Today I posted up my “before” picture on Twitter.  I usually never share this with anyone.  It was a big deal for me.  I am grateful to have lost 150 pounds.  I struggle to keep it off, but so far I’ve been able to maintain.  As you may have suspected, I can’t think of 10 things starting with Q that I am grateful for.  But, here goes…

Gratitude Letter Q

Quality.  I believe in buy quality.  It may be more expensive but it surely lasts!

Questions.  How would you ever learn without asking questions?

Quiet time.  Everyone deserves alittle quiet time.  Usually mine happens in the bathroom, since this is the only time I get to be alone!  hehe

Quotes.  I love quotes.  Most times, every time I write, I post up a quote.  I even keep a quote notebook…I’m geeky that way.

Quitting time.  4:30 could not come fast enough for me!

See ya tomorrow.

There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed.  If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude.  ~Robert Brault

Boy, am I grateful today.  I went to lunch, which is a rare occasion.  Usually I sit at my desk, eat too many snacks, gripe because I don’t see the sunshine all day long, and complain that everyone in the world gets a lunch hour but me!!  However, today was a different story.  I went to lunch (gee, I already said that) and went to make a donation to SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now).  When I arrived, an old co-worker was there.  She immediately said how great I looked and that I looked like I had lost weight.  WOW!  I love compliments!  Truth is, I think I look horrible today and I surely have gained five ten pounds since seeing her last.  BUT, I honestly believe I owe the compliment to my Gratitude list.  Ya see, I’m in much better spirits these days.  I genuinely feel good.  Other that the gratitude blog, the only other change I have made is drinking more water (Thanks to Joanna) but that only started 2 days ago!  So, it must be the Gratitude list!  Or at least the Gratitude list is going to get the credit this time.

Speaking of gaining weight, I have actually been doing well on my diet.  More water, less snacks, keeping a food diary, etc.  Even though you are not supposed to weigh everyday, I do…My weight is fluctuating, but it appears, based on the scales today that I have lost 4 pounds.  Hey, I’ll take it!  Must be the water…

Gratitude Letter P

Pajamas.  I love my pajamas.  I even have some with the feet in them (like when I was a kid).  The best thing about Saturdays other than not working is that I can stay in my pjs all day if I want.  In most cases, I do.

Photographs. I love to take pictures.  I have several cameras and carry one with me every where I go.  I want someone to look back at my pictures in 30 years and say how much fun I had.  Or at least that I did something…

Patience. It’s a virtue.  What else can I say?

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Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can-there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.

My son started middle school today.  For some reason I felt so sad.  Perhaps it is because he is growing older (which means I am growing older, too!).  It could be because my baby is not really a baby anymore.  Who knows?  What I do know is my son is a good kid and is not ashamed of who he is.  He really marches to a beat of a different drummer.  For that, I am grateful.  He does not try to be like others.  He is his own person.  For that, I am also grateful.

I’m also grateful for the Letter O… :0)

Olive Oil.  Yum.  I don’t cook alot, but I always use olive oil when I do.  Plus, it keeps my noodles from sticking together.

Oreos.  The new kind.  Vanilla with vanilla center.  I don’t buy cookies but my mom sure does.  When I visit her on Sunday, she always has Oreos.  Another reason I am grateful for her!  She buys cookies!

Opinions.  I’m opinionated and that’s okay.  Opinions are like…well you know.  Everyone has one.

October.  Month of the invented holiday that provides me with unlimited amounts of candy (Halloween).  Also, Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. 

Office.  As in THE OFFICE.  I love Michael Scott!

Open Door Policy.  A good manager (like me) always follows this rule.  My employees are happy employees.  For this, I am grateful.

Originality.  Like my son, I am also my own person.  For the most part, I do not care what people think of me (but I do care what they think…).

Organic.  I always try to buy organic when I can.  It tastes better and is better for me.  I just stocked up on organic ketchup!  Okay, real veggies too…\

Office supplies.  Am I the only one addicted to office supplies?  I can spend hours looking in Staples.  I always buy the coolest desk accessories and newest pens.  Gosh…another addiction.

Organization.  My office is complete chaos right now, but I love it when it is neat and organized.  That is rare, but I love it.  Something to be grateful for when it happens.

