Tonight Jessica & I went to the drive-in. It was about a 45 minute drive to get there, but well worth the trip! We made a pit stop on the way & had dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. After we arrived at the drive-in, it only took us 3 attempts to park my truck in the perfect spot. We popped open the tailgate & spread out some blankets & pillows, then went to the concession stand to get some treats to snack on! It was a beautiful night out, with barely a cloud in the sky. I actually enjoyed the experience more than the movies we saw..(it was a double feature). I am thankful for drive-ins. They are much cheaper than a movie theatre & are a nice change of pace!
Go online & see if you have any drive-in theatres in your area. They are certainly worth a trip. Its an experience that everyone should have. They can be spent with some good friends, or can make for a romantic evening with someone special!
Vegetables are an important part of a balanced diet. I am picky about vegetables, as many people are. I don't like broccoli raw, but enjoy it in pasta or soup. I feel the same about carrots unless I have some ranch dressing or hummus to dip them in. I am thankful for veggies... they keep us strong & healthy. If you prepare them well, they can be quite tasty, too. Veggies are good alone or served in soups, salads, pastas & many other dishes.
Incorporate veggies into your daily diet. There are many clever ways you can enjoy them if you don't actually enjoy the taste. It will keep you healthy to have a daily intake of vegetables. Find some that you enjoy & snack up!
Tonight I had some leftovers from the night before. Leftovers can be a hit or miss. If its anything that is fried, its most likely not going to taste as good the second time. However, pasta, pizza, & many other things are just as good re-heated or served cold. I am thankful for leftovers. You should never waste food! There are so many people that would love to have your leftovers!
Its not always feasible to finish all the food you prepared. You should always try your best to finish it, though. Get your money's worth of what you spent on it, especially if its a dish you really enjoy! Take advantage of the convenience of leftovers, too. Pack some for lunch the next day to enjoy at work!
It is abundantly hot here in sunny Florida. Water is your best friend this time of year. You should always drink water regularly, even more so when the heat is so high. Water is the nectar to quench our thirst in the heat of summer. I am thankful for water. Without it, we wouldn't have many amenities we enjoy in life. So many things we eat & drink rely on water. Who doesn't love a dip in the pool or the water crashing at your feet on the beach? Water is a necessity in life & even the things as menial as it are important to be gracious for.
Be sure to get your daily intake of water. Dehydration is not something you want to experience. When you have a day off, go out to the pool or spend a day at the beach & enjoy the cool, refreshing water!
I typically enjoy rain. Rainy, overcast days are always welcome after a long streak of heat! However, excessive amounts of rain can become annoying & cause alot of trouble. I am thankful for umbrellas. They come in very handy on rainy days. In fact, many people use them to provide shade from the sun as well. You will find giant umbrellas on the beach to give some shade from sun rays. No matter what their use, umbrellas are a handy tool.
Umbrellas come in many different shapes, colors & sizes. They can suit any aesthetic taste. Rain can surprise you & pop up out of the blue. Be sure to always have an umbrella handy!
Today I got some sunshine by the pool. A healthy dose of vitamin D is good for you. Most people would agree that laying out & tanning by the pool is very relaxing. I love summertime here in Florida when we get to soak up the sun & enjoy the pool & water parks. I am thankful for tanning. It gives me a nice warm glow to my skin. Laying by the pool with a cool beverage & a book or some good music is a perfect afternoon in sunny Florida.
Tanning is something that should be done in moderation. Too much sunshine can lead to cancer. That said, be sure that you always protect yourself while tanning & enjoying the day. Wear sunscreen & you can always utilize sunglasses & hats. Go out one afternoon to the beach or the pool & soak up some sunshine. Enjoy tanning & get a nice summer glow!
Cheeseburgers... probably one of the most stereotypical American foods. They are just so good! I am proud to be an American & proud to eat a cheeseburger! I am thankful for these delicious treats. You can find cheeseburgers just about anywhere. Whether that be at a fast food joint, a local restaurant or grilling them yourself at home. The latter of those is my favorite. Cheeseburgers are a delicious, simple food to prepare. There are many ways you can have your burger, but cheese is my favorite!
Stop by the drive thru & get a cheeseburger one day. Forget all those nay-sayers... you deserve something yummy & greasy sometime if you want it! Like many things in life, this is a food that should be taken in stride. But a lil' splurge now & then will make you feel good!
Today I went to the water park with a friend. They have a doughnut stand that sells freshly made doughnuts. My friend & I got half a dozen & they were covered in delicious, sweet sugar! Yum! I am thankful for doughnuts... they bring people together to share some sinfully delicious food. You can find people sharing doughnuts for breakfast at work with coffee, or just a friendly social gathering of any kind. You find them in waiting rooms & other places. They seem to sustain people from getting angry. I mean, if your oil change is taking longer than expected... at least you got a couple free doughnuts!
