Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving

Well, as we can all see, I've done terribly with my self imposed 30 days of thanks challenge.  Oh well, I haven't done very well in general with the whole blogging thing this year.  There are lots of reasons for it, but mostly just excuses.

But, today is Thanksgiving here in the US.  And boy do I have a lot to be thankful for on this day.  Lots of things both big and small.

I'm thankful for the obvious things, that I have a roof over my head, that I can afford to feed my family and clothe us and still have a bit extra for fun things like hobbies.  I'm thankful that I have such a wonderful family.

But, I'm also thankful for the small things.  I'm thankful that my turkey and all the other dishes I made today turned out so well and were enjoyed by everyone.  I'm thankful that my mom and dad decided to have a Thanksgiving just with them and enjoyed it.  I'm thankful that I have so many wonderful friends who are family to me and that we could enjoy the day together.

I'm thankful that Steph's mom is doing better.  (Long story short, Steph is in Florida right now because her mom went to the hospital with what started out as pneumonia and quickly deteriorated to all kinds of diabetes affected problems as well, including being put on a vent... she's now off the vent and should be released from the ICU back to a regular room soon.)  I'm thankful in general for the continued good health of my family and friends.  Sure, we all have our issues (some of us more than others these days) but in general we're all fairly healthy.

In general, I'm just very thankful for the life I have.  I have so much more than so many people in the world.  I take it all for granted way too often and my complaints really are minor compared to some.  Sure, my life's been a bit rough this year, but overall, it's been good.

So, I wish everyone peace and may you have many things in your life to be thankful for.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Dinner

Tonight I'm thankful I had a little overtime in my check.  I'm thankful that I had a few hours of overtime so that I could take my wonderful husband out to a very nice (or at least a nicer and much more expensive than our usual) dinner for my birthday.

Yes, yes, my birthday isn't until Friday.  But, I'm not trying to go out to dinner on Black Friday, or any day that weekend.  Nope, gonna stay close to home next weekend.

That, and I had babysitters this weekend.

Anyhow, since it was my birthday it was totally my choice in restaurant. After going back and forth a bit, I decided that I really wanted to take Gak to the Melting Pot.  I mean, Amanda, Joan, Jenn and I had such a great time at the one in AC back in September.  Instead of just having a meal and then looking at each other and going "now what" an hour later, going to the Melting Pot or somewhere like it turns the meal into an event.  Sure, I spent a good bit more than dinner and a movie (there are no movies playing this weekend that I really want to see...).  I spent more than double our normal nice evening out.  But, you know what?  It's my birthday, we don't go out to anything remotely "nice" very often, especially since Boo was born and like I said, I had a little bit of overtime in this check.  We totally enjoyed ourselves, had a bit of fun and a good evening over all.  I'm just glad I got to spend at least 4 hours of uninterrupted awake time with my wonderful husband without having to chase a boy.

But, I'm exhausted now and my bed is calling to me.  I'm hoping a boy-o sleeps in tomorrow.  (Yeah, I know, wishful thinking... he did just now go to bed though... so... awww... who am I kidding??)

Peace to all and may you be able to splurge on yourself now and again, and even better, splurge with someone you love.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Dad

Today I'm thankful for my dad.  I'm thankful that I've had another year with him around and in my life.  Yep, today is his birthday.

Yes, his health has deteriorated a lot this year.  Yes, his Alzheimer's is really taking its toll lately.  He's had some really bad days, but then he'll have a string of better days.  It's up and down back and forth, but generally in a downward slide.  Some days when we go over to see them it just breaks my heart having the same conversation three or four times in a row.  But, then I see him with Boo and how well they get along and truly enjoy being with each other and my heart melts a little and I will keep those memories forever.
His nerve pain is better some days and worse others.  When he's in pain, those are the days that are hardest on his memory.  When his pain meds are working and he's having a good day, he's having a good day.
But, just like with the memory issues, the pain issues are probably on a downward slide as well.

I'm thankful for everything he's ever done for me.  And I'm thankful that my son loves his PopPop as much as he does.  And most of all, I'm thankful that he's been here for another year.  I love him so very much.

