Be Grateful #1

Well, we have returned to the daily hustle and bustle of everyday living.  My classes start in one week! I am halfway ready and halfway prepared.  I've worked on various things but haven't completed any.  I am still dreaming of the holidays, and it doesn't help that we haven't had time to take down our decorations yet.  (It's happening this week!  We have a kitty tower to put up...)  It also doesn't help that I have bronchitis (sorta), finished my antibiotics yesterday, and still have drainage issues with a cough that comes and goes.  I'm just praying it doesn't turn into pneumonia.  I have toooooooo much to do!

Zach, Will, me, Matt, Lexi, and Mama

Will had to dress up as Phil Robertson (from Duck Dynasty) for church for some reason.  (I didn't ask.) That's why he is wearing all camo; usually, he is dressed to play football!

Also, I didn't get to fix my hair that morning, so it is WILD!

1)  I'm thankful we got to spend lots of time with family this weekend, even if it meant being away from home another weekend.  Saturday, we travelled to Batesville for the Pharr family Christmas with all of Zach's aunts and uncles and cousins.  I don't know some of them as well because they do live far away, and additionally, we have missed the last three gatherings in four years because of various reasons.  But Zach and I spent the night with his aunt Brenda and uncle Davey, so we could travel to Lonoke the next day; that allotted us an opportunity to visit just with them (as well as his cousin Lindsey and his uncle Chuck, both who also stayed since they live in our part of the state).  I didn't get any pictures, including the traditional full family shot, because I know lots of cameras were clicking, and they will eventually be sent to us.  On Sunday morning, we drove down to Lonoke to have Christmas with mama, brother, niece, and nephew finally.  (We had to head back home early at Christmas because of the snow and missed seeing them.)  We all had a lovely time over lunch, opening presents, and watching part of The Walking Dead.  *haha*  I'm so thankful God has seen that old wounds have been healed and that broken relationships have been mended.

2)  I'm thankful I've only gotten almost bronchitis.  (The doctor said it looked as if my body is trying to get it, but it's not full blown bronchitis yet.  At least it wasn't full blown last Thursday...)

3)  On that note, I'm thankful I can work from home when I feel cruddy.

4)  I'm thankful for my husband.  Very few things make my heart sing as when he turns to me in the car randomly and says, "I'm glad you're my wife."  He is my best friend, my champion, my lover.  We both understand that when we got married, we also married into each other's family, and I am thankful for that understanding and for the love we have for each other's relatives.

5)  I'm thankful for the new gold sheets Zach surprised me with!  He got them for Valentine's Day, but he was worried I wouldn't be pleased with them and didn't want me to be disappointed on the holiday, so he gave them to me early.  :)

6)  And it may be silly, but I am thankful Downton Abbey has started again.  Who's with me???

7)  I'm thankful for the good evaluations my students gave me.  Yes, it is nice to have my self-esteem and ego boosted, but mostly, I am happy to see that they are learning and enjoying my classes, even when they find them challenging.

8)  I'm thankful I got approved for the Remistart Extended Access program for this year.  This will help with our out-of-pocket costs for my Remicade treatments, which I have every other month; the medicine itself costs around $3,000 in Arkansas, which means it is worth $18,000 for the year.  We don't have to pay anywhere close to that amount because our insurance is GOOD, but since I still only work part-time, it does help to have some assistance.

9)  I'm thankful for randomly cheap raspberries at Sam's, so we can have raspberry chocolate chip ice cream.  As well as raspberries stuffed with white chocolate chips.  :)

10)  I'm thankful it's a new year with fresh opportunities and second chances to become a better me.  I feel a bit silly, but I am taping this (somewhat altered from the original in The Help) next to my bathroom mirror:  "You are kind.  You are smart.  You are beautiful.  You are important.  You are loved."  Because we all are.  :)

How is your New Year going thus far?

Be Grateful #9

Yeah, I know, I know.  I am almost a week late.  Sometimes life gets in the way.  I'm trying not to be too hard on myself for not following through, but I am the type of person who become disappointed in herself when she falls behind, even if it's a non-work project (if you know what I mean--this is a self-imposed self-improvement project, you could say).  Oh, well.  Here I am!  At least I am not a FULL week late.  ;)

1.  I am grateful to have less negativity in my life, even if it means putting distance between myself and a friend (or, in this case, a relative).
2.  I am grateful to have seen Pokey LaFarge and Jack White a week ago.  I had never heard of Pokey LaFarge, but they reminded me of The Soggy Bottom Boys and were a lot of fun to hear play.  I think my mama would like them, too.  (Possible Christmas present?)  It was a great show, and I love Jack though I do miss The White Stripes.  I just wish Zach and I could hold up for that long.  (Concerts without seats are rough these days.)  I still feel that Cain's Ballroom is a fantastic venue, especially since they just added a BBQ restaurant!!
3.  I am grateful my hair is growing back in.  And for new haircuts.  :)

4.  I am grateful my husband made it home safely from his conference and that he got his scooter back this week.
5.  I am grateful for our kitties because they make good company when I am home alone.
6.  I am grateful The Walking Dead has started back--and that I got into it over the summer so Zach and I can watch it together and discuss it with all of our friends.
7.  I am grateful for my sweet students.  It is fun to watch them grow and improve, and we are having a blast with this unit (even if I didn't want to teach this week--I wasn't feeling too hot).
8.  I am grateful that my Phoenix class is finished.  (It has made me feel like it is Christmas break, which is another reason why it has been difficult to work this week.  *lol*)
9.  I am grateful for new recipes.  I could cook all day!
10.  I am excited for my dear friend Monica's baby shower this weekend!  And so grateful I can go (because I almost lost the chance)!