Thankful - 28

The day after Thanksgiving, and it couldn't have begun more perfectly. After sleeping in, I looked outside and saw that it was a bit overcast. Then I stepped outside and saw dark clouds. Actual rain clouds were rolling in. (Remember - it only rains a few days a year here. Or so it seems.) I snapped a couple of these pics and then curled up on the couch and listened to rain and a bit of thunder. It was sublime... #ourthankful30

Thankful - 27

Day 27. Thanksgiving. I'm thankful for so much. Really, my life is pretty amazing for sure. I took a leap of faith to teach internationally 5 years ago and it couldn't have turned out better.
But on this day, I am most thankful for my family. Narrow that even more to my Stellar Six - my four nieces and two nephews. They are everything to me. They give me genuine love and happiness. I cannot imagine my life without them in it. I will never be a 'Mom', but they give their Aunt Jodee unconditional love. For that I am forever grateful. (Which I guess makes me pretty thankful for my two brothers and their amazing wives. Their genetic mixes turned out well.)
This video was received as I begrudgingly got up for work this morning. The video of these goofballs made my day.
(Click to play)

And here's the whole crew...

Thankful - 26

This morning I saw one of the sweetest photos I've laid eyes on in quite some time. It just happened to be a picture of my youngest niece and nephew. Granted, photo ccredit goes to my sister in law, Jodi. But since this is #mythankful30 (key word being MY), I'm using it.
Words are not enough to tell about the love I have for the two in this pic. Cole is such a good big brother. Even though he cried when they found out it was going to be a girl. His tears, however, were "because he just wanted a brother to share his toys with." (Awww) He now loves to make Cali laugh and tries to get her to be naughty. They are quite a pair. When they put up the Christmas tree this year, little Cali was afraid of it. They said she would look at it from a distance, but didn't want to go too close. This is one of the pics taken last night. Cole is sitting with her, encouraging her to touch it...teaching her to not be afraid. It melts my heart.
Happy Holidays to All.

Thankful - 25

Bahrain is an interesting little island here in the Middle East. Other countries ban or strictly prohibit alcohol. Not here. Most of you have seen my pictures from brunches. I'm usually not entirely sober. Alcohol seems to flow freely here. So much so, they have delivery service. From more than one online shop. I love it. Last night I realized it was time to replenish the beer supply. And browsed wines as well. A couple of clicks later, and delivery (Free!)was set up for the following day. For this, I am thankful.

Thankful - 23, 24

Day 23. It finally rained. And thundered. And, there was evening lightning. It was blissful to listen to. Rain (thunder & lightning included) is one of those things you don't realize you miss until it is absent from your life for so long. So I'm thankful.

Day 24. One of the perks of international teaching is that I get to have a maid/cleaning lady. It is such a blessing. Every Monday, I come home to a spotless house. Dishes done, clothes put away, floors cleaned, etc. She is a blessing and I am thankful for a kitchen of cleanliness.

Thankful - 20, 21, 22

Three more days of #ourthankful30

Day 20. After a full day of conferences, I was thankful for the weekend and cold beer waiting in my fridge.

Day 21. Pedicures make me happy. Especially when accompanied by good friends. This was a good day.

Day 22. Today is Dave and Kelli's annual 'Chili Cook-Off/Christmas Cookie Swap' party. I made mom's peanut butter cookies with the Hershey's Kiss on top. My house smells so good right now, and Christmas break is in less than a month!

Thankful - 16, 17, 18, 19

Combining. Since noone is reading this anyway. But I will keep going. Because I'm not a quitter. Usually. #ourthankful30

Very thankful for the friends that have become such an important part of my life. This roadtrip through southern Spain and Portugal was one of the best. Jim, LuAnn, and Paul...so many laughs.

My life-long love affair with the Kansas City Royals is no secret. The fact that my friend Kara sent this to me in Bahrain made my year. Christmas came early...

 Day 18 I was thankful for it to finally be 'cool' enough to wear my favorite sweats. Mind you, it was still 70 degrees. In my defense, it was a little bit cloudy at least.

Day 19. Thankful for finding the Christmas spirit alive and well in Bahrain. 30 more days til I'm in the U.S. for the holidays!

