Catching Up (AMOT 8-10)

I've been in a grouchy mood the past few days. I've run headlong into school and medical bureaucracy over L's asthma medicine. I'm prepping for a big CFC event at work on Tuesday (yes, I'm in charge of my office's CFC this year). The time change has done us no favors. DH and I have been grumbling at each other.

So, time to take a deep breath and be thankful.

AMOT 8 - I'm thankful for old clothes, the ones that are like old friends. The ones you pull out of your closet weekly because they fit well and work for most outside-of-the-house situations. My favorite pants (in 3 different colors), my tall boots, my frumpy but functional coat, my red cable sweater.

AMOT 9 - I was delighted to be able to see the moon and Jupiter for most of my drive (in exceedingly slow traffic) to swim class last night. If one has to be stuck in traffic, it's good to have a nice view. The view was quite amazing. Here's someone else's photo.

AMOT 10 - I'm thankful for good friends. I had lunch with 2 friends today. We're having some friends over for dinner tomorrow night, and more friends are coming over on Sunday for a girls' craft day. It'll be a bit crazy, but it will be nice to see all of them. And to see great friend NJM at all three. I have a lot of wonderful people in my life. I need to remember that more often.

Deanwood (AMOT7)

Today, I am grateful for the Deanwood Recreation Center. How nice it is to be able to go for a swim and visit the public library in the same building.

Weekend Update (AMOT 4-6)

So much for blogging daily. Just one of the joys of having small children, I guess.

Friday - I was thankful for having a functional health care plan. We have a good plan through our employer. My wish is that everyone had access to quality, affordable health care. (Today's visit was routine in nature, not related to my antics on Wednesday.)

Saturday - I am thankful for good babysitters. We have a few that we like and use regularly.

Sunday - I've been known to say in the past that I wish we would stay on Daylight Savings Time all year. I like having the sun available later in the day. This year, for once, I was grateful it ended. Our mornings were getting a bit too dark, and we were having a rough time getting going in the morning. Already I'm feeling the difference.

Telework (AMOT3)

Today I am thankful for telework. It allowed me to stay home and rest my knee (and elbow) while still working.

I'm grateful for telework in general. I don't have a long commute, but teleworking saves me about an hour in prep and travel time, which gives me an hour to do other things without the girls being under foot.

Good Samaritans (AMOT2)

This is not what I intended to write about today, but circumstances intervened.

Today was not my day. I started my day by having to climb 150 stairs up out of the Dupont Circle metro. Ugh. I was at a seminar this morning that went OK. Then it was back to Dupont to go to my office for an all afternoon meeting.

Except, being the klutz that I am, I tripped over the uneven sidewalk just before the metro entrance. I did a full flying eagle face plant into the concrete. Ow, ow, ow.

Before I'd even fully landed, several good samaritans were coming to my aid. A couple of people offered to help me up. Others gathered my belongings that had gone flying, including my lunch. They stood by while I dusted myself off, gathered my addled brain together, and surveyed the damage. My hands were slightly scraped up, and my wrists, arms, and shoulders were jarred a bit, but my right knee bore the brunt of it. Amazingly, my favorite pair of pants survived intact.

I managed to get myself on the metro back to my office and up to our health unit. The kind doctor and nurse took good care of me, both physically and emotionally. The knee is sprained and swollen, but it doesn't appear at this point that there was further damage.

So, today, I am extra thankful for the kind and decent people of DC who, instead of laughing at my flying antics, showed sympathy and aided me when I needed it.

P.S. I think it's kind of cool that today is a palindrome: 11/02/2011.

Halloween Cuteness

Here are the girls in their Halloween costumes this year.
L. is a fairy princess. A. is a dolphin trainer.

Saturday night before a friend's party.

A. in the Book Character Parade at preschool.

L. at home after going out for trick-or-treating.

AMOT1

A Month of Thanks - Things for which I am thankful.

Day 1: I am thankful for friendly neighbors.

Last week, at Diversity Night at the girls' school, several parents went out of their way to say hi and introduce themselves. It really made an impression. Yesterday, during trick-or-treating, I was reminded of what a great neighborhood I live in and what great neighbors I have.