Last week I got a little fatigued, a little overwhelmed, and little teary-eyed, and quite a bit forgetful.  Probably the first two, led to the second two, which propelled me to self-chastisement.  I should nap, but often when I do, I have a hard time getting to sleep at night.  I should go to bed earlier; I should be more organized; I should keep a list; I should be more thoughtful; I should have a better sense of time…. [tweetthis]Sometimes, I should all over myself.[/tweetthis]  Do you ever do that?

So first on my gratitude list is:

♥  I can give myself permission.  Sometimes things don’t go as I wish and it’s my fault.  It’s okay. Today is another day. Thank you very much.

♥  An active mind and a full plate. I love doing and being and thinking. Sometimes stuff falls off my plate.  Yeah.  So, next time, not so full, so fast.

♥  Helpful friends.  Geri is so enthusiastic about my book.  She lifts me up and helps me forge ahead.  Thank you Geri. So glad I overbooked my Saturday, so I ended up running into you Sunday.  If it hadn’t been for that mistake, I would have missed you.  Lucky me.

♥  hummingbirds: Flitting around my flowers, busy, busy, busy. Still, stopping to sip the nectar of Life.  Good lesson, feathered friend.

♥  Blue-tooth technology. Thanks to my hands-off Jawbone, I got in a nice visit with my sister, Vickie, on an hour-long drive.

♥  Bridal showers. Naive love’s anticipation, ready to face the world together with a trunk full of kitchen ware and bathroom furnishings.  Remembering that excitement fills me with joy.  (That’s my team’s winning bridal-dress-made-out-of-toilet paper.)

♥  Public transportation. Oh I love Metra.  No traffic.  Always on time. Always predictable.

♥  Kinky Boots and Frontera Grill with Love-One . Good food. Good music. Wonderful company.  Who could ask for more.

♥  A flute partner. Oh Kris, you push me beyond what I thought I could do.  You are so good for me.

♥  Fresh basil. The smell of basil in the garden seems to open my heart and my ears to everything around me.  Have you ever responded to a smell or taste like that?

♥ Chicago Writes Conference.  I’m going this Thursday through Saturday.  Another chapter of my book get critiqued.  The conference is chock full of great workshops.  I hope I can take Metra.

♥  A chance to sleep in. I’m filled with energy today.  Ready to go again.  Much more organized and on top of things. Much happier.

♥  Bridal showers. Naive love’s anticipation, ready to face the world together with a trunk full of kitchen ware and bathroom furnishings.  Remembering that excitement fills me with joy.

♥  Chip at the top of my arbor. “Hey, Dale, where are you?”  I saw this rascal from my dining room window yesterday morning. Silliness is the funnest thing on earth.  Dontcha think?

Would you like to see more gratitude lists?  Join Laurel at Alphabet Salad every Monday for her link-up.  It’s a great way to start the week. Just click here.