Thank goodness for Elisabeth: her F.I.G. Collective project is not only keeping my brain primed to find things to be grateful for this month, but getting me to blog when I feel completely sapped of post ideas.
Here are seven things I’ve been especially thankful for over the past week.
Sunday, February 15: Carla has the day off tomorrow (for President’s Day), so the three of us plus my parents left town for a mini ski getaway. We had great snow, great weather, and a lot of fun. I adore skiing, and I am so grateful to be able to do something I love, with the people I love.
Monday, February 16: The grocery store still has a TON of beautiful Valentine’s Day floral arrangements – and they’re all half off! I snapped up this cute little planter.
Tuesday, February 17: Even though we hire a cat sitter to come take care of the kitty twice a day while we’re out of town, he acts as though we have abandoned him for years to fend for himself. He demonstrates his relief at our return through days of intense and unending purrs and Velcro-ing himself to our sides, and I’m not going lie: I love it.
Wednesday, February 18: Guess what arrived in the mail today?!?! What a thrill to be able to experience Nicole’s writing in book form, and to have my own copy of her first novel for my home library.
Thursday, February 19: I had my annual physical with my doctor today. I am grateful that all my labs are normal. I am also grateful that my doctor listens to me and that she was happy to refill prescriptions and submit orders for my first ever colonoscopy. Am I looking forward to this procedure? Hell no. But I have a family history of colon cancer and I am grateful that I’ll be able to get some insights into my intestinal health.
Friday, February 20: For the first time in A WEEK, I sleep through the entire night without waking up. I have been seeing many of the wee hours of the morning lately, and when I’m in a spate of poor sleep it’s easy to feel like it will always be that way. I’m so thankful that I am still capable of sleeping six hours in a row.
Saturday, February 21: Today is the bat mitzvah of a family friend, and it was such a joy to witness her confidence and satisfaction as she led the service in Hebrew. I’ve known this kiddo for more than half a decade now, and as I watched her recite the Torah portion of the service, I could see her little second-grade face superimposed over the face of the beautiful young woman she’s become. Being able to watch Carla grow up and into herself is, of course, such a gift, but I am surprised by how moving it is to watch her friends grow up alongside her. The entire day was joyful and celebratory and I am so thankful to have been part of it.
That’s all I’ve got for you today, Internet. Snow is falling quietly, the cat is waiting for me to play with him, my family is still asleep. I hope you found many things that filled your heart with gratitude and joy this week, and that the week ahead is similarly full.
Nice FIGS! Let’s hear it for Velcro kitties! Tell Leo to keep the accusations coming!
In Doggy FIGland, we took full advantage of this week’s fake spring to go hiking! We both got very muddy, so we went right into the tub when we got home. The bonus fig there is that Doggo gets super soft and fluffy after a bath. This morning the snow is back, and there is nothing more fun than a dog playing in the snow.
Dogs in snow!!!!! What a great combination. And a soft fluffy pet is The Best.
It is incredibly moving not only to watch our kids grow and change, but to watch our kids’ FRIENDS do the same. I always feel a sense of awe, like “I knew her when she was a baby and tried to eat my plant. AND NOW SHE’S A UNIVERSITY GRADUATE.” That kind of thing! When I got married/ had a baby shower, I remember my parents’ friends attending and talking about this in awe “I knew her when she was born.” I get it now! It truly is remarkable. I mean, someday I may get to go to the wedding of the kid that accidentally peed on my floor. Sunrise, sunset.
Speaking of which, I had some doctor’s appts this week and now that I’m over 50, my doctor wants me to do the FIT test, instead of an immediate colonoscopy. Which, it will be nice not having to have a colonoscopy but I HAVE TO COLLECT MY OWN POOP. I feel UNGOOD about doing this. But having been through many colonoscopy preps with my husband, it will be nice if I can dodge one.
Thank you SO much for being such an important part of Inhale Exhale!!! You really impacted the final product! xo
Heehee – I love that perspective on seeing kiddos grow up! It is really a privilege, isn’t it?
“I feel UNGOOD about doing this” indeed! That sounds… unpleasant. But it does sound less terrible than dealing with the prep???
And how fun to see your name in the acknowledgements of Inhale Exhale!!!
That colonoscopy prep is so gross. I have only had one, but I guess I’ll be due for a second one next year.
Laughing at Lenny’s accusatory purrs!
Wow, that skiing hill…just empty like that! How amazing.
Well, I suppose the “fun” thing about colonoscopies is that you don’t stop with just one. I am SO NERVOUS about the prep. I have heard so many horror stories. I really, really hope that I’m one of the rare few who handles it with ease.
Yes! It was so cool to see your name in the acknowledgements of Inhale Exhale!
I went skiing on Friday and it was SO PERFECT. If every trip to the hill was like that. Gah. The exhilaration of it all, the weather was incredible, there weren’t many people. It was just so much fun. I really need to make an effort to get back at least once this week since we’re leaving soon and that will be the end of our ski season for the year.
Oh, Lenny. What a sweetie!
