Giving Thanks: Days Four & Five

Oh boy do I have a LOT to be thankful for! Yesterday, I was able to sleep in late (thank you Election Day) and wake up slowly. One of my best friends's from high school is in town for a few days. So we went out to lunch at Tara Thai.

I am so thankful for his company. All of the laughs we had - I mean we literally laughed for four hours straight. I am thankful for the delicious pad Thai I dined on and for the pumpkin spice latte that I followed up the meal with. I am thankful that after all of these years - and all of this time - that we were able to pick up right where we had left off. I am thankful that he is still the ML I adore and love. I tell you, there is nothing greater than an old friend.

I am thankful for an EXCELLENT Pilates workout with some of my favorite inspirational ladies. It felt so good to tone up and see their smiling faces. I am thankful for the hot meal at my parent's house afterwards and for the company of my mom and sister while there.

I am also so thankful for Barack Obama's win! To God be the glory ... I was so incredibly nervous about this election. Watching the results roll in steadily was enough to give me a heart attack. But it was God's will that Barack be granted another four years in office. My prayer now is that Americans - red and blue - will come together to help this country continue to get back on its feet. That Americans will stop standing divided, and start standing united.

Today I am thankful for my job. I absolutely love the challenges and joys of being a special education teacher. I am thankful for my administration and for four IEP meetings that went well today. I am grateful for the gift of writing and the gift of gab. For having the opportunity to meet and touch base with several of my student's parents today.

I am thankful for having a membership at a gym and for the food I was able to eat today. For having a car to drive - even if she's a piece of junk - and a warm home to go to later tonight. I am thankful for the love of my family and the text messages I received today. That means that someone was thinking about me today.

Thank you Jesus for all the blessings you bestow upon me. I am truly blessed and it's so uplifting to stop everyday and think about all of the good God is doing in my life.

What are you thankful for today?

BARACK the VOTE

I cast my vote last Thursday and was able to get in and out in a record 20 minutes. I am so nervous about the election results tonight. I cannot fathom a country where Mitt Romney is president. He seems so dishonest. So crooked. So out of touch with the middle class. 

I am a Christian and to calm my nerve, I keep telling myself that God has a plan. His WILL will be done tonight. We cannot worry about the final results. The man who is supposed to be the leader of this country will be. I have to rest assured that I cast my vote. My voice was heard. 

A follower of mine posted this link to her face book page: Anti-Obama. This may be the most intelligently written piece I've seen to date. And regardless of what happens tonight, I am proud of my President for giving this presidency all that he had. For standing up for the rights of underrepresented groups. For fighting for what he [and many of us] believe in. And for doing it all with class and integrity. 

I cast my vote. Have you voted today? 

"Vote for Obama or Vote for Romney its your civic duty, vote for somebody"

Giving Thanks: Day Three

Today I am thankful for waking up on time for work and feeling well rested. I am thankful for having a professional day at work - one without students. I am thankful for having the opportunity to get special education paperwork done (or at least caught up on).

I am thankful for having Macaroni Grill for lunch with a former colleague. The food was delicious and I enjoyed hearing about how she was doing. I am thankful for spending time with my mother at the YAC center at the gym. I am thankful for a fantastic workout at the gym - kickboxing is a favorite of mine.

I am thankful for the few text messages I got today - especially the kind and/or sweet ones. I am thankful for the kind and thoughtful post from Jackie of primrose and company today on her website.

I am thankful for a home to come home to - that has heat and electricity. I am thankful for yet another day to be alive, happy, healthy and fulfilled.

What are you thankful for today?

Just Because ...

I am not one to get into political discussions ... I've watched several friendships disband over disagreements about politics. I have many friends - some Republican and some Democrats - and we get along wonderfully because we choose to keep our conversations [and opinions] about politics to a minimum. I came across this posting tonight, however, and I thought it was thought - provoking. Please do not get upset about this post ... or unfollow me for it. I promise - this will be one of the first and last times you will EVER see me post about something of htis nature. As a person who identifies as African American, whose ancestors are black ... this post touched my heart strings. I am not sure who will be in office come Wednesday ... but let God's will be done either way.

Just Because He’s Black (author unknown) 

A white man asked his black friend “Are you going to vote for Barack Obama just because he’s black?” The black man responded by saying, “Why not? In this country men are pulled over every day just because they are black; passed over for promotions just because they are black; considered to be criminals just because they are black. Thousands of white voters won’t be voting for him just because he’s black!

