Different "Frame" of Mind

I am thankful that the classroom management "problems" I have with my students are really just keeping them from laughing too much.  They cannot control themselves when they are excited or something funny happens.  It is so much better than having to manage a group of kids yelling and fighting across the classroom.  How blessed am I to have a class full of kids who treat one another with respect and genuinely like each other?

I am thankful that I have supportive parents...my own, and the parents of the students in my classroom.  It takes a village...

Difficult to find the positive here...this is my best shot:  I'm thankful that I have a job to pay for all of these traffic violations.  Grrr MD. There.

Friends who have similar interests.  Michelle and I ventured though the beautiful Autumn scenery of Frederick County to find wineries.  What a great day among the grapes and red-orange trees.

I am thankful for all of my loved ones surviving Hurricane Sandy.  Sadly, our beloved Ocean City does not look so great.  The 58th Street pier is no longer with us :( and the beach shifted onto the street.  Both of my homes in NJ were spared. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/89643303@N05/sets/72157631931687704/show/

What do we do when we are stuck inside, home from work, in the rain? Paint and Pictures.

For my parents, sisters and Jon having a lovely 25th birthday dinner with me in Mtown.  I ate the homemade turtle cheesecake for the next week. Thanks Mom!

I am grateful for Sean planning PADA Mosh and playing with such a fun team.  This laid back tournament was a fun way to spend my birthday!  Thank you Michelle for surprising me at the fields with ballooooons!

I am thankful that I live in a country where no matter what you look like, where you come from, or what you believe, you can vote for your leader.  It is special to be able to live in a place of such choices, including choosing whether you want to vote at all.  I am also thankful that people in Maryland have an open mind about social change.




Even my kids practiced their rights as citizens...I did not anticipate the cross-classroom debates


For Jon, Carmen, Bug and Opi playing guitar and singing, entertaining our guests, at our housewarming party.  My favorite part of the evening was when everyone started singing along to "Home" by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros. 



Framed everyone that night :)

 I am thankful for the 25 years I had with my lovely Grandmother.  I have felt suddenly strong this week, and I give the credit to Grandmom whose spirit lives on in me, my sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, Mom and Dad.  She was an exceptional person who never had a negative thing to say about anyone.  She knew birthdays and stories about every one of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I am grateful for her wisdom of life and love.  I know that she has been reunited with Granddad, who we lost just three months ago.  It is where she is supposed to be; by her love's side, in the arms of God.  I am actually very happy for her.

I am thankful for music, such as: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6WhgQ9lCdo


 

Small Miracles, Small Changes

Things I am thankful for...

For this book: Small Miracles; Extraordinary Coincidences from Everyday Life.  It is a collection of real stories of "random conjoining of inexplicable events that defy our sense of reasonable."  I believe that these coincidences that I read about are more than just simple accidents.  How could two children separated by the barbed wire fence of a concentration camp in Germany possibly find each other thirty years later on a blind date?  Amazing.

"These are whispers that can awaken us from our stupor and remind us that the hand of God is always there."
"When you have a strong desire to perform an act of kindness, the universe assists in mysterious ways."

For my students teaching me about things.  I love seeing the kiddos get excited about new things that I teach to them, of course, but it is an even more amazing feeling when they cannot wait to teach me something that they know.  One of my boys (who is very much a struggling learner) is an expert on alligators.  I watched his confidence shoot through the roof when he taught the class about the scaly dangerous animal. 

For my students being hilarious. It is awesome that they understand my sarcasm as well!
"Miss Wilson, are butterflies made of butter."
"Umm, no."
"Are they made of butt?"
"Yes, yes they are."

When I taught them that putting zeros after the decimal place does not change the value of the number, I continued to see work like this.  Some students wrote zeros across the back of a homework sheet.
Me: "Fourth graders, if you have not finished your classwork, it is now your homework."
WC: "OMG Becky!"

When we are grading spelling tests together, I ask my students to celebrate their accomplishments silently.  These silent celebration dances have become quite extreme: pencils played as trumpets, arms doing the "sprinkler."  I did not even mind the silent "disco" dance moves out of their seats.  However, now they are required to stay in their seats because one particular boy could not stop himself from hip thrusting behind his chair. 
I need to do a better job of taking notes of funny things that happen throughout the day.  These kiddos are so funny!

