Guest Blogger: Phil's Thanks

Today's Guest Post comes from one of my many second parents. Growing up, I spent more than a little bit of time at Phil and Lynette's house...he probably has some crazy slumber party stories. Thankfully, he didn't share those in his post :)

...

When I first talked to Emily's "hunky husband" Nick, about doing a guest spot on this blog, I thought it would be easy to write about being a Grandparent, but there's so many great things it's hard to put them all in writing. 

Sure, there's the typical, "be able to give them back to the parents when they get out of control" or "our job is too spoil them, and let the parents be the heavies". Although portions of those statements have some merit, my wife and I can help be "the heavies" and listen to our granddaughter say we're mean! (Luckily that has only happened once.)

    Today was one of the best days in the history of our career of Grand-parenting. We went to see our Granddaughter Darby in her first dance recital. Watching that little 3 3/4 year old in her little dance outfit, holding a teddy bear for her number, and seeing her dance with several other little girls on stage, in front of a packed house, was amazing. 

Darby!

When she was on stage, waiting for the music to start, she saw me standing in the back, and gave me the special little wave that I've been doing with her since she first started waving to me. There's so many great moments in my short Grand-parenting life, but to me, that was the best.

   

So, I'd like to say how thankful I am, to be able to be a Grandparent. 

For those of you who have had the experience, you know! For those of you that are soon to find out what the experience is like, (Claudia and Mike, Paul and Debbie), you can't imagine how lucky you are about to become. 

Enjoy and embrace it all!!

Thanks Phil! Your Grand Babies are lucky to have you!

Guest Blogger: Beth's Thanks

This week's guest post is from my friend Beth. Her blog always gives me a "goodlaff" as she talks about weddings and life as a newlywed. And she had a fantastic wedding, so she knows what she's talking about! 


...


For me, 2011 has been a year full of newness. So far, I have a new husband and a new last name. The next few months will bring me new passport stamps, a new home, and—fingers crossed--a new job. 

In just a few weeks (25 days, but who’s counting?), my brand-new husband and I will get on a plane bound for Europe. Neither of us has been to Barcelona, Florence, Rome, or any of the other fantastic places listed in our cruise brochure, but you can bet that the mere idea of eating new food, making new friends, and visiting some of the most iconic destinations in the world has us beyond excited for this trip. We return home from our Honeymoon on my birthday (which I will get to celebrate on two different continents) and it may well be my last birthday in California for a very long time. A week after we land, we’re packing up everything we own and moving to a new house in a new city in a new state. All of that’s an awful lot of change for someone to handle in a six-month period, but it has me excited in a way I haven’t been since I got on a plane bound for a year of teaching English in China over six years ago. 

So, today I am thankful for new adventures.
                                                                                         Though sometimes scary and unpredictable, all these new adventures mean new challenges, new places and faces, and a chance for me and my husband to continue to learn and grow--both together and as individuals. Making such a big move requires a huge leap of faith, but then again, most real great adventures do. I could call either our trip or our move the “adventure of a lifetime,” but I know our adventures are only just beginning. And I can’t wait.

Guest Blogger: Mike's Thanks

This post is courtesy of my friend Mike. You might know him from here. But he's more famous for his engagement stint on youtube.(If I could only find the link! Boo!)To my knowledge, this is his first stab at blogging, so feel privileged, people! Thanks Fujii!

It's all about me!  It's finally my turn and I'm going to tell you like it is.  I've been waiting, and waiting for Emily to ask that I join in on the festivities and write my entry for her blog.  She finally did after some encouragement from her hubby…and campaigning from my wife…and a few Hail Cesar bloody Marys.   Anyway, all I'm saying is, it's about time!  After finally getting the nod for a contribution, I started talking to Stephanie, my wife, about some possible ideas.  We discussed the upcoming football season's benefits to humanity (this is before we heard about the thugs and gangsters shooting and fighting each other at the 49ers vs. Raiders game).  Then we talked about golf, Taiko, our home, bowling and a few other things that I am thankful for; but nothing really spoke to me (I do only have one entry into this one year blog so I want to make sure this ONE is really indicative of what I'm thankful for).  I continued the thought process over the next few days and it started to dawn on me that pretty much everything we discussed and that crossed my mind had one common theme.  

Today I am thankful for friends and family.

Without my friends and family, I don't have anyone to suggest me as a guest writer, or accept me as one for that matter.  I don't have anyone to discuss my ideas with or enjoy football seasons, rounds of golf, great bowling scores, home or my awesome dog with.  Honestly, giving high fives and screaming at my favorite teams' games, myself or others doesn't feel quite right without another participant.  Fortunately, I have surrounded myself with individuals I have the highest respect for and with whom I thoroughly enjoy spending my time.  No matter what we decide to do, whether it is just sitting back and relaxing for a moment or going out for an epic vacation, I appreciate, respect and couldn't enjoy life without them. 

Guest Blogger: Lindsay's Thanks

This week's guest post is courtesy of my blog swap partner Lindsay from The Boomerang Kid. Thanks Lindsay!


