September: Attitude of Gratitude

Most days I write down up to five things I am grateful for, big or small, subtle or apparent. I archive and post the list monthly. This is September 2014.

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a Labour day at home — going out for another group trail run — assessing where I am, not where I would wish/hope to be — my son’s help with snipping and raking up garden brush — clean sheets — going to bed early.

green lights in traffic — my daughter’s care and consideration when making a burial plot for our departed hamster — that kids soccer starts this week — remembering to do what I’d forgotten to do (in a timely way).

first soccer practice for my son — sunshine — white wine.

my son for watering the garden — fresh tomatoes from the garden — yummy greens and kale salad — decadent coffee.

sleep — having a sense of what “normal” feels like to me.

my mom coming to visit — that she is so self sufficient — that traffic was light on my drive out to the airport — taking the day off from running.

managing to make it through another long(er) run — feeling good after my run — ice bath for my foot — chocolate/pumpkin seed bark.

burgers —  that the restaurant texted us when our table was ready — a burger place that has fresh salad and delicious burgers — finally buying a new broom.

my mom taking care of the kids this week.

my mom cleaning up after me (and the rest of my family) — getting to the gym — that we managed to make it to the beach — that my son and mom went for a swim — that we did manage to get home and get to soccer practice.

finishing a good book (The signature of all things)

starting a new book —  having a meal together — seeing how little things are important.

helping out with the aid station at the race — enjoying the sunshine — dressing up — going out for a quick bite with my Sweet — easy parking for the music festival.

taking care of my foot instead of running — learning that I am not the only injured runner in the world — that pain means something — drinking extra coffee — taking a nap.

that summer is still hanging around — reading other bloggers (you guys are good!) — the feeling of warm air in the evening — fresh kale salad.

more fiction — being able to renew my Library book — that Netflix will exist even if I am not watching it — texting.

registering for new classes that stretch my comfort level — my physiotherapist — making time to make time.

being able to send the kids home early from day camp — leftovers for lunch — kind neighbours — wine.

a walk before dinner — the fine weather — feeling content.

the short cycle on the washing machine — watching kids play soccer — the smell of fall — the goldening of leaves.

going to the intermediate class of yoga — stretching myself (mentally and physically) — an afternoon rest — doing groceries when there was no one in the store.

that school has finally started — the kids excitement — new adventures — new schools and teachers.

the kids making their own lunches — starting new schedules — soccer practice — tomatoes from the garden.

being back in the pool after over a year — realizing that although my fitness is different, I can still manage to swim laps — being away from running and realizing how much it means to me.

hearing that other injured runners are running — magnesium — bananas — the extra parking spot no one else saw — my daughter’s care, patience, and kindness.

the washing machine — cold water laundry soap — realizing that in people years our cat is 88 years old — my son going to bed without a fuss, as though it was the most normal, everyday thing to do.

watching soccer in the early morning in a t-shirt — the sunshine for sticking around — coffee and cookies after soccer — making morning rituals.

trying out inverted poses at yoga — the kids being able to stay home alone (the house was still standing) — going to the pool and doing my water run — time alone at home.

sunshine — feeling refreshed for a new week — not having to do anything — spending time with my son in a coffee shop doing homework.

being able to take a detour through traffic — only being a few minutes late for soccer practice — getting to my class on time — doing less.

August: Attitude of Gratitude

 

Most days I write down up to five things I am grateful for, big or small, subtle or apparent. I archive and post the list monthly. This is August 2014.

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 a planned mommy-daughter outing — that my foot will feel better — my well-timed physio appt next week — avocados — the realization that when we are separated from some thing and don’t really miss it, it’s not as sentimentally important as I had thought.

“you don’t know how good yoga is for you until you stop doing it” — the ice I had for my sore foot before my run — making it through my run intact and no worse off — seeing old friends — coffee in the sunshine.

 the quiet and sunshine and creek on our trail run — my daughter getting ready for her camping — my son’s enthusiasm for his garden — having dinner together — being in a crowd, but also being able to get away from it.

the drive to take my daughter to camp — her quiet confidence — ch00sing not to stop for a morning coffee, but coming home and making chocolate cake instead — taking a “do nothing” day — still getting loads of laundry done (with my husband’s help).

old friends coming back to work — only one kid to get ready in the morning — the serendipity of getting a B12 shot — my naturopath’s kindness and energy — remembering to return Library books and DVDs.

making the decision not to run — still being able to go to the gym — a workout that made me weak in my knees (in a good way) — fresh kale from the garden (this never gets old) — watch tennis with my son from the comforts of the couch.

 finally!  a physio appt — finally! some relief for my foot — going to the gym and feeling better after — being able to go to a great vegan restaurant for lunch — my husband finding a cheaper and realiable and decent plumber.

my last day of work before holidays — thinking about packing/planning/prep for holidays in small increments — icing my foot — sorting lights from darks — that there is still so much sunshine.

packing in advance — Cookies — good neighbours — time off from work — that the Cat is not really phased much by us leaving (although she knows!)

my mom — running with my hubby — the kids being entertained by in-laws — going to bed early — a good read (Indian Horse / Richard Wagamese).

in-laws — change of scenery — time (alone) with my hubby — a beautiful resort with 3 nights booked — doing nothing — no expectations or obligations.

coffee dates — going to the gym — fresh towels — another day! — reading a book that reminds me of how precious the present is (February / Lisa Moore).

bike rides — run dates — lazy mornings — not having to drive 4 hours to retrieve the kids — being prepared for another adventure.

having all our gear/camping stuff/food fit in the car — good directions — sunny weather — camping with more family — seeing cousins for the first time in 15 years.