For American Hyperbole.  I love how we fnished the season with smiles on our faces.  I am thankful for having team mates who pick each other up when they are down.  We may not be the best team in the region, but we are the best looking team and we have waaaay more fun than others.  I am so thankful that upon moving to Maryland I was able to join a group of amazing people and make great friends. 

I am also thankful for our ridiculousness.  The end of the season party was an Olympic success.  We had a wonderful time being way too competitive playing backyard and indoor games...in costume.  The 10-hour event was a super way to conclude our season of hard work.



Thankful for Jay being my awesome partner for the event



I love spikeball!!!










For amazing roommates!  I'm grateful for having a comfortable place to go home to and sweet friends to complain to about my day.  It's great to be able to talk to Rachel about school, when she completely understands the life of a first year teacher.  It is great to discuss creative ideas for social life and school life with Quinne.  It is pretty awesome to have "family dinners" once in a while.  Our mid-week BBQ and spikeball was a blast!



Our school pictures on the fridge

For playing Kan Jam with Sean.  We had never played before, but we forged on through the challenging opponents and Sly Fox beer to make it to the semifinals!  I was the last girl standing out of the 64 teams of players.  Finally, we got 3rd place and each of us took home a Kan Jam set.  Sean and I were sore for a week from throwing...how pathetic!  
For sistaaaaas.  I'm am thankful for my sisters coming to visit me all the way in Frederick.  We had the best guacamole and enjoyed some time together.  I love that we can talk about anything (even with Scott at the table).  We are stuck together for life. It's not too shabby ;) Thanks for bringing me housewarming gifts!

For music. Acoustic Sundays on 104.5 when I am home near Philly, DC 101 when I have to listen to the radio in Frederick, FrankSinatra and MGMT radio on Pandora, and the Army Field Band.  I am thankfu to have been able to listen to one of the best bands in the world, for free!  They played some great patriotic songs and a whole set of Stevie Wonder.  I neeeeeed music when I am lesson planning too.  Thank you Pandora!

For Jon :)

Call Me Miss Wilson, Maybe

Oh my.  I have so much to be thankful for right now.  I have the most wonderful job, family, friends and home.

Oh Great Spirit, grant that I may never criticize my brother or my sister until I have walked the trail of life in their moccasins.  - Adapted from a Cherokee prayer

I have been spending most of my time at school, preparing for the kids.  I tend to be thinking about school if I am not actually there.  For now, in the beginning of the year, I think it is healthy to be so involved.  But, I cannot give 12 hours of my day every day for the rest of the school year.  I am just thankful that I have the job in the first place.  It has been a dream of mine for 15 years, so it's about time. :)

I am thankful for a wonderful team of teachers at my school.  I am grateful for being placed next door to a teacher who has more years of teaching experience than I have years on Earth.  I am excited for spending the next 9 months with a great fourth grade team.

It's official

I am thankful for the chance to meet other new teachers at orientation.  I found another ultimate player, a STEM teacher who offered to send me a lot of great ideas, and I found a new roommate! Also, it feels so good to know that there are other people in my moccasins.  We all sat through day after day of orientation, concerned about the coming weeks, becoming more and more wide-eyed with too much information.

I am thankful for my students.  After all of the stress of creating a classroom environment and planning the first day of school, when the children walked through the "door," it all became real.  I remembered why I wanted this job in the first place.  I love the kiddos!  They are respectful, funny and interested in learning.  Plus, for some reason they think I'm funny!

I am thankful for family.  Honestly, I don't know what I would do without them!  It is amazing how powerful it can be to be surrounded by so many loving family members. It is most evident how strong our connection is when we are together at the most difficult time.  I am proud to be part of the legacy.  Despite the tears and nasty tissues, that day was a perfect tribute to my grandfather.  Thank you Granddad.  I love you.

I am thankful for my friends.  Thank you K&G for a great 10 months in Schwenksville.  Now I get to live with one of my best friends.  I had help from four good-looking men moving into my new place!  Michelle lives close by now and she is walking in my moccasins. I am lucky to already have a team full of friends in Maryland.  Also, I now get to meet new people!  I have sweet neighbors, one of whom gave me a "Joe Forman" grill and another offered a TV.  Finally, I am thankful for Lady Hype Night.  Let's make that happen again!

Gifts of Summer

Things I am thankful for since my last post...

