November was a "Challenging" Month

I've been a bad, bad blogger.

I haven't written in over a month. This, in and of itself, is B-A-D... BAD. Hopefully tomorrow will begin something new. I am challenging myself to post each and every day. (Please don't let me fail!) Whether it's a quickie Christmas/holiday/winter-y quip or a run-down of shopping or crafty to-do's... I hope to make it better in the month of December!

This month (and last month, too!) have just been a whirlwind of things. Too many things to go over. Basically, I/we've been busy with the kids, putting on different school-related things (remember Kindergarten?), dealing with everybody's drama on a day-to-day basis, birthdays, school projects/essays, living life, and when I can... being lazy.  But... this past month, I accepted a challenge that was really hard for me. I had to think of a different thing each and every day to be thankful for.  Yes... it was on Facebook, but heh... it's a great way to relate to people (and a wonderful outlet if you are an addict - Family Feud ROCKS!). So, here, just to sum it up, I'll give you the day-by-day summarization of my month:

The challenge (should you choose to accept it) is to post something you are thankful for each day until Thanksgiving. For some of us, this may be harder than for others. SOME of us complain. a. lot. But... in the spirit of being thankful to everyone and everything, I am ...willing to accept this challenge.

(And so it began with...)

Day 1 - I am thankful for healthy, happy kids. Kids, who no matter what trials they put me through, are still here and pretty much only provide me with mental anguish (on a daily basis). I love my girls!

Day 2 - I am thankful for the freedom to vote for my beliefs/non-beliefs and opinions and the freedom to choose whether to vote or not. Basically, no matter what, the decision is mine. So... I'm thankful to still be able to make that decision!

Day 3 - I am thankful that friends, who I once thought lost, can now be found.

Day 4 - I am thankful that although my kids may not be "happy" all of the time, I know I'm doing my best, and that in the end, they will be better for the decisions I have made.

Day 5 - I am thankful that every morning I wake up, I'm still alive. It's as simple as that today. What a wonderful day!

Day 6 - I am thankful that I can do (almost) everything I want, with the little time I have, and when I'm almost OUT of time, I can STILL take a power "nap" and have LOTS of energy. (even at this old age!). See you at the pool! Enjoy the beautiful day!

Day 7 - I am thankful I work with so many awesome people who can accept my mistakes and let me know they do the same thing; then we all laugh about it. (Thanks, guys!)

Day 8 - I am thankful that I live in a country where Justice is served (for the most part). Thank goodness that the wonderful judge saw the fitting need for a restraining order against a psychotic neighbor. Now maybe I'll be able to sleep better! (Court was today... and THIS is why the delay in my posting of thanks...)

Day 9 - I am thankful for fresh starts. Everyday is a new one. Getting up and starting fresh is always a good thing. Open your eyes, rise and shine. Take a brisk walk and let it clear (and soothe) your head, your heart, your body...

Day 10 - I am thankful that although my kids (or kid) may upset me and tempt me to blow my top, I have enough patience to deal with it calmly... (today is one of those days...)

Day 11 - I am thankful for people that can change. Something may be needed in one's life, and it is okay and acceptable for people you love to change to fulfill those needs. (Thank you to my wonderful husband for finally letting us have a dog. We love Xanadu!)

Day 12 - I am thankful that no matter how much our world and surroundings change, there are STILL 24 hours in the day... a constant that I can count on. And with this constant, it gives me just a couple more hours, in my busy day, so that NO MATTER what, I am still able to post this... and not be late into another day. Whew! (did ya catch all that?)

Day 13 - I am thankful for wonderful internet friends and family. With all of our technological advances, we are able to connect and "see" more people than ever. Whether we use them as a sounding board for things gone good or bad or even just to lend an ear, our more-extended and available friends and families make everything better and allow us to be part of a true "global perspective" with everyone working together. Thank you to all of you. And it truly is wonderful to meet up in "real" life sometime. (Thanks for yesterday, Jenn and girls, Barbara, Kim and Zach! We had a great time!)

Day 14 - I am thankful for the brilliance of the stars at night. They allow me to look up in awe and wonder that things of nature can be so beautiful and peaceful at the same time the world is at war, in one way or another. There is still a light up in the sky... a brilliance, shining down upon us.

Day 15 - I am thankful for a little friend that came into my life. She walks with me every morning, doesn't talk back, and is an awesome listener. Thank you for my itty bitty puppy! I love my Xanny!

Day 16 - I am thankful for the peace and quiet I have (momentarily) that allows me to think and feel serenity each morning. It's a time when I (you) can believe the world is calm, even if it is only for a moment.

Day 17 - I am thankful for a husband that "allows" me to "stay at home" (if you can truly call it that) and that his job has a decent enough income that I can supplement it just a little and we're ok, barely making it, but ok. This way, our kids are taken care of daily and get to and from school safely AND are able to participate in sports and enjoy life. Sometimes... I even enjoy doing it. (lol!)

Day 18 - I am thankful for all of my Family Feud peeps that keep my glued to the computer, helping to complete my Fast Money rounds and sending me Fast Money requests. Thank you to all of you! Keep 'em coming! (lol!)

Day 19 - I am thankful for my coffee in the mornings (my hubs usually brings it for me... he works nights, so it's still warm...). Without it, I don't think I could get a great start in my day. (and so you know... on weekends, I'm on my own for the coffee thing. It sucks!) Thanks, Juan!

Day 20 - I am thankful that my puppy is still alive. She was diagnosed with parvo last night. While we can't afford to do the hospital stay, we got up round-the-clock last night to give her medication and treatment. She is still hydrated and her gums appear to be back to a healthy color. Please post happy sick puppy stories for me. I'll be reading them and hoping she recovers from this, although I know... the chance is slim. Thank you to all of my wonderful friends that help me through this time. We love our puppy!

Day 21 - I am thankful for the support of all of my friends. They (you all!) shared encouraging thoughts and stories with me yesterday. They have given me hope and courage to look at my poor puppy with a new perspective and dream of the day (very soon) when she will be all better. Thank you everyone! And keep those happy thoughts coming!

Day 22 - I am thankful my kids don't have school this week, so we all get to "sleep in" (if that's what you call waking up by yourself AND early... YAY!) and not rush around in the morning. (and YES, our puppy is doing MUCH better!)

Day 23 - I am thankful that there were still turkeys to purchase when I went in "last minute" shopping earlier today... Gotta have time to get that sucker to thaw!

Day 24 - I am thankful that even if I go to bed tired, grumpy and full of blahs, I wake up to my wonderful facebook friends, who usually post fun, happy, positive and sometimes HILARIOUS comments to start my day off a little better.

Day 25 - Today, I am thankful for... a whole bunch of things. As this challenge comes to a close, first of all, I am thankful that so many of you jumped in to this challenge and shared it with me. There are so many things out there for us t...o all be thankful for. I am thankful for all of my friends and family, for being okay (even when I think it's "really bad"), and most of all, that I have SO many things to be thankful for... that each day, I was able to post a different one. I am so grateful and humbled. Life IS good. Happy Thanksgiving to all, even to my friends in Canada, Australia, Brazil, and every where else in the world. Enjoy the holiday season, no matter how you celebrate or not. We're all here and sharing the world together. And for that... I am truly thankful. Good night!

(And it ended on Thanksgiving night)

I was able to complete the challenge above, a little later some days than others, but still... it was completed. YAY! Now... here's hoping a great beginning (and ending) to my own challenge of December! Woohoo! See ya'll tomorrow!