This platter sits on our family room fireplace mantel. I bought it one day about 2 years ago in a store downtown after I saw it in the window. It seemed to speak directly to me and I bought it on the spot.
It’s been staring me in the face for the past month, accusingly.
I’m just not feeling it this month. Gratitude, that is.
I’m cranky and irritable and annoyed. My kids are bothering me, work has been frustrating and my house is a mess. There’s no end in sight to the snow and I’m sick of shoveling.
I’m not feeling grateful for the extra 3 pounds I’ve gained from being cooped up in the house and cooking and eating like a mad woman because of all this freezing cold winter weather.
I’m not feeling grateful for how messy the house is, since we’ve all been holed up and are hanging out inside, and no one but me seems to have any interest in cleaning it up.
I’m not feeling grateful that every work project I’m in the midst of seems to be taking one step forward and two steps back, leaving me feeling like I’m running in circles.
And this whole Woody Allen/Dylan Farrow thing is making my head hurt.
And I’m sadder than words can say about the loss of Philip Seymour Hoffman.
It’s not been the best of winters so far.
But. My beautiful, shiny, happy gratitude platter stares me in the face cheerily each morning, noon and night, from its perch above the fireplace.
So. Let me dig deep to muster up some gratitude from my sorry, whiny ass.
- I’m grateful that we have a home to shelter us from the snow.
- I’m grateful that we haven’t lost power even with all this snow and heavy ice on the electrical wires.
- I’m grateful that I’ve got a freakin’ fireplace, for cryin’ out loud.
- I’m grateful that I have enough food to feed myself and my family, even so much so that I’m gaining weight.
- I’m grateful that as messy and in-the-midst-of-teendom as my kids are, they’re really good kids and I love them (and they love me whether they’ll admit it right now or not).
- I’m grateful that I work from the comfort of my own home and for having kind and generous clients.
- I’m grateful for ‘Downton Abbey’ and ‘Girls’ and that the ‘Tonight Show’ now stars Jimmy Fallon.
- I’m grateful for Anna Quindlen’s new novel, ‘Still Life With Breadcrumbs.’
- I’m grateful that the new season of ‘House of Cards’ starts on February 14th.
- I’m grateful that the cold weather keeps my God forsaken Tamoxifen induced hot flashes somewhat at bay.
- I’m grateful that I got my breast cancer in 2010 and not 1910, because it meant that I had the advantage of the right combination of chemo and surgeries to keep me whole and alive. I was reminded of that today when a friend told me his mom had died of breast cancer at the age of 56.
- I’m grateful that I’m still NED (no evidence of disease).
I’ve found that that’s how gratitude works for me. If I just start looking for it, it’ll show up in droves.
How about you? How are you holding up, this winter?
Courtney says
I love an attitude of gratitude. It is not the easiest attitude to have but it is the best. Thank you for sharing your perspective. And thank you for the reminder too. I am visiting from SITS Comment Challenge 🙂
Claudia Schmidt says
HI Courtney, Thanks for stopping by! Hope you’re not in the path of this Thursday’s expected winter storm…..!
Lizzi R says
Hey this is GREAT and totally what we aim for with Ten Things of Thankful at the weekends. It WORKS 🙂 Will you think about joining us this weekend? So glad you found so many great things in spite of a crappy winter *hugs*
Claudia Schmidt says
Hi Lizzi, SURE! I would be honored to be in your TTOT this weekend, thank you for asking. Do I need to cut these down to 10 or can I leave as is? Thanks!! hugs right back at ya’!
Lizzi R says
NOOO never cut this down. If you want to post more, we have a Book of Secret Rules to follow (Pick a rule, justify it and use it to enhance your post). This time you get beginner’s grace, and THANK YOU for joining us. Love that you did. Thank you.
Claudia Schmidt says
Thanks, Lizzi! So honored to be allowed a secret rule to let me keep all 12 🙂 xo
Jennifer Steck says
I’m grateful for amazing bloggers who remind me there are many things to be grateful for. Beautiful, Claudia!
Claudia Schmidt says
Thank you, Jennifer, that is such a nice thing to say! You just made my day! xo
Sharon Greenthal says
I’m grateful for “House of Cards” starting again too! Nice list.
