Happy New Year 2019

Gratitude hasn't disappeared from my life these past years, but blogging about it had. New year, new start? We'll see!

I read a TED article about making new year's resolutions more successful by changing just one word -- from saying I NEED to do something (with implied external locus of control) to I WANT to do something. Now, of course, just changing a word doesn't work if I don't also change my mind and my emotions about the desired action or desired outcome. But it's worth a try, and I'm grateful for the new way of looking at resolutions.

I'm especially grateful this year that we had a long visit with Shannon, Josh, and Calvin. Thanks to  Shannon, we have had frequent video calls with Calvin during the year, and thanks to both Josh and Shannon for allowing us to make several visits to their home in Tennessee; all this helped us eliminate the "getting to know who you are all over again" time that is often necessary with toddlers. Delightful visit!

I'm also very very grateful for the time we spend all year with our grandchildren who live in town. Weekly dinners have sometimes needed to be cancelled, but seeing them regularly is one of my continuing joys, as is the great relationship with Amy that has us on the phone or texting a few times a week in addition to the weekly dinner visit. My cup runneth over!

The new year is a great time to give thanks for "givens" in my life that are anything but "given." My sweet, loving, funny, hard-working husband. The house and yard that are our home territory, and that he maintains so diligently. The finances that he manages, which enables us to live comfortably. The tiny RV that enables us to travel on our own schedule and in our own space. And so much more that I am conscious of every single day, but that could be taken for granted.

Finally, I'm grateful for the health both John and I enjoy. It's easy to lose sight of, when common colds and challenges, as well as lethargy kick in -- but overall BOTH of us are pretty darned lucky that nothing major is wrong with these decades-old bodies, and we're still able to participate in an active lifestyle, even if we frequently choose not to.

New Year's Resolutions:

• I want to feel better physically, and build both strength and flexibility, as well as balance and endurance.
• I want to use my time more consciously to accomplish goals and learn / improve hobbies and skills, in balance with the leisurely "doing nothing in particular" that we often enjoy.
• I want to be more connected to our community.
• I want to be more connected to extended family.

kids from wisconsin

kids from wisconsin, a photo by shrnmc on Flickr.

spring

spring, a photo by shrnmc on Flickr.

New point of view

Five things. Every day. Forever. I can do this.

1. 750words.com, because without it, it's unlikely I would have committed to writing 5 things I'm grateful for, every day, for the next 39+ years ... and I wouldn't have spent time tonight "interviewing" (in writing and in my mind) my 95-year-old self. There is so much wisdom there, and more to come!

2. John ... always. One of the most constant "gratitudes" in my life. I don't know where, who, or what I would be without him!

3. Shannon and Amy ... their existence has challenged me to grow in ways I didn't know were possible, and I look forward to a long loving journey with them, as well.

4. Mason and Jayla ... joy, joy, joy. Challenges and opportunities, love and hugs, and someone to take my hand and look at me with those engaging eyes and say, "Grandma ... RUN!" :-)

5. Me. Didn't expect that one. Pretty grateful that I'm turning out to be someone I'm glad to have in my life! :)

After dinner

Carrots all over his face, feet as dirty as they've ever been in his life, he's still the most handsome baby boy I've ever seen, and such a joy to have in our lives!

Grateful for young people with enthusiasm, talent, and open hearts

When Amy was in high school, she attended youth conferences with young people from around the midwest. A few of those young people were musicians willing to bare their feelings and thoughts through the poetry and melody of original songs. My favorite was "Boys are Dumb," which is just so raw with vulnerability it makes my heart ache and smile at the same time.

Two of those young people have continued their musical journey, and are now known (with others) as Cobalt and the Hired Guns. I haven't seen them in person yet, although they've played in Milwaukee ... it's usually past my bedtime!

So I'm grateful I just received an invitation to download two new studio-recorded songs to listen to in the comfort of my own home, in the middle of the day.

They remind me of early John Mayer. They make me smile.

If you like youth, poetry about everyday things and relationships, and the enthusiasm of young people who really want to make a living at what they love, please give them a listen. There are other songs available to hear on their site, as well ... but sadly, not my favorite. I'll have to see if Amy still has the CD ....

Enjoy:

http://www.cobaltandthehiredguns.com/freedownload.html

Grateful for vicarious enjoyment of friends' travels

People I know are traveling this week, to places I will never see, except in the photos they have shared. I'm grateful they are being well cared for, that they are having a wonderful time, and that I can enjoy the images they are sharing with me. Hooray for technology!

News story (with photos) about the sandstorm that hit Riyadh just before they got there

The hotel in Riyadh where they are staying

Travelogue: Chicago to Amsterdam to Rotterdam, to Paris

John works hard to keep the rain out of our house.

John works hard to keep the rain out of our house.
Originally uploaded by shrnmc

Truly grateful.

I've said it before ... and it's still true: there is so much to be grateful for in my life that it almost seems UNgrateful to single out this and that. But in an effort to just keep myself mindful of the big and small wonders I am consistently blessed with ... I'll keep on.

Today, John and I took comforters to a laundromat near work, so I'm grateful such places exist, with machines large enough to take care of our needs in only an hour and a half.




I'm truly enjoying the nuggets of sunshine encapsulated in Clementine oranges and sugar snap peas -- especially in the middle of winter!



Work has been very busy -- and I'm grateful for feeling as if what I do makes a difference.

I so very grateful for the way that John takes care of our finances. It's an ongoing project that is a constant challenge, which he handles with enthusiasm and (I'm ashamed to admit) with little or no assistance from moi.



This is only one of the many reasons I am also most grateful for John in my life.

