Gratitude

I was thinking recently about compliments, and some of the more memorable ones I've received over the years. When J and I were young and on our first round of dating (there was an extended break in the late '90s), he once told me I had pretty eyes. 

"They're really big, like a cow's," he said.

What can I say? He tries.

Another memorable compliment came from my Uncle Tommy, who passed away a couple years ago. He was a big-hearted man who I loved dearly. Big, strong football coach on the outside. Warm, tender peacemaker on the inside. 

When I called to tell him I was getting married, he told me my husband was the luckiest guy in the world because he was going to have a wife who would be upbeat and positive every day of the marriage.

Umm ... not so much today, Uncle Tommy. Talk about a grump! I might have actually stomped my feet at one point. Ooh. That's embarrassing to see in print.

There's nothing in particular to blame for my bad attitude. I had just had it. Had it with not being able to go pee without a child wanting to come into the bathroom and be with me. Had it with my coat being at the bottom of several layers of coats on the peg so that all of them fell when I tried to get mine. Had it with another day of cold weather.

It's so hard to talk myself out of that place when I'm there. It took me several hours, but I'm back to my happy place now (disclosure: the kids are sleeping. Could that be part of the reason?).

If anyone has an answer as to how to get out of that mood--or how to avoid it altogether--please chime in. The quickest route for me is to focus on what I'm grateful for, a list that ends up being quite long. I'm not saying that tactic always works, but it never hurts to try.

Last Thanksgiving, I suggested we put a jar on the kitchen shelf with slips of blank paper next to it. On the paper, throughout the year, we could write down the things we're thankful for as we think of them and then read everything during the following year's Thanksgiving dinner. 

I still need to set out that jar, but in the meantime, here's an excerpt from my gratitude list.

Making me smile lately:

-These body tracings of the girls, especially the quirky face Bo (left) drew on Magpie (right). Can you see the two round eyes and the grin?

-The Dixie Chicks' version of "The Rainbow Connection" on the "Mary Had a Little Amp" CD.

-This photo of homemade playdough from Hop Skip Jump and the recipe for it.

-My Friday night date with the girls making our own version of playdough--the edible variety! (Combine peanut butter, powdered milk, honey and flour.)

-Magpie's rump in these pants, which I made from the denim of an old pair of my jeans. The pockets are pieces from Klay's fabric donation. (Thanks again, Klay. It's the gift that keeps on giving.)

-This conversation between Bo and me tonight:

Bo: "I love tea."

Me: "Me, too! I love drinking tea at night. It quiets my body. It's warm so I have to drink it slowly, and that slows me down and gets me ready for bed. How about you?"

Bo: "No. Tea makes fast and it makes me scream!!!!!"

-This granny blanket, which I bought for $2.71 at a thrift shop last weekend.

-The health and happiness of my family and friends, including all of you.

-J's patience and love when dealing with my foot stomping today.

-And a children's music CD called "The Planet Sleeps," a compilation of lullabies in various languages and from various cultures. Incredibly soothing songs that might very well be a nightly routine for us to wind down to from now on.

The producer recorded the songs all over the world to "show the similarities that exist between widely different cultures, regardless of racial boundaries" in hopes that it "might in some small way help challenge the beginnings of prejudice, wherever it may exist." 

He adds, "no matter how old we get, we are all still children, we all need occasional refuge, and, most importantly, we all need each other."

Amen.

Comments

[Astrid]

I love your smile list - and your pictures as always! They show such a wonderful approach to life and what goes on around you! (BTW, I just noticed you're linking to me - and thanks - want to let you know that my blog url has changed to www.connectingthedots.dk) :)

[Megan]

Thanks so much, Astrid. A compliment from you on photos means a ton! You're the photo superstar.
I will update the URL. For a while I had you listed twice without realizing it.

[Abby]

I adore your blog... I have linked to you from me today.... thanx for the constant inspiration.

[kristine hanson]

The picture of your daughters with the kitchenaid is priceless, too cute! I have a picture of my daughter (now 5) when she was 2 in front of the oven, squating down looking in the window to see if the cookies are done, it is so sweet...have you been in the new top stitch? SQUEAL!!!!

[Megan]

Thanks so much, guys. Your kind words mean so much.
Cooking with kids can be such a mess, but there are so many sweet moments--it makes it all worth it.
Kristine, no, I haven't been in yet. I'm dying to see it. I'm hoping tomorrow will be the day. Did you know that she's going to offer times when a baby sitter is there to watch kids while the moms sew? Heaven!

[beth]

Megan i know exactly what you are talking about with not being able to pee alone. But when that stuff starts to bother me it's usually because i haven't done enough things for myself. It's tough to make time, but you have to. If you are not feeling you're best how can you be the best for you're kids? Put yourself first and see how it feels. Go ahead. I know we both we're not raised to do that, but you sure as hell need to sometimes. I'm going to yoga tonight and i can't wait!!!
Love you
Bethany

[kristine hanson]

Megan...I did not know about the sitter at top stich but she did tell me she hopes to have a "mommy and me" type of class, the kids do crafts while the mom's do a sewing item...bag, stuff like that...question for you...Top Stich carries a tiny bit of Flea Market Fancy...are you familiar with that line? I have 20 pieces of it but want MORE! Have you ever found any of it in town? Quilting Bee has some in thier clearance and I found a tiny bit at Log Cabin Dry Goods...do you know of any more?

[Megan]

That's wonderful advice, Bethany. I really need to take up yoga ... or go get a massage or a facial. Whatever. I'll take what I can get.

Kristine--that's the class Carrie was telling me about too, but my understanding was that the kids would be in a separate room doing sewing activities with a babysitter. Or maybe I was just daydreaming about a scenario like that.

Flea Market Fancy is a Denyse Schmidt line, right? I was thinking I'd seen it at Quilting Bee, like you said. Try Bear Paw Quilting in Coeur d'Alene. Have you been there? They have a great selection. I don't for for sure if they have FMF, so call first. It's still worth the trip to CdA to see their other stuff, though.

[kristine hanson]

I called Bear Paw, no luck but I have been to the new store, wonderful! We are probably thinking of the same thing (top stitch) just wording it differently! ;)