I’m generally not the sort to stop and assess my life.  Perhaps I should.  If I did, I’d have to admit that Thanksgiving is one of the best times to do that.  It’s a day when many stop to count their blessings.

Let me give it a try.

• I’m thankful last weekend’s snow will melt and we will hit 50 degrees (or higher) this weekend.  While I raked my yard and cleaned my gutters, my hoses and sprinklers are still buried under snow.  I’m thankful I will be able to complete my fall clean-up.
• I’m thankful that it’s almost show time for the Rosetown Playhouse production of The Ultimate Santa Claus.  It’s been fun rehearsing 3 nights a week since before Halloween – but it’s starting to wear on me and I’m thankful that it’s time to get in front of the audience.
• I’m thankful that I still have vacation time remaining and it looks like I will be able to use it all by the end of the year.  Oh the “burden” of too much vacation – It’s been a busy year.  It’s been so busy that I haven’t used all the vacation available to me, so I’ve got some vacation to burn.  I’m thankful that I can take time before the end of the year.
• I’m thankful that the Oval is open – though I’m too busy to get over there for another week or two.  I thankful for this great way to enjoy Minnesota winters.

We have a new tradition in our house – two Thanksgiving celebrations.  Thursday we celebrate with some dear friends of ours, and Friday we stage round 2 with family.  The family Thanksgiving is always fluid.  You never know who will show up or what will they bring.  This year my in-laws – world-traveling Septuagenarians – are in Peru so they are out, but my side of the family will be there – and my nephew (who loves to bake) is bringing the pies.

Happy Thanksgiving!