Thursday, June 21, 2012

Thankful Thursday!

"I am in charge of what I feel and today I'm choosing happiness."  Lifelovequotesandsayings.com

So it is a hot one in NEPA today!  I am lucky enough to be at work but no one else really wants to leave their house and it is dead here today, which gives me the opportunity to give my time to write for you lovely readers. It's a good thing too because I'd hardly be sitting at the computer at home. Sorry guys, I have my priorities, Romeo and Jacob beat blogging! :) 

This wonderful week I am thankful for the following:

Air Conditioners -  Now, I try very hard not to complain.  Even in this heat I haven't complained but I must say  that I am very grateful for whoever invented AC's! I enjoy all of the seasons but with this heat, it is the perfect storm for me to get too weak to do anything.  So to you, Mr. AC Man, thanks!


The Captains of KLM Flights 1074 & 641 - They brought Dann to America in one piece.  I am obviously way grateful for this. And I am sure that every person traveling on those flights is too!

Drive Up Bank Tellers - I am a Bank of America customer.  The bank in Scranton does not have a drive up ATM.  The closest one is in West Pittston.  I didn't sign up for direct deposit so I have to either drive there or get the wheelchair out of the car for three minutes and put it back in.  I hate doing this on days when I am not weak. A drive up would be great.

The Color Orange -  I mean, for the most part, orange is bright and happy. Sure you have some oranges that are not so bright and happy like "Rust" but let's ignore those shades. Look around.  Do you have anything orange around you? I bet it's something cool. I bet it's something that makes you smile. Just saying, be happy for the little things.

Dann is in America  - I don't really think I need to explain why I am grateful for this fact.  How excited I am when I wake up and he is next to me instead of all the way over on the other side of the world is the best thing.  I'm like a kid at Christmas.  So happy.


What are you thankful for?

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Thankful Thursday!

Those who make us happy are always thankful to us for being so;
their gratitude is the reward of their benefits.
— Anne Sophie Swetchine

I have had a bit of interesting week as I have been home for two full weeks now and I found that, although that things/people around me haven't changed, I have changed. Dylan has a song called "Mississippi" and the one of the lines are "you can always come back, but you can't come back all the way."  I finally get that line now.  However, I am grateful for a few things here and there.

And they are...

Scranton Cultural Center -  I have never been so happy to work before in my life.  I suppose that it is to be expected since I've spent the last nine months desperately begging for a job.  I am happy that the SCC is there to employ me and that people want time off so I can earn some money. 

Country Roads - I love to drive.  I love when no cars are in front of or behind me.  There is no better place for that than country roads. Turn the music up and just drive.  A freedom I didn't have in England.  Insert funny freedom joke here.

Michelle Tanner (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) - I say this only because every single time I have to spell "Mississippi" I picture a scene with Michelle Tanner spelling it.  I don't even know if that scene really happened, but it helps me every time.  (Even just now.) For the record, I just Googled the pair and they are kind of creepy now. Sorry to any MK + A fans out there. 

The Time Before Spell Check and AutoCorrect - For the mere fact that when I reflect upon these times I know that I was able to spell definitely, beautiful, tomorrow, and delicious (ans a bunch of other words) without having to rely on technology.  In fact, I didn't even spell "Ashley" right when I first typed her name.  It is nice to know that, at one time, I had some dignity.  Pretty soon it's going to be so bad I won't be able to spell my last name.  Can I get a vowel please?

That I Am Able To Recognize My Own  Luckiness - For those of you who choose to, you can replace luckiness with blessings.  Whatever word you want to use for it is fine.  But there are so many people in my life and in the world that just cannot seem to manage to see how good they have it. For while, I was like that when I was experiencing a huge case of the dark and twisties.  But even then I was reminded myself that I had a roof over my head, a family that would take care of me if I did end up falling on my face, friends to laugh with and a job that put food in my belly (I'd say on the table but you guys already know I can't cook). I'm glad that I am out of whatever funk I was in and that I am able to see what great things I have in my life.  My family and friends are all alive and breathing.  I am alive so that's great. I am happy with the way everything has turned out and the bad stuff (can I even think of anything worth getting upset over?) isn't that bad.  I'm so very grateful that I have that privilege donated kindly to me by the Universe.


