Dawn Quyle Landau of Tales from the Motherland has issued the 5th annual “50 Happy Things/Attitude of Gratitude” challenge and I am more than pleased to join in once again.  For instructions on the “how-to”, please click here.  Once you’ve figured out how to do it and have been inspired to do it (Why not?  How much can it hurt to bring forth things that make you happy?) click here to add your link.

There is absolutely no order to my following list.  I have set the timer for 15 minutes and this is basically stream of consciousness stuff (i.e. as it comes, I type).  All embellishments are added after the clock has run out and I’ve spell-checked my list 😉

1. My boys – they remind me that I am human
2. My home – protects me from the elements
3. My family – all the way down to second cousins thrice removed
4. My sisters – despite whatever goes on in life, they are there for me
5. Mom – without her, I would not be
6. Friends who are the chosen family
7. Blogosphere – a world I could not have imagined ten years ago
8. The friends I’ve made on the blogosphere – I cherish the connections I’ve made
9. Going to Old Montreal for New Year’s Eve with good friends
10. Getting on the ferris wheel for the midnight fireworks
11. Friday Fictioneers – for teaching me how to cut the fluff and get to the point
12. B – for pushing me to be a better writer while becoming a close friend
13. My ability and joy of cooking
14. Sharing my food with those I love
15. My boys when they help me before I have to ask
16. My computer – as a tool to connect and write
17. Internet – bringing the world to my fingertips
18. Brothers-in-law who help out for stuff that I just cannot do on my own
19. Girlfriends – to share those things that you just can’t with family
20. Blogging community – I keep learning
21. Rochelle for her friendship and for trusting me with her lateest WIP (and any other writings)
22. Julie for being my “culture friend” and my trusted date for stuff no one else is interested in
23. Feeling part of my close knit gang
24. Food – the diversity, the sensuality
25. My taste buds – which permit me to enjoy all the flavours out there
26. Good wine
27. fun work colleagues
28. New colleagues who seemed to really appreciate me
29. Clients who appreciate me
30. My legs for allowing me to take my walks
31. My big-ass bathtub for when I need to get away from it all
32. Reading – opening my world to other realms
33. Writing, which allows me to let go of stuff
34. Writing prompts that push me to do better
35. My bed, where I get the rest I need or at least pretend to
36. My hands which are capable of so much more than I thought
37. Heating which protects me from the cold
38. My capacity to love no matter how many times my heart is broken
39. Being appreciated for what I offer
40. My wit and sense of humour – keeps me sane
41. Travel – I need to do more; experience other cultures
42. The communities I’ve built – virtual and real
43. Connections I’ve made with people from around the world
44. A cozy fire, to gaze into, to snuggle with someone
45. Zeke – who is not getting as much love as he should but will
46. Eyes – to appreciate the beauty around me
47. My smile, which seems to be what people remember about me
48. My camera, which helps me to look at things differently and record the memories
49. Being able to express myself and be open to others’ opinions
50. Widow’s pension, which helps to make ends meet
51. EI which permits me to take the time to rest between jobs
52. Working a seasonal job which allows me to take the other seasons off
53. Sense of smell, without it, I would never appreciate food and cooking so much
54. My body – it may be quite as I would like it to be, but it’s mine and it functions
55. Dishwashers – because sometimes, doing the dishes just blows
56. My car – I can go anywhere when I want
57. My resilience – even though it’s a word that bugs the shit out of me, it is the right word for me
58. The close friends who will always include me in their happenings
59. My ability to adapt to whatever life throws my way
60. My boys – I am so proud of them both for the young men they are becoming
61. That Iain has decided to go back to school to get a diploma in electricity
62. That Aidan has decided to pursue an education in animation (yeah, yeah, it has another title that I always forget)
63. That I know I can count on my sisters for anything
64. My lack of cynicism – despite the world we live in
65. My charm that can be helpful when I screw up
66. Dark chocolate
67. Camaraderie – that can be found
68. Facebook – say what you will, I have kept in contact with many because of it
69. Book, books and more books
70. Potential for love – I’ve not given up