30 Things I Am Thankful For This Year

I can't believe the holiday season is upon us once again. 

For a few years now, I have been making a list of things I am thankful for, and am doing so again this year. 

It definitely does help, making a list of things you are grateful for, to see how much you have in life, and how blessed you are.

Here is what I am thankful for this year:

1. Family and friends
2. My cats
3. Music
4. Joni and Friends retreats
5. Photography
6. Baking
7. Audiobooks
8. Painting
9. Knitting
10. Crochet
11. My bike
12. Bullet journaling
13. Junk journaling
14. A new job that I love
15. My Microsoft tablet
16. Warm baths and showers
17. Trying new things
18. Making new memories
19. Fidget toys
20. My home
21. Text messages from friends
22. Composition notebooks (I have quite the collection of these notebooks!)
23. Prayer
24. Stickers (I LOVE stickers!!)
25. Board, card, and video games
26. Swimming 
27. My violin, guitar, and ukulele
28. Puzzles
29. Self care
30. My health

What are you thankful for this year? If you celebrate, happy Thanksgiving!

My Favorite Halloween Movies

To those who celebrate, happy Halloween!!

Since I am too old to go out trick-or-treating, and I don't have any kids of my own to take out, I tend to stay home and watch Halloween movies in celebration of the holiday (which is just fine with me!).

I tend to scare easily, so I prefer the "tamer" scary movies (and there is nothing wrong with that).

Movies are one of my favorite ways to pass the time, and I love diving into another world for a while. Plus, watching movies that are specific to a season or holiday always make that time of year more fun, more special to me.

So, in no particular order, here are my favorite Halloween movies:

• The Nightmare Before Christmas
• Coraline
• Hocus Pocus
• It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
• Monster House
• Beetlejuice
• Casper
• ParaNorman
• Ghostbusters 1 & 2
• Young Frankenstein
• Hotel Transylvania 1, 2, & 3
• Dracula (with Bela Lugosi as Dracula)
• Corpse Bride
• Sweeney Todd
• Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
• The Addams Family & The Addams Family Values

What are your favorite Halloween movies? 

My Top 10 Favorite Fall Activities

Although I prefer the warmer seasons, I do like the activities that come with the cooler seasons as well.

I am one of those people who love to take part in the seasonal activities that come along with each season, and I will definitely do them as long as I can!

It's always fun to celebrate each season as they come, and to celebrate the holidays that come with them.

So, in no particular order, here are my top 10 favorite Fall activities:

1. Pumpkin carving/painting
   This is one thing I will never get tired of doing. I love getting creative, and figuring out what I want my pumpkin to look like.
   
   
2. Watching Halloween/Fall movies
   I'm not a big fan of the really scary movies, so I like to watch the "tamer" Halloween movies. Which is just fine with me! I normally watch holiday movies during the season they are meant for, so that I can enjoy them even more than I would if I watched them all the time.
   
   
3. Baking Halloween/Fall cookies and other treats
   I love to bake, so any reason to bake something makes me happy! Especially if it is holiday/seasonally themed.
   
   
4. Playing video games
   I know this isn't technically a "Fall" activity, but I wanted to include it anyway. I don't play a lot, but it helps me relax when I do. I am a big homebody, so anything that I like to do that can be done at home, makes me very happy!
   
   
5. Snuggling up in bed, under a warm and cozy blanket, watching a video or reading a book
   Another thing that really makes this homebody happy! I am a major homebody, so this is one thing I can be seen doing a lot.
   
   
6. Drinking hot chocolate
   Hot chocolate is my favorite Fall drink, and a classic Fall drink as well.
   
   
7. Baking pumpkin pie
   One of my absolute favorite pies, both to make and to eat. I love it when I get to make something that I and others enjoy eating, and something that is only around for a season makes it even more special and enjoyable.
   
