With a Grateful Heart

I normally don’t write Thanksgiving posts because I am not particularly sentimental and I am not prone to cheese (except the delicious kind). But 2008 is shaping up to be a year where my life has not only changed a lot, but grown, and I have a lot to be thankful for, which I shall talk about in a very practical list.

1. I have a job. It’s a stable job, and while it may not be what I thought I’d be doing, I am grateful that I have one, and that I like the people I work with for the most part, and I am good at it. Related: I got a raise and a huge vacation accrual increase in August, which allowed me to acquire #2.
2. I close next week on my purchase of a manufactured home. Yep, I’m movin’ on up… to a trailer park. 😉 What I spent on it is less than a luxury vehicle, and between space rent and mortgage, my monthly cost is less than what it will be to rent a one-bedroom apartment. And I will get two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a den/family room, a laundry room, a living room, dining room, vanity area, carport, and a lawn! Not to mention storage units and an orange tree! I am excited (and nervous) to be undertaking this little adventure. In a couple years I plan to sell it for its actual market value (more than double what I paid) and use that money to buy a real house.
3. In 2008 I paid off my credit cards. While in the grand scheme of things, I didn’t have that much debt compared to a lot of people, but it was a lot for a single gal in California to carry. Granted, a lot of the stuff I bought was therapy for the very hard year I spent as roommate to the heinous (and stereotypical) Ireland Girls in 2003/2004. I am thankful they eventually got arrested and deported. LOL
4. I have been pleased to be able to go on a couple of trips out of town this year. I had my first real vacation on my own, and I was able to visit my Texas girls for a whole week in June. I saw Sarah in April and was able to spend time with her new baby. I went up to Redding for my cousin’s wedding, where we battled the smoke from the Big Sur fire and discovered Del Taco. In September I went up to Big Trees with my dad where we hiked up to the Agassiz tree and were amazed by its 2,000 year span.
5. I’m thankful for Jason, who has let me live with him rent-free, which allowed me to pay off the credit cards that much sooner.
6. I’m thankful for my mom, who makes me clothes and purses and even a February Lady Sweater. And boy, can she cook!
7. I’m thankful for my dad, who helped me with the house purchasing and who I enjoy spending time with when we go for our walks at the Lafayette reservoir almost every week.
8. I’m thankful for my sister, who is smart and funny and patiently waits for me at Starbucks every time I visit her.
9. I’m thankful for my friends, who even though I don’t see them that often are some of the best friends a person could have. I do wish they lived closer. Now that gas is cheaper I will be able to make more trips up to Sac to see Malvina and Sam (if we can ever coordinate our schedules!).
10. This has been an amazing year for creative output, even though I haven’t really managed to get back into drawing (or beading, for that matter).  That is something I hope to do next year when I’ve set up my studio and have room.  But as far as fiber stuff – check out the 2008 flickr set for everything I’ve finished.  I mean, I taught myself to weave!  I have so much more to learn, and I’m so excited to learn it.

That turkey at the top of the post? The chocolate turkey?  He was delicious.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  I hope you have a wonderful day. 🙂