41. A cup of yummy tea from my bestie.

42. Fall-scented candles.

43. Dishes stacked in the sink-- means that not only do I have food, but I had the energy to put it together.

44. The mood struck, and the decor got switched from fall to winter-esque.

45. Handmade quilts.

46. Group with my girls.

47. Pain killers.

48. Automatic snuggling by hubby when I roll over into him at night. (He doesn't even realize he's doing it. He's asleep. That makes it even sweeter.)

49. Goodbye kisses.

50. Wrapping gifts for my family-- I was able to afford some things for them, even though I have such a limited income.

51. C's awesome presents that I was able to afford.

52. Finding a treasured possession that I thought was lost for good.

53. Coming across my wedding dress while rummaging through my closet. Brought a smile to my face and warm memories to mind.

54. D's lily bloomed before I left.

55. Day after tomorrow is my big trip!

56. Warm clothing.

57. My loving kitties.

58. A tidy house.

59. Dungeons and dragons with friends.

60. Red hair.

What better way to get a sense of what's going on in someone's life than to see what they're thankful for?

26. Vanilla coke. It works so well at stopping a migraine in process, or taking it down a couple of notches if its already full-swing.

27. My skin is so pretty, smooth, and acne free. I spent a long time being very self conscious about my body acne so this is more than fantastic. Not just that, but I've finally found a natural remedy that actually works for me-- colloidal silver gel-- to keep my skin clear. (Natural remedies tend not to work for me. I've pretty much lost faith in them.)

28. Raspberries.

29. A doctor that takes me seriously, does all in her power to help me, totally believes I'm not exaggerating, and insists right along with me that I'm not a drug seeker or drug addict. So refreshing.

30. Coraline. Her cute and funny antics continually endear her to me, and she is getting so much braver!

31. Pink Macbook cases and keyboard covers.

32. Grocery store trips with friends that turn into a super fun excursion.

33. Movie night with C and said friends, followed up by some good ol' Studio C videos.

34. A better understanding of the dynamics of the family I married into, courtesy of Story Time.

35. Hearing from our friend stationed in Germany last night, and kicking off the plans for a visit.

36. Not being so horribly sick anymore.

37. Cooking "real" food for lunch two days in a row!

38. Teen group and all my girls.

39. Less than two weeks until I see my family!

40. Coraline's obsessive quest for the satiation of her oatmeal addiction.

Funny story to wrap things up: At the end of group, we usually read The Survivor's Prayer together. (It's like the Serenity Prayer, but we wrote it just for us.) We didn't have copies in the teen room last night, so I asked the other (trainee) facilitator to say a quick prayer/blessing for us to wrap things up. She stumbled and fumbled, and I realized that she didn't pray or didn't know how to pray aloud or something, so I said I would do it. As we sat there for a brief, silent moment, I suddenly realized that I don't pray anymore either! I didn't want to lie, but I didn't know how to address the prayer other than, "Dear God...", which I'm not comfortable with right now. So the silent moment stretched out longer and longer, until I finally said, "Oh, crap..." The girls burst out laughing, and then one of them volunteered to do the prayer, much to my relief. It was just a funny/awkward little thing, but it really kinda shook me up to realize the difference between a year ago and now. It's not that the way I live my life is any different, necessarily, for I still hold the same beliefs and values... but what I ascribe to as the origin of those beliefs and values and how I announce to the world my adherence to them has changed quite dramatically.

Recently on her blog my sister discussed the book One Thousand Gifts and the personal challenge she has undertaken to find and record one thousand gifts, or things worth giving thanks for, in her life. She asked if anyone else wanted to join her and I said that I might.

This morning I was thinking about some of the wonderful things that appear in my life-- blips on the radar screen to some, but indicative of a life rich with meaning and love. So, yes. I will join in that challenge. It will probably be nowhere as intentional and consistent as others' recordings of their gifts, but that's fine. This is my personal journey, and I'll take it at my own pace.

1. My husband, who is the yin to my yang in so many, many ways. He's a steady rock that keeps me anchored, and he's a warm, tender carer for my many infirmities.

2. Yesterday a stranger looked at me in surprise and said, "You're a pretty girl!"

3. Warm morning sunlight to bask in. It is better than a warm bath to soothe away my aches and pains.

4. Juneaux and his consistent need for cuddles.

5. Juneaux's 6th sense for when I'm not feeling well (or worse than usual) emotionally or physically, and his remedy of cuddles.

6. Coraline. She's such a cute goof. Follows me everywhere, but not in a needy way. She follows discreetly, from a distance... unless I have oatmeal or lunch meat.

7. The flexibility of my job and how accommodating my boss is.

8. Working with abuse survivors like myself.

9. Medication.

10. The ability to afford said medication.

11. A house of my very own, with a yard and everything!!

12. A running vehicle that gives me little trouble, despite the minimal or nonexistent maintenance I give it..

13. Eyesight. Whether it be reading or watching movies to distract myself/for enjoyment, watching birds and clouds through the window, gazing upon my beloved's face, skimming Facebook, watching the kitties' antics, or just making my way to the bathroom, my eyesight gives me access to so much meaning and convenience. I remember what it's like to be blind, and it's terrifying. (Especially the prospect of not being able to read anymore.)

14. Safe food, and the fact that we can afford it.

15. The computer I'm typing on. I thought that I was going to have to go a long time without a laptop of my own, but not only am I getting an insane discount, it's a Mac. My favorite. And better than the Mac I had before, the one that died.

16. Health and safety of my loved ones.

17. My husband finding me attractive, despite weight gain.

18. Improved self-talk, finding myself attractive despite weight gain!

19. C filled up my gas tank the other day, all the way to full! I can't remember the last time my tank was full.

20. That I was able to afford Christmas presents for my family, however small they are.

21. I'll be home for Christmas ^_^ (Sorta.)

22. I'll be with my bestie J for the real Christmas. Haven't seen that woman in a year and a half.

23. J's family is paying for my plane ticket to come out and spend Christmas with them. They decided to do this because they know how hard driving is on me (and it's dangerous these days, what with the twitch attacks and almost passing out and all) and wanted to spare me that.

24. Now 100% detached from financial dependency on anyone other than my husband. Switching car insurances Friday was the last thing.

25. I saved (not quite) hundreds of dollars on car insurance by switching to Geico. No, really.

I have continually maintained that I have a great life. I really do. Certain aspects of it may get me down, but overall I'm livin' the dream. I would change very few things.

Stay tuned for more "gifts"... whenever they come along.