There's more but, two major things: The opportunity to enjoy all aspects of summer and the opportunity to teach!

I have been so lucky to enjoy all kinds of summery activities!  I had a great time on the 4th of July, making gumbo with Sean for some boys and then watching the fireworks in Phoenixville.  Impressive for a little town!
The annual Esser Independence Day shindig was spectacular, as always.  Thank you Esser family for hosting over a hundred guests at the farm and thank you Sam for taking care of the pig roast.  The thunderstorm that rolled through actually helped take some of the humidity away and left us with a wonderful evening or dancing, games and fireworks.

PADA YO has been pretty successful so far, most of the clinics happening outside.  I am thankful that  most of the kids enjoy learning the skills and rules of ultimate.  I am most excited for the work we will be doing at the homeless shelter, where many of the kids had never seen a disc before.
I had a great time exploring Hagerstown and spending time in downtown Frederick with Kyle.  I loved seeing this little kid dance like crazy to a live band on the sidewalk.  Also I had the best guacamole I have ever had!

We have had some insane heatwaves so far this summer, but it hasn't stopped me!  Thank you Bradley for taking us rock climbing for real.  Tubing down the Potomac with Hype friends was one of my favorite parts of the summer...a perfect way to celebrate the season: relaxing with cold drinks on the water with friends!
I probably lost a gallon of water in sweat while walking through NYC, but I am thankful I got to spend time with my long lost Floridian red-headed friend, Annalee, Kelsey and my new friend Lee.  I am thankful that we potentially saw three celebrities...ok we are 85% sure we saw Paul Giamatti.

The best gift of summer:  A JOB!!!!!

I am incredibly thankful that I will be FINALLY doing what I have always wanted to do and getting paid for it!  I will be teaching fourth grade students from Frederick, MD.  I cried.  A lot.  Happy crying, though!  The school is outside of the city, so it will be a bit different than what I am used to, but exciting!  I will be spending the rest of the summer continuing to teach ultimate, but getting ready for my first year of real elementary teaching.  I'm a big girl now!!!!!  I am also thankful that Michelle and Nickole both just got teaching jobs too, so we can celebrate our triumphs together, discuss things we can do better, and change the world, of course.

Sights, Sounds and Smells of Summer

Things I am thankful since my last post..

For the Farenwald Family for being my Frederick family.  I could not thank them enough for welcoming me into their home for 9 weeks.  I don't think I would have been as happy if I found a random person on craigslist to take me in for such a short period of time.  Plus, it made my commute much shorter ;)

For the Lefever Family for being my other Frederick family.  I thank them greatly for dinners, campfires, frisbee golf and coffee anytime I needed.

For Kerri and Greg keeping my room in their home and welcoming me back after my Frederick fun.  It is so nice to be back in my own bed.  I am thankful to have great friends nearby too!

For beautiful sights, sounds and smells of summer.  The smell of campfire, especially with burgers or chicken cooking away on it - amazing!  The sound of waves crashing on the beach or the river rushing on the side of a moving boat or jet ski.  The view from the top of The Pinnacle, even when it is foggy from intense humidity.

Beautiful place to climb and camp

 

For beer.  

For reunions with old friends, especially in celebration of LOVE. Congratulations Courtney and Andrew. It was also great to catch up with Matt and Kristen in Lancaster City to spontaneously celebrate Lancaster for being...Lancaster, I guess.

For Sean spending a whole weekend with me... I know it was a challenge ;)

For friends who have boats :)  We were just joking when we called it "Taking Advantage of Mike Day," but it was so nice to go out on the boat, grill on an island and hang out with Mike and Michelle all day.
For friendly other boaters who rescued us when our motor decided to quit on us.

For a summer job!  I cannot wait to spread the joy of ultimate to more Philly kids this summer!  PADA YO!

For music:

Fun. "Some Nights"

There Goes Another School Year

Things I am thankful for since my last post...

It is inexcusable that I have not updated my blog since May 7.  So much has happened since then that I am grateful for...and now I cannot remember.  Tisk tisk.

Weekends: plenty of ultimate and plenty of sun.  I am thankful for being able to travel around, see friends and family, play ultimate and have great weather.  Memorial Day with the whole fam was great!  Camping by the beautiful Chesapeake Bay between awesome ultimate-filled days was perfect, despite getting second to some college friends.  I actually spent a weekend in Frederick for once, which was pretty cool.  I love the downtown and I hope to have some more fun downtown this summer. 


