Thankful Thursday!

"When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."

Another late post but there is good reason for it.  I procrastinated on a 3,000 essay so Thankful Thursday had to wait.

Crayons - I really enjoy drawing and coloring and I don't care if you think I am a like five year old for it.  I get peace from coloring and who doesn't enjoy a sense of peace washing over them?

Toothbrush and toothpaste - I thoroughly enjoy a clean mouth. Imagine how gross life would be without the invention of these two objects.

Commas -  I, loathe, commas.  but, sometimes, you, need, them, even, if, it's, just, to, show, a, pause, is, implied,    splice.

Hair Dye -  So I my hair started to grow shiny silver strands at the old age of 15... really not the most attractive thing in high school and it hasn't gotten anymore attractive since then. So I am pretty grateful for all sorts of hair dye.  I will be even more grateful when I purchase some and my stunning silver roots are colored brown.   BAM!

My Dad -  He's an interesting individual.  The banter between Debbie and Buddy is hysterical and then when I add my two cents in it's even better. Thanks to him I know how to be on time for things (my mom has her own time zone a part from the rest of the world).  When I was in first grade, I stopped breathing (I was sick). So my dad gave me CPR and pretty much saved my life as the ambulance whizzed right by my house. So yeah, pretty thankful for him.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday!

Be grateful for luck. Pay the thunder no mind - listen to the birds. And don't hate nobody.   Eubie Blake

Short and sweet: 

Aeryn - (aka Snuffs) I am very grateful for Aeryn because she is a great godmother to Delilah.  (Yes, Delilah has a godmother, don't judge.)   Aeryn is helping my life partner, Katie, deal with long-term depression from me being away.  Last but not least, Aeryn was kind enough to donate six boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese for my English home!  If that doesn't deserve a "BAM" then I don't know what does. 

St. Peter's Church in Woolton - This happens to be the church where Lennon and McCartney met for the first time and the rest is sort of history.  The reasons I am grateful for this do not need to be listed.  If you don't know me by now, you will never ever know me. 

The Shakers - are a resident band at The Cavern Club here in Liverpool.  They play every Saturday and Sunday.   Obviously, I go to see them every week but this last week was an especially great week as yours truly was a bit homesick and being at The Cavern Club watching them perform made the homesickness a little less sicky and helped me feel a bit more homey.  

Beards - I dig beards. You do too.

eBay - I get good deals on there. 

What are you thankful for?! 

 

Thankful Thursday!

Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything. Plato
A whole week has passed right by me in two days! How time flies!

I've decided this week to have themed post.  Easier to cheat you with my dear!

The five are...

Sense of Hearing - I do enjoy listening to you gab in my ear about nonsense and I really enjoy hearing the birds chirp at sunrise and all of those other things that belong to hearing.  But, there is one special reason to be thankful for the Universe.  It has granted me with an ability to hear!  I do love music and what would music be to me without the wonderful ability to hear!  (Within reason, I would still really enjoy the vibrations at live shows but I would probably not go to a live show.)



Ben Harper - I love this guy. I think he is a great song writer and he sings about things that are important to me (even though he does sing about Jesus a bit more than I like to accept). He, like Bob Dylan, always knows what to sing to suit my mood.  For real, my iPod will be on shuffle on his playlist and he always just works.  A few of my favorites are "Gold to Me," "Happy Ever After," "Not Fire, Not Ice" and my favorite favorite is "Please Don't Talk About Music When I'm Eating,"  which I have included for your enjoyment.

Jason Mraz -  This dude is just a happy freaking guy. Even when he sings about sad things, he's still chipper about it.  I love his ability to rhyme and I am grateful for his knack for putting a smile on my face all of the time.  A few fun ones by Mr. Mraz are "Geek in the Pink," "If It Kills Me", and of course "I'm Yours" and they all would put you in a great mood.   His newest "I Won't Give Up" happens to be a current favorite.  You should listen to it!  

O.A.R. - Now these guys are amazing.  They're a pretty happy band but have their sadder songs.  But, I do play them the most when I am in a good mood or need to get my butt in a good mood.  My favorite song is "That Was a Crazy Game of Poker" but it's super long and you probably listen to it.  You might know them for their "hit"  "Shattered" which is a good tune.  I really like "I Feel Home, "Dakota," and "Love and Memories"  The song that I have posted for you crazy people is called "War Song."  Enjoy.

Eric Clapton's "I've Got a Rock and Roll Heart"  -   I dig Clapton but I don't know if I like or know enough of his stuff to be thankful for him and him alone.  I do enjoy "Layla,"  and "Wonderful Tonight."  "Tears in Heaven" makes me want to gouge my eyes out when I hear it but I guess that means it's a good song because it's effective. But I love this song like fishermen love the water!  I told Dan that this is the most important song he'll ever know.   It always always ALWAYS puts me in a great mood!!!  I hope you love it too!

What songs are you grateful for??

Thankful Thursday! (I run this so it can be late)

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” ~Cynthia Ozick


I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season.  I wish you all an awesome, healthy and happy year ahead of you!

