Day 30: The End

Today, I'm thankful to be back. The Thanksgiving Holiday was so good that I had to take an extra day off, just to fully appreciate it all. Just in case you were afraid you missed anything, Here's a short summary of my time-off:

Sleep
Grilled seafood goodness
Wine
Wine
Book
Sleep
Just say NO! to Black Friday
Sweet potato pie
Gumbo
Sleep
Book
Sleep
Football
Margarita
Sleep

It was a delight.

P.S. I realize that I kinda dropped the ball on this Thanking thing the last week or so; but I'm bonus thankful that you all still love me--even though I clearly have narcolespy and (writing) commitment issues.

23

Today, I am thankful for flat boots and feet that don't hurt.

Thankful: Day 22

Holy Smoked Turkey & Dressing, Batman, this month is almost over!

How'd that happen? And how did I miss so many thankful days?

Today, I am thankful for sunshine and light traffic on my way into work. I'll be thankful if traffic is light on my way, home, too. (Do you hear me, big guy?)

This past weekend, I celebrated a 7th birthday with some of my favorite little people.

Musical chairs, caramel apples, and s'mores. It was a small party. Nothing fancy for this family. And we had a blast.

And so, I'm bonus thankful for family and warm, cozy fires and chocolate and marshmallows and little children who make fun out of glow sticks and playing after dark on a simple Saturday night.

Thankful to be back! Day 17

Between my work schedule and a much-needed mental health day, I've missed a few days of the thankful challenge. I needed that time though; I hope you'll forgive me.

I took the day yesterday and did a few chores, but after that, I took the best nap!

And that's why I am so thankful for rest and sleeping just like a baby.

(This picture made my womb clinch, but then I got over it.)

See yall later.

...and more Thankful: Days 13 and 14

After this challenge ends, I don't think I'm going to be able to use the word 'Thankful' in a headline for at least a year.

This weekend passed in a warm foggy haze of work, cocktails, Redbox rentals, a marathon nap on the couch and indecision.

I was thankful then, for my prerogative--I can do what I want to do. Which is why I have decided to change my whole color scheme for this room project that I have going (and going and going and going). 

What had happened was, I saw another comforter. And it was orange coral (you have to use fancy words when you're interior re-decorating). The moment I locked eyes on it, I knew I had to have it. I'm sure the folks working the return line at the Maxx hate my guts were so pleased to help me return/exchange/purchase all of my oversized items. 

And so, my virtual friends, I find myself almost back at the beginning. Still going with the fabric backdrop, but the color scheme is changing.

At this rate, I should have my winter makeover done by spring. 

And now, for your listening pleasure....it's Bobby B. (That outfit is something, ain't it?)

Thankfultini: Days 11 and 12

Today, at 6 p.m., I am so thankful for the chance to finally just stop and breathe.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh............

The last two days have been work-hectic while I've been working on a huge project for a teen girl website that has content like, "Are You a Mean Girl" and "Discover Your Inner Sparkle."

[insert gas face here]

Needless to say, I'm gonna go find my sparkle in the inner part of a martini glass.

Y'all have a good one.

Day 10: Thanks and other nonsense

These beautiful little pieces of artificially flavored goodness are what I am most thankful for today. My body was possessed by a sugar beastie, so I fed it Jelly Belly candies and it went away. (Don't judge.)

So, yeah, about this room redo I have going on at my house. I discovered something that you may or my not already know. And if you did know this, let's talk later about why you didn't tell me. I found out that you don't have to dismantle an entire ceiling fan just to get a new look. You can just replace the blades and the light fixtures and voila...new look.

This falls under the category of a very good thing because I'm in love with my ceiling fan. More specifically, I'm in love with the fact that it doesn't shake, rattle and roll all through the night. It's so quiet, like a fan ninja. It also looks like 1982 and has long needed to be replaced. I've just been worried that any replacement wouldn't be so considerate of my sleep. Thanks to Google, my fears are no more.

I haven't found new blades yet, but I did find some replacement options for the light covers. And guess what, guess what, guess what?! You're allowed to have an opinion about them. Take a look.

One of them is the kind of neutral I always lean toward and the other one is sexy and mysterious and alluring... a lot like me in real life.

I like them both. What do you think?

Day 9 and counting...

Q: How cute is this room?
A: Too cute.

