A reminder to be thankful

I'm drained -- physically and emotionally. It's been a hard few weeks in our area -- news you may have heard about where you are. A news helicopter crashed a week then a pretty major landslide. Added to that I've taken on some freelance work (which I'm enjoying, but is one more thing to manage).

After the Seahawks season followed by Olympic coverage (and only a couple extra days off to recover a little), I could not be looking forward to this weekend more.

And while I may share more about life recently in the coming days/weeks/whenever I actually get to it, for now I wanted to focus on the positive -- on the things I am so thankful for amid all the tragedy we've been covering.

(As an aside, while it's been a tough few weeks for me, I know there are others personally impacted and suffering in ways I can't even imagine. And I've been humbled to help tell some of their stories.)

Things I am oh-so thankful for:

- Air popped popcorn: I know this seems silly, but a couple weeks ago I impulsively bought an air popper at Fred Meyer (a trip that accidentally resulted in three new kitchen appliances -- a story for another day). It may be the best purchase I've made in months. I've definitely indulged in a bowl or to for dinner recently.

- My amazing coworkers. People have stepped up, worked longer hours, taken on extra responsibilities without complaint and done such great work. Additionally, our parent company (which only acquired our group of TV stations a few months ago) has sent in reinforces. We couldn't have done it alone.

- Time with friends and family. Not only did I get to spend a few days last week up at my parents relaxing and enjoying puppy snuggles, but I've also had a few fun get togethers with friends, including one who visited from the other side of the country.

- A new vacuum that didn't cost a thing. My old vacuum was a Craigslist purchase my dad tracked down. It was starting to smell like the motor was burning out. While I (a.k.a. my dad) had started looking for something better, a friend of my dad's gave me one he was selling in a garage sale. So wonderful.

- Amazon Prime. Another silly one, but so helpful. My new vacuum needed bags and while it took two tries to buy the right ones, coming home today to vacuum bags and getting a chance to actually clean my carpets made me ridiculously happy (my 16-year-old self would just be shaking her head).

What have you been thankful recently?

1 down, 39 to go

Don't look now, but two days in a row. (What you don't see is me giving myself a premature pat on the back.)

Just kidding. Sorta.

With today being Ash Wednesday, I thought I'd share my plans for Lent.

I know this isn't a place I usually get very personal, but every once in a while I go there. This is one of those times.

Duh, duh, duh.

Sorry, it felt climatic.

*refocusing*

I don't always observe Lent, at least not in terms of giving something up.

But this year I feel different about it. First, of all, I've let my faith take a bit of a back to life in the past year.

And secondly -- let's be honest -- I spend way too much time on my phone. Especially in the evenings if I'm home alone.

So I've decided I want to make better use of my time. My hope: to put down my phone in the evenings (unless it's to communicate with someone) and to spend time doing other things, including a quiet time to read my Bible.

And hopefully, by the end of 40 days, I won't find myself reaching for the phone every chance I get.

Night one hasn't been the smoothest. But I have caught up on blog reading and commenting a little, written this and am off for a little quiet time.

And hopefully it will only get better.

Do you observe Lent? Any plans to this year?

I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive

Well, my radio silence lasted a little longer than planned.

Once my month (or so) of craziness at work ended with the close of the Olympics, I devoted my free time to catching up with people I hadn't seen in too long. I also took a fun getaway with some friends and took care of some necessary life tasks (doctors, taxes, cleaning and all that fun stuff).

But I'm back now with more plans to blog. And while things have been radio silence from my end, I have been keeping up with your blogs, even though I haven't done much commenting.

I can't wait to actually get back to interacting with all of you though. I don't really enjoy being passive in the blogging community.

I had hoped for more than an obligatory "hoped you didn't forget about me" post tonight, but I had an appointment at the eye doctor this evening and my dilated eyes are making it a little uncomfortable to stare at my computer screen.

In the meantime, here's a pretty picture (from yesterday, because today was just rainy and gray).