Pick up some doughnuts for your co-workers on your way into work. They will be most gracious for sure. These fried little treats should be eaten in stride, but occasionally sharing some amongst friends is a great way to enjoy them.
The beautiful woman pictured above is named Isabel. I call her "Madre"... which is "mother" in Spanish. I am not able to be around my own mother too often & Isabel is my mother here. Mother's are the women who give birth to us. They nurture us from womb to the day we leave our home as young adults. I am thankful for mothers. My own mother is a great human being. Her name is Dawn. I love her very much & alot of what is good about me comes from her. These wonderful women, our mothers, they are strong, beautiful & intelligent human beings. Be grateful for them & learn from all the wisdom they share with you.
It's said there is a bond between mothers & their children. I think that goes with out saying, for without them we would not be here in this world. Be thankful for them each & everyday. Never be too afraid to tell her how much she means to you, for someday you may not have the chance. Always cherish these women, these beacons of love & compassion... our mothers.
As I have said before, I come from the south. Country music is very common here. Country music has changed alot throughout the years. Many "country" singers are one foot in "pop", one foot in "country" as I like to say. None the less, I am thankful for country music. It is another thing that reminds me of home. Listening to some of the country music that was released when I was younger makes me very nostalgic. Today I was cooling off in the locker room at work after a jog & decided to listen to some country music. It always soothes my soul.
I am aware that country music is probably an acquired taste. I do have friends that do not care for country music, generally speaking. However, there is one or two songs that they like or even love! You can't go through life being biased about such things, otherwise you'll miss out on something. I don't like hip/hop or rap but recently found a song I adore. Branch out from normality & try something new... like some good country music!
This evening I made some blond brownies... or as some refer to them "blondies". I love baking of any kind, especially sweets. I have a sweet tooth that will most likely lead to my ultimate demise. Anywho! I am thankful for baking. There is always new recipes to try out & its also very difficult to mess up baking. Even the cooking challenged can handle a little baking. Baked goods are great for almost any occasion, too.
One evening, bake yourself something sweet. Even if its simply those tear-away cookie dough things you can get at the grocery store. Fresh baked food is always much, much better than anything from a box.
Not everyone is a fan of grits. I come from Alabama... so grits are a very common thing. I am thankful for them. They remind me of home & sometimes if I'm feeling homesick, a lil' homestyle food sustains my achy braky heart. Grits come in a variety of flavors & you can also add things to them to give them a lil' more taste. My personal favorite is cheese grits. I have them almost every morning.
I am aware that every palate is different & not everyone is going to like grits. However, if you never have tried them, go ahead & do so. They are different & can be prepared however you see fit. So go ahead & enjoy yourself some grits!
Camaraderie is when a group of people form a circle of friendship that maintains a strong threshold of trust. I have that with these three girls. I am thankful for camaraderie. It takes alot of time & effort to form friendships that have such a sense of it. There are many other places where you see strong camaraderie. For instance, in the military, the soldiers often form a strong bond. A good faculty at a well maintained school will often have a great bond as well. Camaraderie is something that takes time to achieve. All must put forth effort to keep that bond strong & to ensure the trust amongst each other.
Always do your best to be honest & upfront with your friends & loved ones. Whether it is now or in the distant future, they will appreciate it. Strive to maintain that bond by giving & taking with equal amounts on both sides. Be loyal, honest, kind & compassionate. The greatest friendships & partnerships are formed through this & most often form lifelong camaraderie.
Today I went for a jog at one of the resorts here. I came across this bridge & it got me to thinking. I am thankful for bridges, in the literal sense & metaphorically speaking as well. In the literal sense, they accommodate us by getting where we need to go in places that we wouldn't be able to do so. Metaphorically, we come to many bridges in our life. Sometimes we burn some along the way. Who's to say what is right & wrong in our choices? What's important is to know that once you've crossed that bridge there is no going back. That is why it is always important to think things through in life.
We all come to bridges in our lives that lead us down new paths. Each bridge we cross branches us off to a new journey. Be sure to always think rationally & with a calm mind before crossing. Always think of the choices you make & how they will effect your present & future... and those around you. No one can tell you what choices to make, for in the end it is up to you. Be sure you are confident & wise so that as you cross that bridge you do so with a collective soul.
This evening I went to see Marvel's new film, "The Avenger's". It was fantastic! I was thoroughly impressed with the movie. I have been a fan of Marvel since I was a wee little boy. I am so thankful for Marvel. They have brought inspiration to the lives of many through a world of fantasy. My favorite Marval characters are the X-Men. They are superheroes who dare to stand up & rise beyond adversity in times when people need them. Everyone can appreciate any hero that stands up for the good of mankind. Marvel has given us a world of characters, villains & superheroes that will be cherished for generations to come.
Read a comic, watch a movie or play a video game. Find the heroes you love. There is much to be said about the valiance of these characters. Look into it sometime & find which one inspires or intrigues you!
