Alison from Ali Blah Blah tagged me with this very nice meme. I tried for a moment to be silly with this one, but it all turned to mush. Sorry folks! The meme requires you to list seven things you are thankful for.
1. The Bobleo - Sometimes we miss sleep for the sake of giggling. We also burst into song (complete with guitars and egg shakers) at random. Plus, he supports me in everything I do. No matter how insane an idea sounds, or how farr-off a goal might be, Scott backs me up 100%. Ever since I realized that it has made "going for it" a whole lot easier. It's hard not to beleive in yourself at least a little when someone else believes in you so whole-heartedly. Thanks Bobleo!!
2. Michelle - Co-crafter at Scribble Nation, and everlasting BFF. Michelle is another much appreciated cheerleader. She is always there to help, giver her honest opinion, and cheer me up when I am feeling blue. Much like Bobleo, Michelle nver seems phased by my wackiness and I can always let loose and be myself when we hang out together. No joke is too outlandish, no prank taken too seriously. We can make fun of eachother, ourselves, and the rest of the world in good humor. Plus, Michelle was the catalyst of our recent crafty revolution. It was about this time last year when she suggested that we begin crafting "balls out." It began with glue gun shrines, and shoebox dioramas, and quickly reminded me why I love art and craft in the first place. Thanks Michelle!!
3 - The Hat City Scissor Squad - Starting this little group with my sister, Sarah, and Michelle all those years ago, was one of the greatest moves I think we've ever made. Getting out every Tuesday for some sticthing and a drink is great, but the community that we've created is what I treasure most. The amazing group of women that has collected over the years is really mind blowing. The variety of backgrounds, talents, attitudes, and life styles is a huge resource to me. Over the years, I have made some true friends along the way that I think I really needed in my life. After a lifetime of befreinding guys almost exclusively, it is really great to find so many women that I can relate to. What beats a bunch of scissor weilding chica's keeping eachother crafty every week? Nada. Thanks Scissorina's!!
4. The fam - We have ups, we have downs. We function and dysfunction, but in the end we all know we can rely on one another when push comes to shove. We all know we love each other - despite distance, time or distractions. The unconditional love of your family is the knowledge that no matter what, somewhere out there you've got a home and they have left the light on for you. I know I have been distant lately. I've been putting a lot of energy and focus planting seeds that I am hoping will grow into something that will benefit everybody, but in the process, I've been a very poor correspondent. So thanks for loving me anyway, even when you don't hear from me!!! And thanks for knowing I love you too. Thanks Mom, Dad, Heather, Sarah and Caity!!
5. My new job - It's been a loooooooooooooong road, job. I spent a lot of time working myself stupid, then working myself sick. All the while I felt like I was pushing an elephant up a mountain. The pressure built with every step until one day... I let the beastie go. I was about to walk away when all of the sudden... My boss handed me a ticket to the top.
Now I have built a little blog and formulary up here. I've got fresh air, room to stretch my creative muscles, plenty of spotlight to show off the fruits of my labor, and most importantly, a sense of accomplishment that I have been aching for for a long time. I really missed that. It's something that always has driven me. Without it, work just feels like torture. Now, I get to learn, write, create, brainstorm, and see all of it turning into something cool!! I am building kick-ass credentials, and I'm able to give some attention to my own business as well. I couldn't ask for more... well, I couldn't ask for MUCH more. A nice raise and a successful soap business of my own would be nice, but all in all, I am pretty damned happy. Thank you new job!!
6. Our new apartment - Goodbye crappy Riverside Road!! And good riddance!! I moved into that hell hole when I was dumb-ass 21 year old. Even then, it was a bit "rustic", but it was by no means obviously in a state of crap. Over the years that all changed. Creatures of various forms and sizes moved in and out as they pleased, with no aid from the landlord. The floors cracked and splintered as you walked along, the paint fell off of the walls and ceilings on a regular basis. When the windows started falling out we took it as the last straw. Bobleo and I finally got the hell out of that place and we feel GREAT!!
Our new home is the year apartment of a very old colonial. Our side was built around 1900 and has been kept up quite well since. Other than some pesky house flies, it seems completely uninfested for one thing. No strange, dusty, moldy odor erupting from the walls, floors or laundry. No gaping holes in the window sills, no rotting frames. The place is actually pretty gigantic for the two of us, which is great. I have my studio/office. Scott has his music/computer room. Plenty of space in the kitchen for a sweet little table and chairs, and enough space in the living room to actually have guests over!! Also, we have miles of trails starting from our backyard. A dream for the doggy. The town is a bit out of the way, but it is beautiful around here. All three animals, and Scott and I have been immensely happy here so far. Thanks new pad!!
7. Crafting - Thank god for you, crafting. Thank god for every little swatch of fabric, pipe cleaner and bead. If I didn't have you, I wouldn't have sanity. Thanks crafting!
KK, all done! So now I need to tag some people. How about... Yarnista, Scissorina, and Tuesday.
"It was like waking from a horrible nightmare.", says Rikeeta Fuzz. E. "We were just happy to make it through that horrible night alive. BY the time we reached the next location we were physically and emotionally exhausted." 
