I appreciate:

1. Internet in waiting rooms, my laptop, and a bit of work waiting to be done. Makes today sooooooo much easier.
2. Being part of such loving, generous communities. The energy and love coming our way is truly astonishing. Seriously, y’all. You are the best. ♥
3. The interpreter sitting with the man across the room. He seems so generous and kind – and appears to be helping the other man feel so much more comfortable under what must be very trying circumstances. I love seeing evidence of people’s big-heartedness around me.

I appreciate:

1. That Gracie Dog slept until after 7 this morning. Yay for “sleeping in”! 😉
2. Hand lotion. A very nice remedy for dry hands.
3. Daisies. The yellow ones I got for Pat last week still look beautiful. Thanks for lasting so long, flowers!

I appreciate:

• I sooooo appreciate my parents for being so generous, supportive, and generally wonderful. Today I appreciate them coming over to help us with some projects — and for bringing gluten-, dairy-free goodies with them! What sweethearts. 🙂
• I also appreciate Katie, who helped us all morning and then made me lunch. Mmmmmm tuna sandwich.
• I also appreciate the lovely distraction this afternoon of watching Ellis perform on Prairie Home Companion!! Makes it so much easier to keep a positive attitude. 🙂
• Oh, and I appreciate CaringBridge, for making it easy for us to keep folks (who want to be) updated. You can read about our journey here.

I appreciate:

1. Pearls. Katie and I had fun designing a new pearl necklace for her — I’d forgotten how much I like to play with pearls!
2. This Dick Van Dyke video Sigrid posted. It really brightened my morning!! ♥
3. My new red belt, which makes me feel sort of pretty and strong. Very nice for today, since I’m nervous about our appointment with the oncologist. 🙂

I appreciate:

1. All the good news & funny stuff you posted yesterday (and the calls and texts, too!) I needed it. You all are superstars. ♥
2. Knowing that I can ask for what I need. With friends as generous and loving as y’all, I so often I end up getting it!
3. Feeling optimistic and hopeful. Yesterday’s wave of pessimism and hopelessness makes today’s return to my regularly scheduled self feel even sweeter. 😉

Today I appreciate improvisers.

1. I am so deeply grateful to be part of this improv community. It has provided me hours and hours of entertainment, a chance to grow and stretch in brand new ways, and a host of new friends.
2. I especially appreciate my classmates in HUGE 501 and partners in the Urbane Gorillas. Thank you, provmates, (to steal a Dan-ism) for being so inspiring, for being vulnerable and trying new things, and for your unbelievable kindness.
3. I appreciate y’all more than you know. ♥

I appreciate:

• My clean-out-the-inbox routine. So nice to have no emails in the inbox at 6:52 am.
• My daughter, who worked really hard all day, helping me clean and organize, kept us company, and provided hugs as needed. ♥
• Dinner with Katie, Ellis, and Ruby last night. Delicious food, beautiful company and just exactly what we needed. 🙂
• Timberwolves game on TV to occupy Pat, who’s getting a little tired of being a little tired. Thank goodness for happy distractions!

I appreciate:

1. That we get to start figuring out what’s going on today. Weekend of waiting is over.
2. Leftovers from Zumbro cafe for breakfast. Yummy oatmeal!
3. The little cloth that came with my glasses. Nothing else works as well for cleaning off the smudges. 🙂

I appreciate:

1. My wonderful little family. Already the kids are stepping up and providing amazing caring and support (and helping me with those dishes!).
2. HUGE Theater, for giving me a really lovely distraction for a bit last night. Off Book was, once again, magnificent. I especially loved the brilliant work of Molly and Sarah. ♥
3. Scissors. (Especially really sharp ones.) Yeah, I know. That appreciation doesn’t really fit, but I used some this morning and you have to admit, they’re super handy! They cut things knives don’t work well for, and using scissors is far superior to tearing things or trying to use your teeth. So, yeah, I do appreciate scissors. 🙂

Last night, we got some bad news about the reason for Pat’s stomach pain. We are working to keep a positive outlook, but welcome all your good thoughts! Meanwhile, I will continue to do my best to look for what is good.

I appreciate:

• I appreciate the beautiful sparkly snow last night. Made our ride home (at 1 am) so quiet and pretty.
• I appreciate having access to excellent health care!  I especially appreciate the incredibly friendly and gentle people working in the ER last night – everyone from the person who checked us in, to the nurses and doctor.
• I appreciate my wonderful friends, who are already sending us so much love and support.
• And I appreciate the yellow daisies I got for Pat the other day. They seem even friendlier today, somehow. 🙂