Day 273: It's a Beautiful Day

This morning was not really beautiful.  It was rainy, cold, and sort of gross. This morning the first song to play on my radio was U2's Beautiful Day.  I am grateful that on a not-so-beautiful day, I was given a brief reminder that the world is beautiful.  This song holds such a strong place in my heart, and for some crazy reason it makes me think of being very sleepy, waking up on a not-so-comfy cot in the middle of a beautiful camp.

Day 272: Positive Thoughts

I will start off by saying that I am not always the most positive person.  I have my days when nothing seems to go right and everyone drives me crazy; everyone has these days. However, I am grateful that today, on a few different occasions, I was able to stay positive despite a lot of negativity floating around. 

Day 271: Last Busy Weekend

I am grateful that this was our last busy, busy weekend for awhile. I enjoyed all the fun things we did in September, but we need a few weekends with no plans. There are things to be done!

Day 270: New Music

In a few short moments I will be listening to the musical stylings of Matthew Perryman Jones. He's a country artist performing at my friend's home tonight. I am grateful that Christine and Jeff opened up their home to friends and family. Listening to new music is a great way to end a week.

Day 269: "Hangry"

Hangry - When you are so hungry that your lack of food causes you to become angry, frustrated or both.

I am so grateful to whoever came up with the term "hangry." I can be very sensitive when I don't eat on a regular schedule, and the idea that being hungry makes me angry is excellent. This afternoon I didn't eat lunch and it was about 2:15 before I left the office.  I was irritable, tired, frustrated and I knew I could attribute it to being hungry.  

http://www.rottenecards.com/card/311465/im-sorry-for-what-i-said-when-i-was-hangry

Day 268: TV

I am grateful that TV has returned. Yes, I know TV didn't actually go anywhere, but I love having our favorite shows on certain nights. I like the routine and the simplicity of it all. Chicago Fire, Once Upon A Time, Parenthood, Big Bang, Criminal Minds, NCIS, Ink Master.... so many shows!!

Day 267: Kongs

I am grateful for whoever invented the Kong. This excellent piece of hollow, thick plastic can be filled with peanut butter, frozen, and given to Ollivander for hours of quiet enjoyment. 

Day 266: Title

I am grateful that despite our house being somewhat packed and completely disheveled, I was able to find the title for my car. 

Day 265: Being an Adult

Justin and I bought a car tonight.  A 2012 Honda CRV - my Dad is very happy.  Buying the car means we have to cut back on things and really work towards "living on a budget."  This part of being an adult really stinks.  Justin and I have worked very hard to decrease our debt over the past few years and I think we're in a pretty good place.  Thinking about all of our hard work makes being an adult kind of awesome.  

I'm grateful to finally feel like an adult. 


ps. There are only 100 days left to this year.  Crazy?!?  

Day 264: The Little Things

I am grateful that I will be going to bed tonight in a comfy bed with a roof over my head. I'm grateful that in the morning I will have breakfast from the food in my kitchen, and I will drive to work in my car. I'm grateful that I will spend tomorrow doing a job that I love.

It's so easy to take the little thing for granted. I'm grateful for all of the little things I am blessed to have in my life.

Day 263: Colder Weather

I know I will get some 'dislikes' for this post, but maybe a few people will agree with me. Tonight I'm grateful that summer is coming to an end. I'm ready for autumn. I'm ready to watch the leaves change color, for the days to shorten, and for sweatshirts to replace tank tops. I love the fall. 

Day 262: Strangers

I am grateful for the kindness of strangers. It's amazing how selfless people can be in times of need. Courtney and Wes have been given more than they ever could have imagined. Please continue to send good thoughts and prayers. 

Day 261: Court and Wes

I am beyond grateful that my friend Courtney and her 4-year-old son Wes are safe tonight.  This morning the baby monitor sitting next to Courtney's bed caught fire.  The whole house is gone, along with all of their possessions.  I'm posting the link to the gofundme page that a friend set-up for them.  You don't need to donate money - clothing, toys, books, shoes..anything would be helpful.  Courtney is an amazing single Mom who loves her son more than anything else in the world.  She is kind, compassionate, and strong.  She's raising her son to be the same kind of person.  Please, please help them.  And also, send some prayers their way.



Court and Wes Brilliant

http://www.gofundme.com/eolyy4

Day 260: My Father's Daughter

I am grateful that I am my father's daughter.  Four years ago today my Dad passed away, suddenly and without a chance to say "goodbye."  There is not a single day that I don't think of him, nor is there a second a don't miss him.      

