As Thanksgiving nears, I always become more aware of those around me whom I am most grateful for, since I’m not in Chicago or Rhode Island with my family this holiday (again!) and I don’t want be a pair of sad pants. Obviously my husband, dogs and friends are at the top of the list, but almost all my students are running a close race for second. It never ceases to amaze me how generous they can be and I feel loved and overall, appreciated for the work I do, for little pay and in the beginning of my teacher career, for no play at all. I teach because it’s my calling, it’s what I was put on this Earth to do and I’m gonna be that 80-something-year-old yoga lady still rocking the arm balances and pink leggings!

So you can imagine my surprise yesterday when my student Bob, who I love and have mentioned here before, and his wife Heidi, gifted me a brand new Kindle Paperwhite. Can you say OH MY GOD???? Because I did. I practically yelled it at him before the tears started falling from my eyes, I was so overwhelmed and stunned on what I could have done to deserve this. Oh nothing he said, you’ve just helped changed my life through yoga. Oh. Wow. Why thanks. I never looked at it that way before! But the feeling is mutual! Bob is uber-smart, uber-fascinated and always has a good question to ask after class, even though sometimes I don’t have an answer because he’s a doctor and knows so, so much more anatomical part and terms than I do! A BIG thanks to you Bob… I’m already shopping for a cute case!

Me and my new BFF.

I spent all of last night and morning find rare books that I have been unable to locate online, in used bookstores and at the library. And it lights up! So while Andy, Corduroy and Sugar are next to me snoring away, I can read! Without a light! It’s a miracle! And I can read the New York Times and the New Yorker too! And my Ma told me to check out my library’s e-catelouge of books where I may be able to download good reads for free. And there’s nothing better than free people, am I wrong?!

While I’m giving Bob a shout-out, I’ve got some other students I want to thank for their generosity too… thanks for the fresh eggs from your chickens Lisa; Jennysoup thanks for all the lettuce, radishes and vegetables you’ve gifted me and the yummy almond bar you made; Lori thank you for always bringing me a special treat after class and for turning me onto those cheap containers at the dollar store and for the OM dreamcatcher I look at everyday; Elizabeth thanks for the cupcakes you create with love; Kal and Marie a big thanks for all those bags of almonds and wasabi greens; Jackie thanks for the Croatian salts I was suppose to eat, not bathe with, and thanks Steve and Louise for always remembering me at Christmas and on my birthday with a gift card to a fancy restaurant. I love you all very much and your presence in my class, kind words, thoughts and gifts don’t go unnoticed for even a second! I’ve got a great job and I am truly blessed.

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Back to business of the Yummy Yogini kind though… I thought I’d let you know that my homemade Chai Green Tea Kombucha batch is finally ready! The scoby has been loving it in there, fermenting and all, and it was three times the size of when I originally received it from Ed not four weeks ago! I can’t wait to hand him a bottle tomorrow morning at Ashtanga… it’s the little things really. It’s been 20 days since I started my batch and I’ve been tasting it for the past several days waiting for it to be just right and that time was today. So yea!

I took out the scoby while I poured the Kombucha into my glass bottles and I realized I made waaaaay too much.. but that’s okay because I drink one of those guys a day so it’ll go quick. Plus I’m saving $2.99 a day now… streeeeeetching the budget. That’s how we do. Now I have six bottles of my homemade concoction sitting in the refrig and I am filled with a huge sense of accomplishment since making my own Kombucha has been something I’ve been talking about doing for years. Check that off the bucket list! So thanks Ed and Kyle for turning me onto how it’s done at home and for reassuring me that I wasn’t going to die of a bacterial infection if everything wasn’t overly sterilized and temperature perfect! Sigh of relief!

If anyone would like to stop by with bottles, I will gladly fill em’ up for nothing!

Up close and personal.

Oh! And before I go, I got the coolest stamps at the postoffice today… and didn’t have to wait in a 20 minute line to get them! Who out there likes Harry Potter?? I know! Who doesn’t! Ma- you are the only one who hasn’t read them that I know… Get on it! I don’t collect stamps but I’m going to have a hard time peeling these off and onto envelopes! Anyhoo, have a great Friday and rest of your weekend. I’m planning on creating my Thanksgiving menu with brand new recipes that I’ll post next week. I’m over traditional and ready for new and exciting! Plus Andy will be working all day while I cook for myself and friend Jen, and we will be feasting away and drinking good wine! I’m thankful ya’ll read this blog too… if I haven’t said it!

These stamps cost the same as the boring ones too!

Corduroy passed out, complete with snoring, today while mama worked on Yummy Yogini… he’s such a lover.