I’m thankful today for being able to leave work a little early and hang out for a while with my friend, Ann. We caught up over wine and snacks. It was a good ending to this long week.

Some days it’s hard to identify something for which to be grateful. The day is long, tough, or frustrating, and gratitude is not the top of the list. Some days it gets to the evening, and I have to stop and really think about it.

That’s when I think through my day and focus on the small things. A brilliant sunrise on the way to work with heavy clouds that seem close enough to touch. A good coffee. Laughter from coworkers teasing each other in the afternoon. Leftover Halloween candy. Happy puppy greetings after work. Impromptu dinner out with my guy.

On the way to work, I stumbled upon a Christmas channel on my radio. What?! It’s November but it still seems too soon for Christmas stuff. I’m not quite ready yet. Maybe it’s that our weather is still mild. I’m sure once we get cold, I’ll change my mind on Christmas.

Work has still been crazy. Two of my colleagues admitted that they also go to therapy and spend most of the time talking about work. Maybe we need a staff counselor. Ha. It probably sounds awful, but I’m thankful that I’m not the only one stressed at work. At least I know it’s not that I just can’t handle it. Misery loves company. I am really hoping that it gets better soon.

I’m also thankful for my sister-in-law who reached a personal milestone today. She’s worked hard on a personal issue and she’s crushing it.

I’m thankful, too, for another good massage, peanut butter cups, and fluffy socks.

Happy Halloween!

Facial hair is itchy. Just saying. That explains my disgusted look. Well, that and Monday. Just kidding. It was a busy day, but half a dozen folks dressed up at work, so that was fun! I only got a picture of my group.

Patrick and I had fun handing out candy and watching the small children who were afraid of coming to the door. I’m thankful for a fun Halloween.

Tomorrow is Halloween! I’m only half ready. We got more candy this weekend, and we have our costumes. Patrick decided he’d dress up this year. My costume requires a different hair color, so I got a wig but it looks awful. I tried cutting it and made it worse. I guess I’ll just see what I can do in the morning. I’m going to have to get up early since I plan to wear my costume to work. Fingers crossed.

I’m thankful today for brunch at a new place, For a silly Christmas t-shirt. For good-smelling cleaning supplies.

We went to a haunted house tonight. I’m thankful for some Halloween fun after a day of errands.

Friday! I’m thankful today for brief conversations with my daughter and mother-in-law, for sunshine this afternoon, for pizza and beer, Halloween text messages, and sofa snuggles.

The day started off rough. Our company president held a meeting where he announced impending layoffs—never good news. We are a global company, so it’s possible that our location will be spared, but it’s still a sad place to be. It was a tough day.

But I’m very grateful that a friend’s surgery went well today. And Patrick and I met a friend for dinner. And tomorrow is Friday.

Massage. Mmmm. I had another appointment this evening. I’m so thankful that I’m able to go regularly because it really does feel like it’s helping break up the scar tissue. Afterwards, I hurt, and I’m sometimes bruised, but I feel like my left breast is more relaxed, at least for a while. I’m holding out hope that the effects will eventually last because my funds won’t. Haha.