A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

ten things of thankful

Ten Things of Thankful: Moving on with high spirits

I figured this week is probably a good one to do my second go at the Ten Things of Thankful. To say I have a lot of things to be thankful for is probably an understatement.

With that in mind, I’m going to find my 10 things and take part in Lizzi’s weekly challenge.

Realize, some of these will be about the same sort of topic — the job. And, of course, I’ll be throwing some other things in there as well.

So, without blabbing any further, here’s my 10 things.

1. Opportunity

This goes without saying. If you read my Friday post (and if you didn’t, I would highly encourage you to do so!), you know I’m gainfully employed again. Words can’t express enough how appreciative I am for this opportunity.

2. Timing

This is one of those jobs that moved fast. I got my stuff in a couple of days before the deadline, had the interview a handful of days later and then had the offer the next day. Talk about things working together in strong timing!

3. Interview

OK, I’m not always the best interview. Sometimes I think I do well and others I don’t. It hasn’t mattered much in recent years as it’s all ended with the same result. In fact, a couple of weeks ago I had an interview. I walked out figuring I wouldn’t get an offer and didn’t. But this one? Yeah. I rocked it and thought that. I left with cautious optimism and, in the end, it turns out the interview was solid.

4. Friends and family

The past three years have been tough. Without friends and family, I’d have been fully lost. I opened my guard up a little on this situation and, after I got the chance, I posted about it on Facebook (after contacting some people). The outpouring of comments was extremely humbling and words can’t describe how thankful I am.

5. Being well-rounded

OK, this is the last thankful that will go with the job stuff. But one think I learned at a few past stops on the job train was being well-rounded is important. I think it really helped me here as I showed confidence in every aspect that will be needed for this gig.

6. The Blogging World

I can’t express how important blogging has become to me. What a great community. It has been such an important part of my life and hopefully, it will continue. I find surprises every day and I want that to continue. I have some ideas I am going to start working on for my blog and it’s my hope it will entertain readers!

7. Podcasts

OK, I’m a little behind the time here. But I am really starting to get into podcasts. Some are really awesome. I’ll be blogging about one or two of them in the near future, but I want to keep finding high-quality podcasts to listen to. As much as I love driving to music, being able to listen to a quality podcast makes drives much faster!

8. Milk

A few weeks back, I stepped on a nail. I had to go to the ER and, then, a second time. At that point, I got an antibiotic I needed to take for 10 days. Dairy could only be had at certain times when taking this, so I basically avoided it. When the 10 days came and went, I had a big glass of milk. I really do love milk and it’s nice to be able to have a glass whenever I want!

9. Championship weekend

I’m also thankful that, for the second straight year, my niece is playing for a state championship in girls soccer. She’s but just a junior, and she starts on the squad this year. Last year, they lost in the final. Here’s hoping that changes this year.

10. Challenges

I really do enjoy challenges. I need to keep on top of them a bit more, but I do love ’em. Whether writing, photo or whatever else, they are a bit of fun. And with that, here’s another Ten Things of Thankful.

Ten Things of Thankful

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Ten Things of Thankful: Life is pretty decent right now

Sometimes, in life, you have to stop, take a deep breath and realize there are things to truly be thankful for.

So, when offered the chance to get involved with this, I thought it was a good idea. I realize some bloggers will do this every week, but if I do posts like this, I look at it a couple of ways, besides having the chance to find some other good blogs to read:

  • I want it to be meaningful and from the heart.
  • It has to be things I’m truly thankful for.

Therefore, I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring. Maybe I’ll try and do this every couple of weeks and try and rotate it with my Soundless Sunday posts to have a little diversity. Or maybe I’ll do one of these every three weeks or so. Who knows. Basically, if I can find 10 certain things I’m thankful for at the time, I’ll do it up.

Anyhoo, without further ado, let’s check what kind of things I have to be thankful for at this moment in time, in no particular order.