There may be a brief hiatus (had to autocorrect that too) while Dann is visiting in America.  I am so excited about Mr. Bed Bug JellyButton's arrival I can hardly sleep.

What are you thankful for?

Friday, June 8, 2012

Thankful Thursday

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;
they are the charming gardeners
who make our souls blossom.
                         Marcel Proust

Hello Fine Readers,
   I took a week off upon my return to America in order to... sleep!

Naturally, since my homecoming I found a whole new world of things to be grateful for.  It is often difficult to pinpoint reasons to be grateful when you're finding yourself grateful everything.  For life, as a whole.  I'm grateful for chocolate milk but should I write about that?  Eh, why not?

This week I find myself grateful for

Chocolate Milk - I am drinking from a nice pint sized glass that is filled with it as I write.   I enjoy the taste of it as it reminds me of being a kid and just always drinking chocolate milk.  My Nana is a fan of it as well and as she isn't in the best condition right now,  so the thoughts of hanging out with her and sharing a chocolate milk warm my heart at the moment.

Mountains - Believe it or not, absence does make the heart grow fonder. I never really realized how beautiful Pennsylvania landscape was until I was away from it for so long.  The mountains that cover this area are pretty much breathtaking.  The hills of England have nothing on what a view from a Scranton (area) mountain has to offer.  I think even Dann will be amazed at this one.

Bad Experience - Most times people do not like bad experience because it usually teaches you the lesson after the "test" was already given.  However, I think that if you learn from bad experiences that you should be happy you made it through! 

My Own Space -  the thing about visiting is that you really don't have a place to be, to exist.  Although it isn't as much as I would like it to be, I am grateful for having some space at Case de Lolly's. I would hate to be living out of a suitcase for the next two months.

My Own Happiness - I know that probably sounds terrible but if each of you knew how long it has taken me to get to this point, you'd be thrilled for me too.  I'm pretty happy with everything in my life (with the exception of my Nana's health).  I am not saying this in a bragging way.  I just smile more often than I have been in the last six years. 

What are you thankful for?






Thursday, May 24, 2012

Thankful Thursday!

"I don't think I'll ever run out of things to be grateful for." - Unknown

Turns out that this is my last full week in Liverpool for a couple of months. It's been an exciting one.

Of course, I have reasons to be grateful. What about you?

Time Donators - You may be wondering what a "time donator" is... don't worry I'll tell you. A time donator is exactly what it sounds like - a person who generously gives their time
to another without ever expecting anything in return. Due to my dissertation I have been begging for time from various Beatle people over the last three weeks. Although I have made some connections here in Liverpool, I have not yet reached celebrity status so it's a bit difficult to get some attention. (Fear not, I'll work on that in the fall.) However, this obstacle has made me very aware of how grateful I should be for those who have been so charitable with their time. I've spent many hours with John Lennon's sister, Julia, who has been so kind to me. Today, I spent my afternoon with Colin, the caretaker of Mendips (John's childhood home) while he was doing tours of the home for the National Trust. Not to forget all of the interviews I have lined up in the coming months for this dissertation. However, my dissertation would not be possible without the generosity of others.

This Great Opportunity - I know I have said this a million times before but I cannot ignore the overwhelming feeling of gratitude that drowns me when I take a second and realize what I am doing and where I am. This is not something that many people get to do and I'm aware of people who have applied to this program and weren't accepted. I can't imagine how different my life would be if I didn't get accepted to this program. I think even that when I'm 92 I will still be amazed that I did this. It isn't easy to pick up and move to the other side of the world to do something that everyone around you thinks is crazy. I just can't get over how lucky I am. Have to thank the universe for this for the rest of my days.

Garbage Bags - Go ahead, laugh. But there is no easier way to move house than throwing everything in garbage bags and being done with it. I have six bags full of stuff to take tomorrow. I'm thrilled that garbage bags have made it so easy.

