21 reasons to say thanks this year

Things I’m thankful for this year:

1. A washer and dryer in my apartment.

2. The praise band at my church that takes our services to the next level and connects the congregation to the Holy Spirit.

3. Heated seats in my car.

4. Cable TV that comes with On Demand service for USA and History channel, even though I only have basic channels. Yay for Burn Notice, Covert Affairs and Ancient Aliens.

5.  KLOVE radio, which helps me worship God during my commute.

6. Words with Friends, which keeps me busy even when I pee.

7. $10 spray tans that take me from cute to almost hot.

8. My aunt and uncle coming up from New Orleans to visit and then getting just as excited as I do about Black Friday shopping.

9. All the hours in the car I spend with my little sister Monica listening to Christian music and talking about life.

10. All the times my mom saves me from the brink of any of the following: Going bankrupt, total depression, car accidents.

11. My dad’s pending wedding. Yay for him for finding love.

12. My brothers coming up for Thanksgiving and finally being able to stay for Black Friday.

13. A job that lets me work from home two days a week, and keeps me stocked with delicious candy at all times and also sends me on trips to fun places like Orlando.

14. Eric Jensen’s true commitment to the Crossroads UMC youth group, and his ability to work with me even when I’m super stressed and a little bit crazy.

15. Jesus Calling, a devotional by missionary Sarah Young that helps me start my day connected to God.

16. Pastor Wes, for, among other things, leading an intense Disciple class that is truly giving me a stronger understanding of God’s word.

17. Adele, for singing to my soul.

18. All the youth at Crossroads who keep showing up every week.

19. A free couch that turned my house into a home.

20. Youth Works, for changing the lives of everyone who goes on their mission trips.

21. My first Thanksgiving as a meat eater in about 10 years.

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Pandora stole my heart.

Ok, so I know I’m like five years late to the Pandora party, but now that I’m here, I’m in love.

Love.

For the two of you left who don’t know (hi mom! hi dad!), it’s this internet thing that makes radio stations based on songs/artists you like. For example, I heart Ingrid Michaelson, so I made a station named, “Ingrid Michealson station” and now Pandora plays me songs either by her, or songs that are similar to hers. I also have an Audio Adrenaline station, a Sublime station and, of course, a Ke$sha station.

I’m diverse like that.

And, the best part of this particular internet thing is that there’s an app for that. On my Droid.

My new favorite habit is falling asleep while listening to my Ingrid Michealson station with head phones. I feel a little like a 12-year-old who just discovered that every song is actually about me and my life, and I just can’t suck in enough of it.

It’s kind of awesome.

And I’m really excited because it introduces me to new music. Like this song by Griffin House.

My favorite line is “You don’t need to change a thing about you babe. I’m telling you, from where I sit, you’re one of a kind.” It inspires me to use the word “babe” much more often.

Anyway, so ya, I love Pandora. And today I was going to go run errands and I was all “I LOVE PANDORA! So, I shall listen to it while I walk through Meijer.”

I’ve never been that person who has headphones on while I skim the sunglasses rack, (I kind of actually hate that person, because seriously, can you not move so I can get by. Oh, you can’t hear me asking you to move, can you? Dork). But then, I thought, what the hey, this could be fun.

That’s how addictions work. They start making it seem OK to do things that you once thought were totally out of your realm.

But I couldn’t even get to that point because just as I was going into Meijer, Pandora on my phone craped out and started telling me it was “having technical difficulties.”

UGGGG.

Withdrawal sucks.

So I had to walk around stupid Meijer listening to the pre-approved music on the overhead speakers.

LA-AME.

How did I ever live that last 27.5 years of my life like that?

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The regular rotation

Woah. So. It’s 11 p.m. already and I’m just now sitting down to dinner with my roommate and her boyfriend.

11.

p.

m.

And I have to wake up at 6 a.m. tomorrow.

This is my life now.

I do not understand people who are bored. Who are these people and why aren’t they helping me do my laundry?

Ya. Whatever. It’s been like two weeks since I did my laundry and I had to wear my leopard skirt to work today, which I’ve had since I was 16. True story. And depending on which top I pair with the skirt, it can go either professional or hooker.

I did get about 50 compliments on it though, so maybe I should put it back into the regular rotation.

Moving on, I had a fantastical day!!

My editor said she was pleased as punch for me and the happiness that rained down. True story.

Isn’t that the awesome? Pleased as punch. It’s got the greatest ring to it.

I’m totally bringing that phrase back into the regular rotation. I’m going to be all, “What? You’re getting married? Well, I’m just pleased as punch for you!” And, “Did you say you got those shoes for 75 percent off?? Well, honey, I’m just pleased as punch for you!!”

Go ahead, test me by telling me some good news. Just wait. Also, if you could grab that laundry basket, that’d be awesome. Thanks.

Also, you should know that my roommate and her boyfriend made the awesomest veggie spaghetti!! It had soy meat, and sauce and there was salad and garlic bread and a pre-meal prayer. And her boy calls it family time when we all hang out.

I’m thinking it’s something that could land in our regular rotation.

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