2020 has been a year, but no matter how dire the circumstances, I still believe that there’s always something to be grateful for. Even if it’s little.

In that spirit, here are 20 things I’m grateful for in 2020! (In no particular order, of course!)

Shelby

I call him my Swiss Army Knife Husband: he can do ANYTHING. Electric, plumbing, mechanics, carpentry, IT, the list goes on. Not only am I grateful for everything he does around our house (and our yard, and my studio, and our cars), he is my #1 supporter.

Out of everyone in my life, my crazy dreams impact Shelby the most. No matter how seemingly impossible or out there, Shelby has answered with, “Ooo! Have you thought about this?” or “How can we make it happen?” Thanks for shooting for the stars with me, Shelby!

The Kitties

There’s nothing like the companionship of an animal to make you feel less lonely and entertained, and for me, cats are #1. My cats are lovable, adorable, funny to watch, and super snuggly. I’m grateful for Guinevere and Lancelot everyday.

Friends

I’ve been in touch with my friends with my friends quite a bit this year, and I’m grateful to have supportive people who share the same interests as me. (Because you will not see Shelby smudging a space for a moon ceremony.)

My friends are helping me grow spiritually and have been awesome cheerleaders this year.

LEAD

Back when I was about to graduate from college, I was hired as the Executive Director for a chamber of commerce. I was 19 and many of the board members (and chamber members) doubted me because of my age. I didn’t feel fully supported in my job and left it after six months or so.

I was disappointed because I had so many ideas that I was never able to implement.

Shelby often helped me come up with event and business development ideas for the chamber, so he was on a similar wavelength. A few years ago after attending the Sea Festival of Trees in Salisbury, MA (where Nanny and Grandpa lived), we schemed how we could hold a similar event in Littleton.

In the midst of the pandemic, we figured 2020 was the year to make it happen!

With one event after another having to cancel, the Littleton Area Festival of Trees is (as far as I know) the only community event happening this year. I’m grateful that we’re able to hold it; because the event is indoors, we have much more control over implementing safety policies.

And along with holding the Festival of Trees, we decided to found a community organization that would allow us to implement the ideas we had come up for when I worked at the Chamber. And so Littleton Entertainment And Development (LEAD) was born!

My Studio

I can’t work from home. The distractions! I also like keeping work and home separate so I can really disconnect when I’m home.

It also feels wonderful to have a space that I can decorate and organize however I’d like. I’ve been adding more holiday decor to my collection throughout the year and it brings me such joy to look at it!

Our new car

I will preface this by writing I love my bugs and will always drive bugs.

But…..

They’re not fantastic in the winter and there’s only so much stuff you can fit in a bug. (Throwback to VW’s Think Small campaign of the 60s.)

Shelby and I have been needing a reliable winter car for a few years, and we’re at the point where we could finally purchase exactly what we wanted.

After months of searching, Shelby found our 2013 Audi Q5 at Morong Falmouth- which we HIGHLY recommend- and we’ve been driving the new wheels for over a month now!

Already we’ve made two major grocery shopping trips (see “Market Basket” below), cleaned out a BUNCH of stuff from the house and were able to haul it out in the new car. We’ve also transported large, necessary things for the Festival of Trees.

Shelby’s former winter car was also an Audi, and that thing handled beautifully in the snow. Since ours has more power and capability than his, this one will be even better.

Other than the practicality, our new car is sooooo comfortable. It also has handy features, such as a passenger side bag hook for my purse, garage door opener buttons built in, and automated seat settings that adjust to Shelby’s and my preferences. So when I take the car out after him, all I have to do is press a button and the seat and side mirrors adjust to my preferences. I could get used to this!

Our Neighbor for letting Shelby borrow his tractor

Thank you, Mr. Driscoll! We have a gravel driveway that’s on an incline, which means it washes out every year. Last year Shelby and I filled it by hand and it sucked. There’s no sugar coating it. I was sore for days and absolutely dreaded doing that again.

But because our neighbor let Shelby borrow his tractor, I didn’t even have to help!

The Oma Couch

Over the past couple of years I’ve been craving a cozy place to work (and nap) within the studio. Enter Oma (German for “grandmother”). Shelby and I were visiting her last year when she asked if we could use a couch. The couch in question was this dusty rose velvet sectional that she bought in 1985 for her Arizona home. Now two sections of it sit pretty in my studio! Thank you, Oma! And thank you, couch.

My health insurance

Since I married Shelby in 2016, I’ve been on his health insurance plan. When he got laid off in January, I was left having to figure out my own health insurance plan.

Fortunately I’m still young enough to mooch off my parents’ health insurance (thanks, Obamacare!), and Mom offered to add me to her plan.

