Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that both sides of my family are coming to visit us this month, this will be the first time I've ever had my parents stay in my house:o)

I am thankful for Spring deciding to finally make its appearance!! I have officially moved my wardrobe into its spring/summer phase and stored away all of those bulky sweaters and jackets!

I am thankful for our George Foreman grill (lol!) because it allows me to cook certain foods all the way through without that grease just floating around, yuck! It's especially great for turkey burgers, they stay moist and delicious!

I am thankful for the progress that I have made in my job recently. In the past few weeks there have been a lot of ups and downs but I have continued to bust my tush and do what I need to do to succeed. I truly believe that hard work pays off in the end.

I am thankful for miles for magazines from US Airways. It allowed me to get three of my favorite magazines for free just by using some of my unused airline miles.

I am thankful for the many wonderful friends I have made just from blogging, it is so great to read all of your fun blogs and learn more about you!

But most importantly,

I am thankful for family.

&

I am thankful for love.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday and Move Update!

Oh boy, where to start...

Can I just say how thankful I am for my boyfriend!? Lordy, Lordy

This guy just makes me swoon.

This past week has been really crazy with moving him into the new nest and then coming back here to PA in order to finish up my last week at work and pack up my stuff to move down to VA.

It's been a stressful few days and my moods have been up and down but Nick just keeps saying "I love you" and somehow it mellows me out. I know that after all of this hard work, it will all pay off. It will feel oh-so-good to FINALLY be down there enjoying my time living with him.

I am also very thankful for the phone calls (count them: two) that I got today from not only Starbucks to do my final face-to-face interview for a management/marketing position but also for another small company to do full-time clerical work (this isn't my top choice but it would be a job that pays well and gets me started in this new state of VA that I'll be calling home).

I am thankful that my brother, who is now a senior in high school, is giving me his football jersey to wear to the game Friday night. This is my last night in PA and needless to say I am going to be BALLING my eyes out watching him play and walk out onto the field for his senior year acknowledgement. PROUD BIG SIS HERE! I plan on painting my face with #13 and bringing the cowbell for him:o) Yep, once a cheerleader, always a cheerleader.

While we're on the subject, I took my 9 year old sister out for trick-or-treating this Sunday and she asked me to help her do her hair and makeup for her costume. I am thankful that she trusted me enough to style her synthetic wig and costume makeup and it turned out AMAZING! She looked spooky and adorable and that's all I could ask for!

Wish me luck this weekend with the final move!

I will be posting from the our new nest on Saturday complete with photos,

stay tuned!!

xo

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that I get to visit Nick in DC this weekend. He's been traveling up here a lot to spend time with both of our families, this weekend it will just be us<3

I am thankful that the Phillies got Roy Oswalt in a trade today (if you aren't a sports fan, this is a really big deal-HUGE!) and that I will be at the Phillies vs. Nationals game in DC on Sunday with Nick. I love going to away games because it gets pretty competitive with the opposing teams fans:o)

I am thankful for RedBox. It's really nice to rent a movie for $1 once in awhile and its so convenient to return it on my way home from work. Last night I watched "When in Rome" with my Mom (it's adorable-I highly recommend it) and tonight we're watching "The Bounty Hunter" with Jen Aniston.

I am thankful that my next door neighbor and close friend, Jenn, got engaged on Monday! Her ring is gorgeous (Cartier ladies, yes, he's a keeper!) and her fiancee is so wonderful. I love weddings, so I'm excited to see everything that she's planning!

I am thankful for the sunny weather. Even though most people are complaining that it's hot (come on, its SUMMER) and humid, I enjoy it. I just keep reminding myself that fall is just around the corner and pretty soon those same people will be complaining about rain/snow/cold weather.

I am thankful for sparkling Deer Park water with lime. I have completely given up soda thanks in large part to this tasty drink! It's very refreshing and healthy at the same time.

Finally, I am thankful for my motivation skills. Without them I would not be revamping my room and reorganizing it to be exactly the way I need it for my busy life. Hooray!

What are you thankful for today?

What are your plans for the weekend?