While my dad’s death has impacted me in a tremendous way, with little words to describe it, his life shaped me in ways I never realized until I didn’t have him anymore.  My father was, in a word, awesome.  He was tough and laid down the rules of the house, and my brothers and I knew it would not be smart to cross him.  He hardly ever raised his voice to me, although my brothers may know a different story. But looking back, I respected him more than anyone else I’ve known in my lifetime.  My dad had his routines and traditions, that have since become points of humor – reading his newspaper each night, waking up at 3am every Sunday morning to deliver newspapers, his "other" family.  Now, I am beginning to realize that these routines created a sense of stability, a sense of safety that every child deserves to know.  

He and I had a special relationship.  Whether it was because I was his youngest, his only daughter, I will never know – but I am incredibly thankful for our relationship.  We could disagree in a way my brothers never could, and I could convince him to take me to the mall. He always had time to listen to me. I don't recall a time I didn't love to listen to his stories. My father and I were alike in many ways - our temper and stubbornness, our sense of humor and our dimples.  

I remember feeling like I had lost an entire part of myself when my brother called to tell me the news. My father and mother are so much of who I am as an adult; without one of them here how could I ever feel whole again? Time has helped me start to feel whole again, but I disagree with the saying "time heals all wounds."  Losing a parent is a wound that never heals.  Instead I agree with Rose Kennedy,

"It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.”

I'm learning to be okay with that. I'm learning to live my life with the scar of losing a parent. On days like today I listen to his music, smile at the pictures, remember the stories people told about him, and hold all the memories I have of him close to my heart.  These things help lessen the hurt, and remind me how proud I am to be Jack Fahey's daughter.

"It's past your bedtime."

Day 259: Milford Water Co.

This may be the second time I've mentioned the Milford Water Company in my blog, which feels strange, but oh well!

I am grateful that at 7:40 this morning a guy from the MWC knocked on my door and reminded me that our water was going to be turned off around 8am.  I needed a shower and it would have been a very sad day if I'd jumped in at 8:05 and found no water.  Thanks for the heads-up! 

Day 258: Record Player

One of my favorite memories of growing up is watching my Dad listen to records in the living room.  He didn't do it often, but when he decided to start up the record player he meant business.  If we were lucky, or if I asked nicely, he would keep his headphones off and we could all hear the music.  More often, Dad would have these huge headphones on, sitting in the corner of the couch, with the collection of vinyls he collected throughout the years.  I remember my Mom yelling, "Jack" over and over, not realizing he had the headphones on. I loved listening to all of my parent's music.  I learned to sing Gene Pitney, Leslie Gore, Barry Manilow, and so many others to the scratching and popping of the record player.

Look familiar Mom? John? Mike? Matt?

This weekend Justin and I found an old record player and music system at a yard sale.  It came in the same case that my Dad's was in, so obviously I had to get it.  The couple selling it weren't sure it worked, so they only charged us $5.00.  I picked up a couple more records and we went home to test it out.  Unfortunatly, the record player was past it's prime.  Justin went on craigslist.com and found a woman selling a newer model.  We contact her and made the drive to Webster to pick up the Realistic Clarinette 23.  It's not the greatest record player, and it certainly isn't a classic; but it is exactly what Justin and I wanted.  


I'm so grateful that I can listen to the same music as my Mom and Dad, and hear it the way it was meant to be heard.

Day 257: Beauty

I am grateful for the bursts of beauty in my life. The people, the music, the hugs, the hand-holding, the sunsets.  All of this is beauty. When your mind is clouded with fear, anxiety, and sadness it's hard to see through the darkness.  It's easy to become overwhelmed with the day-to-day; it's difficult to sometimes see beauty in a world that can feel ugly.  This weekend I was given opportunities to see beauty everywhere. Bible Study on Friday night focused my mind and my soul - I was able to feel and see the beauty of God's love for me. Justin and I spent the day together Saturday, not doing anything special, but together.  Tonight the sun was setting as we returned home from church - the colors of the sky was beautiful.  The oranges, yellows, and blue slowly transitioning to purples and pinks.  Such a beautiful way to end my weekend.

I hope that others are able to see through the darkness and find beauty in their days.   

Day 256: Bible Study

I'm grateful that my friend, Deb, invited Justin and I to join her bible study group.  We went for the first time last night and it was a great experience.  It's a wonderful feeling to be in a small group of people who share similar beliefs and values.  

Day 255: September 12th

I am grateful that 10 years ago today Justin asked me to be his girlfriend.  I am grateful that 5 years ago today we promised to spend the rest of our lives together.

Our journey together has been filled with twists, turns, ups, and downs.  We've experienced some of our happiest moments together, and some of our saddest moments.  The miles we have traveled together have brought us closer together.  We started off as kids and have grown-up together. We still have plenty of growing to do, and I can't wait to grow old with the love of my life. 

Justin, you are my hero.  You've saved my life in more than one way.  I'm grateful that you are my husband, and I'm grateful that I get to be your wife.  We are not perfect, but we are perfect for each other. I love you with all of my heart and all of my soul.

