Gratitude

It's Thanksgiving week, and there is much to be thankful for...you know, the same kind of crap some people are posting about every day on facebook for the whole month? That stuff, but I don't have the energy for that particular undertaking, so here is my short list:

My kids are outstanding. I have two truly witty, compassionate, unique, and interesting daughters, and I think the world of them. Better yet, they actually LIKE being with me. I couldn't ask for better.

Being in love is pretty great. I never expected him, and now I couldn't imagine my life without him. He's everything I never even knew I wanted, and I am thankful for every day that he's in my life.

My best friends are the coolest. Adrienne, Ashley, and April--The Big Three--who keep me in stitches and always have my back, no matter what stupid shit I do or say...Deanna, who gives me fabulous hair and even better advice...Beth, my soul sister, who is one of the smartest and coolest people I know...Levi, who fixes whatever breaks and makes me laugh along the way...and so many more people I see or speak to less often, but who are important to me in their own right and awesome in their own way. I am a lucky girl, indeed.

Work makes me crazy. But without it, I couldn't support my girls, and I am thankful. Pray that I finish my deadline for this book...

I have somewhere to go on Thursday. Holidays are about family...whether it's the kind that shares DNA or the kind you choose. I am blessed to have both. I hope your holiday is full of love and joy!

The Day After

The dust has settled. The Bad Lady is still in office, and my team didn't win...but like any good fan, I don't love them any less. Just like I keep right on loving my Sooners and my Thunder when they lose, today I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

I am so thankful for my bonus job, which gave me the opportunity to meet and talk with the candidates...all of them. It's how I know I had it right...and how The Bad Lady came to be known as such.

Cathy Cummings is one of the most beautiful souls I've ever had the privilege of meeting. I am grateful to be able to call her a friend, and I admire her convictions and her passion. She's going to be somebody very important one day. I am proud of her for running an honest campaign and for doing it her way and putting herself out there. She's a real inspiration to me.

Joe Dorman is a good guy who works his ass off. He is a politician for all the right reasons, which is hard to find these days. The guy cares about people and wants to make this place better for them. ALL of them. I don't agree with him about a bunch of stuff, and no matter how he's registered, this guy is no Democrat. In fact, he's terrible at being a Democrat, but his intentions are good and his ideas solid. I pray he finds a place in the political landscape, because people like him are desperately needed in this place.

I am proud of everyone who showed up at the polls. I am amazed by the sheer number of Republicans I spoke to at the watch party last night who crossed party lines to do what they thought was right. I've never had so many red friends vote blue, and I'm excited to know there are still people out there who will vote for the person over the party. (Even me. I voted for 3 Republicans myself yesterday. ;)

I am disappointed, yes. But I am grateful and proud to know so many incredible people. It gives me hope for the future!