See ya tomorrow.

Okay, so I missed a day.  I have a really good excuse.  I had an accident on my bike.  No, not some massive Harley…but my Schwinn.  I was in so much pain, and my pride was hurt so bad, I didn’t think it was a very good idea to post anything on my gratitude list!  Now, my wounds still hurt but my pride is all better (sort of).  So here is another double dose of gratitude.  M & N.

Gratitude Letter M

Moms. Everyone has one.  Mine is just one of the greatest.  It took me a long time to figure that out.  Better late than never.

Mastercard. How would I ever afford my expensive taste without it.  A $300 bag is much easier to swallow in payments!  hehe

Manners.  My son actually uses his manners.  I worked hard to teach him this.  This makes me proud and grateful.

Mayonnaise.  Yes, some may hate it.  Me, I love it.  Too much fat though…so only for special occasions.

Matinees. Movies are so much cheaper before 5:00.  Guess when I go to the movies?

Mt. Dew.  The diet one.  “Nuf said.

MacBook Pro. This is my new love.  I can’t live without him.  We are inseparable.  I would marry this machine!  Really…

Make-up. One day I will get up the nerve to post a picture without makeup.  For now, I will stick to wearing it.  I don’t want to scare anyone away!

Macaroni Grill. If you want to take me somewhere for a special occasion, this is where I want to go.  They have the best salmon in town.  I have a secondary list of favorite places to eat, but Romano’s Macaroni Grill is my fave!

Gratitude Letter N

Nursery Rhymes. I still love these.  Even at 35.  My son has outgrown them.  Luckily I have a niece that is the perfect age.

Nike. My nike running shoes are the most comfortable shoes ever.  I, of course, don’t use them for running.

Nectarines. Just like a peach…only without the fuzz.

Napoleon Dynamite. Okay, a cheesy movie.  I still love it.  I can quote the entire movie.  I’ll try to refrain…

New York. I love shopping in New York.  I’ve only been there twice but would love to go back.  What a neat place to visit.

Nuts.  Almonds are my fave, but I love ‘em all.

Necklace.  I have the nicest necklace from an old friend.  She and I never talk anymore but I think of her every time I wear that necklace.  I miss her!

New Car Smell. My car will be paid off in a few months.  I miss the new car smell.  Should I go out and get a new car, just for the smell?  Maybe.  I’ll let you know.

NBC. Home of my favorite tv shows.  I love The Office and Law and Order!

North Carolina. My home state.  I can’t imagine ever leaving this beautiful place.  I live in the mountains, but can drive to the coast within a few hours.  Such a great place to live.

Sorry…I can’t help myself…Quote from Napoleon Dynamite-

“I see you’re drinking 1%. Is that ’cause you think you’re fat? ‘Cause you’re not. You could be drinking whole if you wanted to.”

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

I went on a long walk with my son today.  It is amazing the things I learn from him.  He is only 11 but wise beyond his years.  He starts middle school in just a few days.  Where does the time go?  I am grateful to have him in my life and for the time I share with him.  He is a good kid with manners.  Yeah, I know, can you believe it? 

I’m on another diet.  I’ve lost two pounds but I’m starving to death.  I’m eating every two hours so I think it is all mind hunger, not real hunger.  Regardless, I can’t stop thinking about food.  Every stupid commercial that comes on tv is a stinking food advertisement.  UGHHH…I’m not happy about that.  But grateful I do have food to eat (how’s that for a cover-up?)

Gratitude Letter L

Love.  I love being in love.  It is the best feeling.

Laughter.  The sound of laughter is contagious.

Life.  It is great to be alive. 

Lime jello.  I use this to make diet key lime pie.  YUM!

Lip Balm.  addicted to it!  Really.

Letters.  I love to get real letters (not bills). It is special to recieve a handwritten letter.

Lyrics.  I should go on that show.  I know the words to millions of songs…well maybe thousands…

Low Cal.  Gotta love it…

Lightning bugs.  I had to most fun as a child.  Some of my best memories as a child are catching lightning bugs.

Liposuction.  Not that I can afford it, but I am thankful for the technology for when I can… )

See ya tomorrow…