Giving thanks

I'll admit that I freaked out a bit today about a combination of things. First, I am overwhelmed with the number of things involved with planning a wedding. And for those keeping track, the big day is officially six months away. Second, exactly one month before our wedding is the Jones Family Reunion, for which I am on the three-person planning committee. I really like the other two people planning it, but they have some lofty aspirations that involve a ton of work in the next five months. Plus, regardless of whether or not we get to keep Mikey's current house, I will be moving in March or April. I have soooo much crap that I seriously dread moving. And then there's Christmas. You gotta love Christmas, but it's always such a hectic time of year for both work and the social life. So I decided there is no better day to write down some of the many things I am thankful for:

A family that I love and will get to spend real quality time with during our Christmas trip to Mexico (WOO-HOO!)
A fiance who picks me up when I'm down and reminds me that we will journey through life together
Buster, who makes me absolutely crazy sometimes but who is just the cutest, sweetest little puppy ever
My supportive, sweet friends who have been there for me through the best of times and the worst of times
The roof over my head right now
My iBook and iPods (I know I'm spoiled to have multiple iPods, but I needed a Shuffle to run with because my old-school one is just too big for my little arm!)
My Chi hair straightener
Four-day weekends
The kitties who crawl in bed with me every night and make me feel loved
Silly CDs like the New Kids on the Block one that I just added to my iPod library
Digital photography
The opportunities I've had to visit foreign countries--I'll see you in Italy in 2007, Abbey!
The navigation system in my car
TiVo, naturally
Unexpected greeting cards
Old Navy
Tuesday night RWA dates with Mikey, Baron, Megan and Shane (season finale this week!!)
Friends like Abbey, Virginia and Jennifer who unknowingly motivate me to run when I just want to quit
My kick-ass boots with the bright pink inner lining--I have never felt such love for a pair of shoes before
In just six months, all the people I care about will be in one place
Desperate Housewives, which has revolutionized Sunday nights for me
My college experience
Queso, margaritas and creamy jalapeno
My friends' parents, whose support and excitement about the wedding means the world to me
PopPop
Baseball season...how many days until it starts?
Mikey's family
Girly movies like Dirty Dancing and Shag

I could go on for days. Life is good, and it's nice to be reminded of that every so often. Happy early Thanksgiving!