Claudia Schmidt says
Yes, can NOT wait. I’ll be holed up all weekend watching it on my IPad. 🙂
Christin Theiss says
This is a very truthful post! I am feeling the same way right about now! for many of the same things LOL I am grateful for having a job and roof over my head. & hopefully no snow my way (virginia). have a great week now following!
Claudia Schmidt says
Thanks, Christin! I hope VA doesn’t get snow, I’ve gotten stuck on that drive down from NJ many times over the years as I’d visit my sister who used to live in VA and when the snow hits there, it’s a mess! Thanks for the follow and the comment!
Laura Lee Carter aka the Midlife Crisis Queen says
My favorite gratitude meditation aid? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zl9puhwiyw
Claudia Schmidt says
Hi Laura, Lovely video, thanks for telling me about him.
Sandra Sallin says
Wow, when you look at that list, you’ve got a lot to be grateful for. The important things. And you know what’s rreally important. Keep on looking at that sign on your mantel. Of course I can say this from Los Angeles which will be 89 today! I’m sure we’ll have a huge earthquake and then you can point your finger at us.
Claudia Schmidt says
I was in CA about 3 weeks ago and the weather was in the mid 80’s with no humidity, so beautiful. Let’s face it, you live in Paradise! I sure HOPE you don’t have an earthquake any time soon. And I for sure, would NOT point a finger at you if you did. Thanks for stopping by. xo
Haralee says
Sometimes the gratitude state of mind is tested, that is for sure!
Claudia Schmidt says
Thanks for stopping by, Haralee!
Sandra Sallin says
Oh, I thought I left a comment. This post is right on. You know what’s really important and your grateful for the important things. Just keep on looking up at that mantel.
Claudia Schmidt says
Hi Sandra – you did 🙂 But thanks for posting another one! xo
Debbie Tom says
Wow! Thank you for posting this I appreciate it. I am needing to remember all I have to be grateful for instead of the negative. Have a wonderful weekend. #SITSBlogging love 🙂
Claudia Schmidt says
So glad you liked it and that it helped you find some gratitude this week!
Dana Haddon says
I liked this post. Gratitude is my one word for 2014, so this really hit home for me. Btw, I’m grateful for Downton Abbey too!
Claudia Schmidt says
Re: Downton — Just hoping that Bates and Anna are going to be ok, they worry me. I think they deserve a break, they’ve already had such bad luck!!!
Karen @ Baking In A Tornado says
I’ve found that there are times when it’s so easy to be grateful, I look around and everything seems to be a gift.
But there are other times when I really have to search for it, dig deep like you did today. And I too have teens so I know how deep you sometimes have to dig. But in the long run, I find that I’m more grateful on the days when I have to fight for it.
Claudia Schmidt says
Hi Karen, Yes – some days are easier than others to find things to be grateful for. Today is a good day, so I’m not complaining! Thanks for reading…..
Christina @ The Scrappy Housewife says
I’m grateful you’re here to share your story. Stopping in from #SITSblogging comment love.
Claudia Schmidt says
Thanks, Christina!!
Nancy's Point says
Hi Claudia, I hear you! I keep reminding myself that the winter beauty is still there… I just might not see it so clearly or as easily about now. Even my dogs are showing signs of cabin fever… And yes, gratitude as they say, exits where ever or however you choose to find it. Or maybe nobody said that… ha. Nice post.
Claudia Schmidt says
Yes, today as I’m watching more snow, yet again pour down upon NJ, I’m thinking how pretty it is from within my nice warm house (more things to be grateful for)! My dog is completely flummoxed by the snow – he takes a good half hour to find a spot to pee in because there’s no grass in sight and he can’t smell anything. It’s maddeningly funny (maddening ’cause I’m out there with him in this cold weather!). Enjoy….stay warm.
Zoe Byrd says
congratulations NED… glad you mustered up some room for listening to the platter… welcome to the TToT… glad you hooked up…My mantra during adolescence of the kiddo was …the kid will calm down as will I …
Claudia Schmidt says
Thanks, Zoe! And thanks for including me in TTOT! My 2 older sisters keep telling me that my kids will “go away” for a while, but that they come back when they get out of college. So I guess there’s that to hope for 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!!
