Thanksgiving Thursday

For those of you that don't know what Thanksgiving Thursday is, it is the one time during the week where you stop and basically count your blessings. Even if you've had one of those weeks, I promise you can find at least one thing to be thankful for, no matter how big or small.

This week I am thankful for:

• Scott, who has far more patience than I do.

• Aaron who is proving to be quite the student and gentleman.

• Jillian who is proving to be a little version of me. While I am not a fan of her stubbornness right now, I sincerely hope she keeps it when she's older.

• Parents who are always there for you.

• King and I text messages with Leann.

• No squirrels in the office this week.

• Women of Faith this weekend. This will be my second time attending and I am so glad Michelle convinced me to go last year. I am looking forward to this weekend!

• Ben and Jerry's Everything But The...it's carrying me through the week.

• People who take the time to say 'thank you'. I know, it's so simple, but it is so important and means so much.

What are you thankful for this week?

My Phobias AKA Why I Hate Squirrels

The other day we were celebrating a coworkers birthday with some super delicious ice cream cake from Publix (seriously, it's so good that it deserved a mention) and the squirrel came up. Have I mentioned the squirrel?

Last week, Jesi found an injured squirrel outside of our building and being the good-natured person that she is, she brought it INSIDE to care for it. I was late that day because I had to take the kiddos to school, so when I arrived and came to grab some coffee, Alyssa was cuddling something. I thought it was Jesi's new puppy (notice how I do not question a puppy being in the office). Alyssa, knowing full well that I do not like squirrels, encourages me to come closer and shows me the creature. I almost hit the wall.

I am not a fan of squirrels.

Now, I told you this to tell you about the conversation that unfolded whilst enjoying the Neapolitan ice cream cake (which next to cookies n' cream is the best flavor, just sayin'). We started talking about the squirrel and how I do not like them, then it turned to my fear of the arboretum on campus and then various other fears. So I've decided to make a list with explanations for my fears. Buckle up kids, this is a long list....

Squirrels

I do not like them. I wouldn't say I'm paralyzed with fear, but when I knew that squirrel was in the next office, I had a hard time breathing. I trace this fear back to Valentine's Day in preschool when a squirrel was in my house and my brother tried to trap it.

Clowns

I mean really, who actually likes clowns? My fear comes from two different places, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (still cannot watch the clown scene) and my sister-in-law's parents lake house which was decorated with photos and figurines of clowns.

Ducks

I don't like ducks. I'm terrified they are going to bite me or poop on me, or do both simultaneously. I trace this fear back to the time my sister attempted to feed to the ducks when I was a baby. There is photographic evidence of this event.

The Arboretum 

On campus we have an amazing arboretum, or so they say. I am not one with nature. When we took the tour of this spacious nature filled deathtrap I immediately stopped talking and did a lot of shallow breathing. What if the lady kicked me out of the golf cart? I would be lost in the wilderness and probably eaten by a bear or gator or bitten by a poisonous snake. Possibly all three.

Bodies of water

I do not go into bodies of water past my shin. Why? There are live creatures in there and I cannot see the bottom. Plus, I stepped in a bed of crabs once and have been traumatized ever since.

Birds

They are filthy disease ridden creatures that poop on you. Plus, they have talons and razor sharp beaks. Enough said.

Balloons

Not necessarily balloons, but the sound they make when they rub together and most definitely when they pop. Every graduation ceremony is my own personal hell.

Snakes

I'm from Chicago, I don't do snakes. In my opinion, they are all poisonous and will unhinge their jaw to swallow me whole.

Bridges over bodies of water

I have a fear that the bridge will collapse and my car will plummet into the shark infested water.

Heights

Ironic since I'm super tall, but yes. I do not like being high up because I'm terrified of falling.

Dark enclosed spaces

You can ask Scott, I almost had a panic attack in the caves on Tom Sawyer Island this weekend. I can be claustrophobic at times (one of the reasons I do not care for elevators) so when you add darkness that only adds to the sheer panic I am feeling.

Albino geckos

We have these albino geckos in our area and they scare the ever living out of me. I don't know if it's their beady red eyes of what, but I will lose my mind if one gets in the house. Just ask Scott.

I think this is it. I honestly have no idea, but those are the ones that jump out at me in a nonthreatening way.

Please tell me you all have similar fears.

Update on Mimi and the squirrel incident

Let's start with the awesome news first...Mimi was discharged from the hospital today! Turns out she did not have a stroke (thank God!), a lot of what was going on is from the medication she is on. She's home now and we got to spend the afternoon with her to make sure she was doing well. Thank you everyone for all your kind thoughts, words and prayers!

Now onto the rest of our day. We spent this morning at Seaworld with the Lyons crew. The weather was beautiful and it didn't seem like it was too crowded, well expect for everywhere that we went. I highly encourage you check out any photos Lani puts up because I have a feeling they will be hilarious.

We got to see the puffins and the man cleaning the puffins habitat:

And then we went to see the sharks, or as my kids call them the "fishhhhhhhhhhhhhh". We stopped to look at one of the tanks while Scott ran to get the camera and it was really nice, nobody was there, and Lani caught this cute photo of us.

Then out of nowhere this crowd swarmed us. I have never felt so claustrophobic in my life and nobody would move out of the way to let me and the kids out.

It was definitely not awesome, so we took off to try and ditch the crowd.

When you get off the conveyor belt they have jaws from actual sharks on display which my daughter and son told me say "ROARRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!". I had no idea that's what sharks said, I'm glad I have these experts with me at all times.

Outside of the shark exhibit they have a pool with some of the smaller sharks swimming around so my experts had to check out those fishhhhhhhhhhhhh that say "ROAR!"


Then we saw Shamu. Oh my goodness, the reactions from all the kids made what happened next totally worth it.

The next I was referring to was the squirrel attack. Yup, squirrel attack. The squirrels at Seaworld are vicious, vicious I tell you! I was standing with the kids, admiring Shamu when I hear Lani call out my name, but in the oh my God you need to look over here. I turned my head and saw the squirrel thisclosetome. I wonder if Lani got a photo of my expression, because it had to have been priceless. The squirrel was not intimidated by us though and almost let Lily pet him/her. Needless to say our Shamu time was cut short.

After all the animal fun we got our traditional end of the day at the park sugar cookies, Lani's kiddos joined in on the fun too!

All in all it was an awesome day! Hope yours was great as well!