Gratitude

Oh, Thanksgiving! You're almost here! There's too many things I'm thankful for but here's a short list in no particular order. I'm thankful that:

1) Depeche Mode exists. The other day, I was trying to picture a life without Depeche Mode...and I failed. Plus, they're a good barometer for whether someone is truly a friend. Other people don't have to like them but I have nothing to say to you if you try to ridicule me for liking them.

2) I don't have the job I used to have. I enjoyed what I did and know I made a difference for lots of teachers and kids but...

3) I got my first freelance writing job. Some of you all know what it is. Some of you don't. No, it has nothing to do with anything illegal or pornish so if you went there, get your mind out of the gutter! -- Okay, I'll tell you all what it is.

4) I get to spend more time with my kids. Today I got to watch my youngest re-enacting scenes from the Wizard of Oz. And then I realized that the lady who watched him for the past couple of years used to get to see that fun stuff instead of me.

5) Barack Obama is running for president. I've liked him since I heard him speak at the Democratic convention four years ago. He inspires me pretty much every time he opens his mouth. Will he get the nomination? Will he be president? Who knows, but he adds something. And his wife is the bomb! If he gets elected, she can take his Senate seat in Illinois and then run for president in another eight years.

6) My neighborhood is so fabulous for walking. It's got enough hills to give my rear a workout and there are tons of flowers growing all over the place so it smells wonderful. Will housing prices ever come down enough for me to buy a home here? I don't know, but in the meantime, it's fun to walk by homes with creative front yards like this! I took this photo last weekend. Is that a pumpkin nest?

7) I have connected with so many wonderful bloggers. I appreciate all of you but I particularly appreciate all my fellow intelligent ladies! You all are amazing. I love reading what you write and I love reading your comments here. When I first started blogging, it seemed like the blogosphere was really dominated by guys who thought this was the aggressive, testosterone remix version of "Meet The Press". Ugh! So ladies, keep it coming. Okay, I'll stop gushing.

8) I have friends who encourage my writing. It's so nice to get emails from a couple people in particular that are so encouraging because I need them! They always seem like I get them when I'm most down.

9) I have a creative muse. Every artist has things or people that inspires them and I do too. So to my muse, thank you for inspiring me. You're unflinchingly honest and you've pushed me a whole lot to just keep saying what I need to say. I'm not fully there yet, but, I'm closer, thanks to you.

9) VH1 Classic exists. Where else on TV can I watch videos that don't make me feel like I just stepped into a strip club?

10) Project Runway is back on. Make it work. And vote off the art school brat with the crazy haircut. Please!

11) Fedde Le Grand keeps making great records. From "Put Your Hands Up For Detroit" to "The Creeps" to his latest with Ida Corr, "Let Me Think About" -- if he stops making records, what will I run to?

12) Everyone in my family is healthy. Knock on wood that they stay that way. But I will say, some of you folks I'm related to just need to stop smoking the cancer sticks. For real. Like yesterday.

And, I could go on and on. But I won't because I'm going to go pop a pumpkin pie in the oven.

Tomorrow, I'll be very grateful for the pie, I'm sure! I wish I could share it with each of you.

Comments

storyteller said…
Great list Liz!
Congrats on the new writing gig. I'm happy you're able to spend more time with your kids and enjoy all those memorable moments together. I don't know what you did before (because I'm still "catching up" ... being a "newbie" to this virtual world) but I suspect you make a difference wherever you go :-)

I feel much the same way about the Obamas and about connecting with other bloggers. What a rich place the Blogosphere seems to be!

I hope you'll be able to afford a home wherever you wish to live and am happy you've got such a lovely place to walk right now. As for your creative muse, it's inspiring and stimulating and I'm grateful Hearts in SF pointed me your direction. May good health continue for you & yours, and have a blessed Thanksgiving Day.
Hugs,
Neil said…
I think it is important to sit down and think about all the small things you're thankful for... even if it is a bit Oprah-ish to do so.

And Depeche Mode -- I knew there was a reason I instantly liked your blog!
Lydia said…
So now, I can look to you for "get in shape" inspiration! So important with little ones that need our time and ENERGY!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Mes Deux Cents said…
Hi Liz,

I'm thankful for your blog. I'm also thankful that you have been posting every day. I really look forward to your varied posts.

Your a very talented writer and I'm thankful you are sharing your talent.

Please have a Happy and safe Thanksgiving!
I love your list. What's more than being incredibly blessed is REALIZING how blessed you are!How wise you are for doing that.

Congratulations on your writing gig!
Anonymous said…
I wish Thanksgiving had spread to Europe instead of Halloween.

Liz, you should do a roving blog reporting from Curves gyms around the world - there are quite a few around Dublin!
Liz Dwyer said…
Everybody,
Hope you all are having wonderful Thanksgiving and that you all know you're loved!

Storyteller,
Thank you! I am very glad for all the time with my sons. My eldest just lost his first tooth fifteen minutes ago! Given all that, this is a very special Thanksgiving!

Neil,
I totally felt like I was on an episode of Oprah! She's influential and rich, but she didn't invent gratitude! And yes, Depeche Mode, my greatest musical love! You get props for not saying, "Aren't they an '80s band?"

Janie,
LOL! The pumpkin pie is calling my name!

MDC,
Very nice of you to say. Thank you so much!

Posting every day has been really good for me. I don't know why I didn't do it before. It stretches my brain to post every day!

DMB,
Thank you for the congratulations! I'm still pinching myself a little about getting to write there. And the fact that someone wants to pay me to do it is fabulous.

I am really blessed in so many ways. Sometimes it's so easy to look at things like the glass is half empty instead of half full. There's a lot of good going on in my life though.

Sharifa,
You could always be the trendsetter to get Thanksgiving going in Ireland!

Oh that would be so cool to report on different Curves gyms. I'd love to come to one in Dublin. I wonder whether the corporate folks would be down for that! :)
Jameil said…
yay!!!!!! us bloggers love you too! i want to be this guy's muse really bad. he's one of the most brilliant writers i've ever read. i hear him and just want to sit and stare and sigh. sigh. just fabulous. hurray for PR!! christian has to stay b/c he's "interesting."
Dena said…
i have to say.....does depeche mode know that you are their biggest fan? seriously.

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