Gladitude Monday

Howdy, Howdy, Howdy!

Time for a smackerel of glad attitudin' for the day. I hope today leaves you at least one highlight in your glad-basket (or buggy, as Mer would say).

10. Glad that the days are indeed longer, if not totally warm yet. But we've hit the 70s at least once, and by July, we should again. :)

9. I've taken 3 loads of schtuff to Value Village. I know that we're having a neighborhood wide garage sale this weekend, but I can't bear to just sit with this any longer. I'd rather just get it out of my house. Note to self: Do not GO to garage sales of your friends and neighbors. Abstain! Say it with me: No.more.crap. No.more.crap. It's shameful how much we've pack-ratted away in just 8 years. Terrible. Nevah again.

8. Glad I finished Drama Girl's 50s circle skirt, complete with poodle. This week is "Decades Week" at her school. We both agreed after discussing this that telling Mom costume wishes and needs more than 48 hours before upcoming events bodes well for future enthusiastic Mom-participation. We have Tuesday (60s) and Wed (70s) all figured out. Still working on 80s (Thur) and Future (Fri). Perhaps the '90s were too grungy to celebrate?

7. Glad for playing BINGO this week at a friend's house. Apparently, like DRUNCO BUNCO, BINGO is a suburban housewives' dream come true in terms of marrying food/wine, chatting, prizes, and gambling game playing. Woo hoo! I took own my own prize. The theme was "pampering", so I bought grey salt chocolates and candles. Terribly glad no one stole it during the "speed round". I ate 3 of the chocolates on my way home. Because that's how I roll. I could never save my baby sitting money, either.

6. Glad for the delete key. Just sayin'.

5. Glad that my daughter told me today, "Mom, you never have to explain to me why we don't go shopping that often at Wa*l Ma*rt. " She had first-hand exposure to the folks ahead of us in the 10 items only line with twenty-eleven items. Further along on our drive home (the odyssey which took us shopping for "Decades Week), she asked what I didn't like about WM, since she had shared her frustrations. I said simply, "Honey, it just brings out the worst in me." And it does. But it sure is cheap.

4. Glad that we could do a community service project as a family (as part of Big's corporate community service day) over the weekend. We cleaned out and painted laundry rooms in housing provided to local folks who happen to be battling mental illness. It was a gift to us on so many levels. One of the biggest gifts was the fact that this housing is less than 15 minutes from our suburban bubble. I talked to the kids (and Big) about how our mission field can be as close as right next door, as well as overseas.

3. Glad for my guest appearance on His Girl's blog. I had no idea the response would be so touching to my heart. Thank You God for the subject matter. Thank you, Amber, for the opportunity.

2. Glad that even though Big is gone, I'm not filled with anxiety, dread, angst, resentment, or any other futile state of mind at his departure and length of trip. It is what it is. I can throw tantrums, or I can cowgirl up. Either way, the time comes for him to leave. I'm glad that I miss him terribly. I could do without having impending disaster each time he's gone (you know how it goes--it's always something when they're gone), but I'm glad there's a noticeable hole. It's God-sized and Big-sized, all at once.

1. Man, I'm a wordy mcwordster today! Glad for cereal for dinner. And lunch. And even, breakfast. Sometimes in one day. But usually...not.