Thankful.

Every year for Thanksgiving, I like to go around the table and ask everyone to share what they're thankful for. I'm so bummed we didn't do it this year. I don't know why we didn't, but we didn't. I guess I'll have to do it at Christmas to make up for it.

Thanksgiving dinner at Cody's is so different from what I'm used to. I have never had much of a typical Thanksgiving. For years, we went away every Thanksgiving. I've had turkey dinner in a lodge not far from the base of Mount Arenal - that's the one with the famous pictures of the volcanic activity.




























Thanksgiving this year was a little different, as we ate at Cody's dad's, who lives up by the Poconos. It was quiet, a nice time, good food.

Since I didn't get to reflect on my happy, sweet life and all the things I am grateful for, I suppose I'll do it here in my little corner on the internet...

1. My family - especially Cody and my parents. I just love my family so much, and I'm so, so thankful to have all of them in my life. I could not ask for anything more.

2. Epic Church. This place has provided me with so much happiness over the last few years. I have learned so much about my faith, myself, new friends, and new skills I never knew I had.

3. My job and my bosses. I am finally at a good place in my professional life and high five for that. It's been awhile, and I have worked hard for that.

4. My animal family. I can't tell you how fantastic it is to come home after a long day, and just cuddle up on the couch with one - or three - lovable kitties.

5. A warm house, with food in the pantry, a car to drive, clean clothes to wear... all the little things we Americans tend to forget truly are blessings. We are a wee little percentage of the world's population, many of who do not have clean water, a change of clothes, comfortable homes, and so on. It's 2011 and there are horrific shanty towns in this world. We can not forget that we are at an incredible advantage over so many others, so let's be generous and share some of that, please?

6. Fuzzy slippers and comfy pajamas. Because really, what makes a night better than that?

7. Leftovers. mmmmm.

Comcast will be the death of me.

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok... now that I got that out, I believe I can breathe again.

I don't think I've ever had so many problems with a service provider as I have had with Comcast over the last 3 years. I am finally fed up with them. After them sending us defective cable box after box, installing them incorrectly, making a mess out of the cable lines on our street, disrupting our service every time a tech comes on our street, incorrect billing, et cetera, et cetera, we have finally decided to kick them to the curb.

You're probably wondering why we waited so long. Well, I love their interface and channel selection, simple as that. I really do not care for Direct TV or Fios. But, there comes a time when I just have to put my foot down. The bills are just so darn high and the service is beyond poor. I won't give them any more of my money.

Do any of you use FiOS or Direct TV? Please let me know your thoughts. Direct TV is giving us a fantastic deal for 2 years, so it's hard to turn it down! :)

7 Things - 11/14/2011

1. I've decided that my little space here on the internet needs some love. I have been neglecting it so much, it's shameful! Therefore, I will make a goal of posting at LEAST once a week, with the idea that I'll post about 7 things going on in my life for the last 7 days. A little motivation...

2. I have a new job, and I've been there for four months already! Incredible how time flies when you love what you do. I am now a personal assistant for a husband and wife in a town not far from me. I don't think I'm comfortable about divulging more, since I'd like to respect their privacy, but I will say that I just love it. LOVE it. I am so blessed.

3. Cody and I celebrated our first anniversary in September. Life is going really well for the two of us. If the first year of marriage is the hardest, then thank God. It wasn't too hard. :) We are now in the "groove" of it, I suppose. It's a happy time.

4. I have SO been into Pinterest. Are you on it? Follow me here!

5. Epic is growing by the week! So exciting! Cody and I are leading another life group, and we've been getting involved with recent service projects. We've also been helping out at some events down at The Simple Way. It's just so exciting to see people coming together, doing good things, and being God's hands and feet in Philadelphia.

6. My health issues have their good days and bad days. My whole eye / migraine problem thing that I'm trying to get to the bottom of drags me down a lot, but I'm trying to keep plugging along. The doctors bills suck, but I am rediculously thankful for health insurance.

7. I've been super into the World War II and Vietnam War shows in HD on History. I can't stop watching them, and feeling this range of emotions. What it really came down to is that I'm grateful for the time and place I grew up, and how indebted I am (we all are) to our veterans and current members of the military. What incredible people they - my grandfathers, uncles, cousins, friends - are.