Day 30: My Thankful

I'm thankful for the real meaning of CHRISTmas. A lot of people, including myself, get so intrigued by the music, lights, sounds, and events surrounding December 25. All of those things are fine and dandy, and it helps to make this "the most wonderful time of the year." However, we need to remember all of the stories that were imparted into us as children. Well, the stories I remember anyway. The virgin Mary, Joseph, Bethlehem, the stable, the wise men, the manger, an angel instructing Mary to name the unborn child Jesus...that "o holy night" we sing about in the name of Christmas. Jesus is the reason for the season, whether you agree with that or not! =)

I'm thankful that y'all stuck with me through this month of thankfuls. I've realized even more that I have so much to be thankful for, regardless of what life throws at me. I hope I have encouraged you to be thankful for everything in your life, even the little insignificant things that are sometimes taken for granted.

Well, it's time to get back to the real blogging. I've kinda slacked off this month doing my thank you's everyday. But you understand...lol

Continue in the spirit of thanksgiving this holiday season, and don't be so concerned with what you can get this year. What can you give to brighten up someone's day, someone's life?

Day 29: My Thankful

I'm thankful for all of life's little lessons.

I'm thankful for the power of forgiveness.

I'm thankful that the fall semester is almost over, and I'm praying that I have at least a C in all my classes so I don't have to repeat the madness!

I'm thankful that God always provides for each and every one of my needs (including all things small and insignificant), as well as many of my wants. And of course, He manages to throw in a few unexpected surprises too! Gotta love Him! =)

Day 28: My Thankful

I'm thankful for a pastor that actually spends time in God's face. Tonight, he was all up in my life! I was convicted to change in a few areas, and other things taking place in my life were confirmed through his words. I love that my pastor will just tell the truth, despite what others think. He doesn't sugarcoat anything, no matter how bad the truth may hurt. I love that!

I'm thankful for music! Music has the ability to affect people in so many different ways. The world would be a pretty dismal place without music, so I'm glad that God created it!

I'm thankful for what the future holds!

I'm thankful that I'm getting closer to being apart of Team iPhone! 25 more days!! Haha =)

Day 26: My Thankful

I'm thankful for the compliment a customer gave me today. She said I should be a manager, since I look like I'm running everything. :)  At my job, you have to be able to multitask. Chick-fil-A and most fast food chains are very fast-paced working environments, and it keeps you on your toes. I was taking orders on the headset for the drive thru, bagging orders for front counter, and refilling drinks all within a matter of minutes. I appreciate the compliment, but I was just doing my job. =)

I'm thankful for what God has brought me from. I'm not the same person I used to be. When I was younger, I thought I knew it all. I thought I knew how my life would be. I just knew I would marry a certain person and that we would have a few kids, and live a cozy happy life. I thought for sure I was gonna be a member of the same Baptist church I was born into for the rest of my life. I thought my friends would be my friends forever. I never expected we would grow apart. I thought I was gonna be a pediatrician or an orthodontist. Little did I know, that my career aspirations would change with the seasons. I never thought I would grow out of my painfully shy days.----> However, God had different plans for my life. His plans allowed me to see that He is truly in charge. We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

Day 25: My Thankful

I'm thankful for the opportunity to help decorate my job for Christmas! In my six years of working there, I've never been asked to help decorate. It was fun, and we had pizza and homemade cookies! Yum! I love food, if you haven't noticed yet. =)

I'm thankful for two good Words today at church. I went to my church, and I got to see my manager preach at his church. That's cool to witness your manager preaching the Gospel. You definitely don't see that everywhere.

I'm just thankful for everything really. I can't be thankful enough.

Day 24: My Thankful

I'm thankful for willpower and the ability to not give into temptation.

I'm thankful that I'm still eating big, two days after Thanksgiving! *Fist pump!*

I'm thankful for opportunities. Success always comes when preparation meets opportunity. Keep preparing yourselves people! What's done in the dark always comes to the light, good or bad.

I'm thankful that I can officially blast the Christmas music. Some people, including Walmart, found it cute to start playing Christmas stuff the 1st week in November. Not cool...lol

I'm thankful for new beginnings. I don't have to wait until 2012 to start anew. Change begins when you decide to change, and if nothing changes, nothing changes. I don't think I said change enough in that sentence. :-)

Day 23: My Thankful

I'm thankful that someone said I had such pretty eyes today. And I wasn't even wearing hazel or honey-colored contacts. =)

I'm thankful for my parents' annual shindig they seem to do every Black Friday. They invite over a few couples, and there's all sorts of appetizers and desserts. They play games, chat, and have lots of laughs. Tonight, I overheard my mom telling how she met my dad. Awww! How sweet! :-)...I await the day when I can share how I met my booski.....ahhh...but until then, where you at?! lol! Usually, I'll get out the house when they have their gatherings. But today, me and the bro just kicked it inside. I'm just thankful that I'm exposed to that, because it's just another thing added to the list of what I'd like to do when I have my own place.

I'm thankful for this relaxing week. About that time to get back in the grind of school. It was good while it lasted.

