In no particular order…

- My husband. We’ve been on an amazing roller coaster ride this year and there’s no one I’d rather have crammed in the seat next to me.

- Toby, my wingman. He reminds me daily to stop and enjoy the little things in life.

- My parents. They’re amazing. Period.

- My sister. She’s a dork.

- My brother. He’s an even bigger dork.

- My trusty camera

- Simply Orange pulp-free orange juice (with mango!)

- Good health

- Our Dyson vacuum. I never thought I’d enjoy looking at all the crap a vacuum sucks up, but you just can’t help it.

- Spanx

- My job and all the wacky characters I get to see every day.

- Adobe Lightroom

- The Animal Rescue League of Iowa – Every pet deserves a loving home, and rescue animals have a special place in my heart.

- The adventure that lies ahead of us, and the fact that we’re able to experience it at all.

- Friends and family who love and care about us.

- And finally, I’ll be really thankful when Thanksgiving is over and I haven’t poisoned anyone.

This chair belonged to my husband’s late grandfather, who got it from his mother. It’s about 85 years old. When we got it, it had a lovely golden orange velour seat cushion. It was so lovely, that I felt it was just too nice for our house. So I bought some funky fabric and have been waiting for time to finish the cushion. I finally found that time today, and I’m in LOVE with how it turned out.

Every year, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa puts out a calendar as a fundraiser. I stopped by the Main Office last week and picked up a copy of their 2010 version. Ain’t it cute?

Wait a sec.

Why… who is that I see on the March page?

Well it’s our boy! He’s a regular pin-up hound!

If you’re interested in your very own calendar, featuring other four-legged friends, you can get them for $5 at the Animal Rescue League, or by going to their website: Arl-Iowa.org

It’s for a great cause! Support your local animal shelter.