I started a project at the beginning of November to use my Thursday posts to share three serious and three silly things I was thankful for. Here’s part three, and you can see part one and part two as well.
The Serious Things
Exercise – It took me a long time to figure this out, but exercise makes me happy. The reason it took so long is that I hadn’t found the exercises I loved to do – running & yoga. I’ve always loved skiing, but I’ve never looked at it as a workout, just something I’ve always done. Discovering running was is the best thing that could have happened to me, activity-wise because it’s a perfect quick boost to my ego when I need it, it can clear my head like no other and it just plain old makes me happy. I don’t really look at yoga as exercise, but it does make me happy as well, when it becomes a place of reflection and relaxation, along with a good hip stretch following a long run.
New Hampshire – I adore where I grew up, no matter how much I used to complain about it. Yes, it’s the middles of nowhere, but there’s no crime, no hate, no fear of anything, and for that I’m thankful. New Hampshire is a beautiful place to live, and once you get over that whole “there’s nothing here!” panic, people tend to like it.
Food – Simply put, I’ve never been hungry, because I didn’t have access to food. I’m thankful that my parents could provide food for me, and that it was available to be purchased. I don’t like being hungry…
The Silly Things
Peanut Butter – I sold my soul to the stuff years ago. I think I could possibly fall into depression should I ever spawn a child with a peanut allergy. (Okay, I’m kidding…a little.) I’m thankful for it’s ease of availability, low price and stickiness delicious.
Four Seasons – Going along with the New Hampshire bit, I’m thankful for growing up in a place that experiences four distinct seasons. There’s something special that comes with the changing of the seasons, you can feel it in the air, and even though in New Hampshire, the seasons are better renamed very cold, muddy, too damn hot, and touristy, I still love them!
Corrective Eyewear – I know I mentioned sunglasses last week, but the fact remains that if glasses or contact lenses didn’t exist, I probably wouldn’t be able to do anything – certainly not read or drive without at least a major headache or at worst, hitting things. I’m very thankful to whoever works on that technology.
What’s one serious & one silly thing you’re thankful for?
Haha I’m with ya on peanut butter, that’s certainly a “selling my soul” transaction I’m proud of
Hmm silly things…I’m thankful for toilet paper and the little light in the fridge for when I’m hungry at night!
Hehehe! I totally agree, I think peanut butter is a great thing to be thankful for.
Love it!
One serious this for me is running as well. It completely changed my life. It gave me confidence, a passion, and dreams. It gave me an alternative to therapy (it keeps me same!) and a hobby. I love it! One silly thing for me is yoga pants. Comfort can’t be beat!
Such a good point about corrective eyewear! I would not be able to do diddly squat without contacts/glasses. Wow.
New Hampshire looks GOR-GEOUS.
Serious: I’m so thankful that I’m healthy enough to exercise. I sometimes groan and complain, but at the end of the day, I’m so fortunate to actually be able to walk, run, CrossFit, etc.
Silly: I’m thankful for Wed night TV! The Middle, Modern Family, AND Top Chef! Best night of the week.
I love these posts Errign. I am also a season girl having grown up in Massachusetts. I have a rather dysfunctional relationship with peanut butter. Basically I have no control. I never thought I would hear these words come out of my mouth but I’m so thankful for how running has become a part of my life.
I’m so thankful for my wonderful husband and son. I am also thankful that the apple crisp I made yesterday is still in the refrigerator and not in my husband’s stomach! He usually devours everything I bake within hours or days. Fortunately he didn’t notice the apple crisp and I (conveniently) forgot to tell him before I went to work!
Love these! I’m definitely thankful for peanut butter and the seasons too!
I love Teddie peanut butter! The best ever.
I liked growing up in MA. I love the change of seasons, however would love it if it could be fall forever.
New Hampshire looks beautiful. I’ve never been there but I’d like to go there, as well as, Delaware. Oh yah, and North Carolina too! I basically need to get over to that side of the country and check it out.
MMMM….I’m thankful for peanut butter too!
You know, I’m with you on the NH love. Maybe not my hometown specifically, but definitely the seacoast, lakes region and north country. Don’t get me wrong, I love Boston and all, but there’s something to be said for the beauty of 84, the Hopkinton and Deerfield Fairs (Topsfield? FOR SHAME!), having almost all of my high school friends be certified ski and snowboard instructors, the plethora of opportunities to interact with Presidential hopefuls (I once had an in-depth discussion with Dennis Kucinich re: Jane Austen and the affect of Pride & Prejudice in modern times), and the lack of sales tax and cheap liquor (wait, what? Err…).
