It's the time of year where we all take a breath, step back and reflect on the things in our life that we're thankful for. And after watching the Rachel Ray, featuring the hard hit town of Wilmington, Ohio (they've lost 9,500 jobs in a town of 12k), I realize that some of the things I am thankful for are small potatoes compared to what many are dealing with during this tough economic time, but I am thankful all the same.

This year I am thankful for:

- this beautiful life that I have been blessed with
- a wonderful significant other that has taught me so much, and helps me to dream things I never thought possible
- my amazing family, especially my mom and dad who have always been there for me and raised me to be the woman that I am
- my beautiful girlfriends who are always there for me when i need an ear to listen, or a shopping buddy
- a great job that challenges me
- my furry friends, especially Max who always makes me smile and loves to cuddle
- having sold one house during these bad economic times, and hopefully the second will be sold by year's end
- great food, chocolate and a glass of wine --- the simple things in life
- the health and safety of my family and friends
- for dreams and goals, because they constantly challenge me to strive for the best in life, and without them life would be pretty boring

I think that is a pretty good list. I hope everyone has a few things they are thankful for as well, and can take the time to reflect upon them as we celebrate this wonderful holiday!

Seems like most things in my life are a work in progress. And the blog is just another one of those work in progress items where I've neglected to just take the bull by the horns and just do it already.

I mean it was at least 6 months before I finally signed up for a blog! And than once I signed up I agonized over the perfect blog name, and which template to choose. By the time I got those items to a place where I could at least accept them as ok, I was mentally wore out and just didn't have anything to say. That was at least a month ago!

And that brings us to today, the day I just finally decided that it was time to write, even if I didn't know what, I just needed to take the next step. The problem is that I've agonized over what to write, wanting it to be poetic, creative or insightful. But sometimes what's on my mind, or going on in my world doesn't fit into one of those categories.

So this blog too is another work in progress. And I'm not going to sweat it. I'll write what is on my mind, going on in my life, what interests/excites me. Hopefully along the way I will learn a little more about myself, provide some good reading for the blog readers of the world, and even hone my writing skills.

I'm just going to see where this blog takes me. It should at least be an interesting ride!