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.

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!

Technologies!

So, to be honest, without technology, my current job wouldn't even exist, and the University certainly wouldn't need me to help support instructors in their use of a complicated software application. I am grateful for technology for providing me a pretty good way to make a living. And I truly enjoy almost everything about my job and the people I work with.

But I'm also grateful for technologies because they are fun and useful and exciting.







Facebook lets me keep in touch with people that I would normally not have contact with, except on very rare occasions. Blogs let me express myself here, where I'm not sure anyone is reading ... but ... the important part is that I get to say what's on my mind and in my heart, with the tantalizing knowledge that, at the very least, I know a few people that I care about will wander into this space sometime and get a glimpse inside.

Our laptop allows me to sit comfortably and companionably on the living room sofa near my husband while the television presents its disturbing and/or amusing fare ... and I don't even have to pay attention, because I'm otherwise occupied!

Today, another kind of technology arrived at our door. Its design, I believe, originated in the 1950s, but ours is brand new. It looks "space aged," and it floats on air. I'm looking forward to using it!



Technology ... I guess that makes me some kind of geek, eh?

Oh! Did I mention the technology I'm grateful for that allows me to capture images of my world, my loved ones, and to learn more about myself in the process? Ah, yes ... I'm grateful for my camera and Flickr and Picasa, and ... yeah, all that. :-)

Good work, good food, good friend

Making progress on a couple of projects at work today -- and confirming that a "fix" for a problem that's been plaguing me for a week (and others for even longer!) actually works -- several things I'm grateful for today!

My tastebuds were pretty pleased today, and some of the things were even good for me! Breakfast of pineapple/raspberry/lemon yogurt oatmeal, lunch of eggplant with marinara sauce and cheese, and um ... Dove ice cream bites for dinner. Okay, two out of three ain't bad.

And, I got to have lunch with my friend Tanya -- a break in the middle of the day that gets me some sunshine, some nutrients, *and* some friendship, all at the same time.



Life is good.

Peace of Mind

Last night, I was honored to lead a group of wonderful women in an activity to celebrate the Winter Solstice ... over a month late, due to snow and ice in December. I am grateful to know each of the women in this group -- some of whom have been meeting periodically for about 14 years! For the time and space to give thanks for the increasing light that makes winter tolerable -- and for good food, good friends, and good conversation ... I am grateful.

Yesterday afternoon, I also had the opportunity to lead a group of young college students in a session to familiarize them with a technology I use everyday at work, and for which they play a key role in the support of students on our campus. There is an energy in interacting with these young people, and a playfulness that is infectious. For all of that, I am grateful.

My friend Rosemary and I had a lovely time in Kohler on Monday. I saw so many interesting things we could do to our house (if we had the time, energy, money, and patience). I know it sounds silly, and I know I'll never spend almost $4k for one like it, but it makes me feel good to know that someone in the world has invented a toilet that has clean lines like this, and would be so easy to keep clean, too.



I'm grateful to be surrounded by beauty everywhere I look.

And, finally, today, I am grateful for the quiet, calm, casual, comfortable, fairly boring life I am blessed to lead. I'm grateful, too, for the peace of mind of having made a decision about whether to disrupt that peaceful lifestyle ... it's a relief just not to be waffling back and forth anymore, wondering whether this or that is "THE right thing" to do. (http://holdingthequestion.blogspot.com/2009/01/holding-our-ground.html)

Just the two of us

I'm grateful for a quiet evening, just the two of us.



And for a smidgen of time with Amy as she rushed between work and dog and school ... and made important decisions about her future. And for breathing room when I get overwhelmed. And for a job that makes sense to me.

And for a good haircut.

(And for the hope that I can style it tomorrow as well as Tanyana did tonight!)

I love you!

I love you!
Originally uploaded by shrnmc

For which I am constantly grateful!

Christmas is sorted and packed, and if I remember what I did today, should be much more inviting to UNpack next year ... instead of a job filled with trepidation and near-dread. I'm looking forward to setting up the tree we bought and actually trimming it with the ornaments we decided today to keep because they were beautiful, or meaningful, or both.

Jobs - back to it tomorrow, with the mindful, active, conscious thought that we are fortunate to have them to return to.

Wonderful holiday memories - good times with those I love most in all the world, and warm greetings exchanged with others I love who are farther away.

Movement - staying home is restful, but restful isn't what the body needs 24/7/365. Time to move!

Clean sheets - when the mind goes blank because contentedness sets in, I fall back on the pleasures that are simple and that I otherwise tend to take for granted.

Just before midnight

Ah, just before midnight ... a long, full day it's been. Today, I'm extremely grateful for (in no particular order) ...

1. Connecting with my dear friend, seeing her work spaces, and enjoying the spectacular stained glass at Olympia Brown church in Racine ... I should have had my camera!

2. Finally finishing several tasks, from shopping for particular items to wrapping gifts for tomorrow night, to clearing (once again) the guest room for my favorite overnighters. :-)

3. Knowing that tomorrow I get to see another dear friend for the first time in a long long time ... not sure where or when, but all will fall into place.

4. Adventures in cooking that turn out well, and a life partner willing to venture out of the ordinary with me. This is what we had for dinner tonight ... try it! You'll be surprised at how the flavors blend! http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/print/index.php?r=1329

5. The sump pumps continue to switch on, dump water outside, and turn off again ... all on a very slow cycle, which means things are working ... and there is still no flooding in our basement, which means I can relax and be grateful.

Contented sigh ....

Sunny Day

1. The 3.5" of snow that fell earlier in the week is almost totally gone, and the grass is so green!

2. The overly-blue fountain at UWM was already running today. The water is the color of a swimming pool, but it sounded so cheerful and was beautiful in the sun.

3. John and I went to lunch at Sala de Pranzo ... good minestrone, good pasta, good company.

4. I'm so relieved that Mack is better, and eating, and drinking ... I can't stop smiling.

5. Productive days at work!

6. Lots of good things in abundance in my life! Food, cuddly kitties, loving friends and family, wonderful spouse, comfort, and gratitude.