Sandy Ramsey says
Well, I would say that you did a darn fine job here digging deep. This is a fabulous list and I’m very glad you decided to join us! And I love that platter!
Claudia Schmidt says
Thanks, Sandy! And grateful for being part of your TTOT this week!
Jean says
Way to go! still in NED– and a beautiful job you did on your TToT !!! I was turned around by you! xox jean
Claudia Schmidt says
Thanks for reading, Jean!
clark says
Good grat List
Kristi says
The gratitude platter is beautiful. Welcome to the hop! #11 and 12 are huge. May you continue to be NED!
Claudia Schmidt says
Thanks, Kristi! I love the platter, too (I’m looking at it right now as I’m on my laptop in the kitchen which faces the fireplace with the platter), thank you for reading and the hop!
Michelle Liew says
It was a difficult week, but you’ve still found time to make a list and that in itself is so amazing. Welcome to our hop of weekend fun!
Claudia Schmidt says
Thanks, Michelle! I love your weekend hops – thanks for reading!
Kimberly says
Now that is a heart saying “I’m grateful but I still want someone with a big mother effing shovel to dig us out.”
Wait that’s my hearts saying that. This winter has been brutal.
Claudia Schmidt says
Hi Kim, Yes, I do wish there was someone who would come get rid of all this snow – it snowed AGAIN last night – argh! Thanks for stopping by and reading!!
Christine says
Welcome to the 10 Things of Thankful! This winter is wearing many of us down. It’s hard to stay positive when snow storms are forcing us to spend 3 hours simply driving kids home from school one day. And the amount of shoveling is obscene. And it never ends. Many of us aren’t feeling very grateful. Good for you, making yourself sit down and find the positive.
Your list is great. It is hard to remember, but teens do love their mamas. 🙂
Dyanne @ I Want Backsies says
Oh, Claudia, I could have written most of this post! Snow days, house a mess, NO ONE CARES BUT ME, check. Gained weight from all the boredom-induced baking, check. Teenage kids squabbling and disagreeable, making me the same way, roger that. Spinning my wheels, not getting projects done, yup. Digging deeply to find the gratitude is part of the Ten Things of Thankful. And may I add that I am envious that your hot flashes are somewhat kept at bay by the cold weather, because my Arimidex-induced ones are alive and kicking, except when I have to be outside and would welcome one.
Welcome to the TToT! I hope you’ll join us again!
Claudia Schmidt says
Hi Dyanne! Today is a bit quieter, because it’s the holiday and the kids had to go back to school anyway, even though it’s a national holiday because they’ve already had so many snow days – yay! So – a little bit of peace and quiet around here. Thanks for welcoming me into TToT!
I was on Arimidex for a month but had very crazy joint pains so asked my oncologist if I could go back to Tamoxifen and he said it would be fine so I’m back on it. Hope your hot flashes calm down a bit, it’s SO crazy annoying to be so hot in such cold weather, isn’t it!?
Susan Zutautas says
Sick of the snow too and longing for spring to arrive. Grateful that the new chemo I started is going well and not making me ill.
Claudia Schmidt says
Hi Susan, I’m glad your new chemo is going well and not making you ill, also. Hang in there, spring is right around the corner…..
Kristi Campbell says
I hear you on being frustrated with the snow. It’s been relentless this winter and my house is also a mess with toys everywhere all of the time because the poor kid is BORED, and even though we go outside to play in the snow, we really only stay out for an hour or two at a time. I’m gaining weight too 🙁
BUT I love your list and most especially the final ones about finding your breast cancer early and remaining clear. My bio mother and my son’s teacher both had double mastectomies in December and just wow. It feels like cancer is everywhere.
Claudia Schmidt says
Hi Kristi, I feel the same way. Seems like every where I turn, I hear of another woman with breast cancer. Hoping your mom and son’s teacher are in good health now. It’s a rough road, but hopefully they’ll be feeling back to normal in a few more months.