I have delayed in my Thankful Thursday post that should have made it's debut on January 5.  But since I am the writer, editor, and publisher behind this it is to be expected.

However, I believe in the better late than never ideology.

And the winners are...

Luden's Wild Cherry Cough Drops - I am gratefully addicted to these suckers (get it?)!  I bought a bag before I left and I am afraid that I should have bought more. They are delicious and remind me of being a kid.  Remember you couldn't have candy in school but you could always have cough drops?!

My Dentist - I am extraordinarily grateful for my dentist.  He was kind enough to fit me into his schedule before I left for England even though I didn't call for an appointment until three days before I was leaving.  It's a good thing too because where I thought I just chipped a tooth, I actually had a pretty big cavity (I know you care about that).  So Dr. Chmil took care of me. I am thankful for that.

My friends - I know I have said this before but when I was home I became grateful for them for a different reason.  They make time for me and my crazy schedule.  Since I am Britney Spears I found it complicated to see everyone when I was home for two weeks.  My friends were patient with me and let me mess with their schedules, make a date and then change it again in order to see them. So for each and everyone of you that went out of your way to see me, I do appreciate it.  I came home at the busiest time of the year and YOU still made time for B. Spears.  I realized on the plane ride back to Liverpool that is is exhausting and sometimes annoying to be  Britney but it has to be more exhausting and always more annoying to be a friend of Britney.  When I said this to Dan he responded with, "Try being Britney's boyfriend,"  as my friends here were so excited to see me when I got back.  So to all of my friends around this big world please know that I am grateful to have you.


Bones -  I mean the show not the things that support our bodies.  I really enjoy this show and when I watch it I think about the solo Bones marathons at The Loveshack.  My mom got Season Six for me for Christmas and I have been watching it all night tonight. I heart it.

Bones - As I wrote about my gratefulness for the show it occurred to me that I really should be thankful for my bones (and your bones too!)  I guess I'd be kind of wormy or snakelike without them.  I do not like worms or snakes or caterpillars and spiders for that matter so I am happy that I have my bones thanks Universe for working that out for me.


What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday!

Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life. - Christiane Northrup


I sure hope that you had a happy week and that you found yourself grateful no matter what (if anything) you celebrated!


The five winners this week are...


Target - Yeah, the store. I don't care what you think. I find great comfort in Target. I've been there more than I have been anywhere else since I have been home (besides my mom's). I love that I can find whatever I need there and that many of the people know me. I said that I missed Target while I was in Liverpool and I am already missing Target for my return. I might not stay in the UK just for Target and....

Victoria's Secret - I don't care that she is one of those girls who carry a secret and tells everyone that she has a secret just to get attention! I love her and her secret! (Do you know the real secret? I'll tell you if you don't.) I love that stinkin' store! I have been there a lot too since I have been home. There is one opening in London in the fall of 2012 and I am super excited about that because it will just be a matter of time before one opens in Liverpool. I have "clothes" that fit me now. And her perfume is quite amazing too! So to you Vickie, I send you some gratitude and a request to be a bit cheaper. I'll blackmail you with your secret.


Pinterest - It's really just Myspace's bumper sticker app on a website but I still think I might enjoy it. I am grateful for it because I have been distracted by it for the better part of an hour as I have been thinking of what to be grateful for this week. I don't recommend you get an account going as it really seems like a mindless waste of time.


Scranton Cultural Center - I am going to get about 14 hours of work next week. That's 14 hours of U.S. dollars. That is 7 hours of British pounds. Bam!


Liverpool - I am quite grateful that the city exists and attracted me to it with it's alluring history/roots of the best band in the history of the entire world. I've met my flatmates and my other friends in the chaos of the city and I met Dan. Seems like I owe Liverpool a pretty huge thanks. They're not kidding when they say "You'll never walk alone!"




What are you thankful for?


I'd be thankful if you posted something.

Thankful Thursday!!

Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need. - Sarah Ban Breathnach





As Christmas is fast approaching each one of us are doing our own preparations in order to make this holiday even more enjoyable than last year. Jacob wants a PSP, a dog, and for his Auntie Autumn to come home. I can’t convince Debbie to get a dog and I am not sure about the PSP but I knew that Old Saint Nick and I could work something out to bring Jacob’s favorite aunt home for Christmas!



The journey from Liverpool to Scranton was exhausting, annoying, and, at times, downright rude. But, if you think that for one second I didn’t find something to be grateful for then you can just consider yourself to be a stranger to me!



And the five winners this week are…



David from Croatia - ended up to be quite a helpful person on our 8 hour plane ride from London to NYC! The flight wasn’t full and there was a seat in between us. We shared it for the snacks and for our belongings but then there was the old man in front of me. This gentleman had no consideration for my personal space on this flight. He pushed his seat back farther than it could go. For real, seat 42H on this plane is not a place you want to sit.) I know I am not the skinniest gal in the land but I am also not the biggest and this man had me squished between a plane seat and, well, a plane seat. So I turned to David and I said in my kindest American voice, “Do you mind if I take up two seats?” Kindly David said, “No, go right ahead,” as he rolled his eyes at the gentleman lying in my lap. In typical Autumn fashion I spent the six hours taking up two seats and leaning on this guys shoulder. I would say I am embarrassed about this but I am not because it is the first time I have ever slept that long on a plane. When I woke up we chatted about why he was coming to America. It turns out he is a dentist(!) and his fiancé is living in NYC and he comes out to visit her twice a year for two months. David, thanks for letting me sleep on your shoulder. Universe, thanks for sending him along! Now I know there is such thing as a tourist visa which is super important for Dan.

