April 5, 2013: My first day of gratitude entry in quite a while!
Today was very special. Caitlynn had her first number in the final competition of the year. It's been a tough year, her dances not scoring as well as we thought they should. But tonight was her night! Her jazz dance to 20th Century Mambo received a platinum, a special award called "Style and Stage Presence" and was first in her category. This was one of only a handful of platinums given out to all solos in her age group. So proud!
I had special items to be grateful for today. Good laughs with a friend at work, progress in figuring out my new job and the corporate contacts to go with it, my son doing his homework sans problems. But my gratitude post is about getting back to the gym. Despite a long day and feeling tired, Vin and I hit the gym after dinner and did 45 minutes on the treadmill. I covered about 3 miles and struggled at the end but I finished! The gym posted this on Facebook and it fits, so I grabbed it.
I'm grateful for dance costumes- the butterfly dress that came home for Caitlynn's lyric solo (needs only a bit of gem work), the modern solo costume I am sewing and whose skirt is now finished thanks to my new sewing machine, the jazz solo costume with an unknown arrival that needs a lot of gem work and may mean some late night sessions if it doesn't arrive soon. It's difficult sometimes but it's one of my few creative outlets now. I enjoy seeing her in the end result!
Today I am grateful for the sun- as it rises over my neighborhood as I leave for work, as it shines down on me as I drive, as it comes through the 1st floor landing windows and warms me in the afternoon, as it lifts my mood and gives me strength.
Today was a very pleasant and relaxing day doing nothing in particular. This afternoon we took our early Sunday dinner out of the house, at Outback. Yummy steak, tender baked potato topped with everything, frothy sweet sangria. Oh yes, it was a meal to be thankful for. What made it even better? The entire bill for the four of us was covered by a gift card given to us by a friend for Christmas. It was an unexpected and very welcome gift, and I am extremely grateful for it!
Today was tough. Brandon woke up with severe neck pain, Caitlynn has a cold and I just feel depressed, irritable, worn out. So we let go of plans and took care of ourselves. CVS rewards saved our broke selves a bunch on necessities. Shop Rite netted a dessert-making activity for Sunday. We did a lot of couch sitting and a bit of cleaning. I finished one book, then another. it was the right way to spend the day. I am grateful we just let ourselves do what we needed most.
Vin is off for a guys' night in NYC so the kidlings and I settle in to watch a movie he has no interest in, The Hunger Games. Not as good as the book but a fun watch nonetheless. Thankful to be curled up on the couch with my kids enjoying a quiet night together. One teenager, one nearly there. It goes so fast. I wish I could remember to make every possible moment like this one. Since the reality is I am not the most patient or wonderful mother, I'll hold this moment close.
Today my husband took us to one of the local diners for dinner. Here you see him finding his 365 shot of the day as ice melts in his glass. Not only am I happy for the fried chicken I enjoyed (one of my big weaknesses), I am truly grateful for the art my talented husband enriches our life with. This is one incredible artist, with photos being just his most recent medium. Really, check him out: www.vincentjamespia.com
Today I am grateful for new opportunities. As Oce integrated into Canon on January 1st, I was originally scheduled to be eliminated as an equivalent position did not exist. I received the combined blessing of one division's marketing person moving to a new opportunity and recognition of my previous efforts by upper management. I am experiencing some "survivor's guilt" as some very dear to me were not so lucky, but this is the right thing for my family. New skills to learn too.
Today I am thankful for the symbolism of a new beginning. I am shedding the burdens of the old and preparing myself to thrive in the new. A wonderful dinner cooked by my husband and a crisp prosecco teasing my tongue are a physical accompaniment to the feeling of hope bubbling inside. Happy New Year!!
This is my version of my husband's 365 day photography project. Each day I will take note of something I am thankful for and will post either actual photos or "borrowed" representations of it. The photos may not be loaded every day, but each photo will apply to a specific moment of gratitude in the applicable day.