Today was a scorcher at work! The heat was extremely high... I believe the heat index went above 95 degrees at one point. I decided to cool off by just chomping on some ice. Though it didn't keep me cool for too long, it was nice for the moment. I am thankful for ice. It keeps our beverages cool & keeps our bodies cool. There are also so many great things created from ice like smoothies, milkshakes, and margaritas! I cannot image how awful life would be without ice to take the edge off all this heat!
Go ahead & have your self a cool iced tea on a hot summer day! Enjoy an iced coffee or frozen margarita. Whatever you decide, never forget to be thankful for that cool beverage & the ice that is in it.
This evening I helped my friend, John, move some furniture & carry some things to his new place. I have a truck, so i generally am the go-to guy when moving large pieces of furniture. I am happy to help out any friend when I can. I am thankful I was able to help out John's moving process. Moving is such a tedious task as it is... its nice to have a friend when you are doing it. It makes the process a little less difficult.
If you have a friend or family member in need of some help moving, lend them a hand. Moving is also a thing that brings on alot of life changes. Whether things are starting or ending, its nice to know you have a friend there to help. Your friends will always be gracious of your support.
Living here in Central Florida, sunglasses are a must! I have em' on every single day. The suns rays can be very harmful if you don't use caution. Not to mention its hard to see. Sunglasses can also be fashionable. I am always wearing aviators. They compliment my face well & come from an era in history I really like. I am thankful for sunglasses. By wearing sunglasses you can compliment an outfit & protect your eyes at the same time. More often than not, safety gear looks absurd on us. Sunglasses are the exception to that normality!
Go out & get yourself a nice pair of sunglasses. Find some that compliment your style & taste. Be sure to utilize them on those bright & sunny days! Its important to protect yourself... but no one said you can't look fabulous while doing so!
I recently purchased a few new items to spruce up my bedroom & bathroom. Your living space should always have personality, it will make you happier that way. Even better if that personality says something about you. My bedroom & bathroom are themed with shades of green, blue & brown. I love earth tones. I am thankful for home decor. It gives me the opportunity to say something about myself & make my home say so.
Set some money aside sometime to spruce up your living space with some home decor that says something about you. I like to decorate as a minimalist. I think along the lines of "less is more". Though debatable, as long as you are happy in your living space, in your home, then that is what matters in the end. Decorate your home & spruce it up to make yourself happy!
I am aware that in the big picture of life, DVR seems very miniscule. However, there is no denying the convenience of it. I am thankful for DVR. I can get very busy with work & other things going on in life. I also watch TV way too much & can't always be home for everyone of the shows I watch to air. Its nice to have the DVR to record all of my favorite TV shows & be able to watch them when it is convenient for me.
If you have DVR be sure to utilize all its capabilities! If you don't & watch TV, you may consider the 10 extra dollars a month for it. I find that those 10 dollars are well worth the convenience of being able to watch my favorite TV shows on my time.
Tonight I had dinner plans with someone. I made corn on the cob, red potatoes & teriyaki chicken served on white rice. The food was a success, I am happy to say. Dinner was followed up by a peanut butter cheesecake that I also made! I am thankful for the opportunity to cook for someone. I will sometimes bring in some baked goods for my co-workers. There is something I find rewarding in seeing people I care about enjoying good food... and even better if I prepared it!
Take a moment out of your day on occasion to make something tasty for someone you care about. It is very fulfilling seeing people you care about enjoying the food you prepare for them.
I went to the Pie Festival today in Celebration, FL. I enjoyed some fun times & delicious pie. Afterwards I went for a walk around Celebration before heading home. I enjoyed all of the nice scenery in the neighborhoods while walking around. My ultimate goal is to eventually buy a home in one of the neighborhoods in Celebration. I am thankful for neighborhoods. We all have some type of affiliation to them. I remember the neighborhood I grew up in, all of the kids that lived in it. There were some many great time & fond memories from that neighborhood.
Think back on the neighborhood you grew up in & relish the memories of the past. The neighborhood you grew up in is something you will always remember. Be sure to also take care of the neighborhood you live in now. Everyone want to live somewhere they can enjoy & feel safe in. Do your part to make sure it stays that way!
Can you imagine how it would be if we didn't have mirrors? There would be pro's & con's to a world without mirrors. On one hand you wouldn't feel the need to criticize yourself for the way you look physically. On the other hand, there would be alot of disheveled people walking around. Not to mention the fact that we will still see our image in reflections of windows, cell phones & whatnot. Needless to say, I am thankful for mirrors. They give us a chance to see ourselves & clean up. I like to leave my household looking clean & presentable. The biggest goal any of us face is seeing your own reflection & being happy.
Its fine to aspire to be in better shape physically. A bit of vanity won't hurt anyone. Just don't let it overtake you. However, I challenge you to look in the mirror beyond the physical image. Look at yourself for who you are & strive to be happy with the person you see. We all have the power to have pride. Do what you must do to look in that mirror & be truly happy.
