It might be Friday the 13th, but I wasn’t scared. I took the day off work and had a great day. It was hot. It was sunny. I slept in and then sat on the deck with my coffee and magazines I hadn’t gotten to read yet. Then I got a lot done. Bought flowers, went through my storage unit, planned how to rearrange my craft room. Washed winter blankets. Worked in the yard. Im thankful it was a good day!

I’m thankful today for flowers, the heat, driving with the windows down, wiggly puppy butts, and licorice.

I got yesterday’s date wrong on my post, and no one told me. I’m taking that as an indication of how many followers I have reading daily. I’m pretty sure even Patrick has dropped off. Haha!

But It doesn’t bother me. I said at the outset that I’m doing this because I need to. The daily practice of looking for something positive in a world of negativity is good for me. It’s grounding. And helps feed hope.

Tonight I’m thankful for good friends and honest conversations. I met a friend after work and during the course of our two-hour chat, we learned new things about each other. Real connection is what keeps us going. We all need that, and I’m grateful for these moments.

This was the start of a yummy dinner to end the day. We are unseasonably warm this week—today it was 91 degrees on my way home from work! Still, Patrick fired up the flat-top grill and made smashed turkey burgers while I enjoyed my fruit beer. I’m thankful for his good cooking skills, the bit of early summer, and time out on the deck.

It was a very long day at work today, which extended into an after-work dinner. Our company’s leadership team came over Finland. We had some interesting conversations. We talked about issues in our groups. We had a company-wide lunch. I’m thankful for making work connections, even as I wonder how it will shake out.

I’m thankful today for all the moms in my life. And for my kids who made me a mom.

A productive day! Patrick and I both worked in the yard because it was a beautiful day. I got our boxwood hedge trimmed and the entire yard edged. We bought a few plants and Patrick mowed the backyard. I even got my outdoor chalkboard painted. (The chalk markers would not erase the Winter greeting Bree and Noah wrote on it.) It’s so relaxing to be outside again. I love having an active day.

Tonight we went to a retirement party for some of Patrick’s colleagues. We had a good meal and good conversation. And I got to see my friend Di in person! It’s been a long time. I’m thankful we got to chat “live” and grateful for her hugs.

I’m grateful that the rain has stopped and tomorrow should be sunny. And tonight has been for relaxation. It’s good to have some downtime.

I’m thankful for my sister Brenda, whose birthday is today. And for margaritas. And for Patrick who finished mowing the front lawn before that rain tonight.

It was sunny today! After what felt like weeks of overcast, cool, and daily drizzle weather, it was great to see the sun again. I started mowing our front lawn after work. I say started because I couldn’t finish. We have a new electric mower and the battery died. To be fair, it was only partially charged and the grass was long. Since it’s supposed to rain again the next couple of days, the yard is going to be weird for a while. Oh, well. I’m thankful to have gotten some physical activity in today. And even more thankful that it was outside.