August 31: dear daughter visiting

Today I am thankful that DD's over to visit. We don't do anything special, just hang out and chat and maybe reference current events and pop culture things. She delighted me by recognizing the spiral fidget toy and enjoying playing with it for a few moments. (I purchased two.) I offered that she could take and keep it, and she said, "but I'll lose interest", and I said, "so will I", which gave us a chuckle. Yes, stuff is just stuff, but it can be amusing for a while. And then shared with others for their amusement!

Today I am thankful for naps. I took two good ones this morning, after waking up too early in the wee hours.

Today I am grateful for a three day weekend, just to give me a little more breathing room to take those naps and do the regular chores. I aspire to do much more de-cluttering, but finding the time while still working a full time job proves challenging.

Today I am grateful that I work a job where my demise would be noticed. Adieu, Denise Prudhomme, may your memory be for blessing.

Today I am thankful that in our single-house state legislature state, the voters seem to be on top of their function as the second house.  Multiple ballot initiatives seem destined to appear on the ballot when next we raise our collective voices.

May you find many things to be thankful for today, too. 

August 30: old friends

Well, the natural gratitude today is for old friends. One of mine has a birthday today, as well as his wedding anniversary. Me and my "not-husband" (March 2022 - where does the time go?):

Today I am thankful my boss did not ask me to get food for Tuesday morning's meeting. She did ask me to prepare the coffee urn; I can do that.

Today I am thankful for the advantage of learning about wigs as my mother wore them for her thinning hair and cold head. Now I'm wearing them for the same reasons, and putting that knowledge to good use.

I am grateful for the generous spirit that overcame and-or moved me today. Sharing has always been hard for me. But maybe this was giving. Giving feels different than sharing. I willingly gave a new spiral fidget toy to a coworker when she said it seemed like something her son would like. And she accepted! I also gave my best pen to a different coworker, who was filling in for an essential third coworker today. My behavior didn't seem like me to me, but I was grateful for it. I may very well find that pen on Tuesday, but if I don't, I'll be okay. Maybe it's the wisdom of age and knowing the stuff is just stuff and other things matter so much more.

Hope you are having a good day, too!

Love and Hugs, Ace

August 29: tonsil rocks

 Today I am grateful to know that others get tonsil rocks. I am not alone. I will not be spending $100 for the wayer-pik-like gadget which will allegedly clean them out. Gargling will have to be enough.

Today I am thankful for the mindless distraction of the matching game on my phone. I am tired, and I may lay down shortly.

Today I am thankful for the weather front that stormed through and dropped our temperature by 25 degrees. So much better!

Hugs and love and have a good day! To

Benji

 

Today I am thankful for our furry companion. Picture from one week ago, his latest grooming. He looks like the wise fella he is.

Today I am grateful I have rings in multiple sizes, to accommodate my fingers as my weight fluctuates and-or if they swell.

Today I am thankful for my 'better half', feeling like he balances out or helps me temper my emotional extremes. Hey, who knew, there may be an upside to marrying an actor! (Don't get me started on the down sides, lol 😂!)

August 27: Humor

 Today I am thankful for humor. 

This bumper sticker reminded me of a dear niece who is full of humor.

If you don't get the next ones, just let it wash over you. Find your own funny!

 See how I dress? Very mindful, very demure. Very thoughtful, very considerate, only a little cutesy. This isn't a fashion show, ladies.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 

Thank you Jools and TikTok.

This is the dress SPINNINGJW and I each bought for ourselves without knowing the other one had it. So cutesy! And amusing myself at the store, a tribute to Jen's visit:

Of course I returned them to their proper places. Very thoughtful. 😁

As Mr. Greg would say, "Find your joy!" 🥰

August 26: setting boundaries

Today I am grateful to hear DH sticking to the boundaries he set with a toxic person.

Today I am thankful to still have DH here to delight and to irritate me. I am grateful we’ve had 36 years together.

I am grateful we have Benji to care for and fuss about. I am grateful the heat is supposed to begin to diminish tomorrow.

Today I am thankful for this exercise of codifying gratitudes. I believe it is helping me navigate this part of the year more successfully. Until tomorrow (I hope)!

❤️

August 25: Sunset

Today I am thankful for unexpected gratitude, like:

Today, I am thankful the sun is setting earlier. Anything to help mitigate this unbearable heat.

Today I am grateful for indoor pads for dog use. Outdoors isn’t fit for man nor beast.

And I am grateful for air conditioning, and stores that open early, and visiting with sisters...and, and, and. 

Predictable gratitudes for me. But at the time of year when I am cross about daily dwindling of daylight, I surprised myself by being glad the sun would go down soon, and hopefully give the earth a chance to catch its breath, as it were. One more day of oppressive heat to go, in this round.