be grateful for 3 things each day

Today I am grateful for:
1) The rain here in Austin. I LOVE to wake up to rain and droplets on my windows.
2) My life. It is not perfect because I’m not perfect. But it is a good life.
3) My ability to love. There was a time in my life that I thought I must be stupid to love others, especially when I was hurt. But I accept being able to love someone no matter what else occurs.
4) Bonus: Being able to see that this is only one moment in a life of many moments.

This holiday break didn’t turn out as I’d imagined, but really none of them ever do. But it has been a good break for me.
I’m sort of on a espresso high right now, but today I’m grateful for:
1) Having a paid 16 day break from work for the holidays. (There waas a time when my job, corporate and in stores, demanded working all holidays.)
2) My at home espresso machine. I love it. It makes excellent espresso and froths beautifully. I am making a deal to use it more in 2009…and save money doing so.
3) Reuniting with a co-worker who was a roommate decades ago. Hanging out with her feels like we lived together last month.

and one extra thing to be grateful for….

4) Another chance to see what happens.

I’m exhausted today and I really need to get back into the practice of appreciating the gifts I get daily.
My childhood friend is scheduled for a year long tour in Iraq. She leaves next month and I agreed to care for her kitty while she’s away. He’s having a hard time adjusting and I’m not sleeping while he adjusts, but I know we’ll get there.

Today I’m grateful that:
1) I have a home where I can care for her cat so that is one less thing she has to worry about.
2) coffee was discovered
3) some things aren’t permanent – good or bad…which means I can start all over again with a better outlook tomorrow or even later today.
4) I’m free to make any choice that suits me in any given situation.

This weekend was great. Saturday was beautiful in Austin (although I wished it were a bit cooler, it is February and all.)

I’m thankful for:

1) an almost perfect Saturday. (Despite my lack of house cleaning.)

2) my family – when they drive me nuts, when they make me smile and around we go again.

3) hanging out with my friend/neighbor Jessica on Saturday.

4) the Blue Dahlia Bistro – best egg salad ever (ok, not as good as my aunt’s egg salad, but excellent none the less.)

5) having a dream about Daniel Craig – I have no idea where that came from, but then it made me think of my cute neighbor who I keep trying to push outta my head.

6) the huge smile from my attractive neighbor fist thing Saturday morning. (I keep trying to forget him and he keeps making sure I don’t!)

I was unable to go home to New Orleans for Christmas – I couldn’t leave Noona home sick. Since we had a three day weekend I decided to fly home for a few days and see my family. It was also my cousin’s birthday (on MLK Day).
I’m grateful for:
1) growing up with a wacky, funny and loving family.
2) having 80 year old grandparents and one 100 year old great grandmother
3) being able to celebrate my cousin’s birthday with him. His little brother passed away recently and he’s been so sad. Seeing him smile this year was well worth the air fare home.
4) seeing the floats come in for Mardi Gras early in the morning. (I alternately love seeing the floats and hate them at the same time – you can not have a normal life during Mardi Gras!)

1) I’m grateful for waking up this morning – I realize so many in the world won’t wake today and someone is going to miss them dearly.

2) I’m grateful for Noona – things he and I did are popping into my head randomly and they make me laugh. I used to make him dance with me and people felt sorry for him – until they realized he TOTALLY loved it! (He also wouldn’t let me do step aerobics without holding him – yeah, it was weird at first, but I got used to it.)

3) For the coming MLK Day break. Not just because it is a break from work. I’m grateful for people who sacrificed their time, effort, money and at times, life for others.
My maternal grandparents are 79 and 80 years old, my great grandmother is 100 and my paternal grandmother will turn 100 this month. My point? In their lifetimes and indeed my mother’s lifetime they couldn’t vote or have the type of job I’ve had or have or attend any college they wanted or even date someone of a different ethnicity.
No the world isn’t perfect – but it hasn’t been that long that women and minorities were given a voice. Yet it gives me hope for the future of this world. So, I’m grateful that someone like Martin Luther King Jr and others were born into this world.

1) I’m grateful for waking up this morning – I realize so many in the world won’t wake today and someone is going to miss them dearly.

2) I’m grateful for Noona – things he and I did are popping into my head randomly and they make me laugh. I used to make him dance with me and people felt sorry for him – until they realized he TOTALLY loved it! (He also wouldn’t let me do step aerobics without holding him – yeah, it was weird at first, but I got used to it.)

3) For the coming MLK Day break. Not just because it is a break from work. I’m grateful for people who sacrificed their time, effort, money and at times, life for others.
My maternal grandparents are 79 and 80 years old respectively. My great grandmother is 100 and my paternal grandmother will turn 100 this month. My point? In their lifetimes and indeed my mother’s lifetime they couldn’t vote or have the type of job I’ve had or have or attend any college they wanted or even date someone of a different ethnicity.
No the world isn’t perfect – again, it hasn’t been that long that women and minority were heard, but it gives me hope for the future of this world. So, I’m grateful that someone like Martin Luther King Jr and others were born into this world.

Last night’s class ended just before 10pm and I have a hard time sleeping. Hours later I finally got some sleep, but dreamed of Noona, my aunt and cousin – I miss them dearly. I barely slept for three hours and just felt sad this morning.
My other cat is being needy and I know he misses Noona too – so this morning was especially hard, hard, hard…and I cried.
Just then my cell rang and it was my aunt – she’d called to tell me that my grandpa and uncle were sad for me and both told her that they loved me and other things.
She told me it was okay to miss her son, my Noona and my aunt her sister.
So I’m grateful for ALL of that this morning – because it really came at a time when I really, really needed to hear those things.

I am grateful today for:

1) having Boo to help me as I navigate a life without Noona and his love.

2) having a family that loves and understand me enough to know I wouldn’t come home for Christmas due to Noona’s illness. They already knew without me saying that I could not and would not leave him. I love that they get it and that they get me.

3) my 80 year old grandpa who knew how much I loved my cat and called to make sure I was okay.

4) having the time and peace to deal with tough situations.

On Christmas morning this year I said goodbye for the first and last time to someone I loved more than I could ever express.
My partner in crime and constant companion, Noona.

My bed doesn’t seem the same and I’m sure my life won’t be the same either.

I’m grateful for:
1) having known Noona when he was just a kitten in his mom’s tummy.
2) being the one who got to “save him” and in turn be “saved” by him.
3) photos and memories of our craziness, love, hijinx and dancing. (Yeah, he liked to dance with me.)
I miss you Noona cat – you have no idea how much.