this recipe is so good i’m considering a torrid affair with it.
and did you know costco (OF COURSE) now sells giant packages of pre-cooked organic sausages made by i-can’t-remember-the-name-cause-we-ate-them-all-and-threw-the-bag-out and the little darlings are like crack for carnivores?
and you know what else?
i’m pretty happy rolling into 2008. just plain happy. no strings attached.
so what if the money i saved for an SLR went toward the repair of my sad little vehicle now residing at the mechanic’s and only visiting us on weekends? and that ::whispers:: the other car appears to be dying as well.
so what if i just discovered i need serious bifocals and i’m only 38? a YOUNGISH PARTIES-IN-BOATS THIRTY EIGHT, i’ll remind you. by the by, figured it out playing piano for a special christmas event and spent 1/2 the performance doing a one-handed jerry lee lewis while trying to rotate my contacts with my right fingers, all the while saying WhatTheFrak? in my head and hoping nobody noticed.
so what if my 3.5 year old screams if we even APPROACH the toilet?
so what if my bathroom ceiling a)looks like it has chicken pox and b)is dripping shreds of insulation cause we pulled all the filthy acoustic tiles and mirrors off in the throes of a pre-holiday coffee buzz and the suckers were glued on with probably toxic/fatal 60’s glue and they wouldn’t go quietly, no, they came kicking and screaming and clinging to giant chunks of drywall?
so what if my jeans are tight and my muffin top is loose?
who cares if my rainy day fund is depleted and the tax man cometh? i mean, what are rainy day funds for, anyway? surely to fix cars that die?
i’ve so much to be happy about people. and for once i’m not being snarky.
i am married to a dream boat who loves to do dishes and our marriage is better than it has ever been.
my children are healthy and beautiful, so beautiful my heart hurts a little.
i’ve got friends who shine like gold.
i’ve got eyes that work, even if not perfectly, legs that walk all day long, teeth that show me a good time at the buffet table, and hair that belongs to me, gray and all.
so far i don’t have cancer, that bugger that follows my family around like a genetic pit bull.
my house is warm and i have money to pay the utilities.
i have 2 cars, and garages to park them in (when they’re actually running).
i’ve got good credit.
i have coke in my fridge, pasta in my pantry, books on my shelves and a babysitter i trust.
i have lovely and generous parents, and in-laws who adore me.
there’s a coffee press on my countertop and good beans in the freezer.
my meds do the trick.
my feet are warm, my cat is loving, the tree-skirt was heavy with presents and my childrens’ eyes shone with magic just over a week ago.
i live in a free and democratic place in this world, and i can have my say.
i have inspiring blogger sisters with which to share my ordinary days and small joys.
i have everything i need and far too many wants.
i am blessed, i tell you. my cup is full-up and spilling out the sides.
just count the ways.
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Such a beautiful reminder of all the blessings we take for granted. Thanks!
Comment by Sarah Jackson January 2, 2008 @ 6:47 pmOh man, Jack is nearly 3.5 and we have the same toilet battle. LOL And ditto the current jean issue too.
In the grand scheme though, they are *little* things, aren’t they? :-)
Comment by Sarah January 2, 2008 @ 7:26 pmyou are a peach.
Comment by Alicia A. January 2, 2008 @ 7:36 pmoh, and we buy those Costco sausages three bags at a time.
Comment by Alicia A. January 2, 2008 @ 7:37 pmaw. this is a good way to start off the year. brava.
Comment by Lori January 2, 2008 @ 7:43 pmfrak? ha! are you guys galactica fans, too? (she says, proclaiming her own geekhood).
Comment by kirsten January 2, 2008 @ 7:51 pmsuch, such, such a beautiful reminder. so many gifts. thank you for that.
Comment by emily January 2, 2008 @ 8:37 pm:)
Comment by meg January 2, 2008 @ 8:37 pmi have the same afghan covering my lap right now. we’re like bloggy twin sisters from diagonally across the country…
xoxo
This is a wonderful post! Thank you.
Comment by Bethany January 2, 2008 @ 10:01 pmWow, you have a beautiful way with words. Thanks for sharing and inspiring!!
