I'm it...

....I've been tagged my cousin/blogger Kaili to talk about gratitude since it is the season for us all to *hopefully* think happy thoughts about all those fun and important things that make our lives great. The deal is to list 7 things you are grateful for so here goes:

1. I think as a newlywed I'm obviously thankful for my shiny new husband Marc. He loves me even though I don't always rinse out my milk glass, makes me feel safe and taken care of, makes me feel good when others make me feel bad and is the kindest person I've ever met. Yes, I wish he'd close cupboard doors and drawers behind him but overall, he's my perfect balance, my best friend, does all the cooking and does it SO well, makes exceptional coffee that has spoiled me for all other coffee, makes sure there's always wine and good chocolate in the house and I get queasy when I think about ever having to live without him;
2. Ma and Pa Levesque cuz I know if anything ever happened they would be fighting people off to be first in line to help. Of all the important things that have happened in my life, none of them would have been possible without their help -- be it manual labour, advice and ideas, emotional support, late nights, you name it. They are exceptional people and thankful is not enough of a word for what I am;
3. My nieces because when you're like me and not really down with the whole having babies thing, the best you can hope for are great neices or nephews. Well I've got 4 wonderful and adorable nieces who are turning out to be just great kids all around. All babies are cute and of course you love them but the real test comes when they start turning into little people with opinions and thoughts. So far, these kids are polite, considerate, loving, smart and truly unique little human beings and my brother and sister-in-law have done an incredible job raising this pile o'kids. They're just good kids and are the best substitute for kids of my own;
4. My home because there was a while there when I was convinced we'd never find what we were looking for. We knew exactly what we wanted and kept seeing houses that were anything but. Suddenly, this house fell into our lap and 2 seconds later we were the proud owners of our dream house. It's got smack dap in the middle of the neighbourhood we wanted with all the charm of a house that's almost 80 years old. It was rough enough that we could afford it and truly make it our own. As much as I complain about the work, it's a remarkable feeling to look around and see everything we've done and the amount of sweat that's gone into every detail so far. There's still lots to do but every weekend it gets closer and Marc is learning tons with each project he undertakes. We got married in the backyard and if we ever move we'll have to bribe the new owners to let us stand in the garden on our anniversaries;
5. My work because it allows me to feel like a contributor to the Canadian music and film industries in my own little way. We work with companies that want to film in the North and artists who want to live and work out of the North without having to cave to the "big city" machine -- for a Northern girl that can be very satisfying work. And being a non-profit allows me to feel like I'm not part of the "corporate money making" side of things. Not to mention, when we go to work conferences they usually involve having to hang out in clubs watching great bands schmoozing with label people. Which I'm guessing is more fun than say a life insurance conference. The people are fun, my office is orange, I can wear band tees to work and sometimes there's puppies-- it's a good thing;
6. Speaking of puppies, I'm grateful for puppies! Puppies of all kinds, all shapes, all ages and all levels of furryness. I love all the puppies in my life and miss all the puppies that came before. I truly believe a good dog makes your life better in every way. They love you unconditionally and who doesn't love that? They force you outside to exercise them (and you in the process) and provide a level of responsibility to those of us that are without children. Puppies = completely awesome.
7. I'm using #7 as a catch-all cuz I'm out of numbers. I'm grateful for my whole clan of family both new and old, my friends who tolerate my bad friend habits (ie: never calling), internet shopping, Indian food, movies on Sunday afternoons, finally getting to Europe, Fluevog shoes, expensive bedsheets, people who send letters, good cheese, old records, and all things that make my life more fun.

I tag Dennis , Jane and Jamieanne cuz they are all bloggers of note.