August 31st

Today I'm grateful for #kg2014.

I went to my third wedding of the season and it was amazing. There was so much love and appreciation between, for, and from the bride and groom. I'm grateful for being there to celebrate the happy couple and being with good friends. The whole experience was so lovely.

August 30th

Today I'm grateful for stemless wine glasses.

I purchased some stemless wine glasses today. And then, of course, had to purchase some wine to go in them. I prefer stemless glasses because they don't seem as fragile and they are so much easier for me to hold. I had a relaxing evening trying out the new glasses.

August 29th

Today I'm grateful for free tickets.

I made it to two Em's games in one week thanks to free tickets! We had another fun night at the game and then went and played shuffle board after. Good friends, good entertainment, good times.   

August 28th

Today I'm grateful for Klondike.

Klondike, being my city league team not the the ice cream bar (but I like those too). We struggled through an eight week season with not a single win. Tonight was our last game and we didn't win but we played hard the whole game and had positive attitudes. Despite an 0-8 record, we ended the season on a high. I appreciated everyone's persistence and patience.

August 27th

Today I'm grateful for friend dinners.

I ate dinner at a friend's house tonight and it turned into a mini Friendsgiving. It was originally going to be just three of us but it turned out that two others joined. We all brought a little something and ended up having an impromptu feast. I enjoyed the low-key but friend and food filled evening.

August 26th

Today I'm grateful for burger and brew.

I went to an old favorite for their burger and brew night. It's a ripping deal and I'm always so satisfied after going. Cajun fries for the win!

August 25th

Today I'm grateful for baseball.

I went to my first baseball game of the summer with my two roommates tonight. First, it was great since we haven't been able to spend much time together since we're all such busy young women. Second, we had such a great conversations. Third, for me, there's something about baseball in the summer that just feels so good. I grew up playing softball so there's definitely nostalgia, and I just love the sounds, the smells, and the tastes of watching/playing the game.

August 24th

Today I'm grateful for tamales.

My sister invited me down to help her eat the tamales she spent all day making. I, obviously, was happy to help out. Turns out they were delicious! I had a great visit which not only included tamales, but a tour of all the new animals and plants on the Marro homestead and star gazing.

August 23rd

Today I'm grateful for lunch with my aunt.

My aunt was passing through town today and she invited me to lunch. I'm grateful for the opportunity to spend time and catch up with her. She's a lovely woman and some one I look up to.

August 22nd

Today I'm grateful for volleyball.

My friends and I traveled out to a winery (which I totally thought was going to be my grateful) after work. One friend locked her keys inside her house so we tracked down her roommate who was playing sand volleyball with a group of mutual friends. All of us ended up joining the game and had such a fun time. I enjoy these kinds of spontaneous activities and glad I have such active friends.

August 21st

Today I'm grateful for simple pleasures.

I had another long, but rewarding work day. We had an all day training in Portland so I was up extra early to drive there and out late driving back. When I got back, my partner and I ate a simple dinner in a park, went on an easy stroll through cute neighborhoods to a local ice creams shop. After eating our delicious cones we meandered back through the neighborhood and called it a day. I appreciated spending a relaxing time together after a long day.

August 20th

Today I'm grateful for dessert potlucks.

We had a dessert potluck today to say goodbye to one of my work colleagues. I'm sad to see her go but grateful for all the sweet treats I got to sample today. I'm also grateful for this co-worker as she was excellent for morale and maintained calm even during stressful work situations.

August 19th

Today I'm grateful for half birthday friends.

I found a friend who's birthday is on my half birthday, so now I have a buddy to celebrate with every month! Today is his 1/4 birthday and my 3/4 birthday. We planned to have a celebration, but since it's a Tuesday, and we're getting older every day, it didn't really work out. Alas, I'm still grateful for finding my half birthday friend.

August 18th

Today I'm grateful for surprises.

A friend started a much awaited new job today. I was invited to surprise her to celebrate. It was fun coordinating with the organizer of the surprise and it went off without a hitch! She had no idea there was going to be a group of us waiting for her. She was surprised AND happy.

August 17th

Today I'm grateful for Mt. Rainier and her National Park.

We went exploring and hiking today after eating our breakfast of cinnamon rolls. We only had the day but I felt like we made the most of one afternoon. There's definitely more to explore and I'm glad that it will still be there next time I go back.

August 16th

Today I'm grateful for camping.

We went camping in Mt. Rainier National Park--another new place for me this summer. We had a great campsite, roasted hot dogs and s'mores, and stayed up late telling stories by the fire.

