The Importance of a Good Pair of Shoes

I've been intending to let Shannon and Josh know that the gift they gave me some time ago ... which had, originally, looked as if it wouldn't work out ... has become a pretty important part of almost every workday for the last several months. I'm talking about a pair of shoes that they gave me (I think it might have been for Mother's Day last year, but it might have been my birthday last summer). At first, they hurt my foot where the leather rubbed on the ligament above the big toe. Perhaps it's because of the cushion of heavier winter socks -- perhaps it's because I let Shannon wear them a few times ... but they don't hurt anymore! And now they are the shoes that stay at work so I can wear them when I take off my winter boots. They're so comfortable it feels like I'm wearing slippers all day! Thank you so much!

I'm actually grateful, sometimes, for winter. Especially when the cold weather gives us a good excuse for warm, home-made food like oatmeal for breakfast (cranberry-orange with Lingonberry sauce, this morning) and soup for dinner (hearty root vegetables simmered in vegetable broth, seasoned with Penzey's spices, and thickened up with fat-free half-and-half). Mmmmm.

A quiet evening at home with my love, with a contented cat curled up beside me (and not butting me with his hard head!) ... who could ask for anything more?

Sunny, Cold, Cold, Cold Day

Today, I'm grateful I didn't have to go outside at all into the horribly low subzero weather. I'm grateful I submitted my proofreading edits for the summer camp brochure so we can get it out to the campers on time this year. I'm grateful for a warm and toasty house, even if it's because John opened the basement heat vents, which I thought was a bad idea, but I can be wrong sometimes, too.

I'm grateful for interactive games over wifi on the Wii, which allowed us to spend an hour playing Guitar Hero with Shannon and Josh who live 2 hours away. And for the opportunity to play some songs with John in the same room, as well! And for the fun of having Amy come home after her night class and join the band!

Here's my guitar hero:

Warm

The temperatures are plunging tonight, and our home is toasty warm.

School closings mean that the children won't have to be outside in the dangerous cold. I saw a number of children walking to and from school today, and I'm grateful they won't have to do it tomorrow!

Shannon called tonight, and it was fun hearing her talk about the week she and Josh spent babysitting ... and wondering how to avoid some behaviors when they have their own children some day.

Amy gratefully accepted the emergency kit I pulled together for her this evening to keep in her car: warm fleecy blanket, two sets of fleece hats and scarves, a pair of gloves and fleece mittens, warm socks, crackers, caramels, and water. Considering that she travels so far for evening classes, I feel better knowing she has this "just in case." I'm sure she won't ever need it, but it's good to have it in her car.

Overall, life is very, very good. [contented sigh]

New Year Gratitudes

New Year's Eve was extremely enjoyable this year! We celebrated at home, just the five of us: John, me, Amy, Shannon and Josh.

We had a special dinner that John and I cooked, including an unusual quesadilla, a winter fruit salad of bananas, oranges, and Trader Joes' Triple Ginger Snaps, plus a green salad. We were nervous about the quesadillas (:-)) but Shannon and Josh are so fun when it comes to adventurous foods ... and they truly enjoyed the surprising blend of flavors, as we did.

Later in the evening, we drank mulled cider that Josh brewed with spices he chose at Penzey's ... where we gave him a gift card. It was so much fun seeing his enthusiasm as he shopped for poppyseed, Hungarian paprika, whole vanilla beans, and more. (That was one "home run" we hit this year, in choosing the right gifts for people we love! Another for Josh -- with Shannon's help -- was the Body Back Buddy Classic, which Josh had mentioned to her as something that looked interesting. We ordered it in time for our belated Christmas here. He was surprised! And he loves it! Yea!)

Earlier in the day, we had enjoyed a little after-Christmas shopping.

