I’m grateful that I’m heading back home tomorrow although it’s not been a bad week. It’s just felt long and I’m tired. I’m thankful to have met my colleagues in person and visited a new area. I will miss these views.

It was colder today than I anticipated, and I had to get up a little earlier than normal, so I was a bit crabby. But the day went by fairly quickly and I got a piece of pretty good apple pie with dinner, so that helped. Plus I got to sit outside on my hotel balcony and stare at the water for a while after work, using a spare bath towel as a blanket. Gotta be thankful for that.

It was long, busy day. I was worried about visiting a different worksite and meeting a couple of folks who are new to reporting to me. Maybe because they aren’t new to the company and I wasn’t sure of expectations. However, today was easier than I expected. We had some good conversations and hopefully set a good tone for working together. Plus I got this view from my hotel room—a lovely end to the day.

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.