I'm exploring the use of different words. Sounds pretty dull, I suppose, but these are the things I think about while in the shower, or laying in bed awake, or while reading other people's random postings on Facebook, or whenever else I have free brain time.
This week's word is appropriate: Thankful.
I started by looking up the definition of thankful, and found out a few things. Thankful generally means an appreciation for something, or an acknowledgement of a benefit. I found out that grateful cannot be separated from thankful. In fact, gratitude is an expression of thankfulness. A lot of people are saying things like "I'm thankful for..." at this time of the year, but I'm not sure everyone realizes there must be a recipient of the thanks. This "direct object," (for all you english majors), receives the thanks. "Thank you for the gift you sent." You, in the last sentence, receives the thanks. In a sentence like "I am thankful for...." who is the recipient of thanks? Who has delivered a kindness to you?
In other examples, such as appreciation, an object may not need to be implied. One person can appreciate, or enjoy, or be grateful for something in one's life. Appreciation means you enjoy it and find it enjoyable or useful. Thankful is another thing entirely.
To me, there can only be one recipient in that sentence: God. I'm thankful for the house over my head. Who am I thanking? Who bestowed this benefit to me? God did. I suppose one might argue that it was his or her own sweat and tears involved, but for even the opportunity to get that house over one's head, or the benefits of good marriage, good health, plenty of food, lots of friends and good laughs, we have only one Being to thank, and that would be God.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Cruising toward the finish line
Here it is, literally past the middle of the month already. Next week is Thanksgiving, then Advent starts, and before you know it, we are at Christmas. I am bound and determined to slow this train down, but there are many factors working against me, including my own self! The kids have certainly chipped in to make sure Mom's been busier than usual:
November 5: ER visit for the Beav. This was one of those days I had scheduled out to the very last minute, because we had appts in the morning, afternoon, and a wedding in the evening. Why not squeeze in an ER visit, right? Why not--we did it, though, and now Beav joins the others in the "Forehead Scar Club." So, we didn't make it to the wedding, but we did make the reception, and that was a nice night out--good food, good people--congrats to our new neighbors!
November 11: ER visit for Bear. This was an interesting one, because I got called into school to pick him up because he was having trouble breathing, like an asthma attack (only he doesn't have asthma). Well, I come to find out that he had been at the nurse's office the DAY BEFORE for the SAME PROBLEM and I received no notification about it until I picked him up on Friday. What's up with that? I would think breathing problems are a special problem that maybe Mom and Dad should know about. Maybe I'm crazy. This wasn't the first time that I wasn't notified, too--that's a little frightening. Anyway, went the Dr, got a nebulizer, went home, into the ER at 1am, d/c'd at 5am, sleep until 8:30 am, into work at the hospital shortly thereafter. Thank you, St. Anthony's, because you all have been great to deal with as pediatric ER visits go, these two were very smooth.
November 18: Lunch at school with Buzz. I made this pact that I'd bring McD's to school on the half days, and now I'm being held to this. It wasn't so bad, just added another wrinkle to the day. But, we have cub scouts tonite and I've taken on this popcorn sale thing, and while it hasn't been bad so far, I still wonder: "What on earth were you thinking?" Let's just take a look at what else Jenny has volunteered for in the upcoming month ahead:
1. Trip to Amish store with former neighbor (actually, I'm looking forward to this)
2. Christmas program at church
3. Christmas party for Bear
4. Popcorn sale (goes on through January)
5. School library volunteer
Maybe that isn't so bad, but add on working, working extra at the preschool, 2 classes I'm taking in December, Beav's Christmas concert at school, it's starting to WEAR ME OUT just reading it. I also like to do a picture of the boys for Christmas cards, and usually by now I have the photo all ready to go out.
