I’ve been in California for over a week now and it’s bringing to light a few things that I’m extra grateful for. Granted they are mostly superficial things. But they are meaningful to me, nonetheless.
Here are a list of five little things. Five little things that I once took for granted. But, after living in Harrogate, Tennessee, they are five things that I am so appreciative of.
1) Cell Phone Service
In Harrogate, you can drop calls at any moment. You are never certain whether or not your phone will have reception. You find yourself apologizing to people over and over for that time you hung up on them. And, 9 times out of 10, when you walk into a building, you can say goodbye to the outer world until you step out of the building again.
In California, we have service. And when we don’t have service, the place you’re hanging out in most likely has Wifi.
2) Dishwasher
I’m sure there are plenty of homes that have dishwashers in Harrogate. We, however, do not. So the fact that I can eat a meal without thinking about the least possible amount of dishes to use is a rare treat. Last night, I used a bowl and a plate for dinner. Living life on the edge.
3) Wine and Liquor at the Grocery Store
Sometimes, when I make a trip to Safeway or Pavilions, I find myself wandering the liquor aisle. I don’t actually end up purchasing any, but it’s just a nice thought that they are there. That I can buy a bottle of wine at my grocery store and I don’t have to drive out of the county when I need alcohol. California is so efficient.
4) Restaurants and Yelp
Harrogate doesn’t use Yelp. They use Facebook to advertise any small businesses and restaurants. But, most of the time, you get to know of a place through word-of-mouth. Luckily, my co-workers fill me in on the places around the area. But, still, their idea of “good food” is vastly different than mine. And our options are limited. I don’t think any of them even know what Thai food is.
5) The Weather
I have been so much more active this week than I have been in the past few months. I’m a hermit in Harrogate. I don’t want to leave the confines of my apartment for fear that my face will freeze off. Here, in California, with 65 degree weather throughout the month of December, I am more likely to walk outside and do things.
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That being said, I am off to go enjoy all the little things while I’ve still got ’em.
Have a good one!
Questions of the Day:
- What’s one little thing that you normally take for granted?
Starbucks.
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These are definitely things to be thankful for as they are not a given at every place on earth! xxx
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I love the rural life more. I lived city life in London for 10 years – that was nice. Took me 25 minutes to get into central London, find nice spots to just hang. Did this often during weekends. I love the rural life now. Maybe it is something to do with being married and getting older.
Since we moved from Denver, CO to Huntsville, AL. I can say the two things I miss are coffee shops, everywhere. Not talking about Starbucks, and not having a wide variety of local restaurants. Chili’s and Applebee’s seems to be the go-to place around here. We have come across a couple of gems, but that is the exception, not the rule.
All great things that I love in the Knoxville area, too – although even here, there are places where cell phone service is horrifying. Still, for the most part, those places are few and far between, and for a book nerd like me, the Kindle thankfully covers almost any cell phone lapse.
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Can you please send some of that sunshine and warm weather my way?? And yes, I don’t know how I’d decide where to eat without Yelp haha. It’s pretty helpful. Enjoy your holiday!
You are so right! I have to have a goid wifi signal for even my phone in the south. I’m from the north and tho I don’t. Live in a rural area I miss being able to walk to places ti shop everything is so spread out even in the city.
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There are a few grocery stores in my area of NJ that DO sell wine/liquor, but we have very weird blue laws, and sometimes I forget that 5pm on Sunday, EVERYTHING closes and you can’t purchase wine anywhere. Weird, right?
It’s funny the things you take for granted when they are no longer available to you.
XOXO and hope you had a very merry Christmas, my sweet!!
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California is just so much fun n full of exciting places. Loved reading through your 5 little things. I can spend hours in those aisles looking at their vast collections 😉
Wonderful! It’s good to keep note of the things you are thankful for. I’m thankful for the weather as well! xx
Ashlee
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One thing I really take for granted is dog parks. We’re fortunate to have a bunch in MN. When he last traveled to CO we found a bunch of great ones there. But I don’t know if other places have so many well maintained dog parks. It’s the one thing I use almost daily.
Yes these are all things to be grateful for and appreciate. Not everyone is so lucky. I have lived in many different countries including some in Africa where light and water are not guaranteed everyday so I say appreciate everything you have, even if it seems meaningless.
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I try not to purposely take anything for granted. Here in NJ we don’t have any alcohol in the grocery stores.
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Ah it’s the little things isn’t it!! I grew up in a farm and remember having to ride my bike up the hill every time I wanted to send a text message! I hear you on the dishwasher front too our house doesn’t have one either, the past 3 years have been the first time I’ve lived without one – I must spend at least 39 mins a day washing by hand!! But I guess we have to remember there are plenty of great aspects to small town living too 😉
You never miss what you don’t have, but it’s nice that you get to enjoy these things while you can. Small town living has its own charms I’m sure.
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Interesting list! I’ve never had a dishwasher and don’t really see myself ever getting one even though I don’t enjoy doing dishes. I definitely could not live anywhere with colder weather than California!!!! Are you living here in CA now? Or visiting???
It’s bittersweet that you’re enjoying all these little things and then you’d have to say goodbye to them once again. Thanks for sharing these five little things!
These five little things really makes a difference. Weather sounds good at your place.
I lived in the middle of nowhere Texas for a long time. I am super grateful for where I am living in California now…especially the cell phone service 😛 (And maybe the liquor, but shh.)
They’re great things to be appreciative for, it’s always nice having those little extras that make us even happier x
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I totally agree with all of these! I’ve always lived in big cities so whenever we visit small towns, I go kind of crazy haha. The cell phone service is the thing that bugs me the most. And I wish our grocery stores carried liquor! I’ve never lived in a state that allowed that. I might just have to think about visit California soon!
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LOL, I live in California and have visited many places in the mid-west plus, lived in the South for a while too. I found not being able to do quite a few things odd to when out there.
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Great post. We need more sunshine.
It is all the about the little things! Glad you’ve been able to be more active.
Sometimes it’s nice to have a reminder of all the little things that we take for granted.
La Belle Sirene
It’s nice to be grateful for even the littlest of things. That’s one of the thoughts that I keep on instilling in my son while he’s young. 🙂
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It’s always funny how the little things can really add up. I can totally understand why all of those things make life easier and a bit less muddled! Ahh CA.
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I’ve also learned that cell phone service is a must. I used to think that I didn’t need a cell phone until I had to use a actual phone booth on the street…lol Yes they still exist. That’s when I learned the necessity of cell phone service and how bad of a germiphobe I am…lol
YAY!! For your 5 little things.
We take them for granted when we have them.
Feel blessed and thankful.
Have Fun and Happy Happy TImes in So Cal.
Enjoy every bit of your time with family.
Bahah so the town I grew up in, where my family still lives is like that. ITt’s gotten better in the past few years… still have to drive 20 minutes to get some wine but I remember having to go outside and stand just right to get reception on my cell lol
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