I’m not one to sugar coat things.
Well unless we’re talking about food, in which case an occasional sugar-coated donut or scone is right up my alley.
I’m not going to lie. Last week was shitty; it was a rough one. There were too many hiccups at work, I was stressed out and frustrated. I only made it to the gym twice, I missed the farmers market entirely and my buddy Max, my sweet, baked-good loving, geriatric feline, got diagnosed with kidney disease. Yeah, all in all, last week sucked big honking monkey balls.
How’s that for keeping it real?
I think of this book when I have a bad day.
(source)
I don’t want to do a Week In Review today; at least not in the traditional sense. When I can’t push them away, I tend to replay negative things over and over in my strange little head space until I’m wrapped into mental knots, so the best thing for me is to set it aside, let it go and move on. Rehashing it via a Week In Review would be counterproductive to my mental health, and we all know I need to keep what sanity I have left. Ba-dum-bum. Ching. Yep, that joke felt a little forced today.
I’ve decided instead of listing out last week’s accomplishments, I want to write a list of Thankful Things; a list which makes me focus on all the good stuff, amidst the chaos. I want to write a list that resets my brain to grab the happy and hold on for the ride. Who knows maybe I’ll get to see a unicorn along the way.
Let’s get listing:
- I’m thankful for unicorns, even if they only are a figment of my imagination.
(source)
- I’m thankful Max’s condition isn’t a death sentence. Actually it really is, but since he isn’t passing tomorrow or the next day or the next day, I’m going to spoil him rotten. It’s going to be fields of catnip, chipmunk heads, and Breadsmith bread over here. My buddy’s got good taste… well except when it comes to Alvin, Simon, and Theodore.
- I’m thankful Spring is in fact coming, despite the snow flurries I saw on Sunday afternoon. The chives sprouting up in my garden are proof of this and even though they’re just little bitty babies right now, in a couple of month’s, they’ll look like something from the Amazon rainforest. I might be exaggerating a wee bit.
- I’m thankful for unexpected house guests, who shovel my driveway and bring me bowls of vegetarian chili for dinner when I have to work late. Those are the best kind of house guests.
- I’m thankful for sitting in sun patches while I write my lists, despite the melting snow less than 15 feet away. While I only lasted about 10 minutes, even with my hat, hoodie and gloves, it was long enough to make my grocery store list and really it’s the only list I need. Alright that’s not accurate; I need lots of lists, but the grocery store one is high up there on the priority chain.
- I’m thankful for dessert, especially Crème brûlée.
- I’m thankful for delicious Sunday morning brunches with my Hubby.
- I’m thankful for Mondays because they’re a new beginning, a fresh start so to speak, one where I get to hit the reset button.
- I’m thankful for an outpouring of love from family and friends for my birthday. My package from a couple of weeks ago has now multiplied.
- I’m thankful because today is my birthday and they have a parade every year in my honor. Or at least I pretend that’s what this parade business is all about.
On that note, I need to hop onto my unicorn and head on down to the parade. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day. Maybe I’ll see you there. 😉
Enough about me. Let’s hear from you.
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What are you thankful for today? Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? If so, how?
kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts says
March 17, 2014 at 8:54 AMMeghan,
I’m thankful to know you, and to have met Max. I’m glad you get to spoil him rotten and feed him like he wants to eat.
Meghan says
March 20, 2014 at 7:27 PMThanks Kirsten. The feeling is completely mutual. 🙂
Max is very happy with his extra food, and we’ve done three saline drips now at home, and each time gets a little better.
Juli @ 1000lovelythings says
March 17, 2014 at 8:57 AMI’m so sorry to hear about your cat! My cat as a teen had kidney issues too but once diagnosed and treated still lived for many years. So fingers crossed things will turn out in your favours!
Sometimes there are weeks where the shit piles high as a skyskraper and whenever you think that now is the point where nothing more can happen there comes the next thing!
Just push the rest button and keep on listing. It’s the perfect way of cleaning your mind.
This week has to be better it’s just plain logic. Happy Birthday and enjoy your parade 😉
Btw what do you mean with unicorns are only a figment of your imagination???
