Happy Thanksgiving

Even though I've had a very rough past few months, I am still blessed beyond measure. I have so many things to be thankful for this year. Here are just a few, in no particular order.

I'm thankful for my blogging / e-mail / Facebook / and in-person friends, far and near, who bring me smiles every day. Some I've met and some I may never meet, yet we're all connected. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the inspiration, support, and encouragement you've offered me this year.

I'm thankful that I know what it feels like to have a mom who loves you unconditionally.

I'm thankful for a daughter who challenges me, makes me think, and is (slowly) molding me into a better person by being her parent. I'm thankful for the opportunity to help her discover who she is meant to be.

I'm thankful for blogging...how it weaves us together in a big (yet little) global neighborhood.

I'm thankful for a spouse who understands me (most of the time, anyway) and supports me. I'm thankful for our shared history and goofy inside jokes.

I'm thankful for the Butterball Hotline.

I'm thankful for Clorox wipes. Yes, I am.

I'm thankful for Tinsel who, even though she has bathroom issues, sleeps on my lap every evening and stands on my foot when she's hungry.

I'm thankful for my extended family members, who have listened to me, hugged me, and shared stories with me.

I'm thankful for fonts -- especially Helvetica, Wendy Medium, and Futura.

I'm thankful for Lily, whose incredibly loud purring and never-ending antics are a source of delight.

I'm thankful for my relationship with my dad, who I've come to understand and appreciate in new ways this year.

I'm thankful for those good-smelling plug-in things from Bath & Body Works.

I'm thankful for my faith in God, which has been greatly tested and strengthened this year.

I'm thankful I can hop in the car or jump on a plane and travel to new places.

I'm thankful for the snooze button.

I'm thankful for interesting non-fiction books.

I'm thankful for Diet Coke, without which I would have some really long days.

I'm thankful for my work, which has provided an outlet and a refuge during this very difficult year.

I'm thankful for new paint colors in our house.

I'm thankful for my dear Aunt Carole, my inspiration for all things creative.

I'm thankful owls have made a comeback.

I'm thankful for Cranberry Bliss Bars at Starbucks.

I'm thankful that I still have a sense of humor.

I'm thankful for lower gas prices.

I'm thankful for digital photography.

I'm thankful for the recumbent bike at the Dreaded Fitness Place.

I'm thankful for Picasa.

I'm thankful for scrapbooking, which allows me to document and make sense of our lives.

I'm thankful I've been in some very dark places, because now I appreciate the light.

I'm thankful for my Born sandals and my Born shoes.

I'm thankful for dirt to dig in, flowers to plant, and happy mistakes to make in the garden.

I'm thankful for my fuzzy pink socks and warm sock monkey jammies.

I'm thankful that I can write.

I'm thankful for a cup (ceramic, not Styrofoam!) of something warm to drink.

I'm thankful for music to listen to, play, and experience.

I'm thankful for my barn coat.

I'm thankful for carry-out pizza.

I'm thankful that I'm alive and well and still have a lot more living to do.