Gratitude is back, and it is beautiful !

I am 51 today. It is glorious. 

In the last year, since I turned 50 a few things have happened:

• I quit my job and took another career direction, I am now working with Human Resources Systems at the amazing non-profit, FareStart, in Seattle.
• I adopted a 5 yr old dog - don't get me started, he is the best dog in the world.
• I have started a serious de-cluttering project of my home
• I managed to walk away with only bruises and cuts from a really bad auto accident while I was on a Lyft ride
• I read a total of 30 books, and that is HUGE for me.
• I got a kick-ass tattoo that I love
• I sold mosaic artwork to someone who was not a friend or related to me
• My kids became teenagers
• I took a family vacation in Kauai for the first time, and revisited Maui...because, Maui.
• I experienced my first colonoscopy and survived to tell about it
• I was an official judge at a cat-costume contest at the fair
• I became obsessed with cold-brew coffee
• I got my first pair of real eyeglasses
• I began seeing much better
• I decided to learn how to play the kalimba

I am grateful for all of these things...and so much more.  Most of all I am glad that I have decided to get this gratitude blog up and running again as it was high time, for Pete's sake.

Let Love Rule !!

Today the Supreme Court made legal Marriage Equality in 50 States !!

Such a great day to celebrate human rights and steps forward in the fight against discrimination of the LGBTQ community. We hung our pride flag on our porch and I have enjoyed watching it flapping in the breeze.  Joy!

One year

It has been one full year since I began my  365 Grateful Blog here. Wow, what a difference this blog has made for my outlook on each day. I have discovered that no matter what kind of day it is, I can always find something to be thankful for.  One year ago my goal was to post about something positive in my life, something that made me laugh or happy or grateful...and to post each day for 365 days. Mission accomplished. 

Having changed my way of looking at the world around me, this blog cannot stop here. Although I am not going to promise 365 posts this coming year I will definitely continue to account for the people, places and things that make me happy and thankful along the way.

 Thank you for taking this walk with me, for there is so much for us to see, appreciate and to celebrate.

Birthday

I had a great day and was showered with love from family and friends. 

Evening events included a fantastic Korean BBQ at a place we had not tried before followed by couch watching one of my favorite movies/stories of all time, To Kill A Mockingbird.

I'm officially 47 and loving it!

Dreamy

Today, in Seattle, I parked a few blocks away from the office and walked along a nice residential street to work. Half-way there I was greeted by a sweet cat coming down off his porch for some pets and to do some meow-ing for more love. Pretty, soft, and affectionate I was tickled by this sweet kitty. I reached under his chin to see a tag hanging from his collar...and revealed was a name, Dreamy. Perfect name.

Dallas Clayton

My sister turned me on to this author/artist guy on Instagram who does some cool stuff, and I always look forward to seeing his newest uplifting message or random poem. Dallasclayton.com

Lux

I like my Lux Salon. I visit them for eyebrow and chin wax every other month. It's a quick drive from work and a 15 minute appointment means I will get back to the office quickly. Today though, after doing my brows the women decided to add "a little powder" to my brows just for fun.

I got in the car after, took a look in the rear-view mirror, snapped a photo for your enjoyment and wiped it off the best I could with a napkin.

Not a big fan of the look, and if it's not mascara or lipstick I have no patience for makeup.  I can appreciate those that can pull it off and are artists with a brush to face, as I know it can't be easy.