I haven’t had a colonoscopy and understand wanting to decline (your caption made me laugh), but all the gold stars for preventative care. It so often makes all the difference.
When you get into the rhythm of going skiing regularly, it’s so fun! We have gotten so out of the habit. But I had a wonderful time last weekend and I hope we can go again before the season ends.
Don’t you love how COLONOSCOPY is in all caps? Like, no way to avoid that!
What fun to go skiing! I used to ski in college–every Friday night with my ski instructor boyfriend. When I dumped him, I lost my ride to the mountains. Cats are definitely creatures of habit and they love their people around.
A weekly ski date sounds amazing, Margaret! How cool!
That’s a wonderful week filled with so many good things — and even a cat who welcomes you home. Lizzie is not so generous! Yes, we have that snow. Ugh. Only an inch or so, so can’t complain compared to the noreaster I hear is happening. Still, I’m so done with it! Great buy with the flowers — and yes, I’m a tad envious of your sleep! Here’s to another week of good sleep!
Very cute planter deal/find! 😀 I’ve got a thing for pink houseplants, haha
And it’s truly amazing what sleep can do, even if it’s one night of a blissful stretch. Here’s to more of those nights for you!
As always: your cat makes my heart smile <3
That’s funny, because Leo does have an accusatory stare in that photo. Yes, I always feel so bad when we leave the cats! What if they think we’re dead and they’ll never see us again??? It’a always such a relief to come back.
I know I complain about Valentine’s Day, but one good thing about the holiday is that Valentine’s decor really can be for any time. It’s kind of depressing to have Christmas-y stuff up when the holiday is over, but hearts can be year-round.
Yay for skiing and sleep… yay for FIGs!
I’m glad you got to do something you love (skiing) and that Leo survived your absence.
I have gotten very fond of my kids’ friends over the years. The flip side is I miss them when the kids drift apart, but I’m still in touch with a lot of the parents through Facebook.
How fun to have a little ski trip with the entire family!
I saw a lot of flowers half off after VD, but they didn’t look as healthy as the one you found. Well done!
I can’t stand seeing that gorgeous cat—-it makes me want a cat, and I can not have a cat at this point.
OMG, I meant to say, YES, it’s such a joy watching your children’s friends grow up. Wait till you witness them becoming wives and mothers—it’s mind-blowing!
I have never attended a Bar or Bat Mitzvah but I grew up in an area that was not religiously diverse. Taco’s bestie is Jewish so I am selfishly hoping they stay friends even though they will go to different schools so we can see what a Bar Mitzvah is like – plus we really adore his parents.
I have not been great about participating in FIGs this month… I feel some guilt over this, but life is felt very very EXTRA lately. And I know I should be looking for the good things, but I have felt really weighed down by the stuff of life. But I did have a very uplifting weekend with my friend from Pittsburgh. And the Brandi Carlile concert was 10/10 amazing.
Yay, love skiing! A kid in a skiing family is so lucky to get to start at a young age and learn while they are at that fearless phase!
A colonoscopy is kinda like childbirth. Its not fun, but you just put it out of your mind afterwards. The worst part is the 12 hours beforehand. Don’t plan to sleep the night before since you’ll likely be in the prep process. Then you’ll get a nice nap during the procedure. I’m doing mine in about a month.
Leo is beautiful even when look accusatory! How dare you leave him for skiing?! 🤣 Oh, I would be so tempted to hit decline on that text! Good for you for taking care of that. Hooray for some good nights of sleep! If nothing else, a Colonoscopy means you get a really good nap!
I’m so glad you enjoyed your ski trip. I do not enjoy skiing, so better you than me. the first time I attempted skiing was on a mountain in the Alps. Do not recommend, although it did create some very entertaining stories. I had no idea cats could hold grudges or make their feelings known if they are left out of weekend plans. So funny. I’ve not been to a Bar mitzvah, but Curly is about to graduate from hs and has rekindled a friendship with her first best friend since they were 4 years old. They weren’t ‘not’ friends in high school, but hung out with different crowds and recently they are hanging out together again and it so warms my heart.
Noticing your blog name change! 🙂 I like it very much!
I had no trouble with colonoscopy prep; I mean, it was gross, but it’s doable. I slept fine that night. You’ve got this!
Kitty cuddles!! I literally feel like my FIG every day should be “Zelda graced me with cuddles today.” I am the chosen human and I understand how lucky that makes me!
eeeeew colonoscopy. zero stars, do not recommend. but! I do have fond memories of the peanut butter crackers I ate after I woke up. they were basically the best pb crackers ever after fasting and purging. yuck.
I’m so envious of you having Lenny as the ultimate fluffy companion. I mean, he lets you use him as a prop. What a cat.
Also, wow, bar/bat mitzvahs. There’s a blast from my past. It was fascinating to see how my friends/classmates approached it. Some phoned it in, some were truly engaged, and others just wanted to get the heck off the stage. (The parties afterwards – considering it was the early 90s – were also hilariously epic. I’m glad I don’t have those pictures…)