November Daily Thanks - Day 5, 6 & 7

So I was sick all weekend and didn't really feel like blogging so I have two days to make up for, plus today's mention, which I have to start with because I can't hold it in any longer.

Today I am thankful for JOE FLACCO!!!!!

Joe Cool played a pretty solid game last night, but the crowning achievement was in the last 2+ minutes of the game when he marched the Ravens 92 yards and threw a brilliant pass to Rookie Torrey Smith to score and go ahead of the Steelers IN THE LAST 8 SECONDS OF THE GAME. What a nail biter! Being one of his biggest fans, I am ashamed to say I didn't think he could do it, but he did and it was poetic justice for the 65,000 Steelers fans in the stadium who all of a sudden went deathly quiet. Way to go Joe! From now on I will refer to you as Joe Very Cool! Thank you for your classiness when conducting yourself against all the naysayers. You will always be an 'Elite" quarterback to me.

And because I missed two days prior, just a quick mention of two other things I am thankful for: Puffs Plus tissues (yes, I have a terrible cold and the lotion on the tissues make rubbing it against my sore nose bearable) and Daylight Savings time, but only in the fall. I love getting that extra hour of sleep.

November Daily Thanks - Day 4

Today I am thankful that my husband likes to cook. You see I have felt like I have a piece of sandpaper stuck in my throat for 2 days and I can't get warm and my head feels like it weighs about 50 lbs and I just want to let it fall on my desk and take a little nap. I have worked a bunch this week and I am tired and sick and just bleh! The thought of cooking dinner or even eating dinner really isn't that appealing to me. However, my wonderful husband suggested that he make a roast chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy for dinner and I thought YUM! That is just what I need, comfort food. Yay!

And as a bonus, the college daughter called this morning and is coming home for the weekend, so the whole family will be together.

And, I have nothing planned for the weekend and I can just relax and chill.

Said husband and college daughter, 3 weeks ago at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

November Daily Thanks - Day 2 and 3

So I messed up on only the second day. I guess I forgot to factor in the time component for a project such as this, but I refuse to feel despair and I figure - just go with it and do what I can. So today you get 2 things I am thankful for.

First, I am thankful for my heated seats in my car. On chilly mornings such as the past couple, they have really made me warm and toasty and they heat up really fast. Since I don't like to wear a coat, especially when I am driving, they really help to make me comfortable first thing in the morning.

The second thing I am thankful for is Josh Freeman. Josh is a former boss who tragically passed away several years ago. Last night I had the opportunity to listen to Steve Bisciotti (owner of the Baltimore Ravens) speak and one of the things that stood out to me was not only his belief in leadership principles, but the ability to create an atmosphere where people could come to work and grow in their abilities, but have fun too. He was referring to his decision to hire John Harbaugh when he fired Brian Billick. He mentioned that he could have hired an established long time coach like Marty Schottenheimer who would have come into the organization and immediately know how to put all the puzzle pieces in place to win games or he could have gone with someone young who had to learn the puzzle making process, which would be way more fun. I think we all know what direction he went in.

Josh was the same kind of person. He created a work atmosphere that was challenging, but fun; demanding, but creative; that one of a kind special place that it was a pleasure to go to everyday. He put together a team of leaders that were inspirational and educational and my years spent there were some of the best years of my life.

I miss working for you Josh and I am thankful that I had the opportunity to experience the magic you created.

Joshua M. Freeman 1964-2006

November Daily Thanks - Day 1

Today marks the first day of my mission to blog everyday during the month of November to mention something that I am thankful for. My topics will not be in any kind of order, some may be serious and some may be whimsical. It is my quest to end my year on a high note and to recognize all the good in my life.

So today I am thankful for my Dad who passed away this year. My dad was a simple man who simply lived to please others. He was quiet and reserved and very intelligent. He taught me a lot of life's important lessons and was always there for me.

Here is a picture of him on his 90th birthday which was this past January:

I wasn't going to start off with him as I wanted to pick something more upbeat and funny to start with, but I dreamt of him last night and in my dream he was just as he was before he passed away but he was able to talk to me and he told me he loved me.

Thank you Dad for the gift of your love, always.