Thursday, May 28, 2009

Thankful Anyway Thursday

Ok, I know what you are thinking... when the hell is Kari going to write a post other than Thankful Thursday? Hey...at least I'm trying to stay thankful, right?

My excuse can be summed up in one word - overwhelmed.

I remember back in April (which seems like just yesterday), my friend Marisa asked me if we could get together one weekend in May. I checked out my calendar, and realized that we already had at least one thing going on every single weekend day throughout the month of May. Many days we were double or triple booked, not to mention that every weekday had at least one or two evening activities we had to attend. My reaction was, holy crap, we have absolutely no free time in May. My reaction should have been HOLY CRAP, we have absolutely NO free time in May, I better figure out how to skim some of this down so we (I) can stay sane!

To make things even more fun, life in general outside of all of these activities, has been c r a z y. Work is insane these days. I work in the financial industry. Enough said. Things around my firm are more than uncertain, and everyone is varying degrees of wigged out. We're supposed to learn more about our fate sometime in mid-June. Until then, everyone is waiting. Not fun. Not fun at all. On the home front, it's not a whole lot easier. My sweet little Milly, as I talked about in a recent post, somehow turned thirteen on her third birthday and I'm pretty sure she thinks she's ready to move out of the house - which would actually be just fine with me at this point. Or, if maybe she could at least go out and get a job if I end up losing mine, that would be great. We've been struggling with some "daytime wetness" issues with Seesa, or at least that's the term they use at the Urology Clinic we've finally ended up at to figure all of this out. My marriage is...well, hanging on by a thread at this point. I'm so overwhelmed that I've been letting things get to me that are completely removed from my own life - like the fate of Jon and Kate plus 8. Why the heck am I so upset about their situation? Seriously, there's no doubt that I have no idea what the real story is, because it's all being spun by TLC and the media. Maybe it just gives me something to worry about, other than my own worries.

So, what exactly am I thankful for, you ask? Good question. I'm actually Thankful Anyway. I discovered the Thankful Anyway Thursday post on Holistic Mama's blog. She says, "it's easy to be thankful for the good stuff, can you be thankful for the not so good?"


I'm thankful anyway because I have a job right now, which is more than a lot of people can say these days.

I'm thankful anyway because Milly is coming into herself in her third year of life, and challenging me to teach her how to turn her defiance into self confidence and self reliance.

I'm thankful anyway because Seesa is excited and willing to do the things that the doctors have told us will help her.

I'm thankful anyway because what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. I have faith and I'm certain that if we can work through our struggles, it will make our marriage stronger.


My friend Lisa sent me an email recently called, "Just do the next thing...". It was about an overwhelmed Mom who heard someone speak about the simple concept of doing the next thing. When her emotions would start to run away with her, she would simply ask herself what the next thing she needed to do was. And then she would do it. And then she would do the next thing, and the next, and the next. And all those little "next things" got her through the most overwhelming days.

So, I'm going to be just doing the next thing, while I get though this month and the next, and one of those next things will be writing in my blog - because I miss it, and I miss connecting with all of you.

17 comments:

Unknown said...

Welcome to being thankful anyway!

Great things to be thankful anyway for Kari. Especially when things are quite challenging right now.

I like that 'just do the next thing' idea. Yes, sometimes just taking the next step is all we can do, and all that we need to do, for now.

Lucy said...

Wow, your life is spinning, you poor thing and yet you find the time to be positive, that is great!!!

I got sucked into that Jon and Kate Plus Eight on Memorial Weekend. Now, this is embarrasing to admit, I got so sucked into it I wrote a post on it. If in your busy life you have a moment pop over to my blog and read it. You will get a good laugh and say "Man, Lucy needs to get a life."

GOOD LUCK with everything and just keep doing the next thing:)

Christy said...

I sure hope you find a way to make some free time for yourself in June. Cancel away my friend - it sounds like you really need it. And I love that idea...doing the next thing. I'm adding that saying into my little mantras - I think I could use it.

Glad you're back - I've missed your posts!

Janeen T, aka: Ben's Mommy said...

Hi Kari, I always love your brutal honesty and your ability to find the silver lining. "Just doing the next thing" is great advice for all of us. Hang in there, my friend!

septembermom said...

Just doing the next thing is great advice for all of us overwhelmed moms. You are super busy. Hope you get a breather soon!

Anonymous said...

You are so right about doing the next thing. That's how I'm getting through a lot right now. Just do the next thing.

Hang in there!

BTW, I've moved from Taking What is Left. I'm at Colorful Metaphors now. :) Stop by. There are cookies to be had.

Christina said...

Great advice and thanks for the reminder! It certainly does put everything into perspective, doesn't it?

And while we're at it. I'm thankful it's Friday because 2 days out of the office will get me ready to conquer next week. :-)

Kate Coveny Hood said...

I know how you feel... Just today I was thinking, "could just one more thing happen?" I think I instinctively take the "next thing" approach. Which has far more to do with my talent for dissociation than any ability to keep things in perspective. And of course, the prozac helps.

anymommy said...

You don't have to write all the time for us to be here.

Sophie, Inzaburbs said...

Great positive attitude!

We use Dori's line from Finding Nemo in our house: "Just keep swimming, swimming..."

I hope things calm down for you soon. We'll be there, waiting.

Saved by Grace said...

I am soooo sad about Jon and Kate. Yes, I'm sure it is a lot of spin, and not surprising considering they have opened up their lives to be a fishbowl, but still, sad.....

I think I'm also sad because it reflects the life of friends who are struggling in marriage as well. I wish it wasn't so hard sometimes, especially for those I love.

Praying for all your "nexts", Kar.

love you

Aliceson said...

It seems that life gets crazy during the summer months but already booked up in May? You do need a break.

In response to your question on my blog about the copyright symbol... In photoshop elements, if you type Alt plus 0169 the little symbol should come up.

Marinka said...

Oh, how I remember the 3s. (huddling in the corner, rocking)

OHmommy said...

It's true though... what doesnt kill you makes you stronger. That sure as heck helps me get through my days. LOL!

Zip n Tizzy said...

Sounds to me like you have everything in perspective.

I've found it's frequently true, that these challenging times in our marriages make us that much more appreciative on the other side. It's just about being forgiving of ourselves and one another to recognize that we just need to get to the other side.

And then three year olds. Well, they have to assert themselves some way right? I mean after all, they will tell you, they're NOT Babies!

Hang in there. Thank goodness for Thursdays.

Renee said...

That is a great attitude to have, it should help you get through the crazy times.

Maybe Milly and Bunny could get together and take things over. It would be interesting and maybe it would make things run better.

Lish said...

I'm glad the next thing turned out to be disco!!!

 

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