Y'ALL!

Gratitude 

I smile because you're my family. I laugh because there's nothing you can do about it. - Anonymous

To me, family is not just an important thing. It is everything. That's why I'm grateful for you all.

Left: Family Dinner at Uncle Julio's. Right: First Grandson Takes The Gold. 51st AAU Boys Junior National Volleyball Championships. Orlando, Florida: July 2024

For being your amazing self.

For having been faithful readers of my blogs for eight years now. The very first one, In The Beginning, was posted on November 25, 2016.

For participating in and tolerating my piddly contests. BTW, here are responses received on "recurring November theme/imagery": 

AVH - The recurring theme is ELASTIC WAISTBANDS!!

ITV - Reference to elastic waistbands! I win! I bluffed when replying all that I may not have time!

Yup, you're both so right!

A long time ago, when I tried on a pair of skinny-fit jeans and it didn't look good, I just threw it on the floor. Like, No, you don't deserve to be hung up. Sit there and think about what you've done.

When it tried to reason out and told me to walk and exercise, I was like, Nah. I'm good.

Today, my pants have absolutely no desire to fit in (LOL... pun totally intended).

As winners:

* ITV, you'll be treated to brunch or Happy Hour at The Goat

* AVH, you'll get a Vietnamese specialty banh mi + dessert (to make up for "lost" pie slice that was supposed to have been shipped to you by ITV); both to be delivered to Queen's (you'll be texted of date and time)

For YOU ALL, I give thanks for being the compass that guides me. My inspiration to reach great heights. My comfort when I falter.

And when we dine out together, as is our wont, I'd definitely remember to put on my awesome ELASTIC-WAISTBAND PANTS and look fabulous!

Tons More Things

Gratitude 

Piglet noticed that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude. - A. A. Milne

Like Piglet, I do have tons more things that I am thankful for.

* For nights that turn into mornings and dreams that turn into reality

* For all the troubles I didn't have

* For my phone alarm - without it, I would never know what time I accidentally wake up at

* For caller ID to avoid likely-scam calls and people I don't want to talk to

* For silent farts

* Grandma jeans with elastic waistbands

* Forever stamps

* The five-second rule when food is dropped

* Internet recipes I'll never actually make

I'm grateful for small things, big things, and everything in between. Best of all, even though I can't have all I want, I'm thankful I don't get what I deserve.

And as Dr. Seuss says:

You ought to be thankful a whole heaping lot, 

for the people you're lucky you're not!

TV!

Gratitude 

TV is the proper binge.

Thanks to primetime television, I can scan through numerous choices all day and night to get my daily dose of timely news, information, knowledge, and amusement.

How is it bad? Chicago PD, FBI, Jeopardy, and John Stewart's Daily Show, among others, provide first-class entertainment, as far as I'm concerned. My all-time fav contest show right now? Password. It's a game of words where you have to guess your partner's secret word.

Notably, I can exercise one of my greatest talents via streaming media - watching five years worth of a TV show in one week. A lie that I tell myself every time: Just one more episode.

Luv Netflix and T'UBI.

Where else can you enjoy Oscar and Emmy-winning shows for free and in the comfort of home? Perhaps, it should change its message from, Are you still watching? to You should shower and come back.

YouTube is awesome.

I have found amigurumi patterns, DIYs for making notepads and journals out of paper bags, soothing music, and myriad topics that I've been curious about.

The couch is calling. I must go. 

But first, gotta loosen these tight pants' elastic waistband.

Aaaah....

 

Shopping!

Gratitude 

I have enough clothes and shoes, I don't need to go shopping, said no woman ever. - Anonymous

I'm grateful for thrift stores like VOA (Veterans of America) and Five Below (discount $5 or below). They are my go-to shopping destination for affordable and fun fashion. Thanks to their rock-bottom pricing, I could put my money right where I can see it, hanging in my closet.

These places are jammed with good buys. Tees with Yoda and Betty Boop design, among others.

Even a prized Boyz n the Hood sweatshirt. I like to dress to entertain myself. Life is too short to wear boring clothes.

Other buys that I treasure?

Warm socks. They may not match, but my feet are always warm.

Dollar General $1.25 flip flops.

Deodorant.

Cotton panties. 

Pants with elastic waistbands. (Is there anything better?)

Glorious Food

Gratitude 

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.

Thus, this series: my gratitude for some of the best things in my life.

*****

Live. Love. Eat. - Anonymous

I'm in a relationship with food. 

I think it's the foundation of genuine happiness. The ingredient that binds people and family together.

What specific consumables am I most grateful for?

Taco Bell's Nachos Belgrande and the thought that no matter how bad my day may seem, I only have to remember someone out there has to clean the bathroom at Taco Bell.

Chocolate-covered marshmallows. Thank goodness for chocolate because it's the answer, no matter what the question is. Note to self: Eat lots of chocolate when times get rough, and eat more when times are great.

Mixed plate of BBQ beef, boneless chicken, and mahi-mahi with double order of mac salad at the Rainbow Drive-In.

Happy Hour at Roy's. 

Sunday "worship" at Legend Seafood for dim sum.

Piada's carbonara.

And at the end of the day, grateful for elastic waistbands.