Ten Things of Thankful: It's Only January, but I'm Taking a Break

A simple graphic of a January 2019 calendar (surprisingly, with only a 4x4 grid)

A new year often brings re-commitment, re-direction, and renewal of enthusiasm. A blank calendar shows possibilities: routines to be developed, and breaks to schedule in. While I know it's only January--the traditional "routines to be developed" phase--I'm shaking things up and starting with a break. I will be away from my blog and generally off-line for the next few weeks, but never fear, the Ten Things of Thankful link-up will go on. I will respond to comments and read linked posts when I return from my break. 

This week, I'm thankful for:

1. Book club. When I was a child, I had no problem at all living with my nose constantly stuck in a book. As an adult, I am trying to remember that it is OK to spend hours reading. Book club is a step in the right direction. I "have to" read, but I'm having fun, and have given myself permission to read other books, too. 

2. Thrift stores. I wanted an actual, physical copy of The Help (the book club selection for February), but didn't want to spend new-book prices.  Although I love my Kindle, it's so much easier for me to remember/find certain sections of a book when I'm holding an actual book. I thought I could probably find a copy, and I was right.

3. Books and movies. I had seen the movie before reading the book. The movie was excellent, but I was delighted to discover I still preferred the book (although I must say that I definitely imagined Minny as Octavia Spencer the entire time I was reading.)

4. Google. I was sewing what should have been a quick project when my sewing machine started acting up. A quick search lead me to an answer I should have thought of myself, but didn't. (Have you remembered to regularly clean your machine, or at the very least, have you thought to clean it now?)

5. Easy solutions. I removed the foot plate, removed a WHOLE LOT of lint, and voila! The sewing machine functioned properly, and I finished my project.

6. A budget. When John and I were first married, I wanted a way to make sure that I wasn't surprised by expenses. John wrote a computer program that allowed us to divide the paycheck into personalized categories. Instead of just seeing how much money was in the bank account, I could see on paper how the money was allocated.  The twice-yearly insurance payments never caught me off guard. Though the program is now in an Excel document rather than on a floppy disc, it is essentially the same program he originally came up with. It's one of those simple things that has made a difference in our lives. 

7. Friendly neighbors. I am constantly amazed. The doorbell rang this week, and a woman handed us a plate of (delicious!) homemade cookies. She said she was thankful for us, and John's willingness to serve in the bishopric, and told us she was praying for us. So sweet--her, and the cookies!

8. Time. When I stress out, it's often because I feel crunched for time. I think the last time I was bored was in 1969; I NEVER run out of things to do. This week, though filled with a list of must-do's with a fast-approaching deadline, has felt manageable, even relaxing. Time is stretching. 

9. Thoughts/themes. When I started this blog almost 8 (!) years ago, I chose the name Thankful Me as an intentional reminder to myself to be thankful. I have explored other ideas in the years since (though without starting another blog).  One of those concepts has been "joy," and I think I will be pondering more on that this year, and trying to recognize joy in my life.

10. John, AKA my best friend, and a definite source of joy.

What are you thankful for this week? As always, you are invited to join the blog hop. The more, the merrier!

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