I'm Running the Gamut in This Week's TToT, Week #44

I'm a little tired, but I seem to recall a beatitude that says, "Blessed are the run-ragged, for they will find sleep and relaxation."

Surely that's a beatitude.

(Short pause for my mom to say, "It isn't, and quit calling me Shirley!")

If you read my last post, you will know that my brain is on overload and can't hold on to any new information, partly because of the children's coaches' and teachers' conspiracy to put all of The Things on the same nights at the same times.

This thankful list comes to you from the notes app on my phone.  I have thumbed things down all week so as not to forget.  I even wrote full sentences.  In the past I have jotted down a word like "lunch box" in order to remind myself of a post idea, only to read "lunch box" a few days later and think, "Why in the world did I write "lunch box" down?"

Don't laugh too hard.

You know you've done it, too.

On to the thankfuls...

I AM THANKFUL...

1.  that the Dixie Chopper started right up.  We haven't even tried to start it since November, so I was a bit doubtful of my success when I got the idea to try and mow in the 45 minutes I had between coming home and leaving again.

Oh, how I enjoy the smell of freshly cut grass.  And weeds.  We have a lot of weeds.  They smell the same as  grass when cut.

2.  for the ability to renew library books online.  It's especially handy when one doesn't remember the books are due until 4:30pm on the day the books are due.  I managed to dodge that $40 bullet!

3.  for my safe travels to the wedding last weekend.  Delicious food was eaten, the ocean was seen, cards were played, laughs were had.  When growing up, I only saw my sister for a couple of weeks each summer.  As adults, we're lucky to see each other every couple of years.  (This is the sister which I took Turken to visit for his one-on-one trip to Hilton Head.) I am so glad I was able to be there to be a part of her wedding day.

My dad trying to take a selfie at the beach.  My brother being his usual, goobery, hilarious, photo-bombing self.

 I gotta say, it was a bit odd taking a trip with just my brother and divorced-for-over-30-years parents.

 I kinda felt like a kid again.

It took us 10 tries to get a photo in which we both jumped at the same time.

4.  for the buses the high school has available for sports teams.  Sure, I had to get up at 4:55am to get Phoenix to that bus, but it really helps on days when we have 4 kids who have games at the same general time.

5.  for the rain and snow we received earlier this week.  I can say this because we didn't get the 10 inches of snow folks a bit farther north received, and the snow was only here for a day.  It was enough, though, for practices to be canceled, thus easing up our schedules on Monday and Tuesday.

6.  for the new discovery of wi-fi in the high school parking lot.  On a whim, waiting for Phoenix to get out of practice, I tried to get online with my iPad. It worked!  I have a bit more time now to read my friends' blogs and catch up on the facebook.  (Don't expect many comments, though.  That is still a pain to do on an iPad.)

7.  for a long driveway.  Sometimes, the boys are just really squirrelly after school, making the drive home loud and active and headache-inducing.   On those days, I let them out of the van at the bottom of the driveway, so they can run and burn some energy on the 1/3 of a mile back to the house.  Plus, I get 3 minutes of peace and quiet.  That's a long time in this house!

Cuckoo stopped to pick some "flowers" on his way.  Phoenix helped.

8.  for meals I can start in the crockpot in the morning and others I can throw together quickly as needed for evenings I have limited time to get dinner on the table.  We've had lots of those these days.

9.  for our children's Catholic schools.  I know I've had this in other lists, but each week there is something else for which to be thankful.  This week being Holy Week, there were plenty to choose from.  The 6th grade teachers who arrange to have a rabbi come in and walk the students through a Seder meal.  For the 8th grade teachers and students who help us focus ourselves by presenting a Living Stations of the Cross.  For all of the staff who encourage good manners in the students.  (For example, the Living Stations draws quite a crowd.  The church is standing room only, and those standing are the 7th grade boys.)

10.  for Lent and Holy Week.  Throughout the year I am mindful and appreciative of Jesus's sacrifice and the love that God has for me.  It is good, though, to have this time to really focus on it.  To make my own sacrifices, to dedicate extra time to learning and praying and meditating.  This year in particular, I made some good changes that will carry me on through the rest of the year.  I am also grateful that I have the freedom to do so.

Alrighty folks.  It's your turn.  What fills your heart with gratitude this week?

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