Mulligan

Last night, I was in a pretty foul mood. I wanted to get out of the house but knew I'd be more able to relax if I got some chores done first. I was only home for an hour, but I got a surprising amount of stuff done!

• brought in the trash cans/recycling bins
• made my Quick and Easy Fried Rice
• emptied & loaded the dishwasher
• packed breakfast & lunch
• set up the coffee
• laid out clothes for work the next day
• folded a load of laundry

After my speed session of productivity, I headed to the coffee shop to relax (and blog.) I used to study in coffee shops all the time and was completely jealous of the people that were there to just hang out and read or do a crossword puzzle or chat. It seemed so luxurious to be there without having to work!

I was all ready to order a creamy soy latte, like the penguin on the chalkboard, but then I remembered...

...see the neon sign on the right? Yep, this coffee shop sells alcohol! A glass of wine it was. My $3 Chardonnay really hit the spot - and didn't cost any more than a latte!

Combined with free wifi and plenty of hipsters to people-watch, I had a very inexpensive evening out.

I was able to cheer up a little, but I never got around to reflecting on my fortune.

Considering this fortune was about happiness, it's kind of ironic that I got it on a day that I was so unhappy. But I suppose that's a good thing. I think I'll take another stab at it.

Today, someone (I believe it was Heather) tweeted a "dare" to write down 6 things that you were thankful for. I decided to give it a shot and jotted down the first 6 things that popped into my mind when trying to complete the sentence "I am thankful for..."

1. Kate
2. My Family
3. My Health
4. My Determination
5. My Body (meaning all that it is able to do - our bodies are incredible!)
6. My Grandmother

Again, these aren't necessarily in any sort of order, it's just how they popped into my head. Which probably still says something.

Katie & my family are obvious ones. They are who I want to be with and who I feel comfortable around at all times. They love me for who I am. I am very close to my family and am extremely grateful for that. I find it so sad and shocking that some families just don't get along or don't like each other. I can't imagine a life like that.

My grandmother is separate from my family because I was referring to my siblings and parents in #2. My grandmother is my last living grandparent and my closest extended family member. She is funny and silly and tells great stories. She gets me more than I realize. And she loves Katie like she's her own grandchild.

My health and my body are 2 things that I hope to never take for granted. We have one body to carry us through our entire lives. It does amazing things - senses, grows, heals,...lives. We ask our bodies to do SO much for us. And I am grateful that mine is healthy and strong enough to deliver.

I'm a little surprised that "my determination" made it onto the list. Only because I've been struggling with some "my life seems a bit mediocre but I'm too lazy to do anything about it" feelings lately. However, I will say that I am a determined person. If there is something that I want to accomplish (run a marathon? succeed in school? start a blog?), I will make a plan and do it. It is a quality that I love about myself and am proud to have in my "arsenal".

What about you? What are 6 things that you are thankful for today?