Day 3: Sunday Blessings

It has only been a few days, but this 'blog challenge' has my mind constantly thinking about life and everything that I take for granted. I have become more aware of all the little things that are a part of my daily/weekly routine, things I would be completely LOST without. For example, mascara, without it I have no eyelashes. My eyes are small enough as is so you can only imagine how 'invisible' eyelashes make them look even smaller. So thank you inventors of mascara, I am forever grateful to you. Then you have other little things like the dish washing fairy who comes at night while I am sleeping and does my dishes...and while that silly little fairy seems to make messes throughout the rest of the house when he comes, I still appreciate him doing the dishes (thanks sweet hubby). I am still searching for a laundry fairy as well as the dusting, window washing, vacuuming, and cooking fairy, but I will try not to be greedy. I appreciate the mailman who kindly delivers mail (aka bills) right to my front door, thank you SO much mailman. And the garbage man who takes away my garbage before it gets all smelly.

I am thankful for internet access as it keeps me connected with all of my friends. Netflix, I love you. Gasoline, I am glad you get me from place to place but I would be more grateful for you if you lowered your prices about $0.50. Which in turn makes me grateful for my jobs yet again to pay for all of the mentioned 'little' things. While many of these 'little things' are quite petty, if they disappeared I can assure you I would notice...and I can 100% guarantee it would make for one of those 'grouchy days'. We are so spoiled!

Something much larger and closer to my heart that I take for granted weekly....My Church. I am so incredibly grateful for my church. I have attended many different churches in my lifetime and I must say that Liberty Bible is totally worth the 20 minute drive on Sunday mornings. Pastor Tom married us and we knew that as long as we lived within driving distance he would be the one 'teaching' us each Sunday. I (we both are) am so grateful for his guidance when times get rough, knowledge of the Bible, and leadership through this crazy messed up world full of 'religion'. I won't get out my 'soap box' about religion and the "a la carte" beliefs of our culture today, but I will say that it is nice to actually have a message each Sunday that applies to everyday life yet comes straight from Bible. No twisted interpretations that help us justify the ways of the corrupt world we live in today...just truth. Pure, honest, in your face truth.

The friends we have found at Liberty are very dear to our hearts. Seriously, we would be lost and lonely without them, as they make up 90% of the friends we hang out with regularly. We enjoy game nights, bible studies, food...lots and lots of food, fellowship, long chats, more food, and just simply knowing that we have someone to rely on at any time, day or night. We are grateful for our sweet 5th and 6th graders...Sunday school would not be the same without their stories, giggles, and innocent souls. We cannot wait to watch their sweet hearts grow as they get older.

My nursery munchkins (AKA birth control), no matter how frustrating it can get at times, nothing brings a smile to my heart like sweet toddlers. Which also reminds me how grateful I am for those sweet friends who bail me out when I have 10 toddlers and no helpers. Thanks Martha, you saved my life!

It is so easy to get into the habit of physically going to church each Sunday (and even easier to get out of the habit), but bringing an open mind and willing heart can be a challenge. Church is so much more than a building...it is a family, a support system, a group of people who hold you accountable for your actions daily....a safe place...a home. We LOVE our church home and are so blessed to be surrounded by people who Love God and live each day knowing that someday we will no longer worry about having grouchy days. How can you NOT be grateful knowing that this world is only a stop along the way....

Family

Mom had the great idea of going to a tea room and enjoying a sweet little lunch. I was a bit skeptical at first...I am not always the first to jump at the chance to go somewhere 'different' (not these days anyhow). I have a slight anxiety problem when it comes to the unknown...or last minute planning. Luckily mom gave me plenty of notice so I was prepared for the day :o) And my forced positive attitude made me follow through with the plans, happily. Which led to a wonderful day. Progress...

Such a cute little place that I would NEVER have found on my own. Mom heard about it from some girlfriends and decided she wanted to go sometime. So off we went to Dunlap. They seat people in groups so you cannot just show up for lunch without reservations (if anyone is interested). Everyone wears a tiara and is a princess or a queen (cheesy but whatever). Traditional English tea is served and you simply enjoy the company of your friends/family.My little Posse...Aunt Doris (not really my aunt, actually a cousin, but grew up calling her aunt so it sticks), G-Ma (she gets cooler as she gets older), Myself, and Mom.

The Table setting for Tea. Wish I would have been paying attentions and taken a picture with the background included as G-Ma was placing her tiara while Aunt Doris held the mirror for her. Bah ha ha....I love my life.

For my English friends....this was as good as real English Tea!!!! Not like the crap they serve here in America. Now you can all come to visit and not be disappointed by the tea you are served...as long as we go to tea parties every day of course.

The grub....yes this whole thing was for one person. I took home all my 'sweets' and was rude and refused to try anything with any sort of 'sauce' or condiment on it. Don't judge

I ate the chicken, celery, nuts, and dried cranberries UNTIL I hit some kind of creamy pudding type concoction on the bottom of the bowl. Just couldn't bring myself to try it...

The items I did eat were very good! And I was full in the end so it all worked out.

