First Friday of Summer Gratitudes!

Hey it's Friday, it's sunny and not only are all my dishes done, but I am doing my gratitudes in the AFTERNOON! I didn't forget. I guess 'thank yous' are on my mind. Here are mine for the week.

1. being able to see the bottom of my kitchen sink
2. being able to do most of my wedding work from home
3. Karen Stone for gathering a group of great ladies - which forced me to leave my apartment
4. a week of great weather
5. booking another wedding couple this week. I'm at 12 of my 15 couple goal! Huzzah

And you? Where are you grateful? Please share JUST ONE below. Go.

Gratitudes A to Z: Can I get a B!

The blog has been pretty quiet lately. I do have lots to say, but I find it difficult expanding my thoughts over 140 characters. There's ideas ruminating, but the writing is hard.  I tell a great story and if I could get someone to transcribe my many yappings, I'd be set. But my desk is clear and I'm caught up with my administrative duties, so I'm sitting down once again to catch up on the blog. My goal is to do these alphabet gratitudes once a week. Let's see how I do.

Give me a B...thanks!

Beer: I am not a huge beer drinker, but since it's been a little warm here in NY, a cold frosty brew is super refreshing. I also worked the Brewer's Association conference over the weekend, so I've got beer on the brain.

Blogs: I have not had too much time to keep up on many, but I do enjoy the blog format. It's a great way to keep up with friends and strangers on various topics. I have a blog list on the left margin of my blog. But I also tend to read LearnVest, Unclutterer and Apartment Therapy regularly, as well.

Beaches: The one main reason I left Atlanta was the fact that it was landlocked. I grew up close to the water and a rocky beach. While I do live close to the Hudson River now here in NY, getting to the beach is a little more difficult. I need to make the time to go. I am a much happier person with the sun on my face and my feet in the wet sand.

Beets: Gosh, I love beets. They are like little veggie candy. Full of vitamins and minerals, but gosh they are messy. They are always the source of a laugh or two especially blood related with beet juice on the fingers during food prep. Not to get too graphic, but since the betanin (or red color) does not process in the body but appears in the urine and stool, there have been quite a few mistaken health scares. And one embarrassing doctor's visit. Sigh.

Boots: I forgot what it's like to live in the north. I spent many years not needing boots. I now have two pairs that kept my feet nice and toasty during the winter months.

Blue skies: Every time I see a clear blue sky I think, "What a perfect day to jump out of a plane!" In fact when I went sky diving in 2007, there was not a cloud in the sky. I am grateful for those days when the sun is shining and the sky is a bright blue. It's like anything can happen and positivity is in the air.

Barefoot: heck, I wrote a blog post on it. Read it, here.

Books: I am not currently on a reading spree, but I do love books. I am taking a break from reading Game of Thrones and the Jaycee Dugard book. I have found my subway rides are great for lots and lots of reading. I did look at my bookcase and all of the books that I'm not reading or may never use again since I don't teach acting or dance anymore. But I am certainly not ready to give them up quite yet.

Bartering: For some reason my brain goes to bartering first over money. Lately I've had to weigh my time vs. money spent, but over the years I've bartered hair and make-up for food, and yoga for ukelele lessons. I love that exchange.

Okay, I am back looking in the dictionary, so I will end it here, but add on if I can think of any great additions.

Like...

Baths: I love 'em, so why don't I take them more often. Perhaps it's the summer time and the thought of sitting in hot water makes me uncomfortable. But talk about a great stress reliever? Yeah, baths do that. And so good for your body with some epsom salt and lavendar. Ahhhhhhhhhh.

Have any of your own? Add them below in the comment section!

Surprisingly sunny Friday gratitudes

I brought my umbrella on my work adventures today, but instead needed my sunglasses. Thanks weather forecasters.

Here are some gratitudes I'd like to share this week.
1. my snuggly Maxie for joining me in mourning Lincoln. I have surprisingly been okay. Maxie less so.
2. lots of work. Both of the catering and the wedding variety
3. a great meeting with Amy Height, a passionate health coach. We have lots of collaboration ideas. Watch out!
4. Ester-C, my neti pot and soup. A bout in the rain and weird weather this week threw a cold my way. Knock on whatever that I will not be down for the count.
5. A lovely message from one of my past grooms in response to an email I sent to all of my past couples. It is yet another confirmation that I am on the right path.

