It’s Monday, it’s gloomy and overcast outside, the house is quiet and the dogs are snoring. Happy Presidents Day to me, myself and I. Everyone else gets to sleep in while I am left here stewing on the couch in front of a cold fireplace over the fact that I get to face another day of work.

I don’t know about the rest of you parents, but Valentine’s Day was exhausting in this house. We don’t really do presents or decorate or go to extreme measures for the minor holiday but I did plan a few activities for the kids. Their attitudes were proving to be difficult for most of the day but we did enjoy painting and making some fun Valentines together. I do love when their temperaments match and everyone can relax and enjoy themselves. But lately, the negativity seems to outweigh the positivity in a given day. I suppose you can say that we are all a work in progress.

So, here on this overcast day with no hint of sunshine, I have to reach down to my socks to fish some gratitude out of my soles (haha…I could not help that one).

A quiet Monday morning.
Snoring puppies - that means they are quiet and not waking everyone else up with their insistent barking pleas.
Letter writing - I love to have conversations with people as I write them a diatribe.
Warm slippers. More specifically, my Skecher slippers. They have become an essential part of my fashionable home leisure wardrobe.
Sophie Kinsella. I am re-reading all of her books. They bring such warm fuzzies to my psyche.

I feel like I am struggling with this gratitude assignment this morning. It is making me tired and my brain hurts trying to think of ten things. I think this is a good thing to acknowledge. Focusing and finding the good is not always easy. I struggle daily to remember to remain calm. I usually think about it AFTER I have exploded or lost my marbles with one of the minions. I am hoping acknowledgement is the first step. I usually trip and fall on my face during that first step, but I definitely take it multiple times a day.

6. Updates from the library when my Hold is ready to check out.

7. The Strand book subscriptions. I haven’t gotten one for myself yet but they look amazing!

8. I accomplished one of my monthly ‘goals’ this weekend - Try a new flavor of Klondike Bar.

My standards are apparently somewhat low for February and I am okay with that. All the snow we are getting seems to be putting a damper on my motivation. I’m committed to moving forward no matter how slow or inconsequential.

9. Nieces. They make me laugh when my own children make me crazy.

10. Morning green juice.