November 1, 2017 by kimicalreaction - 3 Comments

NaBloPoWhat?

This is my fourth year to participate in the National Blog Posting Month, or NaBloPoMo.

For the unknowing, unwary or uninitiated, it means I’ve committed to posting something every single day, for the 30 days of November, on my blog. I love NaBloPoMo and I really, really want to participate, so I’m going to dedicate my posts this November, to things I’m grateful for, since that should be easy. Right?

It may be words or just pictures from my phone (or both).

Ultimately, I believe that I have so many things to be truly thankful for, that even though sometimes I get temporarily overwhelmed and forget to appreciate all that I have, I can’t run out of content, because my life is full of blessings.

So today, I’m grateful for NaBloPoMo, and for reasons to celebrate the good stuff.

~Grateful for silly photos on my phone that make me laugh~

Three Things Thursday: February 4, 2016

I borrowed this concept from the lovely Nerd in the Brain, who encourages you to steal this “exercise in gratitude” with “wild abandon” by sharing three things that made you smile this week and “fill your blog with the happy.”

This week’s Thing 1: Being in an amazing place.

We had another lovely, extra-long weekend due to our traditional celebration of Burn’s Supper with our family and a few close friends at a truly fabulous home in the North Georgia Mountains.

The weather was beautiful, the views were mind-blowing, the internet was down (ACK!!!) and the cell phone signal almost non-existent (AARRGGHH!!!!), so I went “off-line” for a change and actually enjoyed sleeping in, taking tons of pictures, enjoying long chats with family and “catching up;” cooking (I made Friday night fajitas for 12 people! – first time recipe!) and basking in front of the roaring fire with a book, watching the light and clouds dance across the skyline.

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It was soooooo wonderful.

This week’s Thing 2: Filling up my soul with vast vistas and soaring flights.

Red-tailed Hawk air shows! Daily! No charge! (2-drink minimum)

This week’s Thing 3: Friends who are family and family who are friends

Enjoying the love, companionship and camaraderie while celebrating what is becoming my new favorite annual tradition, Burns Supper.

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And there you have it! Three things that made me smile and brought joy to my week. Thanks as always, Nerd in the Brain, for the inspiration!

January 28, 2016 by kimicalreaction - 4 Comments

Three Things Thursday: January 28, 2016

Thing 1: Kicking this week off with a lovely, extra-long weekend due to a storm “fake out” that got us released from work half a day early on Friday and seemed to add just that soupçon more of playtime to the rest of my time off.

And there was French Toast! ‘Cuz what else do you do with all the eggs, milk and bread!

Thing 2: This month’s “Taste of India” fundraising dinner hosted by the Learning Tea and Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party. I know I wrote about it yesterday, but it did bring some solid fun and warm-n-fuzzies to my Monday.

Thing 3: The most exciting of all! We’re celebrating Burn’s Supper this coming weekend! Most of the last two days have been a whirlwind of packing and planning after work, trying to cover all the logistics needed to host a weekend-long dinner party for twelve people at a home in the North Georgia Mountains.

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This includes loading up our alligator butler, Jeeves, so he can “buttle” the festivities. He’s really quite handy.

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The best part is that we’ll spend four long, lovely days with my parents and eight of our good friends in a dreamily-divine house on top of a mountain, enjoying incredible views and food (and drink), with lots of downtime for reading, blogging, talking and just enjoying life.

Can’t wait! Just one more day to go!

And there you have it! Three things that made me smile and brought joy to my week. Thanks as always, Nerd in the Brain, for the inspiration!

January 27, 2016 by kimicalreaction - 11 Comments

Instant Grat Instagram: Catching up

I warned you that I had a new topic I would pull out whenever the writing genes wouldn’t zip up all the way.

I call it Instant Grat Instagram. {Lamely} bringing you my favorite moments from what is currently my favorite social media platform in a more or less thematic effort.

Hope you enjoy!

This week: Catching up – some recent memories brought to you courtesy of my occasionally trusty phone.

A crazy-beautiful sunset at work.

My baby orchid ($10 at Trader Joes!) is kicking out some gorgeous blooms! Second round since I bought it back in November. Hmmm. Maybe I am the orchid whisperer.

The debilitating dusting of Snow that shut down Atlanta last Friday. I had a highly enjoyable half-day off work hanging out with the hubs. No complaints. 🙂

Sunday brunch with my bestie at Venkmans. Live jazz, bottomless mimosas and finally a chance to get up to speed with all that’s been going on with each other – I haven’t seen her since November!