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that two of my friends had their babies this week, everyone is healthy and well! Katie announced that her daughter, Emeline Kay, was born on May 10th (now her very own Mothers Day!). Mallory welcomed baby girl Emery Grace into the world on May 12th. I know both of these wonderful ladies from growing up and I am SO very happy for them! What a great week! And two girls no less:o)

The top half of my screen burned out on my Kindle this morning (I guess I use it way too much) so I am thankful that Amazon's customer service is AWESOME and they are sending me a replacement as we speak. Thank goodness!

I am thankful that tomorrow is Friday and my amazing boyfriend doesn't mind going to see a chick flick once in a while. We are going to see Letters to Juliet after I'm done work! I'm like a little kid, I haven't been to the movies in MONTHS!

My little brother is a junior in high school and was asked to go to the SENIOR prom, so I am thankful that he's a rockstar and he decided to go. Don't you miss prom?? That was so fun! I will share pictures on Monday!

I am thankful that I have really buckled down and started to put a tiny dent into my summer reading list. I made a list of 20 books that I want to read by the time I start student teaching. So far, I have finished two (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson and The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell) and this week I'll be finishing The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks (in honor of my trip down to Wilmington, NC-even though the book falsely portrayed the town and I'm kind of annoyed by it).

I am OH-SO-THANKFUL that I have met some fabulous ladies through my blog! Just last night I was emailing back and forth with a new friend that just happens to live a few minutes from me! Who knew!? Life is just too good:o)

Hope you're all having a wonderful Thursday! What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for Starbucks giving out free brew today, I will be stopping there several times today to get my fix. You gotta love that they are keeping a conscience effort of recycling and asking everyone to bring in a reusable mug!

I'm thankful for the sunshine and warmer weather that has been showing up in my little corner of the Earth almost everyday. Thank you Mother Nature!

I am thankful for the incredible surprise I got from Nick. It was COMPLETELY unexpected and took my breath away. He asked me to get a bag out of his bookbag for him so when I opened it up, there was a Tiffany bag inside. I froze, not knowing what he was up to. I opened up the little blue box and this was inside

It's simple.

It's perfect.

...it's Tiffanys:o) 

(what girl doesn't love that!?)

He wrote this beautiful card that I'm keeping to myself. The quote was so awesome, he's so good with words!

I'm thankful that the Phillies AND the Flyers are doing well this week.

Flyers are in the NHL Playoffs and won game 1 last night.

Phillies are just fabulous and hold a special place in my heart, we WILL be at the World Series AGAIN this year, just you wait and see:o)

I'm not so thankful that I have to work closing shifts tonight, tomorrow and Saturday BUT that allows me to have off ALL next weekend so I can go visit Nick down in DC!! Woohoo!

What are you thankful for today??

Happy Thursday, go get your free coffee at Starbucks:o)

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that this week flew by and tomorrow morning I will be flying to Michigan to visit my Aunt, her twin babies and some of my fam for Easter.

I am thankful that the sun is shining and the weather is beautiful here in my little corner of the Earth.

I am thankful that I've managed to keep my room organized and clean enough that all I have to do this week is vacuum and pack before I leave tomorrow.

I am thankful that Nick and I will be booking our plane tickets to head down to Wilmington, North Carolina to visit my Mom's parents in June. As I've mentioned before, it's my Heaven on Earth and I seriously can't wait to go!

What are you thankful for today? What are you doing this Easter weekend?

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that I have a fabulous weekend planned with Nick in DC. Friday we are playing in the city, Saturday is Shamrockfest with a bunch of friends and then Sunday I am taking him to my Mom-Mom's house for Sunday dinner for the very.first.time. I can't wait.

I am thankful for my large Vera Bradley duffel that allowed me to bring everything I need for this weekend, and more.

I am thankful for my brother's perseverance for the SAT's. He is taking them for the first time on Saturday and I really hope he does well. He wants to go to the University of Delaware so I'm ready to get my fan gear!

I am thankful that Ritas Water Ice is open next door to my Dad's restaurant. I really like the Alex's Lemonade flavor, its so refreshing.

I am thankful that we've had beautiful weather this week and even though its supposed to rain for the next 4 days, I'm just glad it's not snow!!

Happy Thursday everyone! What are you thankful for today??

Thankful for Escaping to the City!!

Ok...that's it!! I HAVE to get out of this house! hahaha

For my Dad's birthday, we had made reservations for the wonderful Morimoto restaurant in Philadelphia to celebrate. However, with this awful snowstorm (or two or three) we weren't sure if we were going to make it down there. However, I have made an executive decision and we are GOING:o)  A great big thank you to Septa for keeping those trains running to and from the city! I heart you!

