Sigh.

The holidays?

They are over.

My husband and I went back to work Monday and our kids went back to daycare and school.

Well, technically, my eldest went to daycare on Monday and then back to school on Tuesday because the busses were cancelled Monday due to CRAZY ICE STORM, but effectively?  Same difference.

Wednesday saw the garage confirming one of our cars is now done – so we need to buy a new one.  And as I’m typing?  My husband is at the gas station down the street (with our two daughters in tow) trying to boost our OTHER car which just died en route to dance class [UPDATE:  Went to pick up girls and husband; boosted car enough to park it at our local garage which is closed on the weekends; will call first thing Monday morning; and suffice to say there was no dancing].

But this glass:

Half full; half full; half full; HALF FULL…… repeat ’til insane (or drunk).

Seriously?

I’m in a less than “attitude of gratitude” frame of mind, but am forever mindful that overall, life is pretty good.  So linking up as per usual with Lizzi and her crowd for the weekly Ten Things of Thankful hop.

Here goes:

Number 10

Regarding our confirmed DOA car, I’m thankful for our honest mechanic who was upfront with us about how it wasn’t worth repairing anymore.  And I’m thankful to the over 30 friends on Facebook who responded to my “any tips for searching for a new car” question I put up earlier this week.  Apparently folks feel passionately about their cars…

Number 9

Continuing in car mode (’cause I’m a bit hung up on it at present – I’ll unwind – PROMISE) I’m thankful to my brother and sister-in-law who came over to babysit yesterday so my husband and I could go out car shopping sans kids.  So far we’re thinking maybe a Mazda 5 or Hyundai Tuscon.  Opinions?  We haven’t test driven yet; and would also like to visit Honda before firming up our choices.  Also – thinking status of other car might play a factor in purchasing choices…. But I think this is just a battery or alternator issue… (please, please, PRETTY PLEASE).

Number 8

I’m thankful for Tuesday night out with my mother and my two daughters at the pool.  We hadn’t been in a while and I’d missed our weekly outing.  And my youngest has now figured out how to go down the slide all by herself.  It was fun to watch her figure out and then observe the fearless joy she had in the experience.  Over.  And over.  And over again.

Number 7

I’m thankful that I managed to make it to the gym three times this week.  In addition to feeling pretty proud about that; I was trying a new schedule out to see what can work in my routine.  So I went for a run Wednesday after work with the girls.  They went to playroom; I did a quick 35 minute run; and we were home for (a late-ish and quick) dinner before they imploded.  So I think that’s do-able.  I also managed to make a 4:45 pm Friday afternoon boot camp by leaving work at 3:55.  So when I’m not on pick-up duty I think that’s doable.  If it’s really quiet at work next Friday, I may try it on a pick up day to see when I’d have to leave.  I think I’d have to shift to 7:30-3:30 day – but it might be workable.

Number 6

I’m thankful that I had the chance on Thursday night this week to catch up with old friends – some of whom I hadn’t seen in over 10 years.  Life gets busy, but I’m hopeful we’ve reconnected and will make the effort to keep in touch.

Number 5

I’m thankful for the time at work last week – and hopefully over the next few weeks – to catch up on my Macroeconomics course.  Given it’s part of my “Learning Plan” it’s appropriate to do at work – I’ve just never had time, so it usually bleeds over into evenings and weekends.  Go Distance Education from the University of Athabasca!

Number 4

I’m thankful that I decided to participate in WordPress’ Zero to Hero 30 Days to a Better Blog Challenge.  I was on the fence, because I wasn’t sure I’d have time.  But so far?  In addition to learning how to do the neat “About Me” widget I alluded to last week in this post, I also figured out how to embed from Pinterest – so I did a foodie post this week and will probably do some more – and, once I get a chance to play around – I think I might even be able to embed recipes thanks to a tip from this awesome blogger.  I’ve also discovered some fun new blogs – which is always good.

Number 3

I’m thankful I finally had the courage to step back on the scale earlier this week and that it wasn’t as bad as I’d feared.  I’m thankful for the time and energy I have to focus on healthy eating and exercise this month (and buying a new car, and catching up on school work, and apparently blogging) before work gets crazy again.

Number 2

I’m thankful that while at the pool on Tuesday night we ran into the two kids on my eldest child’s bus who helped stop the bullying late last year.  If you recall, I wrote about that previously on this hop.  Anyway, the reason we found out about the issue, is that the two slightly older kids from the same bus stop who, while scared to intervene on the bus (because the bullies were picking on many kids), told their dad what was happening; he told my daycare provider; who told us; who told the school; and together with the bus driver, we all got it resolved.  Anyway, there they were at the pool with their dad.  They were obviously happy to see my girls and they all played together happily.  AND – I got to thank both them and their dad for helping. Really – it was one of those wonderful encounters where I think everyone leaves feeling better about themselves.  I got to say thank you in person (which I hadn’t been able to do until now because the bus stops had been changed), the kids and their dad got to remember that they’d done a good deed, and really know how appreciated it was, and to boot we all got to have fun together at the pool.

Number 1

I’m thankful that I got to go to bed at 9:30 last night.  And that I got to sleep for 12 hours (basically until the “car call”) because my husband got up with the girls.  It was awesome.  I think it’s a product of life stage that I really can’t think of any other way I would have rather spent my Saturday night.  Dee-da-da-da!

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So that’s it from me this weekend.   Here’s hoping elderly car #2 is up and running again next week and that we’ve narrowed our search for the new car (and that we’re only in need of ONE new car)!