Gratitude Challenge 11-12

November 11 - I'm grateful for my lazy Sundays.

Sunday morning I woke up to beautiful blue Colorado skies and literally freezing temps. It didn't look near as cold outside as it was. I love lazy Sundays and I especially love to have lazy Sundays when it's cold outside and I can curl up with Presley and just chill. I got caught up on all of my TV shows, read some magazines and took a nap. I am feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the week!

November 12 - I'm grateful for a clean home.

I spent all day Saturday cleaning up in and outside of my townhouse and am so grateful that today I can go home, to a clean house that's just as I left it, and not have to worry about anything. In my book, Mondays should be as stress free as possible and getting my chores out of the way really frees up my weekday calendar. Yahoo for extra time and the ability to take Presley for a walk before it gets cold and dark!

Gratitude Challenge 9-10

November 9 - I'm grateful for my car

If you know me at all, you know I don't really like to drive. I love being in the car and am an excellent co-pilot but I just don't like being behind the wheel myself. That being said, I'm so grateful for my car and the fact that I have reliable transportation. On my drive to work I pass a lot of buss stops, DISCLAIMER: I know not everyone at a bus stop is in need of a car, and I can't help but think to myself how lucky I am that my parents bought me not one, but two cars and it's the second one that has safely gotten me from point a to b for close to a decade now.

I love my car and honestly can't see driving anything else, except maybe a 2012 Camaro.





November 10 - I'm grateful for my home

I closed on my townhouse in May of 2009 and I couldn't have been happier (if you can't tell by that grin across my face)! I must admit, I was pretty naive about the whole experience and it's definitely been challenging but it's also 100% been worth every tear, drop of sweat and dollar I've poured into my home.

While it's not exactly the way I want every nook and cranny, will it ever really be? I've done so much, but there are still a few little projects here and there that I'd like to do. Being a homeowner comes with it's own set of rules and I'm still learning all about them but I'm blessed to 1) have had the opportunity to become a homeowner and 2) to have a safe, warm and comfortable place to rest my head. Also Presley is pretty fond of her little backyard.

Gratitude Challenge 7-8

November 7 - I'm grateful for my Dad.

There are lots of reasons that I'm grateful for my Dad and I have lots of really great memories from my childhood through today that include him. Here a few of my favorites.

Every year my parents took me and my sister school clothes shopping and my Dad was always there. While the three of us would go in the dressing room to try things on, he would hold whatever we asked him to and then we'd come out and model for him and he would tell us what he liked best.

For about 13 years I danced for a studio in my hometown and we had recitals twice a year and sometimes more. I always knew where my Dad was sitting because even though the auditorium was pitch black, I could see the red light from his video camera and he was ALWAYS rolling.

My sister and I took swim lessons every summer while we were in elementary school and since our Mom had summers off, she always drove us and sat in the stands waiting for us to finish. It was special when Dad would come and sit with Mom to watch. When I was really young, I was a little bit of a wild child, risk taker and wasn't really afraid of anything. However there was a high board (it's since been removed) at the City Park's pool and it was really high. I remember being younger than seven-years-old, climbing the metal ladder up to the high board and then cautiously walking out to the ledge. That's when I would look at my parents sitting in the stands and on the days when my Dad came he would ball his hand into fist and pump it in the air giving me the confidence boost I needed. I can still see them sitting there cheering me on to this day.

I love that he always wanted to come with us and that he was always involved with whatever we did. He's been outnumbered in a house of three women for almost more than 34 years but he never seemed to mind.

November 8 - I'm grateful for my Mom.

It's been about four and a half years since I lost my Mom but I'm grateful for the 26 years I had with her. We had a special relationship that I'm not sure most would understand. It sometimes felt that we operated on the same wavelength and I often felt that knew what she was thinking and she knew better than anyone does to this day. We could finish each others sentences and when the two of us were together all seems right in the world. We were silly and often times did things that amused only ourselves.

I could write forever about my Mother but I'll just say that I'm blessed she was mine and I miss her every single day.

Gratitude Challenge 5-6

November 5 - I'm grateful for seasons.