Next, I got some bad news. My college roommate emailed and told me she has breast cancer, and it happens to be the genetically linked one that is especially virilant--she is responding to treatment, and I pray that she continues to and is eventually cured. Such a scary thought, and among all these things plus apparent PMS, I have been quite teary all day. I worry about my friend, which makes me worry about myself, my future/my family's future. I am sad for my friend Shannon, who is especially sad this week, noting the one-year anniversary of her husband's diagnosis and beginning of his eventual passing. I'm sad for my friend, Sarah, and the loss of her brother-in-law, quite suddenly. I'm sad for my friend Katie, who's just trying to be a good mom despite the obstacles set in front of her. I'm sad for my church, and the fact that it is hurting so badly, there may not be one in a year's time. I'm scared for my husband's future with his job. The list goes on and on and on.
Trying to find the silver lining in a sad time is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But, I've come up with this list to counteract the bad stuff. I've been enjoying being at home more and more, just doing laundry and managing household appts and stuff makes me feel good. I've been doing great on curtailing spending--though I think I can still do better. I like playing games with Beav in the morning, like Uncle Wiggily or Chutes and Ladders. I like walking the dog, getting lunch with a friend, driving to piano lessons and listening to Bear play "O Come All Ye Faithful" for his teacher. I like going to assemblies at school for the boys, checking for emails from my sister and my friend Tim, due to come in town in a few weeks. I love laughing with my husband, and it seems like we do pretty well with that lately, even if he periodically flies off the handle about nothing in particular. I like Jane Austen, Rachael Ray's magazine, and my Friday newspaper. Pumpkin spice latte is a good reason to get up in the morning, and Nero D'avola is a good reason to relax at night. Top Chef is coming to a close--that is a bit of a bummer because I'll need a new show, but "My Name is Earl" is on DVD. Christmas music and soft lights against a dark night make me feel cozy and safe. Hugs from each of my boys is enough to make my heart dance, and each one has brought me an extra smile lately: Bear's missing teeth, Scrabble with Buzz, and a walk with the Beav. Good times. Thank you for all these things, Lord, when I feel down and depressed. Thanks for sending me things to brighten my day.
See? My good list is longer than the bad.
November 5: ER visit for the Beav. This was one of those days I had scheduled out to the very last minute, because we had appts in the morning, afternoon, and a wedding in the evening. Why not squeeze in an ER visit, right? Why not--we did it, though, and now Beav joins the others in the "Forehead Scar Club." So, we didn't make it to the wedding, but we did make the reception, and that was a nice night out--good food, good people--congrats to our new neighbors!
November 11: ER visit for Bear. This was an interesting one, because I got called into school to pick him up because he was having trouble breathing, like an asthma attack (only he doesn't have asthma). Well, I come to find out that he had been at the nurse's office the DAY BEFORE for the SAME PROBLEM and I received no notification about it until I picked him up on Friday. What's up with that? I would think breathing problems are a special problem that maybe Mom and Dad should know about. Maybe I'm crazy. This wasn't the first time that I wasn't notified, too--that's a little frightening. Anyway, went the Dr, got a nebulizer, went home, into the ER at 1am, d/c'd at 5am, sleep until 8:30 am, into work at the hospital shortly thereafter. Thank you, St. Anthony's, because you all have been great to deal with as pediatric ER visits go, these two were very smooth.
November 18: Lunch at school with Buzz. I made this pact that I'd bring McD's to school on the half days, and now I'm being held to this. It wasn't so bad, just added another wrinkle to the day. But, we have cub scouts tonite and I've taken on this popcorn sale thing, and while it hasn't been bad so far, I still wonder: "What on earth were you thinking?" Let's just take a look at what else Jenny has volunteered for in the upcoming month ahead:
1. Trip to Amish store with former neighbor (actually, I'm looking forward to this)
2. Christmas program at church
3. Christmas party for Bear
4. Popcorn sale (goes on through January)
5. School library volunteer
Maybe that isn't so bad, but add on working, working extra at the preschool, 2 classes I'm taking in December, Beav's Christmas concert at school, it's starting to WEAR ME OUT just reading it. I also like to do a picture of the boys for Christmas cards, and usually by now I have the photo all ready to go out.
