A bit belated, but here are things that I am grateful for in no particular order:
My hubby. We’ve both been going through some health challenges lately, plus he moved to a new job, but he remains amazing and able to make me laugh when I’m getting too stressed out. I couldn’t do any of this without him.
Purring kittens, even when they wake you up too early by licking your face and sleeping on your head. (Yes, we adopted two kittens, Recon and Scout, which brings us up to four cats total. It’s crazy, but we love it!)
10,000 steps! I’ve had my FitBit since May and yesterday was the first time I walked a full 10,000 steps in one day. I’ve been working on exercising more and can do 30 minutes on the treadmill 3-4 times a week now. My goal is to be able to do it 5x a week, and then maybe move up to longer walks (but fewer of them). Staying on a regular schedule seems to be helping my metabolism and I’ve lost 5 lbs. The hardest part is getting on the treadmill even when I’m tired (and I haven’t had a pain-free session yet). The second hardest is maintaining a steady pace when I’m feeling good and want to push it.
A hubby who humors my whims. Using the sales I picked up a larger tank for Fish (my blue, half-moon betta). Hopefully he can move into his new home today or tomorrow. Once he gets settled, he will probably get a snail-friend to keep him company. Hopefully I can think up a better name for the snail than I did for Fish.
Smooth doctor transitions. Both my endo and my rheumatologist moved at almost the same time. I was a bit panicked, but the advantage of having my specialists in the same practice meant that all my files transferred to my new docs smoothly and I didn’t have to go anywhere else. Things are doing pretty well on that end, and it certainly makes managing my prescriptions a lot easier. I’ve seen both docs once already and I’m comfortable with the transition.
A good job. I’m still maintaining a full-time job, and despite frustration over technical issues making my job harder (trying to keep it positive here), I work with amazing, supportive people. I also just found out that I am getting a 2% raise in the new year, which is happy news!
Family. Thanksgiving with my in-laws was lovely, as was chatting with my mom on the phone. It is tough being apart at the holidays, but technology helps to keep us close. Thanks to family generosity, we now have my in-laws old set of livingroom furniture and our two oldest, most beat-up couches are off to couch heaven. (We’re in our 40s, so it was probably time to give up the sofa with the duct-taped corners.)
Warm weather. Okay, so maybe we’ve had a bit too much warm, wet weather: we had a bumper-crop of mushrooms coming up everywhere and mildew growing on the outside of our windows. As much as I enjoy the cooler, drier weather in winter, I don’t like the aches and pains from the cold, so I’ll make the most of it while it lasts. It’s nice to be able to open the windows on the weekends and air out the house. And despite how much I love looking at everyone’s pictures of the snow, I am grateful to be at a balmy latitude and not have to worry about walking/driving on ice!
The Internet. Being able to keep in touch with distant friends and meeting new ones through Tumblr and Spoonie groups is just amazing. Even if it’s just laughing at silly Vimes and cat pictures, it really helps me keep my sanity. It is also when fanfiction lives, so it has that going for it, too! (And computer games, of course.) ;}
Cozy sweaters and blankets. I think this one is pretty self-explanatory.
Soy chai and sugar-free cider mix. My dietary restrictions are tough at times, but finding good substitutions helps me keep from feeling deprived. (And related to this- having a Keurig. It’s so convenient when I need a quick hot cup of tea or hot water for my oatmeal!)
Being able to help others. Whether it’s Toys for Tots, drives for the homeless, clipping baby coupons for friends or providing a place to escape relatives at the holidays, being able to help even in little ways really makes me feel better and helps me focus on what I can do, rather than stewing over what I can’t.
Financial stability. Also pretty self-explanatory. Job transitions are always tough, but hopefully in the spring we can start house-hunting again!
Decorating for the holidays. I don’t approve of Christmas stuff appearing in October in the stores, but now that it’s December I can enjoy other people’s lights and decorating the office. We may or may not do a tree this year due to the kittens. Even if we put one up it will be bare until they get over the newness and I won’t use any glass ornaments, at which point we’re debating if we should bother at all. I will put the wreath on the door and plan to do at a least a few cards and am slowly working through our gift-list. I also want to make felt ornaments for the new kittens, even if they don’t go on the tree this year.
Alternative Baking Company for making double-chocolate cookies without dairy so I can get my chocolate fix! I am being pretty strict on the no-dairy thing, but I feel so much better without it that it’s totally worth it. Chocolate is the only area where I’m tempted to “cheat”, and with so many holiday goodies around the office it’s been very tempting.
Health insurance. I am so, so grateful for health insurance. It’s been a tough year since I blew through my MRA so early in the year (May) thanks to needing bifocals. I’m starting to get my end-of-the-year statements and can see how much insurance covers and it staggers my mind (and that doesn’t even factor in my prescriptions, which if I paid full price would be hundred of dollars a month). I wish I could have waited to replace my TENS unit, but with insurance covering most of it I’m relieved to have it working when I need it.
Splints. I would much rather not need as often (or at all), but when I do need them they are such a big help!
Redefining "Good" 