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!

Summer Adventures

Today is unseasonably cold. Not chilly but down right cold. It even snowed last night. I'm praying that this is just a freak cold system and not an early start to my least favorite season however, I have a horrible feeling that this Winter is going to be brutal.

With today's gray skies and snow flurries floating around, I'm going to take some time to reminisce about warmer days.

This Summer my Dad and I rode the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad and it was really fun! We left his home in Pueblo at 5 a.m. and headed to Antonito, CO which is more than 150 miles or about two and a half hours away.

If you've never ridden a train, I would suggest this one. Here's what the web says about it:

Ride the Longest Highest, most Historic Narrow Gauge Railroad in North America. 64 miles of spectacular scenery through the beautiful San Juan Mountains of Northern NM and Southern Co. Enjoy riding the rails, as they did in the 1880's with modern day comforts. 

This Historic line was originally the San Juan Extension with Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, few railroads in the world climb to greater heights than the historic narrow gauge line over 10,015-foot Cumbres Pass. The trains have been chugging over Cumbres Pass since 1881. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad was chosen one of the "Top 20 Rail Trips of the World" by the Society of International Railway Travelers.

Here's the gorgeous sunrise we saw as we drove into Alamosa, CO. For this particular train ride you can either take the train from Antonito to Chama, NM or take a bus to Chama and then ride the train back. We chose the latter.

Here's me and my Dad by the engine in Chama right before we left.

This is one of the first pics I took as we rounded a bend. Even though Dad and I had seats on the train, we chose to ride most of the trip in the open car. It was a perfect day to do so and the only drawback was the soot that we ended up being covered in when the ride was over. But it was well worth the black hands!

 I just think this is a pretty shot.

And this is the favorite shot I got all day. The San Juan Mountains look magestic in the distance and this picture really embodies everything I love about this part of the country (in the Summer of course).

Let's Promote Self-Confidence

Good Sounding, Bad Idea: calling everyone a bully.

There's a video floating around the Internet where a news anchor responds to an email she received about being overweight. While she handles the situation with poise I find it lacks professionalism. One of the first things I learned while getting my journalism degree was: "Never make yourself the story."  And this, unfortunately is exactly what she did. In my personal opinion, while I found the subject of this viewer's email in poor taste and quite frankly none of his business I didn't see where it was "bullying" the recipient.

According to Webster's Dictionary a bully is: n. noisy, over-bearing person who tyrannizes the weak; v.t. to domineer; intimidate; ill-treat; v.i. to bluster.

Perhaps the news anchor is weak but I doubt this very much, and wish she'd have ignored this topic all together.

Again, in my personal opinion, I think the word bullying has become a national crutch. People seem to throw this word around when someone states an opinion that either makes them uncomfortable or one they simply don't like. I find the ability to freely share opinions the number one thing, on my long list of things, that makes our Nation great.

In another example: I found it incredibly ironic that the LGBT community began essentially bullying local Chick-fil-A patrons, workers and owners. Across various social media sites people were making the assumption that if you ate the chicken sandwiches, then you too must hate all gay people. However, if the owners of Chick-fil-A want to give to charities that don't support gay marriage, I see this as their business. If you don't like it, don't eat their chicken sandwiches that eventually make their way to these conservative groups. This is yet another wonderful thing about our country, we're not forced to do anything but pay taxes and die (nature not so much anything else on the last one). I do disagree with the company's recent regression. If you have an opinion, whatever it may be, stick with it. Don't waffle because it's not popular with others.

I recently had the pleasure of watching a Rock Center story titled True Grit. Take the nine minutes and 19 seconds to watch it, it's well worth your time and may provide you a different perspective on how to talk to, deal with and teach today's youth.

I love the aforementioned idea of teaching grit to children for several reasons. (1) I don't want to end up with a colleague who can't take criticism or one who thinks I'm bullying them because I tell them their ideas are horrible (2) If I ever have children, I don't want them to grow up in a world where they're afraid to stand up for what they believe (3) I hate the idea of getting a trophy for showing up. In the world there are winners and losers. The faster everyone realizes this the better off we'll all be. Not everyone can be great at everything all the time, so find what you're good at and do it, do it better than anyone else and earn your trophy. And, when you lose, do so gracefully. It will make you a better person and one people want to be around.

So, here's what I propose. Instead of teaching people not to be bullies, let's teach everyone how to love themselves for who they are and teach them about the power of self-confidence so that when, not if, they encounter a "bully" they'll know that no matter what this person says to them or about them, it does not change who they are, what they should think of themselves or their self-worth. Let's teach tolerance not only of what comes out of our own mouths but of what comes out of the mouths of others.