I’ll get back to ranting about a few things later this week. In the meantime, I’d like to take a moment to list a few things for which I’m grateful. As a kind of balance, you know?

In no particular order:

• G going out-of-town to visit his family – without me and with his oldest son and oldest son’s girlfriend (who is going to have the baby in the next few weeks.) Not that I don’t like being with him or them, but it’s good to have some time alone now and then.
• DS1 coming up from Iowa State for the weekend. He came for a Holden staff gathering but it meant I got a few hours with him before Thanksgiving break.
• Being able to give/loan him G’s Malibu to drive home. I’m very, very grateful I didn’t have to drive down and back today.
• Being able to take DS1 for a haircut yesterday. It was just nice to hang out and I’m glad I can provide some of that little stuff still.
• Being able to buy him a new winter coat. I did drag him through Marshall’s (where we found a $250 Marmot jacket for $69) but still. There have been years where I couldn’t have afforded that. And I know friends for whom that is too much for their budget. So I’m grateful that I’m able to afford that this year.
• I’m grateful that the “rat in a dog suit” that is G’s dog didn’t behave too badly this weekend. He only peed in the house once and managed to poop outside all weekend.
• I’m grateful for the mild weather that is hanging on in this area. Last year about this time we were socked with a big snow storm that didn’t melt until (a very late) spring.
• I’m also very grateful that it looks like the snow is going to hold off for at least another week. I don’t think many people could take another long winter like last year. I know I couldn’t.
• I’m grateful for the 4th-6th graders that sang so beautifully this morning and who also played guitars to accompany a hymn. They’re an amazing bunch of kids to get to work with.
• I’m grateful for the adults that helped with the logistics this morning. No way I could have done it alone.
• I’m grateful for a conversation I had with a friend a couple of weeks ago where she admitted that too often she found herself complaining about life and that she wanted to try to focus on the positive things more every day “…for my kids. I don’t want them growing up so focused on complaining, like I did.” So I’m grateful to have  meat-world partner in this blessing counting adventure.