American Hyperbole


My talented friends: Joanna can sew a mean purse, or beach bag, or yoga bag, or anything!  We have started spotting Quinne's ultimate jersey designs on people we don't know, and they were sold at the Savage tent at the Bellcrack tournament!  I got to witness the preparation and designing of the jerseys while living with Q.  Brandon is doing some sweet directing and acting in northern NJ and NYC.  My friends are almost famous!

Awesome 4th Grade Team

 The amazing teachers and staff at NF:  I could not have have such and successful experience in my long-term substitute position if it had not been for these lovely ladies and gentlemen.  When I was not sure what was on the schedule for the week, the fourth grade teachers did not hesitate to help me plan.  When I had some students screaming in the classroom, after one phone call I had the support necessary  When I needed advice on how to deal with problem behaviors, I was given the guidance I needed. 

The kiddos: I am thankful for what they have taught me and all of the funny things that they said.  They were so sweet to bring me presents on the last day of school. I am thankful that we had a successful "Compliment Party" where ALL of the kids said something kind about another.  It was great.  I will miss them (most of them).

Music lately:

Passion Pit - The Reeling

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

The Grouplove album Never Trust A Happy Song

Full Moon, Full Of Life!

Things I am thankful for this week:

For the moon being spectacular!  Did you see that!?

For margaritas, guacamole and crab quesadillas for Cinco de Mayo in Delaware with Mike.

For finally seeing joy on ALL of the kids' faces at once because of a sweet lesson I planned.

Proverbs 4:23: Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.
"Wise people are positive people."

For bonfires and family close by

For heating pads and ice packs

For GPSs...yes I know, I said it.  I do not believe that the GPS will ever be better than my wonderful sense of direction and a good map, however, when driving into Washington DC, I think otherwise.

For the Women's Combine in DC: playing so close, I could see the Capitol building and Washington Monument from the fields.  There were SO many women's ultimate players in one place...it blew my mind!

For one of my students bringing me a card that said, "Best substitute teacher ever!"  I will take it, cherish it, and hope that I never have to hear that again...I don't want to be a substitute teacher anymore.

For the wonderful support I am getting from the other 4th grade teachers, guidance staff and administration.

For the use of Quinne's computer in my time of need...and Spotify!

For Munford and Sons "Awake my Soul"

For Tristan Prettyman's "All I Want Is You":

For Passion Pit:

New City

This is what I am thankful for this past week...or two...it's been a while...

For the Farewald family for adopting me.  Wendy, for cooking me meals, Rad for watching the Flyers games with me, and Quinne for organizing my social life.  It's nice to not have to think about my free time, Quinne has it all planned out for me!

For Ultimate being a superb way of getting my body moving and not thinking about school/kids

For Jason Mraz's new album.  When the radio fails, he has my back.

For placing my name plate on a teacher's desk!  I have totally moved into the classroom and made myself at home.  I am testing my newly acquired organization skills and getting to know the kids.

For the kids; making me giggle with one quote about Pokemon spoken in a lisp or "not to be racist or anything, but don't vote for Obama because he then the gas prices will be $10.00 per gallon."  They may challenge me all day long, but when they make me laugh, it is all better.

For practicing fluency with the 4th graders by reading an "argument" between a horse trainer and the student rider. It was hilarious, listening to my kids act it out.  They have a lot of practice, I guess.

For the other 4th grade teachers helping me learn the ropes of running a classroom and other school business.  There is so much to learn!

For one of my kids, who I know is homeless, having the greatest imagination and interest in learning.  She is sweet to everyone and is a great friend.  You would never know that she has a difficult home life.

What's hot right now:

For Baltimore ultimate players:  The best weekend I have had in a while at Cape Henlopen, DE!  I am thankful that a group of people, some of whom had never met, could play well together, be positive, and work together to make meals and have a nice night.  I am feeling quite welcomed into the ultimate community here now.
For SJ organizing the whole weekend!

I will try to do a better job of blogging...just been extremely busy with figuring out my new life.  It seems that even when I'm not teaching, my mind is preoccupied with thoughts about teaching.  It is the best kind of busy ever!! :)

Alive and Movin' On

"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies; those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." - Sarah Ban Breatnach

Dang....what a week.