1. Living 

This may seem like a cheesy way to start things off, but it’s true. Though my life isn’t going in the direction I’d truly like it to go right now, the reality is it could be much worth. So this encompasses many things — like realizing even though things aren’t great for me right now, I could be in much more dire need.

2. Family

Take a look at the news any day and you’ll find reports of dysfunctional families. Maybe it’s someone harming a parent or a child or siblings doing something bad. Though my family is far from perfect (and I’m sure we’d all admit it!), we get along, we stay pretty close and appreciate what we all can do. We support and we do what we can to help one another. And I’m not talking just immediate family, either. My extended family of cousins, aunts, uncles etc., are also quite close. That’s something I’ll always treasure and, as I get older, I appreciate it more and more.

3. Photography

I do like to spend time by myself and photography has always been a big part of times like that. There’s still nothing like going out with my camera, going for a walk and finding things to snap photos of, at least in my mind. I see things differently when I have my camera. I’m not sure what I would be like without having that in my life as it’s, at times, been a bit of a life-saver when it comes to me dwelling on things too much or going out and doing something.

Fall and photograph mix well together.

4. The fall

You know, there are parts of the country — and the world — where they don’t get to experience the four seasons. Living in the Northeast of the United States really gives me the chance to see all four — spring, summer, winter and fall. That also gives the chance to be able to go out and capture some great colors and such with the camera. As much as I’d love to move somewhere to experience life differently, this area affords the four seasons so well and I would truly miss it if I went elsewhere.

5. Good friends

There is no way I’d have been able to get through the past few years without good friends. While family is always a help, the reality is friends always play an important part in your life. For my closest friends, I consider them extensions of my family, anyway. So whether it’s going out for a beer, sitting down to shoot the shit for a few hours, going to a game or something else, I have a group of friends who have been absolutely amazing. They also know when or when not to ask about my job situation as it can become quite a drag to talk about. Friends are worth their weight and gold (though I’m not sure I could cash in? I kid, of course!)

6. Geocaching

Since becoming a major hobby in my life in 2008, this game has been so good to me. I’ve met some great people I call friends now, I’ve had some wild adventures and it’s allowed me to get outside, walk, hike and try and stay somewhat healthy. The reality is this game has been such a great thing. From the social aspect to being able to explore places I may have never seen without it, I’m highly thankful for it.

Geocaching has been good for my mind and body, so that’s something to be thankful for.

7. Health

I may not be the healthiest person in the world with some things, but for the most part, I’m doing pretty well. I can still get up, work, play, hike, bike, run, walk, play softball or whatever else. I may have to take a few meds, but I think most of the country has to! That being said, I know I have to work on some things (losing weight, just trying to be healthier overall) and I’m thankful I have the health to be able to work on it and try and improve things.

8. Blogging

Writing has always been something I’ve done. I’ve said it on this blog before, but I had my first newspaper story published when I was in seventh or eighth grade.  Though I’ve blogged since 2005, I really got into it and the whole aspect of it when I got laid off from the newspaper job in 2011. Now, it’s a secondary part of who I am and I love it. The community is amazing. The people I follow and read are ones I’m truly glad I found. And for those I’ve created more of a friendship with, it’s even better. I love the reality that there are people I consider pretty solid friends who I met through blogging.

9. Wrestling

OK, some may look at this and say … what the? But I have to put this here. Why? Because like other things, I’ve made some pretty good friends through it. And during a time when I needed it, it gave me a cheap form of entertainment and one where I had the chance to mix my love of photography. The independent world of pro wrestling has made it so I have something to look forward to seeing every month or three. And it truly is some fun entertainment.

10. Brewing beer

I end with this one. When I started doing it earlier this year, I didn’t know what to think. Now I know of more things I can do while brewing. Whether it’s ingredients, or hops or anything else — I have a better appreciation for beer. And I also like knowing I made something that doesn’t suck. Is it the best beer made? Nah. But I’ve made some pretty tasty ones and I look forward to making many more.

Ten Things of Thankful

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!