Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People

I love watching Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People. I don't always agree with her, but this year I think she was pretty right on, even with her inclusion of Honey Boo Boo. That little redneck girl is pretty entertaining and I'll admit it, she cracks me up.

One of my favorite moments from last night was Barbara's interview with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. I am intrigued with this man and in a world where everyone seems to be so concerned with being politically correct it's refreshing to see a politician tell it like he sees it. I especially like what he had to say about his mother and it made me think of my own. Click on the link below to watch his full interview:

Barbara Walters' 10 Most Fascinating People: Chris Christie | Video - ABC News

Charity Gift Exchange

I love this time of year. People seem to be in better moods, there are lights strung up and even though I complain like it's my second job...I do like to bundle/cuddle up when it gets chilly. I also LOVE to decorate for Christmas. I have a lot of decorations that my Mom used to put up and pulling them out of storage each year is so fun because of the special memories that come with them. 

I've been wanting to host a holiday get together for a while now, but I just didn't know what kind. This year I did a little online research and found something called a Charity Gift Exchange. Here's the explanation:

CHARITY

Another way to contribute to charities could be that each person writes down his/her favorite charity. The slips are exchanged and each person is asked to give a donation to that charity.

This is exactly the way I worked it and some really great charities were put into the bowl. I drew the Denver Rescue Mission but some that others included are; Colorado Beagle Rescue, Heifer International, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Blue Star Connection. For me, giving back to my community is really important and I'm lucky enough to have some really fabulous friends who feel the same way! 

Thanks for coming ladies...I had a blast and hope to make this an annual event. Disclaimer - photos are few and far between because while I have many talents, photography or more importantly remembering to take photos is not one of them.

I do really wish that I had taken photos because I was pretty impressed with my spread! Alas, I brought my camera out after things were dug into and/or gone. Oh well, but I will say that everyone on Pinterest would be proud! 

Gratitude Challenge - Day 30

November 30 - I'm grateful for new experiences.

I'm so grateful that my parents instilled in me at a young age, a sense of adventure and curiosity about the world around me. I love to try new things, go new places and add to my list of experiences. I'm definitely not one of those people who says, I'll do anything once, because there are something that I simply will not do but it's my prerogative. Anyway, I'm so grateful for 1) the urge to want to try new things and 2) the ability and courage to do so. Here are a few of my favorite "new" experiences:

 I had such a great time in New Orleans, exploring and mostly eating my way through this amazing city!

 I really like hiking and this July 4th I was able to convince my Dad & Sis to come along. I liked it because we'd never been to this park before and it was a trail that none of us had ever done.

 Climbing Pikes Peak is one of the things I am most proud of to date. It was so difficult, but totally worth it and I think after a summer off, I'm ready for another 14'er.

 I really don't care for snow or to be cold, but I had always wanted to try snowshoeing. I'm so happy that I did because I had a blast! It was so fun, a great work out and I never got cold.

 This summer my Dad and I rode this train and it was so much fun and so beautiful. We spent most of our time in the open car near the caboose and it's definitely something I'll never forget!

 Live radio. It's scary. And because I used to be a broadcast journalist people don't believe me when I say that live anything (TV or Radio) scares me. At least when I was a reporter/anchor I had a script. When I'm doing interviews it's a whole different ballgame and you really have to be on your toes. Sometimes I feel sorry for the people I used to interview, I never knew how difficult it was being on the other side.

This is me and Presley participating in a cancer rally at the Colorado State Capitol. I love being involved and having my voice heard.

I've driven through Aspen but never stayed and this summer that changed. It was beautiful, fun and the perfect getaway with one of my best friends. Mountain air does something to you, something good. It's as if I'm Scarlet saying I need to go back to Tara but a trip to the high country can really re energize you.

I hope that I never lose my sense of adventure and always ask questions. The man I marry will also have to have these qualities because I plan to spend a good part of my retirement in a RV/boat/plane/bus/bike/ATV/hot air balloon exploring the world.

I've had so much fun doing this gratitude challenge, but it's day 30 and it's done. On to find something new and exciting.

“Do one thing every day that scares you.”  ― Eleanor Roosevelt

Gratitude Challenge 28-29

November 28 - I'm grateful for beautiful sunrises.

I may be partial, but I think Colorado has some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the world, or from what I've seen anyway. I'm lucky enough to see this

every morning while I'm in my home office putting on my make-up and getting ready for the day. There's rarely a morning I take this magnificent view for granted, I only wish the colors would have shown up better in the picture because it truly is breathtaking.

November 29 - I'm grateful for Christmas and all that comes with it.

I love Christmas and I think I get this from my Mother. She loved all holidays, I really think she liked any excuse to decorate, but know for a fact that she especially loved Christmas. She loved decorating our Christmas tree as well as the house and making everything festive and beautiful. I love to do this too and whenever I smell anything cinnamon around this time of year, it takes me right back to my childhood home. I'm so grateful that my Dad has allowed me to take the Christmas tree decorations that mean the most to me to use on my own tree. They make my little tree feel legit. I love turning the lights on and looking at all of the beautiful ornaments because they bring back such fantastic memories.

Gratitude Challenge 26-27

November 26 - I'm grateful that I am prepared for the worst.

Sunday morning I tried a new (to me) restaurant with my family called Jelly. It was delish and we all enjoyed it, until 3 out of 4 of us got food poising. My sister, brother-in-law and I all had their biscuits and then all three of us became severely ill. Food poising is one of the absolute worst things because you can't drink anything or eat anything and you feel miserable. I've only had it twice in my life but it's two times too many. And this time my skin even hurt. Weird, right?! Well, that's where the gratitude challenge comes in because I'm grateful that I always keep ginger ale, saltines, chicken soup and jell-o in the house so I can be prepared when disaster strikes. I will add that there's one good thing about food poising. It only usually lasts about 24 hours and today I'm feeling a lot better.

November 27 - I'm grateful for sick days.

Sick days are one of those things that are easy to take for granted. But when you need to use them, they're invaluable. I'm grateful that the company I work for gives employees sick days as part of our benefits and that I don't have to worry about anything but feeling better when I am under the weather.

Gratitude Challenge 24-25

November 24 - I'm grateful I have enough to eat.

No other time of the year encourages binging like the holidays. While I have plenty to eat all year long, I know there are others who are not so lucky. I recognize how fortunate I am and am grateful for the food I do have.

November 25 - I'm grateful for perspective.

I pride myself on being able to see both sides to any situation most of the time. I think it's important to try and understand how my actions affect others. I'm so grateful that I have perspective and am able to have empathy at times when others do not. I think a lot of this comes from my never really getting over being a journalist and having to analyze both sides of any situation, but whatever it is that allows me to do this, I'm grateful for and hope that I never take it for granted.

Gratitude Challenge 22-23

November 22 - I'm grateful for Thanksgiving.

And I'm also grateful that I didn't have to make the full Thanksgiving meal this year. It made my holiday much more enjoyable and much less stressful. Yipee for brunch and eating till you can't move! I'm also beyond happy that I was once again able to celebrate a holiday with the people who mean the most to me in this world.

November 23 - I'm grateful that Black Friday went online.

Since I don't get Black Friday off - wha? I too consider it a holiday all on it's own - I am grateful that I was still able to get the stuff that I was really wanting all from the comfort of my desk. No waiting in long lines in the cold, no being stuck in line behind people who haven't showered, no pushing and shoving and best of all FREE SHIPPING! I may never brave the actual stores again.