12 things to smile about in 2012

I usually end up adding more to top 10 lists, so I decided to do 12 for 2012. These are the things that made me happy this past year.

1. My daughter's cochlear implant surgeries going so well and the amazing results since then. (She recently said "Abba, more blueberries!")

2. The Big Bang Theory...so many laughs...and still more to catch up on!

3. Making some new friends through Chick Lit Central (or through people I met through it).

4. My BFF's visit this past fall. We had such a great time hanging out and baking pies. (And also getting to see some friends I hadn't seen in a long time...one as long as 13 years.)

5. Jennifer Weiner calling me BY NAME when I went to her book signing (and later mentioning my twitter handle). Also connecting with a girl from my community because of a shared love of books, after seeing her at this signing.

6. Seeing some comedy shows, even though one of the comedians was the same for both shows and did the same act....it was still hilarious!

7. One of my close friends having her first baby.

8. Chick Lit Central reaching over 900 followers.

9. The fun bonding evening with my mom when we went to see Jodi Picoult. (Not only that, but Jodi is an amazing speaker!)

10. Our beautiful, new kitchen that never fails to impress. It was so worth cramming in the corner of our living room and eating out of the microwave for two months.

11. My younger son learning how to read. It's so exciting to see how proud he is when he figures out the words on each page!

For my final choice, I thought I was going to say "FINALLY getting to see the movie of Les Miserables after waiting all year for it to come out." However, I saw it and was moved, but also miffed by a few things. I still think they did a better job of making it a movie than the person who brought Rent to the big screen. However, I don't think I could sit through it more than once. Anyway...drum roll please...

12. Finding out that someone I admire is going to be living in a nearby city for the next four years!

Have a wonderful New Year! May we all have more than 13 things to be happy about in 2013!