Day 241: Making Clear + Good Talk

Today I learned...
...that sometimes we have to make our thoughts and intentions clear so that we will be taken seriously.

Today I am thankful for...
a good talk with Rick.

Day 240: Expectations + Validation

Today I learned...
...that I cannot expect mean people to act nice or expect sanity from insanity. Sometimes everything good I can do will still be perceived incorrectly.

Today I am thankful for...
...friends who let me vent after a really, really rough day at work. Worst phone call from a client I've ever had in the 7 years of my profession. I was really upset and people validated me.

Day 239: Brother + Discussions

Today I learned...
...that my brother and I really have some profound talks. Even via email.

Today I am thankful for...
...a husband who wants to engage my brother in discussion they way I do.

Day 238: Busy + Pool Day

Today I learned...
...that this week is going to be really, really busy at work.

Today I am thankful for...
...the pool day I had yesterday with a friend. Was a good start to a crazy week!

Day 237: Dementia + CD Reaction

Today I learned...
...that my mother-in-law is not doing well with her dementia. Makes me sad.

Today I am thankful for...
...my friend's reaction to a CD I really love and had shared with her.

Day 236: Second-guessing + Practice Exam

Today I learned...
...that second-guessing myself is not the best idea.

Today I am thankful for...
...passing the fairly difficult simulated practice exam for licensure. Hallelujah!

Day 235: Mind + Safety

Today I learned...
...that we make things so big and powerful in our own heads, when really we don't have to. We have a choice.

Today I am thankful for...
...the knowledge that a friend is okay after a hard night.

Day 234: Cancellation + Helping a Friend

Today I learned...
...that I had to cancel something I had planned on because of something unforeseen. And it really annoyed me. And I was angry.

But...

Today I am thankful for...
...that incident causing me to text a friend, which created a conversation, which led to me helping to convince her to do something she really needed to do. So what had me angry in the morning DID have a purpose I couldn't see at the time. And I am grateful.

Day 233: Dreams + Video

Today I learned...
...that dreams hold interesting concepts and sometimes, keys.

Today I am thankful for...
...a short video from a friend about a whisper from an angel. ;-)

Day 232: Confidence + Opportunity

Today I learned...
...that I am much more confident at 28-almost-29 than I was doing the same things at 21-almost-22.

Today I am thankful for...
...an opportunity that will hopefully turn into something great.

Day 231: Harsh Critic + Rick Video

Today I learned...
...that Rick is a really, really harsh critic of himself.

Today I am thankful for...
...all the love and appreciation that poured in for the Q + A with Rick video we did together. :-)

Day 230: Versatile Talent + Magical Phone

Today I learned...
...that my friend Jenn is not only an amazingly talented musical artist, but a versatile one.

Today I am thankful for...
...the magic that led her missing phone to me to hand over to her!

Day 229: Rainy Day + Confidence

Today I learned...
...that rainy days postpone things, but sometimes it's for the best.

Today I am thankful for...
...the confidence I got yesterday driving on the highway...again and again and again. Haha.

Day 228: Universe + Friend

Today I learned...
...yet again, that things work out the way they are meant to work out.

Today I am thankful for...
...the promise of seeing a friend this weekend.

Day 227: In the Zone + iMovie

Today I learned...
...that sometimes I can really get in the zone when talking about mental health in videos, because I am very passionate about it.

Today I am thankful for...
...the amazing program called iMovie.

Day 226: Directions + Web Series

Today I learned...
...that I can troubleshoot my own directions while driving. I don't have to rely on a GPS... I can actually use my mind.

Today I am thankful for...
...discussions for a new Web Series with a good friend. Stay tuned! ;-)

Day 225: Positive Thinking + Test Success

Today I learned...
...that positive thinking influences others A LOT even when they don't realize it.

Today I am thankful for...
...my friend passing the licensure exam for MSW.

Day 224: Not Caring + Lidocaine Gel Cream

Today I learned…

…that some people really don’t care.

