From April 28 to June 19 every year, my family celebrates five birthdays, one anniversary, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. This year we added in a high school graduation, and next year we’ll add both a high school AND a college graduation.
The ladies at the Hallmark store see me coming in mid-April, and I spend the better part of an hour searching for the perfect card to honor each one of these milestones. Should I go the funny route or the sappy one? And why does one greeting card cost more than a Qdoba naked burrito bowl? Matt actually flipped his anniversary card over after he read it to see how much it was. He claims cards for women cost more than cards for men, which is a lousy defense, but I do agree with his belief that no card is worth $9.99.
I obsess a bit over the cards I choose because I want the perfect sentiment. I want the recipient to know how I feel about them, and to know how thankful I am to be a part of each of their lives. Yet getting caught up in all the gift giving, candle blowing and celebrations can shift the focus, and I miss the opportunity to give thanks for the mundane pieces of my life that often go unacknowledged. I’m taking that opportunity now, to list Ten Things of Thankful.
I am thankful for…
1…the friends my son is spending Senior Week with at the beach. I’m even more thankful for their moms. Our group texts throughout senior year and this week have helped me get through the past nine months with a sense of humor and a little bit of grace.
2…opening the dishwasher to find it already emptied. The joy this gives me is frankly a bit pathetic, but it is genuine.
3…my wireless earbuds. I can now walk the dogs without getting tangled up in the cords. I still get tangled in the dogs’ leashes, but that can’t be helped.
4…an injury-free car accident. It’s a major insurance pain, and Matt’s car is damaged, but he is not.
5…my new office light. For seventeen years, my home office had no ceiling fixture, and now it does. Sometimes I still sit in the dark for awhile before I remember I have a light!
6…having both of my kids home this summer. They aren’t home much, but at least they will both be sleeping under my roof most nights.
7…Xyzal. Neither Claritin nor Zyrtec was cutting it for me this year, but Xyzal is getting the job done.
8…the uninhibited enthusiasm with which my dogs greet me every time I come home. If that’s not an ego boost, nothing is.
9…free crossword puzzles from the Washington Post. The puzzles were the only reason I kept a paper subscription for so long, but now I print one off the website every Saturday morning. The goal is to keep the brain sharp, even as the body ages.
10. I am thankful for you, because you are taking a few minutes out of your day to read my words. Like me, this blog is going through a transition period, and I’m not sure of its future. But I do know that whenever I take the time to write, I am making a good decision. Whether you’ve been reading since the beginning or this is your first visit, thank you for making my words matter.
I participated in the Ten Things of Thankful blog hop almost six years ago, and this week it’s joining Finish the Sentence Friday.
Having the kids at home is a blessing, i know you will enjoy that. Give a special hug to whoever emptied the dishwasher.
The empty dishwasher is always a win! But my favorite is the dog greeting. I got home yesterday from a brief trip and my dog was so damn happy (my kids videoed his running from the house and leaping into my arms upon my return), it made the rough trip home (long story) worth it!
Your dog is the cutest! And dogs are much more emotionally stable than our kids, aren’t they?
If I came home and found the dishwasher had been emptied, I would believe a very neat person had broken into our house. It’s funny how some people can FIND dishes in cabinets and use them, yet never can figure out how to put the clean ones away…. I have a cat who greets me at the door every time I come home. Closest thing to a dog I have. Nice thankful list! I hope you will join the TToT again soon!
Thank you Dyanne – it’s been a long time, but it’s really a wonderful practice to count our thankfuls.
This is my first visit, and I am thankful that I stopped by! I could relate well to many of your shared thank yous, and I loved the humor that is woven in your words. Injury free accidents are a tremendous blessing, and an emptied dishwasher is a total spirit lifter because it means someone was thinking of you. My five cats are also eager greeters whenever I return home for being out, and although I suspect it may be for treats, it is so nice to have them come running to rub up against me. You are blessed to have your kids home for the summer, just hearing their voices in the house is wonderful I know. I wish mine were still that young. My youngest turns 40 this summer! It has been a terrible Spring for allergies, the worst ever, but I am also finding a routine that works for me, and I join you in being thankful to breathe, and to see without swollen, irritated eyes! I love the clean, simple look of your blog, it’s all about the words, I like that! 🙂
It’s lovely to meet you Josie – I just read all of your thankfuls and it lifted my heart to read of all your blessings.
And yes – after years of trying to figure out my place in the blogosphere, I’ve settle on clean and simple, focusing on the words. Thank you for appreciating that!
