3. Write a list of 6 things you are thankful for.
Thank you for the lovely comments last week after sharing my cousin’s unexpected passing. We’re all shocked about it and of course would do anything to turn back time and change that outcome. I think it goes without saying that what I’m most thankful for is family and friends and good health at all times. This list gets a little trivial in comparison to the bigger picture and what’s truly important but trivial is what I do best. Here are more things I’m thankful for:
1. Wonderful Teacher Conferences
Kainoa’s Science teacher opened our one on one conference today with the words, “Kainoa’s immature.” And I braced myself for what was to come. I fear that he will be misunderstood by teachers who want a class filled with kids who sit quietly in their desks because Kainoa is not that. And then she said, “He’s a sixth-grade boy and he’s a little hyper, but I’m not suggesting medication. I don’t even like to sit in a desk all day and would prefer to pace in the back of the room. If sitting still were a huge problem, I’d let Kainoa pace too but he’s doing just fine…he just needs to get up and sharpen his pencil every so often.” Phew!
And then she was all, “School is not Kainoa’s passion. He might never feel an inner drive to get the best grades he can possibly get for the purpose of self-fulfillment. And I don’t think sports drive Kainoa. He might like them, but they’re not what makes him tick. Kainoa has a good heart. You can see that beneath some of his silly antics he likes to help people. I think when he discovers a way to channel that helper in him, whether it’s volunteering in a vet or at a homeless shelter or whatever…he will find fulfillment in that and some of this extra energy he carries will calm down.”
She teaches SCIENCE! She has known him only for a couple of months and only for an hour a day and yet she was able to so accurately peg him in a way that I have not really heard anyone voice before. Slow clap for the science teacher! I’m so thankful she was able to connect dots there that even I had not really connected before.
2. Baby Kittens
I needed a little break after saying goodbye to the family of eight foster kittens I recently cared for. Our shelter was still overflowing with babies though and they did follow up twice to see if I could help before I caved. I asked them for a smaller group and they gave me ONE little baby. I don’t know his story. I’m not sure how he ended up in the animal shelter without his mom and siblings, but I have loved fostering this little singleton boy. He stays at my computer with me all day and gets in my way when I’m trying to type, but he’s darling and I’m thankful for this guy even though they told me not to get too comfortable with just one.
3. Cash Register Sounds
I have officially dipped into the land of reselling and it’s too early to tell whether or not this could be a full-time gig for me (helping Pat with his Ebay shop), but so far I’m really grateful that it has been working! My phone makes the sound of a cash register when a sale is made and I do a happy dance. There is something really satisfying about finding an item I think someone would enjoy and then helping it find it’s new home online. Win win! More cash register sounds please!
4. Grocery Pick Up
I feel like I might have already gushed over the joy grocery pickups have brought me. It saves so much time when I can sit and order what I need from home and then just schedule a quick pick up. I find it well worth the $5 for someone else to do the legwork for me.
5. Organized Sisters
I texted my sister the other day and was like “I’m ready to redecorate that room you’ve been begging to get your hands on…” and her reply was instant, “ON A SCALE FROM 1-10 HOW SERIOUS ARE YOU?” We shared a room growing up and separated it with masking tape. Her side was immaculate and my side didn’t even try. Our homes are similar. You would think adulthood would have turned me into a better cleaner, but it’s my most obnoxious flaw. I could step over a pile for the rest of my life or just nudge it to the side with my foot when I walk by. I only pick it up because society dictates my dwelling should be clean and I don’t want my kids to be like me.
So I invited my sister over for a look at the room and she’s already ordering wallpaper for it. I give her free reign because I always love what she does with her house. I can only imagine the glee I would see on her face if I showed her that one cupboard that’s overflowing with plastic containers and mismatched lids, but I’ve restricted her to helping with only the one room and I’ll take all the help I can get organizing our garage. In just one hour she filled both our cars with a dump run and a Good Will drop off. I’m SO grateful for her motivation because it inspires me to keep progressing. I’ve already made two drop-offs at Good Will all by myself!
6. I Chose A Good Husband
As my kids get older I realize that soon the man I selected to marry will be the only one in the house with me. I think the empty nest syndrome is going to hit me pretty hard. My kids make me happy. I love having them home. I love knowing exactly what they’re doing at all hours of the day. And I love going to their activities. But when they’re gone, it will be just me and Pat again and I’m so glad I picked a man that I get along with so well. Aside from his long-winded answers to what I think are straight forward questions, I think we’ll do okay on our own. But I don’t want it to come too soon!
John Holton says
Your Linky isn’t working, so here’s mine:
https://thesoundofonehandtyping.com/2019/11/21/writers-workshop-my-latest-purchase-2/
It’s about a recent eBay purchase…
It’s pretty amazing how that teacher was able to get such a good read on Kainoa. Good teachers can do that. I know my mom could (she got us wrong a lot, though).
That kitty is so precious! Our first was black and white as well, but more white. You have better control than I would, being willing to part with him when the time is right. Our one and only attempt at fostering has lived with us going on 14 years now…
I’ve mentioned grocery pickup to Mary, but she still likes to go to the store, and I think she likes the time away from her crippled husband… And yes, it’s wonderful that you and Pat get along so well and don’t drive each other (too) crazy.
Kim says
Linky isn’t coming up for me, either, but my link is Here:
https://stormsandstardust.net/writers-workshop-for-11-21-2019/
Where I’d buy a vacation home in my state!
I love your thankful list! I was going to do one myself, but I think I did one not long ago.
Abby says
Welp, the linky worked for me, so I guess it pays to be slow…
Great list! And wow, isn’t it wonderful when a teacher “gets” your kid?
My husband and I recently entered empty-nest zone. So far, so good, but we’re now on the precipice of both-of-us-telecommuting-from-home zone, and I’m honestly having some concerns!