I don't know what happened the week before my car accident, really, but I am sure I am thankful for many splendid moments.  I am thankful for silly moments with Joanna, Sean, Kevin and Frank on a cloudy Saturday afternoon.  The theme song for that day is at the bottom of this post. :)

I am thankful for the good people of Limerick, PA for coming to my aid instantly after I was involved in a car accident.  An older couple helped me out of my car while an off-duty police officer directed traffic and two other witnesses checked to see if I was okay. Oh yeah, I am thankful for being okay.  It was scary and Maxine's 15-year-old airbags saved me.

RIP Maxine

I am thankful for Sarah and the Stroman family for taking care of me the evening following the accident. Dinner, an ice pack and a few laughs was all I needed!

I am thankful for Greg and Scott and Mom for getting me back to Jersey, and for Dad for letting me borrow his car to get to Frederick. Thank you Frederick County Public Schools for offering me a job!!!!  When one door closes...

I am thankful for Sean for taking me to the Flyers game and bringing me back home!  It was awesome to see an amazing game and a couple of old friends.  Thank you Sean, Kevin, Frank and Brandon for helping me out and letting me sleep on your couch...again.

I am thankful for being able to buy a car from a normal, decent, reasonable woman on Craig's list. So far, as of a few hours, the car has been fine.  She will have a name soon.

When things get messed up, it is so amazing to have people in your life who care.  I dislike VERY much asking people for help.  I VERY much like doing things on my own.  I had no choice but to let that go and let my family and friends help me out. I am thankful for being able to do that and I am really thankful for my parents having my back.

Young the Giant, "My Body"

Freshness

Things I am thankful for from the last two weeks:

"Problems are like a box of Crackerjack.  If you look close enough you will find a prize."

A zebra on a farm along Rt. 15 in Maryland...whaaaat?

Two more awesome cafes: The Frederick Coffee Company and Cafe and Java's Brewin' in Limerick, PA

Biking the Perkiomen Trail in warm weather

heaven in a bowl

Em's version of the Pepperjack Tomato Soup at Isaac's:
1 onion chopped, sauteed in EVOO
Add 1 can diced tomatoes, 2 cans condensed tomato soup
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp sugar, dried basil, paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
BOIL
Turn down heat and melt in 6 oz cream cheese and 8 oz pepperjack (cubes)
add hot sauce to taste
Put croutons on top just like they do at Isaac's!!

First free toes of the season: flip-flops have returned

Buds and blooms and beer outside

Cousins who provide a bed and wonderful meals, and friends who spend their Sunday helping you fix the car.

Beauty

Blended celebrations with awesome people (Happy Birthday Michelle and Happy St. Pat's!)

My car NOT popping a tire on the Schuylkill Expressway

I never thought I would say this, but, I am thankful for McDonald's and Walmart.  McDonald's is always available when you need a place to pee on a long trip.  Walmart is always open, and therefore is the place to take the car when you need new tires on a Sunday.

The Naked and Famous - Young Blood

Puppy Love

 Things I am thankful for from this past week...

"Love when you're ready, not when you're alone."

"Be pretty if you can.. Be witty if you must.  Be GRACIOUS if it kills you." - Elsie DeWolfe

"God is always present.  We're the ones who show up." - Rob Bell


Kids who stutter.  They still have important things to say.

"Catching up" phone calls and phone calls from school districts

Awesomeness

Late Valentine's Day cards

Jeddy

PUPPY!!!  The parental unit got a puppy and he is the cutest thing ever!  Instalove, I like to call it.  He and I fell in love when I offered him a rope toy and he climbed into my lap to chew on it.  His wrinkled face and big paws can melt your heart.  We call him Jed for now...usually Jeddy, Jedediah, or Mr. Magoo.  He likes to cuddle and he sits a lot (a bit lazy).  He is from Georgia, so my parents decided he was a laid back southern boy, named Jed.  I hope he can catch a frisbee eventually!





Eric Hutchinson: "You Don't Have to Believe Me"

Repainting

Things I am thankful for from this past week:

"Be nice. Work hard." - Rafe Esquith

Zumba!

