Every year I try to do one of those challenges in November where you post one thing a day that you are grateful for, and I always fail. I think once (maybe last year?) I made it to like day 19, which was kind of a big deal for me. Instead, I’m going to skip the daily shit (because meh) and just post thirty things that I am thankful for:

1. Jackson – He’s my heart. He’s the sweetest, smartest, and most beautiful person I know and I am so very thankful to be his mom. 
2. Dave – He’s the love of my life.  He’s everything I ever wanted in a partner. I am so thankful to have found him. I just wish I could have found him sooner!
3. Freya – I’m so thankful to have gotten a chance to know and love this special little girl. 
4. My friends – I have the greatest friends.  They have carried me through so many hard times, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their love and support. 
5. My cat Violet – She is such a sweet girl & I love her kisses and cuddles. I am her person, and she is my one true cat love.
6. My sister Krystal – Sometimes she feels like the only family I have. Despite all we’ve been through, we always have each other’s backs.
7. My career. All the hard work is paying off and it is glorious. 
8. Macarons from La Patisserie Choquette. 
9. My bed. It’s my favorite place. 
10. Having been able to reach so many people and change the way they think about breast cancer awareness.
11. Feminism. 
12. Marijuana. It has been a game changer for me in terms of my psoriatic arthritis and anxiety issues. 
13. Financial stability. 
14. Having traveled so much the last few years, but I’m especially thankful for the trip to Iceland. That was a bucket list item, and by far the greatest vacation of my life. 
15. Tumblr. The blogging aspect of course, but also the social media aspect. I’ve met some incredible people here.
16. Health insurance. Thanks, Obama. 
17. Netflix, Amazon Instant, & HBO Go.  Who needs cable? 
18. Being off on Mondays. By the time Tuesday rolls around I usually am so ready to be back in the office. It has also eliminated Sunday night anxiety, which used to be a real problem for me. 
19. How easy smartphones have made it to take pictures and capture memories. 
20. Wine!
21. And beer!!
22. Books, my Kindle, and Goodreads. 
23. Being the boss. It can be both a blessing and a curse, but most days I’m thankful to be the one with the final say. 
24. Music. Sometimes you hear that one song at the perfect moment and it changes your entire outlook for the day. 
25. Burritos. Especially burritos from Chipotle. Mmm. 
26. My Mini Cooper. I fucking love that car. 
27. My home. I’ve been happier here than anywhere else so far. 
28. My grandmother. She passed away back in 2007, but I still think of her every day and I’m so thankful for the time we had together. She helped shape me into the person I am today. I’ll never forget her. 
29. Those nights with the bf where we turn on a show, but never watch it because we have so much to say to each other. We spend those nights talking, drinking, and laughing. They are my favorite, and among my most cherished memories. 
30. Mostly, I’m thankful to be alive and writing this post. Three years ago I wasn’t so sure I would be.