Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday: I’m Thankful For . . .



Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week, I’m talking about things I’m thankful for. I’ve done this topic several times in the past (because Thanksgiving comes every year, and I’ve been blogging for way too long), so I’m going to challenge myself. No repeats! These are all things that have not appeared on my previous thankfulness lists. A few of them seem insignificant, but whatever. They make me happy.





I’m Thankful For . . .





1. Baby Brooklyn! My niece (and relentlessly noisy roommate) was born in February 2019. I love her! She’s small and ridiculous and keeps life interesting. Also, I’ve trained her to clap whenever she sees me, so I’m finally getting the applause I deserve.


Yes, I realize that this is the wrong holiday, but she looks so misleadingly innocent in her Halloween costume.






2. Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog. Some people say that internet friends aren’t real friends, but those people are full of nonsense. You weirdos are for sure my real friends. I love you all. I “met” Grace online in 2015, and her blog quickly became one of my favorites. For years, we chatted several times a week in comments or on Twitter. I know she was a real friend because I don’t think it’s possible to miss a stranger as much as I miss Grace.








3. My job. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen me whine about my job because I’m an introvert. Working with the public . . . occasionally tests my will to live. But, honestly, working at a State Park is pretty freakin’ cool. Park rangers are the best coworkers ever, and I get to see wildlife every day. Not many people can say they love their coworkers and their workplace.








4. Game of Thrones. I have many thoughts about the final season. Most of the thoughts are not good, but this show gave me life for years. I’m glad Game of Thrones (and the memes about it) exist.








5. Being a bookworm in the US. When it comes to books, I’m super privileged because of where I live. We have libraries, bookstores, massive publishing companies, subscription boxes, book clubs, conferences, good internet access, endless giveaways. There’s no shortage of bookish stuff. I’m grateful to live in a place where I can surround myself with books.








6. My library. This year, I tried to make use of my local library whenever possible. I discovered the Libby app, which I love. Audiobooks got me through boring workdays and bad bouts of insomnia. Of course there are massive waitlists for everything I want to read, but I don’t mind waiting. I’m happy that libraries exist.








7. Chocolate. It’s yummy. Enough said.








8. Living in a place with walking trails. One of the best things that happened on the blog in 2019 is my Reading & Walking posts. It’s fun to wander around the wilderness while listening to a book. At the end of my street, there’s a path that leads to a 40-mile-long walking trail. That 40 mile trail has offshoots that lead to miles, and miles, and miles of other trails. How cool is that? I could probably walk nonstop for months if I was bored and impractical.


I came across this while wandering last summer.






9. Everyone who donates to my Ko-Fi. When I started this blog, I never thought anyone would read it. That’s why I’m shocked every time someone donates to my Ko-Fi. I’m thrilled that people actually enjoy my book blathering, peculiar graphics, and questionable advice. The donations are used to fund giveaways, like this giant giveaway that’s happening right now. (You should totally enter it. That would be good for my self-esteem.)








10. Harry Potter movies. I’ve seen these movies so many times that I can follow the plots without using my full attention. For me, they’re kind of like comforting background noise. Having them on my screen while I go about my day makes me happy.


Pretty sure this is an exact quote from the movie.










What are you thankful for?








36 comments:

  1. "I’ve trained her to clap whenever she sees me, so I’m finally getting the applause I deserve." - True auntie goals. I wonder if I can convince my nieces (none of whom are babies now) to clap when they see me...

    Love this list! The HP movies are so comforting, you're so right, and I love watching them at this time of year - they always get me in the mood for Christmas.

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  2. I love this! I am endlessly grateful for HP as well! And chocolate OF COURSE.

    My TTT:
    http://megabunnyreads.home.blog/2019/11/23/superlatives-book-tag/

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  3. Your niece is adorable!! Being an aunt is definitely something I'm thankful for as well.
    Also, I wish I had walking trails right around the corner! So I can burn all those calories I take in by eating way too much chocolate :D
    Great list!

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  4. So glad to hear your job makes you happy! My oldest is currently in college majoring in environmental science. He wants to be a park ranger. Great thankful list!!!

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  5. Working at a State Park is such a cool job! I'm happy for you.

    My TTT.

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  6. I talked about Grace on my blog today, too :) I miss her posts and her comments. What a sweet and talented lady she was. RIP, Grace.

    Happy TTT!

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  7. My library i something that I am truly thankful for also. When we went through a hard time a few years ago the only way I could read was through it.

    My Top Ten Tuesday

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  8. Grace is so, so missed in the community. I think about her often and visit her blog just to look back through and reminisce. I'm also thankful for being a reader in the US. Sometimes I forget how good we have it with access to books!

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  9. I only "met" Grace a couple months before she died .I LOVED her blog. I am thankful fr libraies also. Even it is a shitty one in Appalachia they still will hunt down books for you.

