The Peddler

After having vestibular testing, in which the sole purpose is to make you dizzy, we  went peddling and then, treated ourselves to one of my favorites - The Soup Peddler. Today, I'm thankful for peddling - both the cycling and eating kind.

Kayaking

Today, I took a day for myself with a morning hike followed by a trip in my kayak and...it was delightful. Today, I'm ever more thankful for my kayak I gifted to myself last year.

Aliens

Tonight, I'm thankful for "great" topics like aliens to supply movie material for cool-seeking environments like us. Today, I'm thankful for a cool place to beat the heat that is Texas summer.

Too much heat

Today, I had too much heat. I lost 2 pounds from the start of my bike ride to the end...and that's after drinking over a gallon of water. The problem - too much heat. While I'm not thankful for the heat, I'm thankful for an afternoon of rest with the family.

A bike ride

Today was the day I was supposed to travel to #iste2016, but due to my ongoing ear issues, I had to cancel one of my favorite trips. Thankfully, I was able to take the cruiser out for a spin on one of the few overcast days we've had in a month.

Citizen Cope!

Today, we went to see Citizen Cope. Despite the incessant pot and cigarette smoke, he was amazing! And, I'm thankful to have finally had the chance to see one of my favorite singers in person.

Pjs

Today, I'm thankful for pjs and home. After driving all evening, I'm thankful to be home and ready to rest. Since my ears do not like driving above 60 mph in my car, my ears are also thankful for the rest.

Air

Today, I got another low tire pressure message on my car, indicating a small leak in my tire. While my ears have too much negative pressure, my tires do not have enough pressure. So, today, I'm thankful for handy fixes to tire pressure. Air machines are worth the quarters!

Ears - day "whatever"

My ear saga continues today after going to see an ENT and after two visits to the ER and steroid shots. Today, while I did not like learning the news of having to potentially have a craniotomy, I am happy to have answers and information to get to healing. Today, I'm thankful for taking each day at a time.

New friends

Today, we began day three of integrating "Snow" into our furry household. I began day 17 of intense sinus and ear pain. While my pain did not find a friend, it appears our furry critters have begun to make friends. For that, I'm thankful.

Nieces and dad

Today, I got to spend the day with my nieces and my dad. There was almost too much love for one house and I'm thankful for it. Today, I'm thankful for family.

It's snow-ing!

After the loss of our cat, Louis, last month, our household of three cats, sadly, seemed empty and void. So, today, we decided to add in a little "snow" to the mix. So far, she is the most affectionate cat I've met. And, I'm thankful to have her join the family.

Keynote

Today, I delivered my first in-person keynote. Unfortunately, my ears were in a state of pure agony. However, I'm thankful for the opportunity and the ability to share my journey as an educator with other educators!

Home - sick

I woke up on my first day back home, too sick to walk. There seems to be a theme - vacation sickness and home sickness. However, tonight, I'm thankful for a turn in my sickness and a step into the light.

Plus, I had these furry critters to keep me company.

Home

Today, we made it home after a great time away. Though we loved our stay - despite my run-in at the ER - there's always something special about returning home. And, for that, I'm thankful.

False hopes

Today, our kayaking tour we had booked turned into a major bust. From the "guides" literally snoozing on the job to treating other guests rudely, it was a major disappointment. However, today, I'm thankful for new dreams. Tomorrow, we try again and today, we make plans for a better tomorrow.

Dolphins!

In light of the terrorist attacks on the LGBTQ community and a focus on what defines hate, I'm thankful for the opportunity to focus on love today and what brings us together. In this case, it was dolphins. I am thankful to have watched dolphins, swimming together, as one. And, at the same time, it brought people from all of life's paths together.

Horses, dogs, cats, goats, oh my!

This  morning, I was in heaven, surrounded by tons of animals - my weak spot. So, today, I'm thankful for my horse for the day, Kenickie, and the sea of goats, cats, and dogs.

Monk seals

Today, we stumbled upon a monk seal. It was alone and just off the shore. It was still moving so we were unsure if it was feeling okay or if it was ill. As an endangered species, seeing them is rare. I'm thankful for the opportunity, but saddened as I fear it was not well.

To Kauai

Today, we were finally able to make it to Kauai after being delayed for several days due to my ears. Though we got in too late to experience much of the island, we did get to enjoy getting our toes wet in the sands of Kauai!

New territory

Today, we explored a side of the Big Island that we wouldn't have had time for had I not have been sick and stranded here. And, it was worth it! Miles of pure beauty. And, I'm thankful for it.

A little r & r

To heal the ears. Today, I'm thankful for a day of rest at the beach while be trapped on this tropical island. Though, as amazing as it sounds, there are quite a few things you cannot do on a tropical, volcanic island when your ear drum ruptures. So, I'm thankful for the beach and boats. Hooray!

Stranded

Day two of being stranded in Hawaii. Unfortunately, we no longer get to see Maui, but that leaves more time to explore Big Island...where we are stranded. Due to my ears, I had some issues driving, but I'm happy to say we made it the whole circumference of the island.

All good things...come to...

The E.R. One day into our trip, I landed myself into the E.R. due to an ear drum rupturing. The good and bad news...I'm stranded in Hawaii!

And, all because of capturing this gorgeous view:

Aloha

Today,  we traveled 15 hours to the land of Hawaii. Though we are exhausted,  I'm ready to explore!

The last hurrah

...before our trip! And, what better way to celebrate it than with pizza. Today, I'm thankful for breaks.

Blooming

May showers bring...June flowers? We've received so much rain here over the past month so my flowers are in full bloom and are growing rapidly. While the rain is worrisome, I'm thankful for the flowers it brings.

Cutting

Today, I got by quarterly haircut in honor of the first day of summer "break." It was also a day of cutting grass - all around cutting. I'm thankful for a day to cut back the old and make way for the new.