'Tis the season to stop and smell the turkey, and that means pausing to assess where you're at in your life. You know, to feel grateful for whatever it is you may have and stop yearning for what you don't.

So, in the spirit of the season (which is Thanksgiving, despite what the retailers are telling me), I'm giving thanks.

I'm thankful that the check clears every two weeks.

I'm thankful my husband doesn't mind playing golf with me, even though I hit the ball 4,000 times.

Or going snorkeling with me, even though I need a floatie and scream a lot.

Or going jogging with me, even though he has to go so slowly that he shuffles his feet.

I'm thankful my kids are athletic, like their father.

I'm thankful I live near the beach.

I'm thankful for Free Cell and Spider Solitaire.

I'm thankful there are people like Donna Duso and Rae Jean Davis out there, the Groton and Stonington animal control officers, who will help the animals that people want to hurt.

I'm thankful for Friendly's chocolate almond chip ice cream.

I'm thankful for the Tide-to-go stain pen.

And the Clorox bleach pen.

I'm thankful my daughter wants to save the world one coral reef at a time.

I'm thankful my son is the Gordon Gekko of household chores, and now does all kinds of daily tasks in exchange for 5 bucks a week.

I'm thankful my family all lives within driving distance.

I'm thankful my family all lives two hours away from me.

I'm thankful my husband will handle all the details.

I'm thankful for "Modern Family" and "The Big Bang Theory."

I'm thankful for my friend Kathleen, because it's easy to make her laugh and that makes me think I'm funnier than I probably am.

I'm thankful for the Raider's Roost quesadilla.

I'm thankful for Ortega's enchiladas salsa verde.

I'm thankful for Panda Buffet.

I'm thankful for Zack's, where my kids are treated like kings.

I'm thankful for my sweet dog Jada, the only one who notices when I come home from work.

I'm thankful for my neighbor and friend Wendy, who answers every S.O.S.

I'm thankful for my grandmother's stuffing recipe.

I'm thankful for leftovers.

I'm thankful I'm in a position to even have leftovers.

I'm thankful that we are in a position to make donations for the people who are not in the position to have leftovers.

I'm thankful I'm not shopping today.

This is the opinion of Elissa Bass.