We even tried out some of the Wii games we'd been debating whether to buy -- especially ones we can play together, remotely. We had fun with the Guitar Hero demo -- I don't know if I'm coordinated enough to play the drums or guitar, but I pretty much nailed the vocals ... and it's so much more fun when you find something you're good at! We hit another "home run" by buying Shannon the complete set of Planet Earth dvds, narrated by David Attenborough -- which she uses in her teaching. I can't remember seeing her more excited about a gift we've given her! It helps to have her along when we're doing the shopping!

We also intended to buy a new Wii "party pack" of games, and decided on Game Party 2 ... which Shannon and Josh then bought for US, for Christmas! While it's not the most unique or exciting, according to the reviews, it certainly was enough to keep us busy and happy until well past midnight!

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Today, I am abundantly grateful for:

1. A warm, dry, pleasant home to live in.

2. Enough of everything I need and most of what I want in life.

3. A good-hearted, warm, loving, caring, wonderful husband.

4. Two fabulous daughters, a perfect son-in-law, two great stepsons and their families -- all of whom I love dearly.

5. A full heart and a body that works pretty darned well, all things considered.


And I'm aware these are not in order of priority, either.

Thanksgiving with the H-G family circle

This contains every photo I took on Thanksgiving. Aren't they beautiful! It was a great day!

Thanksgiving with the H-G family

Make a slide show, scrapbook, or ecard

For accomplishments, challenges, travel, and gifts

It's been a long time since I've posted to my gratitude journal. Sometimes, the "speed of life" prohibits stopping long enough to share ... even though I am mindful of my gratitudes, most of the time, I don't always get a chance to point them out to others.

So, here ... from the last month:

I'm grateful for another year ... a birthday for me, and one for John, and another year of being married to this man I love so much. Another year with our loving, beautiful, talented, and dearly-cherished daughters, as well.








I'm grateful for my kitty (Mack) cooperating with my psychic messages begging him to continue eating, despite our extended absence on vacation and my subsequent travel for a work-related conference. He's doing just fine, although he does tend to insist on his special food treats, and has enjoyed sleeping for the last three nights smack-dab on my chest!



I'm grateful for a successful Summer Assembly, and for the presence of mind, for whatever reason, of not accepting more responsibility for next year than I already had. And for time to spend with people I care about, but see only once a year. For time to "just be me," and relax, if only for moments at a time.












I'm grateful for the opportunity to travel to a new place with an adventurous companion who led me to meet Lake Superior again, after almost 30 years; and with a delightful coworker I only get to see a few times a year.









I'm grateful for the artistic talents of people I don't even know, but have the good fortune to meet occasionally at street fairs and art fairs, and those I will never meet whose works have brightened my waiting hours at the Duluth airport.







I'm grateful for the magic (science that I don't understand) that allows planes to fly, and therefore allows me to see the earth as the living organism she really is, and us as an infinitesimal part of her enormous awe-inspiring "being."





I'm grateful for the opportunity to practice loving detachment as my youngest angel tries her wings, and I hope we have established strong enough "roots" for her to feel confident that we are here for her, whatever her path.





And I am grateful for family time, enjoying silly things and laughter together. Making memories is much more important, I believe, than being practical.

Mother's Day Weekend #2

How lucky I am! Last weekend was the official Mother's Day, which was wonderful for me ... AND this weekend, I'm having an extended celebration because my daughters are now here!

I'm grateful Amy made it back from San Antonio safely, and was able to spend some time with us since she's returned.

Dinner on Friday night with Amy, Shannon and Josh, and John was delightful -- the food and the company were the best!

Saturday was sunny and warm, perfect for our first visit of the season to the West Allis Farmer's Market. We now have dahlias in the one garden spot we're certain we won't be re-landscaping -- and we got them into the ground before the temperature dropped 30 degrees and the sun went into hiding. Brrrr....

Another delightful experience: quite a long chat with our dear friends and neighbors. Somehow, winter tends to be the season when we just wave to each other as we rush into the warm house, no matter how much we'd like to linger and visit. This is one of my favorite reasons for warmer weather!

Kitties are snoozing, pancakes are browning, and we get another few hours with Shannon and Josh before they head back home.

Life is good.