   
8. Putting puzzles together
   Puzzles are one of my favorite hobbies, and I have a good sized collection of puzzles that I like to put together. A few of them are 3D, which are my favorite, as they are more challenging. I normally like to put a puzzle together by myself, but occasionally I will have another person or two, to help me out.
   
   
9. Baking pumpkin seeds
   I love toasted pumpkin seeds, and I try to make them every Fall. They are so good! I usually make them the classic way, with just salt on them, but I might add other seasonings as well, to see how they come out.
   
   
10. Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
    One of my favorite things to watch in the Fall! I love seeing the floats, and the acts that they put on each year. And, of course, seeing Santa at the end!

What are your favorite Fall activities?

My 2022 Fall Bucket List

I can't believe it's September already, and that Fall is just about here. This year is just speeding by!

It's time for my traditional Fall bucket list again! I love making lists of things I want to do, and to see how many I accomplish.

As much as I love the warmer months, Fall brings its own set of things that I love to do, that only happens during the Fall.

In no particular order, here is what I would like to do this Fall:

• Get a new job
• Carve/paint a pumpkin
• Go to a Fall fest
• Watch Halloween/Fall movies
• Make pumpkin pie
• Cook Thanksgiving dinner
• Bake Halloween cookies
• Roast pumpkin seeds
• Go on nature hikes
• Go horseback riding
• Decorate my room for Halloween/Fall
• Purchase Fall candles
• Do a jigsaw puzzle
• Take Fall photos
• Host a game night
• Make a Fall wreath
• Make a scarecrow
• Go thrift shopping
• Make chili
• Make rice Krispie treats
• Pack shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child
• Paint my nails Fall colors
• Watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
• Watch It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
• Go to the movies
• Visit a friend in another state
• Drink hot chocolate
• Go on a picnic
• Have a campfire
• Make caramel apples
• Play the violin
• Knit or crochet a blanket
• Eat candy corn and pumpkins (yep, I'm one of those people; I love that stuff!!)
• Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade  
• Create a Fall/Halloween junk journal
• Dye my hair purple
• Binge watch Outlander
• Binge watch Call the Midwife
• Visit a Renaissance fair
• Decorate a Halloween gingerbread house

I may add more things as time goes on, but at this point, I am happy with this list. I don't expect to accomplish everything, but I would like to do as many as possible.

What do you want to do this Fall? I hope whatever you do, you have a happy Fall season!

Bucket List for Going Out of My Comfort Zone

I am probably the most awkward, shyest, and most introverted person anyone would ever meet.

If I had the choice (which, at the moment, I actually do have the choice), I would spend as much time as possible at home, doing what I wanted, without dealing with other people.

Mostly because I prefer the quiet, the less busy days, and I don't like to be rushed or have multiple things going on at once.

Although, I do want to change that and go out more, do more things, meet more people, have more experiences in my life. So, I decided to make a list of things I would like to do, that would bring me out of my comfort zone (and my shell). Or at least, a list of ideas of things I am willing to do/try.

In no particular order, here is that list:

• Learn how to not be so afraid to do the things I want to
• Surfing
• Indoor skydiving
• Become comfortable with public speaking
• Visit New York
• Start up a conversation with someone I want to get to know
• Do some form of exercise outdoors
• Start my own business/side project
• Write a book and get it published
• Take up a martial art
• Go on a roller coaster/ride that scares me
• Start a YouTube channel and post regularly
• Try snowboarding
• Shave my head (yes, I really want to do this!)
• Learn sign language
• Learn Spanish
• Learn Italian
• Participate in a photo shoot with me in front of the camera
• Get a tattoo in memory of my mom
• Get tattoos in memory of my grandparents
• Get a tattoo in honor of my parents' marriage
• Get a tattoo/tattoos in memory of my pets
• Get my nose pierced
• Learn archery
• Hold a spider (I am VERY afraid of spiders)
• Swim with dolphins
• Write my own songs
• Go paintballing
• Go white water rafting
• Go on a helicopter ride
• Skydeck Ledge at Willis Tower
• Visit the Grand Canyon
• Try a ropes course
• See Hamilton in person
• See Aladdin live
• See The Book of Mormon live
• See The Lion King live
• Become proficient in playing the violin, and record myself playing songs
• Become proficient in playing the guitar
• Become proficient in playing the ukulele
• Become proficient in playing the piano
• Dye my hair purple
• Ride a motorcycle
• Get my driver's license 
• Get into a relationship with a significant other
• Move into my own place
• Meet a favorite actor/band/artist, and ask them for their autograph
• Learn how to make macarons
• Go on a picnic by myself
• Jump off a diving board/platform
• Relax in a sensory deprivation tank
• Take a pottery class
• Ride a camel
• Volunteer abroad
• Learn self defense
• Learn to change a tire
• Get my passport, and visit a foreign country by myself/with friends
• See Blue Man Group in person
• Become financially independent
• Foster animals
• Live in another country for a year
• Volunteer at a food bank
• Sponsor a child in need
• Become comfortable with reaching out to friends on a regular basis, to see how they are doing, and invite them to go on an outing with me
• See the Nutcracker ballet
• See the Globetrotters in person
• Get married
• Have kids of my own
• Stop caring what others think of me
• Volunteer with Wheels for the World
• Love my body enough to take better care of it (eat more healthy foods, exercise on a more regular basis, etc.)
• Purchase my first car/vehicle
• Grow my hair out as long as possible, and take good care of it
• Attend an NHL game
• Learn how to do a handstand
• Learn how to stop impulse buying
• Get another piercing in each ear
• Start a travel savings account
• Learn Photo Shop
• Learn graphic design
• Do a color run
• Try acupuncture
• Go to a country music concert (I grew up listening to country music, yet have never gone to a concert)
• Learn how to mend clothes, other items
• Pay for a stranger's meal/bill/groceries
• Go for 1-mile bike rides, then 2-mile rides once comfortable with that, then eventually go on up to 5-mile rides
• Learn how to apply my own makeup (be good at it) and find the right shades/colors for my skin tone
• Get a facial
• Get my back cracked (yes, I want to do this!)
• Host a game night
• Send flowers to a friend
• Learn how to cook better
• Learn how to bake better
• Improve my cake decorating skills
• Learn how to bake bread
• Unplug completely for 24 hours
• Buy a DSLR camera, and learn how to use it
• Adopt and take care of at least one dog
• Adopt and take care of two birds
• Adopt and take care of two rabbits
• Become more comfortable with making and receiving phone calls
• 
  

I may add more, but I am happy with what I have here.

I know it's a lot, but I am done being afraid of doing what I really want to do, and am ready to break free of my comfort zone.

What are things you would like to do, that are out of your comfort zone? 

My Dream Garden

One thing I would love to be able to pick up, and do on a regular basis is gardening. It is always a calming activity, and seeing my work of taking care of a healthy, flourishing garden would make me very happy.

I have done a little gardening here and there and have loved it. If I have the opportunity to have my own yard someday, I would like to be able to start a garden with at least some of what I would love to grow.

I know I most likely won't be able to have everything on this list, in my garden, and I am fine with that. What I would most like to have is in bold.

So, here is what I would love to have in my dream garden someday:

Flowers, Herbs, Plants

• Sunflowers
• Lavender
• Daisies
• Tulips
• Roses
• Tiger Lily
• Lily of the Valley
• Basil
  
• Mint
• Oregano
• Chamomile

Fruits, Veggies, Etc.

• Carrots
• Brussels sprouts
• Peas
• Potatoes
• Lettuce
• Jalapenos
• Tomatoes
• Asparagus
• Green Beans
• Cucumber
• Spinach
• Pumpkins
• Bananas
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Grapes
• Orange
• Watermelon

Trees

• Lemon
• Apple
• Avocado
• Pear
• Cinnamon

I know this is a lot, but I want to be able to grow as much of my own foods as possible. It would show me that I am capable of doing things myself when I am able to, and I would be doing something that I love.