Summer Songs - There is just something about sunny songs that can put a smile on my face no matter what. These songs are even better when the days are so beautiful that you cannot resist singing! I think that a summer song completes an almost summer day. I'm happy they're around.

Angry Birds - a great time killer. It's excellent when you're stuck waiting for taxis and when Dann is rambling about zombies attacking the city.

What are you grateful for?

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Thankful Thursday

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone. - G. B. Sten

What an amazing week I have had!   I have so much to be thankful for that it is starting to get absurd.

The five winners are...

Dogs -  I love dogs. Happiness is a warm puppy.   I love to cuddle with them.  They do not get mad at me and they do not take up too much space when they are taking up all of the space.  They wag their tails so hard when they see me that I think their little bums might fall off.  But most of all, I can always find comfort in a dog.  Forever grateful for comfort.

Cats - I know this one is funny but it's quite humbling for me to be around a cat.  My fear of them is so powerful that I freeze if a tiny little kitten puts her paws on me.  Nothing like a cat to keep your feet on the ground.

Website with Quotes - Honestly, finding the quote for the beginning of my posts is always the most difficult part of T.T.

All of My Family Members - are healthy.  There is no greater reason to be thankful.  My own health is something to be thankful for but each and every one of my family members are doing relatively okay has me overwhelmed with gratitude.  As my arrival to Scranton grows closer each day, I cannot express how excited I am to be able to see everyone that I left behind.  I thank the stars above for this.

Dann's Mom and Dad - Thanks to their generosity and hospitality I was able to see Queen Elizabeth with my own eyes in real life.  She was so very close to me and she waved at me.  I can almost bet that the Queen of England hasn't waved at you in a while.    Not to mention that because his parents were kind enough to let me stay in their house, I was able to be in actual home and not this institution-like flat!   I was able to watch normal t.v. and sleep in a normal sized bed.  And just to live a normal life for two days (besides seeing Ms. Queen, that isn't really normal.)  Incredibly grateful for all they offered.  Besides that spider they were talking about.  :)     And of course, the fact that Dann is here because of them is something I should be grateful for and I am, most days!

What about you?


P.S.  Hello Russia!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Thankful Thursday!

Gratitude is the best attitude! - Author Unknown

So I only have three weeks left of my first year in Liverpool.  I don't know how many more years I will be here but I know that I am coming back for the fall and will be here until March 22, 2012.  I will of course try to sneak my way to stay for a bit longer.  Once again I have found myself overwhelmed with gratitude this week and I want nothing more than to share it with you guys. Especially you, Russia! :)

The winners are...

Shani's Talent - for three days this week I had to be beautiful.  Shani Lane made that possible.  She is excellent at hair and makeup. You should most definitely fly your behind to England and have her work her talents on you.   Let's face it, I can't be bothered with fussing with hair and make-up and when Shani does it I look a zillion times better than I ever could have done for myself.  So I do thank the universe for Miss Shani Lane's talents.

Dann's Patience - I hate to break it to you but I am hardly a possible person to deal with.  I am always right; my contradictions do not count unless you do them; I am a bear when I am hungry and I'm a toddler when I am tired.  Not to mention if my feet aren't covered while I am trying to sleep I tend to get cranky. This guy tolerates me like no other.  It saves tons of arguments that would occur if  Dann didn't have patience like he does.

That I Don't Dwell in Drama - Maybe it comes with age, maybe it comes with security, maybe it comes with just not giving a damn about the negative things that people think or say or whateves.  However, I have started a new (age) year resolution, not caring about the negative people around me.  You should do it too.  I am 1,000 times happier already and I've only been doing it for four days. I am grateful that I no longer waste my time and energy towards those that do not adhere to the pretty awesome "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" ideology. I highly recommend it.  

My Academic Confidence - I could very well be out of my tree but I have dissertation to do and I'm not that afraid to do it.  I don't know if it is because I am convinced I can do anything after teaching to 100 seventh graders or if it because I taught snoozy seniors in their last month before graduation but I am so confident that this dissertation will be easy peasy. (Editor's Note: The writer has no valid reason to think this).  I am grateful that I am not freaking out about this.

