10 August. I never stopped laughing yesterday. I am grateful for a friend who is as mad as me, as cheeky as me, as full of shit as me. As sweetly irreverent as me. Who speaks her mind just like me. And is the perfect plus one.
I have mentioned B fondly refers to me as Cleese. I tend to be a tad of a dork and am often the butt of jokes in our family. In a nice way. Today I was grateful to play that role as it had the girls in absolute hysterics at lunch as Kate was updating Jem on my most recent attempt at joining in with B and Kate’s witty repartee. In my mind my comment was so funny I was already giggling, but somehow it didn’t sound the same outside of my mind. They could have at least been nice about it. Instead of rolling on the floor. Oh well. I am very grateful for a fun moment on Kate’s last day with us. I will be the butt of any joke if it helps to keep the mood light just before our baby leaves us for a month. I love how excited she is. I am grateful for her newfound fearlessness. Her readiness now to embrace a new adventure. To find the fun. Even if it is sometimes at my expense.
I have met some fabulous women here. Inspiring, interesting, capable, creative, nothing is too much for them women. I am grateful for the time spent today, alongside some of them, at the worlds best ever homemade lemonade stall. You women really do rock and are inspiring in your selflessness. And even if there had been vodka in the lemon slushy machine I couldn’t have had a better time.
I am grateful for a sense of humour. Jem, who truly spends too much time smelling those roses, hadn’t given me the plate I had to fill for her school annual fete so I was under a little pressure to bake something late this afternoon. (Never mind I knew well what had to be done but had been otherwise occupied). Anyway felt suitably pleased with myself as did a quick grocery shop, booked a flight, made chicken satay for dinner, one of Kate’s faves as she’s away for a month from monday and baked a cake. I was basking in my super mother glory (see I can be this) when I opened the oven. Fuck. I hate cooking, I hate the kitchen and I’ll never not. I might just pretend from time to time. But, I do love a laugh, especially when its at myself. Just make sure if you’re at the fair you pay a premium for the squonky lemon drizzle, it’s one of a kind.
I went on a girls night out last night. And had far too fabulous a time. So today I am so grateful for a can of coke. Or three. It was the only thing that made me feel human again. Maybe one day I’ll find my off switch. But I suspect not. And I’m grateful for that too. I think.
I love a matt red lipstick. I am grateful for the connection I have with a very dear friend who also loves a matt red lipstick. And Audrey Hepburn and New York. And roses. And understated style. And crystal glasses. And single malt. And laughter. And irreverence. As I put my lipstick on tonight I thought of her and a smile played on my lips. We have a history together, a history punctuated with much laughter and love. I am grateful for her friendship, for our forever connection and for her new Skype wizardry.
I think, in fact I know the girls are getting a tad irritated with me constantly whipping out my iphone to capture a moment I’m grateful for.This morning was just such a moment. And I’m grateful for it, because we were all in hysterics, with much screaming. I overheard the girls having a wonderful sharing moment in their bathroom, with Kate regaling Jem with some teenage drama (then she said he said I said etc etc). I was grateful for such a wonderful sisterly bonding moment that I knew at any point could revert to the more common sisterly squabbling that I thought I’d capture it. As I gently pushed open the bathroom door, iphone at the ready to take a shot, the girls squealed in horror and closed the door on me. I of course pushed back on it and Kate and I ended up having this pathetic weak from giggling door pushing thing. I gave up and they locked the door on me. I stood quietly outside the door holding in my giggles. Their curiosity eventually got the better of them and Jem quietly opened the door. You can imagine the squeals and screams at them finding me quietly waiting there. In fact, I think they called me creepy. And weird. I am truly grateful for a really fun start to our day.
I am grateful that B and I still have moments that make the girls go ewwww. Although I have to admit it doesn’t take much. A cuddle here, a kiss there. All it took tonight was me feeding B a little cheese and pickled onion nibble. One of my favourite combinations. And only because he had his hands full doing dinner. And for that I am also grateful because B usually can’t resist an opportunity to maximise the ewwww.
I am grateful for firsts. First moments that can never be repeated. I am grateful I was so blown away by Courteney today, that I didn’t have too much time to ponder the reality of my baby sister’s child being old enough to drive. And to drive me.
grace and dignity 