There's possibility...

The number one thing I am thankful for is possibility.  Everything is possible if you want it and go for it.  There is nothing else that excites me more than that.

New things? Why not!

I'm thankful for the freedom I have in my life to try things.  The beauty of life is that you don't get one path to take.  There are many many many paths and I get to choose where I want to go and how I want to do it.  I am so lucky to be able to try things.  Whether or not it works out, I got to try.  THAT is what life is about.  No one has it figured out completely and if you don't have the guts to try you're trapped.  Thank God that's not me.

Be thankful for falling down

I am thankful for all the times in my life that I've failed and had to try again.  Every time we fail it is a chance to change our lives.  We have to learn and grow but we can't do that if we don't figure out what works for us.  I've never truly crashed and burned before, at least not badly enough that I couldn't get back up.  But that's the important thing; I got back up.  Sometimes on my own and I dusted myself off.  Sometimes I needed a little more support and help.  But every time, I've found a way to get back on my feet and keep going.  That's an incredible thing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!  

I hope everyone has a warm place to spend it with good food and better company.

I've been drawn into the family fold again and headed home to the parentals' house.  This was also Jake's first time meeting my family.  I'm happy to say that everyone behaved themselves marvelously.  I've brought someone home before but never someone I cared this much about so I was a little nervous but I don't think it scared him off.  And I think the family liked him.  Good times all around.

I'll be thankful for that!

It's the little things...

I am thankful for the little things in life that make me smile.  It might be the antics of my cat chasing ghosts, Whitman's goofy face, post-it notes, lavender lotion, or sea shells.  I think that we should spend time everyday finding the little things in life that was can take joy in instead of rushing around and worrying all the time.  Life should be enjoyed.  There's nothing more beautiful than the small moments.

Beautiful Colorado!

I am thankful for this beautiful state, Colorado.  I've thought about moving away but something about beautiful Colorado keeps drawing me back.  The mountains really do speak to me.  I'm a Colorado girl through and through and I am thankful that I get to be here in this gorgeous place.

Edumacated!

I'm thankful for my education.  Getting through college was horrible.  My college years were probably the hardest of my life.  However, I am so thankful that I dragged myself through and got that diploma.  I've accomplished something.  It is certainly something to be proud of.  I never thought I would say this, but I am actually thinking about going back to school at some point.  Better myself.

Healthy and Happy!

I'm thankful for my health.  FINALLY!  I've been sick for a while, so long that being healthy seems like a distant memory.  However, I am overall fairly healthy.  I don't have an illness that dramatically changes my life.  For that, I am thankful.  You have a lot when you have your health.

Heavenly Coffee

I'm thankful for coffee, heavenly coffee.  That shouldn't surprise anyone that knows me.  Heck my blog is named for it.  That first sip of coffee is incredible and just sets the mood for the rest of the day.  That's why a good cup of coffee is important.

Working for a living

I'm thankful for my jobs.  Although I might complain sometimes, I am thankful to have my jobs.  Working is a good feeling.  I may need to do some changes in this area coming up in my life but I'm thankful to at least have a job.  Baking cookies for dogs may seem silly but I have so much fun doing it.  That's a great thing.

The house!

I am thankful for my house.  I know it will never be completely done.  It will forever need work of some kind but I'm thankful I get to call it mine. It is mine to do with what I will and it feels very adult to own a home.  When did that happen?

My man!

I'm thankful for Jake.  Jake makes me feel special and beautiful and he makes me laugh.  What more can I ask for in a man?  Dating has always been a bit hard for me because I don't think I knew myself.  Now that I know myself I am so happy to share that with a guy like him.  Kisses!

All my friends!

I am thankful for all my friends.  It is impossible to list everyone but you know who you are.  Friends make life worth living and I thank you for sharing it with me!

All the Family

I am thankful for ALL of my family.  I have a huge extended family.  I love them dearly and its sad that I don't get to see them as much as I used to due to time and finances.  However, I still love them dearly.  It's a great feeling that if I ever needed them, the whole group would band together.  They live close to each other so they have a much stronger bond than I do but I know that they love me just as much as I love them.  The beauty of family is that no matter how different you are, you love each other.