Today I am thankful for…

…the Lidocaine gel cream that is helping Rick’s pain.

Day 223: Studying + Kitties

Today I learned…

…that I am better at studying for the licensure exam than I thought!

Today I am thankful for…

…time to snuggle and talk to my kitties.

Day 222: Understanding Death + Niece Friend

Today I learned…

…that very small children can understand death as a happy thing.

Today I am thankful for…

…the adorable conversation I had with my 2 year old niece about how Jenn Friedman is HER friend and not MINE. Hahahaha.

Day 221: Plan + End to Stressful Week

Today I learned…

…that having a plan for the following day makes sleep so much easier.

Today I am thankful for…

…the end of a very, very stressful work week!

Day 220: Cloud Atlas + Grammy

Today I learned…

…that Cloud Atlas is my new favorite movie.

Today I am thankful for…

…my Grammy reaching 85 years of age!

Day 219: Email + Deep Thoughts

Today I learned…

…that connecting my email accounts to my Mac Apple Mail application makes life SO much easier!

Today I am thankful for…

…a husband who appreciate the deep, inner thoughts of the world.

Day 218: Pain Empathy + Support

Today I learned...
...that people in pain can be kinder and more personable than the professionals helping people in pain.

Today I am thankful for...
...the opportunity to be there for my husband.

Day 217: Writing + Responses

Today I learned...

...that writing about Rick's pain is really helpful to me.

Today I am thankful for...

...the beautiful and loving responses I receive in regards to Rick and his chronic pain. 

Day 216: Coffee with Jenn + Momma-ness

Today I learned...

...that coffee with Jenn is good in any state, in any setting - whether it be Port Authority, NYC...coffee shops near and far...Starbucks...or at my own kitchen table. 

Today I am thankful for...

...my momma being so momma-y to everyone I love. :-)

Day 215: Dreams + Recording

Today I learned...

...that my friend Jenn is even more talented than I realized. Her voice is so powerful. Her words are so creative. Her gift is so pure. She is reaching for her dreams and they are happening!

Today I am thankful for...

...being present while Jenn recorded a beautiful song for her project Eating Disorders on the Wire. I felt so proud and so touched and so honored! What a special experience!

Day 214: Parents + Reiki Gifts

Today I learned...
...that parents are always parents.

Today I am thankful for...
...my beautiful friend Jenn who gave the gift of Reiki to Rick. I watched the whole process and it was amazing and heartfelt. I am also thankful for my time with her making goofy videos and playing with twin MacBook Pros.

Day 213: Aunt Stories + Office

Today I learned...
...that my aunt is always good for a funny story.

Today I am thankful for...
...an office to myself so when I blow my nose 1,000 times a day no one has to see.

Day 212: Lost of Sleep + Tissues

Today I learned...
...that 15 hours of sleep is not necessarily enough when one is sick.

Today I am thankful for...
...tissues.

Day 211: Second Sick Day + Entertaining TV

Today I learned...
...that a second sick day is sometimes as necessary as a first.

Today I am thankful for...
...entertaining television to keep me company at home while sick.

Day 210: Sick + Sick

Today I learned...
...that getting sick from my nieces was worth the cuddles.

Today I am thankful for...
...all the sick time I have at my job so that I could use some to stay home.

Day 208: Mac Love + Pasta Date

Today I learned...

...that the MacBook Pro is awesome. Like...even more awesome than I hoped. 

Today I am thankful for...

...a dinner date (with pasta) with the one and only Jenn Friedman. It's like she lives here now. I love it. I could get used to this. ;-)

Day 207: Family Norms + Baby Cuddles

Today I learned...

...that a family makes their own normal.

Today I am thankful for...

...my tiny baby niece who let me rock her cheek to cheek.

Day 209: Results + Following Dreams

Today I learned...
...that expressing yourself gets results.

Today I am thankful for...
...the knowledge that a friend is following her dreams.

Day 206: Good Son + Flash Drives

Today I learned...