Today, I am thankful for creativity, energy and bright DIY ideas.

I love this idea of a fabric/curtain/drape backdrop as a headboard. It might be an inexpensive way for me to spice things up, take a break from the norm and generally get my own motor running. Plus, when I'm over it (which won't take long, I guarantee it), I can just take it down and move on to the next thing.

This is beyond gorgeous and if you don't agree with me, then I'm bonus thankful that you kept your opinion to yourself.

Day 8: Thankful and snug as a bug in a rug

Today, I am thankful for bargain-priced comforter sets and drapes and rugs and side tables.

Did y'all know it's fall? Yes, it really is. I'm just telling you so you won't be surprised like I was.

My bedroom still looks like summer. I have a white, fluffy comforter, cotton sheets, and breezy sheers that flutter with the ceiling fan.... The problem, like I mentioned earlier, is that fall came and brought all of it's chilly, shivery cousins with it.

I woke up chilly and shivery on Saturday and knew a shopping trip was in order.

I set off with  Life in Dishes on one of those nothing shopping trips we love so much. You know, it's when we need absolutely nothing that we find everything!

Well, I scored a new comforter set in rich fall colors of chocolate and pomegranate with hints of curry and sage. For those of you who are not as fancy as me, that means it's brown and red with a little bit of yellow and green. I also found a room-sized rug and two side tables (that I'm auditioning).

All for less than $200. Christmas came early.

Well, let me tell you, all of those goodies got me way too inspired. I ended up dismantling my sleigh bed, putting up a different frame and generally changing my whole life.

It's not quite done yet. I'm still auditioning things  but putting it all together really has energized me and I know where I'm gonna be spending most of my time this fall.

Here is a really bad BlackBerry pic of a rug contender. Completely traditional and completely diff from anything I'd ever buy. Who knew I liked traditional? You can't tell a thing about color, but it has a cheerful holiday vibe, and it may be a keeper.

I'll keep y'all posted on how it all turns out and might even invite you over to sit around on my rug.

Just kidding. I don't like company. Just enjoy the picture,  y'all.

30 Days of Thankful: A Weekend of Thankful - Days 6 and 7

I hope you had a happy weekend. Mine sure was a blast!

This weekend, I was thankful...

....for having my Bigmama home from the hospital. She had a nasty cough, but prayer, glorious prayer still works.
...for my comfy leggings and long-sleeved tees. The temps were not nice this weekend.
...for favor. I saw "For Colored Girls" movie this weekend; and there, but for the Grace of God, go I.
...for lemon-scented Pine-Sol. Have you tried this stuff? You should. Seriously. Buy some. Your kitchen floors will thank you for it.

30 Days of Thankful: Day 4

Today, I am thankful for....

...my grandmother. She's under the weather right now,  but the saints are praying baby, and it's working!
...having the kind of dad who used to light the bathroom heater in the morning before I got up to dress for school
...and even though I own my own home now, he calls me in the morning to make sure I am still warm enough.
...the weekend.

30 Days of Thankful: Day 4

Today, I am thankful for Chinese delivery and for Claritin. That is all.

30 Days of Thankful: Day 3

I confess: Today's list was a little harder to come by, given last night's election results. And then I woke up to cold and rain. Even Jesus wept.

Is anyone else checking on flights to Canada? Or, maybe that's just me.


Deep. Breath.


Today, I am thankful for....

... the instant butter-flavored grits my co-worker gave me.
....my polka dot umbrella.
....and my blue raincoat.

Bonus:

....knowing that things often seem darkest just before the sun breaks through.

30 Days of Thankful: Day 2

Today I am thankful for...

.... exercising my right to vote and democracy.
....the good sense to never ever appear on the Real Housewives of Atlanta, any VH1 love competition, or just reality TV in general. Pickles?! Really?!
....Curel lotion for super-dry, alligator-like, scratchy, itchy skin.

Bonus:
....peace of mind, serenity and the blessings of waking up everyday in a stable home.

30 Days of Thankful: Day 1

KJ over at Solo Cruise decided to join a Thankful: 30-Day Challenge and I've decided to join her.

Today, I am thankful for...

....Seedless green grapes with crisp skins that are full of juice and so good!
...A good space at the Shell Station where I park during the week for work.
...Dr. Pepper.

Bonus:

...You, who read this blog.