Ten Things of Thankful: Short Week Edition

I was late to last week's Ten Things of Thankful party, linking up with only 45 minutes to spare four days ago. I'm going to be away from my computer starting later today and through the extent of the link-up time. (John will be home, though, so the house isn't unattended.) Because of that, I am writing another Ten Things of Thankful post today.

This week, I'm thankful:

1. For my upcoming trip to California. Grandchildren, here I come!

2. For the bulbs that are popping up in my yard. We started renting this place in the summer, so the flowers were a nice surprise. 

Photo: Yellow crocus bloom in a bed of brown fallen leaves

3. The work on the house we bought continues. The granite went into the kitchen this week. All that is left now in the kitchen is mostly behind-the-scenes work, like connecting the plumbing and some electrical jobs. 

Photo: A before and after collage of the kitchen as it was when we bought it, and now with a more open floor plan, new cabinets to the ceiling, and a dark granite counter and backsplash.

4. For good companies, that do what is needed to make right a mistake by their workers. 

5. For good neighbors, both in our current neighborhood and in the one we are moving into. 

6. For individuals who share their talents. John and I attended a concert by Alan Menken this week. John's comment coming out of the concert hall was, "This was a lot like a Beach Boys concert; almost every single song was familiar to me." Alan Menken composed music for many of the Disney films, as well as Little Shop of Horrors and other plays.

Photo: A projection on the stage before the concert shows a caricature of Alan Menken playing the piano. The caption reads, "A Whole New World of Alan Menken: Stories and Songs by 8-Time Oscar-Winning Composer Alan Menken" (Photography wasn't allowed once the concert began, so I don't have a photo of him actually performing.)

7. For various financial tasks completed. Taxes are done and the budget has had its periodic re-working. 

8. For television. I'm not much of a watcher--my parents got rid of our set when I was a child, and quite frankly, there are better things to do than watch TV, but I do enjoy a show or two occasionally. Specifically, I'm glad that the X-files has returned for a short season again this year. 

9. For another race. John and I are running a 10K this morning to benefit cancer research. I'm a little anxious. This is only our second Utah run since moving here. Even though the first was half the distance, it was a bit rough; we hadn't fully adapted to the altitude  yet and we started at a faster pace than we should have. This time around we should do better. Our lungs are used to the altitude, and we're trying to remind ourselves that most of the runners are at least half our age, so we aren't expected to keep their pace. Wish us luck!

10. For John. I love racing into the future with him.

What are you thankful for this week? I love reading your comments, and reading the posts of those who link up. I'll be late in responding, as my phone doesn't always allow me to comment (particularly on wordpress blogs) and I will be busy with my grandchildren, but I will try to catch up when I return. Thanks for your patience!