Grateful Blog

Today I’m grateful that:

• My dream last night was just that — a dream, or more accurately a nightmare. It was definitely one of the worst dreams of my life, because it was so vivid, lengthy, logical, and true to life (as opposed to the usual pretty bizarre and unrealistic nature of my dreams). I’m grateful that I do not (as far as I know!) have a cancerous brain tumor! Yikes … never watching Boston Med right before going to bed again.
• We picked a straight-up light-hearted and funny (hilariously funny, I thought) book for tonight’s book club, “Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea.” Much-needed humor after this not particularly fun week.
• My friend Tracy was understanding that I had to miss her birthday dinner because of book club (what can I say, book club is a serious commitment — to dinner, alcohol consumption, and chatting about things other than the book) and super understanding when I stayed about a whopping 45 minutes at the bar portion of the celebration after book club. I was kind of impressed with myself for even making it into town at that hour of the night — I am old.

Today I’m grateful that:

• I belong to a “book club” (trust me, the quotes are appropriate) with very cool girls who can take a book seriously every once in awhile, though I’m happy to report they usually don’t take anything too seriously.
• We picked a book, “The Strength in What Remains,” that was an unbelievably inspiring story of a young man’s will to survive in the U.S. with virtually nothing. We pick lighter reading more often than not at book club, and I usually do like that, but it’s good to sprinkle in a little something serious every now and again. The book really made me grateful for the relative ease of my entire life. I appreciate reminders like that; it’s scary how easy it is to forget how good we have it. It’s kind of why I started this blog in the first place.
• My sister Heather gave me “The Strength in What Remains” for my birthday a couple of months ago. She must be psychic! And cool.

I’ve been quiet on here for the past couple of months, not because I’ve had nothing to be grateful for — quite the contrary, as always. It’s just that I’ve been very busy in work and non-work life … so I guess I’ll start there. I’m grateful that:

• Work has kept me busy in a good way recently!
• Chad started a new job a couple of weeks ago, being the (much) less boozy and adulterous version of Don Draper. I am immensely proud of him! I knew when he decided to stop working for himself as he had for the previous 10 months or so that he would have his pick of new jobs, and I think he picked a great one. Oh yea, and they offer health insurance! Holla!
• As always, I’m grateful for book club. (That’s for you, Rach.)

Today I’m grateful that:

• I have such fond memories of my time at “our school”, Holy Cross, that I can be in book club with all Crusaders and remember about 95% of the people they’re talking about.
• My parents get along so well with my husband!
• Home Depot doesn’t suck as bad as it used to.

Today I’m grateful that:

• I finished my book for book club, just in time, as has become my pattern lately. I’m also glad I’ve never actually seen the movie version of “The Natural” … I generally tend to have issues with the major differences between books and movies, and I’m told the ending in the movie is far different than the ending in the book. I prefer book endings. Movie endings tend to wrap everything up with a big, pretty bow. I mean, I like pretty bows, but they just don’t fit around all gifts.
• I got to spend some quality time with my nephews during their visit this week. I’m sorry to see them go … oh, wait, that’s for my other blog.
• On this date next month, my sister Heather will be LIVING on the East Coast again!!!

Today I’m grateful that:

• I finished “Love in the Time of Cholera” just in time for book club. Even though we almost universally hated it!
• That Chad didn’t mind that I ditched him most of the past two days in order to get the above accomplished.
• Playing Atari with my brother and friends until 3am. There’s something reassuring about the fact that you still have to blow on the cartridges to get them to start. And it still works!

Today I’m grateful that:

• I have a friend who, despite a few ups and downs over the 14+ years we’ve known each other, always has the reaction I expect and want her to when I tell her my latest story of woe!
• Progress on my book club book. Okay, so I’m still way behind, and the book club gathering is in less than 24 hours, but at least I will have some clue as to what we’re talking about when we talk about the book for 10 minutes out of the probably three or four hours that we’ll be hanging out.
• Another walk down memory lane thanks to Facebook!

Today I’m grateful for:

• Lunch and some VH1 reality TV with two people with great senses of humor, Chad and my cousin Adrienne. “Tool Academy” is funny enough (intentionally or not) on its own, but hysterical along with the commentary of those two.  “I’m sorry, you’re just a tool.” … Come on, you know this makes you feel significantly better about your own life!
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• I finally managed to get to a point in my book club book, “Love in the Time of Cholera,” where it’s actually getting interesting and I feel like I’ve perhaps finally reached the actual story. (This really shouldn’t have taken 40+ very long pages!)
• The return of “Lost,” FINALLY! Okay, Chad thought the episode could have been better, but I say a shot of Sawyer’s butt crack was worth the wait. Seriously, I’m glad this show is back on. One of my very favorites!

Today I’m grateful for:

• Nibbles mix from Wilkie! She never fails.
• Very deep, thoughtful discussion with my girls at book club.
• Having one of those trees that come in three pieces with the lights already on them. Way better this way! (Yea, I know it’s not real, but it lasts longer!)