Mom works for a school, so she basically has the best health insurance on the planet.

Although my premiums were low, Mom offered to pay them (thanks, Mom!!!) and because my co-pays are super cheap, I’ve been able to go to the dentist, have two fillings replaced (yes, REPLACED- apparently modern fillings aren’t guaranteed for life), and go back for an annual physical, something I haven’t done since 2012.

I’ve also made appointments with several other healthcare professionals and am grateful that Mom’s health insurance gave me a jumpstart on my health and appointments. Even when I turn 26 in a few months and can no longer be on her plan, I will continue seeing my doctors regularly.

Business boundaries

Boundaries can be hard to set in business, but they’re essential. As a result of the boundaries I’ve set over the past year, my time off is uninterrupted and I’m in much better balance. Life is more enjoyable, and when I’m at work, I’m much more productive.

Click here to discover the boundaries I’ve set in my business, and why they’re important.

That I’m making time for relaxation.

I’m making it a point to book a massage a month, which helps me physically release stress and unwind. I also booked a glorious facial last month and am excited to go back for another!

Our House

We’ve been here four years and Shelby and I still plan on living here for the rest of our lives. Our house is cute, cozy, and in an ideal location for us.

Trader Joe’s Sunflower Seed Butter Cups

When you’re allergic to peanut butter, the #1 thing you wish you could eat are Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. They’re legendary.

Alternative foods have come a long way in the past few years, and Trader Joe’s now sells a version of peanut butter cups made with sunflower seed butter! I get it now. They are addicting and I load up whenever Shelby and I go to TJ’s. I have a stash at home AND the studio!

My Snuggly Robe

I’ve never been a robe person. But then I came upon the display of Vera Bradley robes at Farmway and found myself visualizing my life with one.

They were having a sale recently and I had a coupon, so I purchased my beautiful, snuggly, warm robe in Floating Garden. I’ve been living in it at home!

Psst! Click here for 20% off verabradley.com if you’ve never made an online purchase there before.

My Part Time Job

2020 has actually been a good year for me financially, but I know what it’s like to struggle. Last year my business income plummeted right when my studio mate moved out and I was responsible for full rent and internet. I had to take out a business loan and was so close to quitting altogether.

Then, at the right time, my former employer offered me my job back, at $3/hour more, part time, and with super flexible hours.

That job allowed me to pay off my business loan and save money in both my business and personal accounts. I’m so grateful for the financial stress it alleviated. Thank you, Emshika!

Working for myself again

I worked part time for Emshika for 11 months, and during this summer I ended getting a huge surge in business. As a result of that and starting LEAD, I put in my notice and am back to 100% self-employment.

It feels so good to focus on just my stuff. I’m grateful that my business income is steady and conducive to me working for myself again.

My new studio mate.

When I quit my part time job, I told the Universe that it had to help me secure my income through my business. They sent me Paul.

The day after filing my request with the Universe, I received an email from a neighbor at the Tannery. Paul has been looking to downsize his space and wondered if I’d be interested in sharing my studio again.

Seeing as I’ve had an empty corner with no idea on how to fill it, he’d fit right in!

Paul offers branded promotional products, so our businesses are very complimentary. He’s already started to move in and I love how his space is looking.

Paul and LEAD’s rent contributions have cut my fixed expenses by 50%. Thank you, thank you!

Market Basket in Plymouth

Groceries are expensive in northern New Hampshire, but not at Market Basket! For years the closest MB was an hour away, but now we have one closer. (If they could come to Littleton in the future, that would be fantastic!)

Before MB came to Plymouth, Shelby and I would pop by the one in TIlton on our way home from visiting my dad in southern NH. Now that MB is closer, we’ll head down just for that.

Shelby getting laid off

Shelby’s lay off has given him much more perspective on what he wants out of life, and since getting laid off in January, he’s had the time to clean out, get organized, accomplish house/yard projects, and replace the convertible top on Aquarius.

We’ve also been able to start LEAD and grow it to a strong place!

Our new printer.

When Patti moved out of the studio last year, she took her amaaazing printer with her. Which I get. I didn’t have all that much to print over the past year, but when I did, it was rather annoying to have to go to Staples and spend time printing there. It always took forever.

When we started LEAD, Shelby bought us a studio printer. And it’s wonderful. We’ve printed so much for LEAD, that within three months we had to replace several ink cartridges.

It’s so much easier to click a button on my computer and have what I need print instantly. It’s convenient, but it also saves me a time.

It’s so joyful to reflect on what I’m grateful for. This list is only a small cross section of everything I’m thankful for in my life. Happy Thanksgiving!

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