Why is traveling so exhausting? I went into work for a little while this morning and rode to the airport with a colleague who is traveling with me. It was raining on our way there and raining at our destination, which was a bit of a bummer and made traveling a little nerve wracking. But our flight was fairly short and uneventful and we made it safely, so I’m thankful for that.

Sunday! Tomorrow I’ll be traveling for work and will be gone until Friday, so I’m grateful today for hanging out with Patrick, having breakfast out and running errands, and walking around the neighborhood in the warm sunshine.

I’m thankful for a day of shopping with my mom and a couple of sisters today. We started with breakfast and ended with dessert and coffee instead of dinner. Perfect.

And the pups seemed to miss me…

I was having such a chill evening, I almost forgot to record my gratitude for the day, which is probably something to be thankful for in itself. However, I’m really thankful for the Christmas gift cards that have allowed me to get a massage every week for a while now because it’s really making a difference. Today’s massage hurt in the best possible way. I really do feel like I’m gaining some range of motion in my arm, which is great because once my gift cards are spent, I’ll be back to massage every few weeks. Luckily, I just need to make it to August.

After a long and frustrating day at work, I’m grateful for dinner out with Patrick and a good beer. And chocolate.

I finally got my reconstruction surgery scheduled—August 7. I’m really disappointed to have to wait so long, but I was told they’d let me know if a cancellation happens and I can get in sooner. I’m not holding my breath on that.

As disappointed as I am, I’m thankful to have it on the calendar to plan around. And I’ll be able to enjoy the summer. And I have extra time to gain more weight. I’m kidding on that one. While it might help with my surgery, I’m already feeling like I need to lose 20 pounds. But I am thankful to have the end in sight. If all goes well, it could be all finished this year. Finally. Fingers crossed.

I’m thankful today for bookend pups, especially this golden boy who turned 9 years old.

I’m grateful that Emma made it home safely, that we had time before she left to have breakfast together, and that I had the rest of the sunny day to myself. Chance and I miss her already though.

I’m thankful today for getting to spend a little more time with Emma this afternoon, for sunshine, vacuumed floors, and cheesy pasta.

I had my last art therapy class today, and we did group art. We had just a few minutes to add our imprint on someone’s artwork, and everyone added something to each person’s. I started my artwork with the eyes, and the end result was exactly me. I’m thankful for meaning in unexpected places.