Day 166: Solutions + NYC Conversations

Today I learned...
...that talking about something doesn't mean a solution arrives... it means the talking can actually BE the solution.

Today I am thankful for...
...a beautiful day of a thousand conversations with Jenn in NYC.

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 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 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 68: Hard Work + Mother-in-Law

Today I learned...
...that working hard is tiring, but feels really good! I volunteered at a charity event for my job tonight until quite late...and while I worked last 11pm, I realized that being super busy and reaching goals gave me a huge sense if satisfaction as I drove home.

Today I am thankful for...
...being able to visit with my mother-in-law. She's so sweet and I love her. I hadn't seen her for a few weeks.

Day 50: Friend Meet-Ups + A Message

Today I learned...
...that my amazing friends were together in NYC having a beautiful day. While my heart longs to be with them, it was so fantastic knowing they were FINALLY together and enjoying every moment. On Saturday I get to finally see this friend from the UK (it's been about SIX years which is a long time coming!) and the dear NYC friend who was with her today. The anticipation is killing me. Seeing photos of them together today made me so happy. It was truly a dream fulfilled... and I'm so eager to get in on that dream!

Today I am thankful for...
...a truly touching and beautiful message from a friend that brought tears to my eyes. Tonight I was blown away. Words cannot describe the selfless generosity she demonstrated and how much it meant to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You know who you are.

Day 48: Cat Attention + a Safe Arrival

Today I learned...
...that Juice thrives on time alone with me. She was in my writing room with me for hours today while I was writing papers for grad school. Tumbler was shut out because he gets into things and distracts me, and after he had stopped crying and went on his way, it was just me and Juice and she loved it. She slept and purred and snuggled and talked and was just so happy to have one on one time. Haha.

Today I am thankful for...
...my friend Rachel landing safely in America! She's here! On my continent! In my country! And while she has fun in NYC this week, I am one step closer to seeing her on Saturday!

Day 47: Addiction Empathy + Momma

Today I learned...
...having had an eating disorder makes me understand alcoholism really, really well. Of course, I've made the correlations before. If I struggled with an addictive sort of mental illness in the past, it makes sense that I would be empathetic towards people who struggle with alcoholism. But tonight, watching the new movie Flight (Denzel Washington) with Rick, I realized that I watched the whole movie with a hyper-empathetic social worker lense. And I totally connected to the place the main character comes from, not because I learned about it in books and graduate classes, but because I GET IT. Now, I'm not going to pretend that I know what it's like to be a person with alcoholism. I don't. Yet, I tend to be a lot more understanding regarding addictions than the typical world at large...because the pain that happens when something is so terribly out of your control is a feeling I once knew too well.


Today I am thankful for...
...seeing my mom at lunch. Since I work down the street, I popped over at lunch time to see my parents. I showed my mom some flash mobs from One Billion Rising. Her response: "I want to do it with you next year!"

Day 33: Driving Ease + a Magical Day

Today I learned...
...that driving in the car with a really good friend makes driving to new places SO much easier.

Today I am thankful for...
...a magical day of adventures with my dear friend Jenn. She came to see me via bus, and from the moment I picked her up at the bus terminal, I was giddy. We had a day of fabulousness, which includes her meeting all of my family members - every one of them! She met Rick, my mom, my dad, my brother, his wife, my little niece, and even my Mom's best friend - my other mother - Barb! And of course - she met Juice and Tumbler! Many good talks and hugging and squealing and smiling ensued. AND THE BEST PART IS it's just the first of many visits in our future!

Day 27: Beliefs + Lunch

Today I learned...

...that the bulletin board in my writing room is a true reflection of myself and my beliefs. I was cleaning the room today in preparation for an interview that may take place in it, since it's where I do most of my work. With fresh eyes, I took in everything in the room, in the event that any of it might be on TV. I noticed so many sayings, like, "Let your past make you better, not bitter," and "Stop judging. Start loving," and "Each new day is another chance to change your life." These sayings are colorfully placed on my cork board along with many others...and I'm proud to say I can stand by them. 

Today I am thankful for...

...lunch with my dad. It was just us, something that never happens. Unfortunately, my mom is sick...but I am grateful that the chance to be alone with my dad was the opportunity that resulted.

Day 13: Wishes + Friendships

Today I learned...
...that wishes really can come true. See below.

Today I am thankful for...
...the official opportunity to see some of my very dearest friends on February 23rd in New York City. For 4 years, in addition to making videos on my own YouTube channel, I have been making Wednesday Warrior videos for a channel called WeRFreEDomFighters. My day is clearly Wednesday, but some other fantastic ladies make videos on other days of the week. Together, we create programs, video rotations, and educational topics. Together, we promote eating disorder recovery and reach thousands of people.

These women are also some of my dearest friends. We are everywhere: various parts of the USA, Italy, the UK. But we are connected by sisterly bonds and communicate daily through text messages, phone calls, Facebook, Twitter, emails, and of course - YouTube.

These strong friendships have been years in the making, but due to the fact that we don't live near each other, we have never met. And this February, several of us will.

It is with a heavy heart that I regret I cannot meet ALL of my Freedom Fighter sisters. But this February, I will get to meet 3 of them. My dear friend from the UK will be coming to the USA and arriving in NYC. My other FF sister will be arriving in NYC from Georgia. And a third dear friend currently LIVES in NYC, so will be there waiting for all of us with open arms. It will be a friend-fest!

I couldn't be more grateful or more excited!