Day 9

Quick post before I crash. Gpa is back on the ventilator in ICU, the doctors are saying that he has to have the surgery in order to survive. However, he's not strong enough to have the surgery yet. Sigh. They are trying to wean him from the vent, but things aren't going as well as hoped. The only good thing to come out of all of this is the feeling of communion with J's family. Life is so rushed that we don't always take the time to really talk to each other. There's not much else to do in an ICU waiting room. I like hearing their stories.

Today, I'm grateful for stories to share.
I'm grateful for Coral's email. Nothing like a surprise email from a newly reconnected, very dear friend to make your day.
I'm grateful for the last day of school tomorrow. Well, the kids are and I'm grateful for their joy.
I'm grateful for David's clear PET scan... he's 6 months cancer free!
I'm grateful that J's presentation is over... and he got the Death Star laugh.
I'm grateful for laughter.
=]

Experiment day ?

Today I'm grateful for people who do what they do well.

I'm grateful that E had fun bowling.

I'm grateful for moments of communion with J's family, even when things are tough.

And I'm grateful for Gpa's doctors who are keeping him alive.

Experiment Days 6 and 7

Ok, so this daily blogging thing is not happening as well as I want it to... if at first you dont succeed, try, try again?
Yesterday... yesterday was Play Day at Eezers' school. In the rain. Basketball shoot. Yep. It was fun. Lol.
But I was grateful for a very hot shower when I got home.
And then I felt very ill for a while and I was grateful for 7up and saltines and Advil... and that Wink can drive to the drugstore and buy Pepto for her wimpy mom.
And today, I'm grateful for 12 hours of sleep and feeling better... and kids who wake up and ask Mom how she's feeling.
I'm a lucky mom.

Today, we're dealing with the new diagnosis of a malignant tumor on Gpa's lung... in addition to the heart issues.
Saying some prayers...

And I realize-

that I blew the whole premise of the gratitude experiment by not updating for 5 days after I started it... I vow to do better.
A quick list of 5 things I've been grateful for in the last 5 days...

1. A fun day with my mom. Jersey Boys was awesome!
2. A summer evening on my patio with my DH and fab girls.
3. A glass of chilled Chardonnay.
4. The nice doctor at Alton Memorial who took the time to explain the results of gpa greats heart cath not just once or twice, but three times so gma great could understand it and I could write it down.
5. Hope. 85% is alot better than 30% when you're talking heart surgery on an 88 yr old.

And just because I can't stop at 5...
6. My friends who know when I need to hold it together and when I need to cry.
7. People who go out of their way to tell me how much they enjoyed Wink's singing.
8. Chocolate cake from Dukes... yum.
9. My Grams, who has been so understand of my time split, even as she's been struggling with her health.
10. Family. All of it.

Tonight...

I am grateful for people who can sing.

I watched an amazing, wonderful end of the year choral concert at the high school tonight. My Wink got up there (so brave) and sang so fantastic, along with the other two girls in her group. (One of who I think we should see on Idol in a few years.) All of the groups were fabulous tonight. Tears all around. Especially for the fabulous Mrs. Davis who is retiring this month. Snif.

And then, later-thanks to my DVR, the American Idol finale. Wow. Vote for who you want, but both Davids are talented gentlemen with great voices and fantastic futures ahead of them. I had the chills just listening to them... and the tears too. (For the record, the votes went to David A from our house...)

I'm so grateful for those who can and do sing... thank you for sharing your talent with me.

Experiment day 1

Rough couple of weeks in our family. Today I'm home with Miss Eezers, sick with a tummy ache. She's curled up on the couch watching the same episode of Zoey 101 over and over and I'm catching up on my Internet browsing. Completely blowing off the list of things I need to accomplish. I love mornings like that.
So I checked in on this blog that I like to read occasionally. [Backstory: I am a constant lurker. I love to read blogs, read the comments, but I rarely post anything. ] So I love Wil Wheaton http://wilwheaton.typepad.com/ , have read his blog since the DH first sent me the link years ago. Thru him, I started reading Shane http://hollywoodlog.typepad.com/nickerblog/ and Annie http://jesusfavorite.typepad.com/jesus_favorite/. (No, I don't know how to do that link thing... so computer illiterate.) Annie is running an experiment to see if she can become more positive by posting what she's grateful for for 30 days. I like the idea, I need to be more positive with the things that are going on. Even tho they are on day 21, I'm going to start today. =]

The DH's grandfather has been in ICU for a 9 days, my Grams went in the hospital a week ago. It's been touch and go, but both are on the upswing. The good news is that it's the same hospital. Lol.

So, today I'm grateful for their health and for having the time to be useful to my family who has always been so great to me.
I'm grateful for music... specifically, the incredible version of "Rhapsody In Blue" that Adam Rodgers played at the spring orchestra concert last night. I'm always so inspired by the talent that those high school students have.
I'm grateful for the fact that a snuggle with Mom is still enough to make Eezers feel better when she has a tummy ache.
I'm grateful that Wink would rather sing karaoke at the church with her friends than run around and get in trouble tonight.
I'm grateful for the showing I have today at 2:30. First one in a month. Yay!
I'm grateful for my friends who keep calling to ask how Grandpa Great and Grams are.
I'm grateful for my hubby, who always apologizes when he thinks he's hurt my feelings.
Today, I'm also grateful for sunshine, after 10 days of rain.

=]