Taking time to be grateful
Every time I’m about to hit “publish” on this rant post I have drafted out, I end up with some surprise I’d rather blog about. First it was from my mom, and then last week, I got a wonderful surprise almost every single day! I think this is a sign from the universe – save that rant-y post for January, Kim… have some holiday spirit…
I received the first gift was from my blogger buddy Gina on Monday. I have been blogger buddies (well, we call each other blogger sisters) with Gina and Courtney for over three years. We write group emails almost every week, exchange holiday and birthday gifts and cards, and hope hope hope that the three of us can meet up someday (Gina is in New York and Courtney is in Texas).
Appropriately, Gina sent me Julie & Julia – the movie about Julia Childs and the blogger Julie Powell! I had not seen the movie, and I was so so excited when I opened it! She sent it along with vegan popcorn and a thoughtful card. How lucky I am to have a friend like that?! Steven and I really enjoyed watching the movie. It made me hungry though!
What does Data think of Julie & Julia?
He likes it!
Then on Wednesday at work, one of my team members brought in holiday treats for us all. She was thoughtful enough to make me vegan gingersnaps!
Isn’t the packaging cute?
Nom Nom Nom. Looks like something you’d buy in a store!
On Thursday, I received Lindsay’s copy of The Reader, which she is loaning me. I sent her a book of mine to borrow, so we are doing a fun little exchange.
And then Friday a holiday package from Lauren arrived (we participated in Morning Runner’s blogger gift exchange). WOW. Lauren HOOKED ME UP! DUH! How could I have forgotten she works IN a running store???!!! She sent me Saucony socks, Adidas headbands, a “run” keychain, and some prickly pear cactus candies which I am super excited to try. Isn’t that the best gift ever?! I really got lucky in drawing Lauren’s name. I have been having a lot of fun getting to know her through her blog. I love how down to earth she is and the great attitude she has. Check her out if you don’t already read her blog!
On Saturday, there was yet another package, from Courtney, wrapped in adorable “Meowy Christmas” paper!
And inside of an adorable Santa tin! What could it be, Data and I wonder…
Homegrown pecans! WOW! I cannot imagine how long it took to shell all of those! What a thoughtful gift! Steven and I are thinking about using them to make baklava!
Yes, I show Data all of the packages. He is curious.
We also received a ton of holiday cards this week, many from thoughtful bloggers, along with those from family and friends. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!
How lucky I am to have received all of this? Who am I to even consider ranting about the small things in life when I have such a wonderful network of supportive friends? I am so grateful for these relationships! And I am grateful for each and every one of you who take the time to leave comments and develop an online relationship with me. It really makes my day to read your insight and feedback to my ramblings! Thank you!!!
Have you received any surprises lately? Does this time of year make you stop and think about the things in life for which you are grateful?
Themocracy
I just saw your last post where you had the Under Armour Hood for cold, winter running and now I’m determined to find one and buy one…haha. Seriously. I’ve always wondered if they made stuff like that for runners, because when it gets windy and unbearable, that would be a miracle. 😉
.-= Author’s last blog post… Simply Relaxin’ =-.
Those are some pretty awesome packages! Isn’t it nice to get derailed when you’re all set to rant? 😉
(For the record, I was NOT HAPPY about the gym being closed. Just thought I should clear that up. ;))
<3 <3
.-= Author's last blog post… Snow Snow Snow… =-.
Wow, those are great presents! Love the Meowy Christmas paper. And The Reader is an excellent book… recommend you wait til after Christmas to start it, though!
.-= Author’s last blog post… Yikes! + 2 lbs. =-.
Great surpises for you. Good book too. My best surprise so far was when my 8 year old told me that she thinks the holidays are for “giving, believing and helping others.” Of course she is still obsessed by any gifts she might be getting, but at least her heart seems to be in the right place…
.-= Author’s last blog post… First Marathon Race Report =-.
Awww!!!! You had a fantastic week!!!! YAY for everything!!!! It is so nice when stuff like that happens… you’re going to rant about something and then good things keep throwing you off track!!!!
=^..^=
.-= Author’s last blog post… Our Motto =-.
I received lots of fun packages in the last couple of days and it has really made me smile and take a moment to realize how fortunate I am!
Great packages! I love “Julie and Julia” and “The Reader.” This time of year is pretty special in terms of recognizing the generosity out there. It really helps me to stop and be grateful. My latest surprise was a Harry and David package. Delicious pears!
.-= Author’s last blog post… Back to good =-.
Oooh, I’ve been wanting to read The Reader. I’ve heard it’s intense. I purposefully didn’t see the movie so that I would read it, but that hasn’t happened yet 🙂
Looks like your life has been full of fun surprises lately 🙂
.-= Author’s last blog post… Beer + Chili = Good =-.