Meghan says
March 20, 2014 at 7:30 PMI’m glad to hear your kitty continued on for years with kidney issues. That does make me feel better.
I knew I liked you for a reason. A mutual love of unicorns will always bond us.
caren says
March 17, 2014 at 10:24 AMHappy Birthday Meghan!!! I hope today is a shit-ton better than last week. I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. I hope he lives to suck up every last ounce of you spoiling him for years to come.
Have an awesome day girl!
PS…it’s my brother’s b-day today too! (random)
Meghan says
March 20, 2014 at 7:30 PMHappy Birthday to your brother. I hear they have a parade for him too. 😉
Thanks for the thoughts. I appreciate them.
Pip {Cherries & Chisme} says
March 17, 2014 at 12:29 PMHappy Birthday!! I hope that you have a lovely day to distract you and that this week is far better 🙂
Meghan says
March 20, 2014 at 7:34 PMThanks you! I really appreciate it and I’m glad you stopped by and said hello. It’s always nice to see new faces. 🙂
Lauren says
March 17, 2014 at 1:53 PMA. Happy Birthday!!
B. I have fond memories of that book, especially when my mom would read it to me on my most sassy and grouchy days… aka frequently. Ha.
C. I love the thankful list. Probably one of my favorite posts so far because I’m a firm believer that as bad as things can be, there’s always something, even small, to be thankful for.
Hope you’re enjoying your day! : )
Meghan says
March 20, 2014 at 7:35 PMGottta keep your head up right?!
I like the way you think. 🙂
Megan @ The Skinny-Life says
March 17, 2014 at 2:02 PMI’m thankful for sunny day, warm days and that I’m another day into my foot recovery. Like you, I’m also thankful for Monday and the opportunity to reset for the week.
Meghan says
March 20, 2014 at 7:36 PMYep, you just keep resting that foot and you’ll be back at it in no time.
I’m still waiting for warm days, but we have definitely seen sunny ones so I’m grateful for those.
Olivia @ Liv Lives Life says
March 17, 2014 at 6:56 PMAre you kidding? Of COURSE the parades are all for you! Happy birthday!!
I’m so sorry to hear about your kitty. I’ve heard that they can still live with that disease for many years after, and I know that you’ll spoil him like crazy for however many more years he has. 🙂
I hope this week is better for you!
Meghan says
March 20, 2014 at 9:12 PMThanks Liv. I appreciate it.
Eating 4 Balance says
March 17, 2014 at 9:17 PMMan…. Doing a WIR would have been the perfect birthday present! 🙁 *grumble grumble*
Happy birthday!
Sorry to hear about Max. I always said if I found out my dog only had one day to live we would have a feast! Chocolate EVERYWHERE.
Hope you had fun at the parade!
Meghan says
March 20, 2014 at 9:13 PMI had a great time. Thanks Madison and I especially loved all the birthday wishes from you!! Sending you big hugs and sloppy kisses.
Jess @ JessieBear What Will You Wear? says
March 17, 2014 at 9:41 PMHAPPY BIRTHDAY! So awesome to celebrate on St Paddy’s day! I’m so so so sorry about Max, but you’ve got such a good outlook on it.
Meghan says
March 20, 2014 at 9:16 PMThanks Jess. Yup, I think being a St. Patrick’s baby is just the coolest. Everybody is out celebrating. 🙂
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
March 17, 2014 at 10:52 PMHappy Birthday, lovely lady <3 I hope you had a wonderful day full of checking everything off your beloved lists 🙂 And maybe a little bit of Martin action in there as well?
I'm sorry to hear about Max 🙁 I lost the best dog I ever had to cancer 7 years back, and I'm -still- not really over it… which is probably why I'm not too keen on getting another pooch. But definitely spoil him rotten while you still have him… and let him steal all the pancakes he wants <3
Hope this week is starting off on a better foot for you.
Meghan says
March 20, 2014 at 9:19 PMLosing a pet is never easy; it doesn’t matter when it happens. I’m sorry to hear about your dog. I will definitely spoil Max in the meantime. Nothing but pancakes from here on out.