I'm thankful that my dad cleaned my shower. Yessss!

I'm thankful that I'm not broke, and I will never be broke another day in my life! BAM!

Day 19: My Thankful

I'm thankful that my brother is home! Yippee! I have to admit that I was somewhat nervous to see him. I mean, he's been away at college doing all the stuff college kids away from home do. We've always been close, but I didn't know if college would force us to grow apart. But when he came home a few hours ago, it was as if he never left. I love our bond. [Forgive my cheesiness. haha] I can tell that he's coming into his own and experiencing life for himself, but sometimes I wish he were still in high school or something. I don't want him to be exposed to the college life yet. I almost wish I wasn't exposed to it either. But all the choices made in the past helped me to reach the present state of my life. And I'm pretty content with how things turned out.

I'm thankful for the house I live in.

I'm thankful for what the future holds. Everything is working for our good.

I'm always always always thankful for whoever is reading this. Y'all are so anonymous! Grr...but at least I can see the views, and that makes me smile! :)

I'm thankful that God still keeps my dreams/visions alive, despite me actually taking action to accomplish them. Smh! Better get cracking! We still have a little over a month left in 2011, and anything is possible. What we do now will determine how we enter into the next year! Let's finish strong! :-)

Day 15: My Thankful

I'm thankful to have all five of my senses.

I'm thankful for the ODU Teletechnet program. Satellite education is definitely working for me.

I watched Enough tonight, and I'm so thankful that I was never in an abusive relationship.

In addition, I'm thankful that I was never in a relationship with someone who had "baby mama drama" going on.

I'm thankful for my job.

I'm thankful that God is the ultimate provider, no matter who my employer is.

I'm thankful for discernment.

Day 12: My Thankful

I'm thankful that I don't just "eat good" on Sundays. My mom cooked homemade collard greens with bacon. YUM!! Glory Foods has nothing on homemade. However, I saw a can of their collard greens still in the pantry. Sigh...can't go back to processed greens after having the real thing! lol

 Fried fish, collard greens, and cheesy potato casserole on a Monday night! And the only thing that was leftovers from Sunday was the casserole! Thankful!! =)

I'm thankful for Fall! I love how God does the colors with the leaves! It's like a masterpiece that only He could create. Hope you're taking a few moments out of your day to appreciate nature!

I'm thankful that God hasn't struck me down, despite all the things He's told me to do that I have yet to do. Smh!

I'm thankful that our bodies automatically aim to heal themselves when we have bumps, bruises, open skin, etc.

I'm thankful that older people sometimes take my advice.

I'm thankful for my enemies and haters. Not to sound cocky or anything, but they all make me greater.

I'm thankful that I'm not naive. A customer in the drive thru said to me today, "I've been looking for a Candice. When do you get off?" There are some girls who would've been all giggly and maybe told the time, thinking that the person was actually in to them. Not I. I pretty much said it was none of their business, and did they want sauce with their order. No time for foolishness. =)

Day 11: My Thankful

I'm thankful for a pretty good weekend!

I'm thankful that my orange glazed carrots I made last week were apparently a hit, since my mom bought more carrots for me to simmer up. And no, I haven't forgotten that I'm supposed to be sharing last week's cooking adventure with y'all. I'll get to it sometime this week hopefully. =)

I'm thankful for family, friends, and good laughs. Truly irreplaceable moments.

I'm thankful for the random gift I got in the mail from Target, just for being an Essence subscriber. It was like a colorful make-up bag  filled with samples of natural/unnatural hair products and some coupons to Target. Whoop Whoop! I love Target!

I'm thankful that it's almost holiday time!!

As we inch closer to the holidays, we inch closer to 2011 winding down. But I'm thankful that there is still much to be completed before we make our debut into 2012.

Day 10: My Thankful

I'm thankful for my life.

I'm thankful that God separated me from certain people. I didn't see it at the time, but now I realize that it was ALL for my good! I wouldn't have grown and drawn closer to God if it wasn't for His divine hand removing me from certain people, situations, and things.

I'm thankful for an invite to a delicious home-cooked dinner tonight at a friend's house.

I'm also thankful for the opportunity to get to know other people outside of my circle.

I'm thankful for this natural hair once again. It's so easy and pretty much effortless. Just need a couple of products on deck to assist in the process.

I'm thankful that my mom and I seem to genuinely be getting closer. It's not as forced and gushy as it has been (something I don't like). God truly answers prayers. =)

Day 4: My Thankful

I'm thankful that all the assignments due before midnight tonight (that I procrastinated on) were completed!

I'm thankful for a GREAT family dinner (prepared by yours truly), minus my brother who is away at college. We had great conversation and good laughs. And me and my dad cleaned the kitchen together! Awww, that almost never happens.

I'm thankful for dreams, visions, and goals.

I'm thankful for today's message at church on marriage. I'm not married yet, but I plan to be. So, all wisdom is beneficial at this point.

I'm thankful for all the people I had conversations with today at church. I remember my painfully shy days, and I'm always so grateful when I realize that I've come so much farther than I'd ever thought I would. Thank you God!


