Five on Friday: Requisite Sappy Holiday Gratitude Post But With a Twist!

I'm supposed to write a gratitude list today, right, because Thanksgiving was yesterday? It should be sappy and I should gush about how much I love my husband and kids.

Meh, I do that all the time.

But since it is a slow week because of a holiday that's all about being thankful, I think I will write a little grat list. However, I've been trying to think of some that are unusual or seem contrary or force me to take a new spin on something that I'm *not* actually grateful for, like:


1. Daylight Savings Time. It is stupid and I hate it and I wish we would stop doing it. Also I loathe the cold of winter and can't wait to be a snowbird. But I'll tell you what, the sunrises this time of year always knock me out.

2. All five kids are home and yes, it is wonderful, but I am so glad they're going to go back to school (university, high and middle) soon. Not in a "oh my kids are driving me crazy please open school again" sort of way, though, which I have felt before and will maintain that that is a completely valid feeling. 

This time, though, it's pandemic-related . . . I just continue to feel so grateful that my kids can have a more normal year this year, with sports and friends and more typical college experience. We survived the virtual/hybrid year, but I am so grateful it is over.

3. The dryer is still broken and even though I do really look forward to having it fixed, the little-girl-playing-Little-House-on-the-Prairie in me kind of enjoys hanging the clothes on the line and/or on the rack near the fire. And what I really love is putting on a shirt that smells like outside. It's not summer anymore, which does make me sad, but my clothes and sheets smell like sunshine.

4. When I sit on the couch with the television volume turned up to 50 because the teenage drummer upstairs decided to forgo practice all day and start at 9pm, I like reflect upon how  much I rue the day we ever got this goddamn drum kit  lucky we are to have such talented children.

5. I really love my job and look forward to going to work, I honestly do. But a day off to be with my family, creating our annual gingerbread and just being together is something to not take for granted. 

Sneak peek: these are just some parts, it's not done yet