Gratitude and Gobbling

Monday and Tuesday Ivy and I went to school. It was a little bit heart-breaking to see how many students were there that were just hammered. I had more people putting their heads down on their desks than ever. My students were truly ready for a break. Unfortunately my Spanish 2h students have a speaking test when they get back that we went over before break. Please pray for them. 

The Dragonridge turkey trot was a color run this year. The pictures make it look like it was okay and that is good because nobody came home very happy. It was too long and harrowing waiting for awards - and then I didn't even place in my age group. Not that I'm still mad about it. But Ivy took third in her age group which was funny because she and her five friends held hands and crossed the finish line at the same time (from what I heard, as I was behind them after having to tie my shoes TWICE during the race). 

We ended up having dinner at a German cafeteria-style eating place just off this strip where we didn't even have to wait to get in. It was very memorable as we got to watch many people get spanked by their waitress. If you order a shot there you get a spanking to go with (with a paddle!) It's was crazy! And a little bit funny to see how many people were willing to pay to get spanked. Their Thanksgiving meal was really good and Will ordered a hamburger that looked delicious as well. (I took the opportunity to tell the story of Klaus Goeckeritz coming to the US with only one English word in his arsenal: hamburger.)

Friday I cooked all the Thanksgiving stuff and remembered how I'm not very good at it, but the gravy and the rolls were good so I'll give myself credit where I deserve. We also got notice from our HOA that we needed to paint our trim on the front of the house so Bill and Will got out there yesterday and did some fixing up. Will is scared of heights and loves being up high so he was more than happy to help.

This week I am thankful for:

• Bill - He does all the hard stuff. Lots better than I would. We are definitely not the same person, but it sure is great to have someone on your side who fills in your gaps for you.
• Insightful moments - I listened to Yuval Noah Harari and Sam Harris on a podcast talk about many things, but their discussion of meditation made me realize that some of the stories that I tell myself are not positive or useful. I'm trying to stop those feedback loops.
• Happy kids - Faith is starting her new morning anchor gig on Monday and that is making her happy. Will is learning how to be a grown up and not lose some of his sense of fun by realizing that maybe he should live with people his own age. Ivy has enjoyed being off school this week and has made herself happy by NOT running errands with me, but allowing me to run errands with her.
• Sunshine - It has been getting up into the sixties here and it reminds me how much we love non-summers here!
• Family - I got to talk to M'Li on Thanksgiving and Dad on Friday. Heather and Paige have been in contact through Instagram and BeReals. It helps me not feel alone.
• Dancing - I made a line dance to Oh-Blah-Di by the Beetles yesterday and wondered if  I should have stuck to that minor in dance. I sure do love it. It's probably just as well to do other things, but incorporate dance as much as I can into all those other things :)