Next, I got some bad news. My college roommate emailed and told me she has breast cancer, and it happens to be the genetically linked one that is especially virilant--she is responding to treatment, and I pray that she continues to and is eventually cured. Such a scary thought, and among all these things plus apparent PMS, I have been quite teary all day. I worry about my friend, which makes me worry about myself, my future/my family's future. I am sad for my friend Shannon, who is especially sad this week, noting the one-year anniversary of her husband's diagnosis and beginning of his eventual passing. I'm sad for my friend, Sarah, and the loss of her brother-in-law, quite suddenly. I'm sad for my friend Katie, who's just trying to be a good mom despite the obstacles set in front of her. I'm sad for my church, and the fact that it is hurting so badly, there may not be one in a year's time. I'm scared for my husband's future with his job. The list goes on and on and on.
Trying to find the silver lining in a sad time is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But, I've come up with this list to counteract the bad stuff. I've been enjoying being at home more and more, just doing laundry and managing household appts and stuff makes me feel good. I've been doing great on curtailing spending--though I think I can still do better. I like playing games with Beav in the morning, like Uncle Wiggily or Chutes and Ladders. I like walking the dog, getting lunch with a friend, driving to piano lessons and listening to Bear play "O Come All Ye Faithful" for his teacher. I like going to assemblies at school for the boys, checking for emails from my sister and my friend Tim, due to come in town in a few weeks. I love laughing with my husband, and it seems like we do pretty well with that lately, even if he periodically flies off the handle about nothing in particular. I like Jane Austen, Rachael Ray's magazine, and my Friday newspaper. Pumpkin spice latte is a good reason to get up in the morning, and Nero D'avola is a good reason to relax at night. Top Chef is coming to a close--that is a bit of a bummer because I'll need a new show, but "My Name is Earl" is on DVD. Christmas music and soft lights against a dark night make me feel cozy and safe. Hugs from each of my boys is enough to make my heart dance, and each one has brought me an extra smile lately: Bear's missing teeth, Scrabble with Buzz, and a walk with the Beav. Good times. Thank you for all these things, Lord, when I feel down and depressed. Thanks for sending me things to brighten my day.
See? My good list is longer than the bad.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Where did that month go?
Okay, I blinked or something, because it's now November. And what a busy month it was. Bear lost 2 teeth (the front ones) and now looks like the poster child for America: red hair, blue eyes, freckles and no teeth.
We also had our first brush with flu: while the kids did get the seasonal flu shot, Buzz caught some version of some virus that left him out of commission for a few days, followed by a nasty cough for another week and a half.I celebrated another birthday--yes! And, it was the best birthday of my adulthood. Thanks, sweetie!
Trivia night went well--we reigned supreme until the 10th round, when 2 tables beat us by a point. Oh well, 3rd place is still good out of 50 tables, and my friend will benefit tremendously by everyone's generosity, so it was a great night all around!
I worked my tail feathers off, too--which was both good and crazy. It made me glad to be a stay-home mom again, once the extra work days were complete. It'll make Christmas extra nice for our house, but the time lost, the work involved to make those days go smoothly--whew! I need an assistant to get it all done!
Boooooooo---my morning radio is now ka-put. I used to enjoy my 1/2 hour with my headphones, getting lunches ready, listening to talk about nothing important, but darn entertaining, and they took it off the air. Now I'm stuck with the Today show, which is a poor substitute. Let me know if you have any suggestions for early morning radio.
I am the popcorn "kernel" for cub scouts--what did I sign up for?
One last thing--I think because we have had an incredible amount of rain this month (over 12 inches), not only are our feet sinking in mud, but my feet are sinking deeper into my mouth. I have literally, yet unintentionally, made some horrible comments over the last month, which has left me wondering if people are going to start telling me to "blankety-blank." I've tried to make my apologies where I could, but what is going on with me? Some sort of frontal-lobe malfunction, but I need to slow my mouth down considerably. Now. If I have said something to you and not made the appropriate apologies, you have it.
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