30 days of thanks: indiana

Today is November 1st. Ah yes, thank you Mrs. Obvious. I seriously have no clue where October went. When did it even get here, anyways? Crazy. They say the older you get, the faster time flies. Or maybe it's time flies when you're having fun. So does that mean older people have more fun? I guess so :)

I am starting a blog series for this month. It's called 30 Days of Thanks. I am sure you are all familiar with the idea. Each day I am going to remind myself of something different for which I am thankful. I try not to take too many things for granted in life, but we all need reminders of how well we really do have it regardless of what we don't have. 

November is the month to focus on what we do have. It's time to stop focusing on wanting and move our energy towards thanking and letting others know how grateful we are. 

I am going to still continue my regular blogging, but each day I will feature something I am thankful for. It may be something small and petty. It may be sappy and serious. I swing both ways. 

Today, as I was zipping around all over helping out with a project, I found myself extremely thankful for the beautiful trees, landscapes and just my beautiful state of Indiana. 

There was a time when I was younger where I didn't appreciate this state and where I came from.

Now, I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Our state is so diversified geographically. We have farm ground, meadows, sand dunes, prairies, swamp ground, wetlands, hills, forests, lakes and beaches. Everywhere you go, the scenery is always changing. I love going down the back roads and just driving. 

We get to experience all the seasons especially the colorful fall and a white Christmas. Winters are cold and snowy but for the most part, they're tolerable. We are trapped inside for most of those months, but it gives us time to hibernate and slow down a little. Summers are mild or hot depending on the year. I love a good, mild summer. Nothing better! 

Here in Indiana you have the opportunity to live a small town, rural life but pretty much no matter where you live, you're still within a half hour give or take of a city with much to offer. I live kind of "in the middle of nowhere" it feels like at times but really it isn't. I can drive a half hour to 40 minutes in all directions and find some type of city with all my favorite stores and restaurants. We really aren't deprived as people say we are. Travel out west if you think we are! Even then, I wouldn't call it deprived. Sometimes it's good to be away from society. It's good for the soul. 

The people here..... are good for the most part. I've ran into friendlier groups in other states. It seems like the farther south you get, the more friendly we Hoosiers tend to be. Us northerners are close to the fast pace region of Chicago and can tend to get uptight at times. Not everyone. Just the region in general. Take a drive out in the country and I guarantee you that you'll be waved at by a farmer or Amish person. 

The culture is everywhere. You have your Amish, Mennonites, hippies, small townies, farmers, cowboys, cowboy wannabes, yuppies, city slickers, ghettos, red necks, red neck wannabes and just good old fashion country people. Did I cover all the basic stereotypes? I know it's not nice to stereotype but we are all over the place. I really can't define what "normal" is...... is there such a thing as "normal"? Well, I am normal, of course. ;)

So yes, Indiana, I love you and I am thankful for all that you have brought to my life. I am thankful to have been born and raised here. I am thankful that you will be my forever home. Trust me, it will be. I know you never know, but I don't like to move. I'm the polar opposite of nomadic. Dan and I would be living with my parents if they'd let us... ha! I was kicked out when we got married... ;) 

Are you going to take the 30 days of thanks challenge? It's good for the soul.