Yes, it’s true what they say about country music. It’s either about someone leavin’ (or wantin’ to leave, or wantin’ to come back), drinking, cheating, or about some small town. I like all different types of music, but my favorite tunes to belt out at the top of my lungs are the country ones.

I’m thankful for music, (and not just country music) how you can hear lyrics someone else has written, and think that they stole the words right out of your mind.

You know, the universe really could be messin’ with me. November, the month of thankfulness, has been pretty unlucky for me. And by “pretty unlucky” – I mean that if I were any one of my friends and a thunderstorm came up…I’d exit stage left. As quickly as possible. (During the first three weeks of this month, I’ve managed to have a camera and two cell phones stolen from me.)

On Friday night, while sitting with friends at a bar/restaurant in Columbia, South Carolina, my friend Meigs’ husband looks out the window and says, “Someone just hit that white car out there and kept going!”

That white car? Well, OF COURSE IT WAS MY CAR. And this guy (girl?) took the term hit and run to a whole ‘nother level, as they didn’t even think about stopping. Not even for a second. They just side swiped my drivers side from the back bumper to the front mirror (which landed about 15 feet away) and kept on a-truckin’.

After the police report was all taken care of, I marched back into the restaurant, promptly ordered a shot of tequila and had some laughs (ok, fine, and said a few curse words) with my friends. Because sometimes if you don’t laugh, you’ll go insane, right?

So, today – I’m thankful for body shops…and tequila.

Side note: Stop testing me, November.

So, if you don’t want to read a sappy love entry…don’t continue. Seriously, you’ve been warned.

I’m incredibly thankful for my boyfriend, Ben. Our story begins a little differently than most – with him being a young and somewhat nervous lobbyist in Columbia and me being an older and overly confident House (of Reps) staffer. We were only friends back then, but it laid the groundwork for what would become our love story. (Is Taylor Swift singing in your head yet?)

Ben came into my life again at a dark time for me, and our roles had completely reversed. (Except for the young part, he’ll always be younger than me and he’ll never allow me to forget that.) My confidence level was non-existent, and I was certainly the nervous one. Nervous about my future, nervous about what other people thought, nervous about being single again…sounds completely attractive, huh? Well, that’s the thing about Ben. He knew all of that, and he wanted to love me anyway. And so he did.

I vividly remember typing a vent to him (thanks, gchat!) that went along the lines of, “I mean, who would want to date a 29-year-old divorcee?” His reply was quick and simple, and something he probably didn’t give a whole lot of thought to. He said, “I would.” Boy was he in for it.

If I wrote a list of everything I wanted in a partner, Ben would have everything on that list and then some. He’s caring, helpful, sweet, funny, loving, fun, intelligent, interesting, handsome, patient (let’s keep it real, he needs the patience when dealing with yours truly), and loves my family and my dog. I think I hit the jackpot.

It’s about damn time.

Today I’m thankful for my DVR, as I have episodes of Glee and Oprah to watch when I get home. (Oh, and that Dateline special about Prince William and Kate Middleton on NBC, too.)

You know, it’s pretty damn easy to complain about your job. I mean, I never do that…I’m just sayin’. I know people who do.

However, in today’s world (Yuck, how sick are we all of hearing that? Please forgive me.) those of us who have a job should probably just shut the frick up and be thankful we aren’t in the unemployment line.

I’m thankful for my job, a job that allows me to do a lot of the things I love to do (work wise), and also allows me to pay my bills. And go shopping. Sometimes.

Today I’m thankful for movie dates with my mama. We have them as often as we can, and although sometimes we meet at the theater, watch the movie, and leave each other – it’s still some of my favorite quality time with her.

My poor friends. They have to listen to me run my mouth constantly. Some days, I don’t envy them at all. (Mr. T’s voice just said, “I pity the fool!” in my head.)

Have you ever thought about where you would be without your friends? Mine have gotten me through some rough minutes, days and months. They have made me laugh, encouraged me, loved me and listened to me. We’ve been through elementary school (and middle and high, too), college, weddings, divorces, births, deaths – you name it. We’re a walking Lifetime movie. And, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’m (so, so, so) thankful for my friends. My wonderful, giving, brave, intelligent and hilarious friends.

A little feel good theme song for ya.

p.s. My birthday is coming up. Just sayin‘.

Last weekend, I saw some of my most favorite people whilst tailgating at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. It was such a good time, in fact, that I forgot all about car break-ins and other day-to-day woes.

Who invented tailgating, anyway? Such a genius, that guy. (Wait, it was probably a woman.) I mean, you show up early, consume a whole bunch of food (and alcohol, if that’s your thing), enjoy the fall temperatures while the guys watch football games on a flat screen (that’s how we roll, anyways) and the gals swap recipes and chat. And, did I mention the eating part?

Yes. For Diet Coke. That’s about all I can give you today, as Ben’s car was broken into while parked in my driveway last night. Laptop and iPod gone. (I gave him the iPod for Christmas last year. Sigh.) That criminal better be glad I didn’t hear him in my driveway. He would’ve carried away a “load” of something else in his pants.

That said, today I am thankful for Diet Coke. Diet Coke makes me happy.

Blackberry Messenger:
Me: Do you think it’s time to have your pilot light turned on when you’re wearing a scarf inside your house?
Ben: Yes.

Conversation with Rebekah:
Me: I need to have my gas turned on, but it’s so expensive that I have been holding out.
Rebekah: I’m in the same boat, my friend.
Me: Last night I wore velour pants, socks, a long sleeved shirt to sleep…and piled two blankets on top of my comforter.
Rebekah: Oh, I’ve got you beat. I wore a shirt, a sweatshirt, pants, socks…and had a quilt over my down comforter on the bed. And, I was still cold.

Seriously. How did people make it without central heat and air? I’m not exactly strong enough to chop wood, so I’d be pretty screwed if I had to do that to keep warm. I’m thankful as heck for the thermostat in my hallway.