Monday, July 23rd, 2012 marked the end of an era. I sold my Camry.

For those who know me, I’ve had this car since the summer before my senior year in college. I referred to her as my “old lady car” and looking at her you can see why. She was an old lady car, bought used from, yep – you guessed it – an “older” lady. She was born in 1996 which for some seems like ages ago but she was a good ole car. Old lady blue, leather seats, special edition model printed on the front headrests and a trunk big enough to fit at least four bodies (this is a joke). She screamed old lady.

We had been though a lot in the grand scheme of things. Summer before my senior year my dad pretty much took my money and bought her even though I didn’t want her. I had a ’95 Camry which was absolutely ghetto (my antenna buzzed for the first mile or two every time it went up, had to unlock the car from the passenger door, passenger door window popped out when it rolled up, the list goes on). I guess I’m not a huge fan of changes in vehicles.

Soon enough history was made:
… driving around the streets of Burlington, VT senior year.
… learning how to snowboard at Bolton.
… college graduation.
… moving out of the dorms.
… moving into my first apartment.
… trip to Maine to visit friends.
… good music, good friends, good shows.
… 251 club road trips.
… moving into an apartment with the best roomie anyone could ask for (Beckster).
… weekend morning trips up to Bolton in the winter so I could hit the fresh tracks.
… moving across country (Vermont to Texas).
… exploring new ground with all these Texas adventures.
… learning a lot about vehicle maintenance (and auto parts) being 2,000 miles from home (and away from dad). (I wouldn’t say this was a lot of fun…)

These are just a few things that have happened in the past seven years. It was a good ride. So bittersweet. You will be missed. I even told the new owner to take good care of the ole girl. I think she’s in good hands.

There are so many things that I am thankful for, it’s hard to get them all out. I think some are pretty obvious – family (I wouldn’t be who I am without them and am very blessed to have them in my life), great friends, a home and having a job. I have a hard time putting into words how thankful I am to have the people that I do in my life. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reach out to those and be grateful.

For Thanksgiving, I was 2,000 miles away from my family. I missed being able to spend the day with my parents, brother, sister-in-law, future niece / nephew and Memere but I was able to speak to them and catch up. Although it wasn’t the same as being there, it was still nice to be able to speak to them. Since I was away from home, I was able to spend the day with some friends here and I’m very thankful that they were so kind to invite me into their home on this special day.

I’m thankful for the following:
… the unexpected.
… the expected.
… kindness of strangers. (Special thanks goes to those who know how to merge in traffic. It’s truly an issue in DFW!)
… the holiday season.
… real Christmas trees in the South!
… crafts.
… my plants deciding to grow.
… the time I was able to spend with my Pepere when he was here. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t wish I could just spend time with you one more time. Happy Birthday on the 26th.
… the fact that I will be able to head back to Vermont in about a week!
… and all of you for reading my blog. I’m not sure if it’s all that entertaining sometimes but I really do appreciate you coming by!

This list can probably go on for a good long time. I’ll cut it short tonight, but I’m not less thankful! Thank you for my blessings each and everyday!