If you follow me on twitter, you’ve certainly read about my troubles this week. It started with Preston and a stomach virus on Sunday night and then, once he was all better, turned into whining about MY flu. Our original Thanksgiving dinner guests immediately decreased by 4, then 3 more, then 1.  Some not able to expose themselves, some not willing (I don’t blame them at all – it’s nasty!) My mom was the last holdout – she got sick last night.

I’ve been quarantined to my room since Tuesday night. I haven’t been out, I haven’t touched any food or anything. Mike has been awesome (as usual) taking over the prep and cleaning and cooking of everything. I finally had some toast and have been surviving dehydration with my favorite Canada Dry and hand-crushed ice.

So, since I’m finally able to sit upright and not sprinting to the bathroom, I have an opportunity to do some thankful stuff.

We did a thankful ‘tree’ in the kitchen this year using fake leaves and twigs – I think my favorite was Matt being thankful for the Army & the USA.

Thankful tree

Without further ado, and in no particular order:

• my amazing and wonderful and wise husband, Mike, without whom I would be lost.
• Matthew, who is like me in more ways than I admit. Whose spirit, sense of humor, intelligence amaze me every day.
• Preston, who is such a kind and gentle soul, who is my cuddle bug and whose laughter and happiness comes from deep within.
• My health (this flu not included, obvs) 2 years+ cancer free is nothing to sneeze at.
• The overall health of my family and friends – especially my cousin who, while he fights every day, is still beating cancer.
• My business – while never easy – which provides for not only my family, but for the families of my employees.
• My employees, for their loyalty and support
• Technology that has allowed me to meet some superb people online that are just as real as those outside of my computer screen
• Meeting people in person that I’ve gotten to know online. Such a wonderful thing to put faces to twitter handles.
• My dog that, while itchy, constantly shedding and sometimes a pain in the ass, loves me unconditionally and adores my boys
• A roof over my head, food in my cupboards and heat flowing through my vents
• Having the ability to donate my clothes and other household items to help people in need
• Being able to donate to Feeding America  where $1 = 8 meals for people in need
• being confident
• common sense
• family, even though some of them are a big pain in the ass
• the teachers that give their all to make sure my kids are learning, often at their own expense
• and so many other little things…

I was going to say it goes without saying, but I guess being grateful shouldn’t ever go without saying.

Today was a quiet Thanksgiving at our house. Normally we have nearly 20 people here – lots of noise, laughter, good-natured teasing – the whole family thing.  We do it casual around here; food, football, comfort.  This year, it was just me, Mike and the kids plus my mom, dad and step-parents. 8 of us, total.  We actually ate at the table for the first time in years.  My brother was at his in-laws, my cousins gathered in Virginia, my other cousins and their parents at their house, Mike’s parents and sister at their house. We all kind of split up this year and I’m afraid it was more of a change, not a one time deal.  That said, I’m grateful that we didn’t have to travel, that we still had a great meal and a nice day  (but I sure missed having more of our family around).

I am absurdly thankful for my amazing husband and best friend who is also a fabulous father.  There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude for my boys – in the midst of craziness, issues and whatnot, they are healthy, so very intelligent, and so damn cute.

Of course, I am also very thankful every day that I have been cancer free for over a year now. My scars and random nerve shocks are constant reminders of that.

I am ever so grateful to have a business that is doing well (even though the roller coaster ride in this economy is beyond nerve-wracking), and I should probably give myself more credit for keeping it going.

I am blessed and thankful to have so many friends – in “real” life and that live in my computer. The support of people I have never met in person astounds me every day. I have learned so much from the little people on the other side of this screen, and I am thankful for every moment.

Of course, I am also thankful for goofy and silly things, like the way my dog likes to cuddle with me, all of my lovely toys from the world of i – iPhone, iPad, iCan’t believe my macbook isn’t an iMacBook. For Coke, abundant toilet paper, Tide detergent, little Lego dudes and the promise of a Disney vacation. And a million other things.

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!

I’m not sure where I found the idea, but we made a garland of paper leaves with some things we are thankful for written on them. Unfortunately, I should have turned the leaves upside down to write on them, but the more important part is that we did it. We sat around the table sharing what we are thankful for. Mostly, I am thankful that I was able to sit at the table and be thankful today. (I will post pics later).

Not everyone is so lucky to be with their family or people they love today, please remember them today and always. It’s been a pretty rough year for a lot of people. Please keep praying for Anissa.

Matt is thankful for:

• family
• friends
• mommy & daddy
• love
• elly
• food
• kitties & doggy
• doctors
• Preston
• video games

Preston is thankful for:

• turkey
• daddy
• bear
• medicine
• mommy
• love
• cake
• Matt

Mike and I are thankful for each other, for our boys, for having jobs and a roof over our heads, but mostly, we are thankful for the smart and talented doctors who saved my life.

I am extraordinarily grateful and thankful for the people who have supported me when I needed it the most; friends and family near and far.

Happy Thanksgiving.