100 Things

Every year since college, thanks to my college pastor, I sit down to write a list of 100 things that make me grateful. Sometimes, it's a stretch to make the 100. Sometimes, I forget until I start to put the Christmas tree up. Either way, it's an awesome practice that I learned from Rick all those years ago. So on the end of the Thanksgiving week where all things point towards Christmas, I give thanks (in no particular order):

1. red wine

2. warm baths

3. whatever these amazing crackers are that I'm eating form Aldi - raisin and rosemary???

4. cheese. so very thankful for cheese

5. my dog's unwaivering unconditional love for me

6. my cat's snuggly hugs and lap sits

7. practicing empty nesting/really fun weekend outtings with the hubby

8. parades

9. marching band for my daughter

10. london fog tea's when the throat is scratchy and the nose is full and the cold is COLD

11. an entire week of thanksiving with the teens/young adults

12. family board game night

13. extended family bingo

14. a book signing that was just such a highlight of my life in the midst of tornado watches and bad weather

15. my book coach

16. my book cover designer

17. my potluck community at four winds who are willing and wanting to gather monthly to celebrate the love and the movement

18. my yoga class regulars - what an incredible group of women whom I adore!

19. paddle board buddies

20. four winds team

21. amazingly talented artists in our community

22. a monthly market that shows off local business owner talent and deliciousness

23. fresh flowers

24. local women business owners

25. fresh bread

26. teachers and shepherds on my team

27. women willing to dive into book club to learn and grow and change for the better

28. Light and Love that infiltrate so many parts of our community

29. a warm home with warm blankets

30. a team of women devoted to loving our community and each other, well

31. local pastors who kick ass

32. a husband who adores me for some reason

33. my adult children who are just incredible and inspire me and make me laugh, God they are amazing!

34. my 2 beer church that I would move mountains to be with

35. the long time women friends in my life who would show up in a minute if I needed them and who pick up right where we left off when we meet up

36. long time dude friends who still make me laugh as we tell dumb old stories together

37. jewel, my car. She's so fun

38. adventures

39. paddleboarding and yoga, they have saved my body and my soul

40. friends who live all over the planet and opportunities to serve them

41. getting a book in the world. well 2. seriously, what a delight

42. cranberry relish on EVERYTHING

43. the lake

44. warm summer nights

45. star gazing

46. a great draft beer, "have you tried these?"

47. creativity in the dead of winter

48. praline old fashions

49. kringles from Wisconsin, via Trader Joes

50. a husband who shops and works so hard for us

51. new friends in community

52. Thursday wee wine group - thank you for welcoming me so warmly

53. and as such, the amazing Tammy, gone but always in our hearts

54. Wallace!

55. Sarah Corson

56. Getting to know and see A Key up close and personal. What an amazing humble woman

57. appropriate technology advocates and what they have taught me

58. rural Alabama for the nature and the scenery and the beauty

59. a good book that sucks you in

60. books that have changed my life

61. a weekly zoom call about miracles and healing, it is changing me for the better

62. The Chosen

63. Ted Lasso (go watch both right now)

64. last minute thrift store runs with my daughter

65. walks and heart to hearts with my son

66. chickens that provide eggs

67. friends that bring collards and home grown veggies

68. the Stone family for renting us the clubhouse

69. sweet benefactors

70. misfits who band together

71. work days from college kids

72. a merchants association that is trying

73. a dressed up table

74. a messed up childhood full of love and sadness

75. a college that kicked my butt but made me stronger

76. CCF community that is still providing some of my greatest relationships

77. love resisting hate

78. heather cox richardson

79. dark chocolate

80. dishwashers

81. good podcasts

82. meeting other spiritual entrepreneurs

83. writing and how it can change things

84. snl

85. dreams

86. karaoke

87. dragging first timers to karaoke

88. amazon reviews on my book!

89. thank you notes

90. watching people come alive and find what and who they were looking for

91. movement

92. campfires

93. open water swimming

94. walks in the woods

95. dreaming

96. finding other dreamers

97. a clean house that I didn't clean

98. crickets at night when the cicadas go away

99. kind neighbors

100. the perfect pillow