Thankful Thursdays

Yes, I know, its been awhile - but.... I'm here now!

This weeks Thankful list:

1. The Grumps made the Dean's List!
2. Mom is settled @ Grandma's with her 2 casted, broken ankles, and seems to be adjusting ok.
3. I've gotten the opportunity to reconnect with an old friend, and now get to call him a good friend!
4. It's fall! Cool breezes, clear blue skies, and pretty soon the leaves will be changing color.
5. Almost soup season!

Thankful Thursdays

Short, sweet, and to the point:

This week I am thankful that

I AM ON VACATION!

Gone camping with Grumps and the furkids! NO INTERNET ACCESS! Just us, good friends, good food, a few board/card games, some books, a local county fair, and a whole lotta booze!

Back in town on Monday, but may not be back online until Wednesday!

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thankful Thursdays

so I missed last week, but I'm back at it again! This week, I'm thankful:

1. That the patch seems to be working for me. I'm not a non-smoker yet, but I'm much MUCH closer than I've been in a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time!
2. That Grumps and I are really and truly, for the first time since we've known each other, completely on the same page about our finances. It's wonderful to have a real partner in the fight to clean up our mess.
3. That our ghetto neighbors gave up one of their dogs (the fence-jumping, dog-aggressive pit-bull). That puts them at 4, which is still double the limit allowable in our city. But, it's progress!
4. That the horrible charity event that Grumps gets suckered into (and I resent) every freaking year is OVER!
5. That I can truly enjoy the peace and quiet of our drama-free life. And that we've BOTH worked SO STINKING HARD to get it, that we both really do appreciate it!

Have any thanks to share? Please do so in the comments!

Thankful Thursday

Yep, it's Thursday again! This week I'm thankful:

1. That I get a 3 day weekend!
2. That I get to see a cousin from out of town (that I see far too little) on Saturday!
3. That I'll have the house to myself this evening (well, plus the animals... and from what Grumps has told me, the kittens are CUH-RAZY today!).
4. That Grumps is STILL holding his 4.0!
5. And that I am less than a month away from a long weekend of camping up north with our friends!

Share some thanks right down there in the comments, would ya?

Thankful Thursdays

Yep, it's Thursday again! Here's what I'm thankful for this time around:

1. That the visit with our friends was FABULOUS! We had cocktails and fire and lots and LOTS of laughs!
2. That my horrid end-of-last-year has provided me with insights that I would not otherwise have, and that I was recently able to share some of those insights with someone that really seems to need a little guidance. Whether they take those things to heart is completely up to them, but I am thankful that I was able to share them.
3. That I was able to visit with Grandma and Aunts and Cousins last night. The older my cousins get, the more I'm enjoying them. One specifically I currently want to put in my pocket and keep for the next few months!
4. That I get to go home to a quiet house, and do some housework, and have a dinner of salami and cream cheese on a toasted everything bagel (aka, heart attack on a plate) tonight!
5. That Bob and Izzie are now fixed, the surgeries went well, and both are almost completely healed. I ADORE my kittens, but I do not need a litter of... how ever many come in a litter!

Thankful for something? Please share it in the comments!

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!

Thankful Thursdays

Look at me, being almost, kinda-sorta regular about this here little feature... Who'd a thunk it?

This week, I'm thankful:

1. That Grumps and I didn't kill each other in the pretty much 10 solid days we just spent together (something to be proud of, too - believe me!)
2. That a certain someone has kicked me in the ass to get the garden going! I just hope I'm not too horribly late with my seedlings! (although, last year I didn't plant tomato SEEDS until the end of June, and still managed to get some tasty treats off the plants).
3. That somehow, someway, we're doing ok financially. I can't figure it out. Our debt is still U.G.L.Y., but I'm focusing on hoarding as much cash as I can right now (while still having some fun) until we know what the income situation will be like until Grumps is through the academy. But, the bills are all getting paid - on time - and our savings balance is actually going up!
4. That I get to spend some time with family this weekend - possibly Friday with my Grandma, Saturday afternoon with my favorite Aunt, and Saturday night playing cards with the in-laws.
5. That Grumps has another little side job lined up for next week that will bring in an extra couple hundred bucks!

If you're feeling so inclined, let me know what you're feeling thankful for in the comments!

Thankful Thursdays

It's time again for another not very weekly installment of Thankful Thursdays! (If this thing ever catches on, I may need to find someone that can help me make one of those fancy html buttons for it.)


This time around, I'm thankful:

1. For the simple pleasure of watching the kittens play. They are each other's best friend and favorite toy!
2. That I onlyhave 7.25 hours of work left before I have 10 DAYS OFF! (5 work days, 4 weekend days, and 1 holiday).
3. That we're going up north for a couple of days to visit with friends, and introduce the kittens to camper life.
4. That our weather is gorgeous and sunny today!
5. That Grumps has 2 more class sessions left until he's done with this semester, and he's doing really well!

