Thankful Thursday...on Wednesday

So, a funny thing happened this morning.  Today...on the eve of Thanksgiving, when people are beginning to get into that frenzied state of mind, shopping, cooking, general holiday craziness...I was swept off my feet by a stranger's generosity and kindness.  I had dropped the preschooler off at school and headed to Starbucks to commence sitting in the holiday line that ensues when they have all their fall/winter coffee flavors and and no one is working.  As I sat behind the biggest, shiniest, black Mercedes that I've ever seen, admiring the swankiness of it...the elitism of the Rollins College tag (look it up...it's a good one) the driver slowly pulled forward, forward still...I placed my order for a bacon gouda breakfast sandwich and a grande coffee. Still inching forward the man in the car of my dreams pulled away from the window...now it was my turn to pay and get my items.  When I arrived at the window the girl told me..."the man in front of you paid for yours".  As I looked up...searching for the shiniest car ever...he drove away.  I didn't even have a chance to give him a wave of thanks.  I can't really describe to you the feeling of such selflessness.  Yes, it was only an 8 dollar purchase but from a complete stranger makes it seem like a million dollar purchase.  It gives you hope...hope that more people will be nice, especially during the holidays.  I'm thankful for the man and the car and the Rollins tag that paid it forward today...putting a smile on my face and warming my heart more than any coffee could ever do!

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful for my girlfriends who are always there for me...you know who you are!  I'm thankful for my 5 very best friends that I've had since college...we talk every single day via email.  We laugh together, cry together, and know every detail of each other's life...especially the in-law parts.  We have been together since 1993 and never miss a beat.  We can go forever without seeing each other (though we prefer not to) but as soon as we're together we pick right up where we last stopped.  They have been an unending source of inspiration, support, and devotion.  I would do anything for any one of them.  They are the best friends a girl could ever have!  Hands down! 

p.s. kinda like these girls!



image credit: isaboo designs

Thankful...er, Monday's

I can't believe last week got away from me so quickly that I didn't even post my Thankful Thursday post!  So, here it is...on Monday...

I am thankful for my family.  I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family that loves and supports me no matter what.  My sweet girl lights up mine and the husband's life every single day.  I'm thankful for my parents and sister and for the husband's parents and his brother and their family who are all so loving.  I'm thankful for all of our extended family and the fact that we spend as much time together as possible...laughing, having fun, and catching up.  I can't imagine life without them!

image credit: isaboo designs 

big and small

Just thinking about some things...maybe it's the chilly mornings but for some reason I'm having this craving to crawl in bed with the preschooler in the mornings.  Actually, I find myself wanting to sleep with her at night too.  Also, every time I pick her up now I'm reminded that she isn't little anymore...soon, I'll no longer be able to grab her up in a moments notice.  Granted, there will always be that "super mom strength" for the scary-don't-fall-moments, but I'm talking about just the ease of picking her up for a hug or a kiss or simply because I want to carry her.  It makes me sad but at the same time I'm so excited for the little lady she's becoming. 
And so, in preparing my thoughts for her bedroom makeover, which was promised when we moved to our new house and also because she's kind of outgrown her toddler bed, I'm faced with a decision of whether or not to get her a twin bed or a full size.  The twin bed would be so cute and allow more actual space in her room for toys and for her to play...but, the full size would give her room to stretch her legs, grow, and let her Mama sleep with her!  When I asked her what she preferred she of course was thrilled with the idea of me sleeping with her...the Husband, not so much.  Or, maybe it's that I'm completely smitten with the bed we've I've picked out for her room (see above).  It comes in both twin and full size.  I have until Christmas to decide...big or small??

image credit: Land of Nod

Thankful Thursdays

November!  I can't believe it's already here!  Seems we were just getting the sand out of our shoes from the beach and now it's chilly and time to think about the holidays and turkey and hot soup!  For the month of November I'm going to replace "Thursday's things" with a new segment..."Thankful Thursdays".  I'll highlight things that I'm especially thankful for.  It's good to make these lists from time to time to put things in your life in perspective.  We get so caught up in our day to day activities and duties that I know I often find myself forgetting what's most important. 
And so, today...November 1st...
I am thankful for a washing machine and dryer that are not in a dark, musty basement.  (Sometimes, it's the little things).  I lived with my laundry in the basement for 10 years.  I despised going down there to do it and lugging it up and down the 13 stairs back and forth, back and forth.  Now, in our new house it's right in the hallway...down from our bedrooms.  It is life changing!

So, here's a little challenge...take a moment to think and write down one thing you are thankful for.  You can do it daily or on Thursdays like me.  You can share them here in the comments each week or you can keep them to yourself, whatever you wish.  But, at the end of November...you'll have a great little list of pick-me-ups that will help you slog through the hectic holiday season and the winter blues.  You'll be able to remember at a moments notice the important things...things that make you smile.

image credit: Isaboo Designs

when I grow up

If you could have any job in the world...what would it be?  Recently I've been thinking about that.  As silly a question as it is, it's recently become something of an endeavor for me...to figure out what in the world I'm supposed to be doing.  I've always had an office type position and never really felt completely settled or fulfilled.  Having gone back to work about 3 months ago I'm working out of my home now and while that sounds all idyllic...it's really been tough.  Partly because of the self-motivation, although the pace of the job has been so fast and furious I haven't as of late had trouble with that.  Maybe it's the actual stuff I'm doing...whatever it is, I know that I have that unsettled feeling.  That feeling that I should be doing something more...something creative.  I mean, I've got so much creative energy that there are times that my ear might come into question (think Van Gogh).  But, here's the problem...how do you capitalize on a quality that is hard to define?  People love to hire creative minds and forward thinkers but how do you get into that chair in their stark, bold office to profess your love of all things...er, abstract (think: outside of the box, bold thinking, artsy qualities)?  For years and years I tried to wedge my Manolo's into the razor thin door of a local advertising/magazine powerhouse...only to be told time and time again that I either had no experience or they weren't hiring.  And so, I pushed the idea of doing what I wanted to do creatively to the side and went to work doing a mundane job just like most of the people my age.  Then I started to wonder...and still do to an extent...does anyone truly love what they do.  I mean, on a day to day basis, does anyone get up in the morning excited to go to whatever it is that they do? I don't mean the workaholic type...I've known many of those.  I'm talking about someone who can't conceal the smile on their face when they talk about what they do.  That is what I want.  What do you want?

image credit: golden parachutes

gossip girl

Good lawd!  I have just had a major realization and I'm a little embarrassed that I didn't put two and two lacquered door-classic-Hermes-esque things together.  But...turns out, that little post I wrote a while ago...C. Wonder, well turns out the man behind the name is the ex-husband of fashion mogul Tory Burch.  That's right, Chris Burch is a venture capitalist who helped Tory launch her brand and is still a shareholder in Tory Burch, LLC.  And now?...you guessed it...he's mad as hell!  How did I miss this scandal?  Well, maybe it's not really a hot topic right now but after Brian Williams' NBC interview this Thursday about her empire and how "there's a dark cloud" over it...I bet people will be talking.  And so, because...despite my stalker tendencies, I know neither of them...I can honestly say that I love both.  Albeit, C.Wonder is much more affordable and looks just as great and classic.  I can't wait to get all the gritty details about this but for now...let's compare.  Below are photos of each store.  Orange is Tory's...Green is Chris's...

You draw your own conclusions but the resemblance is striking.  Now, I've got to find that brass pelican I spy on the top shelf of C. Wonder's store!  Seriously...I need it!

image credit: referenced in original posts