Melange of topics...

Ah, the day before Thanksgiving...it's sunny, but still a bit cold (and I consider anything less than 55 degrees cold, BTW).
The parking lots of local grocery stores are packed (and that's an understatement). Thankfully, I did my shopping yesterday and simply picked up our WF turkey and then proceeded to SB Farms (local farm stand) to get my pies-one of which will be given away tomorrow morning during our 14th Annual Thanksgiving class! So, I drove by the packed parking lots, filled with angry folks awaiting a parking spot! YIPPEE. I hope you are not in one of those cars, cursing as you wait for a spot!
Why is it that we buy an amount of food to feed an army (whether or not an army is actually coming to your home to eat)? We had a visiting client from Europe who asked me if the stores would be closed all week-she saw so much food being purchased she couldn't believe the store was actually simply closed for 1 day.
Friday begins the always insane holiday shopping season and, frankly, I think it's almost (note I said 'almost') a good thing we're all having to be more mindful of what we spend this year. I know it's been said many times, but folks are way too focused on what to buy, how much of it and spending themselves into debt to 'impress' their friends and family. We all want to give wonderful things to those we love, but at what cost? As I've said before, we're all in this together, so let's pledge (before you get up at MIDNIGHT to go to the Wrentham outlets) to not charge things or to at least be careful with amount put on the charge card. Really...our families want time with us, good memories and a nice gift-I think if each of us asked our families they would never want us to go into debt to give them anything.
It'll feel so good not to dread those January bills, won't it? And, even if you have plenty of disposable income (even now), spend less on gifts and give a bit more to charity. You'll get a tax break and really help folks who are less fortunate and, these days, it could be your neighbor-literally.
Tomorrow K and I will get to tell you all how thankful we are for the priviledge of doing something we truly love for a living. We are deeply grateful to each of you for your business throughout the years, bringing us your friends, showing up on THANKSGIVING to attend class and all the joy you give us each week. We know that many people never get to live their dreams and while it might seem silly to some-this was/is our dream.
I've said (written) it before, but I'll say it again...
We're just 2 friends who, over a pizza at Bertucci's in Newton, thought it would be fun to have our own Center. I believe it was K who said it first and I latched onto it like a vice. I'm nothing if not persistent, stubborn and one sighted when I have a goal. That idea planted the seed of what you see today. It was the first time in my life that I put together a goal (a big one) and achieved it. It opened so many doors, allowed me to meet so many wonderful people and has given me a healthier body than I ever imagined.
So to say we are thankful is a huge understatement.
See you all on Turkey day!