Thursday, December 06, 2007

Sap. Made to order and served with grits.

My good friend Badgergirl has the attitude I wish to achieve in my life.

Honestly, she is just one of the most profoundly grateful people I’ve ever met. She’s also hilarious and smart and witty and just the right amount of snarky and I adore her. Oh and she’s cute as a button and I would KILL for her body and I wish my daughter would grow up and be just like her, because she rocks.

But anyway, yesterday we were emailing back and forth and she made me think (as she often does) about all the things in my life that I should really be grateful for. Not just the big things like my husband and my kids, because anyone who knows me knows that I am extraordinarily, profoundly grateful for the people who live in my house, but for other things too.

Like for one? I’m really grateful that I’m not married to my first husband anymore. For obvious reasons, like he’s an asshat. But also my first husband complained all the time. Constantly. Oh my frog in the morning, the man NEVER STOPPED COMPLAINING. He was the type of person that if his boss gave him a pay raise, he’d complain about it. If he won a million dollars he’d be all like, “I have to pay TAXES on this!” Being around such a negative person really messes with your mojo. Also? It makes you want to crotch punch them. Trust me on that one.

Jason, on the other hand, does not deal well with negativity. While he generally appears surly and brooding in photographs, he typically tries to see the brighter side, and when he can’t? He says nothing. Sometimes, nothing is much better than something.

He’s also appreciative for everything I do. My first husband would complain when I made dinner, no matter what the dinner was. He didn’t like the way I washed clothes (and hello? There’s a WRONG way to wash clothes?). Jason thanks me for making dinner. He says to the children, “Who thinks mom made a good dinner?” and they all raise their hands, even him. Even though he used to be a chef he tells me everything I make is delicious. The other day, when I said, “It seems like we eat the same things all the time,” he responded, “Yay!” He hugged me the other day when I put extra chicken in the chicken stir-fry. He thanks me for doing dishes, for straightening up, for vacuuming. And best of all? He does more straightening up and vacuuming than I’ve ever done, ever.

I am grateful for all of that.

I am grateful for my therapist and all the work I am doing with him. I am grateful that, unlike my previous attempts at therapy, I have found someone who is smart and funny and actually listens and seems to really care about me and the work I’m doing to improve myself. Also I’m grateful that he likes Bob Dylan and gives me book recommendations because those are things we talk about that are not about me and how messed up I am and those are things that make me feel normal. And like maybe he’s a friend and not just a therapist. And maybe that it’s pretty cool that smart and funny people that I know in real life actually like me.

I am grateful when I look at my Christmas tree and see the gifts underneath, even if there are no gifts for me. I know there will be, before Christmas, and I know even if there weren’t I would be okay, because really? There is nothing in this world that I need. Not saying I don’t WANT some things, particularly anything sparkly, but there is nothing that I need and that is a really amazing feeling.

Finally, I’m really grateful for those who read my blog. I know people say that all the time, but really, I am so ridiculously grateful when people email me and say, “Thanks for being honest,” or “You make me laugh my ass off,” or any of the other things people say. Even the mean things, because it means people are reading. People are listening. What I say matters. And I can’t even begin to say what that means to me.

21 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm really grateful I found your blog. It's one of my favs. I mean that. It's neck and neck with one other "must read or my coffee won't taste right".

You make my coffee taste better.

:-D {{{}}}

Now, get your ass over to my blog and have a massive giggle.

Angie said...

You have given us all alot to think about -- and I know I speak for us all, when I say that we LOOOOOOOOOVE you!!!

Mrs. Booms said...

You're awesome...

and now I'm going to look on the bright side of life. When my son blew explosive baby diarrhea all over my arm this morning? It's a really good thing it only went on my arm and my bed sheets and not my hair!!!

Hey! This is fun!

Dreamer said...

:) You are awesome! :)

What a wonderful post, you have a lot to be grateful for! :)

Anonymous said...

I love, love, love this post. I'm grateful you rock the Kasbah.

Tricia said...

I think I might have to take your lead and think about the things I am grateful for. Sometimes, I think I spend too much time complaining.

Oh, and you do make me laugh my ass off.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I'm so starting a gratitude notebook. Thanks for the much needed reminder. I've been snarky and bitter lately and it's not a good colour on me. You're so amazing, Chick.

Emma in Canada said...

Hmmm...this post made me think. It's making me think I should walk right out my front door.

KiKi said...

I love reading this blog. I'm addicted. Please don't ever stop writing. More, more!!

P.S. asshat {snicker}

Bunny said...

I love reading what you have to say and I want to be your friend! (You have really pretty hair!)

Jocelyn said...

I have been grateful for some time for your contributions to my lexicon: douchebag and crotch punching have gotten me far.

Anonymous said...

OMG we get it! You think he's great. We get it. Blog about something else!

Krista said...

I just found your blog site from
5MFM's blogroll. I have ready several of your posts and you have made me laugh. I love your honesty. I started blogging this year and just took a long break because I can never find things to write about. I am now searching for those inspiring sites to read to help my mind work! Do you mind if I put your blog on my site?

CPA Mom said...

I am grateful for you! I feel about you the way you feel about Badgergirl.

And I'd like to crotch punch anonymous commenters.

Dawn~a~Bon said...

Hey anonymous 6:58, here's a thought. If you don't like Chick blogging about her FREAKING awesome husband, why don't you step away from your big bowl of sour grapes and get your own damn life? How about that, freak? GET OVER IT! Pathetic. I'd feel sorry for you, except that you're taking out your suckiness on someone who, in addition to having done NOTHING WHATSOEVER to you, just happens to be a freaking awesome person.

And Chick, I completely agree with you regarding the lovely BADGERGIRL! She's wonderful!

Edie said...

I really love reading your blog. Honestly, it's one of the highlights of my day. I love the way you think and how your voice your thoughts... it's comical, yet sincere and honest. Keep up the great blogging.

Rachel (Crazy-Is) said...

Great post, Chick! And, blog all you want about that awesome man you've got!! Anonymous is just jealous that they don't have him!

Also, I am thankful for TiVo and Beverly Hills 90210, lol!

Audrey said...

Okay. The image of your husband and kids all raising their hands in response to "Who thinks mommy made a good dinner?" That pretty much made my day.

Keetha said...

I've just found your blog recently and I enjoy it a lot. You've got a great, true voice that's a kick to read. So thank you!

Danger said...

Your blog is very lovable. It helps make the world a better place. And Badgergirl? I wish I could grow up to be like her.

Rock on, Chick.

SJINCO said...

You all rock! I am grateful that I've been able to see a glimpse of what it's like in your life. You are amazing, your kids are and so is that husband of yours!

I'm grateful for you all.