For those of you who aren't familiar with Morimoto, he won several challenges on the Food Network's Iron Chef show. He's amazing. Incredible actually. This man can COOK! He teamed up with Steven Starr and opened up one of his own restaurants that are now located in both Philadelphia and NYC.

My favorite is are his sushi creations:

Now normally, I'm a California roll kind of girl (boring, I KNOW). But tonight I'll be trying just about anything with the exception of caviar, roe and eel. I just can't do it. Maybe if I wash it down with some sake...

So I hope you are all enjoying the snow and watching it melt away because the beautiful sun has finally come out to play:o)

Today is Thursday and I would be blogging about "Thankful Thursdays" however...the only thing that i'm thankful for today is that I will be out and about...FINALLY!

Happy Thursday everyone! xo

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that today is Thursday!! I'm looking forward to a nice little break from class and work for a few days (thanks in LARGE part to this "massive" snowstorm that is coming straight for good ol' PA-yikes!). I haven't been completely snowed-in for awhile, so be honest, I'm kinda excited about it, lol! Being snowed in means that I will be forced to clean like crazy, catch up on schoolwork, watch all those movies I've been DYINGGGG to see AND of course (my fav), read as much as my little heart desires:o)

I'm thankful for our wonderful regulars that come into my Dad's restaurant. We have this older man who is a 'Nam vet that absolutely adores my Dad and I (and our great food of course!). He always tells me not to stress out with school and he never forgets to tell me that I'll make a great teacher:o) He dropped this little gift off for me and it made.my.day An inspirational book for teachers to "refresh your spirit" and an ornamental apple that will be the very first thing that I proudly display on my very first desk!

I am thankful for these fabulous cards that I found at Target (ohhhhhhh Target, how I adore thee!). They are handmade cards with a little bit of pizzazz that I'm sending out to my favs for Valentines Day! I hope they make my friends smile:o)

I am thankful for my wonderful place of education, West Chester University. Monday marked the 115th anniversary of the last speech made by Frederick Douglass, that was delivered on our beautiful campus. Douglass was an abolitionist that spoke for freedom; he was a very brave and courageous man.

I am thankful that my Valentines swap buddy got her package from me a few days ago. I was so happy when I got an email from her saying that she got it, she decided to wait until it was closer to 2-14 until she opens it. She's getting married this year so I kind of spoiled her:o)

I am thankful for the $50 gift card that my dear friend Jeff gave me for Christmas (yes, we did Christmas in...February...) for my favoriteeeeee store, Anthropologie. I am going to dinner in Philadelphia next week for my Dad's 45th birthday at Morimoto and there is a FANTASTIC dress that I've been eyeing up for awhile...I think I may just have to get it now:o)

I had lunch in town today before class with a family friend of mine that is very close to my heart. We have decided to meet up every Thursday to simply catch up on life, and for that I am OH-SO-THANKFUL, xo

Today I am...

loving: Tazo Passion hot tea from Starbucks

reading: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

listening to: Chelsea Handler on tv, she is absolutely hilarious!

wishing: that I was in Miami enjoying some sun and sand

wondering: what color I should get for my weekly manicure?

obsessed with: my Kindle

Thankful Thursday:o)

I am thankful I found my Bob Marley, Legend cd this morning. We had a dusting of snow on the ground outside and lately, I've just been wishing that summer was just around the corner. At any given point of the year, if I pop my Bob Marley cd in, I feel like the sun is on my face and I start singing "no worries, about a 'ting, every little thing, is gonna be alright"

I am thankful my friend Caitlin moved home this week after living in Western PA for almost a year. She landed a new job that she loves and is back home with the girls:o)

(this picture of us was taken about 3 years ago--I decided to dye my hair at home, thus the nasty, brassy color!! hahaha no comments please! lol)

I am thankful for Obama's State of the Union address from last night. I am a registered Republican, and I did indeed vote for McCain. I do not always agree with Obama's viewpoints (99% of the time) but after watching his speech to the American people last night, I thought he did very well. I'm not so sure I like that he is a very "suave" speaker, he was a little more relaxed than I would have liked him to be but who am I to judge the President of the United States on his public speaking skills? The bottom line is, from what I heard him say, it seemed to me that he gave Americans a bit of hope, optimism and unity. I hope he truly does execute his goals that he has planned out for 2010.

