Today's second thankful: Optimism

Because I missed a few days, here is another thankful.

I am very glad that I have a genetic disposition toward optimism. I can’t imagine how hard life would be with a pessimistic outlook. Sure, I have had my, “awwwwww, SHIT!” moments, but they are usually followed by now what do I do, then humor. After all, most things ARE funny when they’re not you.

Today's thankful: My ability to hear

Truthfully, I am always thankful for my ability to hear. There are things in this world that are such sweet sounds. For example, that contented suck/grunt newborns make when they are eating. That is one of my favorite sounds. I also love hearing my babies tell me they love me, my spouse saying what for him are sweet nothings, and laughter. Last night, when my thankful bubbled to the surface, I was attending Middlest’s holiday concert where all of the high school’s instrumental groups performed for us. We are lucky to be part of one of the finest high school music programs in the country. This evening of mostly Christmas music, along with the debut of our high school orchestra, was pretty spectacular. I am so glad I was able to hear it.

Forgiveness

Today’s thankful: I am thankful that I can forgive myself for not posting a thankful since the 9^th. That lapse puts me down five thankfuls. I have been struggling with myself as to whether or not I should make them up or let it go. I am opting for letting it go. After all, part of this thankful experiment is slowing down and taking time to enjoy the simple things. I don’t need the pressure of beating myself up for missing a few days.

On a related note, I have been a busy girl the past four days. I made a cake for a baby shower for my nephew’s wife. The cake was going to be spectacular, a three-ring circus with cookie animals perched on upside down cupcakes on top of three round cakes. The cookies were too heavy for the cake to support them. Basic disaster with a drop back and punt effort. Wound up with three round, rather boring cakes. At least they tasted good. Tiny person said to me, “guess the bear ate you that time.” Indeed. Some days you eat the bear; some days the bear eats you.

Mom talk

Things I shouldn’t have to say but did: Don’t drink Kool Aid with a Squinky in your mouth.

Today's thankful: Hot water that comes straight out of the pipes

Tubby time today had me being thankful for the hot water that magically comes out of the pipes when I turn the handle. If you have ever had to take a cold shower for reasons other than raging hormones, you know what I mean. Cold showers are nasty, and cold tubbies are an abomination. I am so glad we don’t have to heat our water on the woodstove to take a relaxing soak.

Today's thankful: Classic Christmas shows

As I sit here watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with Youngest, it occurs to me how very lucky we are to have this and the other classic Christmas shows to share with each other. Some of my favorite childhood memories center around watching Charlie Brown, Mr. Grinch and Rudolph with my family. My mom would get me out of the tub and jammied up, then make a ginormous bowl of popcorn and the family would watch the Christmas specials. Of course, this was in the days before TNT and TBS and we only got each show one time per season, but it is still good.

Today's thankful: My indoor job

There are a lot of times I don’t like my job much and wish it were an outside job. Days like that are usually in the late spring and early fall when the temp hovers around 75 degrees and there is a light breeze and lots of sun. On those days, I usually drag my laptop outside and work outside for a little while. Today was NOT one of those days. The wind chill was nine below and there is a pretty stiff wind. Today I am SO thankful that I work inside a heated building. The only thing better than working in the house today would be working from my nice warm bed. I haven’t figured out how to make that happen. Yet.

Today's thankful: Memory foam

Today’s thankful may seem a bit odd, but given that I had to sit and transcribe for an 8-hour shift today, both my rear end and I are thankful for memory foam. I have a seat cushion that is two pieces of memory foam with a pouch of gel sandwiched in the middle. It is a tiny bit of heaven for a tired tush after about four hours in the chair.

Today's thankful: Mittens

I guess today’s thankful can be gloves as well as mittens, but I really prefer mittens. There is something comforting to me about all of my fingers touching when it is cold outside. This afternoon I had to go out and scrape the snow off my car before I could take Middlest to her evening activities. I was pleasantly surprised to reach in my coat pockets and find a pair of warm, fuzzy mittens.

Today's thankful: House cats

As my kitty was head butting me and purring this morning, it occurred to me that I am extremely thankful for domesticated house cats. If you’re not a cat person, you won’t get it, but visiting a cat is different from living with one. Cats can be faithful companions, but they aren’t needy like dogs. I like dogs, too, but cats are my fave. I had one cat who used to walk out to the end of the driveway to meet the school bus each afternoon. Another of my cats was in every picture I took of the kids when they were small. He watched over them like a mother hen. When Eldest was a baby and started to cry in her bedroom, he would come get me and lead me to the bedroom to take care of her. My favorite thing about cats, though, has to be the fact that when they come up to you and offer affection, you know they really like you. It is a small thing, but I am thankful for my kitties, past and present.

Today's thankful: Chocolate

'nuf said.

Today's thankful: Ankles

It occurred to me today, as I was hastily walking to my car in the cold, that ankles are good. Through the course of my day, they help me walk, of course, but they also help me drive. Another part of my day involves medical transcription. Pushing the playback pedal would be most difficult without ankles. I am, therefore, very thankful for my ankles. I am also pleased that they are not cankles, but that is shallow and not at all what this thankful exercise is about. Still, I have to be me, so I am thankful that I have ankles and not cankles.