What I am grateful for in 2012

So far, 2012 has been a pretty great year, and there are certainly a ton of things for which I am thankful.  This is but a brief list, and in no way considered complete.  I hope you're having a wonderful thanksgiving weekend, and have plenty to be thankful for, as well!

A tasty Thanksgiving meal spent with my dad and stepmom

A super, super sweet and affectionate pup

Calvin and Hobbes comics

Nashville (the new tv show)

Anthology magazine

Good olive oil

An awesome sister

Getting to spend a couple of days with my mom and her fun family

Bulky, comfy sweaters

Room diffusers

Joining a new family in March

Asics sneakers (my favorite running shoes!)

A husband like John Paul.

Thanksgiving 2011

Just a smattering of what I am grateful for this year:

Almond milk

Chocolate

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Netflix

My good health

Francis Field

Mia

My sister's patience for teaching me to knit for the fifth time

Real Simple

Cookbooks

JOHN PAUL 

Hot lemon water in the morning

Parents who have always made me feel loved

Cappuccinos made with love by my fiance

Lavender scones

Family who is incredibly supportive of all of my life choices

Ryan Gosling

Musicals 

What I'm grateful for this week...

Getting to see the first snow in DC this past weekend...short-lived, but this picture proves it happened!

While visiting my mom in IL, we went through our boxes of mementos, and came across this great baby blanket my great-aunt Maralee made.  I can't wait to use it for my own little family one day!

I bought a small bouquet for John Paul last week when he wasn't feeling well.  Beautiful dahlias and cosmos!

High-heel drag queen race last week in Dupont Circle.  I had five wonderful dates (two dogs included), and we saw some beautiful and entertaining ladies.  I particularly enjoyed this bumblebee.

Most importantly, I'm grateful for this guy.  My dad is celebrating a birthday today, and I can't wait to take him out in DC next month when he visits!  Honestly, I couldn't ask for a better father, and am so, so happy he was born.  Happy birthday, Daddy Man!

Happy Birthday to my Man!

My man has conquered another year.

Happy, happy birthday to the handsomest, funniest, sweetest, compassionatest man.  I hope your 26th year is the best yet!

I love you so much!

Lucky

It's amazing how much of life comes down to pure luck.  For example, I'm incredibly lucky to have a roof over my head, food pretty much whenever I'm hungry, a warm place to sleep tonight, and even the ability to call my family to make sure we're all okay.  If you're feeling lucky, and want to help out those who might not be, please consider giving to the American Red Cross.  They're doing a lot to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan; find their site here.

Grateful

 There is a Finnish proverb that reads, "Happiness is a place between too little and too much."

 I fear that the gauge often tips to "Too Much" in my life; I'm surrounded by wonderful friends, loving family, the sweetest, most beloved dog ever, and an amazing man I get to love unconditionally.

 I have a beautiful roof over me, delicious food close by, a (relatively) strong sense of self, and a healthy body.  My job isn't superstressful, my clothes fit me, and my shelves are full of time-tested literature.

 Really, what more can a girl ask for? 
I hope you're spending a warm holiday with people you love, and that you're as lucky as I am.

Happy Thanksgiving!