I am thankful for 10 calorie Vitamin Water drinks. I used to love Vitamin Water when it first came out (I still drink Smart Water religiously) but when I noticed how many calories it had and the amount of sugar that was in it, I was turned off. Thankfully, Glaceau paid someone to come up with a 10 calorie version of these delicious drinks so that we don't have to worry about jogging for 20 minutes just to burn off one of them!

I am thankful for the news that I recently received that my cousin Dawn is pregnant and due in September. That means that within the past 6 months, FIVE of my friends/family members are pregnant!! This is VERY exciting to me (especially because four of them are having girls!!)

I am thankful for Chelsea Handler's book, "Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea". She is absolutely hilarious and I absolutely adore her sense of humor. A friend of mine gave me this book for Christmas (gee, my friends don't think I'm an alcoholic do they!? yikes!) and everytime I read a little bit from it, I literally end up laughing out loud. Read it, you'll LOVE it!

And finally, because today is Thursday, I am OH-so-thankful that the weekend is quickly approaching and I will have a little bit of down time to relax and catch up on things I missed during the week. Tonight I'll be taking my Mom-Mom out to dinner for her birthday (thank you Williams Sonoma for gift wrapping in your wonderful store-you save me so much time!).

Happy Thursday friends! What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for my big oversized tote style handbags that allow me to carry anything I could possibly need with me throughout the day.

I am thankful for the purse hook I got for Christmas, what a great gift idea! My friend Meg gave me this handpainted hook that you carry in your purse and you simply slip it onto the edge of any table at a restaurant or the edge of a bar and you hang your purse on it! This prevents you from having to put your purse on the ground, on the back of a chair or take up a seat next to you! I adore this!

I am thankful for Girl Scouts. It's that time of year again! The Girl Scouts are out and about and they are EVERYWHERE! I have to admit, I do get slightly annoyed when I have 4 or 5 young girls asking me if I want to buy some Girl Scout cookies everytime I enter a store (sadly, I was one of those girls once...) BUT once a year I DO treat myself and buy a box of Thin Mints or Caramel Delights (the coconut ones, yummmmmooooo!). Which by the way, the cookies are now up to $3.50 a box! Isn't that a little steep for these entrepreneurs?? I'm just sayin...

I am thankful for Huggable Hangers. I saw these in Real Simple magazine once and thought I would check them out at Target. I picked up a pack of 3 or 4 velvety hangers and tried them out. They are WONDERFUL! They are made with that velvety material so that your shirts don't fall off the sides of the hangers! This might sound ridiculous but seriously, I'm obsessed. I have silk shirts, blouses, tanks, etc and they ALWAYS fall off, now...problem fixed!

I am thankful for today being Thursday. It's been a very long week and I am SO glad tomorrow is Friday and I get to enjoy my last free weekend before I have to start back up at classes on Tuesday. I will be working a bit this weekend but hey, I love my job, I love working for my Dad so its worth it!

I am thankful for http://www.redenvelope.com/. They send me these convenient reminders to my Gmail account to tell me that a birthday is around the corner or a special occasion is approaching! They have the best little unique gifts that I can send to ANYONE and be satisfied with my purchase. I've also gotten a lot of gifts sent to me from this site and as soon as I see that red box in the mail...I ALMOST get as excited as when I get the little "blue" box!!!

Lastly, I am OH-so-thankful for Excedrin Migraine (lol). I woke up (what a way to wake up on a Thursday!!!) with an excruciating migraine (you know, one of those that gets you right in the back of your eyes, ugh.) and it lasted ALL. DAY. LONG. Luckily, I threw in the towel and took two Excedrin Migraine pills and within 20 minutes...I was golden.

Happy Thursday everyone! What are you thankful for??

Thankful Thursdays

I'm thankful for my new blog friends, its wonderful to learn so much about new people! I love to see how people design their blogs and use their creativity through their words:o)

I'm thankful for our Nespresso machine that my stepdad just bought for me and my family to use. It's similar to a Keurig single cup coffee machine but better...it not only makes a single cup o' joe but also makes an espresso, latte or cappuccino. The coffee pods are teeny tiny but DELICIOUS, I'm actually addicted to the decaf brew right now!