Old Friends - I didn’t realize how much I would miss these people when I left Scranton in August. I saw all of my best today for the first time (without computer assistance) in four months. We all went to Fratelli’s for dinner and it was great to see everyone. Krissy was late; Katie was trying not to spit soda out from laughing so hard; Stefanie read my face like a book when the jet lag finally hit me; Donna was the one to light a fire under the waiter’s butt (I have no idea who this guy is but I don’t ever want him again); the rest of the staff at Fratelli’s made me feel like Britney Spears for the whole night (because I am B. Spears). Oh, Liz greeted me with a Backstreet Boys t-shirt (stoked). I was just so grateful that I have these awesome people in my life. I miss everyone in England so very much but having these guys around helps me realize that there is no place like home. So for all of the friends that I have seen today or have tried to see today, I am grateful for you.



A Blue Blanket and Purple Scarf- It’s really interesting to leave your life in America for England and it’s also interesting to leave your life in England for America. As soon as I was getting comfortable, I upped and left! So before my journey Dan gave me those two items to bring with me to America. Of course they remind me of him (as they are his) but they remind me of my flatmates for different reasons too. It’s amazing that four months ago I had no idea who these people were and now I find myself missing them every day. These two items makes missing my second home a bit less missful. (I made that word up.)



Home – not just the roof over my head but everything that is around it! The roads, the workers at the different stores, the familiarity of the accents, I am grateful for all of it. Scranton is kind of like Cheers. The last 24ish hours have been full of hugs and smiles and sometimes you really just want to go where everybody knows your name. Scranton, I am grateful for you (don’t get too excited about that one though I am probably still suffering from exhaustion)!

My Prince, Danilo! - Nilo is my godson and I swear I do not know how my heart hasn’t burst between loving him and Jacob so much! As I mentioned earlier the travel home was exhausting. But when I got to Fratsmelli’s and Nilo had a smile brighter than the summer sunshine when he saw me, it was all worth it. I went to him and gave him a big kiss and he said “Hi, Auntie Autumn!” My heart melted when I heard/saw him say that and I knew that coming home for Christmas was the right choice! I am particularly grateful for Nilo this week as he made my journey from England less tiresome as soon as I saw that smile.





What are you grateful for this wonderful week?

Thankful Thursday!

When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.  -- Willie Nelson

My bed - I know that most people are probably grateful that they have a bed, but no one is as grateful as I am for a bed that is 3,500 miles away from me.  The bed I am currently hibernating in is smaller than our twin beds.  Seriously, I don’t even think this bed has enough room for Jacob.  Many nights, I think of my $75 queen size bed that I bought from a woman whose daughter moved out before she could have used it.  For anyone who wants to know what it is like to sleep in Heaven, I have your ticket. I cannot wait to sleep in that bed again. I don’t know when that will be as it is in my mother’s garage right now. But I know it is as grateful for me as I am for it.

Kraft Mac & Cheese – You wouldn’t imagine that you would be grateful for something as simple as Kraft Mac & Cheese until you realize that it isn’t as simple as you thought! The M&C here is not so great.  I’ve tried many different brands and nothing does it for me like the cheesiest M&C in all of the land.  The American store in town gets it in once in a while and when they don’t have it I get extraordinarily sad.  Last night, I woke up in the middle of the night and I was starving.  Lucky for me, Dan bought two boxes on Monday while I was in class! Nothing is better than M&C at two a.m.  So to you Kraft, you’re the best. Dan, you’re not so bad yourself.    J

Guitars – No joke.  I think guitars are something that I am most grateful for!  Imagine my life without guitars!  How empty it would be!  I go to The Cavern Club every Sunday to see The Shakers and every week I find myself just staring at their hands as they play theirs guitars.  I claim I am a fan of words in songs but I believe I am an equal fan of guitars.  I mean, without a guitar, who would Mr. Lennon be?!   

My Ability to Work under Pressure - Some people crack under pressure.  Some people see deadlines and they freak out with anxiety even if the deadline is three months from the current time.  But then there is Autumn Rose!  I am awesome under pressure!  I am so grateful for that!  I had to do a presentation today. Although I have thought about it for the last two months, I didn’t really start it until today and it was due at 5:30 this evening.  I am freaking awesome!  So for you, ability to work under pressure I am thankful. Procrastination, you will never make it in this blog.  

Alex in Flat 2C - makes me smile a huge smile!  He is so funny and kind.  If I ever need a laugh he is the guy to call!  Alex is kind hearted and whenever I may be upset, I know I can call him and he will listen to me.   He is very kind and accepts everyone for who they are.  The world could use more people like him.  So, Alex, you are the honorary person I am thankful for this week.

What are you thankful for?