Final Nov. Thanks - the 30th

So...it's the last day of the "November Thanks" blogs.

What to write? Seems like it should be clever, funny, momentous, interesting, charming....

Yeah, I got noth'n that fits that blog-bill. {wry grin} 

I jotted down a whole slew of stuff-I-was-thankful-for when I decided to do the November Thanks series. Not much left in the jotted pile. Certainly nothing that would close out the month with an interesting flair. So...what to write?

Then I had the "uh-oh" pause. 

That moment where you watch an award show and a gent is leaving the stage after thanking everybody and his brother for a prestigious award and the camera is on the smiling face of the lovely wife of the awardee and you're thinking "He thanked the food-service guy but forgot to thank his wife!?!". 

But, {whew} I had remembered to be thankful for the DH. 

The DH thanks started as a little moment of appreciation (Gotta love a guy that does dishes) but easily bloomed into two of the things I love best about sharing my life with this guy: we laugh and he shows he cares about me. 

Some of the November thanks were silly but have a far-reaching effect in my life (Thankful for Chocolate) and some were important but have a far-reaching effect on the world (Election). 

I'm sure there are many things I take for granted but considering my current employment status, this is an excellent time to be aware of the good things in the world and in my life. 

Hmmm.
Actually, I think it is always a good time to be aware of the good things in the world and your life. 

Thanks for reading. Blessings Be. 

Thankful these gents are wicked-clever! Nov. 29th.

I am thankful for  Chuck Lorre, Aaron Sorkin and Joss Whedon.
Cleverness abounds!

On several occasions, I have truly enjoyed a movie or show and have been delighted to find that banter I so enjoyed was written by one of these fellows (Aaron Sorkin in particular).

Thanks for sharing, gents. 'Tis appreciated!

Much as I love the paper-printed word - Nov 28th Thanks

I have to confess, much as I love the paper-printed word, I am thankful that I am able to investigate job options, unemployment rules and possible school considerations via the Internet.

{wry grin}
However, my unemployment counselor has jokingly considered transferring me to a new counselor because of the plethora of questions inspired by my Internet explorations.

Nov. 27th - Thankful for fine programming!

I am thankful for PBS, NPR, and BBC America.

If you watch/listen to PBS and NPR, consider donating to support their fine programming!

And a smiling thanks for this clever BBC perspective:
"BBC has given me unrealistic expectations in men."

Bonus Thanks on the 26th - I think there is good

Although the news presents the worst of our world and my country, I am thankful that the majority of the world is truly filled with good people who generally try to do the right thing.
I think this aspect of our world rarely graces the news but we might be more in need of the reminder.

Snuggly Bonus thanks from me and the cats - Nov. 25th

I was laying in bed this AM* with Mikale draped over my right knee and Nikoli leaning against my pillow purring - and I purred a little myself thinking about the quilt we were all enjoying.

Yep, it's winter (such as it is) in Arizona and we've pulled out the Obnoxious Furry Quilt for the season.

Thanks, Mom. Love/Miss you.

*Disclaimer - this bonus thanks blog was generated based on the warm snuggly feelings from the cooler weather of about a week ago - when it was actually semi-cool in AZ. {sigh}

The timing was frighteningly perfect. November Thanks - the 24th

Continuing the Bonus November thanks mini-blogs:

As noted several times before, I am thankful that my peculiar employment status of the last year made it possible for me to be very available to my Little Brother during his illness and recovery earlier this year.
The timing was ironically perfect.

Bonus November Thanks - the 23rd. Read On!

I am truly thankful for books, authors, and the stories they tell.
'Tis a grand and lovely thing.

"Turkey Day" thanks - the 22nd

Having technically completed my pledge to blog something about which I'm thankful every day until Thanksgiving, we're moving into the "bonus" round of thanks.

I'm thankful for the folks that stop by the blog. (That would be you! Thanks!!)

Visitors from around the world - which boggles my brain.
A few leave comments - which is a thrill unto itself and quite spiffy.

Here's a couple more verbose Thankful blogs from the past:

2011 - "Hope, Thanksgiving and Bittersweet Thanks".

2010 - "Blessings Be. Give or Take a Hundred Years".


I hope you have a lovely Turkey day and that you remembered to wear the stretchy pants. ;-)

November Thanks - the 21st

I am thankful for the amazing people I've worked with over the years.
I wish you all prosperity, positive adventures, learning opportunities, and many, many smiles in our now separate employment and life pursuits.

Thank you for enhancing my life!

"To Protect and Serve" - the 20th November thanks

I am thankful for our military and emergency services personnel.
Many of them work in dangerous situations/locations or in jobs that constantly expose them to the less pleasant side of our world. Such exposure can wear on a person's soul.
Which means what they do is that much more important and woefully under-appreciated.

Note1 - Yes, this is a semi-redundant thanks, similar to the Veteran's Day thanks on Nov. 12th. Still, that post didn't offer thanks for the emergency services personnel, so more thanks are due.