I sometimes think the most deserving people get the best presents. You are clearly surrounded by people who think incredibly highly of you … and I’m quite certain you are very deserving of all the goodness coming your way!
.-= Author’s last blog post… Tidbits =-.
I love that you show everything to your cat! I do the same with my dog. Shes always so interested, especially if it comes in a bag.
I got the Christmas Story cookie cutters last year with the DVD. My boyfriend had never seen the movie – so I went to buy it and they had this box set for like $20. It came with the dvd, the cookie cutters and a cook book.
.-= Author’s last blog post… What a Sad Day Today Is. =-.
It sounds like you have a lot of wonderful people in your life! Yayyyyyyyyy!!!
I recently received a Christmas card from my great aunt who lives in Mississippi. I haven’t heard from or spoken to her in years (nothing was wrong … just one of those things) so I was really thrilled to get a card and note from her. Oh! And I won homemade peppermint bark from a blogger last week. Should be arriving soon — color me excited!
Yay for lots of Christmas goodies and cute Data pics!
.-= Author’s last blog post… Three Things Thursday =-.
You scored in the gift department!
The Reader is a great book.
1. i love that your cat is named Data!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. awwwwwwwwwwwww it’s christmas!!! great gift 🙂 and gratefulness:) that is always in style 🙂
3. i didn’t get to comment on your training week post but WHOAAAAAA! way to go with your workouts. and you were right– that was a PRICELESS picture of your ninja ski mask 🙂
.-= Author’s last blog post… Today is a gift… =-.
What great blogger friends you have. Such super gifts. I didn’t know regular popcorn wasn’t Vegan?
Give a hug to Data for me. Such a pretty kitty. Long, long time ago I had a grey cat. But the only cats I was allowed were strays and they had to stay in the barn…hence, they didn’t stay long.
.-= Author’s last blog post… Are you ready yet? Tips to Help =-.
WOAH! You must be pretty special to be getting all those fabulous things. Score on that running package! Wohooo! Happy Holidays.
P.S. You don’t have to send my book back, just pass it on. Don’t worry, you’ll still get your book back! Started it last night when I was a little tipsy. Not such a great idea.
.-= Author’s last blog post… snackarooski =-.
Man, you’re gettin’ hooked up! I love seeing Data check them all out. Getting his approval, I see. 🙂
Thanks for this post…this is my favorite time of year, yet I ALWAYS tend to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of it all. I’m pretty much done with my shopping and almost work, so that should help a little.
I know it’s SUPER cheesy, but watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” always makes me so thankful. Sometimes I do wonder how things would be without me in this world (NEVER would jump off a bridge, though) and it just goes to show you that the world (umm…HOPEfully) would not be as better of a place without each of us.
.-= Author’s last blog post… Amendment: I Love BS =-.
Cute surprises I am glad they were all Data approved,
.-= Author’s last blog post… Free of the rest of the year =-.
What great presents! (Data apparently thinks so too!)
You’re right, it’s easy to get caught up in ranting and forget all the nice friends and other parts of life. That said, ranting is a pretty good way to get it all out.
.-= Author’s last blog post… This is a change of plans. =-.
So glad that you liked the gift! I thought maybe I was taking the easy way out with running things, but there are some fun things in a running store 🙂
I asked if the prickly pear candy was vegan, and they guy looked at me really funny – but it may have been because I was speaking English. Looked like it was all safe ingredients. I had to get one for myself too, and I have to say, it’s one tasty local treat!
Glad we could all make your week better, and thanks for all the kind words 🙂
.-= Author’s last blog post… Winter Misery One Miler Race Report =-.
Oh, and if you want to submit a time to the winter misery one miler, you have all week! Just send me a time and temperature, and try to stay warm 🙂
.-= Author’s last blog post… Winter Misery One Miler Race Report =-.
We saw the movie The Reader. It was very good.
Our latest surprise was an approx. 8 week old kitten. Her mama is one of our outside regulars. She brought the kitten the other night and apparently left her here for more than 12 hours. So we brought her inside. Kim, if you send me your email(I lost all of my email addresses while migrating them to a new computer), I will email you a picture of her. We have not named her yet. I guess there must be a sign on the front of our house that says, “always room for one more”. 😀
Wow, what great gifts!
.-= Author’s last blog post… Gluten Free Life and I’m getting FASTER! =-.
GReat post, love your surprises in the mail! I think you’ve entered my contests before, I just put up another one.
Love that youre a vegan in the Chicagoland burbs. I am orig from Mpls then Chicago. All over, city, Naperville, western burbs but thankfully moved to sunnier pastures b/c the snow and I dont get along but family is still back there.
Have a great nite!
What fun presents. I saw Julie and Julia last week. It was fun! Data is so cute. 😉
What wonderful surprises! Those are some super thoughtful gifts.
.-= Author’s last blog post… Winter Misery One Miler =-.