...Rick is an even better son than I knew. 

Today I am thankful for...

...flash drives. Such beautiful things. 

Day 205: Surprises + Mac !

Today I learned...

...that you can always be surprised by things.

Today I am thankful for...

...Rick telling me to order my first ever Mac - a MacBook Pro! :-)

Day 204: Condescending Manner + Group Progress

Today I learned...

...just how condescending some drs are to Rick.

Today I am thankful for...

...stories of progress in the group I lead. 

Day 203: Human Limitations + Mindless TV

Today I learned...

...that I don't always have to get everything done. Even important things. I'm a human, not a robot. 

Today I am thankful for...

...mindless tv.

Day 202: Thoughts + Coffee & Cats

Today I learned...

...that sometimes people are thinking the same thing and being on the same page, but they don't even know it because they haven't talked about it yet! :-)

Today I am thankful for...

...morning coffee time with Jenn (ahhh that first sip!) and an improvement with the health of a good friend's kitty. 

Day 201: Talent + Quality Time

Today I learned...

...that my friend Jenn is even more talented than I realized!

Today I am thankful for...

...the opportunity to have dinner, Wegmans adventures, and conversations with her.

Day 200: Change + Surgery

Today I learned...

...that things can always change.

Today I am thankful for...

...my mother-in-law's surgery going well.

Day 199: Chance to Understand + Frozen Yogurt Friendship

Today I learned...
...that other people can understand hard-to-understand things if you give them a chance.

Today I am thankful for...
...dinner and frozen yogurt with a friend in the oppressive heat.

Day 198: Snag + Encouraging Treats

Today I learned...

...that when things have been calm with a high-maintenance situation for a long time, a problem or snag is bound to occur. 

Today I am thankful for...

...the "encouraging treats" my boss brought to work. Yesterday I was stressed by some work things and told her I was trying to keep my positive attitude. She said she would give encouragement. Today I came in to muffins and cherries for the office. I asked her if she had bright them and she said, "Yes! Encouraging treats!" :-)

Day 197: Digital Photo Frame + Air Conditioning

Today I learned...

...that the digital photo frame I got Rick doesn't let me choose the order in which I want the photos to play. I messed with it for hours and couldn't get it to be the way Rick wanted it, but my efforts were still appreciated by Rick. 

Today I am thankful for...

...air conditioning.

Day 196: Procrastination + Tumbler Love

Today I learned...

...that I am procrastinating taking the optional licensure exam because 1) it's optional 2) I'm afraid of failure and 3) I'm having too good a time this summer and don't want to study.

Today I am thankful for...

...my sweetheart Tumbler boy who sleeps buried in my lap so happily for hours and wakes up to lick me now and then. 

Day 195: Pool + Rick Time

Today I learned...

...that an inflatable pool can make my husband very happy.

Today I am thankful for...

...time with Rick after a weekend away.

Day 194: Dislike + Laughter of Friends

Today I learned...

...that driving is becoming more of a dislike than an actual fear. :-) 

Today I am thankful for...

...laughing so hard it hurt. My college friends are the best. 

Day 193: Understanding + Chronic Pain

Today I learned...

...that the understanding of another person can start with a completely different person.

Today I am thankful for...

...a man named Ed who helped me help my husband with his chronic pain & fatigue saga.

Day 192: Marriage + Hair

Today I learned...

...marriage is about teamwork in a way that's very different from other relationships. 

Today I am thankful for...

...the ability to do my own hair. 

Day 191: Old Friends + Long Talks

Today I learned...

...that old friends can always pick up where they left off.

Today I am thankful for...

...long conversations past my bedtime with old friends. ;-)

Day 190: Sickness + Photos

Today I learned...
...that my father has pneumonia. In the middle of the summer. Hope he gets better soon!

Today I am thankful for...
...beautiful vacation photos I can look at whenever I want and add to Rick's digital photo frame for work.

Day 189: Back to Work + Potato Salad

Today I learned...

