1. The warmed gown at the mammogram center. I know it's kind of subliminal like painting the walls a soothing color or having totally decadent pop culture magazines in the waiting room, but it does make me feel all warm and cozy.

2. It was a routine screening and came back normal.

3. Rose not objecting to my failings. I failed to bring her gymnastics clothes for after school gymnastics, and she said, that's ok, changing takes a lot of time anyway. We have Rose pegged as inflexible, so this was a nice counter-example.

4. The Rat Man Cometh. We have no rats. We have no rats because we hired the Rat Man to rid us of all our rats, block their access to our house, and check four times a year or as many times as we need that they have not broken down the defenses. It's a lot of money. It's peace of mind.

5. David happy at gymnastics. Remember a month ago when David refused to get on the mat? Remember when he decided he wasn't going to have a gymnastics birthday party because he didn't like gymnastics? David doesn't remember that. He only remembers that he loves Coach Katy and he likes handstands and the pummel horse, and most especially, the foam pit. His coach told me today that he's taken a leap in his abilities and concentration.

6. Bringing dance back into people's lives. I was hanging out with my jazzercise buddies last week. One of them was bemoaning the lack of dancing for people our age. Is there any place to go dancing? she said. Well, did I ever send her an email. This week she went dancing with me.

7. Dancing with beginners. John and I have been T.A.ing dance classes for Northwest Dance Network. I told my whole class that they were my date for the free dance party tonight. Many of them came, and I danced with them. Dancing with beginners isn't about fancy moves, musicality, or even staying on the beat. But it is about grinning and goofing around and making people feel they belong here. I love it.

8. Brilliant women who write well even when it's in the cause of a losing battle. The school district changed the student assignment plan and made it close to impossible for David to go to the same school as Rose. Many of the parents in the same situation have been writing eloquent, passionate letters trying to change the situation. Usually, I'm the top writer in the room, but these women have serious power moves. I am in awe and grateful they are on my side even though we are going to lose.

9. Not coughing. I had the flu six weeks ago. The web said the annoying dry could would last 6-8 weeks. The web was right.

10. Egypt. It took me awhile to absorb what was happening because I spent the first half of the revolution worried about Dad and Barb. I know the chances of total democracy, women's rights, and worker's rights are slim, but they are better than none.