Comment by Jill January 2, 2008 @ 10:46 pmdon’t know how i’ve missed you in the past - your blog rocks! Happy New Year and thanks for the reminder of the good stuff - as I prepare to deal with the cluttered detritus that is my post-holiday home.
Comment by Shelley January 3, 2008 @ 6:21 amI think I came by your blog via a photo on flickr, possibly the one of your pantry. ?? But I am glad I clicked on through. There is something refreshing and encouraging about your writing and sense of humor. happy 08.
Comment by erinn January 3, 2008 @ 7:50 amSuch a nice reminder of the good things. Thank you.
Comment by pricklypearbloom January 3, 2008 @ 8:07 amLoved every bit of this. you are awesome.
Comment by Rachel January 3, 2008 @ 8:21 amYou rock. I slowed down and smiled at every line of your entry. Thanks for helping me take a ‘breather’ and reflecting my own joys this morning.
Comment by Amy January 3, 2008 @ 12:25 pmOh man, I think I need some of your meds. This being pregnant and drug free is for the birds. I’m in such a January funk and I should be on cloud nine about our impending arrival. All I can think about is the floundering and eventual foundering I seem to be doing around here. (Yes, I finally got those two words straight thanks to the very last Blueprint issue ever).
Comment by Amy January 3, 2008 @ 1:27 pmI keep thinking, “oh, what I wouldn’t give for ONE DAY all cranked up on Ritalin and “getting things done.” Wah!
It will all be worth it in the end, I’m sure.
I’m so happy that you sound so happy. You deserve it! I’m hoping to join you in Happyland very very soon :)
Here’s to ‘08!
I feel the same way, there are some things I would like to change, and there are ALWAYS more wants than I could ever have, but all of my NEEDS are taken care of, and then some. And my kids are finally all healthy, and I’ll never take that for granted again. Happy 2008!
Comment by Jessica January 3, 2008 @ 1:39 pmHere’s to 2008! Cheers!
Comment by laeroport January 3, 2008 @ 2:35 pmbest list i’ve read yet!
Comment by Heather January 3, 2008 @ 5:07 pmHappy New Year to ya!
I wouldn’t stress too much about bifocals @ 38.. imagine being 30 and getting them, then at 36 getting MULTIfocals aka trifocals.. bugger eh?
I dont have a muffin top anymore.. i have a damper top, and I am darn proud of it.. LOL I have a lot of $’s invested in my damper top :O)
Loved your blog and i’ll be sure to come back soon..
Lissa
Comment by Lissa January 3, 2008 @ 6:15 pmAustralia
Happy New Year!!!
***sigh*** Lovely… just lovely…***sigh***
Lala
Comment by Lala January 3, 2008 @ 6:36 pmThis is the kind of list we should all make on January 1st instead of silly resolutions that won’t make it through the end of the week. Beautifully said!
Comment by Heather January 3, 2008 @ 9:00 pmAnd talent, and a lovely smile, the adoration of at least one Texan, Krispy Kreme, and poetry. Life. Is. So. Good!
Comment by Stefani January 3, 2008 @ 9:20 pmamen.
Comment by Michelle January 4, 2008 @ 11:32 amHere’s to a beautiful new year.
Thank you SO, SO very much for that post!! It’s wonderful to know that there ARE other happy, content folks in the world, just fantastic of you to share so.
~~
Comment by ~DanaB~ January 4, 2008 @ 3:26 pmThis is SO GREAT!! Thanks for posting this. I just read it today as the internet has been off for 5 days. This is all so true - thanks for helping me remember how lucky I am too!
Comment by Amber January 6, 2008 @ 6:15 pmSuch a great post!
Comment by Chara Michele January 7, 2008 @ 2:27 pmLady, thank you for posting this. I found myself reading this and thinking, “Me too. Oh, yeah, me too. That one too. Muffin top? Yeah. Beautiful kids and good meds? Yes and yes.” Tons of love and a happy new year to you, darling.
Comment by Kathy Jordan January 8, 2008 @ 10:17 pm