I’ll be happy to get back to my North Side life and four kitties tomorrow, but we’ve had some good times this week – me and Millie. Millie is a strange dog, but I think after spending some quality time together we are starting to understand one another. You see, she might live in my Mom’s house, but because she arrived after I left I never really formed an attachment to Millie. I’m starting to see what everyone sees in her.
Good dog.
Last year I jumped on board the happy, cheesy, month of thankfulness train by posting a picture a day of things I was thankful for. I thought I might like to do it again, but like last year, I couldn’t get myself together enough in time to start on November 1st… can we just say that I’m fashionably late to the party?
While I’m not sure I wholly endorse the thankfulness project (as I rarely endorse anything that’s trending with stay-at-home moms on Facebook), I will say that my attempt last year was fun, and cathartic.
For me anyway.
I hope you enjoyed it to.
Then again, honestly, blogging is a selfish pursuit so even if you didn’t like it I’m going to do it anyway.
Last year’s 20 Days of Thankful was housed in this other blog – which is more conducive to micro-blogging and posting single photos. This year I’m upping my game (which might be a little crazy considering my schedule, but what the hell). I thought it would be fair to evolve the project and actually, maybe, explain why I’m thankful for that thing you’re seeing.
It’s going to be a challenge. I mean, I blog a lot (like, a lot), but the Crafty Lady often gets neglected while I pursue those things that you know, are going to advance my career. The point is, I’ve blogged every day for 20 days, well, never. Here’s hoping I can make it happen, starting now….
I’m staying at my mother’s house in my home town for the week taking care of her dog while she and my step-father are in Hawaii (way to go, champs!). While Crystal Lake is not a realistically commutable distance for me, I figure I owe the lady a favor for bringing me into this world.
There is a feeling about coming home, and I’ll be honest, I’m old enough and far enough removed from this town that I no longer think of it as “going home.” It’s my Mom’s house. My bedroom was redecorated 10 years ago. The only things that remain is a bunch of my childhood toys in the basement in boxes and bins that I don’t have room for in my apartment, but which nobody wants to part with.
But then, the first night I arrived, there were labelled leftovers in the fridge, and I got an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. Taking care of this dog is pretty inconvenient, but I’m sure that, like, 20 years of my Mother’s life were inconvenient because of me. Like how she used to fix me dinner, pick me up at school, drive me to dance class, pick me up again, drive me to band practice, pick me up again, and console me as I cried over Algebra at midnight. These labelled leftovers were a little reminder of what it takes to be an awesome parent, and also a reminder that I don’t have that in me now, if ever. So thanks, Mom.
On a Thanksgiving Day pre-turkey jaunt through downtown Crytal Lake, IL, it seemed only fitting that I pose with my mother for a thumbs up. You see, this is the town in which I spent most of my former years (well, technically Cary, but I don’t like to talk about it). Also fitting is the guy behind us photo bombing our picture.
The barista insisted that it’s a good year for Christmas Blend. Let’s hope he’s right.
Lauren Warnecke 
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