I'm thankful for my Kindle. I know I've said this time and time again but I love to read. I love that it fits perfectly in my purse and I can take it with me wherever I go. My dad gave my Kindle to me for Christmas and I've managed to read three books since then! Right now I'm reading "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks and its WONDERFUL. I'm excited to see the movie when it comes out!

I'm thankful for all the babies being brought into this world. Three of my friends are pregnant and all three are having girls!!!!!! I can't wait to meet these little ones! I'm thankful that each of my friends are having a safe and enjoyable pregnancy, it must be an incredible feeling!

I'm thankful for stylish reusable shopping totes. I like to think that I make a pretty good effort to be "green" in my everyday life. I use "green" cleaning products, I reuse plastic bags, I recycle, I use a stainless steel "Sigg" bottle for taking water with me, and I really do try and remember to bring my reusable shopping bags into Target and the grocery stores with me. I just recently got my hands on a few new ones that are made of recycled plastic and are a lot more durable than the ones that feel like cloth. There's nothing better than being stylish while being green:o)

I'm thankful for those of you who have not made a New Year resolution to eat healthy and go on diets because it keeps my Dad's restaurant VERY busy:o) ( I say this in a very joking way of course, I do wish you all the best with your resolutions!!) We are a novelty in this area and we like to think that that's what makes us successful. I'm VERY thankful for this.

I'm thankful for my down-feather puffy jacket, wool hat, gloves, scarf, Uggs and ALL things that keep me warm when I'm outside in this cold wintry weather! I'm a sucker for marketing this time of year. I will invest in anything that is comfy and cozy so that I'm nice and warm on those windy, frigid days.

I'm thankful for Gmail. I love that my emails are so organized and I don't have to struggle to find ones that I might have saved or deleted. It's SO easy to use. If you aren't using Gmail, check it out, I KNOW you'll love it as much as I do!

Happy Thursday everyone!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for Christmas being exactly one week away!

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go..."

Christmas is EVERYWHERE and everyone is in their cheerful holiday spirits:o) Christmas cookies are made, gifts are wrapped and family is flying in. For that...

I am thankful for my big giant family. We make a big deal out of all of the holidays. I spend my Christmas Eve with my Dad and his side of the family at Mom-Mom's house in the country. Christmas Day is spent with my Mom and her side of the family opening up presents with my siblings and dancing to Christmas music:o) I have relatives flying in from all over the U.S and I'm so grateful that everyone is able to do so and spend time together.

I am thankful for Dad renewing our season tickets for the Sixers every year. He was devastated when I was 6 and told him that I wanted to be a cheerleader. He was happy to have a daughter but he was really pushing for me to be a tomboy. Because I ended up being the biggest girly-girl, he constantly taught me all there is to know about sports, which today I couldn't appreciate more! I LOVE sports and I love that we have tickets for the Sixers, Flyers, Eagles and Phillies. This gives us plenty of chances to have father-daughter dates:o) Last night we went to see the Sixers play the Cavaliers, I couldn't sleep for nights leading up to the game knowing I was going to see Lebron James play the entire game right in front of me (we have courtside seats). He is an incredible athlete, who I think to be the next Michael Jordan...let me rephrase that, NO ONE will be as good as Michael Jordan but Lebron (aka King James) is as close as it will ever get in my lifetime. Here are some pics from the game:

(Dad and I before the game at his restaurant)

(A.I making his return home, showing some Philly love)

(The King aka Lebron James)

(My obsession, Andre Iguodala, xoxo)

I am thankful for my subscription to InStyle magazine. It's my latest addiction and I'm so glad I get the latest issue before it hits the newsstands that way I can catch up on all the latest trends while soaking in a bubble bath:o)

I am thankful for my iPod touch. My Blackberry (aka my lifeline) finally "died" last week and I've been without a phone since then (ps, I will be getting a new phone tomorrow and I switched to Verizon so please email me your phone numbers!). My iPod touch allowed me to text (with wi-fi access), email, Facebook, blog, Skype, tweet from Twitter, etc. while I made the decision to get a new smartphone. If you don't own an iPod touch or an iPhone, you need one! They are incredible!!

