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Thursday, November 20th, 2008
Things I am thankful for.....
Ok - so it has been a really crappy week around here, Boz going back to nights, I have been sick all week, issues with people I work with. I think I need to sit back and look at the positives. I think maybe a list of things to be thankful for will put my life back in perspective.
1. Jobs - Boz and I both have stable, steady jobs that are unlikely to be affected by the economy other then lack of increases in pay in the near future. But we are lucky - at least we have jobs when so many don't and tons of others face uncertain futures with our economy.
2. Health - sure, I may be sick at the moment - but it is just sinus issues and a cold - nothing major and there are alot of people dealing with some major stuff at the moment - physically and mentally. My kids are relatively healthy and happy.
3. Holidays - a wonderful time of year. I need to focus more on my reason for the season. I know not everyone is religious and that the holiday season has really really been commercialized. This year is the year to move away from that and focus more on enjoying the company of friends and family rather then the gift giving and receiving.
4. Friends - while I don't have a large group of close friends - the core group of my friends would give you their last dollar if you needed it. These are the friends that are always there for me no matter what I need and I am very very lucky to have them.
5. Boz - yup - he may get on my nerves at times (just like I get on his) but it really doesn't get better than this. We dated when we were teenagers - went our seperate ways - led very different lives. But we found each other again and I have never been happier or more in love. He really does take care of me - maybe not always in the way I want - but he loves me "with all his heart and soul" and "forever and a day". Not everyone gets this - or gets a second chance at this.
6. My parents - bless them - they do and do and do for me and the girls. They pick up the older ones from school - get them where they needs to be for activities when I am working. They are always there for sick days if I just "have" to be at work. I don't know how I would do it without them. My life is hectic and they help to destress it a bit.
I am sure I will add to this as I think of things during the day.
As we enter the holiday season though - what are you thankful for?
Things I am thankful for.....
Ok - so it has been a really crappy week around here, Boz going back to nights, I have been sick all week, issues with people I work with. I think I need to sit back and look at the positives. I think maybe a list of things to be thankful for will put my life back in perspective.
1. Jobs - Boz and I both have stable, steady jobs that are unlikely to be affected by the economy other then lack of increases in pay in the near future. But we are lucky - at least we have jobs when so many don't and tons of others face uncertain futures with our economy.
2. Health - sure, I may be sick at the moment - but it is just sinus issues and a cold - nothing major and there are alot of people dealing with some major stuff at the moment - physically and mentally. My kids are relatively healthy and happy.
3. Holidays - a wonderful time of year. I need to focus more on my reason for the season. I know not everyone is religious and that the holiday season has really really been commercialized. This year is the year to move away from that and focus more on enjoying the company of friends and family rather then the gift giving and receiving.
4. Friends - while I don't have a large group of close friends - the core group of my friends would give you their last dollar if you needed it. These are the friends that are always there for me no matter what I need and I am very very lucky to have them.
5. Boz - yup - he may get on my nerves at times (just like I get on his) but it really doesn't get better than this. We dated when we were teenagers - went our seperate ways - led very different lives. But we found each other again and I have never been happier or more in love. He really does take care of me - maybe not always in the way I want - but he loves me "with all his heart and soul" and "forever and a day". Not everyone gets this - or gets a second chance at this.
6. My parents - bless them - they do and do and do for me and the girls. They pick up the older ones from school - get them where they needs to be for activities when I am working. They are always there for sick days if I just "have" to be at work. I don't know how I would do it without them. My life is hectic and they help to destress it a bit.
I am sure I will add to this as I think of things during the day.
As we enter the holiday season though - what are you thankful for?
I'm thankful that I have Pastafarian a/k/a Bill, Honey, H.B., etc. He may be my arch enemy some days, but he's MINE! And I'd rather live with him, than without him. Olive Juice!!
I'm thankful for the two beautiful babies God has entrusted to me for this brief moment in time. They fill my life with joy and purpose and give me hope. I dream at night that they spend time with my dad and my grandparents because they don't get that by day. I believe Galvin knows them...he says Grandpa and Geraldine-the-Great tell him secrets. Smart child. I'm hoping they whisper to Gwendolyn, too, and she tells me someday.
And even though she's stubborn as hell, irritating more than 50% of the time and can be hateful as all get-out, I'm thankful for my mother. She's one of a kind, and people either love her or hate her. I choose love.
I'm thankful that my niece, Cali, is in remission and that her brother, Cody, is alive...the latter taught me what real love is and the former, joy, and I thank my sister for that.
I'm thankful that my brother has lived another year...I wish he'd come around more often, but he has his own demons.
I'm thankful for a wonderful extended family that is strewn from Peoria to Greenview to Springfield to Armington to Manito to Creve Coeur to Bloomington to Mt. Carmel to Newton to Olney to Evansville to Haubstadt to San Francisco to Chicago to San Diego to Tampa to Annapolis to Amsterdam and everywhere in between.
I'm thankful for my friends...so, so many, but like Meg, a super-strong core, and one that has been there since the spring of 1969--Carrie. You are the yin to my yang, the Mutt to my Jeff, the dawn to my dusk. I love you Keea'! Also, my younger sister, Val, and older "sister," Colleen. Kim, Angela and Mary. Cindy, Rick, Marisue, Latitia, Danielle, Doug, and a plethora of others, including cousins, second cousins, and cousins once-twice-thrice removed. Life would be worthless without all of you.
I'm thankful for "The Farm" - they employ my husband, offer us a wonderful medical/dental plan, retirement options, family activities and an extended "family" that bolster Bill forty hours a week and try to keep him from losing his mind.
I'm thankful for the Rivera family for dropping their children off here at our house every morning at 8am, but mostly for picking them up promptly at 5pm each evening. :O)
I'm thankful for the extras that we get to do for people, like floral design, photography and professional organization - if there were a way to do these free of charge, I would. They keep me sane.
And lastly, I'm thankful for MY faith in a God that is accepting of ALL people, all-knowing and all-loving. He forgives all sin, large or small, when asked. He has a reason for everything, and it might seem twisted to some, but our mortality gets in the way here on earth. That's the breaks. But in my mind, the way to knowledge is via experience, and that's life, i.e., "the way, the truth and the life."
Thank you, Meg, and thank you HumzOo!
Thanks and blessings to all.
Just some of the things I am thankful for right now:
My husband, for putting up with me and my wild mood swings, for not complaining that I haven't cooked him dinner in months, for loving me and Lilly completely, for working so hard to provide us with a good life.
Lilly, my sweet little ray of sunshine. I can't even remember what my life was like before she came around and have no desire to! She is the reason I get up in the morning, the reason I want to be a better person, my beautiful child.
The new little life growing inside of me...as much as I complain about how I dislike being pregnant, I'm already overwhelmed with love for this child.
My extended family, and especially my parents, for teaching me what it is to love unconditionally.
My friends, near and far...for their support, shoulders, ears and advice. And all the fun we've had together.
And as I watch it snow outside my window, I am thankful for heat, fleece pajamas, cozy slippers, hot chocolate and big, soft blankets.