Days of Thanksgiving: Seven

7. I am thankful for Spotify. Honestly, my life would be less rich without music and Spotify helps me get through grading, entertain my son, start thinking about the upcoming holiday season, clean my house faster, cut back on the amount of TV I'm watching, and liven up a quiet house.


At this exact moment I'm listening to How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I know it isn't very Thanksgiving-ie but I'm enjoying it thoroughly. On a related note, I have to keep my office door closed this time of year so no one can hear that I start listening to holiday music much earlier than others would deem okay. If I don't get some of the spirit going now though, it'll all be over before I know it! Earlier I had written that I don't like Christmas displays up in stores this early and I hold to that. There is a difference between a little music on my own time and being tinseled out by Halloween.


Thank you Spotify for making my life richer!

Days of Thanksgiving: Six

6. I am thankful for comfort. After a week in work clothes, I cannot wait to snuggle up in yoga pants, a soft sweatshirt and a throw blanket. Bliss.

Days of Thanksgiving: Five

5. I am thankful for kindness. After running around frantic and frazzled on Friday morning, I ended up in a car accident. Other than the sun that was in my eyes, it was entirely my fault. I was letting my "gotta go" mentality keep me from being safe and present in the moment. Louis and I  were in the car but besides my pride and the front drivers side wheel well area, we were unhurt.


In the remaining day, when people could have been incredibly irritated and rude about my incident, I was surrounded by kindness. The man I hit was unreasonably supportive, Nevin was caring, our insurance agent was understanding, and the students I stood up were more concerned with me than having to reschedule our meetings. I cannot say in my rush around lifestyle I always embody the spirit of kindness. I wish to be better about being kind myself and taking the time to recognize the kindness in others.

Days of Thanksgiving: Four

4. I am thankful for coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. I like fancy coffee, chain coffee, home coffee, even  cheap diner coffee. I like coffee from a traditional coffee pot, giant carafe and my fancy glass french press. I am thankful for coffee with milk, coffee with cream, coffee black, and coffee with syrup. I like extra, extra big coffees. Iced or hot, even lukewarm from sitting while too much talking happened.

Days of Thanksgiving: Three

3. I am thankful for my students. I am blessed to get to work with brilliant, up and coming, creative minds. I am often astounded by my students and I don't comment on it enough. The outrageous and awful comes up in conversation more than it should. I hope to be better at accounting the good!

Days of Thanksgiving: Two

2. I am thankful for Louis' daycare. While the first month was hard on all of us, our Child Development Center has been a godsend. I know my child is safe, loved and celebrated every day, even during the hours I cannot be with him. The wonderful teachers as his school are helping him accomplish things that aren't even on my radar. At one, he has already helped make applesauce, recognizes nursery rhymes, and helps clean up after himself. Every month that the bill comes out of my paycheck, I can say it's one purchase that is worth every penny. If anything, the check barely touches the value of the goods we receive from it.


I know for a whole host of  reasons not all parents can say this about their child's caregivers. We need to become a culture that supports parents, not one that thinks of children as an other but instead one that welcomes them into our social spaces. When our children need to grace private spaces so their parents can occupy an adult only world, these private spaces need to be given the resources and respect they deserve for the important work that they do.

Days of Thanksgiving: One

I love Christmas. I start listening to Christmas music as soon as I feel the urge, usually sometime after Halloween. The weather needs to start getting yucky and the darkness needs to start consuming my early evenings. Even in my love of Christmas however, early Christmas displays in stores irritate me. I don't want to see tinsle and candy canes until the end of November. 

I don't have a Nordstrom store anywhere near me, but if I did I would give them all of my business. This month I'm dedicating my postings to things for which I am thankful. I'm going to take the time to recognize the things in my life that give it meaning.


1. I am thankful for my family. This week JO has been living with us because she had an allergic reaction to some antibiotics and needed a comfortable haven to re-cooperate in. I am thankful both for the resources to be able to offer her a room and for the support of family when things get itchy!