Today, I give thanks for Dyson customer service. I do something that puts a hole in my tube. What that is, I have no idea. So I bought one replacement, but called customer service this time. A replacement is en route, no charge!

Oh and chocolate. And kids who like fruity candy better.

Today was going to be tough. The girl was up from 1 am until about 6, throwing up. I was able to grab a few 20 minute naps here and there, but also, one of our smoke alarms was doing the "almost out of batteries" chirp. Oh and she was playing her aquarium. So I'm tired, to put it mildly. Then, she's cranky and sometime around 10 am spikes a fever. And then we had her 2 year checkup.

But that's when it's better. She's back on the chart at 21.8 lb (2%) and 32.5" tall. Her noggin is still in the 87% at 49 cm. To hold her gargantuan brain of course.

So there's one gratitude.

Another. I have my laptop back. I've only had this setup a few months but it doesn't take long. The led was dying and had a one pixel horizontal line about 1/5 down it. Not earthshattering but it's so nice. And I can get my work email again, as I don't know the password to check it online. :uh

Today's gratitude is a quickie, as I'm en route to freezing my behind at the halloween parade.

So anyway, it's the World Championship Red Sox. Thanks guys for making Massachusetts a fun place to be today.

Today I am grateful for cider donuts. And a husband that didn't mind that I could not remember how to get to the farm so a 20 minute trip took an hour. And of course, the Red Sox one game away from World Series champions does not hurt one bit.

Today I am so grateful that my son has a karate dojo that he loves and I'm totally comfortable dropping him off for a 3 hour halloween party. From which he returned sweaty and exhausted and happy.

Today I am thankful that I weigh .4 lb less than I did last week. Not a huge amount, but also I haven't lost a single smidge in 3 weeks. So yes that.

And that my boy is a new orange stripe belt in kempo karate. And that the girl slept through the whole serious endeavor.

Isn't he the best?

Today I am thankful for Chris at Ikea, the home design consultant, who is going to gather up 3 bathrooms and a kitchen for me, even though that is "not a service ikea provides" according to call center lady. He's even making sure that I have all the bits and pieces like sink strainers. I can't wait to fill that uhaul with cinnamon buns. I mean . . . green affordable furnishings. And the cab filled with cinnamon buns.

Make that 3 nights. Woohoo! This morning was early, but straight till 6:45 is really good for this babygirl.

Today's gratitude, the fact that the meeting I was bending over backward to make it to, might not require my attendance after all.

Today's gratitude: Children who go to bed easily. And a girl who slept through both of the last 2 nights. At 2, really, this shouldn't be on the list, but I'll take it when I can get it.

Gratitude for the day: Kids who will try any food presented to them. The boy ate about 234329 chunks of ginger calamari, and not even because it was squid. I didn't present that part to him, wasn't sure if it was good or bad. He asked for more, three times.

Also, a daughter who fell asleep at a "normal" nap time today and is still out cold.

I'm adding in parents who are willing to kid watch all the time, when I am having childcare issues. That is a gratitude for tomorrow actually. Hm.

Today I'm grateful that it was a beautiful day for apple picking. And my son, who is already "too old" to tell me he loves me back after I tell him, told me he loves me, out of the blue.

And that we weren't part of the multi car accident that backed up 495 today. Yow.

Thirty days of gratitude.

As Thanksgiving is about a month away, I am going to try to post every day until then with at least one thing I"m thankful for. Since this is day one, and the baby is napping, I have a few.

1. The baby is napping.
2. It's unseasonably warm out (trying not to let myself freak out about it and just enjoy it).
3. Just unloaded shite from the car.
4. Husband's client didn't freak out when his company effed up (accident, but yes).
5. I ran even though I"m immmensely sore and didn't do it quite right. But many times I take that as an excuse just to slack.

In case you're wondering, if you go to a 10:30 a.m. Imax show on a Wednesday, you will have the whole place to yourself. And your five year old won't wear his 3d glasses because he doesn't want to see things right in front of him, but he still loved every second. Especially being on momma's lap.

Can you believe it's been two whole years? Sniff.

I am a dirty target hoor. The other day, I was wasting time, so I drove past the construction site of the soon-to-open target. And I see the "now open" sign. This sent me into such a gleeful state. This was October 10. I was one of fewer than a dozen customers, and about 40 employees. I let the girl eat the goldfish she dropped off the floor, as I have never seen a cleaner floor. Even in my own home. We spent $44, I have a new closer target, and they have a not-quite-entire grocery store but better than the old one.

Yesterday, I get the grand opening package. Which says October 14 on it, which btw is today. So I was special, yes, but also, $5 off $25 coupon. So rather than say "darn, coulda used that Thursday" I 
am all "woohoo, how soon can I get back?

Other than being asked if I was pregnant (:upset), very good weekend. The hellish trip of August was a longer mileage and significantly less stressful, traffic-wise, trip of October. I was a bit pissed at the hubby who caused us to leave at noon and miss the rehearsal dinner, but the wedding was worth it. Finally got the boy on a Duck Tour, which he's wanted to do ever since he knew it was something that could be done, and it was fun for us all. Cheesy jokes work in such a setting.

Protestors at the Independence Mall, who decided they had the right to show my children graphic images, while not knowing my political views, got the finger from my husband and I. I hate people sometimes.

The wedding was lovely, kids well behaved and beautiful, and it was so fun to see all sorts of old pals. The kids room was a fantastic call and the kids had loads of fun. Sleeping was so-so for the girly, but you can't get it all. Trip home was shorter, and even less stressful. Overall, very worthwhile. Only thing is, camera was on the fritz. I hope lots of friends share their photos.