Bonus Thanks - On this particular day, I am very thankful for my parents. Excellent human beings. Kind and loving people that I miss every day.
They were particularly stellar examples of their generation who did not teach us to judge people by their color, race, or creed.

Sibling Thanks - the 19th of November

I am thankful for my siblings.
Although it is not the family I perceived as a child, they are still very gifted people who love the best they can. I know if I need them, they will be there.

"It's not the Years, it's the mileage"? November Thanks - the 18th

I am thankful that my not-as-young-as-it-used-to-be body has supported me as well as it has and that I am generally still able to do most anything physical I choose to do.

i.e. "So far, so good".

Thankful for, um, Greed - 17th November Thanks

Continuing with the November thanks...

I must confess, I am oddly thankful that my previous yen to acquire yarn (i.e. greed {sigh}) is currently supporting my knitting habit whilst I look into other life employment options.

Hooray for the Scary Stash!!

November Purrrrrrs - the 16th

I am truly thankful for my Veterinarian and her amazing staff (Bear Canyon Pet Clinic).

There are numerous stories of kindness and cat-watching offered along with advice, smiles, education, support, compassion, and when the illness warranted it - referrals to the Veterinarian Hospital (So. Az. Veterinary Specialty) for specialized care (diabetes, cancer, and some unusual surgeries).

On many occasions, they have gone above and beyond basic treatment to help me provide my cats with the best possible care.

A few years ago, we lost a youngish cat, Simba, (to cancer after a few years of diabetes) and 3 elderly cats (Gable, Greystroke & BobCat) - all within a couple of years. But my elderly cats were pushing 20 years old when they passed. And they were generally healthy and purring up to a few days before their passing - because of my Vets, the treatment and how they helped me learn what I needed to know to provide some treatment at home.

They have helped me become a better kitty-mom and person.
I have been truly blessed with amazing Veterinarian support for my monster-cats.

Thankful for Serenity - Nov. 15th

Continuing the November thanks....
(Confession: this post is possibly (probably) {definitely} influenced by my watching the "Firefly 10th Anniversary: Browncoats Unite" show I recorded a few days ago. {grin})

I am Thankful that Joss Whedon exists and that he created "Firefly".
More so that he (and the fans and the cast) didn't just let it go when the series was cancelled...
(Do you ever wonder if that decision tweaks FOX on an ongoing basis?) ;-)
And they followed "Firefly" with the movie "Serenity".

I am also thankful that the Arizona Browncoats allow me to knit Jayne Hats for them to sell/auction/raffle off to benefit the Women's charities supported during "Can't Stop the Serenity" event.

Continuing November Thanks - the 14th!

I am very Thankful for the recycling programs we have in Tucson and for the Companies and people that volunteer to make the additional recycling options available and functioning!

Can't help but be Thankful - the 13th of November

As you have probably noticed, I'm doing a run of Thankful blogs for November until Thanksgiving.

I am VERY thankful for chocolate - in it's many forms, flavors and combinations. 

{Happy sigh!}

I keep bars of Dark Chocolate at home and in my desk at work.
(Well, I used to keep chocolate at work...)

I "permit" myself a single piece a day - for medical purposes.
You know - Anti-oxidents.

{Yeah, right.}
Ok, sometimes I go for 2 pieces if it's a rough day (or if the chocolate is particularly yummy).

Um. And if the Dark Chocolate isn't dark enough (or if there is caramel involved), more can be consumed in a very short time period. It's probably better if I don't explain what happens when Brownies are involved...

Have I mentioned before that I'm a functioning Choco-holic?

{Happy sigh!}

A favored standard - yummy fruity tone, but dark enough
that I limit myself to one piece at a time.
{Available at Trader Joes.}

Especially Thankful - the 12th of November

I guess technically November 11th would have been more appropriate for this post. The actual day rather than the day off in honor of the day....

Veteran's Day.
I am thankful for our current and former Service Members.
The Veterans in the United States and our Military allies.
They protect and serve their families, their countries, and our world.
Gifting us with much for very little.

My Little Brother is a Veteran.
As was this handsome gent - my Father.

November 11th Thanks/Auction-Knitterati Support!

Today's November thanks will echo a previous thanks.

This is what is on my mind today: 

I saw a post on Ravelry regarding the fire that had consumed the studio of Judith MacKenzie on October 29.
A perusal of Twitter revealed some mentions references to a {rather excellent} blog post by the Yarn Harlot regarding this loss.
And some truly lovely folks have setup a website for donations, the opportunity to fulfill a "Wish List" item to help re-stock the teaching studio, and an auction to help raise more funds (Auction scheduled to open Tues., 11/13).

Per the RebuildJudithsStudio website, quite a few donations have already been made.

I have offered to auction off a skein of Prism Yarn "Wild Stuff" that I purchased as part of my late Sister-in-Law's stash. It is a $92.00 skein of creative "art" yarn - the winning bid might win it for 1/2 the original price! And the proceeds will go to help Ms. MacKenzie.

