Thankful Thursday!

It is necessary, then, to cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude. Wallace D. Wattles

So this is my last full week in the States until Christmas (or March) and I've spent a bit of time thinking about how much has changed in a year. It's sort of overwhelming. It's true you never notice the changes as they are happening as they are small (but steady) then, all of those small changes, they make an entirely different life.  Some of them I wish didn't happen and  for most of them, I am so happy that they did.  All of them, I am grateful for because where I am right now is exactly where I need and want to be!

So the gratitude continues...

Exclamation Points - I mean those little characters are just happy people!  I hardly ever use them when I am yelling.  In fact, I bet most people are more alarmed when they see "Stop." than "Stop!" in a text from me.  I am an !!! junkie.  I've tried to cut down on using them but they just make me smile!

That My Boss is Such a Great Meteorologist - Jason was able to tell me what the weather is going to be like in Rome in February.  I mean, aside from comical, he could be right. According to Jason, Rome at Valentine's Day will be like Delaware. This will be helpful when Dann and I go to Rome so I am grateful for that.  P.S. I spelled "meteorologist right the first time.  P.P.S.  I didn't spell meteorologist right the second time! P.P.P.S. I am also thankful that Jason is a good boss... even if he does fire us every other day.  P.P.P.P.S.  This Thankful Thursday just turned into a "buy five get a sixth one free" deal!

For My Friends' Time -  As I am reflecting on this summer visit, I cannot help but be grateful for the friends that have taken time out of their schedules, changed things around in order to hangout with lil' old me.  I am almost surprised at the amount of time I have spent with some people over others. (And of course Krissy getting the special shout outs for running to the airport with me to weigh my suitcase!) It made coming home worth it. So thank you to those who have made time for me! You've given me enough umph to make it through until Christmas.

The Critical Thinking Skills Learned at Marywood University -   I often chuckled when I read or heard that part of Marywood's ploy to get students to enroll.  But suddenly, I started to thank Marywood for teaching me those skills.  I mean it is hardly ever in difficult situations, I don't know if that makes it better or worse, but I some times you just want to yell "DUH!" :) So a thank you to all of those Nuns, Drs, and professors who "got my gears going" for life.

The 20% Part of My Eating Plan - Now, don't get carried away here. I am not on a diet.  I am trying the 80/20 non-diet for the mere fact that I want to start feeling better and, hopefully, eating better will help that.  The 80/20 plan is really ideal for me.  It doesn't involve counting calories, cutting foods out, or even starving yourself (which is good).  It does involve eating whole foods and organic foods 80% of the time. That other 20% is whatever you want. The hardest time I am having with it is the schedule, which is waking up a the buttcrack of dawn and going to bed at 10:30 (IN THE MIDDLE OF BRIDEZILLAS!) and also no snacking between meals in order for your body to get itself working properly.   I think I would better adjust to the schedule in England, when Dann and I are in the same time zone to speak and sleep, so I am really not 100% in this yet. That doesn't mean I am not trying and that doesn't mean that I don't love me some chips and dip in that 20%!  I used to be just concerned about the 99%, now I am in a class of my own!

What are you thankful for?