An Early Thanksgiving

It's amazing what a 6 hour drive and a weekend with family can do for a person. Last night as I sat in bed reminiscing about the weekend and thanking God for such loving family and friends, an overwhelming sense of gratitude came over me. So much to be thankful for. As a kid, I use to thank God for everything. "Thank you God for the changing seasons, thank you for the freshly fallen leaves, thank you for my cat, Pippi (God rest his soul), thank you for my brother, mom and dad, thank you for my teacher, etc." I was definitely a silly, imaginative kid, but sweet, of course. Hello, it's me we're talking about!

As I got older, I quit thanking God for all the small things in life. I'm not sure why, but I know that I just began to expect them, which caused me to be less grateful. As a married woman who works hard for my money, I am beginning to return to that child-like faith thanking God for anything and everything. For example, my drive to and from my parents' home was gorgeous! The sun was setting over the corn fields and the rays cast an amazing golden glow on the trees. Thank you God for the sun and this beautiful view.

My mom bought me a month's worth of Weight Watchers meals, washed my car, bought me a steamer because she knows I hate ironing the hub's work clothes and bought me school supplies :) Thank you God for my loving, thoughtful mom.

My dad took my car to get his haircut, and on the way home put gas in my car and got my oil changed. Thank you God for my loving, thoughtful dad.

I got to go to a wedding and dance and laugh with my aunts, uncles and cousins. Thank you God for my loving and fun family.

My brother sold some of my clothes and made money for me at his garage sale. Thank you God for my loving, thoughtful brother.

My grandma gave my family money to go out together for dinner. Thank you God for my loving, thoughtful grandma.

My niece and nephew let me take a nap and made me smile with laughter. Thank you God for my wonderful niece and nephew.

My hubs left the house cleaner than I left it and even made the bed! Thank you God for my loving, thoughtful hubs.

As I laid in bed praying and thanking God for all the blessings in my life, I began to feel homesick for my hubs and family. I was alone. I hate being alone. But then, God reminded me that when it comes to Him, I am never alone. He is always with me. Thank you God for sticking with me, for living in my heart and never leaving my side.

Needless to say, it was an early day of thanks for this girl. I think I might make it a habit.

Barking at dogs

Guilty. I do bark at dogs, but only when they deserve it. And just to clarify, I'm not aggressive about it. I'm just a smart a$$ about it, and mock them. There is this annoying wiener dog across the street that barks at anything and everything. So yesterday, when I actually went running, I had a stare down with the wiener dog as I ran past his house. He began barking at me, but I wasn't afraid of him. So I barked back...maybe like 3 times...whatever. He was shocked. Obviously, he had never been barked back at. He barked again. I barked again. He backed off. "Victorious!" I thought. Then I ran past a neighbor, who said, "I didn't know you spoke dog!" Embarrassment. I was speechless and awkward. Just laughed and kept running. Well yes, I do speak dog, so now you know. Don't act like you've never done it.

Ho Hum

Been feeling a bit blah, lately. Eugene will do that to you, though. She is a bad friend. We are still battling it out. If you are confused about Eugene, click here. She has been continuing to persuade me to eat hershey bars dipped in peanut butter, and today, she decided to be a pain.

Most frustratingly (besides the weight gain), she makes me feel unmotivated and tired. So, today I'm going to ignore Eugene and go for a run, weight lift, eat a mango instead of a hershey bar dipped in peanut butter (although it sounds DELISH!) and try to be productive.

On a different note, this morning was 55 degrees outside. Why hello Autumn, I've been expecting you. The other day, I was getting so excited about fall, that I purchased 6 mums for $10. Then, I went and bought 2 more for $1 each! So exciting. I'm already planning how to decorate the front yard with pumpkins!

Also, I'm going home to see family this weekend, and I'm SO excited. I miss my niece and nephew. They are cool, little Mexicans. Because I'm trying not to let Eugene win the battle of the hormones, I'm going to stick it to Eugene and post pics of my little Mexicans with their "Poppy" (aka mi hermano (aka my brother)). They make me smile. Enjoy.

Hot Flash

It's sad really. I'm 26. I'm too young for this, and yet, I'm having a hot flash at my desk. I know so because the back of my shirt is wet, I'm pitting and as I stand up, my pants are stuck to my butt. Either its really hot in the office (which sources have told me its not), or all the excitement of back-to-school has got my panties in a knot. Honestly though, I think its dehydration. At least, that's what I'm telling myself. I think I'll just stay hidden in my cube. I've got a wedgie, and I don't want to embarrass myself in front of my new boss.

Ice Cream Carnage

It happened last night. I had a frozen, WW pizza, peach and 100 calorie popcorn (with chalula sauce on top). Pretty good dinner, but my uterus was not satisfied. My uterus, lets call her Eugene, cause I hate saying uterus over and over. Anyways, Eugene gets mean once a week, every month. She sends me stabbing pains in my stomach, but she doesn't stop there. I must feed the monster.

Last night, Eugene wanted ice cream, fudge and peanut butter. I tried to tell her no. We ate enough food for a small village, but she didn't listen. Eugene took over. I was told it was a delicious massacre. After the ice cream carnage, I awoke to an empty bowl. All she left was a bit of fudge residue on the sides of the bowl. Dang it, Eugene. Get a hold of yourself!

Then, she got tired. I wanted to go work out. I had every intention to run and lift weights, but when Eugene wants something, Eugene gets it. She wanted to go to sleep. She wouldn't even let me watch Ace of Cakes, and I love that show. We fell asleep at 9 p.m. Eugene is a hot mess, and needs an intervention.

Epic Wedding Dance Party

When you come to the wedding of the century that is Hubs and J, expect to get a little lesson on how to move your money maker.

Ya, see we got our BA's in kick a$$ dancing...

Even our momma's know how to boogie...

Because, we did learn it from our mommas after all...

And we only hang with fellow kick a$$ dancers...

Who know when its time to get down on the floor...

And rock it till their shoes fall off...

Seriously, you don't want to mess with us and our skillz.

Morning People

"Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey," as the Hubs would say throwing all the covers off me. Morning people. What is their deal? I think Morning People are like dogs. They smell the tiredness of Night Owls, and they feel the need to annoy them in the mornings. Whether it be throwing the covers off of them, saying annoying phrases about waking up, or asking them tons of questions before they've had their coffee.

I use to be a Night Owl, but now I go to bed at 9 p.m. I also fall asleep during movies at night. I no longer have a category to fall into. Such is life. I'm the weird loner in all realms. But today, I'm creating my own category, Nooners. I come alive after lunch. I've had my coffee, I've got twice the food in my belly, and I'm ready to take on the world and go to sleep at a reasonable time.

So word of advice to all you Morning People, don't talk to me till lunch, or else, you'll get a fist in the face...ok, thats a bit harsh, but I haven't had my coffee yet and its Monday...The worst morning of all mornings. Most likely you'll just get a really dirty look or sarcastic response.