A month of thankfulness

I've had one heck of a week and it's only Wednesday, midday. Ugh... For the first time this semester, I started to feel super stressed about everything on Sunday, and I'm not really certain why. It might be because it's really crunch time (we only have two full weeks of the semester left), my lab still isn't ready, or I agreed (like an insane person) to give a talk this Friday at another University in town. WTF was I thinking?

So, because I have a really bad attitude, I decided, although it is the 9th of November, to start a month of thankfulness. Everyday I will write about something new I'm thankful for.

I'll start from the beginning.

Day 1 - Southern Living
Ha! I think I'm really a southerner living in a northerner's body. Maybe I was really supposed to be born in the South and not in MT. I am IN LOVE with the magazine Southern Living. I am also IN LOVE with the fact that I have a little more time to spend doing some of the projects described in the magazine. So, here's to living in the south, Southern Living and free time!

Day 2 - coming soon
Day 3 -coming soon

Day 4 - New Friends 
Since we have moved here, we have met so many wonderful people. I'm not certain if there are more wonderful people here, or if I've just had a chance of coming in contact with more of them. Probably more likely the latter. I'm just so thankful to have met them and to be able to call them friends. Overall, it has made this transition so much easier. 

Day 5 - Sunshine
Even though it's November, it was beautiful last weekend. I was feeling a little bit crabby (said bad attitude that I described about started last weekend. boo!) and so I spent the morning sulking around the house, when it was absolutely beautiful outside. M and I had this crazy raised bed in our backyard that we had started removing a few weeks ago, and so we decided to tackle the rest of it. I put on a parka to head outside, and M laughed at me. When I got out there, I realized I didn't need my parka because it was a beautiful, sunny day. We were able to remove the rest of the cement planter (pics coming soon), and the backyard looks good. I love how a little bit of sunshine can make everything better.

Day 6 -  Colors
Today we met up with some new friends and went on a ride over in Arkansas. I know... you're probably thinking, Arkansas? But it's just across the river, and because it's more rural, we don't have to worry about being hit by a car. We only did about 20 miles, but it was so beautiful with all the fall colors. There's some really vibrant reds and some lovely yellows. For those of you that know me, you're probably thinking, red? She hates red, but these fall reds are so lovely, and they're simply my favorite. I'm so thankful things are gray and that everyday we have the opportunity to enjoy a little color.

Day 7 - coming soon
Day 8 - coming soon

Day 9 - Charlie
I'm so very thankful for my little Charlie. It's his birthday today, so I think it's appropriate he gets his own day and that it's today. I think tonight I'll stop on the way home and try to find him some version of a doggie cupcake. This morning when we told him it was his  birthday, his ears perked up, and he started bouncing around. Likely, he has no idea why the heck we're so excited, but it's fun to pretend to celebrate him today. On some days, when he puts his ball under the couch 3 or 4 times in a row for example, he can be a lot of work, but for the most part, he brings so much joy to our lives and he's such a good little buddy. He's always eager to please us or play ball, and he waits at the front door until I come home at night. I love me some Charlie.