I have gratitude today for...
* setting up the Tastefully Simple fundraiser for Phi Sig. Hoping they raise even more money this year than they did last year! We set the goal at $2,000 in sales. 

* getting up at 6:00am again this morning- I made a bunch of the samples for tonight and packed everything I need for the party. 

* being able to make the rest of the samples in the little kitchen at work this afternoon. 

* another successful event with the Phi Sig girls at West Chester. We had the TS party at Sykes in one of the rooms there. It was a lot better than doing at the house like in years past. All of the girls were very nice and I think they had a good time. 

I have gratitude today for...
* getting up at 6am to bake Megan brownies for her birthday. We had a birthday celebration at the office today for her. 
* the email Jenn B. sent me with a website for me to check out.
* talking with Tessa a little bit about her blog. It made me feel good when she said "I didn't realize you've been blogging for so long." It is crazy to me that 2014 is my blog's 5th year! Sticking with anything is extremely hard for me and I think it's pretty amazing I've kept up with it (for the most part) over the last 5 years. 
* being able to laugh (sort of) about some of the stuff I'm being asked to do at work. 
* talking with Joe today about benefits at Park Power. I found out we will have 15 days PTO, so that was something. 
* the great friends I have in my life---specifically today, Jane & Lori. 
* getting home by 6 and having time to clean up and make most of dinner before Bethany got here. I set up a Mexican buffet with homemade guac and salsa, and Mexican rice, chicken, steak and tortillas. 
* finally being able to catch up with Bethany. It was so nice having her here. We talked about everything---she's going through a lot right now and I hope she will let me help her with anything she needs. We had some good laughs about work stuff (like talking about crazy customer service situations.) She stayed till midnight---I'll be paying for it tomorrow.

I have gratitude today for...
* "sleeping in" and going into the office at 9 instead of 8. I was up until after midnight last night finishing the rest of the customer moves that Steve sent me during the Grammy's. 
* talking with Steve from ICORP today and explaining what's been going on with me. I'm really going to try to make this work. 
* hearing back from Avalon library- they agreed to credit my account and let me return the mail bag next time I'm in Avalon. Now I don't have to pay the $30 fine!
* spending time talking with Andy about everything going on with work. We talked about our goals over the next few years too. I yet again am reminded how lucky I am to have such a supportive guy.
* taking the easy route and ordering pizza for dinner tonight. 
* talking with Megan on my way to/from the pizza place. I hadn't talked to her since they left PA right after New Year's. It was good to catch up!

I have gratitude today for...
* waking up by the sunlight coming into our room. It's been so cloudy lately--reminds me of Syracuse. 
* getting a ton of errands done today. I had so many things to return from holiday shopping and had to get to the store for this week's meals. I enjoyed getting out of the house and having the time to mosey around the stores. I went everywhere- Wegmans, BJ's, Marshalls, Lowe's, Bed Bath & Beyond Kohl's & TJ Maxx. I actually didn't mind all of the running around but I am so tired of this freezing cold weather!
* finally getting most of the Christmas stuff taken down and put away. I actually am not really thankful for this because I'd love them up for months. I love the lights and the cozy feeling the Christmas tree brings to a family room. I was dreading putting everything away so at least it's pretty much done now. 
* talking with Kelly tonight for a little bit. I hoping she can come stay with us for a night during her break in February. 
* watching the Grammy's tonight. Although I think some of the acts that get the spotlight don't belong there, it is an incredible celebration of music and I love watching every year. 

I have gratitude today for...
* getting to Kelley's baby shower safely. I am soooo over this whole "it snows every freaking day" thing. I don't know if it's getting older, or my scare last month while driving in the snow, but I am petrified of driving now when it's snowing. I grip the wheel and picture myself sliding off the road into a tree or pole. I was never able to understand why people flip out about driving in the snow, but after having a scare like I had, I completely get it now.
* Liz making room for me to sit with her and Jess. I didn't really know anyone and I was a half hour late because I had to drive 20 mph the whole way. I had such a good time catching up with Liz. Every time I see her I think we really need to hang out and then we never do. Talking with their friend Jess was great too, she was so sweet and easy to talk to. I had a really nice time and Kelley looks amazing!

The momma-to-be and me at her DaVinci's Pub

* the roads being much better for my drive home. Getting out of Collegeville was pretty shitty but as soon as I got on the main part of 113 I felt ok about driving.
* picking up a bunch of produce from Produce Junction. I've written about that place a lot over the years, but I still find myself in awe. It's amazing to me that I can go there and get fruits and veggies for half (or even less) the price than the grocery store.
* deciding to stay home tonight. I was worried about the roads and just wasn't feeling up to going to Gary & Gail's again. I really just wanted to stay home and chill out and hang with Andy. I feel like I have no time to do anything and am very stressed about everything that has changed at work. It's so hard for me to say "no" when I know it's the best thing for me. As I get older, I'm trying to let myself be ok with not doing everything all of the time. Especially when I can ask myself, "will ______ really miss me, does it really matter to them if I am there or not?" I don't know if it's a female thing or a personality type thing, but I've always had a hard time with this.
* talking with Mom for a while tonight. I was literally thinking about her the moment she called me. I filled her in on everything that's been going on and felt better after talking to her. I think we're going to go to their house for the Super Bowl next weekend.
* reading a few blogs written by friends of mine. It reinforced my desire to start writing topical posts more often. Now that the office is set up I'm hoping to find a time each week to write.