Early Thanksgiving

So I know it's not Thanksgiving yet, but I keep finding myself feeling grateful. And even though it's not the last Thursday of November yet, I want to share some of the things I'm thankful for.

I'm thankful for the nice, warm summer we had. So many other areas around the country got cheated out of summer. They had fall-like temperatures for the entire 3 months they spend the rest of the year looking forward to. We were lucky to have weather warm enough to float the rivers here. I'm glad that I can go into winter knowing Missoula summers fully make up for the bitter cold.

I'm thankful for the stable, good-paying job I have that pays all my bills. Now, I'm sure you've all heard me complain about being broke and wishing I had more money, but hell I'm sure Bill Gates feels the same way. I bet he'd prefer to have two huge mansions on Flathead Lake instead of just the measley one he already owns. :)

I'm grateful to the University of Montana for having a flexible Social Work program that accommodates my work schedule. Because of them I can keep my good-paying job AND still go to school to finish my degree.

On that same note, I'm grateful to Aspen Hospice for allowing me to be an intern there. It's a lot of work on their part, far more than I imagined. They've rearranged schedules for me, they've allowed me to interview them time and time again, they've shared information they wouldn't normally share with someone all so I could write a decent Comp Exam to get my degree. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with such wonderful, caring people; both staff and patients.

I'm thankful my Grandma showed me how to knit. I don't have much knitting time right now, but believe me it's still what keeps me going every single day! There are days I don't have time to knit, but it's always on my mind. The next project, the next yarn purchase, the next time I'll get to knit with my friends...I'm constantly thinking about my favorite hobby.

Speaking of knitting, I'm thankful for my knitting friends. Without them I'd be the crazy girl who knits in the Good Food Store by herself, asking strangers if they know how to do balanced decreases in the round. Believe me, it wouldn't be pretty. I love how some of them make me feel like a queen with compliments like "You can take the cheapest, lowest quality yarn and make it into something really beautiful." (Erin) I also love the ones who point out the irony of taking an exquisite pattern and using the lowest quality, cheapest yarn possible. (Miriam) And of course all of their knitting talents, knowledge and wisdom always amaze me. (Jen, Doria, Melissa and all the rest) Missoula SnB'ers rock!!

I'm thankful for my wonderful, fun, loving, supportive boyfriend. Even when he's sick, he still has the energy to make me laugh. He not only listens to all my rants and raves, he remembers most of them too. He's sensible & responsible, and challenges me to be the same, even when I really don't want to. There are lots of times when I would've given up without his encouragement.

I'm grateful for my parents and my brother, without whom I wouldn't be here. Literally. Had Scott not been thorough and researched the best school for Recreation Management, I wouldn't be in Missoula. And it goes without saying that I wouldn't be in this world without my parents. Just like the onesie I plan to dress my baby in someday (should I ever have one), "Now that I'm safe, I'm pro-choice." :)

I hope you all have things to be thankful for right now too. And please feel free to share here...