Love my family!

Another lifelong friend!

I am thankful for Sarah.  She is another lifelong friend that has come and gone a bit in my life but we've reconnected.  For the longest time, she was the closest person to me.  Through some hard teenage times, Sarah was there for me.  We have more inside jokes than anyone else.  No matter what, we can be there for each other and make each other laugh.  Hopefully, for many many more years to come.

Love you, Sarah.

Seany-boy

I am thankful for Sean, a lifelong friend.  Sean has come and gone in my life a bit but I'm so thankful I have him.  We have SO much, maybe too much, fun together and you can't put a price on that.  Not only that, I know that no matter what happens, Sean is there to support me.  No matter where life takes us, I know we'll be friends.  We're kindred spirits!

Love you, Sean!

Dog Training

I'm thankful for the opportunity to do what I love, dog training.  I may never make a killing at it but I love it and that is what is important.  Working with dogs has been the main joy in my life and I am so thankful for Lucky Dog University for providing that opportunity for me.  Not only that, being a part of LDU has opened so many doors and experiences for me that I never would have gotten to do otherwise.  The ABDT Conference is the most recent example!

With Dr. Ian Dunbar.

With Terry Ryan after Chicken Camp

My Dog People

I'm thankful for Lucky Dog University, which has brought me into contact with some wonderful people.  I am very lucky to call many of them my friends.  It took me so long to find a place and people with whom I felt I truly belonged.  What a blessing to bond with everyone over our shared love of dogs.  Friendships have been built beyond that and they are so important to me.

I love all my LDU people past and present!

Just as geeky as me!

I am thankful for Astrid.  We're different in so many ways but I couldn't have chosen a better person to go on this journey of dog training with me.  She inspires me and I very much look up to her.  We're also just geeky enough that we bond outside of training.  I'm so glad she's a friend and colleague.

Love you, Astrid!

Mentor, Friend

I'm thankful for Angie, my mentor and friend.  Angie knows I love her even if I am rattling my cage a bit.  I love her and I am so thankful for everything she has done for me.  She is the one who gave me my road to my dream and I can never repay her for that.  What I'm even more thankful for is that she was become a close and trusted friend.  That is rare in this world.

Love you, Angie!

Veterans Day!

Thank you to everyone that has served this great country of ours.  It irritates me that it is "uncool" in the culture today to be patriotic.  I don't care though; I love this country and I'm proud to be an American.  That means I am proud of those that have chosen to serve it.

Thank you to all that have served, are serving and will serve in the future.  Especially close to my heart are my brother, cousins and my beau, Jake.  I also like to remember my Grandpa Joe today.  He served this country in WWII when we needed brave men to defend us.

I spent today with Jake and his son up in the mountains.  We did some shooting.  I'm not very good haha.  His guns are heavy and I have a hard time holding them up for any amount of time.  Then we went off roding in his truck.  Yes he's one of those guys with a truck haha.  It was a lot of fun!

Kat!

I'm thankful for my friend, Kathleen.  She also knows more about my inner thoughts and who I am than most people.  I'm proud of her for coming all the way to Colorado away from her family.  Our lives may always change but I'll always have you.  Our friendship has been such a big part of my life that she's really influenced who I am and where I am headed.  Thank you for being there for me, even when you were far away!

Love you, Kathleen!

My Friend from Cradle to Grave

I'm thankful for Caitlin H, my oldest friend.  There are few people outside my family that know me as well as Caitlin does.  And she still loves me!  She's the kind of friend that really is a part of you.  No matter how long it has been, I can reach out to her and I know she is there.  We were babies together, kids together, made it through separate schools and was one of the few people I think could survive backpacking Europe with me.  That says a lot about Caitlin.  I am truly blessed to have such a friend.

Love you Cailtin!

Angels on my Shoulder

I am so thankful for the two angels on my shoulder, Gerani and Vallie.  Although losing them was like losing a piece of my soul I could never get back, having them with me changed who I was for the better and changed the course of my life.  If you know me, you know how I feel about my dogs.  Vallie was my soul mate.  Gerani was such a gentle soul that I got to share with so many people.  They are both blessings.

