If you've been reading for a while, you'll recall that I spent most of the summer and part of the fall of 2009 without a kitchen as Neal ripped every bit of what had been out, pushed back counters, made new walls, built cabinets, and created my dream kitchen. I am still astounded that I showed my clever husband an old sugar bowl, said "I want the kitchen to look like this," and he did it.
And thankful. I am thankful for my husband's ability to use his skills and imagination to make our little yellow ranch with the orange door an adorable, sweet place to live.
I'm thankful for an abundance of food. I remember all too clearly times of living close to the financial edge, times of having one egg a day, some cereal, maybe. You probably know how that goes, too. Sometimes when I make a meal I can savor or spoil myself with an exotic piece of fruit, I stop and think what a treat this would have been in those days of struggle, and the food tastes even better.
Lately I've been thinking about my gratitude for my colleagues. Academic departments are notoriously political, and as a non-tenure faculty member, it would be easy to feel on the fringe of the department. I'm fortunate to have several colleagues who are excited to share ideas. Our job, like most, can be frustrating, can feel thankless. In those moments, it is great to have colleagues who have become friends, who can encourage, commiserate. It is nice to know that if I'm writing a new assignment or determining what to do about a plagiarism case, my colleagues are there to consult.
What are you thankful for today?
i love your kitchen and i’m thankful that neal had the skills to pull it all together so you two can cook up magic meals and share them together.
i’m thankful to also share meals with my loved one and friends. happy to be seeing my family as one next week and remember our grandmother/mother who recently passed. i’m thankful for my camera so i can capture moments in time that are important to me and i’m thankful for people like you, beverly who bring us all together in creative spirit. blessings.
i love your kitchen and i’m thankful that neal had the skills to pull it all together so you two can cook up magic meals and share them together.
i’m thankful to also share meals with my loved one and friends. happy to be seeing my family as one next week and remember our grandmother/mother who recently passed. i’m thankful for my camera so i can capture moments in time that are important to me and i’m thankful for people like you, beverly who bring us all together in creative spirit. blessings.
Your kitchen is perfect for you! And I’m glad you have good colleagues, it makes such a difference when it comes to being happy at work. As for the food thing, I never really experienced that. When my first husband and I were just starting out and things were tough we lived close to both our families and had dinner there frequently. It helped a lot.
Love the kitchen! Could you show a photo sometime of the sugar bowl that inspired the look of the new kitchen?
Have been there with the food thing – including recently.
Thankful for food to eat this week! And for friends who surprised me with gifts and supplies during a tough month.
There is much for me to be thankful for. A year ago I was working by the hour for a small, rural newspaper (after having been quite successful in free-lance photography in NYC), wondering if I would ever find something else again that would actually yield a paycheck. I found that job and my wife and I have again taken control of our finances and our outlook. I am so thankful for that whole situation; the hardships, the lessons, the love, the appreciation, etc.
I am also thankful that through the ‘net I am able to meet like-minded, wildly funny, stylish, kind hearted, people like yourself. The web can indeed be a magical place!
I always say…a handy man is a good man. Let go of the superficial issues! Kitchen looks great and you look good hanging in it! Today? Thankful for my man.
Wonderful post. I’m thankful for snuggles. Nothing feels better than being in the arms of someone that loves you. I’m thankful for being employed. Too many people can’t find work and I’m grateful for mine. Lastly I’m thankful for my health. There is nothing to complain about!