Thankfulness in November, in list form.

It has been a while since my last post...three weeks to be exact.  These weeks have gone by like a blur; it feels like barely anything has happened, but at the same time so much has that it's been hard to find a moment to write!  I might be a little behind in my 30 before 30 because of it (I've missed three weeks running in my 'at least once a week' goal), but I hope to make up for it here.  I'm thankful for this and so much more...but this is a good start!

1.  Resting and taking care of myself.  I'm doing much, much better than I was in October, which is good news; I come home now and take a little "me" time, which I wasn't doing before.

2. Introducing new, non-spicy foods for Jeff and I to eat.  I have self-imposed a diet to ease the stomach trouble I've been having.  So far it's working, though I do test it out on occasion with BBQ sauce and pizza sauce.  So far...the diet stays.

3.  Grading.  I am a grading fool.  I've collected so much (essays, poems, etc.) over the last three weeks--I have been grading like crazy, and I have so much more to do!  Huddling up on the couch to grade has been a staple, for sure.  I can't say that I'm particularly thankful for the grading portion, but I'm extremely grateful for my wonderful students.  I can't wait to get to more of their poems.

4.  Spending time with great friends.  We have many friends with whom we've been able to spend time. I always love spending time with my dear friend Laura (who helped me make curtains this month). 

Todd also came to visit the first week of November, and we went to Virginia to see some of our high school friends, Cathy and Ray (and their adorable son, Khai). 

Kellie and Ricky were here recently and we got to spend some awesome time with them; they introduced us to a fabulous couple, Ryan and Ali--and I'm very thankful to have met new friends in the area! 

To my dear friends from college:  Sara (and Jeff), Meghan (and Bill), Meagan (and David) and all of their famlies: so lucky to be friends with all of you--I am so thankful to have gotten to know your mothers, especially; what a treat! 

We're also looking forward to spending more time with others with whom we've not had the opportunity:  I thought about naming you all, but that would take forever.  Just know we miss you, and love you!

I'd also like to take a moment to honor Jeff's and my amazing friend Penny, who is Roger's (one of Jeff's best friends) wife.  We love her dearly, and think of her often.  She is a fighter, a laugher, a fantastic wife, mother, and grandmother, and one of the sweetest women I have ever met.  Jeff and I have been lucky enough to spend quality time with her this month, and look forward to more on Friday.  This Thanksgiving, I count knowing and sharing a friendship with Penny (and Roger, of course), among my most treasured blessings.

5.  Celebrating the marriage of Sara and Jeff.  Sara and I have been friends since college, and I have been delighted to spend the past two weekends celebrating her (and her new husband) as they took their vows!  The weekend of November 13th, I was thrilled to celebrate Sara at a "kitchen" shower, and just this past Friday, I watched my dear friend take the plunge as she walked down the aisle.  She was a marvel, a beauty in ivory, and I couldn't be happier for her!  Love you, Sar!  It was gorg!

6.  Readying my home to host my first family Thanksgiving.  I've made a turkey before (and I hope this turkey will be just as successful), but this is different.  This time I'm hosting the fam, instead of trudging out to Pittsburgh and having them host me.  I'm so excited to do this for my parents-they work so hard, and I am so thankful for all they have done for Jeff and me this year.  It seems only right that I give something (even something so small as a dinner) back to them!  Also in attendance will be my handsome brother, Bradley, and my gorgeous friend and bridesmaid Laura...so happy they are both able to join us!  Get ready to rest and eat, family!  It's going to be a great meal (fingers crossed)!

7.  Redecorating on overload.  That's right.  I've hit every Walmart, Target, Ross, TJMaxx, Marshalls, and Burlington in Lancaster and Harrisburg in pursuit of just the right decorations to redo our home (on a budget, of course!)  I'm amazed at what I've found--and am so excited to share pics with you (I'll save those for a future post!)  I've scoured high and low and am continuing to look for art to make my house a home.  Wish me luck!

8.  Visiting Jeff's family.  We had Thanksgiving #1 last weekend also (Sara and Jeff got married on Friday, and Saturday we went to see the fam).  We had a great time; we ate all the Thanksgiving staples (delish!);watched our "niece" (my brother-in-law Jeremy and his fiancee Sue's golden retriever, Bella) chase a red pen light in the dark (hilarious, by the way), and went shopping on Sunday with my mother and father-in-law, Sherre and Alan.  It was a nice weekend; I'm glad we were able to celebrate and spend time with them!

9. Spending time with Jeff.  Through all of this--there's one common link.  Jeff.  What a lucky woman I am to have married this man.  He has been a rock through this past month--taking care of me and making sure that I am okay, visiting our friends in happy and tough situations, traveling a TON, and smiling through it all.  Thank you, hunners...we really are better together.  I never forget that.