I’m also thankful that I live in the digital age, which made the fallout from having my wallet stolen last weekend infinitely easier!
“Card stolen?” ::click:: “Cancelled and Re-Issued.”
And by “84″ I definitely meant “89″. 84 = HELL. 89? Beauteous! (DAMNYOUAUTOCORRECT!)
I agree with contacts!
I’m thankful for my ability to sing. It makes me so happy, and I think other people, too. And my silly thankful thing is for Mediterranean food. Seriously, the best cuisine ever!
I’m thankful for the ability to run and just exercise in general…it really is a gift! I’m also thankful for Greek yogurt- I’m eating a big bowl of it now
!
I’m thankful for my family, and my health….oh late, that’s two….two is going to have to do.
Seasons is a good choice! A silly one for me would be my fav football team going to a championship game in a couple weeks. Yaaaay!
I am right there with you on corrective eyewear (and CUTE glasses at that) and PB… my life would suck without both!
I always try to be thankful that I’ve always had enough food. I sometime complain that I’m hungry after I’ve gone without food for a few hours, I can’t imagine what it’s like to be truly hungry.
I’m very thankful for my glasses. I remember reading Lord of the Flies as a kid, and I was horrified at the thought of poor Piggy being stuck without his glasses. To this day, if I sleep in a plane, I make sure that my glasses are well secured inside a pocket. That way, if the plane crashes and I wind up on a deserted island, at least I’ll be able to see. Ha! I’d actually qualify glasses as something serious that I’m grateful for. Something silly? My crockpot. It lets me cook meat for my husband without actually having to touch it.
I am certainly thankful for biscoff. I just love that stuff! haha.
I wish I could learn to be thankful for NH. All my family lives there, and I guess I’ve just never spent enough time to get over the panicky-nothing-there feeling, as I dread “vacations” there. I AM thankful a good 90% of my family lives in one place though, so I don’t have to travel around the country to see everyone!
I would love to go to New Hampshire. I have never been, and to be honest, I don’t know that much about it. Can you do a post about your home & post some pictures?
Im totally thankful for contacts!! I would hate wearing glasses and playing soccer, ESPECIALLY the way I play. I guarantee they’d get broken each game lol
I’m jealous of your four seasons, in Florida we only get one: Summer. Lame.
Serious thing–doctors. Though I hate them, they allowed me to be where I am today.
Silly thing–Ice cream. It’s magical…really. I can be feeling any kind of emotion, and if I eat ice cream, I feel better.
I love your serious thankfuls. It’s lovely that you love where you grew up – it certainly looks like an idyllic place!
I’m grateful for books; for their wit and wisdom, hours of entertainment and learning.
I’m also grateful for Nutella. Just makes my morning sometimes.
I love the names of your seasons! I love these thankful posts too. I’m grateful seriously for good friends and silly-ly for chocolate and broccoli – couldn’t imagine life without either of them
I am so with you on the corrective eyewear. Sometimes when I’m putting my contacts in I wonder how people managed without back in the day. It’s crazy to think about because I could not see a thing.. it’s scary.
I love this post! Also, I have been eating fried rice constantly! That recipe you posted is so simple and so comforting. I am thankful for you sharing it :]
My two favorite exercises are running and yoga, too! And New Hampshire is beautiful! I went there a couple summers ago, and it was wonderful.
Great list, totally agree on exercise, peanut butter & all nut butters
, and the seasons. I missed falls and winters badly while living in Florida.
I’m thankful that my sister was able to come home for Thanksgiving (she goes to school in Illinois), and I’m thankful for having time off work for Thanksgiving!
I enjoy New Hampshire and think it’s beautiful. Have you ever said on this blog where in New Hampshire you’re from? If you don’t want to share, that’s fine. Just wondering since I have friends from there and have visited a few times!
it’s true- I forget it mid-February but I’m definitely thankful for 4 seasons!
serious: the earth’s soil.
silly: the muppets!
I’m seriously thankful for my family and boyfriend. I’m very grateful that they’re always there to support and love me. I am “silly thankful” for popcorn! (I haven’t had it in ages and I forgot how good it is!)
I am thankful for my new TOFU PRESS that came in the mail today!! THANK YOU
!