Peace to all and may you have as much time as you can with the people you love.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Help

Well, I guess I should come up with two things I'm thankful for today, since I didn't get a post in yesterday.

Well, yesterday is easy!  I'm super thankful for the other leaders and moms who help out with my troop.  Without them and their support, I'd be sunk.  Especially since we're up to 22 registered girls!  Last night was a good night.  Kathy, Scott and the American Legion riders are doing a run to a local Vet's hospital to visit vets staying there over the holidays on the 24th.  They're taking donations of clothes and toiletries and coats and the like.  So, I had my girls make cards to send along as well as making some nice, warm, no-sew fleece scarves.  They really weren't anything difficult or extraordinary (other than the fact that we were actually making them) but the compliments I got from the two leaders helping about them and how creative I am and how fun everything we do is, really kinda floored me.  Trust me, some of the things we've done have been so last minute it hasn't even been funny.  (Thankfully I have an extra week to come up with what I'm doing for the next part of our "Breathe" Journey... I'm so not liking this whole journey thing...)

For today, I think I'm going to have to be a little selfish.  Well, maybe that's not the right word, but it'll work.

Anyhow, if you remember back to two years ago in June, I posted a piece about some things I'd been working on, including a very special blanket and shawl for two very special people.  I also included the note that went with the gifts.  And you may remember that I posted about Ron's passing as well.  I had shared the letter I sent to Ron and his wife Beverly (whom I've become friendly with over the last two years) with another friend from work.  To make  a long, and probably confusing to anyone but me, story a bit shorter, this friend, Debbie is fighting esophageal cancer.  She fought it off just about 3 years ago.  But, it's back.  And there is nothing they can do to stop it or fix it.  But that's not what this is about.
No, this is about how people sharing their thoughts can tie people together.  This is about how Debbie took the heart of what I wrote to Ron and Beverly as well as thoughts from others she has talked with about prayer shawls and the like and created her own thing of beauty.  She was asked to talk to her church about why she became a member there and why she stays a member there.  The heart of it all boils down to that she realizes she sees that, and feels like, her church is one giant prayer shawl.  That all the people are the individual stitches and that while sometimes it may be a bit messy up close and personal, on the whole it is a beautiful and comforting thing that is stronger than it's parts.  She was so worried about using what I said word for word.  I told her not to worry about it.  If my words could help her say what she felt in her heart, than it was I who was honored and privileged to have given her what she needed.
She sent me a copy of what she'd written (even though she ended up saying it a bit differently at the time) for her congregation.  It was beautiful and made me cry.  And again, it made me thankful that I could put the words together that she (and Beverly and Ron, they wrote me a note telling me so) needed to hear.  I'm thankful that every now and again I get it right.  I'm thankful that I can share what is in my heart and that it can be heard by people who need it and understand it.

So, yes, today I'm a little bit selfish.  Today I'm thankful that I could find the words that were needed.

Peace to all and may you both have the help you need, and be able to give the help that's needed.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Mom

Today I am thankful for my mom.  Yes, I know I've said it before and I'll say it again.  My mom rocks.

Sure, it's pretty awesome that she watches the boy-o just about every Monday saving me around $120 a month, but that's just a little thing in the grand scheme of things.

No, my mom is awesome because she's so creative.  And she loves to be creative and do fun things with Boo.  Just like she loved doing fun and creative things with Jon and I while we were growing up.  I'm so thankful that she so willingly shares her time, love and creativity with my boy-o.  They're both better off for it.  I know my boy loves his Amma and is always happy when we have a project for them to do.

And I know Amma loves to do these things with her boy and share the smiles and the giggles.

And me, I get the best of it all.  I get the smiles of _both_ my mom _and_ my son.  You really can't beat that.

So, Mom, I'm so very thankful that you're my mom and that you have such a great relationship with my husband and my son and that you love spending time with us.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Warmth

Today I am thankful for randomly warm Sundays in November.  The weather today was just plain beautiful.