What do you want to have in your own garden?

100 Things That Make Me Happy

I recently read about a suggestion about writing down 100 things that make me happy, and I figured I would actually do that, as I have been feeling down lately, and wanted a reminder of what makes me happy.

It took me a while to come up with 100 things, but it just goes to show that there is so much to be grateful for, that we take pleasure in.

I never truly realized how many things actually made me happy until making this list/post, and I'm glad I did this. It definitely helps to have a list like this, to help you feel better if you are having a tough time.

So, in no particular order, here are 100 things that make me happy:

1. Nature
2. Animals (especially horses, dogs, and cats)
3. Baking
4. Painting
5. Music
6. Playing games (video, board, card, etc.)
7. Joni and Friends retreats
8. Texting friends
9. Traveling
10. Writing
11. Movies
12. Knitting
13. Crochet
14. Playing the violin
15. Listening to audiobooks
16. Naps
17. The color purple
18. Bike riding
19. Swimming
20. Thrifting
21. Making things with clay
22. Butterflies
23. Photography
24. Chocolate
25. The sound of babies laughing
26. Kids saying hi to me
27. Cheesecake
28. Horseback riding
29. Scrapbooking
30. Learning a new language
31. Beads/beading
32. Hoodies
33. Teddy bears
34. Stickers
35. Beaches
36. Staying up late
37. Puzzles
38. Hot chocolate
39. Long showers/baths
40. Strawberries
41. Rainbows
42. Composition notebooks 
43. Lists (yes, lists make me happy!!)
44. Alone time
45. Sunrises and sunsets
46. Seeing stars in the sky at night
47. The sound and smell of rain
48. The sound of birds chirping
49. The sound of crickets
50. Hugs from friends and family
51. The sound of cats purring
52. Listening to waves
53. The smell of rain on a summer day
54. Snuggling with cats and dogs
55. Sitting on a front porch
56. A girls' night out
57. Exploring a new place
58. Self-care
59. Laying in the grass and looking up at the sky
60. S'mores
61. Brimmed hats
62. Pad Thai
63. Irish music
64. Country music (from the 90's and early 2000's)
65. Christian rock music
66. Pop music
67. Macaroni and cheese
68. Tacos
69. Nachos
70. Fidget toys
71. Country life
72. Bonfires
73. Getting a letter or package in the mail from a friend or family member
74. Cardinals (the birds, of course)
75. Shopping
76. Bullet journaling
77. Junk journaling
78. Planners
79. Pasta salad
80. A cool breeze on a warm day
81. Lemon bars
82. Call the Midwife TV show
83. Outlander TV show
84. Bonanza TV show
85. Mini golf
86. Bagels with cream cheese
87. Laughing with my friends
88. Sleeping in
89. Listening to my favorite song(s)
90. Making someone laugh/smile
91. Lemonade
92. Extra buttery, salty popcorn
93. People believing in me, that I can do anything I set my mind to
94. Finding out I can do something, when I was afraid that I couldn't do it
95. Seeing the stars and moon in the sky at night
96. Friends checking in with me, to see how I'm doing
97. Gardening
98. Pinterest
99. The sound of cicadas in the evening
100. School supplies (yes, school supplies!! I'm not in school anymore, but whenever school supplies go on sale, I am always tempted to buy some.)

And that is my list!

What makes you happy?

My Top 10 Likes and Dislikes

Just like everyone else, I have my own likes and dislikes. They are a part of what makes me me.

I figured I would write this post, so you can get to know me a little better, to understand me better. Much of the time, it is hard for me to get the right words to say want I want to say, to get my point across, and writing helps me with that.

It allows me to take my time to find the right words, so others can understand what I want to tell them.

Hopefully with things like this post, you (and others) can get a better sense and understanding of who I am, and why I am the way I am.