So tell me, what are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursdays

In yet another effort to reset my perspective, I'm going to attempt to resurrect my Thankful Thursdays posts. Here's what I'm Thankful for today:

1. That it's April 16th, and tax season is OVER!
2. That my boss was very generous with tax season bonuses this year. So generous in fact, that we'll be able to pay off the smallest of our remaining 4 debts (because I so desperately need to pay off something!) and set aside some cash for the adoption/sterilization/vaccination of our future furry family member.
3. That I'm married to a man that's sensitive enough to get all weepy with me over losing our kitty.
4. And that he's smart enough to not make fun of me for choking on my own snot the day we put Paisano down. (He waited a few days to make fun of me.....)
5. That this weekend I get to go away with some FABULOUS girlfriends! There will be shopping, eating, gossiping, drinking, and much needed silliness!

See, just writing that all out put a smile on my face.

If you'd care to share, tell me something that you're thankful for in the comments!

The Mother of All Thankful Thursdays

I figured it was about damn time to resurrect Thankful Thursdays around here, and what better time to do that then Thanksgiving week? Yes, I am feeling awfully cliche` today, thanks for asking! So, here we go... All the things I'm currently thankful for:

• The Grumps: Even though he can push all my buttons (in all the wrong ways), after almost 12 years, he still manages to push all my buttons (in all the RIGHT ways). That man has been my rock, has been by my side through some incredibly difficult times. He was Johnny on the Spot with anything I needed during the Dad saga, he's my sounding board when I need to scream, my safety net when I break down, and always always always tries to make me smile.
  
• My family and friends: In this crazy year that I've had, I've always known that people are there for me, and for us. I've had offers for anything from dog-sitting and meal cooking to witnessing legal documentation and destinations I can run away to. Life hasn't been the best this year, but the people in it have been amazing.
  
• My home: It certainly wasn't the house I'd have picked if I'd had the opportunity to go house shopping. But our little bungalow is safe, and cozy, and affordable... and it's home.
  
• My job: It's about as safe and secure as a person can hope for in the craptasticness that is the current Detroit economy. And it's flexible... as long as I'm getting my work done, I can sneak out any time I need to.
  
• This blog: This has been my place to unload, my dumping grounds when I've needed to get things off my chest, or put them in some kind of perspective. And, it's allowed me to meet some pretty amazing people, and get lots and lots of support.
  
• The Grumps former boss: Thank you, asshole, for "laying off" my husband. It's made for some interesting financial juggling, but because of your shittiness, my husband has been given the opportunity to follow his dream.
  
• Dad's illness: It sounds horrible, but Dad's extended illness allowed me to reconnect with my sisters. I wish he didn't have to go the way that he did, that he'd just have gone to sleep in his apartment and never woken up. But, if it had happened that way, I'd have lost my Dad. The way it did happen, I still lost my Dad, but I gained 2 sisters. And I'm fairly confident that that would make Dad happy.

So, that's my list. Tell me, what would be on your list?

Thankful Thursdays

I know that I've missed at least one, if not two installments of Thankful Thursdays. I'm trying desperately to find some normal somewhere, so I guess I'll look here! This week, I'm thankful:

1. Sis2 is coming into town next week. I look forward to seeing her again, and Dad ALWAYS improves when she's in town.
2. Grumps & I are HEADED NORTH next week. We leave Thursday, will be back late on Sunday. It's a MUCH needed mini-vacation, and will give us an opportunity to see friends, and spend a weekend in our camper!
3. We celebrated Grandma's 82nd birthday earlier this week. 82! That alone is reason to be thankful!
4. Our family & friends (including you lovelies out there in blogland) have been uber-supportive of our current circumstances. We're loved - more than I knew. And that knowledge always brings me peace.
5. In a little over 2 hours I'll be getting a 1 hour massage. I can't wait!

So tell me, what are YOU thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursday - The Silver Lining Edition

I'm stretching REALLY hard on this one, so bare with me here.

Things to be thankful for when you're husband becomes involuntarily unemployed:

1. He qualified for unemployment (thank the Lord!)
2. He may qualify for the State of Michigan No Worker Left Behind program, giving him the opportunity to get out of a dying industry (at least in this state), and into a growing, high-demand field.
3. He may have the opportunity, through the above mentioned program, to earn his Associates Degree.
4. Somehow, over the last few months - even with my depression, careless spending, and poor job of bill tracking - we've managed to build up a bit of a surplus in our available cash. This provides us a bit of a cushion for the sudden change in our overall financial picture.
5. His former employer is covering us on their insurance through month end, and
6. My employer is willing to put us on the insurance policy here.

