30 Things I Am Thankful For...

We get one day a year to focus on all of the blessings in our lives.  That also involves a HUGE meal with friends and/or family and lots of leftovers.  How many ways are there to make turkey?  Turkey sandwiches, soup, turkey salad, and I am sure some of you have some extremely creative concoctions.

I try to be grateful every day.  Every morning I open my eyes and say, "Thank you God for this day.  I have no idea what will come, but I am thankful for it."  I am alive.  I made it to see another tomorrow.

I like to (occasionally) make lists of all the things for which I am grateful.  Some of them are big things and some are very small.  Isn't the joy in the details?

1. Laughing.
2. My dog when she lies on her back and does "happy dog" after each meal.
3. The changing of the leaves.
4. Cooler temperatures.
5. We finally got some veggies from our garden.  Not remotely enough to live on, but it is still exciting to walk out and see a pepper or tomato holding on for dear life.
6. Learning something new.
7. Making new friends.
8. This blogging community.
9. Reconnecting with old friends.
10. Reading something so touching that it makes me cry.
11. All of the people who have hurt me.  Thank you.  You made me grow into a stronger person.
12. A bad date I recently had.  You have provided me with an opportunity to show that I value myself enough to not jump into something I know will not be good for me.  This is a chance to break bad habits.
13. My mother. She puts up with all of my moods.  Those would be the good and the bad.
14. My health is improving. It isn't happening in leaps and bounds.  It's more like baby steps.  But, it is wonderful.
15. My writing.
16. Leftover Halloween candy.
17. Music. "If there were no music, I could not get through.  I don't know why I know these things, but I do." ~ Alison Krauss
18. The ability to tell a good joke.
19. C-Man said at Homecoming that the most influential person in his life was ME.  Even though it felt like I lost everything by staying married to my ex, that is not so.  I changed a life.  I made a life better. Can we ask for more than that?
20. I look in the mirror and see Me again. I wasn't sure that would ever be true again.
21. In a couple of weeks my brother and sister-in-law will be here for a visit.
22. I am so thankful that I worked out my issues with my sister-in-law a few years ago.  It has taken time, but we are finally the good friends I always hoped we would be.
23. My computer is working.
24. Turns out there wasn't a gekko massacre in my AC unit.  It started acting up again and the motor and some other module needed replacing.
25. The AC unit broke down just before our policy with American Home Shield was set to expire (in two days).  Excellent timing.
26. It's sweater weather.
27. I like my new hair cut.  A lot.
28. I am not allergic to turkey.
29. C-Man and H-Girl are coming to stay for a week after Christmas.
30. YOU.