Day 151: Driving + Progress

Today I learned...

...that driving can feel free!

Today I am thankful for...

...progress!!!!!

150: Self-Hate + Self-Love

Today I learned...

...that teenage girls really hate themselves. I did a workshop for girls ages 12-15 and the things they said about themselves and their bodies was so destructive and sad.

Today I am thankful for...

...the promise I saw in the beautiful girls. They ate up the talk about self-love, confidence, body image, insecurities, etc and surrounded by sisterhood, we made goals for the future.

Day 149: Work Lunch + Book

Today I learned...

...that a work lunch out is a good thing, even on a very busy day with too much to do.

Today I am thankful for...

...the book I am reading: RANDOM FAMILY. It has helped me better understand people, especially my current clients.

Day 148: Credit Card Fraud + MSW Diploma

Today I learned...
...that my credit card number was stolen and used by someone. I was pretty nervous and it took some sorting out, but I think it's okay now. Phew.

Today I am thankful for...
...picking up my special parcel at the post office: my MSW diploma! :-)

Day 147: Amish + My Driver

Today I learned...
...that there are more Menonites than Amish at Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, PA. Who knew.

Today I am thankful for...
...Alicia driving us to Lancaster County because I was too afraid!

Day 146: Dress Shopping + Picnic

Today I learned...
...that Alicia has very good luck dress shopping in PA!

Today I am thankful for...
...a family picnic with my friend, my family, and entertainment from my niece!

Day 145: Rick the Bartender + Hike

Today I learned...
...that Rick is an awesome bartender. He made some amazing fruit and rum concoction in a blender for Alicia and me. :-)

Today I am thankful for...
...the 5.5 mile hike of beauty I made with my friend.

Day 144: Moscato + Alicia's Arrival

Today I learned...
...that Yellow Tail Moscato is very, very good.

Today I am thankful for...
...Alicia's safe arrival from Michigan to my doorstep!

Day 143: No TV + Promise of the Weekend

Today I learned...
...that Thursday nights aren't as fun when TV shows end for the season!

Today I am thankful for...
...the promise of a great long weekend with a dear friend.

Day 142: Libero + Decisions

Today I learned...

...that I will be a contributor to Libero Network.

Today I am thankful for...

...friends that help me make tough decisions. (Thanks, Jenn!)

Day 141: Opportunity + Professional Opinion

Today I learned...

...that I might be able to use a great office as a new group space for the group I lead. 

Today I am thankful for...

...professionals believing in me as a fellow professional.

Day 140: Fear + Ellen

Today I learned...

...that fear is within, not without.

Today I am thankful for...

...the perfect little video about Abercrombie & Fitch that Ellen did in a charming and simple way.

Day 139: Surprises + Jewelry

Today I learned...

...that Rick is full of surprises.

Today I am thankful for...

...the beautiful graduation gift I received from Rick: a stunning necklace and matching earrings from Swarovski Crystal. 

Day 138: Boogie Board + Saturday Errands

Today I learned...

...that Rick really wanted a boogie board for our trip to the beach in Maine. We got one today and he was thrilled. 

Today I am thankful for...

...Saturday errands that begin with coffee and end with a job well done. 

Day 137: Perfectionism + Friday Night

Today I learned...

...that perfectionist ways can hold me back, not propel me forward.

Today I am thankful for...

...Friday night dinner and TV with Rick. The little things are the best things. 

Day 136: Stories + Anticipation

Today I learned...

...that when clients make up stories it is easier to laugh to myself than to waste energy being angry.

Today I am thankful for...

...one week until Alicia visits me!!!!

Day 135: Hilarity + Column

Today I learned...

...that when Rick and I are both out of it, things are hilarious.

Today I am thankful for...

...finishing my column for the Lehigh Valley Woman's Journal. I am both happy that it's done and happy for the opportunity. :-)

Day 134: Jobs + Celebrations

Today I learned...

...that jobs are jobs but people make jobs awesome. 

Today I am thankful for...

...the awesome cake, card, and gift from my co-workers to celebrate my graduation and MSW! 

Day 133: Missing Class + Grad Gift

Today I learned...

...that I kind of actually miss going to class on Monday nights...

Today I am thankful for...

...an unexpected graduation gift from my boss. :-)

Day 132: Gifts + Mother's Day

Today I learned...
...that Rick will benefit from some of the graduation gifts I received from others. Thank you!

Today I am thankful for...
...time with my mom, my other mom (mom's best friend), and my nieces. That's what Mother's Day is all about: being with the 2 people who are mothers to me and being with the 2 little girls who make Mother's Day less painful because I can't have children of my own.

 

{and of course, my fur kids...Tumbler + Juice}

Day 131: MSW + BFF

Today I learned...
...that my MSW journey is bittersweet: I am thrilled to be finished and happy about my achievements, but sad that it means the end of some wonderful, challenging times with great people.

Today I am thankful for...
...my amazing best friend coming surprising me by showing up at my hooding! I almost peed my pants and was so shocked. Having friends and family who love me and show pride in me is phenomenal. Oh...and I'm thankful for my MSW! WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Day 130: Downton Abbey + Dress

Today I learned...
...that Rick will watch Downton Abbey with me. Hooray!

Today I am thankful for...
...a pretty dress to wearing to my hooding tomorrow!

Day 129: Grocery Shopping + TV Time

Today I learned...

...that grocery shopping on a Thursday night is much, much calmer than grocery shopping on a Saturday.

Today I am thankful for...

...my tv time with my kitties. Tumbler is purring on my lap and my guilty pleasure The Vampire Diaries is playing on the TV. :-)

Day 128: Good News + Rick's Birthday

Today I learned...

...that some friends got good news and I couldn't be happier.

Today I am thankful for...

...the birth of my husband, Rick. It's his birthday and I am glad he was born.

Day 127: Breakthroughs + Gift

Today I learned...

...that watching someone have a breakthrough is extremely rewarding. 

Today I am thankful for...

...the super sweet graduation gift I received from one of the women in the group I lead.

Day 126: Sadness + Celebration

Today I learned...
...that you can't take away everyone's sadness, but you can support them through it.

Today I am thankful for...
...a chatty night of celebration at the Copperhead with the best group of social workers I know and love. :-)

Day 125: Fear + Park

Today I learned...
...that a lot of men don't realize that the fear women feel from street harassment (and other kinds of harassment) stems from something real.

Today I am thankful for...
...a run to a park and a walk there.

Day 124: Hachi + Mom-in-Law

Today I learned...
...about a precious dog named Hachi. (Movie trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhEHr7B1QiU)

Today I am thankful for...
...a visit with my  mother-in-law.

Day 123: Busy + TMI Cat Info

Today I learned...
...that being busy at work is better than being bored.

Today I am thankful for...
...a friend with whom I can talk about cat vomit and litter box habits.

Day 122: Soreness + Extra Money

Today I learned...
...that I will be sore after running for the first time in a long time.

Today I am thankful for...
...the extra bit of money in paycheck.

Day 121: Wednesday Nights + Running

Today I learned...
...Wednesday nights home with Rick and much better than Wednesday nights at grad school. :-)

Today I am thankful for...
...my first run in months!