Hello, my name is Dianna, I'm a Colorado native and I hate snow. Yep, it's true. Not very Colorado of me is it? But there's nothing I can do as I was born this way and I dislike being cold so much that I use the word hate when it comes to the white fluffy stuff that falls from the sky. All that being said, I would never give up the opportunity to see the changing of the seasons. There's something about the transitions from summer to autumn to winter then spring that make for a very interesting life, especially in Colorado.

We recently had a photo shoot at work for some marketing materials and I was being a place holder, but look at the beautiful colors behind me! And, I guess the salted caramel mocha drinks at Starbucks that are only offered at this time of year don't hurt either.

November 6 - Sisters, but mostly mine.

Yes, we're about as opposite as you can get when it comes to family but family we are and I'm grateful for my sister. She's my only sibling and someone I've looked up to since I can remember. I'm grateful that our relationship has evolved from just being sisters to being friends too. And, she'll most always take dorky pictures with me if I ask nice!

Gratitude Challenge 3-4

Last weekend the weather was typical for autumn in Colorado and it was beautiful with low 60's both day and of course, mostly sunny.

November 3 - I'm grateful that I live in Colorado.

And no, it's not because of the natural disaster that recently occurred on the east coast. Every morning on my way into work I have the pleasure of seeing this...

pretty impressive isn't it? I can't see myself ever moving away from Colorado again. I love calling this beautiful state my home and I'm especially proud to say, "Yes, I'm native," when people ask where I grew up. 

November 4 - I'm grateful for I have the opportunity to vote.

I view voting as a privilege and am grateful I live in a country where I'm allowed to voice my opinion. With the 2012 presidential election coming to a close in just a few days I thank the suffragettes who fought for the right for women to vote and am proud to have had the opportunity to make a difference in my country.

Gratitude Challenge

Yesterday my Facebook feed was filled with friends who are doing a gratitude challenge. The challenge is to share what your grateful for over the next 30 days. I LOVE this idea but instead of posting to Facebook, I'll be sharing what I'm grateful for here, mostly because I have a lot to say but also because I want to include pictures. I challenge you to do the same.

November 1 - I'm grateful for my pup Presley. 

She is the sweetest Carkie in the whole world and coming home to her is often times the best part of my day. She's taught me to not be so selfish, the true meaning of unconditional love and she usually makes me giggle at least once a day.

Yesterday was her five week check-up with the vet and she's been cleared for stairs. This is also something I'm grateful for since she hates being carried anywhere and can really put up a good fight for only being 11 pounds.

I think she is smiling in this pic.

November 2 - I'm grateful for my job.

And not only having a job which I know is a blessing in and of itself, but having a job that I actually like and care about. When I was a journalist I never imagined that I would one day, in the not so far future turn to a life in the public relations realm. However, I'm happy that I listened to my sister's advice and although it was scary, followed my heart. Since beginning my career in PR nearly five years ago I've been lucky enough to work for a man who's well respected within the industry, kind and an incredible teacher. And after the loss of my Mother it was fate that landed me at the American Cancer Society's door. I learned so much during my three years there and am very grateful for that opportunity. And now working for a blood bank in Colorado, something I NEVER thought I would say, has been both rewarding and challenging. I didn't think those two words would describe my work life after leaving journalism but I am so happy that they once again do.

Poker Face

We're about two weeks into Presley's recovery and I'm counting down the days (70ish) until I can let my little lady run wild.

Last night we visited the vet to have her staples removed. Below is a picture of us right before the Dr. came into the room. Presley has an impressive poker face because I know she was ready to get the handful of staples our of her little leg.

I have a suspicion that she, and rightly so, thinks that every time we go to the vet's office she'll have to have something done. She does look a little more concerned about why we're at the vet's office in this photo.

But, good news! Her Dr. is very impressed with how well she's doing especially just two weeks after having ACL & meniscus repair surgery. She's also lost a little bit of weight and is currently weighing in at 11.6 lbs as opposed to 12.2 lbs on the day of surgery. YAY!

We'll return in another week or so to see the physical therapist to get a regime for her follow and then again in three weeks for another check up.

Thanks for the prayers, good vibes and well wishes for her recovery, they've worked and will continue to do so!