And as a bonus bit of thankfulness:

1. Dad moved to the rehab center yesterday, and
2. He's agreed to get moving on the Patient Advocate paperwork!

Thankful Thursday

I'm not in such a great place this week, but I'm going to do this exercise anyway. Hopefully, it will alter my perspective a bit.

1. Today, I'm thankful for my cozy bed, which I will be getting into as soon as is realistically possible.
2. I'm thankful that my job is so flexible, and for my boss who has been so understanding. Knowing that I'm able to take off & help or visit Dad, or just spend an afternoon at home to decompress, is a huge relief.
3. I'm thankful that the Grumpy One has some extra paying work coming in. August & September are expensive months in our house, so the extra cash flow will help.
4. I'm thankful that Grumpy was able to go with me to visit Dad this weekend. It was nice for Dad to have some "guy talk", and he definitely perked up a bit while Grumpy was there.
5. Finally, I'm thankful for the AMAZING staff at Beaumont Grosse Pointe. Dad can be difficult sometimes, but everyone from the housekeeping and cafeteria staff, to his nurses and aides, all the way up to doctors, surgeons, and department heads - have been INCREDIBLE!

I could certainly use some good news this week, so please, tell me something good from your life!

Thankful Thursday

Well, this has been a MUCH better week then the previous couple (thank GOD for that!). Here's the list:

1. Dad seems to be making (slow) progress. One of his doctors even mentioned "getting him out of here".
2. Our little weekend away could not have been timed better! Even though I wish it could have lasted longer, I so desperately needed that break.
3. My girlfriend Kim, who can tell a story like nobody's business, and can ALWAYS find a way to make me laugh.
4. The family history lesson I got last week from my eldest sister. It turned into about an hour long visit. We shared many laughs, and I learned LOTS about Dad and his family that I never knew, and never would have known without her sharing.
5. The opportunity to get some lil man love from my 2.5 year old "nephew" when he, his Mom, his little sister and I met for lunch. Nothing quite like having a kiddo grin from ear to ear, and RUN to you the moment he sees you.

So there you go, my list. What have you got this week?

Thankful Thursday

My apologies for not doing this last week. It's been rough, and I was having a really hard time finding any silver linings, let alone 5 of them. But, let's give it a try this week:

1. I am thankful that my sisters and I seem to be reestablishing an adult relationship. It's tough, what with the "half-sister" biology, and the age difference, and all of the other nonsense between us. But we're definitely working together - pretty well, too - to help Dad.
2. I am thankful for the distraction of having lunch with a friend today. (Mmmmmmmmmm Mexican!)
3. I am thankful that it's IComLeavWe, since I can ALWAYS take a little mental vacation & read some new blogs.
4. I am thankful for the prospect of having the house to myself for a weekend.
5. I am thankful for Grumps, as he's been more understanding and supportive - and yet "out of my way" - than I ever thought anyone could be... Hell, more than I could be.

So there ya go. If I can get to 5, you certainly can! Tell me tell me TELL ME!

Thankful Thursday

tough week, but I said before that I was going to make this a weekly feature, so here we go...

This week I am thankful:

1. that Dad has been moved to the Critical Care step-down unit.
2. that Grumps made the choice to stay home with me this weekend, instead of taking his Mom out of town for the annual trip to the Iowa family reunion.
3. that my half-sister and I, who have never seen eye to eye on anything, are working well together to get Dad thru this.
4. that Dad's neighbors are so concerned about him, and especially that one of them even volunteered to keep a closer eye on him when/if he gets back to his apartment.
5. for all the prayer support I'm getting right now. I can't even tell you all how much it means to me.

Your turn!

Thankful Thursdays

It's about time I spend my energy focused on the things I DO have going for me. (I know, I know - you've heard this before... I'm TRYING here, though!) Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar too much of this blog is focused on the crap crap CRAPPY-NESS that is my incessant infertility whining.

I'm going to try a new weekly feature, for a couple of reasons. One, it should get me blogging more regularly (whole weeks without a post? shame on ME!), and two, I'm hoping that it will help keep me in a "half-full" mindset.

My self-imposed rules for this new feature: MUST post every Thursday. MUST list at least 5 things that I'm thankful for since my last Thankful Thursday post. Pretty simple, me thinks. Keeps me in the moment, and accountable to you all that are reading (tap tap tap... Hello?).

Here we go:

1. The boss letting us out of work a couple hours early today for the upcoming holiday long weekend.
2. An afternoon nap, and some afternoon delight, with the Grumps when I got home. (Was that too much information? My apologies. Oh, and get over it!)
3. Papa John's Spinach Alfredo Chicken Tomato pizza for dinner last night (and lunch today).
4. Lillies and snapdragons EXPLODING in my flowerbeds.
5. The Kaylah Puppy and Shitty Kitty sleeping peacefully on the floor next to me.
6. Last Comic Standing being on TV while I type this, and the comics being funny enough to give me a few chuckles.

So, tell me... What are YOU thankful for today?