Today I am thankful for the freedom to set my own schedule. 

After years in the corporate world where I had set work hours and no flexibility, I am thankful to be working for myself where I have the freedom to set my own schedule. I still work hard (and sometimes harder) now, but I have the freedom to choose how my day goes.  I can workout in the middle of the day when my energy level is low instead of sitting at my computer wasting time or chugging yet another cup of coffee. I can write at night when the house is quiet and my words flow. I can put in more hours on Monday and Wednesday so that I can hang out with friends at the local water park on a Tuesday (yesterday's fun activity). It can be stressful when I look at all the things I need to accomplish, but the freedom of deciding how and when to tackle the to-do list motivates me to keep going and is something I'm incredibly thankful for!

*Check out Lindsay's blog: The Boomerang Kid to see my post!*

Guest Blogger: Amy's Thanks

Today's Guest Post is courtesy of my Cousin Amy from A Sorta Fairytale in New York. Thanks Amy!!!
Enjoy Everyone...

I’m a teacher, so it may go without saying that I really love kids.  Lately, I’m reminded of this fact a lot, as I’ve spent the last couple of weeks playing with some out-of-town cousins who are five and two.  I spend the school year with tween-agers so these little ones are quite an interesting change.  For much of the summer so far, my car has been the happy host to car seats, wet bathing suits, giggles on top of squeals, and these two cuties. 

I love kids because their energy and exuberance is contagious.  I love the way that my middle schoolers literally throw their hands in the air when they want to answer a question, and I love the fact that Blake the two-year old stops crying at the kiss of a boo-boo.  Children are resilient and their priorities are blissfully simple and intuitive.   

I don’t have kids of my own, and I’d like to keep it that way for at least a long while, 

but today I’m thankful for other people’s children.  

Whether it’s my students, my cousins, or my friends’ kids, they give me just the right dose of silliness, and the unique perspective that only those much younger can help to conjure.  

Guest Blogger: Nick's Thanks

I am honored and excited to present this week's guest blogger: 

Mr. Nicholas Rose! 

Otherwise known as the best husband ever. 

He also goes by Nick.

Enjoy!

As we go through life, each one of us builds our own unique collection of memories. Memories built by the taste of our Grandma's prize winning pie or by the excitement of our first kiss. 

For me, most of my memories are triggered by sounds, particularly by music. Music is a universal language spoken by everyone. Music is what lulls babies to sleep and gets Grandparents up and doing the Jitterbug like they're back in High School. Music can be as complex as an entire orchestra all flowing in harmony, or as simple as a baby's rattle.

Music has always been a part of my life. I was born with it in my blood and in my bones. It's something that I can relate to and always find solace in. With my dad being a musician since he was eight, I was only destined to follow in his footsteps in some manner. At 3 years old I had a guitar in hand playing to a crowd of stuffed animals. High school came with a few bands, gigs played, and talent shows won. Whenever I hear Eric Clapton’s "Wonderful Tonight" I will always think of the moment that the relationship between my wife and I took a huge leap. Old songs, new songs, they all carry me off to a different time in life. Listening to music for me is doing donuts in a DeLorean.

Today, I am thankful for Music.

I love how music can get a whole crowd of people movin'. Did you just have to learn the whole dance to "Thriller"? Do you have a sudden urge for Jack Daniels when the jukebox screams "Free Bird"? Does your butt bump around when someone turns on "Baby Got Back"? (For the record: no, yes, and...yes!) I love almost any form of music. I love that a song can get me moving in the morning (although I think Em could do without the singing at 6am). I am thankful for what music offers and will continue to do for ages to come! 

Rock on!

Guest Blogger: Kristin's Thanks

This week's guest blogger is my fabulous friend, Kristin! Enjoy!


Last week, I started a new job. Not just any job...the job that is at the top of the ladder that I have desperately wanted to climb for a long while now. For years, I was scared to start over, because at the time, my friends (who I am so incredibly proud of) had already started in their "forever" careers. They were adults. I didn't feel like I really measured up as a peer to them. 

But I did it anyways. Not only did I go back to school, but I moved to a different state, and for the first time ever, really struck out on my own. I was proud to be doing it. 

While in school though, I often felt like I wasn't going fast enough...that I would fall behind my peers even more than I already was. I was obsessed with the ideal of what a 26-year-old's life SHOULD be like. Luckily, this feeling made me work hard, and move forward.

After graduating, the job market was brutal, so I applied and got the only job that I could...as an intern. I felt a little defeated for a while. Here I was, at 28 now, and an INTERN, where most of my peers were years into their "forever" careers. But again, it only made me work harder. 

And today, after all this, I can say that the time I took to start over has amazingly, incredibly, fantastically paid off. I realized there is no timeline to work from. My pace was perfect for me. I could have never appreciated this place when I was younger. I wasn't ready for it. But now, I have found THE job. The one that makes me happy. The one that makes me feel like a grown-up. My "forever" career. 

