30 Days of Thanks - Roommates and Airplanes

Day 15 - I am thankful for a cool roommate. And for a roommate I hardly see. I was a bit sad at the move since it wasn't the joint house I wanted with John. Then I had all this quiet time and hated being alone those first few days. But now it's nice. My roommate works nights so she leaves before I come home from work and gets in just about the time I'm headed to bed. I like that I can just chill and relax, get shit done. because really, if I'm not at John's or he's not at my place chances are I need to be packing or cleaning or just have an hour where I'm not preparing for the next adventure. At the same time, Jen was home last night as Thurs tend to be her night off. Her boyfriend came over but we were able to chat and chill a bit first. Then she made spiced apple cider and spiked it with rum. Though I should have been packing we had a good 2 hours.

Day 16 - I'm thankful for airplanes. I know, who ever thought I'd say that?! I hate, hate, hate flying. The lines, the people, the woozy feeling during take off, the inevitable diseases of the people, the turbulence. It's just no fun to me. But I am grateful that I can get places so quickly. All the other stuff are the necessary evils to travel. Instead of driving hours upon hours, we can be places in 2-4 hours. I'd never see so much of the world if it weren't for flights. Little weekend trips - way less cool if you spend 8 hours each way in the car.

30 Days of Thanks - Mom-in-law

We've all heard the horror stories of mothers in-law. In-laws in general, actually. People can be crazy, y'all. But John's mom is pretty great. She stays out of our business when it isn't just general how ya doin' stuff. She will sit and chat with me and we can laugh about some of John's crazy behaviors. We're not besties, but I always feel welcome and respected when I'm in her home. I think she knows we're happy and that's all that matters.

30 Days of Thanks - Food

Short and simple today - I'm thankful I have the means to eat and eat well. No reason, maybe I'm hungry, or just thinking about baking something yummy. I'm grateful my belly is full and I don't worry about where my next meal is coming from.

30 Days of Thanks Moms and more

Day 10 - My mom and I have had our ups and downs like any mother/daughter relationship. But the last few years she's been there through some tough stuff. I know I can call her any time and she's there to listen. If I'm crying for no good reason she gets it. We also share a lot of interests so I can rely on her to talk Les Miz or a multitude of other topics.

Day 11 - Strength. I'm not a very strong person, physically. I have a bad knee and a bad back. Sometimes this really gets me down. But then I have great days like today where my limitations don't get the best of me. I climbed a 5.9 at the gym today. I'm doing 5.7s well and 5.8s, some good some bad. So this was a step up. I was really tired, nearly ready to call it a day, but I felt motivated. I had to take a few times when I just couldn't get a good grip on the tiny holds that tend to make up a 5.9. But I made it up. I'm thankful that while I can't do a lot of things that other people around me can, I don't let it stop me from hiking, climbing, whatever at my own pace. I may not be the best or the fastest, but I don't let myself sit on my bum all day.

Day 12 - I'm thankful for the ability to buy those I love good gifts. I did some shopping today and am getting pretty excited about the holidays. While I can't shower everyone with new cars or the washing machine my mom needs, I can provide happiness. Mostly in the form of John and I going home for the holiday. I'm thankful that my family sees more value in spending my money on place tickets than on elaborate gifts.