The best part of my day was enjoying a delicious and relaxing lunch in a garden with a good friend.  Lunch was in a garden, where most of the ingredients are grown right there!  I love visiting new places, especially hidden gems in the middle of the city.  It was a gorgeous afternoon and my only opportunity to relax and enjoy the day, so I'm grateful to take advantage of it and catch up with a friend!

This water bottle seriously made my day on Monday.  I learned that 75% of us are chronically dehydrated.  I know that I was, and maybe still am, part of that majority.  I am learning how much better the body functions on proper nutrition and hydration, and vow to drink enough water.  This bottle, and plenty of oranges and lemons are going to help me accomplish this.  I'm grateful for new gadget to keep me motivated!

Painting my nails is one thing that makes me feel instantly better about myself.  Unfortunately I haven't done it for a very long time.  I have a bad habit of tearing my nails...and I've had a hard time resisting.  But I'm trying hard to give it up again, and finally my nails are long enough to warrant some mint green nail polish.  I'm grateful for fun, girly things that make me feel pretty.

Summer evenings are for hanging with friends, amongst the mosquitos and tiki torches.  Enjoying a healthy homemade dinner with a good friend, while our doggies are frolicking in the fenced yard, is one of my favorite things to do on a beautiful summer evening.  I can't believe summer is already half over, but I'm grateful to take advantage of these great evenings while it lasts.

I can't believe this is the same fountain that had ice dripping off it in January.  The sun shining off the water was a beautiful golden sight!  Tower Grove park is my favorite park, and it was a quick picture detour before indulging in a long awaited sushi dinner.  The sushi was great, and the company was even better.  I"m grateful for my friends that appreciate me as much as I appreciate them.  Some friends come and go, and some stick around no matter what.

I finished up the 4th of July weekend with a dinner and relaxing evening at my friend's new apartment.  Moving from a small town in Illinois to the urban, tree-lined streets of Clayton post-divorce is a huge change for her, and I couldn't be more proud of her for moving forward and starting the next chapter in her life.  I'm grateful for exciting beginnings and friends that include me in their journey!

The day after the 4th, I got to spend an evening with friends and these 2 cutie pies.  We all know that I'm not too much of a baby person, but I couldn't help taking pictures of these happy little girls.  There's just something about the innocence of children and how they can be happy just kicking around on a blanket.  Their endless smiles are infectious.  I'm grateful for all the silly things that make me giggle and take life less seriously.

Food, family, friends, and fireworks...isn't that what 4th of July is about?  Since my family is far away, I got to spend it with my great friend and her family.  It was awesome just relaxing and enjoying everything this country has to offer us.  I've got to be thankful for independence...something I have been embracing in this post divorce, newly single life.  Although it can be lonely at times, it is also freeing to know that I am in charge of my life and happiness and no one can take that away from me!

I found a feather today.  I love feathers; they are my sign of beauty, independence, vitality, and inspiration.  Sometimes I feel like nature leaves us a little gifts meant to remind us of a bigger picture.  Isabelle was frolicking in some grass during our mini walk, and the feather was propped up in the ground right her.  I started off the day feeling pretty hopeless about my foot situation, even after a great run and workout.  But after an encouraging doctor's visit and this beautiful little gift, I found my hope again.  I'm grateful today for nature's little presents.