tomorrow is thanksgiving in the US. My dad and stepmom are celebrating in Atlanta. without me. my mom and my stepdad are celebrating in Scottsdale. in 80 degree weather. without me. there will be turkey. and stuffing. and sweet potato pie. and mashed potatoes. and peas. and pumpkin pie. (if i was going to go off of south beach right this very second…it would be for some pumpkin pie. mmmm…)

Thanksgiving is one of the biggies. one of the times of year that i REALLY get homesick for my family. and for the pie. It’s one of those times that i just want to leave work, hop on a plane, eat some food until i have to loosen my pants, and watch some football. is that too much to ask?

i’m lucky, though, that there are a whole bunch of other people who are just like me. living right in my neighborhood. Americans. living in Canada. missing home at Thanksgiving. One of those such couples decided to create the annual thanksgiving potluck jamboree (not an official title, but it seemed to fit at the time). About 10 couples get together every year and have our very own potluck thanksgiving dinner. while it’s not exactly like being at home, it’s really a nice alternative. and i’ve grown to look forward to it every year.

i’ve been inspired by Metro Mama’s post about the disproportion of bad news to good news on blogs. i know, for me personally, i spend a lot of time complaining on the internet. maybe i’m just looking for someone who’s been there. i’m looking for some support. Isabella’s teething! Emily won’t go to sleep! Josh won’t eat anything other than hot dogs and steak! i have this fuckin’ south beach diet!

sometimes i think people don’t want to hear the good things. but today, you’re getting the good. you’re getting Ali’s official list of things she’s thankful for. at thanksgiving.

1. my children are beautiful. happy. healthy. great kids. sure, they have their moments. but they are GREAT kids.

2. my friends. i have over the past year or so developed some really special relationships. with people i know will be in my lives forever. i also have some old school friends who i care about so deeply. and even though i don’t see them as much as i should, they are still such a big part of my life.

3. i have two sets of parents. and a set of inlaws. and even though things aren’t always amazing, i still have them. and i’m lucky to have them.

4. the husband. sure, he and i can drive each other batty. but he’s really my best friend. i’d be lost without him.

5. my house. i know i complain about it. all the things i want to fix. the fireplace. the green carpet. i could go on. but i won’t. i’m so lucky to have a house the size i do. and that i live in such a nice neighborhood.

6. jobs. the husband and i are fortunate enough to both be in jobs that we love. we’ve done the out of work thing. and been in jobs that we hated. so this is a much better place to be in.

7. the blog-o-sphere. i really feel like i’ve met some smart, funny, amazing people who i feel such a strong connection to.

8. that sunday is only a few days away. that’s the day i can finally quit this diet, prove my husband wrong, and go shopping for some clothes that actually fit me. i can’t wait.

9. the relationship i have with my sister. and i’m glad that Emily and Isabella have each other. i hope they love and have as much respect for each other as my sister and i do.

10. my pvr. what an amazing invention.