So, today I am thankful for being a late-bloomer.

Guest Blogger: Megan's Literary Thanks

Today's guest post is from Megan at Pearls and Pears, a blog I follow regularly.I hope you all are enjoying the guest posts as much as I am! Thanks Megan!!!

I have to tell you that in starting this post... I have had a terrible work day. Its been a rough one and so on days like today I am particularly thankful for blogs like this one. Everyone has bad days. To take that one step further, everyone has HORRIFIC days. Which is what makes this blog so worthwhile. After a terrible, awful, no good, rotten day Emily gets to go home and talk about what she is thankful for. I can’t imagine it can seem as terrible as it seems when you have something to be thankful for. 

On that note.. lets begin. 

Today I am thankful for books. 

I know that this seems like a silly thing to be thankful for after that intro to this post, however books are my preferred method of escape. When I spend all day running around at work, racing to the gym, darting all over town to get everything done, I have found that the best way to turn my brain off is to loose myself in some good fiction. In fact in the past month I have read 4 books and am about to start the 5th. I cant seem to get enough. Especially on days that I just feel like I need a massive vacation! 

My favorite is when you get hooked on one author. Right now I am loving Sarah Addison Allen. All of her books take place in the south. The main female characters either own bakeries, restaurants, or coffee shops - So when the author mentions a particular cake or dish, she puts the recipes in the back of the book. Just darling. I could go on and on... I highly recommend her for the next time you need a little escape from reality. 

I am also constantly in awe of how one person could develop a story out of thin air. I wish I had the kind of imagination where I was creative enough to write even a simple fairytale. Maybe I will put that on my bucket list...

Anyway... that's me today! Very thankful for every chance I get to take a paperback vacation.

Thanks so much Emily for having me as a guest blogger!

 Megan

Guest Blogger: Stephanie's Thanks

I have been a faithful follower of this blog since its inception - way back on January 1, 2011.  It has done many things for me, not the least of which has been bringing to my attention that one of my best friends is an incredible writer!  When she describes food - I get hungry.  When she talks about our home (Truckee) I am transported.  But what it has really done for me is really what the blog is all about - I have been more aware of what I am thankful for in my life.  Not a day goes by that I don't think to myself, if I were Emily, and I had to write a thankful post today, I would write it about...  What a gift that has been.  To spend at least a moment, each day, to think about what you are most thankful for.  And most of the time - it's much more than a moment.  There are many moments, many things to be thankful for.

Around this time of year, I find myself to be exceptionally thankful.  I am a teacher, and this is the time of year where students are gearing up to walk across the stage, and into the next phase of their lives.  It is such a special thing to be a part of that, year after year.  But every year, it also presents somewhat of a mind trip for me, since it feels like just yesterday my best girlfriends and I were making that same walk, gearing up for that same thing.  

But, alas, it has already been over a decade.  Which is why today, 

I am thankful for full circle moments.

I've always thought that the universe presents you with full circle moments in order to help you celebrate where you are in your life, and how far you've come.  I feel like every June, I am presented with one of these. And every June, I am reminded of how time is flying by, and I get further and further from my own graduation.  I encounter these full circle moments right around now, every single year.  And though it is sometime emotional, and I feel old, I know that it is the universe's way of telling me to celebrate, take stock, and be thankful.

Eighth Grade Graduation- June 1996

    

High School Graduation- June 2000

Fremont High School Graduation

Guest Blogger: Brittney's Thanks

On this oh-so-lovely Memorial Day weekend I am reminded of how awesome three-day weekends are (not that I've ever forgotten, believe me...). An extra day added to my weekend so that I can enjoy life even more - I could seriously get used to this. Whether I have exciting plans or not I just love knowing that my regular five-day work week is a little farther off and that I have a few more hours in the day to do whatever I want. Hello shopping and hiking and mani/pedis with friends!

So today, as I help miss Em launch her guest blogging concept, I am so very thankful for TIME.

It's the one thing that there never seems to be enough of so when I'm granted even a little extra I want to savor every last drop and fill it with all of the things I feel I never have the time to do. It's a terrible and at the same time amazing truth that time flies by with such speed as you get older. What I wouldn't give for a summer vacation now. I think it's a cruel reality that those aren't implemented into every profession. 

Public Service Announcement: When I run for president, shutting the country down for a month in summer will be my winning platform.

At any rate, until I am the master of my own schedule and/or independently wealthy, I will enjoy every extra minute of my free time (which I consider to be every ounce of non-work-related-time) that I'm lucky enough to have. Sometimes it might include traveling and sometimes it might just be snuggling on my cozy couch with a great book and a cup of tea. Either way, I'll take it all as it comes and continue to be thankful for the time I'm blessed enough to have.

Thanks for thinking of me Em. It's great to take the time to count your blessings from time-to-time. :)

Pictures from the awesome hike I went on today in LA - a second thing to be thankful for - NATURE found in even the unlikeliest of areas. Look at that greenery and open space. Not to mention the ocean. :)