Day 5 - The Skill of My Hands

I am thankful for the skill of my hands--the fine motor skills that allow me to succeed in so many artsy-crafty endeavors. Sometimes they fail me....but most often it's my mind being hasty that causes my hands to muss something up. Thanks, little muscles! Thanks, tiny little bones in my wrists! Without my hands I know I would still have the *need* to make things...but my hands give me the ability to make things well, and I am indeed quite thankful for them. Hey, they even type pretty well! I'd clap for em, but they do that for me too. Feet-clapping then. Lots of feet clapping.

Day 4 - The Beauty of the World

Seattle had it's first snowfall of the winter season these past two days--even had a snow day from work this afternoon. Tried *so hard* to get a good snow falling picture...but it was snowing so hard I couldn't really look around much. But, it's true, I am so lucky to be living in such a glorious beautiful world--it's turning seasons, the littlest leaves, the biggest clouds. Purdy, purdy, purdy planet.

Day 3 - ArtieCat & MaddyCat

I am grateful for my favorite fur-babies.

I've had Madeline Rotten since she was four months old--she was given to me via Craigslist just after New Years in 2006. Her birthday is September 27th and I have to admit that I'm not awesome about remembering to celebrate it every year. Some of my favorite things about MaddyCat: a) she squeaks when you pick her up, every time. b)she licks her belly bald which looks ridiculous. the vet said it was just a bad habit, like kids that chew their fingernails. c)she hates to back that a** up...and will wriggle and roll before walking backwards. d)she loves to cuddle, but only me. she's definitely one of those girl-kitties who picks a favorite person and I'm so glad that I'm hers. e) she's an awesome hunter--when she gets it into her head to kill a spider or a she will stalk them and spring her entire fat-cat weight on the little pests.

Retardo and I got Artie when he was only six weeks old--he was a tiny little ball of orange fluff. The first week we brought him home, MaddyCat taught him to hiss and he spent a couple days hissing at everything he saw. He's definitely the 'pretty' one in our household...more cute than brains for sure. Some of my favorite things about ArtieCat: a) he likes to sleep in the bathroom sink. b) he forgets how to do things he does all the time, like drink from the little pet fountain in the kitchen--sometimes he gets so excited he sticks his ears under the stream instead of turning his head so he can lick the water up. c) Sometimes when he wants us to wake up in the morning he comes right up to my face and cuddles and purrrrrs until I pet him. d) he's adorable--one of the cutest cats I've ever seen and he is always soft and fluffy in my arms. e) He's got a fan club--the only cat I've ever known that other people have bought birthday cards for. Seriously.

Day 2 - The Friends I See A Lot

Being thankful for the friends I see all the time is pretty stinking easy, cuz ya'll are great. I'm struck though, by how many of my dearest friends I wanted to include in the post but couldn't...because of that whole pesky 'see a lot' part. There's another day for you all, I promise.

Retardo--So, um, u r my bestie. It's why I married ya. Thanks, Dude, for wanting to be with me too. All the reasons I'm thankful for you could take up an entire encyclopedia set, so I'll stop there.

B--thank you for being my adopted big sister and opening your heart to me. I'm so thankful to have you in my life and for all the laughing-till-we-cry nights.

A--for being the little brother I never expected to have (stop poking me!!!) and being able to laugh at yourself even when you're sulking cuz you lost a board game. You are more like me than anyone I've ever met, and I'm consistently amazed that we manage to be friends in spite of that.

M--for your patience and kindness and soap-making skills. You are one of my quietest friends, but your presence rounds out our little circles pretty perfectly.

E-bug--the cutest little girlie in my life. I loves ya for your perfect hugs, your happy smiles and for your excitement about the world. I'm so happy that I get to watch you grow and learn and discover!

J--I get to have you as my office roommate, which is pretty awesome because we get to talk smack pretty much three days a week. Thanks for being my buddy and helping me make it through each work week.