giving thanks

Today's sunday social is a list of what you're most thankful for.  As my parents and friends gather with us for the first holiday in our house, I contemplate what I am truly thankful for this year, so I made a picture list below.

My husband.  I know this is clique, but it is our first thanksgiving as husband and wife and I can't wait to spend the holidays with him.  We have some great things to look forward to in the next couple of weeks because we get to decorate for CHRISTMAS! Most importantly, I am going to try and prevent him from going all Clark W. Griswold on our house.

My parents and family.  They have been with me through everything this year and I could not be more thankful of their constant love and support.

My puppies. This year is the very first year I have raised and watched grow my very own puppy.  Not only did we adopt one in April, but just recently in November too.  They always keep me on my feet and bring me so much joy.

My kitties.  Even though I've had them for years, I'm glad I have a cuddle partner when the puppies are playing.  I know my husband would disagree, but I believe the love of a cat is so much deeper than a dog because dogs love everyone, but a cat's love is selective.

My friends.  I have some pretty special people that I call friends, but are more like family.  Since me and my husband are far from where we grew up, our friends are too.  This means we look out for each other just like family and even spend thanksgiving with each other if they don't want to make the long trek home!

What are you thankful for this holiday season?

What are your plans for Thursday?

new blog, new me

So, this is how it all starts.  I've officially done it again.  I've created another blog.  It's one of those things that you simply can't live with (keeping up with all the constraints of daily posts) and you simply can't live without (blog withdrawal must be a real thing).  I used to blog over at happy Wife, happy Life.  I decided to create a new blog because I didn't like where my old one was going.  First of all, this blog was linked to my facebook page.  You must be thinking, that's good right?  Wrong.  At least for me.  Because my blog posts were posted all over my facebook wall, I didn't like the idea of just anyone I knew reading them.  I liked the tons of views I was getting, but I never knew if it was my husband reading my blog or some girl I decided to be facebook friends with 6 years ago just because we lived in the same college dorm freshman year (I know I should clean up my friends list, but let's be honest, that's just way too much work).  The point is, I like having a blog that no one I know reads.  I like connecting with complete strangers from all parts of the country.  I don't like hearing when someone I know in real life (not blog land) reads my blog and then tells me about it.  From that moment forward, I always picture those people when writing my next blog post.  I always think, "what would this person think of my post?"  Frankly, I don't need that kinda pressure when pouring my heart and soul into a blog post.  I've noticed over the year I had my other blog, my blog posts were becoming less real about me and more what I thought "my readers" wanted to hear which isn't fair to any of us.

The second reason I started this blog was to focus on me.  My first blog titled, "happy Wife, happy Life" obviously had a lot to do with my role as "wife", but I realized through my blog land journey that I am much more than a wife.  And it takes more emphasis on me as a person to make me happy, not just being a wife to my wonderful husband.

So there you have it.  My introductory post of my new blog.  All about me, Suzy.