Thanksgiving Advent, Day 17

November 17:  I am thankful for that one particular painting at Dayton Art Institute.

It was years ago.  I don't remember the title.  I don't remember the artist.  What I do remember is being completely awestruck the first time I saw it.  I stood in front of this painting for at least 30 minutes, taking in every color, every detail, every brush stroke.  I won't bore you with trying to describe it, because I could never do it justice.

I went back to DAI several times, and each time I couldn't wait to get to "my painting" to stand and take it all in again.  Security once barked at me for getting too close.  One particular visit a few years ago, I worked my way all through the museum, and never found it.  Certain I overlooked it, I went back a few weeks later - but still nothing. Without warning, it was just gone.

I'm thankful that I ever found this painting in the first place.  I'm thankful to have such vivid memories of not just the painting, but the way it made me feel.  For as much as I loved it, my living room would have never been a suitable place for it.  It deserved to be in a museum so the world could love it as much as I did.

Thanksgiving Advent, Day 16

November 16: I'm thankful for rosemary.

I know that's an odd thing to be thankful for, but mmmmmm!  As a new low-carb/low-GI convert who loves the crap out of Italian food, rosemary is a life (read: sanity) saver.  I'm always adding a bit of rosemary to stuff.  Sometimes I open the jar just for a whiff.  When I'm not so concerned about the carbs, I mix a little into olive oil to dip bread in, I sprinkle it on potatoes pre-roasting, and I always (sorry, the boy!) add it to pasta sauce while it's heating.

Man.  I love rosemary.  HARD.

Thanksgiving Advent, Days 13, 14 & 15

November 13:  I am thankful for coffee.

Hot, iced or blended.  Bold or deliciously flavored.  A splurge-worthy mocha or the free crap in the breakroom.  If you see me at 7:30 in the morning walking with an empty mug toward the breakroom, do us all a favor and don't talk to me until I'm walking back to my desk with a full mug. No coffee = no talky.

November 14:  I am thankful The Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney

I do love to read, and I've read some truly fantastic books, but none quite like The Saving Graces.  Four best friends who go through everything together.  This is the book the book that made me realize the importance of girl friends, and the importance of every day of your life.  I've read it.  I've read it again.  And I've read it again... and again... and again.  I have given it as a gift to all the saving graces in my life, hoping they'll take as much from it as I did.

November 15:  I'm thankful for the internet.

The webbernets.  Faceypages.  Twitterspaces.  All of it!  Twenty years ago, could you even fathom the internet?  It's allowed me to reconnect with old friends, keep in touch with loved ones I don't get to see nearly enough, and it's also the home of fabulous gems such as this:

Thanksgiving Advent, Days 10, 11 & 12

November 10:  I am thankful for my friends.

I don't even know where to start.  I have such incredibly talented, kind, compassionate, hilarious friends who are absolutely gorgeous, inside and out.  I won't even begin to list them for fear of I'll leave someone out, but a GIANT hug to my best girl of 25 (YIKES!) years.  I couldn't be more proud to call Jess my best friend.

November 11:  I am thankful for music.

There's nothing that can turn a day around or make a mundane task not so sucky like good music.  Fruit Bats, Radiohead, Hugh Laurie, The Monkees, Homeland, Dean Martin - all in heavy rotation on my ipod.

November 12:  On that note, I'm thankful for my ipod!

Ohhhh, the playlists!  I have "sleepy time" for when I'm an insomniac.  I have party playlists.  I have playlists I've made for friends.  I even have a "shake yer ass" playlist for when I need to light a fire under my rear end.  And shuffle.  Let's not forget shuffle.  It's a beautiful thing!

Thanksgiving Advent, Day 9

November 9:  I am thankful for my furbabies.

I love these lil guys.  I love the lap sitting, face snuggling, nap-time-having, can't get a moment's peace of my pets, and I miss the ones who are no longer with me.  These guys are my besties, and their love and trust knows know bounds.

Thanksgiving Advent, Day 8

November 8:  I am thankful (oh so thankful!) for my nephew.

There are no words, you guys.  He gives great snuggles and sugars.  His smile just melts me.  He's a total hambone (and if you know my family, you know he comes by it honest).  He's also turning a year old in less than a month.  I wish time would slow down and he'd stay a baby longer, but I also can't wait to watch him grow up and see what he becomes.  This little guy makes my heart happy!   My favorite goofball pic (sorry about that 'drunk eye' thing kiddo, you can never deny your dna!):

Thanksgiving Advent, Days 6 & 7

November 6:  I'm thankful for my job.

Yes, folks - you heard that right.  I am THANKFUL for my job.  For the most part, I can be left to my own devices.  I have a fantastic team to work with.  I have job security.  When I leave the office at 5:00, work doesn't follow me home.  I have a steady paycheck and make seriously good money.  And there is no flair required. :)

November 7:  I'm thankful for Coke Zero.

Shut up.  I AM!  Diet Coke suuuuucks.  I'm also thankful for Sprite Zero.  And for Cherry Coke Zero.  And Vanilla Coke Zero.  Oh, also for being able to mix Vanilla and Cherry together.