Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving Morning

It's 8am on Thanksgiving Day. I woke up on Marie's tiny couch to the sound of the shower running. My turn next. I get a phone call from Jana. "I'm looking at tickets at Jordan Landing. We can reserve seats to 'Harry Potter' for 5:35. Does that work?" I notice while talking with Jana that my voice is scratchy and worry I'm getting a cold, but then remember Marie and I were laughing pretty hard last night before falling asleep. Remembering why we were laughing makes me smile and shake my head. I pull out my computer and start goofing around on Facebook. Check my email. Read a blog or two. My head and back are achey. (This is what happens when you don't get enough sleep and/or when you sleep on a love seat.) I read a few "thankful" status updates and posts, and think of the day ahead of me.

I get to spend some time with my parents (who have come from California), sisters, brother-in-law and niece and nephews before heading over to the grandparent's house to be with aunts and uncles and cousins as well. We'll eat way too much food, because way too much as been prepared. We'll talk and laugh and have a good ol' time. We'll clean and put the leftovers away--save them for tomorrow when we'll get together again to build gingerbread houses. My sisters and I, and probably some other family members, will go see 'Harry Potter.' We'll completely enjoy the movie (I know this, because I've already seen it) and then go back to Grandma's for pie, which we'll also completely enjoy. We'll spend most of the day talking over each other and laughing. Possibly an occasional and very short disagreement, but no real fighting or angry words. We like being together.

I'm so thankful that we love each other and like spending time together. Today is gonna be a great day. I only wish my brothers and their girls were here. Oh, and that we had some doughnuts from Doughnuts to Go.

Monday, November 22, 2010

This is my official Thanksgiving post:

I'm so thankful for my family. They're my rock.

I'm so thankful for my friends. They keep me sane.

I'm thankful for Facebook and Blogger. Yes, I really am.

I'm thankful for my job, even though I've been complaining. It's a good job and at least I have one!

I'm thankful for my new ward. I'm still very new there and I don't really know anyone, but I enjoy being there and feeling the Spirit. And I'm glad to not be in a singles ward anymore. I needed this change, I needed old people and babies and teens and parents and the Primary Sacrament Program. Sad to be in a family ward alone, but not sad to be in a family ward.

I'm thankful for the gospel. It's everything.

I'm thankful for my Savior, who's birth we will be celebrating shortly by getting together with family and friends, giving gifts, eating goodies, singing songs, and telling stories. While we do these things, I hope we will keep Him in our thoughts.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Something's Missing

I know I can't be the only one to have a horrible day without being able to pin-point exactly why it was so horrible. So, I'll list the things that were good about today:

  • Anne was kind enough to give me a ride to work. How blessed are those extra 40 minutes of sleep?!
  • I saw Amilia before work and got to chat with her for a few minutes.
  • I had lunch with Julia, and we were able to talk about a ton of things, which was super nice. She let me vent.
  • Everyone at work at one point or another made me smile, giggle, or flat-out laugh.
  • I was thanked for the wonderful information I gave to a handful of students. "You have been very helpful. Thank you." Why, you're very welcome, random students. And I listened to a student vent for about thirty minutes this afternoon. She just kept talking and talking and talking. I had a feeling she just needed someone to listen, so I listened. Good deed for the day? Done.
  • I was able to read a few Conference talks at work, and I did my scripture studying on the bus. Killing two birds with one stone? Check.
  • I got a message from Lindsey on Facebook and was able to send her a message back.
  • Jana's playing at Muse tonight. Marie and I are going to support and cheer her on.

See. It wasn't a bad day. There were great things about today. But for some reason it wasn't a great day. Perspective helps to blur the edges on the horrible feelings I had today, though it doesn't make those horrible feelings go away. I won't point out what things are missing on my list of "goods" today. I know what they are. And I'll just have to change my attitude.