Today is Thanksgiving so I thought I’d write down a few things I’m thankful for. Cliche, I know, but I want to do it anyway because I think it is a good idea to remind yourself of all the good things in your life from time to time. So here goes. I’m thankful for:

• my husband and son — without them I’d be a lonely and unhappy little lady. They are the center of my world.

• chocolate — never met a piece of dark chocolate I didn’t like. One of the supreme pleasures of life, followed closely by…

• warm bread and butter – another of my main pleasures in life. Nothing better than really good bread with loads of dripping butter. And how about those Chesapeake Bay biscuits from Red Lobster? I don’t even like seafood that much but I’ll eat there just for those biscuits!

• good friends – don’t be upset that I put you after chocolate and bread, I’m a little hungry while I’m writing this so they came to mind first. Your humor, support and willingness to be there when needed makes all the difference in life. I’m talking to you Nina, Colleen, Kay, Beth, Denise, Rhonda, Donna and Becky! (I know you are lurking out there somewhere!) (If I forgot someone, I am so embarrassed and ashamed. I feel like Hilary Swank when she forgot to mention her husband at the Oscars. Of course, they did get divorced later but… hey, I’m rambling now…)

• blogging — although this is something new for me, I didn’t realize how much I needed this type of creative outlet. I used to publish a zine when I was just out of college but stopped a long time ago to pursue a career (albeit a less than shining and rewarding career) and then motherhood. As a stay-at-home mom, I needed a creative outlet, and blogging has been so rewarding and fun. And there is nothing like a comment to add some sunshine to your day! I’m thankful for the new people I am finding through blogging; it is fun to share your life and invite you into mine!

• my house – I love that I’m fortunate enough to live in a house that I love and a neighborhood that is alive with children and has tall trees. I love that the house is in good shape — unlike our previous house, which was falling down around our ears.

• my son’s school and teacher – it was so hard to put him into school when he was so used to being with me every hour of the day, but he LOVES going to school now and has made several good friends. It is such a joy to see how excited he is to go to school and hear about all the different types of things he is learning. He has a really terrific teacher this year who is bringing out all kinds of amazing things from my son. Plus I treasure the time he is at school (as selfish as that may sound). Without his time in school, I don’t think I’d be as good a mom to him as I could be.

• books — my whole life I’ve been a reader and I’m thankful for all the great books I’ve read and the ones I have yet to discover. Books have taken me on so many wonderful journeys and transported me out of my mundane and sometimes difficult life so often that I don’t know what I would do without them.

• my parents – now that I am a parent myself, I realize that you did a really good job raising me (despite all my claims to the contrary). I’m glad you are now able to enjoy your retirement, and I hope you realize you “done good” with us kids.

How about you? What are you thankful for this year? If you are writing about this in your own blog, let me know and I’ll visit!