Appreciating the Little Things (TToT #4)

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I don't know about y'all, but it's been a pretty fabulous week in my world. . .

Even though I had to say goodbye to my Little RJ on Monday (& won't get to see him in person for another three months or so), I am still super grateful that I got the chance to spend some time with him this summer. (Thankful #1) (I don't have that luxury with my oldest son — long story. Perhaps I will get into it another time. . . Then again, perhaps not. We'll see.)

On Tuesday, I very nervously went to my first day of face-to-face classes at the local community college! It is a beautiful thing to be able to “start over” 15 years after leaving high school, huh? (Thankful #2) My mother fell ill the end of my junior year of high school & at the beginning of my senior year, I transferred to our district's alternative high school, which screwed up any hopes I had of going straight to a four-year university after high school. My mother passed away half-way through my senior year & I barely graduated on time. I attempted classes at the local community college that next fall, but I had not allowed myself to properly grieve & wound up doing a hardship withdrawal. There's been a stint at a career school (which I left around the time I found out I was pregnant & it was closed down just a couple of months later) & an attempt through a for-profit online school (but I was also single, working full-time with an infant at home & I over-extended myself). The third time's a charm, right? This time around, I have the support of a loving (handsome) husband & the added confidence that comes with 15 years of some major ups & downs. It feels good.

Just before I left for my classes on Tuesday, I spotted a handwritten note in my school bag. It was from the handsome husband, saying “You will do great. I love you.” I snagged a keeper with him; I already knew that, but here's yet another reason! (Thankful #3) I folded up the note & tucked it into a pocket in my binder as a reminder — just in case I need it later in the semester. . .

My husband's note for me on my first day of classes.

In my math class on Thursday, I caught myself bragging to one of my classmates about the note. . . She is a bit older than me & visibly teared up when I told her about it. . . Apparently, she has been widowed twice. . . She told me to savor & appreciate the fact that I have such a supportive husband because not all are like that. . . I do know this. . . BUT, I also appreciate the reminders. (Thankful #4) It's a beautiful thing.

Also on Thursday, I was browsing around the clearance bins at the campus bookstore when I came across a USB cord for only two-dollars! (Thankful #5) Just a few nights before, I realized I didn't have one & needed it to scan some important documents to my computer. . . (We have a wi-fi printer that also copies & scans, but to scan, I need to physically hook it up to my computer, apparently. LOL.) It was unexpected & fabulous timing! (Sometimes it really is all about the little things.)

When I got home from school on Thursday, there was a voice-mail waiting from the jewelers. . . Almost a month ago, the handsome husband's wedding band disappeared into the Salt River when we were floating with some friends. 🙁 He seemed upset about it — & appeared to be worried that I would be upset about it. . . It took us about a week before we could go in to pay to have it replaced; the phone call was to tell us his ring had finally arrived! I have to admit, I was pretty upset that his ring finger had nothing on it! He barely had a tan line, somehow! (WTH?!) I know how lucky I am to have him, so why shouldn't I want everyone else that lays eyes on him to know that someone's already snagged him up?? Just sayin'. SO, I got to go pick up his ring so he could have it back on his finger before he left the house again. (Thankful #6) What a relief!

I'm looking forward to a better tan line this time. 😉 LOL

Also on Thursday, I came across a post on “Bloggers Unite!,” one of the Facebook blogging groups I belong to. (It's a smaller group, but still quite enthusiastic & fun.) The post was by Elise of Polka Dotted Blue Jay, sharing a series of link-ups for September that will be hosted by Bailey Jean of Brave Love. It is called the Blog-tember Challenge. I have seen similar blogging events where you are challenged to write every single day for a set period of time. . . BUT, they all seem like you're just grasping at straws — writing just to write, but not really sharing anything of value with your readers. Some bloggers actually pull it off & write quality content each day, but a lot of them — well, let's just say that it is abundantly clear that they have stretched themselves too thin. I am grateful that I came across Elise's post about this challenge (Thankful #7) because it is so different. Bailey Jean has a list of writing prompts for every day of September — & they are all quite interesting, if you ask me! PLUS, she says we should “feel free to follow one of the prompts, all of the prompts, or none of them.” I love this! It takes the pressure off of the act of writing — which, to me, is supposed to be fun, first & foremost — & it puts the focus back on learning about & meeting other bloggers. Pretty cool, if you ask me. 😉 FUN AND SOCIAL. 😀  SO, after all of that, perhaps it is needless to say, but I intend to participate in as much of the Blog-tember Challenge as my life will allow. I am seriously looking forward to it!

On Friday, as I sat down to reflect on my week & write this week's post for my “On Purpose” series, I came to a couple of realizations. First, it's been a pretty damn good week! (Thankful #8) It might not seem like much, but it doesn't diminish its awesomeness! I feel like I have had a small storm cloud hanging over me a bit lately & the sun is starting to shine through — & in a way that it is not right in my eyes! LOL. Second, the handsome husband did a few extra things around the house this week. From vacuuming (which I cannot stand) to putting together a bed frame & organizing one of the spare rooms. I feel like those things were a touch above & beyond his usual share of our “workload”  & I am tremendously grateful that he did it. (Thankful #9)

Lastly, as we are going into a three-day holiday weekend, even though many I know are heading out for camping or barbecuing or some form of fun in the sun, it is just another weekend around my house. The handsome husband works Friday, Saturday, & Sunday nights of the weekend, &, thus, will be sleeping through the day Friday through Monday. With all of that said, I am grateful that I have plenty of homework, housework, & blogging to keep me productive. (Thankful #10) Most of these, I do not mind at all, but to break up any monotony, I will be sure to add in plenty of Facebook time, along with staying up-to-date on the “Every. Simpsons. Ever.” marathon on FXX. 😉 Should be a fun & relaxing weekend.

What are y'all thankful for this week? Share in the comments below, email me at mochamama@calculatedchaos.net, or find me on Facebook at Calculated Chaos. 😀

This post was written for the Ten Things of Thankful weekly link-up hosted by Lizzi over at Considerings. Please, go check out what others are thankful for this week too! 😀