Presumed to be awesome.

The absence of a routine has been a hard adjustment; so in an effort to start the weeks off right, I've been doing happy lists on Mondays.

Today has been a truly sucktastic Monday. High stress has resulted in low immunity, hence feeling only slightly more whole than road kill today. So did not need this right now. Wallowing in my own misery and phlegm, I really did not feel like thinking of positive things to put on a happy list today. But I guess that's the whole point, right? Focusing on the good despite feeling not good.

So, yeah, a happy list:

- Yesterday I got a surprise visit from an old friend, Sara, who I've known for over 20 years but whom I rarely see since she lives in Nashville now. It was so great though to go to brunch and spend hours talking and catching up and it truly feeling as if we were just resuming a conversation we started last week, even if it's been more than a year since I saw her last.

- Speaking of my amazing friends, I had a lovely phone chat with editorzon last night that made me again realize how blessed I am to have such fabulous women in my life. Y'all know who you are! *loves*

- Adam had a birthday on Saturday and there was a photo booth at the party, which meant ( hundreds of awesome pictures like this to sift through and enjoy: )

- Also, Nyquil and orange juice. Thank all the gods for Nyquil and orange juice.

How is this day over? Seriously, this day flew by. Not before I got a great workout in with Trainer!Boy, though. And then I followed that up with a trip to AJ's for PIES!!! In my world, exercise followed by pies makes the best kind of sense! *nods* I've also had Rianna all evening. We went to dinner and then to the movies to see Madagascar 2. Now she's passed out on the couch and I've got some serious cooking to do before I can call it a night -- sweet and sour green bean casserole, cheesy spinach casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy, and, of course, the turkey. I'm hoping to get the majority of it done tonight so that I'm not running around like a mad woman tomorrow morning. Chances are, however, that I'll be running around like a mad woman tomorrow morning. *g* One can always hope, though. :)

Before I get to cooking, I thought I'd make my traditional "Thanksgiving Gratitude List," because, you know, tomorrow's Thanksgiving. And, we all know how much I love lists! \o/

Today, tomorrow and every day I am thankful for:

:: ( Jeremy Shockey's mind blowing hotness. )

*laughs* Ok. While I am VERY appreciative of Jeremy's hot ass (and arms, and chest, and thighs...*ahem*), he's really not what I'm most grateful for. Let's try this again...today, tomorrow and every day I am thankful for:

:: My family, who love me and support me, even while they may not always understand me. My mom who has always been the primary reason why I can be whoever I need to be. My nieces who amaze me with their beauty and promise.

:: The amazing women in my circle of friends who support me, inspire me, and brighten my life every day with their love and laughter. You are my family of choice and I love each of you.

:: All of you for accompanying me every day on this journey we call life, for entertaining me, for making me think, for expanding my awareness of the world we share, for letting me into your lives through what you write here, and for joining me in mine by reading my words. Thank you.

:: My body that's healthy, fit, strong, and beautiful.

:: The beauty in the world around me found in music and art and dance and writing and in a million different ways that bring me joy every single day.

:: The hope and promise of having Barack Obama as our President come the 20th of January.

Whether for you tomorrow is a day of Thanksgiving or just another Thursday, I hope it's filled with the people and things that fill your heart with gratitude. And, you know, food and football!