Hugging the Midline

Cloud Nine

176. I'm full to just about overflowing tonight with all kinds of gratitude for an amazing yoga teacher, Desiree Rumbaugh. After work this evening I took the first couple hours of a weekend anusara yoga workshop in Des Moines. I'm not really in my top yoga shape these days, so I was worried that tonight would kick my ass. But under Desiree's guidance, yoga (and life) start to feel so effortless, and I amaze myself by getting deeper into poses than I dreamed possible. That's all I'll say tonight; I imagine I'll be on cloud nine after a full day of it tomorrow.
     
     
177. Yummy take-out sushi and edamame, and the cute way sweet little Jack said: "Mommy eat sooo-shee? Mommy happy biwfday?" I think the chopsticks reminded him of birthday candles, one of his favorite topics these days.  

Today Was a Very Good Day

175. For the first time in more than a couple weeks, there was nary a meltdown from my little angel boy. Instead he was sweet and affectionate, and ran around the living room after dinner with a coat flung behind his back yelling, "Super Jack!"
     
     I was prepared today with all of the advice from my mom's group re surviving tantrums, but I won't complain a bit that I didn't get to use it!

To help celebrate the GratefulMo halfway point, I'd like to know: What are you most grateful for today? 

Thank You

Overflowing with gratitude tonight for:

173. An area of my life that had been stressing me out, but today feels completely stress-free.
     
     
174. The support of my mom's group; when I asked for help coping with Jack's recent tendency toward tantrums, I was flooded with supportive calls and e-mails. I got a few tips I might try ("I see that you're very angry at Mommy!"), but was mostly just comforted by the reminder that I'm not alone.

Jam Packed With Gratitude

171. Our weekend was jam packed with first birthday parties and kid-friendly picnics and grown-up dinner out with friends. A full weekend with family and friends, new and old. Low-key, stress-free, fun. I'm so glad to feel our support system expanding around us.
     
     

172. I gave myself about five seconds to whine about the money we're spending to re-paint our house this summer. Then I quickly remembered to be grateful that my house is standing and my family is safe. My heart goes out to the people of Parkersburg who lost loved ones and homes in last night's tornado.

It's All Good

167. How grateful am I to have finally hired a house painter, which means I won't have to spend every weekend from now through Labor Day with a paint scraper in my hand, the house will look ten times as gorgeous, and will be done in about 1/10th the time. He showed up today as promised and swept up after himself, too.



168. My dear sweet husband lucked into a wife who is a) an environmentalist who won't use chemicals on her lawn, b) a perfectionist who can't stand those dandelions. What a good sport was he to join me in spending Jack's naptime today crawling around the lawn with weed pullers and a bag of grass seed? The man is a saint.



169. Broiled mushrooms and mozerella with our dinner tonight. To. die. for.



170. The perfect evening for an after-dinner walk to the park.

Back to Grateful

163. Chilly rainy day, long hot shower, rosemary mint shampoo.



164. Jack and I got a lot of good play time in today, with minimal meltdownage. My favorite Jackisms of the day: While we were dressing up his stuffed animals and setting them up in cute little vignettes, he kept mimicking Mommy with, "Ohhhh...so cute!" Every time he successfully completed something today, like putting on his pants (after about 14 tries with both legs in the same side), helping mommy wipe the table, unzipping his backpack, he pumped his little fist in the air and cheered: "I did it!"



165. While our new painting contractor did not show today due to rain, he did call to explain why he wasn't here and when we should expect him. How often do you get that? 



166. Feeling grateful for real was back to easy again today.

In Case You Needed Another Reason Not to Vote for McCain

Working the Kinks Out

The last week or so sent a few unpleasant feelings my way: sad, ashamed, nervous, anxious, scared, stuffy-nosed, sore-throated, pink-eyed, irritated, pissed the hell off... Hmmm, did I miss any? But today is the day the sun is peeking right through those clouds. A few things helped:

158. The courage to say I'm sorry (that wording has stuck with me since Dawn used it a couple months ago).



159. Forgiveness, when it comes. In theory I want to always live my life this way, but sometimes I seem to enjoy holding those grudges close. (I hope I'm not botching my Aunt Jackie's quote when I say that "resentment is like swallowing poison and expecting the other person to die.")



160. Four hours alone in the car today: cruise control + smooth four-lane highway + Patsy Cline on the iPod = some serious soul soothing.



161. A nice talk with my dear friend Steph over pasta with spinach and ricotta.



162. A really sweet dedication from Glen on his radio show tonight. Thanks, honey.

Rising Above It

It's interesting that I chose this week to start writing daily about the things I'm grateful for, because this is one of those weeks when it feels easier to focus on life's annoyances than its blessings. So why don't I start right there:

148. I'm grateful that I chose this week to start my focus on gratitude, keeping me from getting (too) bogged down in my mental muck.
     
     
149. A few people have told me my gratitude lists have encouraged them to start their own.
     
     
150. I had an awesome massage this afternoon. As my body relaxed, my mind did, too; I found myself pouring a few troubles out to my therapist (poor Tyson!), and I felt freer by the end. 
     
     
151. My doctor gave me prescriptions for massage and acupuncture so I can be reimbursed for those expensive services through my healthcare spending account. Not all doctors are so supportive of alternative therapies; I'm glad I've found one who is.

Just a Little Under the Weather

147. I'm grateful for an evening spent watching the new Ani Difranco concert video in bed, sipping theraflu brought to me by my favorite nurse.