Halloween Visitors

Dear God:

Today I am thankful for Halloween visitors.

In case you're keeping track:

• This year's count: 11 young trick-or-treaters, one parent dressed as Tom Brady (the New England Patriot's quarterback) and several other parents not in costume. I bought goodies for 20.

• My manager and her husband had nearly 350 visitors at their home. They eventually ran out of candy.

• Finally, my team at work won the first annual Halloween decorating contest. The company is buying us lunch at the restaurant of our choice.

(Sadly, unlike past years, T did not run to the door whenever the door bell rang. He got up only once, when across-the-street neighbors, Bryson and his dad, stopped by.)

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

The power of ten

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for the power of ten.

I am celebrating 10.10.10 with:

10 thoughts

1. It's already late Sunday afternoon - where did my weekend go?
2. Fall has finally arrived in Colorado Springs - the chill in the air says it all.
3. I am still harvesting jalapeno and cayenne peppers from what was my best vegetable garden to date.
4. T is sleeping, dreaming of the best days, the best moments of his life (I wonder if he will make it through the winter). 
5. I miss my dad who died nearly 5 months ago. I think he would have loved my gardens this year.
6. A colleague died last weekend from cancer (very sad for all of us at the office - you could have heard a pin drop when the email arrived in our mailboxes). 
7. This morning, I baked rich and buttery cranberry scones for breakfast and focaccio with fresh rosemary (to accompany the pork shoulder roast that cooked all night in the crock pot).
8. I need to assemble my cool weather wardrobe - time again for cozy sweaters, hand knit scarves, cashmere gloves and my favorite boots.
9. I wish I could live parts of my life over because I would do many things differently.
10. I'm glad that I'm a rock climber - rock climbing is much easier on the knees than my first love, long distance running.

10 dollars

My budget when I shop at the thrift store is $10.00. I usually visit on Saturdays when most items are half-price. My rule is that I only buy clothes from well-known brands like Banana Republic, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Gap, Patagonia, North Face and Prana. I'm lucky that I wear small sizes - the "small" racks are rarely picked over. Yesterday, for $9.10 (tax included), I bought a lovely pale blue rayon blend cardigan (Ann Taylor, needs new buttons) and two pairs of black slacks in stretch fabrics (Ann Taylor and Talbots - modern, low waist fit, no alterations needed). My favorite finds in the past year include a Lands End coat for $7.50, a new pair of Prana climbing pants for $5.00, and the complete collection of Robert Frost poems for $1.50. 

10 more minutes

This is what I ask for all day long - just 10 more minutes, please. Today, I am giving myself 10 more minutes. For all the times I needed them but was denied or couldn't find the extra time. 

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.