I texted a friend on whim this morning and we were able to meet after work for a drink. We met at a restaurant nearby that had an outdoor seating area. It was a perfectly beautiful evening for catching up. It’s amazing the amount of junk we are both going through, so it was good to commiserate. Her husband arrived in town from out of town work while we were there, so he joined us for a drink and a pizza. It was good to see each other in person again since we rarely do. We decided we needed to try to do this again before the weather turns too cold. I’m thankful we were able to get together spontaneously. It was good to feel kind like our normal selves again.

I’m thankful today for a good conversation. For a cool breeze. For funny videos from friends and family. Plus I made it through another work day. Yay!

I’m also thankful that I’m able to drive again. Convincing Patrick to take me places wasn’t always fun for either of us, although I was grateful that he did. My doctor said that I needed to make sure I could move my arms and twist enough before I could get back behind the wheel. So last weekend we practiced in a parking lot, and it was ok. The only thing I was waiting for to get out on my own was the child seatbelt pillow I ordered to make the seatbelt more comfortable across my still healing muscles. It works!

Today I’m thankful for the reminder to look for my gift.

Today was the craft fair that I submitted a vendor application to and wasn’t picked. It’s held at the fairgrounds every year where there are over 150 vendors. I was going to boycott it on principle. Then I realized that in hindsight, I’ve spent the last (how many?) months too tired/sore/crabby to accomplish the amount of crafts I would have needed for a booth. It would have been hard. So we went since 95% of it was outside. And I’m thankful we did because I found a few treasures. Like the 4” x5” frames I needed for some antique glass photo negatives. And legit vintage tinsel. And this sweet cabinet. I love wooden cabinets.

How cute is this?! It’s been a long time, but my friend Heather stopped by and brought these sweet Fall items for me. First of all, I’m thankful I got to see her and catch up for a bit. I’m also touched that she thought of me! She knows I like this coming season. That crow makes me smile.

I’m also thankful for the lavender gift my mother-in-law sent me. I’ve been stressed lately (my twitching eyelid tells me so) and the lavender will help, especially when it gets cooler and the warm neck wrap will feel good. Plus see the skeleton candle?! Halloween is coming…

I haven’t gone to the doctor to confirm, but I’m pretty sure the swollen fingers and issues I’ve been having with my left hand is De Quervain’s tendinosis. I know I shouldn’t be self-diagnosing, but I’m tired of doctor visits. And the pain in my hand has gotten worse, so we spent the afternoon looking for a hand brace. We found one at Target which helped, even though it doesn’t fit great. Yay! I’m thankful to know it’s probably just tendinosis and can get better. Now I just need to get a better fitting brace.

I’m thankful today for a quick and fairly painless filling at the dentist. And that it was done gratis since my original filling broke. I’m also thankful for Halloween decorations, which I was planning today. And finally, I’m thankful that I wasn’t too sore again. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.

It was such a lovely day again. The sunshine. The moderate temperature. I finished up what I could of what I’m planning to add to my Halloween graveyard: skeleton flamingos. Aren’t they fun?! They’re going to look great.

Sadly, I was a bit optimistic yesterday about not taking my anti-inflammatory meds. Or maybe I simply did too much because I was SORE today. Like muscle burning, too much tightness pain. I took some medicine in the middle of the day and at least the burning sort of went away. I’m thankful for that.