I am thankful for all of my favorite stores being online which allowed me to get almost all of my Christmas shopping done without the hassle of standing in lines and still being able to work my tush off at work:o)

I am thankful for movie nights with my brother, Brendan. We both make it a point to watch a movie together several times a week and catch up on what's going on in our busy lives. Now that he's 16, he can watch some of my favorite movies and appreciate the humor in them:o) I am so thankful that he enjoys our movie nights as well, there's nothing better than hearing him say to a girl or guy on the phone, "ok I'll talk to you soon, its movie night with my sis". THAT is why I love him so much.

I am thankful that my very last final as a college student is tomorrow!!! I will no longer be taking finals or writing papers (until grad school). This also means that...I will (fingers crossed that I get accepted into the program) be student teaching in the spring!!! As soon as I know of my acceptance and assignment, you all will be the first to know:o)

I am thankful for everyone reading and responding to my blog. I'm still trying to get a lot of you into blogging, but thank you for bookmarking my page and emailing me anyway:o) Whether you are my family or my friend, I love keeping in touch with you, xo

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for that little peak of sunshine that came out for only about a half hour, it was the perfect way to brighten up such a blah gray day:o)

I am thankful for being a female family member in this large family of mine. This simply means that at certain (and very special) times, various heirlooms are passed down for others to keep safe and use with love. Today we received a large box and inside was a collection of brass, vintage vanity items that great-grandmother kept on her dresser. There were also several necklaces of large chunky beads (who knew they would be back in style!) that still smell like her strong, distinct perfume. I was handed down a silk handkerchief that is handpainted with pretty, colorful flowers. One day this will be part of my something old, something new:o)

I am thankful for the wonderful phone call I got from my friend Steph telling me that she and her husband, Jason, are moving back home to PA! I'm sure she is just as thankful that she has a wonderful husband who understands how much she misses her family and friends. I have the best friends a girl could ever ask for. They are always there when I need them, even if its for a lunch date (which I am doing with Jenna on Saturday).

I am thankful for my Nike Training app on my iPod touch. It allows me to workout at my own pace but throws in challenges that keep me moving and whipping my tushy into shape:o)

I am thankful for those fuzzy, cozy, soft aloe socks that I got from Bath and Body Works. They keep my feet warm in my winter boots but also keep my feet soft too with the little bit of aloe that's in them! Try them, they're amazing (a great Christmas idea too!-the aloe stays in them for up to 15 washes).

I am thankful for the new key finder I just bought at Target. I can NEVER find my keys and I usually wait until I am running out the door to try and find them. Now I have this nifty little contraption that, with the press of a button, will find them for me (even if they are in the bottom of a drawer like they were this morning, oops!)

I am very thankful that tomorrow is Friday and I have a very busy but what promises to be a very fun weekend planned:o)

Thankful Thursdays

"The world is your oyster"...well yes, and these days that could not be more true. I have opened so many doors for myself, doing things I normally wouldn't do and continue to challenge myself to do my best with the things I do. Today, I am thankful for my persistence. I am so excited to finish school and start my "real life"--I have SO many things left to accomplish.

I am thankful for my mom. She really has this way of always being there but not being there. She was never the kind of parent who is constantly breathing down my neck, annoying me with thousands of questions and creating a blueprint of how life should be. Instead she has provided support (in her own special way) and allowed me to become my own person by letting me experience life on my own terms and choosing my own path. Today she surprised me with a gift bag from Starbucks, I opened it up and it was the clear insulated Starbucks classic cup with candy cane straw that I've been looking for. She simply said, "I thought you could use this for finals week." Thanks Mom<3

I am thankful for my Snuggie. If you don't own a Snuggie yet, you don't know what you're missing! It was given to me by my Dad who very kindly pointed out that I am "always cold" and followed it up with a hot pink, very warm Snuggie. I wear mine backwards (like a robe), it always seems to amuse people but then they become slightly jealous that they don't have one as well:o) It certainly comes in handy when you're curled up blogging, reading a book, watching a movie or just listening to rain outside from the comfort of your bed. It's the ultimate feel good gift.

