25 Things I’m Thankful For

I’ve been Tagged by Stontree to record 25 things I’m thankful for. I’m in a very good space right now, and grateful for many things, but those below are not in any particular order, except for the first few.

1. I’m thankful that I am so content. Every area of my life is in the “good” to “very good” range.  I used to think “happiness” was where it’s at but I find this middle range much more satisfying.  I am at peace with my world; my cup runneth over.
2. I’m thankful for my husband. We married well, finding a sustaining life partner. Getting married was one of the best decisions of my life.
3. I’m thankful for my family. I’m proud to be a member of my generation of my family. Go Team!
4. I’m thankful for a greater understanding of a passage out of one of my favorite books: How Green Was My Valley. There’s a passage where a minister is speaking to a young man and he explains that prayer is purposeful and right thought and action. Using good judgment and patience – how you interact with your world – is as much prayer as folding your hands together.
5. I’m thankful I got to DC this year and that I had such a good day with my Dad at the Smithsonian museums.
6. I’m thankful that I’m enjoying this holiday season so much. I’m not a Christian but I am loving Christmas this year. The house is decorated, cards are ready to go out, and Hubby and my mom and I are going to a holiday meal at Greenfield Village complete with fireworks, caroling, ice skating, and other such festive things. We’ve done this before and its a wonderful family activity.    5A. I’m making purple-dipped Oreos (white chocolate dyed purple) with drizzled white chocolate on top for the kids in my life for the winter holidays. I’m so into this that I’m asking friends and family if they have any kids in THEIR lives that they’d like a 4-pack of purple Oreos for.
7. Dear God, thank you for getting the evangelicals out of the White House. Obama looks pretty solid however I’ll withhold final opinion for a bit. But seriously, I appreciate the bit about the evangelicals.
8. I’m thankful that I’ve been so successful on Weight Watchers this year. Over 30 pounds as of this writing and I joined a gym and I’m still doing my physical therapy exercises. I’m thankful for my friends near and far who are supporting me in this effort.
9. I’m thankful for my friends. At some point this year someone asked me if I had any hobbies. The first thing that popped into my mind was “relationships” – that’s where most of my emotional energy and serious thought goes. That’s what I spend my time on. I have great friends, new and old. I heard a quote this year: Look at a person’s friends and you can see where they’re headed.
10. I’m thankful I found some wonderful books this year. If I were going to recommend two they would be “The Remains of the Day” by Kazuo Ishiguro and “Enduring Love” by Ian McEwan.
11. I’m thankful that I’ve been able to control the pain in my back.
12. I’m thankful for my house. We’re really enjoying being home owners and I’m feeling a little less helpless in fixing things. We even tested and labeled all the fuses this year! And I didn’t feel completely overwhelmed although I may have been a little cranky about it.
13. I’m thankful that no one I love died this year.
14. I’m thankful for the new addition to our family: Candy Cane (cat). Maybe next year someone here in town that I know will have a baby (hint to all you breeders). I don’t regret my decision not to have children, I just miss having children in my life (see 5A).
15. I’m thankful for my neighborhood. I really feel at home here, we have a strong neighborhood association, I bake cookies for my neighbors and we generally get along.
16. I’m thankful for the medication I take that helps me.
17. I’m thankful that I haven’t had to upgrade to Windows Vista yet.
18. I’m thankful that my “One state recession” state still has a job for me. And fly Jennifer, fly Governor (Jennifer) Granholm to the Obama administration if you get offered a position. We’ll be OK.
19. I’m thankful for my profession. I love being a librarian and I think librarians are great people.
20. I’m thankful I’ve got 9 1/2 years in with an employer I love.
21. I’m thankful I have so few regrets.
22. I’m thankful that I am at peace with my religious beliefs.
23. I’m thankful that push has come to shove only once with PhotShop in terms of “Omm, I just can’t do this and I have to go report that to  my boss now.”
24. I’m thankful for the American Library Association
25. I am thankful for crumpled horn snorkacks.

I tag unlibrarian and somedayangeline and RW and ShoeDeb.