"I get knocked down, but I get up again"

I saw Melanie’s latest #shareyourworld questions on her blog and am excited for giving them a go.

Let’s dive in:

1. How organized are you? Do you plan ahead, take things as they come, or does it depend on the circumstances? A little of both, I think. I try to plan for the worst and come at things with zero expectation but loads of planning “just in case” so that I’m less likely to get hurt/be disappointed. I miss being able to be more impulsive, though. I’d like more of that in my life at some point.
2. How many Christmas presents have you bought already? 2 so far – a hot water bottle with a Llama on it for Kristy and a mug with some bulldogs on it for my friend Sophie even though she actually likes dashounds (sp?) so I’m not sure what I was thinking, but there you go. I’m excited for buying more gifts as we draw closer to Christmas but also aware of finances – the lack thereof – and where I need to make wise choices in gifting this year.
3. Do you prefer a family gathering for special occasions, or just you and your significant other? I used to LOVE parties and especially being at the centre of them – surrounded by my friends. Since losing my Dad, special occasions are painful now and I need to navigate through them on my own.
4. How many words do you think your pet understands? Haha we don’t have pets. This is an interesting question, though.

Please share a gratitude meme for your readers:

Grateful that in the toughest circumstances, it is the gentle things that outlast the storm.