Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are all doing well and having a wonderful holiday with people who care about you. This is the first Thanksgiving I’ve had in a while where I haven’t been with my family and I feel a little sad about that. I miss seeing my nieces most of all but hopefully we can skype and say hello later in the evening.
I was determined to not sulk and feel sorry for myself this weekend so I have planed a lot of fun things (hopefully I wont’ work much but no guarantee I’m so behind on things and have to catch up!). Today I was in a 5k walk for the food bank. We did one last year with my family and this year my friend Suzanna and her family was there, so that was fun. I finished in 1 hr 16 minutes which I felt pretty good about. My legs and feet are throbbing. I don’t understand how anyone could prefer running/walking to swimming. Swimming can be intense on your muscles but so much tamer than running.
Too bad its a bit to cold to do a Thanksgiving swim; although my Poler Bear Club friends might disagree. Burr!
So now I’m just watching the parade and icing my puffy muscles so they don’t seize up.
This afternoon I am going to Suzanna’s family thanksgiving which should be fun. I have met most of her family over the years and they are from Indiana which is fun. She said other friends were coming so I’m sure it will be a large group. I’m grateful to be invited. (I have the best friends!).
Tomorrow after a morning swim, I might try out some black Friday shopping- brave Ikea and Home Depot to see if I can get some things for my new house. We will see. I’m also getting a massage. Can’t wait for that!
Saturday I am going with my friend Kate to a shooting range. There is a scene in my book where the character goes to one and I wanted it to be authentic (plus I’ve kind of wanted to learn for a long time but with my eye sight I didn’t think I could).
On Sunday I am going to make a Thanksgiving for 1. Yes, you read right. I’ve decided to take on the challenge of making a feast for one person. It seems impossible but I think I can do it. Should be fun!
So, I’ve got lots going on this holiday weekend. The only reason I post all of that is some of my friends and family might worry about me (thank you for that by the way) but I’m fine and richly blessed.
A few things I am grateful for this year:
1. I’m grateful for my family and for my non-family family. This includes my swim family, church family, book club family, gym family, facebook family (my facebook family saved my life early this year), twitter family, and my friends family.
2. I’m grateful to be building a house! WOWZERS!
3. I’m grateful for a new beginning with a new year with a fresh start, new ward, new house, new experiences. 2012 was a doozy. One for the recordbooks of Rachel Trials but I got through it and looking forward to starting over.
4. I’m thankful for NaNoWriMo and getting me to finally write the book I knew was in my head and proving to myself I can do great things.
5. I’m grateful for SLOW (Salt Lake Open Water). My 5k was definitely a highlight but it would only have been so with all the support and friendship. I can’t imagine not having it in my life.
6. I’m thankful for MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and the outlet for my aggression it has given me. I love it more every time I go. My trainer Ben is awesome and such a funny guy. He definitely believes in me. My trainer Michelle is also unfailingly loyal and encouraging. The best!
7. I’m thankful for my eyes. My eyes have been through a lot the last 2 years and going through the surgery and vision therapy has been hard but very rewarding. To see the world in a new way is such a blessing. I’m also grateful for my doctors and their skill in treating me.
8. I’m grateful for my insomnia specialist and the pathways we’ve made in the last 8 weeks. It’s been great! I’m getting closer to sleeping the way I’ve always wanted.
9. I’m grateful I was diagnosed with low thyroid this year. It has helped me overcome all the pain I was experiencing last year. The doctor that diagnosed it is named Dr. Ling and she and her nurse practitioner have been so wonderful.
10. I’m grateful that I live in a world where for the most part I can be a thriving, successful, happy single person. I know I have my moments but in some societies I wouldn’t have even had the option of living alone, leading my own life. I’m grateful that I can be single, awesome and wait for Mr. Sunshine to get with it and get here! 😉
11. I’m the most grateful for my testimony of the Book of Mormon. I have needed it so badly this year. I have needed it’s words and it hasn’t failed me a bit. I know Heavenly Father loves me. I may complain now and then about the ward environment or some other small thing but in the end I would be lost without the Book of Mormon and my testimony of the gospel.
Rachel's Musings 