Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, folks -- it's that time of year, again. The time where I stay up until the wee hours of the morning baking pies. Tonight it's pumpkin pie as usual, and I was supposed to get to the pecan pies tonight, but it didn't happen. So I'll have to wake up early to do it.

But before I do, I wanted to express some gratitude -- because what else do you do when it's dark outside and quiet all around and pies are in the oven?

Things I am thankful for:

• A job. First and foremost, a job.
• Quietness, or as a friend recently called it -- the "quiet slice[s] of life."
• My 15 nieces and nephews.
• The ability to read.
• Compliments from people I respect and admire.
• My new Winter coats.
• Christmas music.
• A home.
• My daily walk to and from work.
• A body that (mostly) works.
• Modern dentistry.
• Milk -- that wonderful, glorious drink that goes with everything.
• Rain in California.
• Fresh flowers.
• My family. Always, always my family. (MommyDaddy, Cami, Summer, Brooks, Blake, Lexi, and all your spouses -- I love you.)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I hope it's a good one.