Thanksgiving has always been the holiday where we openly profess our gratitude for all of our blessings.

I am making an effort to show gratitude on a daily basis. I am not perfect. In fact, sometimes I find myself making up for the day before.

However, I have realized that gratitude doesn't have to be delivered in big ways. Sometimes, the tiniest of actions or words go farther than imagined. 

Every day is a gift. And I am thankful. 

Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live.

— Attributed to Jacqueline Winspear

The first full week of November. November, can you believe it?

Every year, the holidays seem to creep up on me before I've had any time to prepare. This year, I want it to be different. In fact, this post will force me to stick to my To Dos, which include:

• Take photo of kids for personal holiday cards
• Order holiday cards before Thanksgiving
• Order custom holiday cards for business ✓
• Buy holiday stamps
• Gather boxes for mailing holiday gifts
• Organize gift list and map out shopping hot spots
• Event/holiday party outfit planning for clients ✓
• Event/holiday party outfit planning for me
• Buy supplies for holiday baking
• Assess wrapping supplies and buy accordingly
• Pick up some just-in-case gifts

Have I forgotten anything? I'm sure that I have, but do I dare add to my list? Actually, I feel so much better having written all of this down. Not only can I take on Monday, I say 'bring on the holidays!'

Photo by Madison Australia May 2011

Really, Halloween already?

While I am in disbelief the holiday season is underway, I am excited that the temperatures have dropped and fall is finally in gear. Time to whip out the cute jackets, wraps and furs. Oh, and boots!

I am especially happy that my children are feeling a bit crafty this year, opting to paint versus carve pumpkins. So much easier on the parents, right?

This is proving to be a low key Halloween. Do I dare say, it's about time? No matter the maintenance (not high this year, yay), I'm thrilled to spend time with my family. No tweeting allowed. 

See you on the streets, or at the door!

The summer calendar is coming to a close. Traveling home reminds me of this.

Here's where I become a little frantic. Looking back at that list I created before summer, pain in my side, anticipating what little I have crossed off of it. Yep, that's where I am. [cringe]

While I did not come anywhere close to accomplishing the things I set out to this summer, I do have a few more weeks to make some headway, at least. I have accepted the fact that, at this late stage, I may only cross off one thing from said list. Pathetic, I know.

Ironically, I accomplished some things that never made the list. Does that count?

Next year, I think I'll ditch the list altogether.

Photo by unknown source