thankful thursday #208

Does a Thankful Thursday post seem trifling on the day when the entire country is spewing gratitude?

Kinda, maybe. I dunno.

It seems like I should keep it low-key today. Own the trifling-ness of it all.

Yesterday on my drive home to Athens, I stopped to get gas at a Love's. (Do you know these? Their restrooms are, for the most part, reliably clean.)

Anyway. I was due for a protein shake at that time (more on that later, maybe), and I had this great thought, that if there was an electrical outlet in the restroom, I could even blend that shake right into delicious submission with my coveted travel blender.

There were two outlets!

Neither of which worked. I was not grateful.

I had resigned myself to physically shaking my shake, which is not nearly as tasty, when I spied another outlet right outside the restroom.

There was about a three-second decision point, where I ultimately decided to stoop to a new low, squat down, and blend that shake right there for the world to see.

When the blender ran, I was grateful. Momentarily embarrassed, but grateful.

I'll never see those people again.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. Hoping that gratitude for the things that really matter are never far from your thoughts today.

Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #207

When I'm traveling, and I've got a roommate (which happens in our company all the time, because we're like a family), there is this concern (beyond what the roomie will hear me say in my sleep):

Is it possible for two girls to have simultaneous access to a mirror and plenty of electrical outlets?

(This is the mark of a practically designed hotel room.)

In the big D, the Gaylord Texan has delivered.

First, this double sink vanity:

And better, this full length mirror with the electrical outlet next to it (the critical, yet always-elusive slam dunk of a feature):

I sit right there on the floor and dry my hair. Perfect.

Hotels of America, take note. The single girls bunking while on your properties will appreciate it.

Some days it's the little things, people. Go on, be grateful!

thankful thursday #206

Thankful today for this greeting at home, after a long week.

And for being reminded of this:

The people in my life. I'm undeserving, but darn grateful.

And you? Go on, be grateful!

fall love

It's such an odd season around here: the (finally-changing) golden and red leaves show me it's fall, but the blustery gray sky make me feel winter.

No matter. It's still my favorite season. Here's what's got me in love these days:

these ankle boots

Maybe I'm most excited that these are trending right now, and perhaps even edging out riding boots, which never fit my calves.

But for whatever the reason, these are so comfortable. I love them with leggings, skinny jeans, or boot cuts. Details on these gems here.

fun patterned socks

On the topic of footwear, I don't know why, but these socks are making me happy lately.

Just a little ray of sunshine that peeks through those gray clouds. Got a bunch of these in lots of colors on sale at Target recently.

my swivels

Oh, my chairs.

They have given me some of the sweetest moments with friends, early mornings with hot tea and a book, and cozy nights under a blanket. Probably the best money I've spent in 2014.

this sweatshirt wrap

Speaking of cozy, how cozy is this guy?

You can play around with his collar to get a couple of different looks. I love him with jeans and those booties up there. (Again, Target. Where goodness is found.)

jill phillips' new album

Mortar and Stone.

I got in on an early release of this one about a month ago and can't stop listening to it (while sitting in my chairs up there). These days, "Bear With You" is deeply moving to me, and "Good Shepherd" is another favorite.

the farewell season of parenthood

This is the best show on TV right now (at least of the four shows I watch.) I am sad to bid it farewell after this, its final season, but man oh man, they are pulling out the stops. The acting and writing is epic right now.

If you haven't watched it from Season One, run to Netflix now and get to binging.

company of the roomie

It's been so nice lately to have a good roommate. It reminds me of the days I spent with Lori when I first moved here. I've gotten quite used to having a sympathetic, listening ear at the end of a day. (And in full disclosure, access to her amazing inventory of accessories.)

Does fall make you love as many things as I do?

some truths embraced of late

Sometimes my brain goes into overdrive with thoughts that I can't shake. Lately these are the truths hitting me right between the eyes:

you've got two choices: minister or manipulate // "In all of your relationships you're always doing one of two things: ministry or manipulation." Relationships at work, at home, or with friends are all opportunities to minister, and when you're not, it's necessary to be honest and ask if you're manipulating instead. This is a dagger, people. I can't stop thinking about it, and it's a nasty truth when I realize I'm in the latter camp.

it's remarkable how a good hair day can make me feel better // Annie looked to tomorrow's sunshine; I look to a solid hair styling day. I tell you what, on a day when not much else feels good, cooperative hair and low humidity go a long way for this girl.

"you're mine" might very well be the sweetest covering i've ever had // When I lived in Starkville, one of the father figures there who looked out for me would, every time me he saw me, put his hand on his heart, kiss me on the cheek, and tell me, You're mine. I swear that to this day, those might be the most affirming words I've ever been told. I felt claimed. So powerful. It makes me wonder if I use words to give life, and cover in grace, the people in my circles.

confessing sins against a person is awfully humbling // It is not fun to admit, and it's really not fun to deliver the apology. But when it's done with the intent to honor -- and to minister, not manipulate -- coming clean is beautiful freedom.

the best friends are the ones who bear burdens with you // They give hugs when you cry. They empathize with your wounds. They're the ones who sit and listen without spewing platitudes and cliches, and know that sometimes all you really need to hear is I'm so sorry. I know it hurts. And they feel the hurt, because they bear with you.

And finally, some truths are harder to embrace than others.

thankful thursday #205

When people ask me how long I've worked for my employer, and I answer them -- thirteen years, eight months, and six days today -- they usually give me a bewildered look.

I know it's a long time for a 36-year old. It's not how my generation rolls.

I take some pride in that, though, that I might be an exception to the rule. Because I don't love doing things the way everyone else does. And because I feel invested and loyal.

Our culture doesn't give time a chance anymore, but when you let it, I think time can grow love in a place. I'm grateful for a long time here, with good people and experiences and lessons and development.

A downside of this long time, of course, is that it's easy to develop blinders. To miss important nuggets in the mundane.

This past weekend at one of our games, a guest tripped and fell in our area of responsibility and showed frightening symptoms of a traumatic brain injury. I was given a new perspective on our work in hospitality, and how it's not all about making things shiny and new and happy (as awesome as that sometimes can be).

Here's what I wrote to our staff following my reflection:

Team,

On Saturday at the MSU game, there was a sobering medical emergency to which Meghan and her staff tended with the greatest care and timeliness. She has remained in contact with them over the past few days out of concern and genuine compassion … so kudos to her! The husband of our injured guest wrote her a sweet note (below for you to read) that gave me a unique perspective on hospitality, and how we practice it:

We place a lot of emphasis on ensuring our facilities are immaculate, television feeds are crystal clear, food presentation is unmatched, hot dogs are fresh (and hot!), and staff is smiling bigger than anyone else in the stadium. And those things are of utmost importance to create the very best environment we can for our guests.

On the other hand, what happens in those environments is often — and maybe more often than we’d like to admit — out of our control. We will never know when something frightening, uncomfortable, or downright tragic will occur. A guest is sick, or trips and falls, or misplaces a child, or gets some very bad news: These are times when our call to service and hospitality might have the greatest and highest impact on a person’s soul, because we’re called to care well for them at all times, especially when they are under duress.

I know these instances are anomalies, and frankly, I hope they remain as that. But what an opportunity for us when they do occur! Let’s remember that while we work hard to be a happy place and refuge, we’re also a place where we might be given the chance to care well for hurting people in a very specific time and place. Be prepared not only with a sound emergency response protocol, but with a readiness to extend mercy and grace in times of need. It’s a high calling!

Wishing everyone a great game week!

RLF

Thankful this week for a new perspective, even after thirteen years, eight months, and six days in the same company.

Any new epiphanies for you this week? Go on, be grateful!