Happy Sunday, and welcome to my weekly gratitude list, a series I started to focus on the joyful things in my life.

1.) Eli is still doing well. Most of his labs were still normal at his follow up this past week, so fingers crossed that will still be the case at his next appointment alter this month. He is currently living the life with my parents. They’re all at the beach this weekend. I’m working, otherwise I’d be there too. Chowder Fest plus puppy time? Yes, please. I miss the little dude like crazy, but seeing how happy he is makes me happy.

2.) I gave a talk at the hospital the other day about Technology and Health Apps. Enjoying public speaking as much as I do feels like breaking some cardinal rule of Being An Introvert. #sorrynotsorry

3.) Savory breakfast is totally my jam these days. 

4.) Thursday night I (finally) finished off a bottle of really nice bourbon a gentleman friend bought me more than two years ago. I do small pours, what can I say? Half-ounce by half-ounce, though…Symbolically, this feels significant. Dude knew the way to my heart was through my liver, clearly. I’m sure his master plan was for us to play chess and sip said bourbon into the winter months, but we barely made it to fall, as I remember. I’m not really sure whatever happened to him after we parted ways, but last I heard he was happy, so that’s good. I’m usually the person people date right before they meet The One, so maybe he’s doing the Married Life thing. So, um, cheers to new beginnings?  Also: Time to get myself a new bottle of something just as good but different.

5.) I celebrated my 8-year tattoo anniversary on Tuesday. I appreciate that the more time passes, the happier I am that I got it. After thinking about it for a year, I kind of pushed the thought into the back of my mind until I literally woke up one morning and said, “I’m going to get that tattoo today.” So I called my sister and we made a day of it. That was one of my favorite of our Boston adventures. 

6.) Been enjoying lots of kabocha squash, pumpkin—all the beta-carotene.

What’s brought you joy recently?