Lots to be thankful for...

As we all know, the Day of Thanks is coming up. Just around the corner in fact. That sentence should make us all smile, very big. Lately I have been thinking about everything I have to be thankful for. The list is so long, that I have to shorten it to fit within this post. Not only do I love the Day of Thanks for all of the delicious food I get, but also because it is a day of love, thankfulness, and a day spent with family.

So my list of things to be thankful for is forth-coming, but first I have to blog about my awesome, incredible, amazing new job! That awesome new job is... American Express!


Can I get a "woot woot?" Seriously guys, it is the best job ever! AMEX (that's a code word we employees use for American Express) is such an awesome career path. Not only do they value their CM's (card members), they also value their employees! There are seriously great benefits and services offered with every single one of the cards that they offer, and AMEX always backs up their products and their CM's. [Side note: Did I mention how awesome they are, and how much I love my job?] So... I seriously encourage those of you who don't have an American Express card to look into them, and think really hard about getting one. Lemme list just a few free benefits/services that are associated with some cards just to help you out (or nudge you towards that direction).

Extended Warranty
Purchase Protection (Full refunds!)
Roadside Assist
Baggage Protection (for lost luggage)
Travel Delay (AMEX will totally pay for a hotel if your flight is delayed or canceled. I know, it's great!)

So, you all get my point by now. And there are tons of other benefits and services offered. You guys will just have to either call and ask about it, or look on their website. Happy hunting!

Now to the main point of this post- my list of things to be thankful for!

1). My family. First and foremost; no doubt.
2). My awesome job.
3). Being healthy
4). Wonderful friends
5). Education
6). A love for laughing
7). Diet Coke (I really, really love diet coke)
8). The ability to love
9). My love for music
10). The freedom to be myself, and allow room for personal growth.

That was my top ten, but like I said- the list goes on and on. I'm also very grateful that we allow at least one day a year to stop and remember everything we're grateful for. It's a great, and very humbling experience.

Welcome Day of Thanks.

We go way back...

Last Wednesday, B and I went to my sister's choir concert. They did awesome, and it was so fun to watch her. It's so weird for me to think that she is a Junior in high school, and that next year she will be a big bad senior and then she'll be graduated. When did she grow up so fast? And then I started thinking about our childhood together, remembering everything we've seen, done, and experienced with each other. This is what I know...

It started on Day 1. I helped mom hold you right after you were born. Neither of us can remember this, but I'm pretty positive that we both knew at that moment that we'd always be sisters, but much more than that we'd always be friends. From then on, we were in things together. After you learned to talk, I was the only one who could understand you because you couldn't say your R's or S's correctly. I became the translator until you finished speech school. You were the pickiest eater ever. You refused to try anything new, and you didn't have a problem letting us know if you didn't like what you were eating. You hated the crust on bread, and if mom didn't cut it off you gave it to me. You used to call every kind of meat chicken, even though most of the times it was not chicken. You also used to be super shy, and now you're one of the most friendly, outgoing girls I know. You love to clean, and you were always organizing things in the house. From the pantry, to the DVD's, to cleaning your room more than twice a week, you were always cleaning. I was envious the first time you flew on an airplane all by yourself to go visit Hayley. And then it was even worse when we flew to visit Mel and Shane, and I cried because I was so scared. You have the cutest little grin, and you are always smiling. It's no wonder that grandpa calls you 'Smiley Emiley.' You learn lyrics to songs faster than anyone I know, and I know that me and you could quote practically every movie we've ever seen. You have such a great personality that draws people towards you, and I'm never surprised when you start talking about new friends. Even though you are two years younger, you're always setting the example, and you've always given me someone to look up to. I'm so happy that you're my sister, and I'm grateful for all of the things we've gone through together. I love you, and I'll always be here to watch you keep growing up.







{Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there.} ~Amy Li

Everybody has their list....

of things that make them madder than a bee stuck in mud. And I just decided that I need to make a list off all of mine, and then stop being so bothered by all of them. This is healthy for the soul. I think.



1. Stupid parking tickets
2. All of the construction going on in Utah. It's everywhere.
3. Stupid drivers. There's a reason you had to pass the test.
4. The cold. This means winter is coming. Which means it's about to get {a lot} colder.
5. The grass at the apartment complex. They water everyday- in the middle of the day. So it's wet, lumpy, and impossible for us to enjoy the last little part of our summer. Lame.
6. Money. You either love it or hate it. If you have enough, you love it. If you don't have enough, you hate it.
7. Shoes. I want to wear flip flops all year 'round. What is this "closed-toe, closed heel" nonsense
8. Laundry. I've come to despise doing laundry. What a waste of time. Wash 'em, wear 'em, and then you just gotta wash 'em again. Who thinks of this stuff?
9. Broken appliances. How are you being helpful if you don't function correctly?
10. Arogant people. There is no need for you; any of you. Please disappear.
11. Puppies who chew up boyfriends shoes. Which then requires us to go get new shoes. Expensive new shoes. Because boyfriend is picky and refuses to wear any brand but Nike. (Which is one of the reasons I think he's do adorable) [sarcasm] Thank you, Thunder.


Ah, I'm already feeling much better. Also, I love DVR. 'The Office' is doing a wonderful job of calming me down right now. But more than that, I love cute boyfriends who send you flowers at work. And cute boyfriends who put up with my list of complaints. Actually... just cute boyfriends in general are a plus.

We caved...

I know that I promised pictures from Texas... and they're coming. I'll get on that... eventually. But first, I just wanted to post about the awesome dog we just got on Wednesday.

This is Thunder. He is the worlds greatest dog. Hands down. And isn't he so handsome? We're lucky, we know. And it's a total plus that he came potty trained. 10 points for Thunder!

[Sdei Ntoe]

I'm currently wondering what it would be like to be dyslexic...

Just a thought.

There she goes...

Vacation: (va ca tion)

Leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure.

That is one of the most beautiful sentences I have heard in a long time. All play, and no work for 5 whole days. I can hardly contain my excitement much longer! Although it's quite a drive to Texas, an incredibly long drive, I am so excited to go. Just go have fun for a few days, relax, not have to worry about anything. It's going to be great. I supposed great could just be a blank line, and you could insert any adjective you feel is appropriate to celebrate such an occasion. Carry on!

(ah-some pick-chures post haste!)

To whom it may concern (the jerk who broke into my car):

Dear sir (I assume it was a sir...)
I hope you get little satisfaction out of the stereo you stole so greedily from my car last night, after breaking the window in my new car. I am by no means wishing you ill, because that would be giving you the big win in this situation; I am simply wishing you broke the stereo or something while you were taking it out. You sure know how to announce bad news; I wasn't even out of bed when I found out. But to your surprise, instead of me moping around, and feeling sorry for myself I'm going to get a new window. And I'll drive without music for a few weeks, until I get a better, new and improved stereo.


Sincerely,
Your not so happy neighbor

On a happier note- Chris Cagle was simply amazing on Wednesday night. Country music is extremely under-rated. We had so much fun. Playing "Your Team" the entire night, I am happy to announce that I was the winner. And of course, we stuffed our faces with delicious burgers and fries. Complete bliss.






Half- Silly



Silly



Silliest (and a little spit in the EYE)