So Much to be Grateful For

 

I'm sitting here Thanksgiving morning with an apple crumb pie in the oven and I can't believe that the date is November 26. In some ways, the month flew by and other days it seems like time dragged on. I always intend to sit down every day and post. There's just been so much going on and plans are constantly being rewritten. In year's past, I would have really agonized about not keeping up with things. In 2020, I decided that I deserve the grace that I am so quick to give others. So here's a little "catch-up" ......

#5 - I am thankful for warm sunny days in November

#6 - I am thankful for video conferencing software

#7 - I am thankful for weeknights without meetings

#8 - I am thankful for finding toilet paper on the grocery store shelves

#9 - I am thankful for clean sheets

#10 - I am thankful for cards and notes in the mailbox

#11 - I am thankful for online shopping

#12 - I am thankful for Brooke's love of baking

#13 - I am thankful for our zero turn lawnmower

#14 - I am thankful for noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones 

#15 - I am thankful for a really good cup of hot coffee

#16 - I am thankful for my large wraparound porch

#17 - I am thankful for new babies

#18 - I am thankful for good health insurance

#19 - I am thankful for my colleagues

#20 - I am thankful for hand sanitizer that smells nice

#21 - I am thankful for mornings when I am the only one up

#22 - I am thankful for takeout

#23 - I am thankful for my journal

#24 - I am thankful for Amazon Prime

#25 - I am thankful for an extra day off with pay

#26 - I am thankful that Thanksgiving is a holiday, even for UPS

Let's Get Physical

 

#4 - I am thankful for my basement gym

Paul and I workout 4-5 mornings a week together in our basement gym. We bought some foam floor tiles at Home Depot, a 40 inch tv and a Roku stick. We subscribed to Beachbody on Demand and picked used weights at the scrap yard, yard sales and on sale at Target. 

I don't have to leave the house to fit the workouts into my day and having a partner holding me accountable. 

#4 - I am thankful for my basement gym

Let There be Peace on Earth

 #3 - I am thankful for the right to vote

This is my standard "thankful" on election day. I woke up this morning, already having voted, thinking about what a privilege it is to have this right. I vote every time I get the opportunity. I vote in primaries, I vote in every race. I think it is THAT important. I often think about the fact that if I had been born in different time, I would not have been allowed to cast a ballot. Because I was A. WOMAN.

I'm not expecting to know who the "official" winner is tomorrow morning or maybe even this week. 

It is possible that my candidate does not win. 

My final prayer this morning, before my feet hit the floor and my daily routine started was "no matter how this ends, let there be peace" 

A girl can dream, right? 

 #3 - I am thankful for the right to vote

Thirty Days of Thanks

 

I haven't written in a LONG time. I should say published in a long time because I have actually written quite a bit since the last public post. I just haven't shared. Honestly, I'm not sure why.   Anyway, for lots of years I spent the month of November writing "Thirty Days of Thanks" - it isn't prolific text that will catch the eye of some publisher or win me any awards. I just like to write and I let it fall by the wayside too easily.

This has been a YEAR, this 2020. While there has been a lot of things that "suck" -- there has been some moments that I would not trade for anything. 

Yesterday, I was thinking about how I couldn't believe it was November. Later that night, I was thinking how much I had enjoyed a "quick" three mile walk with a friend that morning around the Lebanon Green. Then I remembered this tradition and decided I would write.

Some of you might have been looking for a post yesterday, so you'll be treated to Day 1 & 2 today. 

I hope that even in the midst of this crazy, chaotic, frustrating, stressful time, you stop each day - even if just for a moment - and find something that fills you with gratitude. #30daysofthanks

Without further delay .............

Day #1 - I am thankful for Sunday walks with a friend

Most Sundays, I meet a dear friend at the Lebanon Green and we walk. We make 2 trips around the large oval and my watch tells me that is just around 3 miles. We catch up on our busy week, talk about recipes, or family. I am grateful for the exercise and the time away from the chaos of home and work. I am grateful for just that little more than an hour away from an endless list of "things to do." I am grateful to spend time with a friend during these times when it is hard to be together. 

I am thankful for Sunday walks with a friend

Day #2 - I am thankful for Sunday Night Bowling

I can't even remember how long we've been bowling on Sunday nights, its been longer than 15 years because we joined this league before we were married. Even this year, with less teams, less socializing, and no french fries  ... I still look forward to it. It is a few hours away from home with people we really enjoy spending time with. We wear our masks, we fist bump instead of high five's and we're super careful about where we stand and what we touch. It isn't the same as it was but I'll take it. 

I am thankful for Sunday Night Bowling