What are we thankful for?

Isn't that the big question - particularly this week?  Thanksgiving time comes around and all of a sudden we are bombarded with that question - what are you thankful for?  And the sad thing is - some of us only remember to be thankful at this time of year. 

Now I'll admit, I used to be like that - thankful only for a short time.  I learned a very valuable lesson when I was pregnant with my younger son.  I had struggled with infertility for almost 8 years and was pretty certain that we'd be a one-child family.  And I was okay with it.  Well, I was talking with a friend one day and she offered to pray with me.  When we were done - and this was over the phone - she said to me, "You're going to have your baby".  I wasn't so certain.

Two months later, I was pregnant.  I was over the moon and just felt like I was walking on a cloud.  Then that sixth week of pregnancy hit and all the happiness and joy I had been feeling was gone.  I was sick all day every day.  I felt like I was going to die daily.  I called my friend one afternoon and told her how awful I felt and she said "You need to remember to praise even in the bad times".  At the time, I wanted to smack her.  But I did.  Every time I felt ill, I said a prayer of thanks because I still had my baby and that in itself was reason to be thankful.

Let me tell you, the rest of that pregnancy was beyond a nightmare.  People around town that I was going to church with still talk about it.  But the thing I learned was how being thankful DAILY really helped.  You don't always have to be thankful for the big things, it's the little things that really make a difference. 

So what am I thankful for?
I am thankful for the cooler weather. 
I am thankful for my health.  It's been a rough year!
I am thankful for my husband and sons.  They make me laugh and smile daily.
I am thankful for my sweet little pug.  Her cuteness makes me smile.
I am thankful that I have a job that I love and that it's the one I always wanted.
I am thankful that there is food on the table.
I am thankful for my friends.
I am thankful for the creativity God has given me.
I am thankful for readers who enjoy my books.
I am thankful for the ability to know that I don't have to please everyone.

I could go on, but finding ten things every day to be thankful for seemed like a good place to start.  So what about you?  What are you thankful for?

Adventures in the City - Last Day!

The last day of a vacation - especially when it's also your travel day - is always the worst.  That was Saturday for us.  

We were up early, packing and showering.  I wanted to sleep until noon, but that wasn't going to happen no matter what.  We left the hotel at 9:45 and walked the six blocks to Times Square to the Hilton Doubletree where I was going to be filmed for Kindle Love Stories.  I was so nervous that I thought I was going to be sick.  I had carefully picked out my outfit - the list of colors I was not allowed to wear was pretty much my entire wardrobe so I was nervous about that too.

We got there and were escorted into the filming/studio space.  The entire crew was amazing!  They were all so friendly and encouraging and just genuinely happy people, that I was instantly relaxed.  I brought hubby and son with me to witness it all.  I mean, how often is something like this going to happen to me??  

They touched up my hair and makeup and then got me wired up.  And for the next forty-five minutes, I had a blast!  The questions were very fun and I wasn't prompted in advance so when this airs, just know that it was all spontaneous.  I did stumble a few times and they had to re-shoot, but all in all, it was a lot of fun.  I was sorry when they said we were done!  Normally I'd say I have a face for radio, but other than the flat hair, I think I looked okay.

When we were done, we took a few last minute shots of Times Square and grabbed some lunch before going and checking out of the hotel.  Hubby went and picked up the car and we were on the road out of the city by 1:20.  I felt like we had lived an entire day by that point, but unfortunately, our long day still had a long day to go.
 
The drive back to North Carolina took ten hours - and that was with stops for gas and dinner.  It's become a bit of a tradition to stop and eat at a Cracker Barrell on our road trips and this day was no exception.  The last twenty minutes of the drive was the worst.  We were all frantic to get out of the car and just be home.  Me?  I was frantic to get back to my dog.  My poor little Maylene who I missed so darn much!!  Our reunion was very sweet and it felt so good to walk through the door and just be in my own house!!

I slept like a log that night.

Home Sweet Home.  

Today's Cuteness...

Brought to you by Maylene the Pug...

She's totally not impressed...

In case you didn't know, I am the proud owner of a pug.  Maylene.  She is sassy and adorable and pretty much thinks that she rules the home.

And she kind of does.

I love this dog like I never thought I would love a pet and the cruel irony in it all?  She is totally NOT impressed at all.  I love on her and pamper her and just seeing her makes me smile and this is the response I usually get:

Not even looking at me.

Oh, I called her name.  I blew kisses.  I whistled.  I even spoke in a firm, commanding voice like the trainer taught me to.  And this was what I got.  This was the next response:

Looking just beyond me.  I know pugs are a bit stubborn but...come on!  Why won't this dog look at me???  You know when she DOES look at me??  When I'm working and typing and completely in the zone.  Then she sits next to me and just stares.

Either she's completely clueless or she's some sort of evil genius.  I haven't decided which.