And you? Something to share? Please share your gratitudes (or just ONE) in the comment section below.

Friday thanks for LINCOLN!

It's a rainy day in NY and by gosh I'm thankful for a lot of things.

1. the joy my sweet boy Lincoln gave me for the past 15 years. I said a sad farewell to him this morning but I know he's no longer in pain or suffering.
2. the kind people on the train on my way to the vet who saw me at my worst and wished us well
3. all of the people who gave Lincoln a bit of love, snuggles, a scratch under the chin and some tuna over the years.
4. the respectful and compassionate staff at Inwood Animal Clinic for making a difficult thing, a lot less difficult
5. all of the hugs and kind words from folks on Facebook when I posted about Lincoln
6. Eric, Keri, Angela and Kate who called or texted to check in with me
7. my pain in the ass cat, Maxie for staying by my side today

Gratitudes A to Z: Let's start at the very beginning - A

It's so much easier to bitch and vent than share the good things, isn't it? To remind myself that the world and my little existence is not half bad, I do a weekly gratitude list on the blog. I used to do one every day, but heck, it's hard enough to remember the weekly one. A few months ago, my friend Tommy Housworth suggested I do a list highlighting each letter of the alphabet - in gratitudes. Check his out here. I've been dragging my feet since it's a huge challenge. So, I'm just diving in and keeping the expectations low. If my list is small, so be it.

A TO Z GRATITUDES: A

Apples: They are not only one of my favorite fruits, but they are an excellent vehicle for peanut butter! They also show up in a few of the lessons I use in the classroom to teach kids about healthy eating. Just 2 weeks ago we discussed the values of buying local apples vs. those shipping in from, say, New Zealand. I'm lucky to live in the Big Apple!

Atlanta: While I was born and raised in New York, I feel like that I grew up in Atlanta. It softened my rough edges, forced me to slow down and the people I met offered more opportunities than I can count. It's a true community that I have not been able to find elsewhere.

Anatomy: My love for anatomy started in high school as I became an aerobic instructor and certainly came in handy teaching The Fundamentals of Movement at UC Davis and during my yoga certification training. The human body is fascinating and unfortunately many people do not know about their own and how it works.

Arnica: I bruise easily - and I'm clumsy. I use arnica topically so I don't look like I'm abused on a regular basis. 

And this is where I draw a blank - even looking through the dictionary. Yes, I confess I opened the dictionary! So I decided to add as I go. If one pops in my head, even if I already completed that letter, I will add to the list. See, lowered expectation leads to less frustration.

Have an 'A' gratitude or two? Feel free to add your own in the COMMENT section below.

Steamy Saturday Gratitudes

Okay, I'm not gonna lie like I did in past weeks and change the post date. It's Saturday and with a crazy day with my students' dinner party at Gracie Mansion last evening, I completely forgot to post the gratitudes. It was a hard day with lots of challenges and I think it oozed over to today since I snapped at 2 servers at the catering job this evening. That's a first. And I hope that I am not now known as the bitchy chef. Anywhoo, lots to be thankful for. Here's just a few.

1. Booking the last 3 couples I consulted with to officiate their weddings

2. having a very successful photo shoot for The Zen Bride

3. scheduling my next cabaret for August

4. walking around Gracie Mansion like a boss

5. people who appreciate me and offer to assist

There's got to be something you are grateful for. Please take a moment to add JUST ONE below in the comment section.

Thanks!

Friday Gratitudes!

Hey it's Friday morning and I am doing my gratitudes ON TIME! Yay me! It's been a crazy few weeks, but lots of exciting things are happening and I am super grateful. Here's my list. Please join me and add your own in the COMMENT section below.

1. warmer temperatures
2. my first successful wedding of the year
3. booking two more weddings this week
4. the excitement of the Dinner Party Project students and their energy making guacamole today
5. coffee
6. selling out my cabaret last Sunday and getting invited back to perform in August!

And you?