Grateful Things

A while back I started a project on listing something I am grateful for each day.  Because of my new inspiration for the Happiness Project, I have decided to spend less time finding something in each day and more time focusing on the big picture of happiness....thanks for following along to my grateful things section, but for now I am closing the chapter on those blog posts.

Grateful Things

So, I have been a little behind in my grateful things posts.  I have been so grateful for things in my life the last week and I want to update things I have been grateful for:

Last Wednesday; Day 36: I was grateful for a few hours by myself in the office

Sometimes it nice to just get some work done in the office when you are all alone.  Today my boss left early and I was able to just blast some music and get work done with complete silence.  Its night to get a few hours each day like this.

Thursday; Day 37: I was grateful for Alcohol

Yes, I like alcohol.  No, I am not an alcoholic.  Today was a very stressful day and I needed a night of drinks to help wash away all of the crappy things bothering me. I know I shouldn't turn to alcohol, but it was just one of those days and man did it feel good.

Friday; Day 38: I was grateful for weekend visitors.  

Today a "friend" (we will call him V) that I haven't seen in 9 months was coming to visit.  Its hard to say what our "relationship" is, but lets just say, I couldn't wait to see him and just run and hug him.  From the moment I saw him that night my night was complete.  I hate that I have to wait another 9-12 months to see him.

Saturday; Day 39: I was grateful for spending a friend's birthday with them

Today I was reminded how special some of my friends are in my life.  It was one of my good friend's birthday and all he wanted to do in the afternoon was go play mini golf.  Him, his roommate and I went out on the gorgeous day to play one round and it was the perfect afternoon.  I was so grateful that he asked me to join him on his special day.

Sunday; Day 40: I was grateful for meeting new friends through old friends

Since my friend, V, came into town on Friday, I have been introduced to a few of his DC friends that I never hung out with before.  It was really refreshing to meet new people in the city whom I have never met before.  I am hoping these connects will continue to increase even after our weekend visitor leaves.

Monday; Day 41: I was grateful for long goodbyes. 

Today was the last day that V was in town.  Although we have never and probably will never define what we have together, it was so nice to have a few days with him.  I dreaded saying goodbye but knew that the time would come.  Monday was his last day in town so I called in sick, headed to the golf course with him and then proceeded to spend the entire afternoon hanging out with him and friends at the bar.  If I am forced to say goodbye to someone I would rather have it be a long drawn out fun filled day of happiness than a quick huge goodbye.  I was so grateful for this weekend with him.

Tuesday; Day 42: I was grateful for being able to take 20 minutes for lunch

I normally don't take a lunch hour at work.  Today I wanted just a few minutes of fresh air and decided to run across the street to grab a sandwich.  I was really happy to do this "me" time during the work day.

TODAY; Day 43: Today I was grateful for the opportunity to play for free in a golf tournament

An organization that I am affiliated with hosted a golf tournament outside of the city.  Normally it was a few hundred dollars to play, and I had hoped for months I would be picked up by a sponsor.  Thankfully I was placed on someone's team and had the opportunity to play for free.  After a great day, I can't wait till next year.

Grateful Things

Day #36: Today I was grateful for my roommates

I realized tonight I am extremely happy with my current living situation. We all click really well and I like that I can come home and hang out with the girls.  Its a great way to end the day after being stressed out at work.

Grateful Things

Day #34: (Monday) Today I was grateful for getting out of work 1 hour earlier than planned

Last night I had an event for work (I am an event planner, not sure if I have mentioned that before).  I had mentally planned on getting out at 12:30 a.m. however, with the help of some speedy caterers we were able to clean up and get out the door by 11 p.m. I was estatic since that meant I had more time to work on a wedding that I am planning.  The bad part was, I crashed before writing my grateful things. (sorry its a few hours late)

Day #35: (Tuesday) Today I was grateful for all of the teachers I had growing up

Today is Teacher Appreciation Day.  Thinking of all of the teachers I have had in my life makes me grateful for many things.  I am grateful for all of the activities we did, plays we created, books we read, and parties we threw.  More importantly my mother is a teacher, and I know how much she loves what she does.  She had to take a 20+ year break on teaching so that she could raise her family, however, in the last year she has been able to get back to doing it.  The joy I see come from her stories and new experiences is enough to make me realize she loves what she does.  THANK YOU to all of the Teachers out there, including my mother, my aunt, my cousin, and one of my best friends from childhood!!

