November 26 & 27

I am thankful for my little Chickie, she makes me laugh and think and see things through her eyes. It's like growing up again.

I am thankful for my life and all the blessings each day. Some days are crazy, but it all usually works out.

November 24 and November 25

I am thankful for my sister, the 24th is her birthday. Even though I keep forgetting how old she is, she continues to grow and blossom.

I am thankful we live in a country where we can disagree.  I don't always like the tone or methods in which people disagree, but at least we can.  I keep hoping for that wake up call that will bring our country back to productive dialogue.

I read an interesting article today where two things stood out to me:

But remember that a crucial tactic in winning a debate—and a crucial component of being a good-hearted, mindful human being, more importantly—is listening. Is trying to understand, even when we don’t. Is thinking before you speak.

To everyone with a lot to say and a no-holds-barred social media platform on which to share it: leave room for dialogue. Change the conversation, don’t shut it out when it looks different than your own. Use your voice to spark unity, not hatred.

Full link: http://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/11/why-i-want-to-delete-half-of-my-facebook-friends-during-a-national-crisis/

November 22 & 23

I am thankful for time spent with my Grandma. She always makes me smile.

I am thankful for family days with all the sibs and their families.  Its almost hard to believe how much it has grown in the last few years.

November 20 & 21

Thankful for my friends from afar that I can commiserate on games with.

Thankful for a night to myself to go watch a movie that makes me glad I read the books first. The liberties they take with the images in my head..... :)

November 19

I was thankful for the dinner in fridge that I didn't have to make.  With B's schedule change, Willa and I have been doing our own thing for dinner most nights. Getting a text that Ziti was in the fridge for us made our night.

November 18

I am thankful for good childcare.  We have pretty much always had it, except for the one instance when we didn't, so now we are that much more thankful Willa is in a safe and happy environment.  We have never looked at it as someone else "raising our child" but finding the place where she can learn, grow, be safe, and reinforce those things we find important like being kind and using manners.

November 17

Thankful for our doggies.  It doesn't seem so, but they are both "senior" dogs and starting to show it in one way or another.  Bosco for sure, but poor Belle is also not feeling well since she hurt herself last week.  While they are sometimes a pain and under our feet, the joy and comfort and laughs they have given totally out weighs it.

November 15 & 16

Saturday I was thankful for the small accomplishments.  My parents came over and sometimes I think people visiting are motivation enough to get things done.  I have been really trying to use up some of my fabric stash before buying more and we got some of the scrap stash cut to start on a new project.  I am however, to a point where I need to go buy some items to finish up some Christmas presents and other items, you know, like, batting, thread, some backing fabric.  Sometimes the stash can only go so far.

Sunday I did my best not to go outside since it was snowy and cold.  I am thankful for weekends to unwind and relax.  It was much needed.

November 14

Today I am thankful for non-grumpy people.  I had been dreading a meeting with a client to deliver maybe not so great news and they were far from grumpy and it was a pleasant conversation.  While life isn't always great I think it is important to keep a good perspective and not let crappy stuff slow us down from enjoying life anyway.

November 13

Today I am thankful for technology and the times when we need information ASAP and it provides it ASAP. Now for resolutions to be ASAP and I will throw up an extra thanks!!!

November 12

Today I am thankful for our awesome Public Library.  We borrow constantly, books and movies, and recently figured out which app to download to read the e-books directly on our tablet.  Willa has always loved books but hasn't been so keen on reading chapter books before bedtime.  Downloaded a book on the tablet and she is hooked.  Now, we read a few chapters a night.

Funny part is, I remember chapters being so long when I read them back in the day.  Now I realize they are only 5 or so and we fly through these little books.  Right now it is the Boxcar Children.

Our library has a calculator on its website where you plug in how books and movies you borrow a year and it calculates how much money you save by using the library.  Let's just say...tax dollars well spent.

November 11

I am thankful for all the veterans past and present that have fought or protected the freedoms of those in this country and those in others who could not protect themselves.  It is something not easily repaid.

November 10

I am thankful for a warm home.  As the temperature dropped quickly, I know we are very fortunate to have a shelter that keeps us safe and warm from the outside elements.

November 9

I am thankful for family time.  We were able to enjoy a movie today that B and Willa have been waiting to come out in theatres.  We had such a good time eating popcorn and watching.  I knew nothing about the movie going in but it was pretty good.

November 8

I am thankful for weekends when I get things accomplished. It makes the weekdays when I don't not feel so bad.

November 7

I am thankful I have some skills in the craft world. I can create gifts for people I love,  while not perfect, they can enjoy.

November 6

I am thankful for a freezer full of food. Sometimes we may not always want or crave what we have but we have never been hungry.

November 5

I am thankful for multiple options. The pharmacy didn't have something for Willa's prescriptions and they kindly told us which other pharmacy might have it. They did have it, and we were soon on our way.

November 4

I am thankful for an understanding work environment where I have no doubt that I can put my family first and be where I need to be. Poor little Chickie isn't feeling well and I left to pick her up. She has rarely ever been sick (besides the car) so we figure we were due for an illness. Hopefully, she will rebound quickly without infecting anyone else.

& we voted.

November 3

Today I am thankful our precious little doggies stayed home. We recently had to move their pen and we didn't quite get it secure. Between the wind and their tenacity a wire broke and they escaped.  When B got home they were just lounging by the house. Whew!

November 2

Already Day 2 and I am slacking.  But good excuse, we went 90 miles an hour this weekend and I crashed last night.

I am thankful for all the awesome cousins I have and our relationships that have continued and grown since we were little kids.

November 1

While I know I haven't posted in months I feel like I started a tradition the last few years offering up my thankfulness in November.

Today I am thankful for our ability to travel quickly. We are fortunate to drive back and forth to Kansas basically at will. We are very fortunate to live in a time that is possible.