My Wonderful Group of Liverpool Friends - They were so unbelievably kind to me on my birthday! I celebrated for five days!  The girls arranged a wonderful dinner at Blake's Restaurant in the Hard Day's Night Hotel and managed to get my other friends to come along without my knowing!  It was such a special birthday! I am quite convinced I am the luckiest girl in the universe.

What are you thankful for?

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Thankful Thursday!

“Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart.”  - Sarah Ban Breathnach

Hello Everyone!  Russia, how are you?    I know it has been forever since I have posted a TT but I had SO much to do!   My goodness I have so much to be thankful for on this day the Thursday before my birthday! So here it goes.....


The five winners for this week are....

Debbie Clark - Debbie is/was a nurse at CMC hospital in Scranton.  Now, I don't know if anyone knows the back story of this writer but it is a long one.   But the main points I'll make right now is that on May 6, 1984 at 4:22 pm my mom gave birth to a child that was hardly breathing in Kingston, PA (that baby was me).  By the end of that night, I was moved to CMC hospital and my mom and dad were told that I wouldn't live to see a week.  So... 28 years later here I am breathing. Of course, it wasn't easy. For the first three years of my life I was in and out of the hospital (CHOP and CMC).  By the time I was cleared to go home for good (of course it wasn't definite that it was for good that the time), I had three cardiac arrests and sixteen respiratory arrests under my belt.  When I was almost seven add two more of each and then I was in clear.  There is the gist of it. So anyway, Debbie Clark had a lot to do with my survival. Of course there were other nurses and doctors involved but Debbie also had a separate connection with the "patient" as she knew my mother for a few years by the time I was born.  As it ended up  I now know her daughter (who was in school with my brother)  and who son (who I graduated with).  So as my 28th trip around the sun begins, I cannot help but think of Debbie and be grateful that she took the time to take care of me.

Dollie - If you go to my mom's, packed away in a box somewhere (she just moved that's why)  you will find a dirty, worn out doll with brown hair wearing a blue outfit with white polka dots. She has rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes which always smile as much as her little pink lips! Her hair used to be curly but over the first three years of my life, I apparently stressed my mother and Dollie out.   Dollie used to have a little bell thing inside of her which would make her jingle when you shook her. I say used to because she has too many accidents of people not watching where she was and tripping over. She is my favorite toy and I'll keep her forever. She was with me for every hospital and doctor visit. Every shot that I had to get, I squeezed Dollie's hand and it didn't hurt so much.  Jacob asked to see her once and I told him that she was off limits.... that means something people. So for Dollie's loyalty, I am forever grateful.

Lindsey Stevens - was my very first best friend.  Her and I played at the North Scranton Little League while our siblings were off playing some form of baseball.  My first real memory of her is when we were about five she asked me if I wanted to come over her house.  I told her that I would ask my mom and what her address was and then suddenly I am nine years old and still friends with Lindsey. Most importantly, Lindsey always treated me like I was a normal kid. When I look back at my first school birthday parties, Lindsey is always my right hand man-  eh- girl.    Of course, the great divide of middle school occurred and that is when we ended up separating.  We did try very hard to stay close but it just didn't happen, as that happens.  However, Lindsey showed me how to be a friend and what it was all about.  So for all of my days, I will always remember Miss Lindsey Margaret Stevens and be grateful that she was my first friend.

The House That Built Me -  It may not have been a everyone's ideal living situation, but I loved it.  It made my upbringing completely amazing and unique. I miss that house everyday and I miss the people that I considered family.  I actually dream about it more than twice a week and long to go back to those days.  I will have endless gratitude towards that building.

My Aunt Lisa and Uncle Terry -  They were kind enough to invite me to spend Easter vacation with them in Paris.  It was the most beautiful thing I have ever done.  I will take time, sometime soon, and do a blog all about it. I will never be able to thank them enough for what they have done for me It was such a fantastic experience and I will never forget having Easter brunch aboard a wonderful ship on the River Seine!

What are you thankful for?