Happy Thanksgiving to you who are celebrating today! We have family here at our home with us. We’re looking forward to a day filled with visiting and silliness…maybe some cards or a chess match or two. We are minus Karl this year.  He opted not make it home. We’ve had some family ups and downs with Karl. Things happen…feelings get hurt. People say things…others say nothing. I am sure most of you have experienced things like this in your own families a time or two. Hubby and I both have had similar things happen in each of our own families. We had hoped our own kids could figure it out. It’s not appropriate that I talk more about it.  I just want you to know that we aren’t a perfect family. We have some of the same problems you all have. We still have WAY more joys and blessings to celebrate than sorrows and we’re hopeful fences can be mended…without further ado here’s my annual list of things I’m thankful for-in no particular order.
1- My health. It’s been a rocky road again this year. But I’m here and although my shoulder isn’t perfect. I’m having some relief and the biopsy was NEGATIVE!
2-Hubby. He’s my main man and I swear I love him more DAILY!
3-Harvest is nearing the end and so far, it’s been a safe one.
4-Ruby has improved in her health. Although we don’t know for certain what is wrong with her, at least she’s happy.
5-I love my job. The struggles I had in August are gone and we’re in a great routine at childcare.
6-We have our home and have been fortunate enough to have made a few improvements this year.
7-Even though we don’t have dental insurance, we can afford to go.
8-Another grandbaby is on the way!
9-Our kids all have a someone special in their lives.
10-Being able to care for Carver while Kalissa and Craig are at work is priceless.
11-Blooming friendships. Connie has been wonderful for me.
12-Opportunities for adventures. Although my adventures are simple, concerts, classes, trying applique…. I love that I’m still doing new things.
13-Thankful that my eyes, hands and body allow me to QUILT!
14-My kids are growing into being my friends!
15-After almost 52 years of having straight hair, I finally gave up on perms, curling irons or any other thing that makes hair curly. I finally embraced my straight hair. What a relief!!
16-Speaking of embracing things…I used to be embarrassed about my thrifting ways. I’m not anymore. I love and appreciate that part about me!
17-I have a better hold on what “Quality time” means vs quantity.
18-I am forgiven…not always by people of this world…but where it truly matters.
19- Charity quilt project. WOW we’ve helped a lot of people. Hopefully with my shoulder feeling a bit better, we’ll help even more!
20-My blog readers. You all are great. For a long time I always felt like my relationship with my blog readers was one sided. This year, more than ever I’ve felt that expand. I love that!
I hope where ever you are today that you can take a moment to find your own list of 20 things to be thankful. Each and every day I make a conscious effort to find things to be thankful for. Living with an attitude of gratitude is my goal. Since I’ve taken bad things as just a simple setback and purposely looked to find the good, I’ve been so much happier.
I am looking forward to another year of living, learning and finding the big but mostly the simple things to be thankful for.
Another grandbaby on the way????!!!!!! Did I miss the blog about this? Who? When? Please tell and congratulations!!!
I’m thankful for your daily blog. Thanks for letting us take a daily peak into your life. I’m sorry to hear about the sibling troubles, it happens in all families. I hope it is all resolved soon. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration and congratulations on your future grandchild.
Mary
Jo I am grateful for your daily blog and for the gift of the retreat you and Kelli hosted this summer. In my own way, I found what I needed. Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing your ups and downs with us through your blog. I appreciate all the time you take and certainly look forward to hearing from you. God bless you and your family.
Thanks so much for sharing your life. We all have far more to be thankful for than we realize.
Happy thanksgiving. Just be you, you will always find someone who has an opinion of what you like. I love to thrift also. Do what makes you happy.
Happy Thanksgiving Jo! Thank you for sharing your life and quilts with us! We all have much to be thankful for and none of us have perfect families or lives!
Happy Thanksgiving Jo! I so enjoy reading your blog every day. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Thank you for your wonderful blog. Would be real interested to hear more details about your shoulder and any changes the shot made.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too! I enjoy your blog and read it regularly, just don’t post that often, Thanks for sharing your life and quilting journey with us! I get inspired when I see what all you get accomplished!
Happy Thanksgiving Jo, hope everyone travels safely. Its been wonderful to be share this past year with you and your blog. One of the things I have to be thankful for is how the internet keeps us all more connected. Enjoy the feast!
Happy Thanksgiving! Your #15 made me smile! I too have straight hair and gave up perms about 10 years ago. I also have let it grow so now I just pull it back in a ponytail for work (in a school cafeteria) and deal with my bangs with gel and a curling iron. So much easier. Thanks for sharing your “real” family with us.
Happy Thanksgiving, Jo! Thank you for giving me the courage to try new things. I’m working on Blue Skies and getting ready to start Virginia Bound after seeing yours. I liked your #15, but mine is the opposite. I have curly hair but straighten it and highlight it. This past summer I decided to let it happen naturally. Saving big $.
I am thankful to have blogs like yours to read. My husband passed away unexpectedly 6 months ago today. Most of the time, I am by myself with only the pup he bought me 2 weeks before dying. My son is gone working most of the day, but I am thankful for what time I get to spend with him. Your blog, and a few others I read, help me through the days. They inspire me to keep up with making my own quilt tops. Thank you!
Happy Thanksgiving Jo to you and yours. I’m thankful for our friendship and all that you share and do for others. Enjoy all the blessings!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I am thankful for your blog. Right from the first I read your adventures made me feel included and welcomed into your life. You felt like a real person who laid it out like it is, the good and the bad. I’m glad your health is getting better. And I’m glad you’ve kept up the blogging and the UFO update. It keeps me focused and on track. Have a great day
Happy Thanksgiving, Jo & all the Kramers! Sorry Karl won’t be there, family can be tricky. Sometimes I just have to bite my tongue….and that’s not easy for me. :) Another grand-baby? Can’t wait to hear more!
I am thankful for you sharing everything that you do! What a kind person your are. Hope you enjoy your family this thanksgiving. Take care!
Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!
WHOOP! WHOOP! Yeah for a new grandbaby on the way! What a blessing you are to so many, my friend! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I am thankful to you and other bloggers who share their lives, hints, and time to help others. Through you and your network of volunteer quilters, I have donated more quilts and partial quilts to help out others. Thanks for all that you do and share.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! I know that it is hard to have one of the family members at odds with others in the family, but time and prayers will bring them back together.
I love your blog and reading it part of my morning ritual (but today part of my wind down time!)
28 people here for Thanksgiving Dinner keep the rest of my day pretty busy!
I so appreciate your positive attitude, Jo. Sometimes it’s hard to not dwell on all the disappointment and pain in our lives, but to consciously be grateful for all that we do have can change our outlook. It’s good to be reminded of that. I pray you and your family have a blessed season of thanks and joy. Thanks for sharing all the quilty goodness in your life!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! We had our Thanksgiving last month (in Canada), so the Christmas decorating is in full force here. Congratulations on a new granbaby – can’t wait to hear more.