Best part of the whole day was wandering around the gift shop only to find myself surrounded by 100% English items. HEAVEN. Nothing can make me smile like a trip down memory lane. I love and miss my English family. But we have Skype and that keeps me sane until I can return. I refrained from purchasing any of my favorite sweets (pretty sure I gained 15 lbs in England: this is seriously no joke and I have pictures as proof), but now that I know they are readily available anytime I want....this could be trouble. Maybe after Christmas I will indulge, maybe...but I prefer to be in England enjoying the sweets.

And this great 'tea party' was followed by a short skype date with my favorite English love...because it would not be right to have tea without a real UK conversation...Hannah what would I do without you???

So, I am grateful for my Mom, G-Ma and Aunt Doris and our fun times together. Especially grateful for Mom as she is always available to listen to me on my grouchy days. Thanks for putting up with my random conversations, the constant 'poor me' attitude, and the many many many tears of frustration. Thanks for refraining from telling me that I am a moron when it is probably the truth. And thanks for loving me unconditionally, even if I was/am a wild child. I am so glad you journaled each and every unthinkable act the three of us terrors thought up as children....I think. It is quite possible that I will need to burn that journal, but for now I will thank you for it and the countless conversations that come from each entry.

Day 2: I could get used to this

Grateful for Sleep....so so grateful for sleep. Even if that meant that I slept in until 8 and didn't get all my OCD chores done. After weeks of tossing and turning, waking up constantly throughout the night, and not being able to sleep past 4 AM I finally slept more than 4 hours in one night. Celebration, I think so!

Yesterday was a great LONG day. Got some chores done before work and made it to work on time. Work went well, I seem to have my mind back and some of my motivation. Even if I forget how to do my job periodically :o) Of course I had a few moments of frustration and grouchiness but it was quickly resolved....I think. Stayed busy which helps pass the long 12 hour shifts. Then headed to the In-Law thanksgiving for a bit. Always enjoyable visiting with the cousins. And then home to annoy the hubby with late night chats as he was trying to fall asleep (he had to wake up at 430 to go hunting in the morning) SORRY love, now you know why I have trouble sleeping, my mind is always racing with off the wall thoughts. Great day!

I am so blessed...with a life full of great people! I could go on an on today with my list of things I am grateful for but I will only name a few so I can save some for the rest of my blogs.... Sleep, late night chats with the hubs, Starbucks, Stupid jokes, Phone calls from best friends, Skype Dates, laughter, my job(s), Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, friends who 'get' me and love me anyhow, beautiful weather.....and the list goes on

(I am grateful Micah finally killed a deer, maybe I will not be a hunters widow much longer....thinking positive)

Day 1....survival

Being positive all day yesterday was not the easiest, BUT I would say it was a successful day. I found myself constantly reminding myself that i needed to stay positive and not complain (sometimes out loud. haha) I am hoping that after a few days of sarcasm and forcing the smiles it will become habit. Not saying I will be perfectly happy all the time, but I am hoping to at least smile enough to completely ignore the negative energy thrown at me daily. I can handle haters, I just don't want to be one!

I thought I was doomed on my way to work as I was running late and there was construction traffic. And then the radio kept me smiling, amazing how music can keep you in a "happy place." Made it to work on time and made it through the day with a smile on my face.

I am so grateful for my co-workers. SO SO SO grateful for my co-workers. We all have our ups and downs but at the end of the day they are my family. When you spend more time at work than family and friends combined...you learn to love one another! With the stresses of everyday life in the ER it is kind of difficult to make it through the day without the support of these wonderful people. So thank you for making it a happy day for me. Thanks for reminding me why I go to work each day and put up with all the craziness that Peoria throws at us. I often complain about my job, say I don't want to go to work, or just get grouchy at the thought of dealing with whining people all day....and then I remember that I work with some of the most amazing people in the Peoria area and it is all worth it. Love you guys! (Becky & Lori, thanks for keeping me in check all day)

I am also grateful for our new Building....as much as i curse it daily it is a pretty sweet facility! And if nothing else, it's enormous size forces me to walk many miles a day which helps me keep my weight in check. So thanks OSF...I am sure it is worth the lack of a pay increase :o)

Since this is being written at 3:30 in the morning...I am hoping that tomorrow I can be grateful for sleep :o)

And of course....I am grateful for my Hubby (and his hot abs)!

Hello Moody!

I wake up every morning hoping to have a good day with a positive attitude and smiles all around...who doesn't. I highly doubt anyone out there really hops out of bed and says "Hey I think I will be a grouch today." But it happens, life happens. And most likely, the things in life that seem to push us over the edge are not expected or planned. Whether it be a rough day at work, a day where you get some bad news, or simply a day where things are NOT going as planned, your day can go from good to bad to worse in a matter of minutes. For me, a day that does not fit into my perfectly formed schedule is a serious 'stress starter'. And of course if there is something out of place, a chair is not pushed in at the table, a drop of water on the counter, a shoe off of the shoe rack.....ok ok I am a bit OCD, but everyone has issues. Micah will tell you that I can wake up smiling and once my OCD mind takes over it is all down hill and my mood goes along for the ride. For someone else it may be a speeding ticket on the way to work...that would put me in a foul mood as well. Or possibly hitting every red light in a 10 mile stretch would put a damper on your day. But it could be worse...somewhere in this state, this country, somewhere in this world, someone is having a worse day than you. We just have to face the fact that people have bad days...some more than others...but bad day or not, we control our moods. And our moods affect those around us. I often forget this part....because once I am in my OCD world it is my world and no one else matters. Selfishness. (We are all sinners and I am working on this!)

