Saturday, November 9, 2013

Ten Things of Thankful: Week 23


OK, so I apologize but a few of you may have already seen some of these this week (at least one, possibly more, so I am sorry for the repeat but thanks for dealing…).

And because I am feeling exceptionally lazy, I’ll be going with the “I am thankful for” (and then listing my things, instead of actually writing out “I am thankful for” each time.) Follow? Good.

Oh look, I stumbled onto an intro for my post.

This week, I am thankful for:

1. An inadvertently-written introduction to this post. Not a well-written or thought-out intro...just an intro.

2. TWO lovely days this week in which I could take Indy for a walk. Count them: One-Two.

3. That my 10yo voluntarily went on one of the walks with me. Ok, he kind of went voluntarily; I don’t let him stay home unattended, and Mr. Always Random had to take the 12yo to basketball “grading” for team placement; don’t judge me for that. He gets more freaked out by staying home alone than I do (meaning, he gets freaked out when I leave him home alone; lest you be confused, I am perfectly fine staying by myself), so that clearly tells me he’s not ready to do it for any real length of time. Ergo he went on the walk to with...and I got one-on-one time with him. Bonus.

4. That the PBA got multiple Snickers bars in their Halloween candy haul, and that they have yet to notice a gradual decrease in their Snickers-bar supply (which decreases equally, since I pilfer from both bags simultaneously…have to keep things “equal” between children, right?).  AND the 10yo just confessed yesterday that he doesn’t even like Snickers. We’re having him tested to see if there was a mix-up at the hospital when he was born…clearly.

5. The lot in our neighborhood…I LOVE to watch the colors change in the fall; the heavy, snow-laden branches in the winter; the rebirth in the spring; and the dense cover provided in the summer.

Yes, clearly this is NOW and not the other seasons...you'll have to use your imagination for them. I know you all have one so use it.
6. That all sorts of searches bring people to my blog. A search this week was: “Shallow things to be thankful for”. I think I amply cover that, don’t you?

7. My first published story came out in the mail this week. If you are so inclined or interested in reading it, you can find it here. See pages 35 and 36. And no, I haven’t read it since I gave it to my editor, because I know there’s nothing I can change about it now and I undoubtedly would. So if you see any errors, please don’t tell me.

8. I have yet another story to write for the same publication. Which also means another interview, but this time the story was my idea. It is about a young soccer coach (whom my 10yo had when he was 8); he has an A-MAZING testimony, which I get to share with a whole local readership. Words cannot express how much I love, admire & respect this coach. I have already done the interview and set to work on the article; unfortunately it won’t print until late winter/early spring. Sorry for you that you have to wait that long to read all about it.

9. The PBA are FINALLY starting to get into music appreciation. We began the 1950’s this week, hitting it with Elvis (as the boys are quick to tell you, it’s obviously the pre-1970’s white sequined jumpsuit Elvis), Bill Haley & the Comets, and Jerry Lee Lewis. The 10yo even ASKED to listen to Elvis during dinner the other night. I am OVER-THE-MOON.


10. That I had the opportunity to go through Follow the North Star with my 12yo on Thursday night…this is actually going to require a whole post at some point. I cannot even put it into words at the moment, as I am still processing it. But make sure to watch the video you find through the link above; the only difference in our experience versus the video is that our experience was at night, in the pitch black darkness with the wide sliver of a moon in the sky. Goose-bumps. (Oh, and one-on-one time with the 12yo...wow! Two "dates" in one week...pinch me!)

 Head on over to Lizzi's page and check out the Blog-Hop to see what others are thankful this week!

29 comments:

  1. What, you mean they're only NOW getting into Elvis? Elvis is the KING! Keep this era of music going for as long as you can!

    Congrats on having your piece published - that is SO awesome. I'm gonna go and read it next and promise not to have my CopyEditor hat on. I'm sure it's perfect :)

    Snickers bars are awesome :) Glad you're depriving your children with all due fairness.

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    1. Well, we started in the 20's in August, 30's in September, 40's in October, so we'll only be covering the 50's in November...but I shall do my best.

