I’m thankful today for the Thanksgiving holiday, my birthday, the yummy dinner Patrick made, and the good company. The picture of Patrick and Ann cracks me up because it looks like they’re having a terrible time when they were actually having an animated conversation. I just snapped the photo at the wrong moment.

I was able to take the afternoon off work to get some things done at home while the weather was warm again. I got up the Christmas lights and garland outside and took in some of the outdoor stuff that needed to be stored for the winter. Yay!

Before I left work, my colleagues surprised me with some birthday balloons and presents and cake. It was really sweet and I’m so grateful for them!

I’m thankful today for holiday decorating at work, a couple of pre-birthday gifts, and a short work week.

I’m thankful today for fun at work, a painfully good massage, fun wrapping paper, a nice glass of wine, and Christmas tree lights. A wee bit early. I put on the fire feature so at least the colors are Thanksgiving-ish.

I’m thankful today for getting a few things off my to-do list, although not as much as I’d hoped. At least the sun was out, which made cutting wood for a shelf easier. And now our entryway is a bit more organized. Yay!

I’m thankful today for my mom, whose birthday is today. She’s the best, funny and kind. Smart and sarcastic. Talented and loving. I am lucky. And look how beautiful she is…

I’m thankful today for safe travels in spontaneous snow showers, full contact puppy snuggles in fuzzy blankets, and getting together with friends we haven’t hung out with in a while. Oh! And this yummy, cheesy apple pie my friend made for dessert. Mmmmm.

I’m thankful today for a start to the holidays with an event where I got to make a seasonal pot of greens. I’m going to add a bow, but I like the traditional look of this. It was a fun afternoon off work with a friend and I’m grateful to have been invited.

I’m also thankful for a spontaneous get together this evening for dinner with a couple of friends. We said we would try to get together once a month, but the last time we did was September. I’m glad it worked out tonight.

I’m thankful for Emma, whose birthday is today. I’ve probably shared this picture of her before, but it’s still one of my favorites. I miss hearing her laughter regularly. She’s officially an adult at 25, which her birthday plans confirmed. She was running errands for her church and planned pizza at home with her grandmother. Quiet and tame.

It’s also my friend Sharon’s birthday, and I’m also thankful for her today. At 79, she’s still an inspiration for style and independence, and I hope I age as gracefully as she is.