So Thankful

I am so thankful for the things that I have, the family that surrounds me and the friends whom I cherish.

I was reminded of this again today - specifically this morning as I decided to go out into the madness that is: Black Friday. (dun dun dunnnnn!) I went out around 7:15 am this morning to see what there was to see - mainly to go to JC Penny to get myself a new coat that was on sale. I did that - and a few other things (which ended up being my Christmas presents from Derick). But back to the point, the people were actually kind, courteous and most of them NOT on their cell phones and actually aware of themselves, their kids and their carts! It must have been a day after Thanksgiving miracle! I purchased my things at JCPenny, then off to Game Stop (to take care of Derick's birthday present) and then a random trip to Target (which is always a blessed occasion - although my wallet would like to disagree). I had never seen so many big HD TVs rolling out of a place! When I entered the store, there were 2 42" tvs on a dolly waiting to be placed into vehicles, and then there were 4 more I saw in carts while in the store, and 2 more large ones on my way out of the store! Since Target was going to be my last stop, I really was in no rush, and found myself sucked into the aisles. For a brief moment I was even in the toy section - I know, crazy! But Hallelujah I am done with Derick's birthday and Christmas presents!

Although Black Friday can be a bit insane - it is actually better when you go earlier, but not so early as to be considered one of the "crazies" that gets up to go to the 4am open of a store...There is not enough coffee in the world for that one... I kind of like the quick fast and furious burst of shopping. It gets me more in the Christmas mood and ready to tackle the beasts that come with - decorating the house, making plans for parties, making cookies, wrapping gifts, making Christmas cds, listening to said cds... *sigh * And the weather is even getting colder - a sure sign that Christmas is on its way!

For Thanksgiving yesterday, Derick and I watched almost all of the Macy's Day parade before we traveled over to Maple Grove to my parent's house. It was my parents, my sister and her boyfriend (Matt), my uncle - Dan, aunt-Gail, cousin - Nathan, uncle-Dale, aunt-Marilyn, and their three boys - Eric, Keith and Craig. It was a fun time to get together and eat some of the best food that I wait anxiously all year for! YUM! After "dinner," we continued a newer "tradition" of getting our family Christmas card pictures taken. I took Dale's family's pictures and also Dan & Gail's family. That got me thinking that I need to look through and see which photo(s) I want to use in/on our cards from this year!

So, yes, thanks for all of you out there who have had something to do with me in my life! Whether you know it or not, you have influenced my life in a big or small way that has shaped me to be who I am today.

THANKS!

Welcome to the Board...

Say hello to the newest member of the Board...of the townhouse association!

Derick and I went to the annual meeting of our townhouse association tonight. I am kind of glad that we did...they needed 10% of the people to be present that live in our townhomes and we made up for some of that! We also got to express a concern about snow removal and hear some behind-the-scenes things of our association that other people don't normally get to hear about. They are a funny group, but it will be fun. I am the new Secretary for the Douglas Commons Home Owners Association. The time commitment isn't much, so it should be pretty easy and just a chance to get to know some of the people that live a stone-throw away.

Tomorrow is FRIDAY! Or, at least for me it is! I took off Wednesday just to relax into the Thanksgiving weekend! I am so looking forward to it. I have nothing planned, have not looked into any sales for Black Friday and I think that is just alright with me! Although I wish that we had a little extra cash sitting around. I think it would be nice to have a couples massage day. We both need it, and it would be a nice break and something to do together. Ha that's funny...going out to do something. That is the crappy part about being an adult and having a lot of bills...owning a house...on and on and on it goes. I am just thankful to have a good job and able to pay the bills. Though very tight after that, we still are able to pull it together somehow!

So, Happy Turkey Day everyone! Be thankful for what you have (that is the moral for my story above!)