And now my mind isn't working and not getting thoughts to come together into something that I can actually type.

Anyhow, today was a great day.  The morning went well and we got some chores done.  Boo, of course, asked three or four times to see PopPop.  So, I called Amma.  Since PopPop was having a good day, Boo and I headed down.  We hung out at the house for a little bit and had a little lunch.  (And Amma shared some awesome pumpkin pie ice cream from Trader Joe's.  It's such a good thing that there isn't a Trader Joe's convenient to the apartment... that's not something I want to drive 40 or 45 minutes home with...)

After lunch we went for a little walk at the park near the house and had some playground time.  Then we went to Target for a little shopping and then to Wegman's right next door.  I like shopping at Wegman's.  Again, I wish there was one closer.  They've got some great house brand stuff and both high end and bargain stuff.

Anyhow, it was very nice to be able to go outside in the sun and play without jackets.  I know the weather isn't going to last, so I made sure to enjoy it today.

Friday, November 09, 2012

Lunch

Today I'm thankful for Fridays?  Yeah, I know.  It's lame.  I really haven't a clue.  I'm pretty tired and just realized I haven't posted anything today.
I am glad that today is a Friday.  It's been a long and only slightly productive week.  I'm soooo looking forward to Thanksgiving week and when I have off.  I really, really need the time away from the office.  I just am having a hard time these days.  I'm sure it's about 50% just mental.  But, I still am not feeling totally up to par and have been fighting the cold exhaustion again.  So over it.

Anyhow, today was one of the Fridays where the people I go out to lunch with were in the office.  So, there were 6 of us who all headed out to lunch today.  Two of us have birthdays in November, so one of our number decided it was her treat for the two of us.  Quite nice.  She really didn't have to do that, but I appreciate it.  I really enjoy the Fridays we go out to lunch.  But, they're just really hard to get work done.  I just can't seem to focus.  It's really aggravating.

Anyhow, I'm rambling, not making much sense and I'm heading to bed.

Peace and may you have someone to go to lunch with now and again.

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Weather

Today I'm thankful that the storm we were supposed to get hit with didn't hit us that hard.  It is freaking cold and really windy, but we didn't get much rain and barely a dusting of snow.  It could have been much, much worse.  (I really just wish this wind would die down, it wouldn't be half as cold feeling if the wind would just calm down.

Having said that though, I actually wish the storm had hit further inland.  As is, New Jersey and New York got pounded again.  And believe me, they really, really, really, didn't need that.  There were still so very many people without power and these cold, bitter winds aren't helping anyone.  My friend at work who lives in Jersey, has the National Guard on either her or her cousin's street (I'm not sure which she said...).

So, while I'm so very thankful that we didn't get much weather yesterday, I'm really feeling for our neighbors who have.  I really don't have much more to say than that.

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Votes and Help

I have two very different things that I'm thankful for today.

First, the obvious one.  I'm thankful that I get the chance to voice my opinion through my vote every four years to elect our President.  Does my candidate always win?  Nope.  Do I voice my opinion?  Yep.  I'm not holing my breath on this one being over tomorrow.  There's just too much bitterness and divisiveness in the country right now that this won't go down without a legal battle or three.

But, on the smaller, closer to home front, I am so very thankful for my co-leaders and the other parents who help out with my girls.  Tonight we had our "make up" Halloween party that got crashed by Sandy last week.  From what I can tell, everyone had fun.  There were only a few minor misadventures along the way (like not being able to get either oven to light, but plan "B" worked).  I had three people keeping the girls busy with crafty stuff and Kat and I tried to get the girls through the kitchen and cooking as quick as we could.  We still ran extra late tonight.  I feel kinda bad about it.  We had two new girls, and the one mom made me feel like I was totally incompetent because the girls were running amuck like they always do at the beginning of the meeting.  Hey, I'm not a very formal (or really all that strict) leader.  This isn't school.  They don't have to sit in desks and be quiet and study and listen to lectures.  Sure, we may have someone in to talk to us now and again.  We may try and do organized activities.  But, the adventures we have going places, learning things and exploring is what this is all about.  The badges and awards we can earn along the way are the icing on the cake.  And from what I've seen and heard from a some of the girls coming to me from other troops, there are leaders out there who give Mrs. Tanenbaum, my 4th grade Language Arts teacher a run for her money in the strict and overbearing department.  (Sorry Mom and Jon, didn't mean to bring up bad memories of a horrible teacher...)