A day that will be remembered

There are many moments in life when you will someday say to your children and grandchildren..."On the day that_______ happened, I was _____" . Today is one of those moments. After 10 years of heartache, pain, loss, and fighting, Osama Bin Laden is dead. God bless all of the troops. Thank you for your courage, your sacrifice, an your struggle to bring peace and safety to millions of americans, and your dedication.

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Grateful Weekend

I was behind on my Grateful Things posts.  It was a crazy weekend and I knew I wouldn't get a chance to catch up on them until today.

Friday: Day #31: Today I was Grateful for the work week to be over

Its been a rough few weeks at work for me.  I am struggling to figure out my future and wondering if the job I am in, is helping me get to where I want to be.  When Friday was over, I was so happy to start the weekend and stop thinking about work.

Saturday: Day #32: Today I was Grateful for Volunteering

Last year I had the opportunity to help with Hands on DC, a charity organization that dedicates one day a year to clean up DC schools in the metro area.  This year I helped by painting bathrooms at a high school.  It felt great to volunteer and spend my Saturday morning doing something productive.  I was grateful to have this opportunity.

Sunday: Day #33: Today I was Grateful for Sunday

I love Sundays.  Its my day to catch up on life and relax at the same time.  I have a mental to-do list of different things I need to get done, and I spend Sundays banging them out.  Its sort of my prep day for the week but also my winding down day from the week past.  I love Sunday mornings and evenings.

Sunday: Day #33: Today I was Grateful for the Troops

It was just announced this evening that Osama Bin Laden is finally dead.  Americans and American troops have been struggling for 10 long years to bring justice to what happened in 2001.  Today, the president confirmed to all Americans that Bin Laden is dead.  We are eternally grateful to the troops for fighting each and every day for our safety.  We sometimes forget how many hours a days are spend at war for our country.  Thank you, to all of the troops out there fighting for us.  

"You have our everlasting gratitude"

Day #30: Things I am Grateful For

Day #30: Today I was grateful for those few extra seconds

I have really gotten into this new book: The Hunger Games.  Ok, its not new, but I just heard about it and am in love with the series.  I have been reading it like crazy the last few days and just wanted a few extra minutes on the metro so that I could complete it tonight.  I was so grateful for that extra moment I had waiting for the train to make sure I finished in time.  This is a MUST READ!

Day #29: Things I am Grateful For

Day #29: Today I am grateful for my boss taking sick days...

So that I can blast music and relax at the office while I work

Day #28: Things I am Grateful For

Day #28: Today I was grateful for clear skies

because I was able to get home from work and go for a long walk out in the beautiful weather.  It was a great way to work out while still being outside.  My neighborhood is not all flat so there are some little hills and inclines along the way, that helped to work my butt muscles!

Day #27: Things I am grateful For

Day #27: Today I was grateful for WIFI

....so I could work outside on my computer during this gorgeous Monday evening!

Day #25 & Day #26: Things I am Grateful For

I am late on posts this weekend.  It was a jammed packed weekend of activities with friends, and because of that technology took a back seat.  Time to catch up on emails, blog posts, and life.

Saturday: Day #25: Today I am grateful
for bars by the water

I know, it sounds like a silly thing to be thankful for, however, after living in a city for the past 4 years you come to appreciate little "escapes" that allow you to unwind from the day.  Saturday, I subbed in on my friends' flag football team. It was such a beautiful day out and afterward we wanted to go somewhere to unwind and just enjoy each other's company.  In DC there is a bar down by the waterfront that sits on a dock by some of the boats in the harbor.  Sitting out on the dock sipping on a drink reminds you more of a vacation than being in a busy city.  It was the perfect way to relax with friends and enjoy the beautiful weather. 