Love you, Gerani and Vallie!

Kitten Cat!

I'm thankful for Theo.  He got the short end of the stick in some ways because I'd never had a cat before.  He's been very patient with me though.  It's very kind of him to let me live in his house.  I love the way he snuggles with me at night.  I love how he can carry a conversation and how I can hear him walk across my floor (he really isn't all that sneaky or dainty).

Love you, Theo!

Whitters!

I'm thankful for my boy, Whitman.  I've always had a huge heart for dogs and I got used to having really well trained dogs.  Then Whitman came along.  He's a different dog than I thought I wanted but I love him dearly for that.  No dog has ever made me laugh as much as he has.  He may not be the demo dog Gerani was but he certainly has personality.  Plus he's just the sweetest and most handsome little guy!

Love you, Whitman!

Younger Brother

I'm thankful for my brother, Riley.  He's younger than me but maybe the most kindred spirit to me.  I'm so happy that I get to share so much of who I am with him.  He followed my steps and majored in English Literature but I know he could have done anything that he wanted to do.  I remember the days when he was reading books on quantum physics while I could barely understand the title.  One smart cookie.  I love his bravery in expressing his views and exploring the life he wants.

Love you, Riley!

Older Brother

I'm thankful for Geoffrey, my older brother.  We haven't always gotten along (thanks for shoving me down the stairs in my walker as a baby), however we are a lot alike.  I love that he is up for seeing silly movies like The Lorax with me.  I've also never seen someone who can recite lines from any source just to make the rest of us laugh.  I'm also proud you serve our country!

Love you, Geoff!

A Third Brother

I'm thankful for Jak.  I couldn't ask for a better brother-in-law.  He was meant to be a part of our family.  He makes me laugh and more importantly, he makes my sister happy.  Although I don't always know what he is talking about, I admire the way his mind works and it never fails to amuse me.  I am so glad he's a member of this family.

Love you, Jak!

Sister of Mine

I'm thankful for my sister.  There are few people in this world whose opinion I truly truly value.  My sister is one of them.  I love the fact that we are so similar that we can look at each other, make an off hand comment, and both laugh.  She understands me. That's a precious precious thing.  She's also the one who has given me the best advice in my life.

Thank you for always being there for me Caitlin.  I know you always will be.

My Mom

I'm thankful for my mom.  We may not always see eye to eye but I know that I'd be hard pressed to find someone that has more influenced who I am today.  She never accepted the fact that I could be anything less than what I am.  Without her I wouldn't be able to read and I would have been left behind, brushed to the side.  I owe everything that I've accomplished since then to her believing in me.  When I believe in myself I know that it is because my mom believes in me.

Love you Mom!

Topo Gigio

I'm grateful for my dad.  He's been a source of strength and comfort in my life.  I know that no matter what, I can call on my dad and he's there for me.  He goes above and beyond for me and for that I can never thank him enough.  I'm a daddy's girl through and through.

Love you Dad!

November- The Month of Thanks

November- the month of thanks.

Most of you who know me, know I'm not a huge fan of Thanksgiving the day.  First of all, I double the first Thanksgiving went down in such a lovey dove, let's-be-friends way.  Let's not forget the settling of European s in America wasn't exactly friendly.

Second, I don't like to eat that much.  I don't like eating until the point where I feel like I'm going to throw up.  I eat, I get full and I stop eating.  No need to push it.  Honestly I'd rather graze than sit down and eat a meal.  So having this huge meal of all these great foods I love is torture.  I have to eat tiny portions of everything and it kind of defeats the point.  Then for the rest of the week you can't eat anything but Thanksgiving food.  It just throws everything out of wack.

Third, I don't like cooking that much.  And I really don't like cooking just because I'm a woman, which I do feel like is an expectation for some people.  Hey, maybe I'd rather watch football despite my gender.

Anyway, that's all beside the point.  Whether or not I like Thanksgiving itself, I think it is a good thing to remember and acknowledge everything in life you are lucky to have and that you're thankful for.  So this month, I'm doing that.

In no particular order I'm going to highlight things and people I am thankful for.