I know. I was a bad blogger, but I have a personal policy of not blogging on vacation. I spend most of my time on the computer, so I really  like that I didn’t even check my email every day over the holiday.

I did, however, intend to post this list, and didn’t. So I’m extending Thanksgiving a little.

This weekend was a blur and I’ll recap later. For now, I think it’ll do me good to talk about what I’m thankful for, since it’s that one tradition my family has that I really really like (well, that and my mom’s cheese sauce):

1. My husband. If I had nothing else in the world but still had him, I’d be okay. He’s absolutely the best thing in the entire universe, and I am not exaggerating.

2. My mom. I don’t like to think about what it will be like when she’s not around any more. I am thankful for each and every day I have with her (even if she is 800 miles away).

3. The time I had with Tigger. This is the younger of the two kitties we had growing up. He’s 17 or so, and I heard last night that he might not make it much longer. He’s pretty ancient, for a cat. I’m so grateful that I was able to enjoy him when he was lively and healthy. He was a good cat.

4. My own two kitties. They are young and healthy, and loving and wonderful. Thank goodness for non-neurotic felines.

5. A job. I have one, and that’s awesome. I hope to keep it as long as possible.

6. A good education. As much as it hasn’t really paid for itself, it’s still a good thing to have and something that many people haven’t had access to. So I am happy to have had it, student loans notwithstanding.

7. America. I am really pessimistic about this country right now, but honestly, it’s a great place to be. I am a woman and I can do what I want, when I want. I have a job (or three). I am the primary breadwinner. My husband is okay with that (I think). I can vote, I married who I wanted to marry. I enjoy a high standard of living, as much as I whine about it. I have had an excellent education and good food my whole life. This place is great.

8. Rockin’ friends. I live far away from my actual family, so the family I’ve adopted is awesome. Thanks to the CG & husband, Jennie and boy and Lea & husband for being wonderful local “family” and for Marmadyth and Baobh for being those far away “family” members. (And for all you I didn’t call out by name, I am thankful for you as well; I just didn’t want this post to become any more of a list than it is. You guys are numerous and awesome.)

9. The 35 or so regular readers of this blog. It used to bother me that I didn’t have more, but I have come to be really thankful that there are 35 people out there who find me interesting enough that they keep visiting (I have no idea why, but I’m not going to spend too much time obsessing over that).

So that’s pretty much it. I had a lot to be thankful for this year, and much of it is small stuff that I have been learning to appreciate more.

Tomorrow I’ll tell all about the trip to Baltimore. There are some good stories there.