, and I’m excited and thankful for Monday.

It’s the last day of 2015, and I’m looking forward to the blank slate that comes at midnight. Depending on where in the world you’re living, it may already be the new year for you. I’ve become a pretty big fan of the fresh starts we get each year — sometimes you don’t even need to wait for January 1st. Ah, but this January 1st is kind of a big deal for me. I have so many big plans in store for 2016. I haven’t been this imbued with hope since December 31st, 2012. Obviously, I’m trying to be cautiously optimistic, given that little tidbit, because we all know that January 2013 became one of the worst months of my life. Still, I have faith that this new year will be different. I have faith that 2016 is going to be a great year full of great accomplishments and happy memories. Here’s to a fresh start!

I love this time of year. Decorations adorn windows, trees, lawns, stores, and so much more. We gather to celebrate and feast. I bake so many cookies. This year I’ll be rolling out and baking cookies with my daughter, who has taken quite an interest in cooking and baking. She adores programs on Food Network and Cooking Channel. The Pioneer Woman (Ree Drummond) and Rosanna Pansino from Nerdy Nummies are her two favorites. I’m so grateful to have a daughter who’s found one of her passions in life at such a young age. Her older brother has found the trumpet, and her younger brother loves drawing. They are such distinct individuals, and that’s what makes them so special. I look forward to spending many more holidays together with my family.

I’m so thankful I’m on vacation until a week from today. I haven’t quite felt like myself in a while, and I needed some time to rest, relax, and adjust my attitude. The leaves have hit peak color, and it feels so nice to just enjoy looking out the window. I’m planning on baking myself a cake for my birthday tomorrow. We’re throwing a party for my youngest on Halloween, and I’m especially excited to take that theme and create a great atmosphere for his siblings and friends. We’ll go out trick-or-treating later that night and eat dirt cups afterwards while watching some Halloween specials. We get an extra hour this Halloween night, and I’m kind of excited about that. We’ll have an extra hour to rest. Tuesday is my youngest’s birthday, and we’ll have a batch of cupcakes delivered to his classroom. There’s something so classic as a mother bringing her child cupcakes to share with the class on his or her birthday. I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to brace and reinforce myself for the upcoming holiday shopping season — such is the life of a retail worker!

I’m thankful that today is my Friday. I’m thankful that I’ll be enjoying a day off to sleep later tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll write and take pictures. I’ll cook a slow meal. I’ll relax. I’m thankful that I’m less than a week away from my vacation to celebrate my birthday, Halloween, and my youngest’s birthday. There will be plenty of cake and goodies. There will be relaxation and rest. There will be laughter and smiles. I’ll push reset on my battery and recharge for the busy season at work. I’ll dig deep and think hard about my future. I’m thankful that I have this opportunity.