Most of my day was spent doing one of my favorite activities, strolling leisurely through an antique shop. Only today I went with a friend to a shop she had not been before. We both found some treasures and spent longer than we probably planned there. We were starving afterwards and went for a late lunch. I’m thankful for a fun day with a friend.

While I was gone, Patrick cleaned up the basement so I could spend the evening messing it back up.

I put on the Hallmark Channel, poured some wine AND hot chocolate, and wrapped presents. I need to get items mailed, so it was time. I ended up too distracted by a movie, so I didn’t get everything done, but I made a lot of headway. I’m grateful he prepped the space for me and even built a fire. A fun day and a festive night. How lucky!

Another Friday to be thankful for, even though I will have to start the grind all over again next week. I’m happy to begin the weekend.

I’m thankful today that work slowed down a bit this afternoon so that I could get caught up just a tad.

I’m also thankful for the afternoon sunshine and the warmup that improved my mood.

Plus I’m thankful for these silly butts tonight in their holiday pajamas. How can this not make you smile?

Today is my my oldest sister’s birthday. Tammy. The family jokester. The one who is fun to sit next to in the movie theater because she laughs loudly and screams loudly at all the right spots. The one who goes the distance to carry out a prank. She’s also the one who will get in the car and drive across the country because someone in the family needs support. She works extra hard for her business and her family and brushes off her generosity as no big deal. But it is. She’s been a great role model for all of us and I’m grateful for her.

I’ve decided we have too much stuff, and it’s stressing me out. So today we went through a few things in the basement and made a pile for donation. I also went through the house and finished putting away some of the transitional decorations that were contributing the feeling of clutter. I’m going to continue editing over the next few weeks. I think it will be great to start next year feeling like we’ve gotten rid of the things that are taking up too much space.

So I’m grateful today that I feel like I’ve accomplished something I’ve been wanting to do for a while. I’m also grateful that my daughter made it back home safely from her visit here.

Today I’m thankful for making some headway towards Christmas decorating, for avoiding a bunch of Black Friday shopping, and for having a family that makes me laugh.