Sunday: Day #26: Today I am grateful for my religion

I haven't been the best catholic lately.  So, I really can't talk much about religion but I did grow up in a catholic household.  Every Sunday we would go to church and every Wednesday until we were juniors we would attend CCD.  During college,  I tried to go to church but somehow partying, working, studying, and socializing seemed to get in the way.  (Immature I know...) Once I moved after college I somehow fell into the trend of not attending weekly.  There was no real good excuse why not to go, however, I never made an attempt to go each week.  Now that I have been out of college for years you would think I would have fallen back into the habit of attending weekly, but something inside of me hasn't forced myself to attend.  Yesterday, although I was extremely busy making Easter lunch for friends and really wanted to just sleep in after partying all night, I forced myself to get up and attend.  Duirng the middle of mass, I realized that I missed the weekly routine from my childhood.  I was proud of my catholicism and wanted to slowly start bringing it back into my life. I am happy my parents instilled the religion in our life and hope one day I can do the same for my kids.  For the time being, I just have to work on getting myself there and soon it will fall back into my normal routine.  

Day #24: Things I am Grateful For

Day #24: Today I was grateful for mental health days.

Because sometimes you just need a day off to clear your mind.

Day #23: Things I am Grateful For

Day #23: Today I am grateful that my schedule lined up with an old friend so
 that we could take an hour to chat

I have a best friend from childhood that has a similarly busy schedule as I do.  We never get to chat anymore and it kills me to see us talking less and less frequently.  Tonight for the first time in months we found a time that worked for both of us to chat.  I was so grateful for this short  hour. She means the world to me and I love hearing her voice on the phone. 

Day #22: Things I am Grateful For

Day #22: Today I am Grateful for The Gym

Yep, you heard me right. 

I am grateful for the gym.  

Tonight it allowed me to clear my head, get out some built up energy, and just zone out.  

Tonight, I needed to clear my head and get away. 

Tonight the gym was my escape. 

Tonight was one of the first nights of many at the gym

Day #21: Things I am Grateful Fo

Day #21: Today I am Grateful for 

amazing Friends Who Sent Beautiful Flowers

Today I received a huge surprise at work.  

Flowers! 

I had never received flowers at work, however, today broke my flower virginity.  

My two good friends who spent the weekend with me sent me flowers just because.  

It completely made my day! 

I am grateful for having people in my life who love me enough to send flowers

Day #20: Things I am grateful For

Day #20: Today I was grateful for quick lines at Jiffy Lube

In between my busy weekend, I completely forgot to give some TLC to my car.  During my 45 minute open window I rushed into Jiffy Lube for a quick tune-up.  I was so thankful they were not crowded when I rushed in the door.  Their quick work helped to keep me on track for the day.  Thank goodness for short lines and hard workers when you need it the most.

Day #19: Things I am Grateful For

Day #19 Today I was grateful that
I could park for free at my office.

Yes, its Saturday.

Yes, Its raining.

And yes, I am working.  

NOT HAPPY

OF all days, why did I have to work today? I have friends in town visiting, I am exhausted, and its pouring down rain.  

I was not happy about having to come into work, however, I was extremely grateful that our executive director let me use her parking spot at the office so that I didn't have to take the metro tonight at 1 a.m. in the bitter cold.  I AM EXTREMELY grateful for this. 

Day #18: Things I am Grateful For

Day #18: Today I was grateful for having the time to take a lunch break with friends

Today two of my good friends are in town and I had the opportunity to leave work and spend some time with them outside for lunch. It was so nice to just sit around with them and enjoy each other's company.  I am so grateful for that short time we had together this afternoon.  After such a stressful week its nice to take time to enjoy the nice weather outside with friends.

Day #17: Things I am Grateful For

Day #17: Today I am Grateful for KICKBALL!!

I have waited since October for kickball to return back into my life and finally the wait it over.  Spring Kickball begins tonight.  I feel like a kid in a candy store!

Here's to kicking balls at the Washington Monument

Drinking late nights in DC

And making memories with some good people

Makes you think