So, without further ado, here are my top 10 likes and dislikes:

Likes

1. Photography
   
   
2. Writing
   
   
3. Baking
   
   
4. Animals
   
   
5. Joni and Friends retreats 
   
   
6. Warm weather
   
   
7. String instruments
   
   
8. Brimmed hats
   
   
9. Rainy days
   
   
10. Naps/sleeping

Dislikes

1. Cold weather 
   
   
2. People judging me before getting to know me
   
   
3. Public speaking
   
   
4. A lot of sounds going at once
   
   
5. Tapping sounds (feet, pens/pencils/etc., fingers, etc.)
   
   
6. Being put on the spot
   
   
7. Confrontations 
   
   
8. Spiders
   
   
9. Starting a conversation, especially with people I don't know
   
   
10. Running (I never liked running, even as a kid)
    
    
    

What are your likes and dislikes?

Me A to Z

I have seen people make an A to Z list, describing themselves, and decided to make one of my own.

It took me a while to come up with all the words to fill the list, but I got it all filled up, and I hope it gives you a little more insight into who I am.

I am:

• A  Animal lover
  
  
• B  Baker
  
  
• C  Creative
  
  
• D  Different
         Day-reamer
  
  
• E  Empath/Empathetic
  
  
• F  Faith-filled
        Friendly
  
  
• G  Genial
         Gentle
  
  
• H  Homebody
  
  
• I  Introverted
  
  
• J  Jolif (meaning: marked with a pleasant and joyful character)
  
  
• K  Kind
  
  
• L  Lighthearted
  
  
• M  Musical/music lover
  
  
• N  Night owl
  
  
• O  Overthinker
  
  
• P  Puzzle lover
  
  
• Q  Quiet
  
  
• R  Reader
  
  
• S  Shy
       STM (Short Term Missionary) at Joni and Friends Retreats
       Sometimes sarcastic
       Sensitive
  
  
• T  Thoughtful
        Trustworthy
  
  
• U  Understanding
    
• V  Visual
        Video game lover
• 
  
• W  Writer
   
• X  CompleX
  
  
• Y  Young at heart
  
  
• Z  AmaZingly me

How do you describe yourself?

My Friendship Bucket List

I haven't been able to do much of anything with my friends in quite some time (partly because of the pandemic, partly because it was my fault).

I would love to be able to see and do things with my friends again, as I miss them very much, so hopefully I will be able to change that soon.

In no particular order, here is my bucket list of things I would like to do with my friends:

• Go on a road trip
• Visit another country
• Volunteer together
• Spend a day (or more) in the city
• Have a spa day
• Go to a concert together
• Spend a day at a waterpark
• Spend a day at an amusement park
• Paint (pottery, canvas, etc.)
• Bonfire with s'mores
• Go swimming
• Go bike riding
• Have a movie marathon
• Go to the beach
• Bake together
• Go on picnics
• Go sledding
• Go ice skating
• Do something that scares us
• Play video games together
• Go mini golfing
• Ride a Ferris wheel
• Learn a new language together
• Put puzzles together
• Have a craft night
• Participate in an escape room
• Play laser tag
• Go on photo shoots
• Have a game night
• Go thrifting
• See a show on Broadway
• Go to Disney
• Go to the zoo
• Go bowling
• Make chalk art
• Go to a trampoline park
• Go carting
• Horseback riding
• Fondue night
• At-home mani/pedi
• Experience Christmas and/or New Year's in another city, state, or country
• Experience our birthdays in another city, state, or country
• Make homemade ice cream
• Go to a fair/carnival
• Pick fruit
• Have a water gun fight
• Have a water balloon fight
• Pool party
• Go to a sports game
• Have a sleepover
• Take lots of photos
• Go to a roller rink
• Go to a drive-in movie theater
• Take selfies together
• Go to a music festival together
• Tie-dye
• Make scrapbooks
• Make junk journals
• Garden
• Make kindness jars for each other

I'm sure there will be other things I would like to do with my friends, that I will think of later, but at this point, this is a very good starting point. Hopefully I can check off a few of these soon!

What are things you would like to do with your friends?