Friday, March 5, 2010

What's your best thing ?

There are many things I miss about having my children grown and gone. I miss the sounds of their voices and the laughter. I don't miss the dirty laundry mountain. I miss the hikes through the woods as we sang 'The ants go marching one by one...' I miss their hugs and kisses. I don't miss the 'clean your bedroom' routine. I miss the fact that I can't blame my messy house on them. I miss the creativity and energy that was contagious. I don't miss the waiting up until they returned home ~ safe and sound. I miss the conversations. I don't miss the squabbling. One tradition that I miss is 'What's your best thing'? At dinner time in order to keep everyone focused and positive we would each have to say the best thing that happened to us that day. Sometimes the answer might be 'I woke up' but that was okay. No one could pass - you had to say something. It actually was a wonderful conversation starter plus it allowed me to have insight into their lives that might have been missed.

So the other day I was out wandering through Blogland when I came across a new place to visit ~ This Eclectic Life. I felt very comfortable, sat right down and read for awhile. One of the features of this blog is 'Only the Good Friday' and it caught my attention. It is a meme and I don't usually participate in memes because I don't like any blogging restrictions. I like to blog when I want to blog or when I have the time to blog BUT I totally feel the need to focus on the positive in my life which is the intent of 'Only the Good Friday'. You just have to focus on something good that has happened in your life recently. No negativity allowed. It is simple ~ it can be a picture, a recipe, a thought ~ just keep it positive. So I signed on to help spread the good news because we certainly need it.

So what is my best thing? The obvious would be the fact that after three days without electricity we regained our power. I got to take a hot shower. Life was wicked good then. Plus three of my four kids were home for part of the outage adventure so we played Scrabble and other games during the outage which was fun. No television was heavenly. All good but not my best thing.

After the power came back I went with my husband to get our generator serviced. I thought this was a quick mission. Nope. I sat in the truck waiting, waiting and finally stomped into the generator garage to remind my husband that I was alive. He was talking to the technician. Surprise. I was standing, tapping my toes loudly when I noticed a jar on the counter FULL of Fireballs ~ one of my favorite candies which I have not had the pleasure of sucking on in a long time! I walked right over to the counter, stuck my hand in and pulled one out. I wanted to pop it in my mouth right then but what if it was one of the wicked hot ones and I couldn't hold it in my mouth until the hotness dissolved? I didn't want this technician to see me as a wimp. So I shoved it in my coat pocket for later. Minutes go by, generator talk still droning on so to the counter I go and grab another Fireball, giggling as I pull my hand out. I looked for a sign that said 'one per customer' but none was anywhere to be seen so now two Fireballs sat in my pocket. I walked around the generator showroom trying to figure out what in the world two grown men could find so interesting about this piece of metal when the urge came over me to grab just one more Fireball. Now I am feeling a little bit naughty at this point. I know I shouldn't grab the third Fireball but I did. It was done rather sneakily but I did notice the technician watching me. Oops. Time for me to go sit in the truck. So off I went ... three brilliant red Fireballs in my pocket... which I am saving for the perfect moment when I can just sit back, eyes closed, enjoying each molecule of hotness. That was a good day.

What's your best thing?

11 comments:

Brian Miller said...

my dad carries a bag of fireballs in his truck...we usually share one together when we go out...that is a happy thought for me...thanks for bringing it up today.

Akelamalu said...

My best thing is finding the perfect pair of shoes to go with an outfit! :)

R. J. said...

After a week without central heat and waiting for the new unit to arrive, my best thing today is having central heat again. We survived surprisingly well with three ceramic space heaters. Thankfully, the electricity didn't fail or a local motel would have been my Plan B.

Daryl said...

I didnt kill ToonMan when he told me that the call I hung up on last nite (he answered and handed me the phone WITHOUT saying anything) had been from American Express ... SIGH ... this he tells me after I tell him someone used my Amex card and Amex caught them/stopped the charge ....

Melissa said...

well if hotdogs should carry a warning label, these things definitely should! Enjoy them, but not all alone!! (This is one of the very few things that is not allowed into my house!)

This Eclectic Life said...

I'm so glad to have your voice join me in spreading the good! Having my own children grown and gone, your beginning brought me to tears.

Fireballs? I'm not sure exactly what they are ... maybe we called them something else. But, they sound fun--like a "best thing" in my book. Three? Hmmm. So tell us: were they hot enough to make you feel like a wimp? lol

Have a great weekend filled with good.

pink dogwood said...

You are hilarious - keep the kid in you alive - always :)

Natalie said...

Hi sweetness!
Hmmmmm....the best thing about my Friday, is that it is actually Saturday here, in Australia. :)

Friday here, was a ........! xx♥

MyMaracas said...

Thanks for the smile. I could just see you pilfering Fireballs. And I know what you mean about the kids. My last one moved out in January, and it feels like the very ground has shifted.

My best thing today would be that it was too warm for my winter coat, for the first time since fall.

Maggie May said...

I like the way you manage to bring out the positive at meal times etc.
It is only after you have been deprived of something for a while, like the shower, when you realise just how much we take simple things like that for granted.

My best thing today, was a visit from a very kind friend.

Nuts in May

imbeingheldhostage said...

I just loved this post so much. I love those naughty moments-- you know things kids would do but adults would never (which is why they are so happy all of the time). Good for you with the fireballs-enjoy!

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