Thankful Thursday

Just need to reground myself in the things that are GOOD in my world right now. Since that was the entire purpose for starting this not-nearly-weekly theme, I suppose it's a good idea to publish another one of these, so here we go.

This week, I'm thankful:

1. That some of our best friends are coming up this weekend, and will be staying with us for a few days. It's been far too long, and I look forward to lots of laughs, lots of cocktails, and some insane stories!
2. That we were able to wait to put the window air conditioners in until the THIRD WEEK OF JUNE! That's AT LEAST a month later than normal. The earth thanks me, and DTE Energy can SUCK IT!
3. That we DID put in the window a/c, because 90 degrees + high humidity = FUCKING HOT! (105+ "real feel", for those of you that may want a translation).
4. That Grumps is doing so, so well in school. He's connecting with people in his chosen career, he's learning a ton, and he's bringing home the grades to prove it! I'm thankful, and I'm proud!
5. That we got the kittens, because not a day goes by that I don't laugh at the things they do. The latest? We got some paperwork from the vet regarding their sterilization. They're both big fans of playing with anything paper, but those specific 3 sheets have been hidden, chewed on, and crumpled up more than any other paper in the house!

If you'd care to share, tell us what you're thankful for in the comments!

In better news

I took a look last night at the spreadsheet I created to track our financial progress.

Since I've started tracking, in Jan 2008, we have paid off 25% of our total debt!

And remember, that's with me missing some work for a surgery, and Dad's illness and death, as well as Grumps being unemployed for the last 10 months.

That right there gives me reason to WOOFUCKINGHOO!!!!

Tricky

This depression stuff - I'm learning - is freaking TRICKY!

When I first started my meds (Zoloft, just a wee lil baby starter dose at that), I was feeling better. Surprisingly better. "WAHOOO!!! My prayers have been answered!" better.

That better turned to a contentedness, that lulled me into a (clearly) false sense of security. It seems as though I blinked, and that satisfied, content, normal version of me has vanished, replaced by the same old frustrated, cranky, anxiety-ridden, un-motivated me.

And it SUCKS.

I suppose this means that I need to get back to the GP, get my meds tweaked (or changed entirely), maybe even ask about some quick acting anti-anxiety meds, when I KNOW I'm going to do something that will cause the anxiety to sky-rocket.

Not that we have the money for such frivolous things as doctors appointments and medications right now. But - seriously - it has to be cheaper than divorce, right?

Let me tell you a story

about a little girl young lady. (She's in those lovely "tween" years, and would be horrified at being called a "little girl".)

Anywho, this young lady, who I shall call M, lives with her mother and father, in the same house they've been in for her entire life. She's very, very close to her mother. She helps with the housework, they do their homework together (Mom is a college student), mom is teaching her to do needlepoint... a good relationship.

She tries very, very hard to gain her father's affection, but never seems to "measure up" to his standards. Dad spends the majority of his time at home in the garage. He's very much a "man's man", and seems to have some difficulty relating to the things that are important to M. Instead of Dad working to come to her level, she tries and tries to do things that he will find interesting. "Daddy, can you help me fix my bike?" or "Daddy, can I help you work on that car?". Yet, all too often, M finds herself being told that she's in the way, and should "go inside with her mother".

Mom has been working very hard for many years at her college degree. She's finally completed it, and has been offered a job in her chosen field. Unfortunately, that job requires relocation, and does not provide a very stable environment for M. Very soon, Mom will be moving, and will be unable to have M join her in the forseeable future.

This will leave M with Dad, whom she adores. But Dad has never taken a very active role in the day-to-day parenting of M. There will be lots of adjustments and sacrifices for Mom, Dad, and M. Ideally, the family hopes to be able to reunite as a unit in the area that Mom is relocating to. In the mean time, it will be M and Dad, working things out, and making their own way.



I'd like to ask you to think for a moment about this situation. If you were an adult in M's life, but not involved in her day-to-day life, how would you feel? What would you do? Say? And to who?

Recipes Worth Sharing: Healthy(er) Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Don't get me wrong, this dip doesn't NOT qualify as healthy. BUT, it is CERTAINLY a whole lot healthier than its baked, cheese and fat laden (but oh so freaking tasty) counterpart.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of hummus, flavored or plain... whatever makes ya happy (I like the garlic flavor myself)
• 1 10oz box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 can artichoke hearts, diced
• 4-8oz grated/shredded parmesan or asiago cheese (I'm a big fan of the Sargento Artisan blends that you can get in the deli section, but thats just me)

To do:

1. dump everything in a bowl
2. mix well
3. eat it on anything you want to dip in it. I've had (and liked) it on veggies, pita chips, pita bread, pumpernickel, french bread, my fingers... it's pretty easy, and forgiving

I think this would store well in an airtight container in the fridge for at least a couple of days, but I can't say that I've ever tried. I tend to ONLY make this if we're having people over, because I'm afraid I'd inhale the entire batch in one sitting, all by myself!