However, you don’t seem to have a problem with that! This country was built with the sweat and whip of the black slaves’ back; and now a black man has a chance to lead the same country where we weren’t even considered people, where we weren’t allowed to be educated, drink from the same fountains, eat in the same restaurants, or even vote.

So I am going to vote for him!

But it’s not just because he’s black, but because through his leadership, several of America’s elusive enemies were brought to justice; several of our citizens rescued from peril; our economy, health and environment improved; and our good reputation around the world has been restored.

He is hope. He is change. He is wise. He’s a man of integrity and intelligence. He is a man of faith and perseverance. A man of maturity and good judgment. He is a faithful husband and father. And he now allows me to understand when my grandchildren say they want to be President when they grow up, it’s not a fairy tale, but a short term goal. They now see, understand, and know what they can achieve, withstand, and do anything just because they are black!

Giving Thanks: Day Two

I am thankful today for a day of rest. For being able to sleep in and for setting the clocks back an hour. I am thankful for the tuna I had on half of a toasted bagel - it was so delicious. I am thankful for the opportunity to go to Zumba. I had a great workout and enjoyed seeing some old friends.

I am thankful for shopping with my mother this afternoon. We went to Big Lots, where I was able to purchase my very first Christmas tree AND the cutest matching snowman rug/pot holders. We had such a good time - her company is truly valued and appreciated. Heck! I am thankful for my mother. She's such a blessing in my life.

I am thankful for Sunday Night Family dinners at my parent's house. There is nothing better than a delicious home cooked meal and the love of my family. It is so uplifting to be able to fellowship with them every week on Sunday evening.

I am also thankful for the delicious fudgy brownies I baked - and that my family has found tasty! My cooking and baking skills are definitely improving.

What are you thankful for today?

Clean Eating: Take One

Every year, I make a new years resolution to go to the gym more frequently and watch what I eat. I generally have success with this resolution from January until about mid April/Beg May. I typically drop pounds, tone up and feel great! Then the summer comes - and I hardly eat as I like to prance around in bikinis and it's too hot to eat a heavy meal.

Then September comes around and I look GREAT as I stress about getting back into the groove of a new school year. Then October hits and like clock work, I gain 5 lbs from drinking way too much (I thank my students for that) and eating way too many sweets (this time I thank my coworkers). I feel terrible about myself and usually become a lump. I hate to workout, so I eat more. I hate the way I look and feel. So you've guessed it, I eat more. Then the holidays roll around ... and the eating continues.

Until January 1st, when I resolve to change my eating habits.

I need to save money - I live on my own now and my hard earned and quickly spent money surely does not grow on trees. So I really want to try to limit my eating out AND increase my eating of nutrient dense foods. Also - I am feeling fat. I have love handles and blubber. My clothes aren't fitting quite the same way and I feel tired all the time. So there could be no better time to make a healthy and honest attempt at changing my habits.

I vow to try to workout more than once a week ... so here is my plan:

Monday - Kickboxing
Tuesday - Pilate's
Thursday - Weight Lift
Sunday - Weight Lift

I also vow to try to eat cleaner. Clean eating is something a friend of mine swears by - she feels better and looks great! It's not so much a diet as a life style change. I know for a fact I will have a struggle with this - I just love sweets, treats and drinks too much. But I am sick and tired of being sick and tired of being a blob.

I am currently writing out my grocery list ... and I hope I can handle only putting nutrient dense foods into my shopping cart. Here goes take one at clean eating!

Giving Thanks

I am thankful being able to sleep in this morning. Although I woke up at 8:30am, an extra hour of sleep does the body good. I am thankful for caring coworkers at BC. My Saturday job has it's challenges, but working with such sweet and funny girls makes the job so much better. I am thankful for getting paid today from my part time gig. That additional paycheck helps pay bills and gives me some extra spending cash each month.

I am thankful for the relaxing day I had at home. I am generally very busy and do not have the opportunity to be home long enough to enjoy my humble abode. Today- I had the opportunity not only to spend time here, but to also spend time in the company of one of my best friends. I enjoyed the conversation, laughs, pizza run (Little Caesars), movie viewing (The 5 Year Engagement) and backing of no pudgy brownies from Trader Joe's. I do not think I spent a dime today, other than $5 on pizza.

And currently, I am thankful for the opportunity to curl up on my couch and watch TV/read the blogs of my followers. Many of these ladies are gifted writers and have a great sense of humor (which is conveyed through their writing.) They come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, but their honest accounts of the joys and sorrows of life somehow uplift me and encourage me ... or make me feel as though someone may understand the joys and sorrows that occur in my life.

Today was a perfectly perfect Saturday ... and for that, I am thankful.