Ok, so I’ve been annoying my husband and son.  Since I’m not in the mood for Christmas, I’ve been trying to watch Christmas specials to find the Christmas spirit.  They would rather not watch all of the Santa Clause movies… I’m trying to figure out where I can watch the Rankin/Bass movies that we watched as kids… You know, the Rudolph and Frosty movies. 

Honestly, even though I’m trying to fnd the holiday spirit, it’s hard.  It might be because I miss my dad a lot more this year.  It might be because my grandma died this year.  It might be because I went to 2 funerals in 4 months.  It might be because I can’t see my family this year and I had my hopes up that I’d see them sometime this year, for my niece’s wedding if not for the holidays.  Or it might be all of these reasons. 

Don’t get me wrong, I have a lot to be thankful for.  I have a stable job, even if I don’t particularly care for what I do, the company is still doing well.  My husband has a stable job, since his employer makes things for the oil and natural gas industry, his job is not going to go away.  I have a mostly healthy husband and three healthy kids, one of whom has turned out far better than I would have expected when I was single and having so much trouble with him.  He’s on track to be a marine and though that scares me, I’m still proud of him.  I try to tell him at least once a week that I’m proud how he’s become more responsible.

I have several good friends, and though I met most of these friends through the Internet, I know I can talk to them about anything and they’ll listen and give me advice or a kick in the rear if I need it.  I also reconnected with a very dear friend this year, and I’m thankful for that too.  He knows me a hell of a lot better than I would have expected 10 years ago.

My sister and I have gotten very close since 2003, and that makes me happy.  I only wish we hadn’t lost so many years with the stupid sibling rivalry.  

I’ve also been making money writing.  Not a lot, but some.  It proves to me that I know how to write, so I need to do more to focus on that.  Granted, I know that I’m not going to be able to make a living out of writing books unless I get a really lucky break (like JK Rowling), but I can work at it. 

So, what are you thankful for?  There has to be some good in everyone’s life somewhere.  Another day above ground is a good day.  I know my kids are thankful I’m still around.  Even the snappish 17 year old trying to break away from mom.