50 Things I'm Thankful For v.2008

1. tan cutwork, wedge heel, first date shoes
2. hershey’s special dark chocolate chips
3. a positive net worth
4. mom’s piano
5. the rare, the addicting, the completed craft project
6. the icy crispness of early morning walks to the school bus stop
7. my thrice weekly killer fab endorphin rush, oh how I love thee
8. baby goldfish crackers
9. doing the bubble-pop-hop to a-teens abba remakes
10. really pricey but gorgeous fabric I’m afraid to cut
11. glow in the dark plastic vampire teeth
12. the indescribable feeling of peace that eventually surfaces after tragedy
13. butterflies in my belly
14. the stitching corner’s bulk button treasure chest
15. fireworks of bright violet and cream that sparkle randomly against the ebony sky, leaving comet-like tails as they fall
16. having one shirt in my closet I loved enough to pay full price for three years ago, and still get compliments on almost every time I wear it
17. librarian friends on campus who waive late fees out of pity (or compassion?)
18. text messaging. there. I admitted it.
19. the pure smell of clean (baking soda clean, not chemical clean)
20. having a properly made bed
21. starting to see muscle definition in my calves (if you had my genes you’d understand)
22. primary song karaoke
23. long straight lines of deciduous trees along roadways, clinging tightly to their crimson leaves
24. houseplants that love me enough to aim desperately for survival in our poorly lit abode
25. puppy kisses
26. spontaneous “I love you mommy” remarks
27. good earth’s 6 grain blend bulk oatmeal
28. dishwashers
29. random acts of kindness
30. albert einstein: my soul mate from another era
31. making other people's trash into treasure with a quick coat of spray paint - glorious spray paint!
32. plum freezer jam
33. compliments on the days when I wonder just how on earth I’m going to have the energy to make it through in a somewhat rational manner
34. self control
35. blogging (which sounds ironically similar to flogging, though definitely quite different, or else would not be on this list)
36. acoustic guitar
37. our ability to each rise above ourselves
38. the generosity of those seemingly most unlikely to be so
39. nectarines so ripe and juicy they cannot be eaten without also being worn
40. helping with centers at kindergarten
41. forgetting adulthood long enough to puddle jump during late summer rainstorms
42. no longer depending on the luxury goods industry for my personal livelihood
43. daydreams
44. never personally knowing the chains of addiction
45. inspiration from unlikely sources
46. eyeliner
47. seeing the immense generosity that emanates from my child’s soul
48. the first lady of song
49. ice water
50. the sheer majesty and riveting beauty of this earth


(I tried to not repeat last year's too much, but rest assured the Gingerbread Macadamia Nut Biscotti has not been demoted, and yes, I'll begin calling Starbucks every day now to see when they've got it in stock)