Anyhow, back to being thankful.  Without all the other women there tonight it would have been a royal disaster.  It was one thing for me and one other adult to run a meeting when there were only four or five girls at any meeting.  But tonight, I think we had 19.  And with two new girls who couldn't come this week, a Rachel who is mostly inactive and one girl who I'm just not sure if she's joining or not, I think we're up to 21 or 22 all told.  Yep, lots and lots of girls.  I really couldn't do this without the other women (and the dads who help out too!).

So, I'm thankful for my voice (even if it doesn't always seem like it's heard) in government, but closer to home, I'm very, very thankful for all the wonderful women helping me heard cats, er, lead our girls on these awesome adventures.

Peace to all and may you have all the help, and more, that you need, and a voice to use.

Monday, November 05, 2012

Yarn

What am I thankful for today?  Well, I know what I'm going to be thankful for tomorrow, but I really want to use it tomorrow, not today.... it's really appropriate for tomorrow.

So, what shall I be thankful for today?

I think I'll be thankful for yarn.  And for people who like to play with yarn.  And the fact that there are great people out there who like to play with yarn and like to talk to me, even if it's only online.

I've made lots of projects lately and I've made a few neat friends purely by chance on Google+.  I'm still not sure exactly how I ended up meeting most of them.  But, I'm really glad I have.

I don't really have much more to say tonight other than the fact that I hope the weather doesn't do what they think it's going to be as bad as they say it might be later this week...

Anyhow, I'm tired, cold and want to play with my yarn.

Peace to all and may you find people you can connect with.

Sunday, November 04, 2012

Low-Key

I'm having a hard time coming up with something to be thankful for.  It's not that life isn't good today, it's that we really didn't do much.

We all managed to sleep in, somewhat, even with the stupid time change.  Breakfast was uneventful.  I managed to come up with a decent grocery list and dinner menus for the week.  We even managed to run to Target, decide to skip the grocery store (the lot was packed and I just didn't feel like dealing) and had a nice lunch at the pizza place around the corner.  Boo even napped without any hassle.  I managed to spend some quality Rift time with Gak while the boy slept and was able to answer a simple question that came through the beeper phone.

So, I guess in general I'm thankful for quiet weekend days.  It was a nice day to just relax with the family.

On a side note, the weather is getting colder.  And I hope like crazy that I stop feeling so freaking cold all the time.  This really is beginning to stink big time.  The thermostat is set at what I normally consider a comfortable level.  I am comfortable most of the time, but when I'm not, boy am I not comfortable.  I sit here in my chair huddling and shivering in my sweatshirt...  And I know it's just me.  When I take a nice long, hot shower and finally feel warm in the inside, my skin is warm and I'm sweating.  Don't get me started about feeling both stinking hot and freezing cold at the same time at night.  I'm surprised Gak hasn't kicked me out of bed yet.  So, I keep taking the vitamins and keep trying to figure out why I'm just not feeling like myself.
Sorry, had to rant a moment.

Anyhow, I'm off to play with yarn or read for a bit before crashing.

Peace to all and may you have a relaxing day now and again.

Saturday, November 03, 2012

Friends

I know it's early in the month to be pulling this one out, but today I've got to.  Today I am thankful for friends.

