Thankful Thursday - Work

In this day and age I am so thankful I have a job.  It may not exactly be what I dreamed of but, they pay is good and I have a job to go to each morning.  I am an Architectural Designer/Drafter by trade and I am currently working for an engineering firm and helping to design mechanical, piping and electrical units.  Although Washington State seems to have weathered the economic downturn fairly well, the architecture and construction industries have taken a hard hit in the past couple of years. 

(Old style drafting office)

The photo above is what a drafting office would have looked like 60-70 or more years ago. 

(Old school drafting table & swing arm scale)

When I first learned drafting when I was in high school this is what the desk of a drafter looked like. 












 

(AutoCAD Architecture opening screenshot)



Then in college I learned how to draw on this...

(A place that looks similar to where I currently work)

... and now I sit in a place like this drawing drawings that look similar to...














(A engineering drawing I found on the web to use as an example)


...this, but...














(An architectural project I found on the web to use as an example)



I know that I am capable of producing things more like this.  Its amazing how fast things change over the years. And still, I find myself just being thankful that I am working and working in the general vicinity of what I have learned and been trained to do.

(This is an actual photo from my first drafting job that was in this beautiful office.
Thanks for the photo Erik)

Although there are definitely days when I miss working in this place!

***I copied these photos from the web as examples only.  I do not represent and have not worked on these projects.***



Thankful Thursday - Eastern Washington

(Eastern Washington Summer Sunset Photo by: Doe)

I take photos through my windshield a lot.  Sometimes, I just can't help it. Its evenings like the one in this photo in which I am thankful for the beautiful part of the country I live in.  My dad always said that Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, Idaho and Montana were 'God's Country.'  Maybe all of us feel as if our little part of the world is 'God's Country,' and although sometimes people who have not grown up here cannot see it, but I can't help but be thankful for the beauty found here in the high desert.

This photo was taken last summer on a night Critter and I took our flower girls out for a pizza dinner. I could've very well not been paying attention to the weather because we were having such fun with the girls, but we need to remember to be thankful not only for those in our lives who enrich it but for the amazing beauty that surrounds us when we are together. Its all of this together that makes life beautiful.

Thankful Thursday - The American Farmer



(Metal Farmers Sign)



I am thankful everyday for the American Farmer who works long tiring days just to make sure that I can go to the store to keep food on my table.  This includes the rancher and the farmer.  Although we try to eat mostly deer and elk meat, sometimes a honey ham steak is just delicious or a breaded pork chop and heck who doesn't love them some bacon now and again?

If you ate something today that you didn't personally grow in your own backyard then take a moment and just send a thank you up to God for the farmers and ranchers of America that keep us all fed.  If it wasn't for them, eating would be so much more than going to the fridge to throw something together for dinner. 

Next time you travel also make sure you soak in all the beauty of farmland you see on your trip whether it be from the friendly skies or while trekking across our beautiful country. 




(Flying over some of the farms in my home town)
Photo Credit: Doe with help from Allegiant Airlines

 

Thankful Thursday - Sunrise, Sunset

(Cold February 3rd Morning Sunrise)

God gives us the most amazing of gifts when we least expect them and yet exactly when we need them the most.  On my drive to work this morning I had to pull over and thank God for the unbelievable beauty he graced my morning with. I know the splendor only lasts for minutes and I didn't want to waste one more. Being the photographer that I am I always have my point n' shoot in my purse and getting images like this are exactly the reason I do it. 

Just when I was still reeling about the beautiful morning, God goes and does it again... yep, this was the sunset.  No words... I think this picture speaks for itself.  Thank you God for your awesomeness and giving us treats like this to brighten both our mornings and our evenings.



(Cold February 3rd Sunset)



Thankful Thursday - Bloggers & Washers? Huh?

I always seem to be a day or two behind. If you ask my sister she'll tell you that is normal. Many may think its because I am lazy or selfish, but I have to be honest that's not the case. Its something a little more simple.  I am one of those people who try to cram as much as I can into pockets of time.  An overachiever of sorts I guess.  That is why I am ever so thankful for my washing machine and the dryer too! 


(My Teeny Tiny Laundry Room)

Where did that just come from you ask, well, I like many of you get so tired of doing laundry all. the. time. And I have such an awesome hubby that I don't even do his laundry (unless you include moving it from the washer to the dryer to our bed for him to put away). But I was thinking about it today and what came to mind was how nice it is that for the most part laundry is one of those things that with the amazing inventions of the washer & dryer it pretty much cleans itself.  I mean thank goodness I don't have to scrub each item by hand in a tub with a washboard like back in Little House on the Prairie days. Seriously Carolyn Ingalls was a hell of a woman!  More on my affection for Little House in another post someday. 