Friends in Lancaster housing me :)

Playing indoor ultimate with MU again

Black and Gold

Painting sets and meeting new people

Opening my window while driving

Having talented and entertaining friends: Kerri and Greg and their effort to make the Middle School production of "Annie" a success.  Celebrating with several hilarious and delightful friends afterward.

Ellie Goulding "Lights"

Miles and Smiles

Things I am thankful for from this past week...

"The mystery is the truth." - Sean Penn

Reese's Pieces

Mary Poppins: I was a substitute in a music class this past week.  I had to show a movie four classes in a row.  I love Mary Poppins and I hadn't seen it in a while, but I only got to see the first 40 minutes!

Reunion in Columbia:
I traveled to South Carolina on Thursday (all day) with Kenny.  It was a long but entertaining trip south.  Somehow Kenny got us a free hotel room at the Marriott.
Ashley, Kenny and I went to our school from last year.  As soon as I walked in I got a long squeeze in the office from a third grader.  His bright smile made me so happy.  I walked down the hallway and a flood of fifth graders bombarded me.  One of my students gave me a long embrace and told me she missed me.  They look so much taller and more grown up! The teachers and administration miss our presence in the school.  They were all curious about our current lives and they wanted me to get a classroom so badly!  The kids wanted me to stay and be their teacher.  One of my fourth grade friends was a little upset with me for leaving.  He seemed legitimately disappointed that I did not return to work with him, like he thought I left him behind.  I was sure to explain that I was very far from home and I could only give a year at City Year.  I could not stop smiling as I received hug after hug from my babies!

 It was "Science and Technology Day" at the school so we picked a good day to visit!

Pawley's avocado and pineapple burger...and eating it outside on the porch in the beautiful weather

 Trespassing at the State House (by accident)

Swinging on the bench swings at Finley Park and singing "Apple-bottom Jeans" so loud and horribly that we scared away the other park visitors.  oops!

Catching up with CY alumni!!!
Not having to be in charge of the kids at the Young Heroes wiffle ball tournament, but still getting to play/referee/get free food.
Returning to Cool Beans for "Love Potion" flavored coffee.
New Orleans Dinner at Mama Nellie's house
Kenny fixing my padiddle and busted windshield wiper.  AND for driving us safely to and from Cola

Rachel Platten- 1000 Ships

I yam what I yam.

Things I am thankful for from this past week:

"I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam." - Popeye the Sailor Man

"An optimist is wrong just as often as a pessimist is, but the big difference is that he has a lot more fun."

The view from Route 222 in Lancaster County, driving south at about the 41.5 mile mark, especially in the morning sun with fog when there are hot air balloons in the sky.

Text from Mom to Colleen... just about grapefruit.

DANCING... with Colleen...without care...in a t-shirt and jeans...and being the oldest person in the room.

Sitting by the fireplace in leather chairs at Annie Bailey's in Lancaster City, with Michelle and a couple of pink martinis.  Then sharing the best spot in the bar with Kristen, Matt and Sean too:)

Foster the People radio on Pandora

Paramore's "When It Rains"

Family Forever, Friends Always

I am insanely thankful for my family and friends lately. It has become very clear as to why these people were brought into my life...
Thank you to
My sisters, who want to make sure I am okay and always know how to make me feel better.

To those friends who bring me flowers and coffee, let me call/text WAY too often and listen to me for hours.  Those friends who bring me up when I'm feeling down just by cracking a terrible joke or being super sarcastic.

Those friends who make me dinner and don't just tell me I'm going to be okay, but truly believe it.
Those friends who tell me it's alright when I make several To Do lists (and other lists) even though I know it's a little absurd.

To Gilmore Girls, something I could always count on for being a wonderfully entertaining distraction.

 

To coffee...for being delicious.  

To Jason Mraz for giving me the title for this blog.  Someday when I open my coffee shop on the beach, it will be called the "Gratitude Cafe."  If Jason has a problem with that, then he can contact me, sue me and I will get to meet him :) 

<-------------------------------------------I keep my life on a heavy rotation

Requesting that it's lifting you up
Up up and away
And over to a table at the Gratitude Café

I don't want to preach, but I want to spread the idea of appreciating others. I think it makes a huge difference when you tell the people who make you a better person, or in this case remind you that you are a great person.

This blog will include the things I am grateful for in my life.  They may be small, short-lived or seem insignificant to others, but these "gratitude journal" entries will be valuable to me.