SN: I forgot to take pictures of the finished product of the Shrimp Alfredo. Go figure. lol...but Chelsea and I made this earlier in the year, and it's on one of the earlier postings. It was delicious though! =)

Shrimp Alfredo Prep

Day 3: My Thankful

I didn't post one of these yesterday, so here it is.

I'm thankful for Daylight Savings Time and that extra hour. I still went to bed late, but at least I had that extra hour. =)

I'm thankful for a good day at work yesterday. We weren't in the store working all night, so that was a plus.

I'm thankful for heat in my house.

I'm thankful for extra food I was able to take home from work, since it was the weekend and we can't serve the waste.

I'm thankful that I was able to COMPLETELY fill my gas tank up!

I'm thankful that my mom bought groceries for me to cook for dinner tonight. I'm boiling water for Shrimp Alfredo as we speak. I'll blog later on about that.

I'm thankful for peace.

And I'll post Day 4's thankfuls tonight. Enjoy this beautiful Sunday afternoon!

Day 2: My Thankful

I'm thankful for laughter.

I'm thankful that I was raised with parents who have been married for 25 years. It has given me a standard to aim for.

I'm thankful that I was able to share my blog with a fellow co-worker today. She seemed excited and curious as to what this is all about. =)

I'm thankful that I got to sleep in today. Sleep is a beautiful thing, especially on the rare moments when you actually reach that 8hr mark.

I'm thankful for wisdom and discernment.

I'm thankful that God loves me so much!

I'm thankful for all the people that got on my last nerve today! They continue to teach me patience.

I'm thankful for YOU as you take the time to read this. I'm so appreciative for each comment offered and each and every view that sees these posts. Thank you! Continue to count your own blessings.

Day 1: My Thankful

I've noticed a couple people posting on Facebook why they're thankful each day, in the form of Day 1, Day 2, etc. I've decided to do the same via this blog. I want to end each day with a note of thankfulness regarding that particular day, or something I just feel led to thank God for. I don't know how long go for; the plan is 30 days, but you may find me going on and on and end up in a praise break line somewhere lol [very very rare lol]

Here goes...feel free to share a comment on why YOU'RE thankful as well.

I daily thank GOD for my sanity and peace of mind. Today is no different.

You just don't understand, I was about to lose my mind on several occasions! I've had spells of depression and suicidal thoughts in the past, and I'm just thankful that those thoughts didn't rule my mind for me to act on it.

I'm thankful that I was able to keep a job for nearly 6 years; some people aren't employed at all right now.

I'm thankful for Wi-Fi in my house. I remember the days of going to the library to get on the internet and/or putting my laptop in a certain position on my bed to steal signal from the neighbors lol smh!

I'm thankful that I have my own room and bathroom, and I don't pay rent!

I'm thankful for a car in my own name.

I'm thankful for my singleness; it is truly a gift. [Even though it's getting chilly, and I'd like to be booed up somewhere. Just kidding lol....no really, though... haha]

I'm thankful for my HAIR! Natural hair is amazing, let me tell you!

And that's all for now.... :-) What are you thankful for?

Just Be Thankful

Hey beautiful people!

I hope everyone is safe and sound after Irene's intrusion this past weekend! Finally got my power turned back on! Yi-ti-deee! :-) I'm SO grateful. Praying for everyone else to get their power, water, AC, etc. back to working condition ASAP. You never realize how important something/someone is until it's gone. So, be grateful at all times.

That's been in my spirit all day today. Just be thankful. The hurricane/storm/earthquake(s) could have been much worse. We make light of it on Facebook and Twitter, but we really could have had another Hurricane Katrina or one of those earthquakes that does MAJOR life threatening damage.

We need to be more appreciative of what has been given to us, stop complaining, and just play the hand that has been dealt to us in this life. REMEMBER: It's not gonna be anything more than we can bear, so toughen up.

Just yesterday, I was wishing for more friends. Not a lot, just a few more. I was painfully shy and weird (lol) for most of my life. Often, I would feel looked over and odd man out. I sometimes still feel this way. I've come to realize that I'm just different from most, I guess. Anyways, I don't know if it was God speaking to me or what, but I just heard: Just be thankful. Whether I have a billion friends or just a chosen few, I need to be thankful for what I DO have. Although I wish I was closer to my extended family and had a bigger household, at least I have A FAMILY. It may not resemble the beautiful Cosby family, but God has blessed me with one of my own.

Just be thankful for where you are in life right now. Appreciate the journey in wherever direction you are headed. Many times we want to GO-GO-GO and we are driven by success, money, recognition, and wealth. A lot of times when we are on the GO, we forget about the simple things in life. We forget where we came from and who we used to be before material desires and possessions became apart of who we are. You could be rich one day and poor the next. Never take ANYTHING for granted.

Aiming for success and achieving high goals is great, don't get me wrong. However, don't do it for the wrong reasons. If you never become famous or recognized for that special skill you do so well, just be thankful for the opportunity to give your gift back to God. The real reward will be waiting for you in heaven. =)