Monday night’s Taste of India Dinner at Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party. This is a monthly event to raise money for their non-profit, The Learning Tea, that provides homes and college scholarships for young women in India.

As always, Taste of India was an awesome evening of great people and delicious food and an opportunity to hang out with another close friend that I haven’t seen in a bit, Dana.

It’s been a fun and fabulous last few days and a wonderful chance to catch up not just with dear friends, but now with you guys as well.

Once again, made instantly grateful just by looking at the ol’ Instagram. I find it a very helpful attitude adjuster, especially as I’m facing Wednesday morning.

::aarrghh, Wednesday::

Wishing you a happy and picture perfect week!

November 27, 2015 by kimicalreaction - 1 Comment

A Thanks-filled Thanksgiving

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday with my family.

I am so thankful that I got to see my sister-cousin, Patti!

I am so thankful for the very grand dinner…

A Honey-baked ham, roasted turkey, crawfish dressing (and plain cornbread dressing), mashed potatoes and gravy, creamed corn, squash casserole, praline sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, cranberries, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, cheesecake and brownies.

I was grateful to enjoy all of my favorite foods!

I was blessed to be able to spend time with my little niece, Livvy.

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I had the pleasure of playing with Betty, the Boston Terrier.

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I was extra-thankful that David’s Mom Skyped in so she could join the festivities!

And I was truly thankful for all the laughter and joy that filled the day.

My dad creates an elaborate ceremony of dubbing visitor Grace an honorary Ferguson

Grace was very good-spirited about the whole thing (or maybe she’d mustered her courage with some good spirits). Anyhow, perfect Ferguson material.

“I dub thee Gracie Ferguson!”

Newest turkey in the crew!

Mostly, I was overwhelming thankful for the outpouring of love and acceptance from my family. It’s there on Thanksgiving as well as the other 364 days each year.

I am a very thankful girl!

I hope you all had a lovely day filled with the things you are thankful for.

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My Thanksgiving is perpetual.”

Henry David Thoreau

November 12, 2015 by kimicalreaction - 0 comments

Three Things Thursday: November 12, 2015

This week was super-busy, but I had some really nice moments to brighten it up a bit.

Thing #1: Two delightful lunches!

Lunch #1 – the Pace Cetter’s Women’s Business Networking Luncheon at the Capital City Club! I love this group of ladies. They are incredibly kind and positive and the monthly luncheon is something I always look forward to.

Lunch #2 – the annual Thanksgiving Day buffet the hotel throws for all 500+ employees. ::sigh:: There’s a lot of deliciousness, but they really blow it out with the desserts. This occasion was something my former colleague, Cheryl and I looked forward to all year long. We would stuff ourselves silly with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy and pumpkin pie and then lay torpidly on our desks afterwards like beached whales. I miss her a lot (she earned a very well-deserved promotion and transfer), so it was a little bittersweet to go down by myself this year and just have a tiny piece of pie in her honor.

Thing #2: Spending time with people I like

I’m fortunate to work with some really fantastic people. We had a big multi-brand corporate training session this morning at one of our sister hotels, and my co-manager Alp and I got to catch up with our former colleague, Abbey, whom we had no idea would be attending. It was awesome to hang out afterwards over pizza and catch up before we had to heading back to work.

Thing #3 : a truly stunning sunset

Tonight’s sunset, seen from the 72nd floor, was spectacular. I never get tired of them.

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And there you go! Three things that made me smile and brought joy to my week. Thanks as always, Nerd in the Brain, for the inspiration!

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July 23, 2015 by kimicalreaction - 2 Comments

Three Things Thursday: July 23, 2015

“Picture perfect.”

One of my favorite weekly blog challenges is Nerd In the Brain’s Three Things Thursday, where she shares three things that made her smile: her “exercise in gratitude.”

She urges you to “steal this idea with wild abandon and fill your blog with the happy.”

Looking back through the photo gallery on my phone, I was most struck by the lovely skies I saw over the last few days, so I thought I’d share those with you this week. (added bonus that they were all attached to very happy moments!)

It’s a double rainbow all the way. Whoa. Enjoying nature’s “Art” outside of an Art Opening.

Walking home from barre class down the Beltline.

Walking home down the Beltline from a great barre class. O4W Skate Park.

Tonight’s Sunset porn from my front door. Had to stop, drop the groceries and take a picture!

Thank you, as always, Nerd in the Brain, for the inspiration and opportunity to share some happies!