...that my first day back at work after vacation wasn't as bad as I feared.

Today I am thankful for...

...potato salad. Yup.

Day 188: Friend Time + Sleep

Today I learned...

...that a brief amount of time with a cherished friend is better than no time at all. Thank you, Jenn.

Today I am thankful for...

...sleep and lots of it.

Day 187: Cats + Home

Today I learned...

...that the cats were beyond happy to see us again, but survived without us.

Today I am thankful for...

...HOME. There's no place like home.

Day 186: Pool + Magic

Today I learned...

...that getting to a pool is not always as easy as it appears.

Today I am thankful for...

...all the magic that happened at the Cliff House on our last night in Maine. Too many instances to name!

Day 185: Patriotism + Boat Cruise

Today I learned...

...that Ogunquit is a very patriotic place. 

Today I am thankful for...

...a beautiful boat cruise with the man I love. 

Day 184: Sunburn + Sun

Today I learned...

...that when it's so cloudy it's dark and I'm freezing on a 65 degree beach, I can STILL get horrendous sunburn on my poor legs. 

Today I am thankful for...

...the sun that came out at the end of a cold, cloudy day!

Day 183: Cliff House Dream + Rainy Beach

Today I learned...

...that the Cliff House will fulfill a dream for Rick.

Today I am thankful for...

...a beautiful moment on a rainy beach with my husband.

Day 182: Intentions + Pharmacy

Today I learned...

that some good intentions just remain intentions.

Today I am thankful for...

...a pharmacy nearby our hotel.

Day 181: Navigator + Important Talk

Today I learned...

...that I am pretty good at being a navigator in the car. 

Today I am thankful for...

...an important talk with my hubby.

Day 180: Juice + Safe Car

Today I learned...

...that Juice is totally on to us. She knows we are going away on vacation and she doesn't like it one bit. 

Today I am thankful for...

...a car that is goof enough condition to get us to Maine safely. 

Day 179: Respect + Sneakers for Rick

Today I learned...

...that when you tell someone you can't do something, if that person respects you, she will not ask you to do it.

Today I am thankful for...

...Rick finding sneakers that don't hurt his feet (chronic pain) after weeks of searching. 

Day178: MLL + Coworkers

Today I learned...

...that More Love Letters is coming to my hometown on Saturday and wanted me to meet up with them, but due to vacation plans, I can't. :-( 

Today I am thankful for...

...coworkers to vent with and laugh with.

Day 177: Mascot + Peace with the Past

Today I learned...

...that YouDee, my old mascot at UD, is the #1 weird but awesome mascot. :-) Read an article that made me laugh.

Today I am thankful for...

...the responses to my Wednesday video on Making Peace with the Past...and I am further thankful to my friend Jenn for coming up with the topic.

Day 176: Known + Dinner with a Friend

Today I learned...

...that my eating disorder recovery videos are more well-known than I thought. Apparently they are watched frequently in treatment centers and residents know who I am. That is so surreal to me. And so cool.

Today I am thankful for...

...dinner at the fabulous Panera with a friend who usually makes me laugh.

Day 175: Water + Books

Today I learned...

...that drinking lots of water really makes me feel good.

Today I am thankful for...

...good books to read. I have so many waiting in a beautiful pile!

Day 174: Packed + Dresses

Today I learned...

...that I'm nearly packed for Maine even though we don't leave for a week.

Today I am thankful for...

...pretty dresses to wear on vacation.

Day 173: Hilarity + TV

Today I learned...

...that my mother-in-law is still hilarious.

Today I am thankful for...

...the small tv we had at home that we could install for her at the assisted living facility. Hers broke and she needed a new one, but we had one! 

Day 172: Defensiveness + Vacation Plans

Today I learned...

...that being defensive does not serve me well. 

Today I am thankful for...

...having enough money to take a vacation. We really need one since it's been more than 3 years and June 30 can't come quickly enough...but as we plan and buy last minute things like snacks and towels and boogie boards, I'm happy we CAN.