I did manage to get a little Martin action in there, although I’ll need to put a serious dent in it this weekend, which sounds like a perfect weekend plan to me.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
March 18, 2014 at 12:43 AMThat is some shittiness. Screw that shitty shit. You deserve scotchy scotch scotch. 😉
Happy Birthday!!! I’m really glad you enjoyed the parade I got you.
Meghan says
March 20, 2014 at 9:19 PMI like the way you think, and thanks for the parade. I owe you one.
Lauren @ Me and the Mountains says
March 18, 2014 at 7:16 PMI’m sorry that you had such a shitty week! But man- way to see the silver lining by pointing out the good and what you’re thankful for. I could learn a thing or two from you!
And side note- I used to LOVE that book! I think that my first grade teacher used to read it out loud and we would all say along with her “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!” Ahhh… memories….
Meghan says
March 20, 2014 at 9:25 PMEvery so often, I have an insightful moment. Plus I really try not to harp on the bad stuff because it’s no good for me in the long run.
That book was one of my favorites….terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!
Abby says
March 18, 2014 at 8:48 PMI’m so sorry to hear Max will be facing some additional challenges, but at least he has you by his side. And I love your tone in this post. All too often we (ahem…me) rehash the negative things and those we can’t control instead of focusing on all that we have. That said, I’m jealous of all that you have–mostly the spring-like weather 😉
May better things be coming your way this week!
Meghan says
March 20, 2014 at 9:26 PMThanks Abby. We’ve got the sunshine, although not the warmth just yet. I’ll take the sunny rays though while I can, and at least now I can see Spring coming. 🙂
Laura@fitfreshnfunny says
March 19, 2014 at 12:06 PMHappy Woefully Late Birthday! Unicorns and rainbows to you!
Meghan says
March 20, 2014 at 9:26 PMTwo of my favorites. Thanks Laura!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
March 22, 2014 at 4:37 AMOh Meg. This is the double edged sword of saving up my meg posts for some quiet, stress free times- I miss out on so much important things!
Firstly, so sorry about Max- I hope things perk up for him and some Breadsmith bread would do wonders 😉
Secondly, St Patricks What? I will, in your honour, never consider that day an important day except for your day of birth.
Thirdly, let’s drown our sorrows in how rich Kanye West is with a bottle of wine. Which I am working on trying to like.
Meghan says
March 22, 2014 at 9:16 AMNo worries. Besides I think I’m better in great big chunks versus small doses so keep saving them up all week. It also gives me something to look forward to on Saturday mornings, seeing all your comments. 🙂
Kayne may have married the wrong woman, but he does have skills of the musical variety.
Sarah Pie says
March 22, 2014 at 8:59 PMI am so so sorry to hear about Max. Here’s hoping he takes advantage of all the extra love and treats and hangs in there for a good long time.
On the other hand Happy (very) belated Birthday! Good for you for seeing the silver lining even in a monkey balls kind of week, and here’s hoping you got lots of exciting goodies in your boxes to celebrate.
Meghan says
March 23, 2014 at 9:03 AMMax is happily curled up in my lap right now as I type this, purring away with a full belly, so I think he’s doing okay. 🙂
I got a bunch of great goodies in those boxes; I can’t wait to play.
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says
March 25, 2014 at 4:48 AMOh honey! I’m so sorry to hear about Max. I think I told you that the cat I had before Tiger, was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism so I know exactly what you’re going through. I firmly believe in spoiling that little darlin just as much as you can…I know Nala got her fair share of yogurt cups and potato chips (yeah, I could never figure that one out) in her last year. I hate that you had a crummy week, but I hope that with the start of a new week (and your big bad birfffday), I hope the skies opened up and unicorns raced to your side! 🙂 *hugs*
Meghan says
March 29, 2014 at 9:21 AMThat’s a smart cat right there. I can see why she’d love potato chips.
I didn’t have unicorns racing last week, but I’m starting to see them on the horizon now so that’s something.