Ha! Your #2 made me smile. I feel that same way when I see that chores are done and I didn’t need to do them (by the same token I try to make sure I do my share as well!). I’m really glad Matt’s car accident wasn’t worse, and that you are able to enjoy the summer free from allergy woes! Glad to see you in our lovely hop again, and yes…writing (when it happens) is a good thing. Take care of you xx
Good to “see” you too, Lizzi – I do follow you on Instagram and love seeing your nature pics and your beautiful face. Your smile always makes my heart happy, and I’m thankful for that!
Awesome gratefuls!!! Glad you hopped in!
Loving the list, and the new ceiling light, Dana! Very chic.
Thank you Alison!
Your #5 made me laugh. I’ve been guilty of not turning a lamp on to a higher setting when it was quite obvious more light was needed. LOL
Yeah for injury free accidents and that Matt is ok.
As for #9, that is my goal too.
I’m glad you have found a medication that is working for you. Lots of sneezing going on here.
The allergies seem to have finally subsided a bit, Pat – thank goodness! But this morning I squinted at what I was reading for about five minutes before I realized I could turn on the light. I’ll learn eventually!
“Sometimes I still sit in the dark for awhile before I remember I have a light!”
“…the uninhibited enthusiasm with which my dogs greet me every time I come home.”*
Its always the quiet(ish) and simple things that rise to form a grat list, isn’t it?
Time does pass differently in this virtual, somehow, doesn’t it?
*thanks for two totally-quotable gratitudes makes comment writing so easy! lol
You’re quite welcome, Clark! That first quote could be very deep, even though I wrote it to have a literal meaning.
You had me at an empty dishwasher. Seriously, nothing makes me feel relief like a chore that is already done by someone else in the house. Laundry sorted by my daughter without me asking; dishes washed by hand by husband; spontaneous vacuuming. I’m even thankful when I look into the toilet and don’t see pee left by one of my three young boys!!
I hear you! A clear toilet makes me happy too…it’s the little things!
Oh yes the second on the list!!!
And what brand of ear buds are you using?
AND, are you using a plug in so people see comment responses? The one I used to use no longer works. Am looking for an alternative.
I bought the Bose Soundsport on Amazon – not as discreet as Airpods but I like that they are connected to each other so I don’t lose one.
I am thankful for you. You blog keeps me connected to you. You help to fill that black hole in my heart. Thank you so very much.💜
Thank you for such a lovely comment – I’m so glad we stay connected, and I’m grateful to be able to fill your heart even just a little. xoxo
I was so happy to see you in my inbox this morning – I’m always happy to read your words. I can’t believe it’s been so many years since we both started and we met (remember that Fem conference thing?? and your kids made that awesome video??) and then Tamara reminded me that we were all together at BlogU five years ago! Wowza. Congratulations on the office light and having both kids home for the summer, even if they’re not home much. And yo, the empty dishwasher is nothing to sneeze at.
Ha – I remember that video! I still have it on my phone.
Your words DO matter, and I’m thankful every time I get to read them. Re: your thankful list- #2 I feel the same way about the dishwasher- also feel that way when I find the dryer empty and ready to receive clothes from the washer!
Re: #3- can you recommend a brand of ear buds. I just ordered some off Amazon for hubby’s BD, but I’m curious which ones you use. 😉
Happy Friday!
I’ll email you, Julia!
Your blog has undergone such wonderful theme/tagline changes, and your words are always so refreshing, that I have a feeling the transition won’t lead to the end. It just can’t!
Five years ago TODAY we were at BlogU together. COOKIES.
We have what we call Christmas in May – July in my family – because of Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and a zillion birthdays. It’s nuts. Hallmark is used to me.. and why do those cards cost $10? ($9.99)
I did a blog post for Xyzal once but since I’m terrible with pills, I didn’t take it regularly, Now I’m wondering if that’s the ticket for me.
Five years since Blog U? Wow.
So July is your big month, huh? We have three August birthdays so that’s a crazy month for us too. And yes – do try Xyzal! It really has been wonderful for me.
Ditto Janine!!
So glad you decided to link up! Glad no one was hurt in the accident, and that you will have your kids with you this summer. I don’t think it’s pathetic to be thankful for an unloaded dishwasher–being able to find joy in the little things makes life more enjoyable! My office received a new light/ceiling fan recently, and it makes things so much nicer, so I can relate to your #5. Glad you found an allergy med that does the job for you–everything is so green and lush right now, I imagine allergies are a real hassle! I’m thankful for dogs, too–mine is snoozing at my feet right now. Thanks again for joining us!
My pleasure, Kristi – I’m glad you’ve kept the hop going for so long. You can never be TOO thankful, right?
I can very much relate to 2… Solid choice!! Thanks for sharing–enjoy the remaining celebrations this month! It sounds like great fun to celebrate so much all at once 🙂
It was, Hillary – thank you!
Aw, I am always happy to read a new blog post from you whenever you do feel you have something to share. So, that tops of my list of thankful things for this evening!! 🙂