TIME FOR GIVING THANKS

It's the time of year that you think about all of your blessings. I was thinking today how much the holidays put me in a bad mood. Every year, it is nothing but terrible traffic, crowds, lines, money going out. Working everyday for long stretches, having what little time I have being taken by others. Sounds pretty negative if you look at it that way.

But, out of all of this, I can find my blessings.

I am blessed with good friends. Some friends that I share my childhood memories, other friends that I have had the pleasure of knowing because of our shared love of making quilts. I called one of them today. I was sitting in the parking lot at Walmart after a harrowing experience in traffic and I just felt I needed a laugh. Susan is one friend that can always make me laugh. She points out my 'hot head' and makes me look at myself in a comical manner. She helps me realize that I shouldn't take everything so seriously, and get so irritated at stupid things. I'm glad I have her in my life because I really need a laugh sometimes.

I'm blessed with a wonderful family. I have a husband that has always worked hard to make sure we have always had what we need. We couldn't let our kids go to whatever college they wanted. They have to work to help pay for their tuition. I would love to have a longarm machine. But I can't just go plop down thousands of dollars on something like that without planning for a few years. I don't have a beautiful house full of beautiful things, I don't have a new car. We have always had what we needed, but not always what we wanted.

But the good that has come out of this is I have children that understand how to work for what they want. They have a good work ethic, they don't party all of the time, and they are home at night. I can make a decent quilt without a longarm machine, and I have a great sewing machine. I am lucky to have it. I have a house and cars that will be completely paid off by this time next year. And I have a husband that passed his stress test with flying colors after getting 7 stents put in last year at this time. I am truly grateful for him and his good health.

My job causes me a lot of stress. I just want to go to work, do my job, and not play games. It isn't always possible. I have to work through almost every holiday, doing the work of 2 people. It stinks, but the good part is I have a job, and I like doing the actual work involved. I make extra money in overtime when I have to work all of this extra. When I am there by myself, I can close the door, listen to my radio without earphones, and just do my work without anyone bothering me. Who knows, maybe I can save up for that longarm... or not.

I hope that all of you have a great Thanksgiving. And that you can all make good things out of what sometimes seems to be a bad situation. I need this time of year to make me realize what are really the things that are the most important to me. That come off as pretty shallow when you look back on it the next day. I am more blessed than 90% of the people in the world. Which is something to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!