I'm thankful for the friends who have kids and tell me "it's OK, this is normal" when Boo has a button pushing day (like today)...
Long story hopefully short, bumper league finally started today because another little boy wanted to bowl.  Well.... despite being very interested and asking me every week (until a week or so ago) about bowling, when it finally came time to actually bowl today, we melted down.  It boiled down to me telling him we're here to bowl not just hang with the cousins and if he wasn't going to bowl we were going to go home... so... we disappointed another little boy (who did bowl) and we went home to Boo crying and whining about being hungry and tired.  So, I made him a second bowl of cereal and after that he lay down for about an hour or so.  He never did nap.  He only partially stopped pushing buttons.
I was so hoping that bowling wouldn't become the debacle that soccer did this spring/summer because he is very familiar with the place and the people and it was something he knows how to do, likes doing and asked to do.  Well, as soon as it became a "had to" instead of a "can I?" thing, he wanted nothing to do with it. So, yeah, already grumpy and frustrated with him and then he's been good at pushing buttons the rest of the day. And so, of course I'm even more worried than I was about Kindergarten next fall.  I just don't want to tackle that ball of wax right now.

But, I'm also thankful for friends who help each other out.  Scott had several trees come down in the storm.  So, Kat, Steph, Steve, Shelby, Randy, Chris and Dianne were all over helping him cut up trees and haul them to the front and all kinds of good things like that.  Since I was already making chili today because it's great weather for it and I promised Gak, I offered to bring it over for everyone.  Everyone was very thankful that I did, especially since Scott still doesn't have power.  Scott was very thankful for everyone's help today, and I believe people are going to gather again tomorrow to help with more cleanup.

But now, I am cold and tired and am dealing with a boy who never did actually nap today and is being a combination of whiny and good at pushing buttons... thankfully it's almost bath time for a boy.  (Although, I want to keep him up late tonight because, joy, it's the end of daylight savings time...)

So, I'm off to run a bath for a boy, maybe camp him out in front of a movie for a bit and then try and enjoy my evening....

Peace to all and my no one be pushing your buttons but you have friends to lend a hand if they are.

Friday, November 02, 2012

Electricity

Tonight I am thankful for electricity.  Yes, this is a continuation of yesterday for the most part, but today electricity is important and I'm thankful for it.

No, it's not because I live a very "connected" life and seem to have an electronic device (or several...) within arms reach at all times, but for other reasons.  I'm very thankful that we only lost power for less than a day.  But, what I'm really thankful for is the fact that the power is finally back on at Gak's work.  This means that he gets to go back to work tomorrow.

Normally Gak's not very happy about working every Saturday.  But, after being home all week, climbing the walls, he's more than happy to go back to work.  Not just for the fact that he gets out of the house with something to do, but because without going to work this week, his next paycheck will be half of what it usually is.

Several of my friends are still without power, and that stinks.  I know for a fact some of them won't get it back until Sunday, or maybe even Monday at this rate.  That really stinks.  But, we make do and I've let everyone I know who is still without power they are more than welcome to come over and charge phones or  take a hot shower or grab some hot food.

Peace to all and may you have the power you need, when you need it.

Thursday, November 01, 2012

November

Well, it's November again.  How did that happen?  I haven't a clue.

All I do know is that I have a lot to be thankful for this year, and especially this week.

I'm thankful that my boy is growing and healthy.  And boy is he growing!  He's just shy of 40 pounds fully dressed.  So, that means he's big enough that we removed the harness from his booster seat and he just "goes click!" now.  Yep, his booster is really just a high-backed belt positioner.  We did that last week.

But, what I'm most thankful for is the fact that we survived the hurricane with as little damage as we did.  We lost power from almost 9:00 Monday night until about 2:00 Tuesday afternoon.  I have friends that are still without power and it is Thursday night.  Some may not get it back before Sunday.

It was an interesting few days of the storm.  The week after has been even more interesting.  Gak's been out of work since he closed on Saturday as the store doesn't have power.  Thankfully, he will be back at work, unfortunately, no work equals no pay.  I'm thankful that I was able to work from home Monday and I was able to make it in to work for a few hours Tuesday to finish up a few things that had to get done by the end of the day.  (Thanks EPA for not extending the reporting deadline for the storm...)

Anyhow, I'm going to attempt to post daily in November.  I'm going to attempt to find something I'm thankful for every day, even if I have to look very, very hard.

Anyhow, I've got a few things I want to do before bed, so I'm going to wrap it up here.