August 15th

Today I'm grateful for cinnamon rolls.

I'm going camping this weekend and in charge of bringing breakfast. I decided to make homemade cinnamon rolls. I discovered it's a bit of a long process but overall easy. And most importantly delicious!

August 14th

Today I'm grateful for bike rides.

I got off work a little early so I biked home using a longer, more scenic, route along the river. I haven't been going on many bike rides this summer (other than my regular commuting) because my bike is slightly too big. I'm still borrowing one since mine was stolen in the winter. This ride was so pretty and peaceful it might inspire me to finally purchase my own bike again.

August 13th

Today I'm grateful for gift certificates.

A friend gave me a gift certificate for cat sitting while she was on vacation. The certificate was for a café that I have had drinks at but I had never eaten there. I had a very yummy sandwich and loved trying something new and especially not having a bill at the end of the night. 

August 12th

Today I'm grateful for strength.

I'm back to track workouts after a six-week hiatus from playing frisbee. It's such a different workout than ultimate. My body finds frisbee easier, but it still manages to push through the track workout and I feel strong at the end. I'm also grateful for strength in numbers--it's so much easier to complete the workout when there are others people there too!

August 11th

Today I'm grateful for sunflowers.

We were treated to another evening of a slow sunset. Hence another neighborhood walk was needed to enjoy it. Along the way we found a small garden of sunflowers. I felt like I had been transported to Kansas or Tuscany. I'm so grateful for these lovely summer evenings.

August 10th

Today I'm grateful for thunder and lightening.

We got back to Eugene after the tournament to a strange and gorgeous sky. If you looked east there was a thunder and lightening show. If you looked west a magnificent sunset. There was a vibrant, stormy energy in the air. It was a great evening for a slow walk and watching nature's show in both directions.

August 9th

Today I'm grateful for Kleinman.

This tournament was rumored to not be happening this year, but the organizers were able to pull it off by moving field locations. I'm grateful it happening because I so, so, so enjoy this group of people. It's a kind, funny, spirited, and talented group of folks who love playing ultimate.

August 8th

Today I'm grateful for outside happy hours.

My good friend and past/future roommate is moving back to Eugene and we decided to reunite at McMenamin's along the river. It was perfect! Cold beer, hot tots, a picturesque scene, and good friends. So glad we got to catch up while enjoying the summer time weather.   

August 7th

Today I'm grateful for the Dirty Turnips.

The Dirty Turnips are a band that my friend and fellow frisbee teammate plays in. He invited us out to watch him play at a brew pub. Quite a few folks took advantage of the invitation and came out to watch. Listening to the band, drinking beer, and talking to people was a pleasant way to end the evening.

August 6th

Today I'm grateful for deep and meaningful conversations.

I called a friend on my lunch hour today expecting to just chat real quick. However, our conversation turned into a very deep and meaningful conversation and I felt very close and supported by her. I feel like I can share a lot with this friend particularly about vulnerable subjects and I know she'll understand. I know that we can lean on each other when we're going through rougher times. 

August 5th

Today I'm grateful for encouragement.

An acquaintance, and hopefully soon to be friend, made an intentional effort to talk to me and offer words of encouragement this evening. His words were totally unexpected but so sweet to hear. I just feel so grateful that I belong to a community that has so many kind people in it. 

August 4th

Today I'm grateful for water aerobics.

Water aerobics is one of my favorite summer time activities and ways to exercise and prior to tonight I hadn't made time to go yet. I had a great time with all the other ladies twice my age and I think I'm going to be able to feel it a little tomorrow. Glad I discovered this activity early and I hope I can do this for many, many years to come! 

August 3rd

Today I'm grateful for vistas.

We had another long car ride to get home today and we had to stop several times, mostly due to traveling with a young kid with a small bladder. The cool part about stopping a lot was having a chance to take in views that I wouldn't have seen if we had just driven straight through. Plus, the kid is pretty adorable.  

August 2nd

Today I'm grateful for family reunions.

My paternal side of the family has started an annual family reunion tradition. This was our second one and we had over 80 folks show up. My family is so large, and it keeps growing, I still haven't met everyone yet. We had four generations present, and I had a bit of time to learn about some family history. My family knows how to eat so we had delicious food and plenty of outside activities too!

August 1st

Today I'm grateful for Multnomah Falls.

My family is driving up to Washington today for a family reunion and we planned to stop at Multnomah Falls as a rest stop. I hadn't been there in a few years and it's impressive every time I see it. We hiked with the kids to the top, which was an adventure all in it's own. I'm grateful we made it.