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.