Back to the laundry, all you have to do is sort it, start it and then hang or dry it.  The pain in the butt part is putting all of the clean stuff away.  Ugh... I used to think it was because I had too many clothes but that is nonsense.  A girl can't have too many clothes, especially a versatile one like myself.  We need dress up, dress down, sweats, warm weather clothes, cool weather clothes, hunting clothes, camping clothes, fishing clothes, shooting clothes, work clothes... ok I could go on but I think you get it.  So naturally keeping all of these clothes cleaned and put away takes some finesse and some time.  My point, yeah THANK YOU inventor of the washer & dryer!

As far as bloggers... A Reel Lady & 3 Krazy Chics both have given me the Stylish Blog Award and I want to thank them!  You sure know how to make a girl feel good.  Thank you for being loyal follwers and loving my ramblings.... like today for instance.  Check out their blogs.  Either click their names or look to the right hand column of my blog over there ---> and their links are both in my side bar.  You ladies are awesome!!  Don't expect me to follow the steps in the near future, refer back to my 1st paragraph about always being just a little bit behind....  

Thankful Thursday - Garden & Gun

Today I am thanking my friend D'Lynn.  She is a loyal Doe follower and a friend from many many years ago.  Her along with her husband and two boys live in Texas now.  The other day I recieved a message from her about a magazine that was up on Groupon Houston for half price.  The magazine one from down south: Garden & Gun.  The name alone just puts a smile on my face!  She said she immediatley thought of me when she saw the Groupon offer and passed it along to me.  I have to thank her in advance but I am excitedly awaiting my first issue of Garden & Gun.  It sounds just like my kind of publication and I cannot wait to get my hands on my first copy! Thank you for thinking of my D'Lynn!!

PS- And if the awesome magazine wasn't great enough there are blogs!!

Belle Decor

Southern in the City

The Sporting South

Thankful Thursday - Gratitude

Today my thankfulness resides in you. Yes, you, reading my blog! Thank you for taking a moment in your day to put yourself into just a little bit of mine.  It is in sharing the even smallest of moments where others can find their own inspirations.  I know I find inspiration in the ideas and thoughts of others and I hope I offer the same to you all as well. It is with great gratitude that I thank you for your time and interest in my little tiny part of this big world.  Thank you for helping me not take for granted the things I have however large or small and for not finding dispear for those things I do not have (or need for that matter). 

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.  ~Epictetus

Please remember this as I am going to be needing reminding now and again, thanks in advance!

Favorite Photo Friday - The Last Hunt

A few weeks back I did a post about our old huntin' dog, Braxton.  He's such a great old boy that I just couldn't help but post a few photos of his very last hunt. He's just too old to get around very well anymore so we let him do one last run.  Critter hit two huns with a single shot and ol' Cooner as Critter calls him, he ran out and snagged em' up.  He is so proud and I just love these photos of him with his birds. 

(Braxton w/his huns)

(Get them huns Bird Dawg!)

(Critter a proud Papa w/Braxton & his huns)

Thankful Thursday - Chiro & Massage Therapy

3 1/2 years ago I was in a car accident.  I lived in the Phoenix area at the time.  I was on my way to work, a typical warm June morning in the Valley of the Sun.  I was in a summer dress, my hair up in a perfect summer updo and drinking the strawberry smoothie I made myself for breakfast. 

It was a 25 mile, 1 hour drive in stop and go traffic from my house to my office.  We were moving along pretty good when the cars in front of me stopped pretty quickly.  I stopped, but the guy behind me didn't.  Didn't even touch his breaks.  I watched him get closer and closer and closer, then it sounded like I was hit by a freight train as I watched him slam into the back of my truck in my rear view. 

I just sat there for a minute, strawberry smoothie covering the windshield, the headliner, the steering wheel and needless to say... me.  After two unsuccessful attempts to contact 911, they were calling me back.  Bluetooth... forgot that it was on and my ear piece had flown off my ear and was who knows where.  Police on their way, the driver that hit me came to my window and asked if I was ok.  Still wasn't really sure, but I thought I was fine.  Was reluctant to want to see the damage, but checked it

out and it really didn't look too awful, but his truck... not so good. 

I was able to drive my truck away without any broken parts, but there were many, many bent ones, damage was much greater once you really took a look.  I'm not even going into the repair and insurance process, that is a story all on its own.

The thankful part of this story, is that my injuries were minor and that also I was driving my full size Dodge truck that amazingly withstood the 40mph+ impact and kept me safe.  Although the accident wasn't major it was bad enough to create extremely uncomfortable pain in my neck, back and shoulders.  My neck was so stiff and sore that I would nearly cry at the mere thought of turning my head.  Sleeping was nearly impossible unless in an upright position with many pillows.  This went on for about 3 months and I soon had my first trips ever to the chiropractor and massage therapist to get my muscles to relax.

