Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more.
If you concentrate on what you don’t have,
you will never, ever have enough.
Oprah Winfrey
I was originally going to post a different kind of post. Maybe one with all the Black Friday or Cyber Monday specials attached. Even an Extreme Self-Care post. But then I stopped myself because I need to take a pause and focus on Thanksgiving.
It’s been a year of extremes for us. Chris and I are not only amazed at what we’ve accomplished in the past year but also thankful for those in our lives both here in Florida and back home in Connecticut.
We started the year in Connecticut and said good-bye to my Mother who passed on January 3rd. And then we packed everything into a moving van or our car and moved to Florida.
In a four-week time span, we managed to secure jobs, find an apartment, and move in. We came to understand the saying that if you want to go anywhere in Orlando, you need to plan for at least 40 minutes or more.
From Florida, I oversaw the sale of my childhood home and arranged for the interment of my Mother’s ashes. I’m still in the process of finalizing the estate. All of which makes me miss, even more, those in my family who have passed.
Since we’ve moved, I’ve kept up a weekly phone call with my son who still lives in Connecticut. Despite our distance, I actually feel like we’re more connected now because of the weekly touchpoints. When I lived in Connecticut, we might go a month or more without talking.
While we deeply miss our friends and family in Connecticut, one fellow Orlando blogger has graciously allowed us into her home and to be part of her family! We’ve spent several of this year’s holidays with them, and are planning Thanksgiving with them as well. (If you’re wondering who it is, she graciously agreed to guest post on the blog last week with her Vision Boards for Kids post.)
So, no. This post isn’t filled with Black Friday or Cyber Monday specials for you to grab. Instead, it’s filled with Gratitude. Love. And a sense of “what’s next?”
Because December starts on Sunday, I’ve attached a December Holiday Calendar for you. It’s designed to help you avoid going crazy and instead focus on what’s important during the holiday season.
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends!
Thank you for another inspiring calendar! I keep them with my morning journal and do about half of the things every month…maybe not on the exact day, but i love having these little prompts!
I’ve realized that our holiday traditions have shifted significantly in the past 3 years…or should I say disappeared. We are also going to friends for dinner, versus a family gathering. I think of these friends as my “chosen family’ and hope they feel the same about me.
I’m glad you like the calendars. It’s good to hear that someone really is putting them to use!
Wow, Jennifer, you have done a lot this year! All the best to you and your family.
Thanks, Laurie. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like we’ve done a lot, but when I look back I am amazed at what we’ve accomplished in such a short time.
What a beautiful post and you’ve done so much this year! Your calendar is fabulous and full of great ideas. I must say I’m also loving your new look (well it may not be that new but it is fabulous). All the best x
Thanks for noticing the newish look, Deb. LOL. New in the past year, let’s say.
I’m sure I noticed it before now but didn’t get around to making a comment!!
Moves are always hard especially when you move far away. Great that your son touches base every week and that you have a friend to share holidays with in Orlando.