Just about 10 years ago...Seriously, we look like little kids.

Our Family Now...10 years later.

  

Day 254: Ridiculousness

I am grateful for the show "Ridiculousness." It's amazing how funny stupid can be. 

Day 253: 3 weeks old

I'm grateful that my supervisor at work know how much I love working with babies. Today I was assigned a 3-week-old baby girl. I'm so excited. It's also pretty great that Wednesdays have become my favorite day of the week, versus my last favorite day. 

Day 252: All Done to Start Again

I am grateful that I finished the scrapbook I've been working on for the past few weeks.  Finished in plenty of time to ship it up to Maine.  

A few days off and I'm starting my next project!  I've got the scrapbook bug again.

Day 251: Too Tired

I'm grateful that despite being exhausted I remembered to blog.

(I know it's a bit of a cop-out, but as I said, I'm exhausted.)

Day 250: 50 Days Later

I am grateful that people are talking about their struggles.  I am in no position to mention anyone specifically, but I have heard, over the past 50 days, more stories of indiviual fights against depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health issues.  The stigma surrounding people with mental health problems needs to go away.  I'm grateful that my openess to share my journey has inspired others to do the same.  

Day 249: Up All Night

I am grateful for caffeine.  I'm planning to stay up until the last pages of the scrapbook I'm working on are perfect. Caffeine is going to be my best friend tonight!

Day 248: The Giver

I was walking through Walmart this morning, picking up the ingredients needed to make a sensory bin. I strolled past the book section and noticed "The Giver". This is probably my second favorite book. I read it for the first time in sixth grade, and I cannot count the number of times I have read it since then. I was so excited a few years back to learn there were two other books in the series; now I've discovered there are actually three more books.

When I walked past the book I rolled my eyes - the cover was updated to reflect the recent release of the movie. I haven't been able to find my copy at home, so I've been meaning to pick up a new one. I almost didn't grab this copy because I'm usually a stickler for owning the originals and not the movie copy. I am so grateful I decided to buy this book.

The author, Lois Lowry, added a brief introduction to this newly published edition. She mentions how it's been 20 years since publishing "The Giver."  She notes the increase in novels similar to his - a dystopian society with a child as the protagonist.  She explains how long it took for the movie to become a reality; and how she struggled watching her words become reality, a reality that did not always fit with what she had pictured as she wrote those words.  

I've had numerous conversations with people, mostly fellow book-lovers, about how frustrating it is to watch a beloved book became a so-so movie.  There is never enough time to create on film what has already been created in your mind as you read the words on each paper, meet new friends, face new enemies, and find a bit of yourself in every hero.  

I had a few minutes to begin reading so I started with the Introduction.  I'll share the last paragraph with you...

"...the book hasn't gone away. It has simply grown up, grown larger, and begun to glisten in a new way."

This could possibly be my favorite quote thus far.  Again, I am grateful that I picked up this book.  In turn, I am also grateful for the words of Lois Lowry. 

Day 247: The Right Combination

I had a fun night tonight. Went to see a movie with my friend and then got dinner and talked for a few hours. On the drive home I had the windows down, the music loud, and the back roads I was driving on were freshly paved. I'm grateful for that perfect combination. 

Day 246: Reading

I actually had to search through my past posts because I can't believe I haven't been grateful for books yet!

I've been a reader ever since I was little.  My brother's called me a bookworm, and I took it as a compliment.  When I didn't have anything else to do I would rearrange the books on the shelf attached to my bed.  Sometimes they would be in order of my current favorite to least favorite; but more often than not the tallest would have the first spot.  I love getting caught up in a story, meeting new characters, celebrating successes, and grieving losses.  Every new book is a new journey, and depending on where you want to go the road can be short and straightforward or lengthy and surprising. 

If I were to make the Amortentia portion it would certainly smell of old tattered pages and freshly opened pages. 

I am so grateful for books.

Christmas Morning - I stopped opening presents to start reading my new Sweet Valley Kids book.  

Day 245: Upbeat Media

I am grateful that my night has been filled with positivity through all sorts of media. Great songs on Pandora for my ride home, more positive posts on Facebook, and "We Bought A Zoo" on TV. I love when I'm sent positive vibes. 

Day 244: Musicals

I am grateful that musicals have been part of my life for as long as I can remember.  The stories, the music, the performances - it's wonderful.  I've been listening to soundtracks lately on Itunes and it's amazing that a song can transport you to the middle of a story, and the entire playlist all together brings you through an entire journey.  I've been listening to Newsies, Ragtime, Rent, Godspell, and Evita a lot lately.  I have a lot of other single songs from different musicals too.  I'd love some recommendations if anyone has a favorite they think I'd like!  :)