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Amy
Thankful for another day. Just now, scrolling through my newsfeed, I saw one of the “billboards” (as I like to call them) that said something to the effect of, “be thankful you are alive, someone, somewhere is fighting & drawing their last breath.” I also like the one that says “if we all took our problems & threw them in a pile to be doled out, we’d snatch our own back up.” So, I know that this day will be filled with drivers lost in space, customers lost in themselves, & probably a lunch that’s lost, period, but I know it’s quite a wondrous thing to just be alive, & I am grateful for it. Happy day, y’al…
Alright. This one’s personal, y’all. Today I am thankful for my momma, my grandmother, and University of Tennessee football. If that sounds like a strange combination, you must have missed my status a couple of weeks ago. This is my Grandmother’s grave today. She’s been gone just over five years. I am constantly reminded of her. She LOVED football. I mean, she loved it like a man does (no offense ladies, but you know what I mean). Every time I watch a ballgame I think of her hollerin’ & being on the edge of the couch when it was 3rd down for the opposing team: “Hold ’em boys, hold ’em…” Yes, that’s a football on her headstone. Underneath, it says “Go Vols!” I’m not even kidding. I’m thankful mom takes care of her grave because Lord knows I can’t. I’d be crying & snotting so hard the funeral directors would have to drive me home. I’m thankful these women taught me how to understand the game, & how to be a good sport. And today is a great example of “I’m for Tennessee & whoever’s playin’ Florida.” True story. Go Dawgs. And GO VOLS…
Oooh! Thirty Days of Thankfullness is here again 🙂 I know some of you don’t particularly care for it, but I much prefer opening my facebook to find my status feed full of blessings & pleasant thoughts. So here I go. Thankful today that I live in East Tennessee. It is truly beautiful this time of year. (Actually, I find it beautiful most of the year) It was a brilliant day, with sunshine so bright it hurt my eyes & made me squint. The leaves are absolutely gorgeous, & the temperature is just right. We have fresh, drinkable, clean water all around us. We are close enough to the most-visited national park in the states to visit it as often as we want. Although the tourists are a pain, they do make Sevier County one of the more fortunate & funded counties around. I’m thankful that people in this area are not ashamed to ask for prayer for themselves, their family, or a complete stranger if they need it. I’m thankful for chickens crowing, frogs croaking, & locusts buzzing in the late afternoons. I’m thankful for porch swings to drink sweet tea on, a hometown small enough that I still run into people I know at the grocery store, & high school football games & plays that everyone still attend. I don’t even mind getting behind tractors occasionally, because farmers mean food. (And I love food.) I’m proud…
I am a nerd. I have always been a nerd. I will probably remain a nerd for the rest of my life. I like to read- a lot (if you haven’t caught on). I enjoy cooking, & even more than that, I love eating. I tell the lamest jokes & then laugh at them uncontrollably. I am not a trendsetter for the latest fashions, I prefer the classic tried & true pieces. I have worn glasses since I was in fifth grade even though I heard the mantra “boys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses” way too frequently. Even those who loved me would go so far to say, “Why don’t you try contacts? You would be so pretty!” Really. I was only popular by association (to Meg) in my school years –as several of you could attest to. I didn’t really fit in with people my own age until I went to Walters State due to my addiction to horseback riding. I never really cared about going to concerts, or out clubbing, or having a new car. I am not ashamed of any of these things. And I’m aware its no small miracle that I’m married to such a cool, good looking man. I didn’t marry the first guy to ask me out. Don’t settle, y’all. I would say “ladies” but the…
I still don’t have anything nice to say. But I will tell y’all about my lunchtime adventure today, because y’all seem to enjoy them. Its going to sound like complaining, but stick with me, its worth it. Went to Buddy’s BBQ because I was craving bar-b-que something fierce. Of course I have to drive like a demon to get there & back in my allotted lunch break time. I pull up at the drive thru. Silence. I back up & pull forward. Nothing. “Hello?” *cricket, cricket* There were cars in the parking lot, so they were open. I’m expecting Ashton Kutcher to come out of the bushes, but time is of the essence, so I grumble & whip into a parking space & stomp in. Grouchy lady takes my order, I inform her of the faulty service of the drive through speaker. She tells me it’s plugged in & shrugs. Whatever, give me my food before I have a stroke. I won’t go into how she didn’t want to supply me with both ketchup AND extra barbeque sauce, nor a lid that fit my coke, but I got back into Patsy & sped back to the other side of the river, frantically trying to eat my sandwich. This is where things went tragically downhill. My little sauce cup was working out great. I’d dribble a little onto…
I’ve got the January blues. In an effort to cheer up, instead of listing various woes & grievances, I have decided to compile a list of specific things that make me happy. I encourage y’all to do the same. Honestly, Facebook could use more happiness & less bitterness. 75 degree sunny spring days Sitting in the front row at church with Johnny Pinterest (big surprise there) Having girls night with Lisa The middle of an excellent book Touring historic homes & plantations Well mannered children Hiking Porters Creek Trail in the month of April Book of Romans NKJV Songs where I know every single word (this is very limited. Truth be told, Ice, Ice, Baby is about it) Movies that are SO funny I’m afraid to laugh in case I miss something Cupcakes. Thats all. Never had a bad one. Riding tall & well-trained horses in my old jumping saddle White Star’s vanilla soft serve ice cream Watching someone type very fast & accurately Alliteration Top Gun roller coaster Sweet seedless tangerines Sea otters I feel better so I’m quitting. Have a good day…
Last day of thankfulness. I could go on a good bit, but I will just be thankful for y’all today. I’m thankful that facebook has renewed a few friendships for me. I’m also thankful it’s a quick way to get in touch if I don’t have your phone number or email. I really enjoy seeing your life events & even just the little day-to-day things that make up your story. I appreciate those of you who have taken the time to read my thoughts, & I thank you for liking & commenting on my status’, pictures, whatever. That’s what it’s all about! That’s how we stay in touch. That’s what makes facebook FUN…
I’m running out of days to be thankful before running out of things to be thankful for! I’m thankful for material things today, though. My pickup Patsy, for one. She’s not much to look at these days, but I still love her. She serves her purpose & I’m not intimidated by people on the road, as I would be if I drove something smaller. I’m also thankful for my KitchenAid mixer. (thanks momma, great wedding present!) I don’t know how I survived without one all this time…
Today I am thankful for rain. One of my customers called it a necessary evil today, & I don’t entirely agree with that. Sometimes it can be a hindrance (like when I’ve spent an hour straightening my hair) but for the most part I really like it. It promotes growth. It brings life. It gives us something to drink. It helps put out fires. It gives me a break from crazy busy don’t-have-time-to-eat spring rush days. I am thankful for liquid sunshine…
Thankful for my pets today. Especially Crockett, who is officially as old as the hills. 16 in human years, 87 in dog years, according to this chart I found. Wowzers. He has brought me a lot of joy and a lot more laughs than I can count. He’s not been hearing so well for a few years & you can walk right up on him if he’s asleep. I always hold my breath & watch his sides to see if he’s still drawing air when I catch him sprawled out somewhere unusual. And who would have thought Wally, the little blue beta would be so much fun? He starts swimming frantically if he sees us pick up the little canister of fish food & centers his body under his dinner (bloodworms) & then attacks like a shark. Lastly the pits, Sugar & Lightning (Booger & Bug as I call them affectionately), are so goofy I can’t help but love them. And we have EIGHT of their offspring ready just in time for Christmas if anybody is interested 😉 Thankful for this menagerie…
