Giving Thanks

I am very grateful for many things this year.  I let my stress distract me from my gratitude, and I have to force myself to stop and be thankful.  But, really, I am a pretty fortunate woman.  I am grateful for:
- my family: my mom, dad, brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  They are all supportive and loving. 
- my dog Bella.  She is my companion and my comfort
-  my boyfriend, who makes me try new things and is a voice of common sense when I get stubborn/stressed/etc
- my friends, who I love to hang out with and have adventures with
- my job, which I love, even when the kids make me nuts
- my health and my brain, which allow me to be a good runner and a good student, and have gotten me to where I am today. 
- and, the fact that I don't have to drink water that will make me sick, and that I have a home, clothes, food, safety and a working (albeit divided) democracy

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. 

Not Ready

I'm not trying to be a downer, but I am not ready for the Christmas season! Other than the fact that my classes are almost over, I just don't want it to be that time.  It is just because I love fall, and I don't want the leaves or the perfect 60's and 70's temps to go away.  I feel like time just goes by so fast, and fall only seems like a second.  Before we know it, January will be here.  I try to actively enjoy this time and savor all the things I love, but I still feel like it just flies by.