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    2. Well I can only hope that you covered The Andrews Sisters with them last month, but NOW they're getting into the good stuff :) I look forward to hearing what other musical delights they're going to hear :)

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    3. Yes we absolutely covered the Andrew Sisters...one of my all-time favorites! :)

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  2. (well, okay, I WOULD have read your article if the site hadn't crashed my Adobe Flash FOUR TIMES. You'll just have to post it here one day ;) )

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    1. Sorry about the trouble...I'll see what I can do. :)

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  3. Glad they are getting into music appreciation! So vital and in all ways and must not be neglected. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. My husband and I both enjoy a wide variety of music and we wanted to make sure our appreciation was passed down to the boys. Thanks for stopping by! :)

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  4. I didn't know anything about that north star experience. I always forget about Conner Prairie. I have never taken my kids there, which is shocking actually. We will so be doing this.
    I just bought my own bag of snickers when Halloween candy was 50% off. :)

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    1. Yes, but I warn you that it is intense...let me know your thoughts after you go. I'd love to de-brief with you!

      Braggart...

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  5. DNA testing is obviously needed in that snickers situation... I would check the cellar for pods! And published! pgs 35 and 36 were better for your presence!

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    1. Thank you for the kind words...it feels kind of good to be published AND that someone paid money for it to be. :)

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  6. Congratulations on being published, and what a great resource!

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  7. Congrats on your first published story!

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  8. let me add my own congratulatory words and all! how cool, sort of like being in two places at once, isn't it? (I am asking as I have not had anything published, but it should! …feel like being in two places at once!)

    good intro… good to have the children learn the classic music first! lol

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    1. Thanks for the encouraging words.

      And I just figured we should start with an appreciation and understanding of music most like what they listen to and then we can work out way into the truly "classic" works of Mozart and the likes. :) We're having a lot of fun with it; between Spotify and satellite radio we have access to so many resources and are blessed to be able to do it easily.

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  9. Congrats on the story!

    Also - I love the music appreciation idea! We might just be stealing that over here :)

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    1. Oh yes it's been lots of fun...you should definitely give it a go!

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  10. Congratulations on the published work - trying to read it but the site keeps locking up.

    I love your music appreciation efforts - there is such good music from all generations out there and I think more kids should know about it. We grew up learning - and loving - lots of current and fabulous "oldies" that our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents knew. I'm loving passing them onto my daughter. She makes the senior citizens in the farmers' market smile when she sings "Daisy, Daisy" or "In the good old Summertime" along with the little carousel ride.

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    1. Lizzi was having trouble with the site too...so sorry about that; I'm not sure what the problem is. Thanks for trying to check it out!

      I have always loved all kinds of music and it was important to us that we pass that love and appreciation down to our children. It's been so fun to take on...but the 20's were difficult. Not my favorite decade, for sure!

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  11. When we were driving home after picking up Lily from the birthday party she attended on Thursday, we had a great view. The sky was black from the clouds, and the moon the perfect sicle-shape. loved it!

    The lot next to your is truly beautiful, I hope it stays like that for a while!

    I also don't like Snickers. Hate the peanuts ;-)

    Hope you have a great new week!

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    1. Thanks ...I hope that lot stays that way for a while too!

      I'll be expecting a shipment in the mail should you ever find yourself with Snickers in your possession ;)

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  12. Congratulations on being published!! What a small world...you being involved with an organization working with special needs families and me...a special needs family. :O

    WOW...the Follow the North Star looked amazing!! I can't read to read all about your experience.

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    1. Thanks so much! It sounds like a really great organization in our area, helping lots of kiddos and their families.

      Thanks...and thanks for stopping by!

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  13. I tried to read your article, but the link wouldn't work for me, so I'll just say congratulations and I'm SURE it's a beaut!

    That is a very tame search phrase. I hate to tell you some of the ones I get, since I write about boobies sometimes.

    Follow the North Star looks very interesting and very intense. My daughter would really enjoy the experience.

    I like neither Elvis nor Snickers.

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    1. Yes, you are not the only one having trouble. I'm certain it's from the barrage of people who heard they could read my article there and have created a log-jam.

      Yes, I'm sure...skivvies is as crazy as I get.

      Yes, it was A-MAZING. You should bring her to Indiana so you can experience it yourselves.

      I'm not sure we can continue this friendship.

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