I had a job offer that I turned down today. It was a hard decision that I spent most of the week stressing over. Mostly I worried that I would regret not taking a chance. Until I realized that not taking the job was also taking a chance.

I’m thankful I’m comfortable with my decision. I’m thankful I even had a decision to make.

Wow. What a week. It’s been crazy at work in all the wrong ways. I’m exhausted just from thinking.

But I am thankful for the reminders off and on that I’m never completely stuck in a bad situation. I might need to change my expectations, my perspective, or my timeline, but there’s almost always an option for change. Maybe not always the ideal one, but a stepping stone to a different path. A friend sent this to me and I think it’s brilliant:

And while I’m making choices, I’m also thankful today for this lemon cake. Oh. My. Gosh. It’s so good. If you have a Costco near you, go and get it. Now.

I’m thankful for the calming nature of nature, especially when it’s in the backyard.

I have a big work decision to make, so today I’m thankful for talking. And talking. And chatting some more. But mostly for those people forced to listen to me.

I can’t believe how quickly the summer is flying by! August already. Wow.

I’m thankful today for the support of colleagues and friends. For beer after work. For fresh tomatoes. And for puppy snuggles.

I dreamt last night that Chance ran off in a crowd of people and I couldn’t find him again. I was devastated. Then I got a call from someone who had him and said they’d return him for a reward. What the actual heck.

Thankfully, I woke up after that, and my day played out better than my dream. I got a lot of house stuff done. I worked for a little while on a couple of crafts. We had lunch at our favorite bar. I weeded the front yard. It was another nice day to end the weekend.

I’m so thankful today for an evening with friends. A group of us celebrated a birthday with pizza and desserts. Desserts first, which is my favorite way to do a meal. While we have seen all of our friends lately, it’s been a while since we have all been together at the same time.

We spent the evening outside in a beautiful backyard, having entertaining conversation and drinking wine. It was a lovely evening. We didn’t stay late because we had the pups home and hadn’t left any lights on for them, but we discussed the next get-together before we parted ways. Once again, I wish I had gotten a picture. I’m terrible about that.

I’m thankful today for lovely, fluffy skies and country views.

I’m grateful today for choices, for validation, for a phone call with my daughter, for laughter at work, and for knowing I can sleep in tomorrow.

I’m thankful today for Patrick. At least that’s what he says; he needs more gratitude and less attitude. Pffft. What fun is that? I jest. I am thankful for his unwavering support. And his cooking. And that he can reach all the tall places.

I’m also thankful for a mostly stress-free work day, a good conversation with my mom and sister, new spice tea, and fitting into an old pair of shorts.