Gratitude

The other day I wrote that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and with it coming up next week, I wanted to take the time to make note of some of the things I am thankful for. Really, I am blessed and can't list everything, but it's good to think about it, you know?

Friends – you know who you are. My friends are the people who boost me up every day. They are the ones who challenge me to become a better person. I have found I surround myself with people, who, like me, see the glass as half full, and it’s something delicious with which to raise our glasses and make a toast! One never knows what life will bring, and there’s no point in spending time with negative people who bring you down.

Love – I am so fortunate to have found my soul mate. Bill is my best friend and the love of my life! We finish each others’ sentences, reach the same conclusions at the same time, and sometimes even buy the same greeting cards. Some of our most wonderful evenings are those we spend sitting at home knitting and reading together and not saying a word. When we’re apart, I feel as though a part of me is missing.

Family – I am so blessed to still have my parents and siblings here with me, despite some serious illness scares the past couple of years. We are close, and we are silly, and when we are all together we can be scary and a bit intimidating to outsiders. LOL I know how lucky I am, and I give thanks every day for my crazy family… all the way down to my parents’ great-grandchildren. On top of that, I am going to be step-mom to two wonderful college boys whom I love dearly. They, along with Mayhem and Absent-Minded Professor, keep me laughing and fill my heart with joy.

And then there are the daily things… coffee, knitting, sunshine, snow, my mom’s cooking, knitting, a warm house, snoring dogs, good wine, a job that pays the bills, knitting, my local yarn shop, modern medicine, knitting… the list goes on and on. Did I mention knitting?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Catching Up

Hey! I'm still alive!



I don't know if I can begin to tell you all of the things that have happened since mid-July when I last blogged here, but I will try to catch you up.



Yes, I still knit. I still write the blog for Yarn Cravin'. I seem to be able to do that regularly. Go figure. I even find time to work there once in a while. I am constantly knitting, but don't seem to finish many projects. I'm working on that, really. I did finish some little socks and a sweater for my brand new great-nephew, whom I will meet at Thanksgiving. Yummmm... can't wait to smooch on that baby!

The kids are doing well. They have adjusted to our shared parenting arrangement of one week with dad, one week with me, and seem to be OK with that. School is going well for them and me, and life has settled into a routine of school/work in the mornings, study/play in the afternoons, knit/tv in the evenings. Life is quieter and peaceful now that we're all in a routine.

Mayhem is playing the viola, having just started orchestra this year. She is already making "real" music. Absent-Minded Professor is thrilled that he is nearly as tall as his dear momma... just one more inch to go! Next year he will join me at the high school. He got braces right before school started in August and we can see a huge improvement already. College Kid the Elder had swine flu in October and was brought home for several days to recuperate. (The younger kids and I get our vaccines this week - finally!) Bill and I can't believe the oldest will graduate in May! College Kid the Younger transferred to Ohio University this fall for his second year of college and is having a fabulous year with their debate team.

Right now Bill and I are getting ready for Thanksgiving; we have so much to be thankful for! This is my favorite time of year, and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. To answer the big question: No, we aren't married yet. We are still working out the logistics of combining our families and households. I don't know when the wedding will be, or even how it will be. Right now we are deliriously happy just knowing it will be.

Someone stay on my case about blogging, OK?