I'm counting my blessings this freezing cold afternoon in December. It read 13F on the outside thermometer when I left for work this morning.
We've been in a deep freeze since the beginning of the week, and last night was the worst so far with the wind bringing the temperature down below 0F overnight.
The dogs go out and do their business and don't linger in the yard to bark at the neighbors as is their usual pattern. People ask me about the horses, but they really are fine so long as they have plenty of hay to munch throughout the day to keep their calorie intake up. They all look like overly large Shetland ponies this year, with deep, fluffly winter coats. We keep the heater on in their water tank night and day and salt it so they will be encouraged to drink plenty of water. With all the hay working its way through their systems they must stay hydrated or risk colic.
We haven't had much of anything in the way of snow so far. A mild dusting on Monday morning that blew away before I left work to head back home. I have the occasional fleeting thought that it would be so pretty if we had a really good snow, but then I remember the 45 mile commute and the importance of this last business month of the year and I think maybe just being really cold isn't so bad after all.
SG texted me last night that he's done with his gig in North Carolina. His plan is to start working his way home tomorrow, although the storm they're getting might have him rethinking that. I watch the weather reports and fret, wanting him to come home soon but wanting him to be safe even more. I pray for him to be safe on the road and for all the other people who are caught out on dangerous roads this time of year. He will stop and enjoy some time with his son in Mississippi and then with some friends of ours who are in Houston before pointing his wheels north and coming home to me.
It is physical inventory time at work, and I went in to help and provide support for our crew who is working overtime today. Next weekend I'll go to our outside warehouse for their inventory. The kids are with their dad this week and I'm happy to keep busy so the time between now and when my husband is home will go by more quickly. I can take some days off when he's back.
As much as I'm not fond of this bitter cold winter weather, it reminds me to be grateful for the many blessings my family enjoys. It might be cold outside, but I have warm clothes and a warm home to return to. I might not like driving the long miles to work, but not only do I have a job, but I have a job that I love. I might be lonely, but it is temporary because my husband is coming back soon, and I'm not as lonely as I might be otherwise because I've got friends and family who are happy to help keep me company while he's gone.
I'm feeling thankful.