Thankful - 15

Technology, I love you. Let me count the ways... Today I'm giving thanks for my Slingbox. It is a device that is hooked up to my brothers TV in Iowa, and allows me to watch his TV through my computer. Crazy. Not only do I get to watch Iowa Hawkeye football, I also get to smile at the farming commercials. #ourthankful30



Thankful - 14

I hate static cling. Despise it. I want to punch it in the face...bury it in a deep grave...lock it up and throw away the key. I used to carry dryer sheets in pockets of my winter coats in the states - just in case the static attacked. So today, when I put on my dry-fit tshirt to work out, and the static attacked my abdomen, I found my love. My savior in the battle against static. My hero. Static Guard. #ourthankful30

Thankful - 13

Thankful for little surprises at the grocery store. How could I NOT buy a package?? #ourthankful30

Thankful - 12

One month from today I'll be back stateside for the holidays. Always thankful for my family. They love and support me no matter what! #ourthankful30

Thankful - 11

Today is Veteran's Day in the U.S. More commonly known as Armistice Day to the rest of the world. I can still remember being in high school and going to the yearly assembly where someone would speak to us about Veterans Day. I don't remember many of those speeches being earth-moving material. But that doesn't mean I didn't have an appreciation for the day. I come from a family of war veterans. Since the Junge men live forever, I was lucky enough to know my great-grandfather growing up. He was a World War 1 vet. His heavy wool uniform hung (might still be hanging?) in a case at the Legion Hall back home. I always thought that was pretty cool. My grandpa on my mom's side of family was in World War II. He didn't talk too much about the war. We did find out that his ship was bombed. But as the story goes, Grandpa wasnt on the ship when it happened because he had gotten into a fight (quite possibly some drinking was involved) that landed him in the stockade. I wish I had asked him about more stories.
And then there's my Dad. He enlisted in the US Navy during the Vietnam War and was thus on a ship around the Phillipines and Vietnam. I'm sure he still has some stories to tell as well.
I'm proud of my family serving in the military. Which is why my #ourthankful30 is this pic of my Dad and me.

Thankful - 10

Friendships. Saying "I'm thankful" doesnt seem to be enough. These two have put up with me since college dorm room days at Simpson College in the early 90's. So much laughter has been shared, and so much love. We may not all get together often, but I am damn lucky when we do. Love you Klinger and Punkin - we need to do Indianola winery every summer! 😊#ourthankful30

Thankful - Day 9

This wine. I am thankful that a new friend in Bahrain brought it to my attention. It's about 12 US dollars and completely fabulous. #ourthankful30

Thankful - Day 8

Today I declare my thankfulness for chicken schawarma (and Coca-Cola Light). Bahrain has some fabulous schawarma. It's cheap. And delicious. Especially when you might have drank more than one or two glasses of wine the night before. They deliver here as well, so I can be lazy AND get my belly full. And these little guys are what they call "schawarma fingers". You order them by the dozen. 😊

The little things make a big difference...and are most definitely something to be thankful for!!

Thankful - Day 7

A 'sweaty selfie' for day 7. Thankful for my (mostly) healthy body that allows me to exercise and...sweat! #ourthankful30

Thankful - Day 6

Cheating a little and posting a day ahead, but can't pass this one up. I am SO thankful for all that I'm able to do in my life living internationally. But I am equally as thankful for this little slice of heaven I call HOME. Fall proves difficult for me every year, as I miss so many of the sights, sounds, smells, and traditions that come with harvest time on the farm. Mom shared this picture today from her work in the tractor. I am thankful... #ourthankful30

Thankful - Day 5

Today we had cooler temps (low 80's) and clouds. Which we rarely see here in Bahrain. Still missing fall in the midwest, but this helps. #ourthankful30

Photo credits go to Kelli Horner on this one

Thankful - Day 4

I'm thankful for planes, travel, and life adventures.

Thankful- Day 3

Thankful that my job affords me the opportunity to spend a day here, doing this. Yes, I'm lounging by the pool with a view of the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Thankful- Day 2

Vacations like this make writing this pretty easy... Pyramids of Giza.

Thankful for...

Let's see how this goes. Everyday photo challenge for month of November. Posting a daily pic of something I'm thankful for in this life I lead.

Thankful for the opportunities this international teaching lifestyle allows for - staying in the Kempinski Hotel in Cairo where I have a 'pillow menu'. Life is good.