Watching "Snow White" after the tea party

Watching "Snow White" after the tea party
Originally uploaded by shrnmc

After 5s have had too much fun and worked really hard, it's nice to relax with a movie. Grandparents need the rest, as well! I'm grateful when 5s know their limits and take rest time when they need it.

Clean up

Clean up
Originally uploaded by shrnmc

With 5s, even the work is play!

John and I had a Tea Party with the 5-year-olds

Tea Party with 5-year-olds
Originally uploaded by shrnmc

I'm grateful for the opportunity to play with 5s once in a while. This was our belated celebration for Makenzie's birthday -- using her new tea set.

Icy Streets

I'm grateful that the damage seems, at first glance, to be minor. I'm grateful Amy had the presence of mind to stop the other driver from leaving the scene and collect his vital information, and a commitment to split the cost of repairs. I'm grateful no one was hurt. And I'm grateful that the wave of fear, sadness, and queasy stomach (mine) has passed.

Happy Birthday, Amy!

I am grateful have this beautiful, talented, amazing woman in my life. She certainly keeps me on my toes!

Good morning, birthday girl!



Between work and school, we celebrated with her favorite: ice cream cake.

Amy enjoying her birthday dessertS

Amy enjoying her birthday dessertS
Originally uploaded by shrnmc

Happy birthday, Amy!

Romantic Dinner

Some of my favorite things today ... working from home and a romantic dinner with my guy.

I'm grateful that I have a job where it's possible to work from home occasionally. Today, this was my office:



Being able to make lunch in my own kitchen, from my own healthy ingredients, was pretty sweet, as well:



And finally, a lovely dinner beside the fireplace in a wonderful restaurant with my fabulous husband.

Taking note

I accomplished a LOT today at work, and was honest and forthright about what I needed to get it accomplished, despite a persistent headache and stuffy head.



It's cold enough outside again (we lost 20 degrees or so in the last few days) that I am reminded how fortunate I am to live in an age of central heating, synthetic fleece, and means of transportation that are warm, quick, and comfortable.

Tomorrow I get to work from home, and the best part of that is not having to share restroom facilities with 10,000 college students. Well, that, and the fact that I get to dress in fleece from top to toe, and be cozy in my own home. And get paid for it. Yes. Life is good.

Yesterday, the Chancellor's message was encouraging: not likely to lose our jobs, expect to pay more for retirement and health insurance, and we won't get any raises for the 2009-2011 biennium. But, with any luck, we'll still be employed and that's definitely more than many others can expect.

I'm very happy, together with John. :-)

I'm grateful that my visual mindfulness journal, currently focused almost exclusively on food choice -- but soon to be expanded to other areas of my existence -- is doing good things for me. I'm remembering my vitamins and other supplements more often, I'm able to see at a glance where I need to adjust my food choices, and I'm also able to give myself some much-needed pats on the back! Mindfulness rocks! Now I have to get moving, too. All things in good time.

I'm grateful for the job that made today fly by, and keeps my docket full of important work.

I'm grateful for the wonderful man I married, who fills my life with love and caring and comfort and companionship and ... so much more.

I'm grateful for two daughters who are healthy and stretching themselves to reach their goals -- each on her own path, each outstandingly wonderful in her own ways.

It really seems ungrateful to narrow my focus on a few of the wonderful people and things in my life ... I'm grateful for so much!

Catching up on Gratitudes

Last week, Shannon told us about a series of things that have happened to her. I'm grateful that all of them left her just a little shaken, just a little irritated, and with just a little less in her savings account set aside specifically for car maintenance. The car accident that happened right in front of her, the trials and tribulations of teaching college students, and the flat tire that resulted in purchase of 4 new tires -- all manageable. This is good.

Come to think of it, I have some deep gratitude for things in Amy's life, as well: a boyfriend that appreciated the hand-made deeply-thoughtful gift she gave him; whatever made her look up from her phone in time to run from the SUV that was flying through the air toward her and landed where she could reach out and touch it, but left her without even a piece of broken glass touching her; continued safety on each trip to Kenosha and Racine and Brookfield and everywhere she goes; a friendly home to take care of her dog while she finishes school. These, too, are good.



And the fact that they both love me. And John loves me.



Life is good.

A Little Sadness

I stopped at the local bookseller's on the way home tonight. I didn't buy anything because I was shopping for Valentine's Day, and not for myself. I expected a rack of beautiful, unusual Valentine's cards ... there were none. Or, at least, none *I* could find. I wonder whether it is because they are going out of business at the end of March. No sense getting stock in, under those circumstances, I guess.

You're wondering, I suppose, why I'm writing this here, in my gratitude journal. It's because I'm grateful for the presence the local bookseller has been in our city all these years. I'm grateful that when my children were small, I could take them to see the larger-than-life diorama of Goodnight Moon's "great green room," which surprised and delighted me decades ago when I first encountered it at their old location, and has always brought a smile to my face when I see it.

I told the man behind the counter in the children's section, "I have a question," and realized I was teary. "I have a question," I started again, "but I'm afraid I might cry ..."

"March thirty-first," he said quickly.

"Thank you. But that's not my question." Again, I was surprised by the emotion I was feeling. "I'm wondering what will happen to the Great Green Room." I had to wipe a tear when he told me they didn't know -- they were trying to find someplace for it, but it would cost a fortune to move, and it's very fragile.

I didn't even take a picture of it today. I will another day. And I've had an idea that maybe, someday very soon, I will make a video of the Great Green Room, and recite the words to the beloved bedtime story. Maybe my future grandchildren would like that, someday. But it won't be the same as standing just inside the threshold and seeing for themselves the telephone, and the red balloon, and the picture of ... the man in the moon ... and the three little bears sitting on chairs, and the comb and the brush, and the bowl full of mush, and the little old lady whispering "hush." Goodnight moon. Good-bye, room.