June 29, 2006 @ 7:15 pm | Filed under: Thursday Thirteen

I could list all the expected things: family, friends, health, etc… And I am very thankful for all those things. But I thought maybe I’d share some things I’m thankful for…specifically today.

1. Thursdays. Because on Thursdays you can see two things – the accomplishments of the four previous days and the possibilities of the upcoming weekend.
2. Wireless High Speed Internet. Are you glad to be living in this day and age, or what? I still marvel that I can have a "traveling office" if and when I want. So cool. (And I received galley proofs for Saving Grace via email today. These make it real for me!)
3. Cell phones. I’ve talked to my Mike and Nate (who are in San Antonio all this week) four times so far today. If not for cell phones, we’d probably just call in the evenings to say good-night.
4. Air conditioning. It’s heating up here in Texas and all it takes is a few scant minutes outdoors for me to utter a brief (but heartfelt!) prayer of thanksgiving for a nice, cool home.
5. The camping is behind me. Make no mistake about it – I loved every minute of our vacation because we were together and making memories and all that good stuff. But am I glad to be clean again? Oh yeah…
6. Shutterfly. If you aren’t using this great service yet, then you need to! I love it that I can upload all my photos, crop and organize them, and then order prints – all on-line. The orders generally arrive within three to four days. My vacation prints came today. I’m a huge fan.
7. Diet Coke. But not from a can and not out of 2-liter bottle. From a fountain. And only with crushed ice. And a straw. Every birthday and holiday I ask Mike for a fountain drink machine, but so far…nothing. Is this unreasonable, I ask you?
8. Grandkids. Carter just called me to say "happy holiday" (July 4th!). Moments like that are priceless! I’m too young yet to be a Nana by blood, but my love for Carter and Kendall proves that blood is just an element – not a requirement!
9. Golf Digest for Women. Seriously. While it’s my drive that needs major work, I have to say I’m intrigued with an article by Annika Sorenstam in this month’s issue. Win With Your Wedges, How to Hone Your Game From Inside 100 Yards. Hmm…
10. Sonic. It’s just 1.1 miles from my house. That close proximity allowed me to just make a speedy dinner run for Jorge (who’s due at work in thirty minutes). Plus, you gotta love a place that’ll serve you breakfast burritos at ten o’clock at night!
11. People who put together exercise machines for a living. Okay, to get the scoop on this you’ll have to check out a future blog. That’s a story for another day…!
12. Working the information booth at church. (Cheryl, pick yo-self up off of that there floor, girl!) Because it forces me outside of my comfort zone and helps me to initiate conversation with folks I might not speak to otherwise. People always seemed shocked to find out that I’m an introvert at heart. Really. Things like working the booth help counteract the shyness.
13. Lunch with friends. Rochelle and I had lots of conversation and laughs at Chili’s today. Friends are the best, aren’t they?