I am VERY happy & grateful that my family got through this past year. I got a Christmas card from my cousin & his wife today. In it was a letter about the last year. I am just so happy that my cousin managed to have brain surgery and come through it so well! Only 6 weeks until he was well enough to go back to work. I am also happy that my friend's aunt came through breast cancer, and is doing well. Also that my sister and I both had car accidents this year, and the only thing that got hurt was our cars, and our checking accounts. Life can be a little annoying at times, but all in all it has been a good year.
I am happy and grateful that Mauvais thinks she is sane.
I am H&G for my wonderful friend and cleaning woman, Gail. My house is all cleaned up for Christmas now. All I need to do is finish decorating and will not be looking at dust! I wish I could clone her to share with all of you.
I wish that too, Ruth - really, really, sincerely I do.
Liziness, Squeaker, I second Mauvais' hug Keep your respective chins up! And *looks sneakily for moderators lurking* why not resurrect the "bite me" thread just a little - it's venting, right?
I agree, we don't need that thread. It is much better for us to put a positive outlook on things. I find that difficult so sometimes it's a challenge, but I really am grateful that my husband turned out so wonderful. And as much drama and disfunction that goes on in his family, I am grateful that I am able to stay out of most of it.
I am also grateful to have a job, as in the area I live in, they are very hard to come by. So even if there are days I don't like it, it's not a retail or fast food job, and I get more than minimum wage, which is really more than most can ask for in this state!
I am also grateful that my mom's best friend is coming today for a visit with me. She misses my mom as much as I do, so we're going to get together and try to have some fun today. I'm glad my mom has such wonderful friends that they would come to see me even after she's left.
and I'm grateful for this group of people for reminding me to look for a silver lining at all.
Whoops! Just read my previous post and thought...Hmmmm... that didn't sound right.
"I don't like the bite me thread cause it is so negative"
By this I didn't mean that people shouldn't discuss problems or vent now and again since we are all here for support, not just for health and diet, but also for other things that are going on in our lives.
I just found that a daily "bite me" thread was getting kind of depressing to read and as the moderator I have to read all of the posts so I can't just not read it if I don't feel like it.
I'm happy and grateful for all of my friends here, and for the prayers that have "jerked" me out of a recent funk.
And although I'm missing him terribly, I'm grateful to have had such a good Dad. Only now I'm realizing more and more what a special relationship we had. I feel so close to him... I only wish I could hear his voice, or look at him across the room. Such a lovely man.
Squeak, I'm so glad that your cousin and your friend's aunt are doing well.
It sounds as though we all have a lot to be grateful for.
ellis- this time of year is tough when you are missing a loved one. DH and I were just talking about his mom last night My thoughts are with you and your family
I was just thinking this morning about the things in my life. I have a small but cozy home, a second hand car, a job, good health, wonderful parents, a loving DH and great friends (including the ones here ) - I have had a few ups and downs in my life but I feel very blessed and am happy and grateful for what I have.
As I was reading over the posts here, I was thinking "I have too many last minute things to do to be thankful!" and then I thought "WTF is that? Too busy to be thankful for the good things? That's not right."
So I'm thankful for this thread making me realize there are things to be thankful for.
I am grateful for a wonderful day with my mom's best friend. I can see why they are such good friends, and I am lucky to have her in my life. I don't have very many people I consider friend, so it's good to spend time with one now and then. We had a wonderful day on Tuesday, and it was pretty much the best Christmas gift I could ask for.
Life can be a little annoying at times, but all in all it has been a good year.
you and your family have been through a lot this year.
There I've said it out loud or a least typed it very noisily! 
My thoughts are with you and your family 