Per the e-response I received, I'm not alone in my offering. I suspect the Auction offerings will be amazing!

So the "echo of a previous thanks" relates to the 2nd bullet from my 11/3 "catch-up" Thanks list:
"I am thankful for the Knitting/Crafting community - here in Tucson, on the Internet/Ravelry/blogs/podcasts, and throughout the world. A common thread. (Pun intended.)"

I am thankful that many, many people in the Knitting/Crafting Community are getting the word out on Raverly, Twitter and their blogs and that people are already stepping in to help.

My heart goes out to Judith MacKenzie - and grateful thanks are offered to all the lovely folks that are stepping in to help her move past this setback.

November Thanks - 10(s of thousands of billions...)

 I am very thankful that I can still see the stars at night - even 

from my home within the Tucson City Limits. 

This gent has a good eye and the camera to take the picture that aptly accents this mini-post.

The 9th November thanks

Continuing the Thankful in November blogs: 

I am thankful for my friends. They are a mind-boggling group of talented, interesting, kind, and brilliant people. I am agog and thankful that these lovely, inspiring folks bless and enhance my life.

Thanks in November - it's the 8th

I am thankful that my DH does our dishes pretty much daily (he IS the dishwasher), that he has such a great laugh, and that he gifts me with hugs quite often.

I'm Thankful it's the 7th!!

Much as I value and revel in the voting and freedoms available in my country, I am pointedly Thankful that it is now the 7th of November.

The day After Election day! 

And we citizens will now have a respite from the constant barrage of automated phone calls, real-live persons calling or ringing our door bells, wasteful piles of political, finger-pointing snail-mailings, and the ridiculous clusters of temporary roadside signs urging us to "Vote for So-n-so". 

{Sigh of Relief!!}

Bonus Thanks and another "Sigh of Relief" - The "Sock the Vote" Socks were completed last night!!
"I knit a sock & I VOTE!"(d)!!
(Yep, there's a whole blog post pending about that journey.)

November Thanks - the 6th. Win or Lose

I am waiting to see if I get to be thankful for my preferred Presidential choice being elected.

I am thankful that our country gets to have elections. 

I may not always be tickled with my candidate options, but I do have
the right to vote and we do have actual candidate options.
And that is a very good thing. 

Well, I can be thankful that he ran again at all.
It has been a true pleasure not to be constantly mildly embarrassed about our highest elected official.

I am thankful that he has represented our country so well and for the second time in my life, I am engaged and hopeful regarding who will be elected today. {Again, whinging about my past candidate options...}

So...thankful but waiting/hoping to be more thankful.

Edited late Tuesday night to say....Well, to say I am more Thankful. G'night all. 

November Thanks - da 5th

Continuing in my plot to post something thankful each day in November:

I am very thankful that I live in a country where we have the right to vote.

More so that I am a woman and that I have the right to vote, own property, make choices regarding my health and body, decide who I will marry (or stay married to), and that I am permitted to read and pursue an education of my choosing.

Tomorrow is Election Day. 

You may think that an individual vote can't make a difference, 

but they're all individual votes - and they add up. 

Daily November Thanks - the 4th

As explained in the Catch-up Thanks blog post of the 3rd, I'm plotting to post an I'm-thankful-for post each day in November.

November 4th - I am thankful that the Old Pueblo Knitters Guild/Kiwi Knitting is hosting a January visit from J.C. Briar.   (Knitterly continuing education credits!)

Thankful for a good idea!

Whilst at Kiwi Knitting today for the Sock Group gathering, one of the attendees mentioned something thankful a friend/loved one was doing on Facebook.

 I thought I would embrace the most sincere form of flattery and imitate the friend/loved one and attempt to post something I'm thankful for each day of November until Thanksgiving.

Obviously I'm already a couple of days behind so I'll play "catch-up" today with 3 things for which I'm thankful.

Please feel free to jot your own "I am thankful" note in the comment section!

Ok, so In No Particular Order : I am thankful...

1. I am thankful my Aunt and Uncle in New Jersey came through Sandy well and with their home relatively unscathed. (I'll be even more thankful when their electricity is restored!)
2. I am thankful for the Knitting/Crafting community - here in Tucson, on the Internet/Ravelry/blogs/podcasts, and throughout the world. A common thread. (Pun intended.)
3. I am thankful that my monster-cats are all relatively young and currently healthy. (I spent years care-taking for elderly cats that I loved dearly, but life is a bit more simple without insulin shots, subcutaneous fluids, daily doses of meds...)

A rare picture of all 4 cats together. Gryphon in the tower, CooPurr on the ottoman,
and brothers Nikoli {white & orange} and Mikale in the chair. 

3.5 - Thank you for reading! Have a good evening!!

For sheer cuteness, here's the picture of Nikoli & Mikale before I woke Mikale with camera noises: