Girlfriend-in-Chief Tina here. Since I’ve had more than enough time to contemplate the Gratitude Challenge

today and something that I am grateful for, my list of things to be thankful for is growing by leaps and bounds. But that is what a total of
five hours and twenty-one minutes to be exact, driving alone in the car post-vacation will give you. Lots and lots of time to think.

So after much contemplation and heartfelt justification, I’ve decided the one thing I am thankful for today is taking part in this challenge. Before you naysayers balk, let me explain!

For the past few days, I’ve been on vacation. Not a Caribbean dream or girly-girl scene, but an out in the middle of nowhere campy kind of place.

Complete with mosquitos as big as my head and chipmunks who scurry over naked toes,  I have always been quick to point out that vacation spot is really not my cup of tea! But with 21 days of being thankful ahead, I felt more than a little guilt for having such negative thoughts. So in the Gratitude Challenge way, I turned my negative into a positive. It made me realize a few things I love about our yearly campy adventure. I’m grateful that my city boys get to experience the country. I’m happy that my palette is filled with gorgeous black and white photos ops of my family. Last but not least I’m thankful that I always score a cute pair of new shoes to protect my toes against stray chipmunks.

I thought this challenge would be a piece-o-cake. Sounds simple enough be grateful for what you have. But during our campy adventure in the middle of nowhere, my “little b” got sick with Hand-Foot-Mouth disease, my “B” ran into a tree and got a concussion, a friend was sent to the hospital for a neck injury. Yes I am thankful for my nursing skills but seriously? I found myself wanting to phone a friend after the stress of it all.  My lifeline to sanity…my girlfriends. I am thankful that I have them to listen when my glass is half full.

After thinking about the trip and what I am most thankful for today, I can say wholeheartedly I am thankful to be included and to take part in this challenge. It is nice to look at things cast in a different light. I can honestly say you helped to make my trip a little rosier in many ways.

Ok girlfriends, why not share in the journey?  What are you thankful for today?