Grateful Blog

Today I’m grateful that:

• It’s the last day of 2008. I have had enough of 2008. Bring on 2009, please!
• Chad received some Best Buy gift cards that allowed us to buy the first season of Mad Men on DVD. So, while the snow fell steadily all day and most of the night, we were able to finally finish watching this dark, f-ed up, brilliant show.
• Robbie Maddison did not die. I had no idea who he was before we stumbled upon his televised attempt to do some crazy-ass bike jump onto the Arc de Triomphe in Vegas and then back down again. I was virtually certain I was going to watch a man die. Luckily for both of us, I was wrong.

Today I’m grateful that:

• I was able to spend more time with Heath and Ker!
• I had to go to my doctor’s office right before lunchtime, and I entered just as the staff found out someone was buying them pizza for lunch. You’d have thought someone had told them they just won the lottery. They were seriously thrilled! Reminded me to be happy about the little things.
• Lunch at the Chateau with (some former) NameMedia peeps. I think my favorite moment was when a sex scene from Days of Our Lives came blaring over the big-screen TV, just as three older women and a little boy were waiting to be seated. Hot!

Today I’m grateful that:

• No accidents were caused during the trip from Quincy to Hampton, NH, and back in the U-Haul truck. This is an accomplishment. Trust me.
• I didn’t get smacked during the “packing” process at my grandmother’s house. I probably deserved to once or twice or more.
• All of the people at the Old Salt restaurant in Hampton have treated my grandmother so well for the past few years, and showed such genuine concern and affection for her. They’re very sweet. It’s nice to encounter people like that.

Today I’m grateful that:

• Preparation for hosting our extended Sullivan family Christmas gathering was relatively easy, especially considering that we didn’t get home til last night. I’m grateful for baked pasta dishes that can be made early, and grateful for Chad and Heather for helping me out!
• I thought the invite said the party started at 3pm, when it actually said it started at 3:30pm. This is better than the other way around.
• Spending time with all of the Sullivans. When we all get together, it’s always loud, in the best possible way. I’m so grateful that we’re all still close despite growing up and moving around.

Today I’m grateful that:

• I didn’t have to go anywhere or do anything today. I really needed a recovery day.
• My Christmas gift to Chad — DVD of the first season of Flight of the Conchords — was truly a gift that I bought because I knew he would love it. But, turns out, I love it too! Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
• The Patriots may not have made the playoffs, but they have a lot to be proud of. When Brady went down, I think most people expected a dismal season. It was anything but. I’m happy they kept things interesting to the very end.

Today I’m grateful that:

• I was able to make it through lunch with my in-laws at Fuddruckers without thinking too much about the movie “Idiocracy.” If you’ve seen the movie, you know what I mean. If you haven’t seen the movie, you should!
• My parents dug us out of ice and snow while we were in D.C. so that we didn’t have to deal with it when we got home tonight. Hugely appreciated!
• No flight delays!!!

Today I’m grateful that:

• We were able to celebrate Christmas with Chad’s family in Maryland, who we don’t get to spend a lot of time with (obviously) on a regular basis.
• An unforgettable Christian moment. He will probably be tortured with recounts of it for the rest of his life. I will not go into it here, but it provided us with many, many laughs.
• Shamwow! I don’t know what it says about me that I was extremely excited to get Shamwow as a gift from Chad. But I really was.

Today I’m grateful that:

• We were able to meet up with old friend Neil Greenberger. Always an entertaining and insightful time with Neil!
• We actually had all of our Christmas gifts bought AND wrapped BEFORE today!
• A beautiful, peaceful, inspiring Christmas Eve service at Aspen Hill Christian Church. As always on Christmas Eve, the minister, Bob, invited the kids to sit with him while for a story and discussion. When he asked who was born on Christmas, our two-year-old nephew Christian said, “Baby Santa!” We are pretty sure it was because Bob’s grandson, Trevor, whispered it in Christian’s ear! … I can’t claim to be a very committed person religiously, but this place — more importantly, the people — is one of the things I miss most about living in Maryland.

Today I’m grateful for:

• Due to our flight issues, we had to cancel a get-together with a bunch of D.C. peeps on Saturday night since, you know, we were still in Boston. But, tonight we were able to meet up with a bunch of people for dinner and drinks. Grateful to still be able to see so many people, and grateful that Chad has stayed close to so many great Terps.

Today I’m grateful that:

• We finally finished all of our Christmas shopping!
• We got to spend some time with Charlie and his new girlfriend Jen, and Mandy and little Sebastian.
• We capped the night off with Pete and Karen — always good company!