I am thankful for Beckers Teachers Supply store. Anytime I need something for my teaching classes at school, I know I don't have to search high and low I can go there and get what I need. It's never that easy though to be honest, I end up doing the usual "lap" around the store and finding things that I really don't need but things that I know I'll need soon:o)

I am thankful for eBooks. I've loaded a few onto my iPod touch just to try them out and I'm just about hooked. The only downside to them is that I love holding the actual paperback book in my hand. I'll admit it, I'm a bender. I bend the spines of every book that I have. I don't know if its habit or just because I like the book to be broken in and used as opposed to new and stiff. Anyway, for those of you who don't mind reading books electronically, I would definitely recommend it. It's a simple way to "go green" and they are also about 60% less than the price you would pay in a bookstore.

I am thankful for green tea. Hot or cold its an instant energy booster. I have packets that I can add to a bottle of water, shake it up and I'm ready to go. I get the ones that have no added sugar or they are way too sweet and full of the extra calories that no one wants.

I am thankful for Thanksgiving coming so quickly. It's just around the corner and pretty soon the holiday season will be here. I am so thankful that I get a short break from classes to organize myself and start getting myself together for finals week and Christmas shopping (ahh can't wait!).

thankful.thursdays

I am thankful for my traditions with my dad. He has raised me to be an avid Philadelphia sports fan and tonight we are going to the Flyers game to see them take on the Senators. I am thankful that we have season tickets for each of the teams, it makes Philly feel like my second home<3

I am thankful for forgiveness. There has been a lot of that being spread around in our family lately, and sometimes you have to let your pride down and forgive the ones who love you the most, even if you think they hurt you the most. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving this year, its been awhile since my family has been able to have a giant family dinner together<3

I am thankful for Starbucks VIA instant coffee. I hate instant coffees but I tried the ones that they were giving me for free and I am now obsessed. I keep them in my purse, at work, in my bookbag, in my car, so that I always have a quick pick-me-up wherever I go.

I am thankful for Google. How many times a day do you Google? I just recently realized that it is basically my lifeline. I Google on my Blackberry, on my laptop, on my iPod touch...constantly. *If you're having a lucky kind of day, click on "I'm feeling lucky" and see what it brings you to*

I am thankful for the holidays. Its this time of year where I start to get very nostalgic. As much as I absolutely HATE the cold weather and everything that comes with the Winter season, I LOVE the holidays. It all starts with Christmas music (which I have officially loaded onto my iPod, I'm ready to start listening to it), decorating cookies, decorating the house, the mall is decorated, people are starting to shop, etc. I think it makes everyone just a little bit happier each day. Did you ever walk into a store and smell a Christmas tree? That's the best smell EVER! What is on everyones wish list this year?

I am thankful for Blu Ray. We just got one in March and my family is addicted to it. My favorite movies to watch with it right now are Finding Nemo and Mamma Mia. I think it's because the blue color of the ocean becomes so vivid that I feel like I'm standing right there looking at it. Mamma Mia was filmed in Greece and it reminds me of how beautiful the Mediterranean water is there. They did not enhance that movie one bit, that's actually how beautiful it is.

I am thankful for wellies. I get so excited when I wake up and see that its raining outside because that only means one thing...I get to wear my rainboots (I call them wellies)!!! My wellies are hot pink and hit just below the knee, you are guaranteed to never lose me in a crowd of people on a rainy day:o) I'm like a little kid, walking to class, splashing (not in an obnoxious way) in the puddles and singing "raindrops are falling on my head...". Then I go home and make myself a cup of hot chocolate, grab my snuggie and I'm ready for a movie night! How can you not be thankful for Thursdays!? Enjoy!

Oops! I Missed It!

I missed Thankful Thursday! So here it is...


I'm thankful for my dog Trainer (pictured) and our new puppy Bentley, they both light up my face when I walk in the door and know how to make me laugh.

I'm thankful for the Phillies advancing to the World Series!!!!!!!!! This is so incredible and I'm glad I get to share it with my Dad again this year.

I'm thankful for down feather comforters. They are so cozy and keep me warm all night during these cold fall/winter months.

I'm thankful for snail mail. I love getting old fashioned mail from friends, its the best:o)

I'm thankful for on demand. I can watch my favorite movies and tv shows that I've missed during the week.

I'm thankful for music. There's so many times when I can't speak what I feel, and certain songs will do that for me.

Lastly, I'm thankful for my wonderful family. I can't say it enough. My great grandmother will be in heaven soon and we will miss her dearly. <3