I often try to blame my mood on those around me. But in reality it is all me. Someone else may hurt my feelings, their actions may inconvenience me, or they may really piss me off, but that doesn't give me the right to be a grouch...even if I have all the justifications in the world. (and I promise I will try to justify)

So, my goal is to improve my mood and to prevent myself from going to that nasty hateful grouchy place. I am much more enjoyable to be around when I am a happy girl and right now, i am not a happy girl, well not all the time anyhow. I try and my plastic smile can usually cut it for a while and then it fails....fails miserably and I am a grouch. So I apologize to all my sweet friends, co-workers, and husband for my extreme moodiness and excessive complaining the last few weeks (correction: Months). Things have not really "gone my way", for those of you who deal with me every day you can attest that this is a serious understatement. I have found myself crawling out of bed grouchy and the majority of my conversations are negative. I annoy myself with my complaining so I can only imagine how my friends feel at this point. And while really has been a horrible few weeks it is not worth my time or energy to go through each day grumpy. Which brings me to the point of this blog...

Thanksgiving...I am normally not a holiday kind of person. I get stressed...imagine that. But I believe that we control our thoughts and attitudes and gratefulness is a great way to drown out the hatefulness. SOOOO Welcome to Whitney's (however many days I allow myself time to blog) Days of Thanksgiving, where I will bore you with the many things in life I am actually grateful for in hopes of reminding myself that life really isn't all that bad and I am quite blessed....

(and for those who are with me daily, friendly reminders not to complain would be awesome....if I start to go on a rant about something stupid, just walk away and tell me to be grateful!)

Sunshine for the Soul

The rest of our trip consisted of Food, Food and More Food... We made sure we ate at all of our favorite spots, hungry or not. We also wandered around La Jolla for some window shopping and Ocean viewing. There were countless visits with friends as well. Over all I would consider our trip a success!

Favorite Places to Eat:

Miguels Cocina (Coronado Island)

The Burger Lounge (best veggie burgers around)

Fuji Japanese Steak House

Wahoo's (Fish Tacos)

Jake's Del Mar (oceanside elegance...)

Favorite People In San Diego:

Billy and Mallory

Ben and Debbie (plus the whole Harris family of course)

Tracy

Ela and Jon (even if you really don't live in San Diego)

Favorite Spots:

La Jolla

Torrey Pines

Sea World

The San Diego Zoo

Seaport Village

Gaslamp District

Fashion Valley Mall

Coronado Island

Any and Every Beach

Shadow Mountain Community Church

True North (night Life fun)

Nothing like a San Diego Sunset....

My LOVES. Ela and Jon...At the Beach in La Jolla

We made them take a 'SoCal' guy friends picture. At least we didn't make them hold hands :o)

My sweet sweet friend Ela

The Seal/sea lion hang out

Many people ridicule Cali for its 'liberal' outlook on life....but everyone who 'hates CA' has clearly never been there. So friends from the Midwest....take a vacation :o)

British love at Sea World

There were many highlights to our trip, but one that surpasses them all was my reunion with my dear sweet friend Ela. This whole blog started when I was living in England and I long to be able to blog once again about my British encounters...Someday I will return. Some of my most treasured friendships began on British soil...friendships that speak to my soul from thousands of miles away. When I left England I left knowing that I would once again see the sweet faces I grew to love. So far Skype is the only way I get to see these beautiful women, however I was blessed with a real life reunion while we were in San Diego.

Ela was supposed to fly to IL when Micah and I got married, but illness hindered her from making the trip...such a bummer, but there was no illness this time around. Ela and her now fiance made the trip to CA for their own pleasure and shortly after planning we realized that our trips overlapped. PERFECTION (As if I needed another reason to make the trip perfect)

We ate at our FAVORITE restaurant in San Diego, Miguels. If anyone plans on visiting San Diego this is a MUST TASTE. Coronado Island holds the finest Mexican food and Italian Gelato. Both of which were enjoyed with my beautiful Ela, her fiance Jon, Mallory and Billy.

Since we also enjoyed a day at SeaWorld together. It was a gorgeous day for a stroll with the whales...

The traditional Micah/Whitney watching Shamu picture...

Thriller...definite entertainment

Ela showing off her engagement ring.

The Whales never get old...I could watch them all day long every day :o)

Why can't you live in the same country as me? I need more friends like you ;o)

Sweet reunion....with a sweet friend who knows my heart without saying a word. It is such a joy to be able to talk to someone who 'gets' you. Thank you Ela for your friendship. For your unconditional love...and for all the memories on British and US soil. I cannot wait for our next reunion on British soil.