The Thanksgiving holiday was enjoyable for my family as we visited nearby friends to Thanksgivingcelebrate the day with them. The balmy weather — 78 degrees by mid-afternoon — seemed out of place, but nobody was complaining. I think mostly everyone was grateful that they didn’t have to fly or hit the road, competing with millions of other travelers in their quest to get there.

Lots of folks are off today, but I decided I would work in order to stay well ahead of several writing deadlines which are looming over the next four weeks. I did decide back in September to make Friday, December 21st my final day of work for the year. Our children finish up school on that day and our plans are to celebrate Christmas at home.  I may do a little bit of clean up stuff between Christmas and New Year’s Day, but I won’t be doing client work. In order to give myself some extra time off later, that’ll mean stepping up the pace now.

For some people having a long weekend for Thanksgiving is a must. Their jobs are all-consuming and/or highly stressful and the extended break is one way for them to recharge and refocus.

Personally, I am thankful to be able to call most of my own shots and not have to answer to the man. I still must please my customers, but not having someone in authority breathing down my neck makes self employment all the more desirable.

Did I mention that I am thankful?