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  10. I was laughing out loud the second I saw your first image of this post. The Trump-turkey ... No words.

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  11. Online friends are definitely real friends. And I'm glad you like your job/coworkers most days! I wish I had walking trails near me...it would make getting out and moving a lot more interesting. LOL Aw, your niece is too cute. I love that you trained her to clap when she sees you. YESSS. And chocolate is amazing, as are libraries, and HP everything.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  12. You always crack me up, and I love your "trained" niece. Yes to being thankful for online friends, chocolate, libraries, Harry Potter movies, and being able to surround myself with books. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  13. Okay, I laughed so hard at that Make Thanksgiving Great Again graphic, lol. Your list is fantastic too and it was really nice to see Grace on there. I was just thinking about her the other day and how much I miss reading her posts and seeing her online. She really was the sweetest.

    I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, AJ!

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  14. You made me cry! Losing Grace was tough, but I know I was lucky to have known her. You niece is absolutely precious, and you really do have a cool job.

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  15. This is a great list AJ! I often have to remind myself how lucky I am to be a reader in the US.

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  16. Awwww your niece is adorable and I love teaching babies to clap. ������������ I also feel incredibly privileged to have libraries and so many other bookish things. But I love that you love your job! ������������

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  17. I love the idea of you teaching Brooklyn to clap when you come into the room. Since she lives with you, you couldn’t give the great nephew and niece presents of drums and horns that I was able to when living across the country. I though the park ranger was a summer job—i often wonder why I didn’t become a ranger. Happy Thanksgiving (oh, I’m glad for the time I get to spend on water, whether sailing or kayaking).

    www.thepulpitandthepen.com

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  18. Working with the general public is always a challenge for us introverts! I have sympathy! Yes to Game of Thrones...it has become my obsession and I seem to be one of the few that loved the final season! I like reading or writing while I watch Harry Potter, the Alien films or my Jurassic collection!

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  19. Colorado has the BEST walking trails! The stretch of trail right by my house is kinda boring because it goes past houses and a road that goes to Walmart, but there are nicer stretches of trail that aren't too far. If the weather is nice (not snowy), maybe I should go on one of those hikes when my kids are out on Winter break.

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  20. This list makes me very happy! I remember the days when my nieces and nephews would pretty much shriek with delight when I walked in the door. Now they're all 30 and kind of give me the head nod thing. I hope you have a delightful Thanksgiving.

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  21. I didn't know Grace the way other people did, but I definitely saw the impact that she had on the blogging community. Working in a state park sounds awesome! State parks in general are appealing to me because in the UK we don't have state or national parks in the way that the US does.

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  22. I love this list! I'm totally thankful for my library, too!

    I miss Grace, too. It's always a little bit of a shock when I see her reviews pop up on Goodreads.

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  23. So much to be thankful for! Thank you so much for sharing. Also, I choked on laughter for the meme you started this post with, and then got a little choked up on your tribute to Grace. I'm sending you all the love in the world!

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  24. Congratulations, because I am somehow laughing while tears are streaming down my face and I don't know many people who can accomplish that! Your niece is absolutely precious, and good work training her early 😂 I too miss Grace- I think you're right about how we know she was a real friend ♥♥ I love your walking posts, so I am grateful you live in such a nice place too! Also, you're very lucky about your job! And we're both lucky to be a reader in the US, so true. This is an awesome post, thank you for sharing iT!

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  25. I love reading this list of all the things you are thankful for. Lucky you. Your niece is, of course, adorable, and you are so fortunate to be her aunt. And a wonderful job. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  26. What an awesome list!! Your niece is adorable! Being an aunt is the best, so I understand!!

    Oh gosh... I have a lot of bad thoughts on GoT the last season but I LOVED the whole series until then. As much as, I am so disappointed, I can admit it also gave me life for many years! Lol

    Also, your job sounds great! :)

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  27. I only "knew" Grace for about a year, and she made it so easy to get comfortable with her. I cannot imagine losing her her after knowing her for years like some of you had. (((((((HUGS))))))) 💔

    Brooklyn! She's such a cutie. 👶✨

    It is a great job when you like your coworkers, and Harry Potter movies for the win! 🙌🙌🙌

    Thanks for sharing your list. 👍✨

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  28. I'm so sorry about Grace. She was always so sweet and positive.

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  29. An awesome list of things to be thankful for! Your niece is absolutely adorable!

    (And the turkey meme at the top of the post had me in stitches of laughter. :)

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  30. Great list! Love the Harry Potter movies, and thanks for that awesome giveaway! Also, your niece is adorable! Thanks for visiting my Top 10 last week as well!

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  31. Awww! Your niece is so cute. :) Wonderful thing to be thankful for. :) Appreciate your visit to Finding Wonderland last week, thanks!

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