camping coffee — extra blankets — lifejackets — kayaks — beer.

communal meals — camping chairs — clean showers — still being able to run — bats.

not losing anything when packing up — shorter than expected drives — time to myself — hot showers — running.

making the trip home in shorter stages — encouragement from my hubby to get another run in — the feeling after the run — that the hotel had a pool — that the hotel was across from a Starbucks.

changing plans with ease (bribing kids!) — not spending too much money at IKEA — being inspired to do more at home — the benefits of mid-week travel: catching the ferry when only waiting 15 min (instead of the usual 1.5 hours) — being home in daylight.

waking up at home — get up before anyone else — an emergency physio appt – that my physio made me feel better — running.

days off during the week — not doing more than we wanted to — zucchini — the cheap and friendly reno guy — getting the kids newspaper route done with ease.

trail running — that my foot was more cooperative than I expected — chai latte — napping — meals together.

managing to start and finish another longish run — the reminder that the mind can be weaker than the body — the perfectly placed water fountain on my run route — the kids being excited for soccer camp.

sunny weather — still summer days — the leftover bits from holiday that give you a bit of energy to get back to work.

free coffee — dark and spicy chocolate.

being able to stay home when my mind was elsewhere — finally getting to the gym — a good distraction a workout can provide — a good grounding a workout can provide — zucchini.

taking the day off from running — watching a marathon tennis game — being excited for someone else’s success — the kids appreciation of dinner together.

getting out for coffee — that it didn’t hurt my foot quite as much to walk — that my new barista comically unintentionally still gets my drink order wrong — new fiction to read (The signature of all things / Elizabeth Gilbert).

Saturday morning run — the beautiful views despite the fog — running with others — a restorative and quiet afternoon — no expectations.

a long Sunday run on a new route — that my foot was feeling so much better that I could actually mostly run — the simplicity of enjoying my run — the satiated feeling of exhaustion and completion and fulfillment — going out for brunch.

July: Attitude of Gratitude

 

Most days I write down five things I am grateful for, big or small, subtle or apparent. I archive and post the list monthly. This is July 2014.

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having the day off (thank you Captain Canada!) — the hot weather — finishing my run — lots of d0-nothing time — that my husband took my daughter to see fireworks while I went to bed.

 less sugar  — reading funny commentary — not having to wear so many layers — coffee visits — picking up my kids.

emails with photos from travelling family — the man who held the door open for me –the extra bag I brought to buy groceries — my favorite yogurt  — my favorite yogurt on sale.

slow day at work — leaving early — clean floors — enjoy my dinner — my coach recognizing how tired I’ve been.

running with my husband — taking it really easy — lots of rest time — kale from the garden — lots of me time.

my son’s humour — his positive energy — his help with groceries — not being so scheduled — sleeping in.

green lights in traffic — healthy choices for lunch — giving my daughter options she could accommodate — being patient with my feelings — chocolate.

my son’s exuberance about his cooking camp — recognizing when I am overwhelmed (even if it may not appear like it) — being mindful — finding parking.

an easy run — a (legs only) dip in the ocean — dogs and their funny personalities — dogs on the beach — spending time with my kid.

the way newspaper stuffed into your shoes really helps to dry them out faster.

eating the last bite of something delicious and knowing it was just the right amount.

going for an easy, sunshine-y run — taking the time in my day to take care of me — being able to also fit in activities for the kids — riding the train — afternoon rest.

chocolate and almond power bars — running with friends — living in such a scenic and accessible place — mango popsicles — beach time.

 sunshine — yoga — predictability — decaf coffee — an end to the day.

resisting temptation — strength in choices — accepting me now — my son’s comment when we were brushing teeth “boy, I have a handsome smile!” — my daughter’s steps towards independence.

 a day off — a good “float” — that to lose weight means I need to be okay with where I am now — pants that fit — familiar strangers.

lunch with a colleague — that people are not as scary as they seem — that I do seem to have a “work” persona — running for fun — lemonade on a sunny day.

a better night’s sleep — reminders of the past — realizing I made it through some of the experiences I’d forgotten out — how much the kids are enjoying their summer camps — fresh kale.

still taking the time to be easy on myself — starting to feel better physically — patience — trusting that things will change — trusting that things can change.

the quiet of early morning — how predictably delicious my breakfast tastes — a good trail run — sunshine — beautiful scenery.

a few extra moments at the end of the day — easy traffic — the boy’s positive attitude — getting weekend laundry done — summertime meals.

a new cleaning lady — good neighbours — blue sky — a small kindness with big rewards — feeling sore from my run but immensely satisfied.

patience for challenges that I cannot relate to — longer evenings — my husband for feeding the kids — making time for my workout — an unexpected glass of wine.

making vacation plans — simplifying plans — taking the time to do what I want — running shoes — feeling present during my run.

running errands at lunch — doing nothing in the evening — letting go of tentative plans and not feeling obliged — the upcoming forecast — chocolate milk.

longer runs — having water on my longer run — not feeling great, but still feeling accomplished — fresh salad — espom salt baths.

trail runs with great people — the view from the peak — a haircut — watching buskers with the kids — still having a few hours for Sunday nothings.

the kids up early — the kids getting out of the house on time — finding money in my wallet — the free coffee on my rewards card — the giant potato my son grew.

my husband’s texts —  a planned workout — a modification to the planned workout — seeing old running friends — seeing kids in their pajamas when I get home.

the thermostat being fixed at work — being able to do both a run and a gym workout — the kids enthusiams for their job — not having to make dinner — summer running clothes.

my son’s explanation for what a wedding is: “that thing where they kiss” — bananas — finding a shortcut in traffic — warm summer nights — finding inspiration in how others overcame adversity.