some yarn flowers and a little paper

I met some really wonderful people today at the Thanksgiving dinner. Although I won't share all their stories, this one really hit home for me.

The most touching part of my day was at the end a guy that I had met while play cards came up and asked if he could take part of the paper tablecloth home (we had markers and people all wrote what they were grateful for on them). I said "yes, of course....". He got tears in his eyes and showed it to me. He had written a little message for his daughter who was killed in a car accident that he caused by driving drunk. When he told me I instantly wanted to just hug the shit out of him. I thought about all the times I drove drunk and about my DUI. I am so grateful that I never hurt anyone and that I don't have to do that anymore. I can't imagine what pain he must have gone through and I can imagine, still goes through everyday. He is sober now and I am just so impressed. He is the coolest guy and would be an awesome dad! He was great with all of the little kids at the dinner. I don't know if he'll ever get the chance to be a dad again, but I hope so.


After we talked for a while I asked him if he wanted to take the yarn flowers we had made for the centerpieces to put by her grave. He looked surprised and asked if I would really give them to him. He picked out 4 or 5 fake yarn flowers and took them with him. He kept thanking me and acting like I gave him a million dollars--in reality, he got a piece of paper that he had written on and about 5 cents worth of yarn hooked to a twig. It really made me think about what I have to be grateful for and the meaning behind the things I place value in. It's crazy how something so seemingly simple can mean so much to someone.

Thanksgiving---done and over

Hope everyone had a Thanksgiving as great as mine was! I spent the day with some really amazing people and got to meet a lot of new friends, too. I loved today. A lot.

As part of the mentor program that I'm in at the Horizon House we decided to put on a Thanksgiving dinner for the community (kind of like a soup kitchen type deal) since no one else in town was doing one. We put up fliers, begged people for clothes, money, and a shit load of food. We cleaned and decorated the building, which btw, is not a pretty building, we cooked and baked, and we showed up a couple hours early not knowing how the day would turn out.

The place was packed! I was so amazed at how much food and clothes showed up at the last minute, but mostly at how many people showed up! Not only did people show up randomly to help volunteer, people came to eat and have fun, too! About an hour into the dinner people were getting a little anxious so I went and bought 8 decks of cards and some Uno cards. We had a spades tournament (apparently that's a jail game?) and had a blast!

We had food left over and money to spare (which we will be using for Sub-4-Santa). I'm so grateful that I was able to be there and help out in any way I could. I wouldn't trade today for anything. Seriously, I'm very blessed and today was amazing.



All in all, I am very grateful that I was able to participate in this and hope that we do it again next year! Now I'm excited to start working on Sub-4-Santa! :)

weeeeeeeeeee!kend!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK!  

In 3.5 hours, my three-fun-filled-days of no working begins!

Although I may not be at the truck stop, I definitely won't be bored! I have a lot to do and not a lot of time.

• I need to find 20 old and or cute frames- all different, preferably. I will also need to paint and revamp them, if they are used. 
• I need to make a shit ton of food for the Thanksgiving bash we're having. 
• I need to finish a few birthday presents and think of a bridal shower present. 
• I need to fit some sleep in and maybe some lounging with nothing to do but cuddle with my kittens. 
• I need to get some serious bro time in- and sis time, if she's available. 
• I need to clean, clean, clean.
• I need to finish all the decorations and set them up for the Thanksgiving din. 

Today I'm grateful for:

• cute, thoughtful things that people say, often without knowing that it's such. 
• my boots. they may not be glam status, but they're warm. ha ha
• my new SUU gear that i purchased. 
• that i get to see Joey nearly every morning right when he wakes up. he's so cute.
• birthdays, weddings, thanksgiving, and christmas in the next month! 
• my Katz, both human and animal. 

And last but not least, I'll leave you with this inspirational thought of the day. Enjoy.

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal

One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey.
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true,

One life can make a difference,
You see, it's up to you!

-Author unknown

i wanna be angry today, but...

I wanna be angry tonight. I don't know why, but I can't. I have so much to be grateful for and I guess that is why I have been making all these gratitude lists. I tend to focus on the negatives a lot and then I write these lists and I wonder what it was that I was angry about.

Today was a super great day! I got to sleep all night and then actually sleep in and that makes a huge difference in my demeanor..I'm still bitchy, but not nearly as much as when I don't get enough sleep! My roomie and I decided on a whim that we wanted to get a friend for Calv. Margot, Lindsey and I set out to the pet store because we heard they had free kittens. We didn't find one we loved, so we headed to the Enoch Animal Shelter.

Talk about Cat Heaven. Seriously, the place was packed with cats. We were looking at all of the cats and one jumped on me. I freaked out and had Margot remove it from me and then it jumped on Lindsey. We kept looking, but I guess our cat chose us because we ended up with Gretchen (formerly called Spook). She's such a sweet cat and we love her to death. Calv, on the other hand, isn't so sure yet. He has been picking fights with her all day. I'm sure once they get to know each other that they will be best friends.

The only picture I have of her so far...there will be many more to come, I'm sure.