We're neck deep in another painfully cold stretch of weather. The kind that requires polypro long underwear and a Buff pulled up over your nose when you're outside for more than a few minutes. At least I need these things to feel even remotely comfortable. I'm trying not to think about how scary the next heat bill will be. So it seems like a good time to review a few things I'm grateful for right now:
1. Hot tea. I can't start my day without a big mug of English breakfast tea. I prefer it strong with a hint of sugar and a splash of milk.
2. Dog fence. Last spring we installed a fence around a small area of the backyard, accessible from the back door. For the first time since I brought my first dog home 14 years ago I don't have to bundle up and go outside every couple hours. I was thankful during rainstorms over the summer, but it really became obvious how the fence was worth every penny we paid when the temperatures fell below zero. Best. Thing. Ever.
3. My elliptical. A couple winters ago I was panicking about my inability to exercise because of the cold and snow. I obsessively monitored craigslist until I found a basic elliptical model for sale in our town for cheap. We nabbed it and set it up in the family room (a room we use only for storage of crap). I eventually discovered that I am able to read my Nook while using it, which has allowed me to use it for longer periods of time (and more frequently because, frankly, it's maddeningly dull without a novel to distract me).
4. My Subaru. I had lusted after Subarus for years. They were my dream cars, I kid you not. No Beemers or Corvettes for me. All I wanted was a Subaru. Well, a hatchback, manual transmission model to be more precise. Almost 4 years after buying my Impreza I still love it every day all year round, but when there is snow on the road I am especially grateful for its all-wheel drive. As long as I live in snow country I will never own another two-wheel drive vehicle. But really, I can't foresee any reason why I would ever buy anything but a Subaru ever again.
5. New opportunities. My husband recently partnered with a friend in a local business. It's a successful, established business that has been growing over the last several years with advice and assistance from my husband. Now he is a full partner in the business, and I will be working there. I gave my two weeks notice at my job (BRAVE) and worked my last day yesterday. To say that I'm excited would be an understatement. I will also be working part-time for another friend of ours. I start training at his office this coming Monday. The event I worked this past Monday was for his business as well. Leaving the security of my job was a little scary, but I am so thankful to be away from that stifling environment. The last two years there have been soul-killing and confidence stealing. I am ready to find myself again and rebuild my self-confidence.
What are you grateful for today?
You can read my last Friday Five: Gratitude here.
6 comments:
How I wish we had a backyard where our dog could do her business. It's been a brutal winter for my 5am dog walks! I also wish we had more space / didn't live on the 2nd floor, so we could get a treadmill (would much rather be outside, but in this weather, you can hardly breathe outside, let alone move around).
Oh, and finally, when my husband and I joined households, I had an efficient compact car and he had an older model SUV. We agreed that we only needed one vehicle, but disagreed on which one to keep. After a brutal winter where my compact got stuck in the alley one too many times, we sold my car and kept his SUV. His 4-runner is 17 years old (!!!), but it's a workhorse and is fabulous in the snow! I hear great things about Subarus - owners are as loyal to that brand as my husband is to his SUV! =D
Good luck with your upcoming opportunities - if the changes you and your husband are choosing workout, my hope is you are happier, feel more fulfilled, have more time to do the things you love, etc.
WOW! Such exciting news! I hope it all works out!!!!! I hope it makes you VERY happy!
I wish I had a subaru--I've always wanted one. I love my little car, but I'd truly love a subaru.
Glad you have five things to be grateful for! :-D
I'm grateful for blog networks so I can discover more and more wonderful people to follow :-) I have a little Honda, but living where we get such bad winter weather had really made me want a Subaru, too. And how lovely that you're leaving a soul killing environment !
An excellent point, Christy! I'm glad you stopped by. :-)
Thank you for the well-wishes, Nilsa & Mary.
I am definitely a loyal Subaru owner. But, WOW, a 17 year old 4-runner? That's impressive!
Congrats on leaving the soul killing job. I'm always jealous when I see someone who's able to do that. Life is too short to spend it in such a happiness sucking environment, yet the majority of jobs are nothing more than exactly that.
Very true, Almost Christopher, very true.
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