Giving Thanks

After the most recent economic events, it can be difficult to feel gratitude as we approach Thanksgiving. Maybe some of you are excited about the day itself so that you can eat...and eat! But maybe some of you are scurrying around this weekend to make sure all of the details are in place before you entertain. It can be hard for some to take a moment, just a moment, and realize all of the things and people they are grateful for. I thought I would get the juices flowing (and I don't mean turkey gravy...) with my following bits of gratitude.

My immediate family - we are a blended family of 7, and after all of this time, I wouldn't change a thing about any one of them. We are all very different people, but our diversity is what makes us all so great together. I am weathering the teenage years just fine, and while there are rough days of teen angst, I still kiss them goodnight (after they're sound asleep of course) and thank God I have them. And Biscuit Louise, my 8 year old "cuddle puppy" - you are still as soft and loving as you were when we brought you home...thanks for listening to me all of these years, and never saying a word of criticism.

My extended family - my parents, my sister, my cousins, uncles, and my strong and feisty aunts - what a great network of love! And a special shout-out to my 4'10" Italian mother-in-law - Nonnie, you rock. I promise to clean my plate this year, and to put those dirty dishes in the right spot in the dishwasher.

My friends - from my oldest and dearest best buddy Sharon in Delaware (who just completed yet another marathon over the weekend) to a straight-talking English woman here in Pittsburgh, I am so very gifted with a small group of unconditionally loving and caring "sisters"

My home - even on its dirtiest days, I am still so grateful that I have a home to keep clean.

My own business - my employees, my vendors, my customers - all make getting up every day worth the effort. We are all on the same mission - to create order, balance, and say goodbye to the things in life that drag us down. Life is too short to make more work for ourselves!

Pittsburgh - my city that I have been calling home for 14 years. What a great bunch of selfless, hard-working people! I may hail from the City of Brotherly Love, but this is the City of Perseverence, Kindness, and Optimism. A special hello to all in Mt. Lebanon - what a great community to raise my kids and to run my business from!

I know I will think of more after I publish this blog...

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Jill

Gayle and Fred Ask their wedding guests for No MORE Clutter

Hello D.O. Bloggers, Recently, while at a customer's home, I came across this insert in a wedding invitation, reminding all of us what is really important in life:

Dear wonderful friends,

We have 2 Kitchen Aid mixers,
3 meat cleavers, 5 sets of good dishes,
3 sets of everyday dishes, maybe 25 sets of towels.
2 sets of Sterling silver flatware, 3 of stainless,
bedding in all sizes but twin, kitchen gadgets,
enough to outfit a small specialty store,
sundry antiques we love, 2 snow blowers,
3 mowers, a gaggle of hand tools,
1500 books and more. Much more.

Please understand if we say
the pleasure of your presence
is the only present we desire.
Gift us with kindness,
cart something away from here,
we will be happy to display our excess.
Invite us for burgers, trade us a book of yours
for one of ours, make a date with us for a movie.
Then please keep in touch, we love you.

-Gayle and Fred

A special thanks to this couple, who gave us permission to reprint this!