I appreciate:

• Peacock feathers. They are just so pretty.
• This drawing my niece gave me last year.
• Lip balm.

I appreciate:

• Heat. I know I’ve said that before — but this winter I really, really appreciate it. Every day.
• Paper and pens. Although I spend much of my day and do most of my work online, I do love writing things – notes for myself, lists, letters and cards to friends. Remember writing letters?
• How satisfying it can be to accomplish something small (especially during a day in which things aren’t quite falling into place!) 5 minutes to reorganize the freezer and set up a system so we know which ice packs are coldest = a whole evening of feeling good.

I appreciate:

• Helpful people showing up at just the right moment.
• Growth in relationships.
• Stickers.

I appreciate:

• Really good staplers. Love my Swingline!
• Getting to do nice little things for people I love, like painting Katie’s nails with Easter egg colors and polka dots, and doing the dishes for Terri after she fed us the MOST delicious meal!
• Pretty much anything purple. (Yes, that includes the color of my broken toe.)

I appreciate:

• That stretch of warm weather we had…last week. That was excellent!
• Little reminders to notice what is good, like this candle holder-turned pencil cup (a gift from Kari) with sunlight streaming in front of it.
• The way my little life came full circle last night: After attending an awesome workshop with my duo partner, Sarah (whom I met doing Laughter Yoga), I stayed for Show X and watched a scene in which one character recited the lyrics from a song written by someone I currently work for, and another scene in which I learned all about PREdiatricians (a bit which my inner English-major-punster geek found hilarious. Thank you SO much for not letting that go, you wonderful people!) So. Much. Fun!

I appreciate:

• Paper.
• Having a fully bootable backup of my laptop.
• Amethyst.

I appreciate:

• Roof rakes — and my brother for lending us his!
• Patrick, for trudging through the waist-high snow to scrape the snow off the roof.
• The subsequent cessation of water dripping into my house from ice dams.

I appreciate:

• Snow removal people including Mckenzie, who’s been keeping our walk shoveled, the unknown neighbor who often snowblows the entire length of the sidewalk on this side of the street, snow plow drivers, and all the other heroes out there making travel in the tundra possible.
• My first decent night of sleep in the past week. What an amazing thing sleep is — like some kind of miracle elixir. Oh, wait, that’s coffee…
• Miracle elixirs of all kinds.

I appreciate:

• Generous and patient clients, family, and friends giving us support and space to get through this little life event. Y’all are so nice!
• My wireless mouse. I never talk about it, but I really do like it.
• Books. I like reading.

I appreciate:

• Medical technology that makes it possible for Katie to look forward to a fully-functioning wrist again in 6 weeks!
• Ryan’s devotion to and care of my kid during the past week.
• That the waiting period and surgery are done and we’re into the healing phase. Hooray!