Day 2 8:38 PM

While I don't have biological family on this coast, I do have friends who are as good as family. They are my "East Coast Family". We are there for each other for the ups and downs of everyday life and celebrate the holidays together. Ashley puts up with me as a roommate, just like a sister would. To the Berget kids I am Aunt Camille. The Pattee kids invite me to all of their birthday parties. While I do miss my family all of the time, especially on holidays like this, I am grateful to have my "East Coast Family" in my life.

Day 1 11:01 AM

This morning I had a near miss. I was driving home from work on a curvy road I have taken 500+ times in sun and rain and sleet and snow. Because it was wet outside, I was driving slower than normal but on the first tight curve I lost traction and spun out. I ended up backwards in the other lane lane on an elevated embankment against some trees with only two opposing tires on the ground.

So why does this kick off the 40 days of thanks? I am fine. Unscratched. My car as minimal damage. This was nothing short of a Thanksgiving miracle. I am grateful for the hand that guided me safely through that spin.

It was a blind curve on a two lane road, so at any time during the event a car coming the other direction could have plowed into me without warning for either of us.

The trees that ultimately stopped my car left only the minimal damage you see above and a large scratch on the from bumper.

I thought my front tire had blown and I may have cracked an axle. I didn't think I was going to be able to drive home (let alone get off the elevated embankment I found myself on), but after a couple attempts at restarting the car it started and after a few good punches of the gas pedal I was able to self extricate the car and drive home.

This could have been so much worse, but it was not.

40 Days of Thanks 10:51 AM

Thought this would be a great thing to do over the holidays, as I have been given SO much and want for so little in life. I was going to start it on Thanksgiving and go through Christmas, but after my near miss this morning, I think it's appropriate to start today. I'd invite anyone else to do this too, it's a great way to celebrate the season. 

So I was seeing on blogs a "month of thanks" theme where they photographed a different thing they were thankful for every day and posted it (I think it was an Instagram thing). I thought it was a cool idea, especially given the holiday season and all we have to be thankful for. Needless to say I am following suit ... and I was wondering if anyone else wanted to join?

How great would it be if for the next 40 days (through Jan 1 2012) we could see photos from friends and family of things they were thankful for. I think it would lift spirits and enhance the holiday season. Just throwing it out there, no pressure, just a fun idea.

Love, Camille