Last Week of Thankfulness

 I know, I know, it's December 3rd (Happy Birthday, Dad!!! You make 75 look like the new 50!) and I haven't even finished out my month of thankful posts. So here you go. In rapid fire succession...

Day 26- Today I’m thankful for Rob and the boys’ help in making it look less like Fall and more like Christmas around here. (And I’m thankful for the long nap I’m about to take because who knew putting up a 4’ fake tree could wear you out so much?? )

Day 27- Today I’m thankful for Christmas movies and the laughter they bring to our family. I usually love Hallmark movies this time of year. But the boys and I watched "Elf" at my brothers' house when we were visiting and that may be my new favorite Christmas movie. I still love me some cheesy Hallmark, but you can't beat Christmas comedies like "Christmas Vacation" and "Elf".

Day 28- Today I am thankful for books, authors, netgalley, and Pangobooks.com, all of which help ease boredom and escape reality. I really thought I'd read a few books while recovering. However, I started reading "Where the Crawdads Sing" and it's consuming all my time. It's not my typical genre of choice so I don't sit for hours, reading it. When I do finish it within the next day or so, I will be watching the movie to see which one I like better. And after I finish it, I am so thankful for the millions of books out there still yet to read.

Day 29- Today I’m thankful for kind/generous people. The only thing that I’ve craved since my surgery is Chick Fil A shakes. Rob went to get one for me yesterday and told me this morning that he wasn’t charged for it because the person in front of him had paid it forward. Love how generous people are this time of year!

Day 30- Today is bittersweet because I always enjoy posting things I’m thankful for and sad to end it. But today I am thankful for so much more than I could write. Here are a few things:

1. The storm last night didn’t get close to us as predicted.

2. Medical/dental staff that we have encountered since moving here. I keep saying that MS is America’s best kept secret and now I’m going to add medical care as one more reason why MS is so great.

3. Two crazy dogs who bring so much laughter, joy and sometimes frustration to our lives.

4. In-laws who want to help, even when I’m not good at asking for help.

5. Friends who send me texts that keep me laughing.

6. The land and neighbors that surround our beautiful house. Both are a godsend.

7. Christmas decorations that have taken a whole lot longer to put up this year but will be enjoyed even more than usual.

8. A care package that a friend sent last week that touched me more than she’ll ever know.

9. Students, co-workers and parents who have told me they are praying for me and check in to see how I’m doing.

10. My husband who has driven me crazy this past week, but who has had my best interest in mind with every restriction he puts on me. I am used to being independent and doing everything without help. But he has stepped in and stepped up to do EVERYTHING regarding the boys, housework, laundry, etc so I don’t lift a finger. He’s the best of the best and I’m so glad he’s mine!

***Bonus: I am thankful for the BEST sub!! I have been able to focus on my recovery because I know my students are in the best hands possible. She and I text regularly and I know all is well in the classroom with her in charge.***

I always write these "Days of Thankfulness" purely for myself. Sometimes when I get in a funk, I go back to look at my posts for November just to realize I have so much to be thankful for. But, over the years, I have had several people tell me how much my posts have meant to them. A few have told me that they were down in the dumps about something going on in their life and my posts made them realize they had so much to be thankful for. Some have told me that it opens their eyes to all that they have to be thankful for, things that they didn't even consider being thankful for. So, although these posts are purely for selfish reasons, if you get anything out of them or it makes you realize that you have so much to be thankful for then that's a bonus.