Since then I have moved back to Washington and make monthly appointments with two of my most cherished medical professionals.  Lilly relaxes me and Julie cracks me.  Its a glorious affair.  I am thankful for their knowledge and natural abilities to keep my neck from returning to its post accident status (which it has tried to do several times since).  I do not like taking pain medication or muscle relaxers therefore, a couple of Advil, massage therapy and spinal manipulation followed by lots of water have been lifesavers for me. 

Thank you ladies for taking such great care of me! See you both tomorrow!

Thankful Thursday - Last Day of Work 2010

I just have to say how delighted and happy I am that today was my last day of work for this year.  Yeah, yeah, I will be back there on Monday, and although at times my I may not be showing my thanks, I am thankful everyday that I have a job to go to, even if it isn't the dream job I had in mind.  There are so many people struggling and having difficult times finding work so my daily struggle is to adjust my attitude and  to wrap my mind around the thanks I should give out daily for being able to contribute in providing for Critter and myself.  We may be just two right now but we are a family and we are building a future for whatever the good Lord has in store for us.  We are blessed and we are thankful! Welcome 2011, we are excited to see what you have in store for us this year.

Thankful Thursday - Christmas



(Love & Blessings on the inside of our front door)



Plain and simple I am thankful for everyone and everything in my life.  I'm even thankful for the things I don't like because they give me better appreciation for the things I love.  During this 2010 Christmas season I want to take the time to thank all of my friends and family.  You all mean the world to me and I am thankful as I stand back and look at the cards on my front door from all of you!  Wow!





(Our lovely tree, presents wrapped & ready!)





I am thankful that I have been able to afford the gift of giving.  It gives me great pleasure to be able to have gifts to give to those I love and wrap them pretty to add to the pure excitement and celebration of Jesus's birthday!  What a wonderful time of year and delightful season of celebrating for one man who gave his all for us.  Halleluja He is born!! 

Thankful Thursday - Netflix Instant

Critter and I decided to not have cable TV (my large dislike for Charter) plus Dish & Direct TV are both ridiculously priced in my opinion.  Therefore, we have the standard local channels and Netflix and also Netflix Instant.  I've even considered the new Hulu that we can watch on our Roku player in which we get the Netflix Instant.  The Roku is pretty great there are many channels you can choose from like the Netflix Instant, Pandora, and the new Hulu for Roku and many others. 

For the price of 3 Netfilx DVD's we can watch all of the instant Netflix we want.  Its been perfect!  Sometimes it doesn't always run the best because of internet ins and outs but I guess that's just what you get with wireless services and new technology.  Either way I am thankful for Instant Netflix, I have watched movies I would have never rented and then loved and they keep adding more and more TV shows that I have heard people talk about that I would have otherwise never watched.  Its been a big money saver and has still provided Critter and I with more TV and entertainment than we can keep up with for around $20 a month. 

Thankful Thursday - Braxton

(A Smiling Braxton)

I am thankful for everyday Braxton is still with us.  He is getting old, he's 13 now and he is pretty tired... and grey in the face but we love him.  He's a retired bird dog and other than a few accidents in the house now and then he is an amazing pal.  He came to me as Critter's dog and as Critter will tell you he is now a Mama's boy.  I have to admit he pretty much is.  Animals are special companions and great friends.  I love him and I am thankful for his unconditional love everyday.

Thankful Thursday - Girlfriends

This morning I had coffee with one of the phenominal ladies in these photos.  Afterward I was thinking about how lucky I am to have had such amazing women in my life.  We may not all talk everyday or every week or even every month, as we all lead busy lives with jobs, husbands and kids and in several different places, but that just makes those times we do get together even that much more special! 

Of all of them I've known Kim & Heather the longest, since our elementary days.  Looking back I cannot believe that has been nearly 30 years ago! Wowzers!  The photos are from my wedding, all of them there with me celebrating yet another amazing day in my life. 

I am thankful for each and everyone of you and am extremely blessed to be able to call you friends.  You are all strong, talented and beautiful women and in so many different ways and you all continue to amaze me with the things you have accomplished, have done and the friendship you have given me.  I love you all.

(Chanda & Me)

(Adrea, Jolie, Erin, Tawni)

(Heather, Melissa, Kim, Candie, Lisa, Nicole, Carol & Me)

(Heidi & her hubby Eric)

(Samantha) 
This is the only picture I have of Sam up at my wedding, it was
the day before and she's weilding an axe.... Hmmm :)

Thankful Thursday - Thanksgiving Day!

I have so much to be thankful for! 

Thank you to all of my amazing friends and family and to my loving husband. I treasure and thank the Lord for all I have been given and blessed with in my life. I have so many wonderful reasons to be thankful. What a blessed year I have had!  I look forward to what is yet to come. 

Thankful Thursday - Love

Today what I am thankful for is quite simple.  I am thankful to be loved by an amazing husband.  I love being a wife and I am ever more thankful everyday to have found the love of my life.   And I am thankful for our photographer Suwanee that took this gorgeous wedding photo of us the day after our beautiful wedding.