TToT – Short Week
The short week after a Monday holiday is always a particular kind of hell.
In theory, it’s a great thing. You get to skip Monday and only face four days of the regular week – whatever your regular might be – before it’s weekend time all over again. But. In a short week after a Monday holiday, Tuesday is like a Super-Monday. By Tuesday you’re supposed to be in the groove already, picking up steam as you head toward optimum efficacy by Wednesday and Thursday. In a short week, it takes until Thursday to really get in the groove and the next thing you know, you’re sliding into Friday wondering what happened to all of the days. It’s a simple explanation – a short week is like trying to stuff ten pounds of crap in a five pound bag.
It’s not going to work.
But somehow we manage to get through the week, perhaps grabbing an extra cup of inspiration in the morning to keep us going until Friday when we’re never more relieved that it’s over. And if you can get the ten pounds to fit in the five pound bag? That’s definite cause for gratitude!
That being the case for me today, let’s commence with the thankfulness…I am thankful for the long weekend last week…a wide open, unplanned, completely up to us weekend. We relaxed, enjoyed the slower, uncommitted pace, took naps… It was awesome.
I am thankful that the car is now repaired. It was indeed the power steering fluid, but not as simple as a topping off of the fluid, sadly. We needed to replace a hose. After six years with the car, I think it deserves a new hose.
I am not thankful that I spent two morning in the service station – day one for diagnostic, day two to do the actual repair once the part arrived. But I am thankful that neither day took all that long and I’m quite thankful that the customer waiting area is clean, friendly, and comfortable.
I am not thankful for a hefty car repair bill. But I am choosing to be thankful that it wasn’t more. How’s that for trying to see the bright side? And I am pretty sure I’m thankful for the blog post fodder my time in the waiting room provided. More on that later this week.
I am thankful that Zilla’s banged-up knees are healing well. She took a spill on the playground and has two whopper skinned knees. Poor girl has been in a bit of pain and discomfort for a couple of days, but she’s getting there. I am really glad to see her handling it relatively well and being a real trooper about it.
In fact, I am thankful for quite a bit of maturity we’ve seen in her this week. She’s growing up and growing wise in so many ways – and all of a sudden, it seems. I will be honest and admit that I’ve been lamenting her babyhood a bit lately when she wraps those long limbs of hers around me for a hug or flounces around the kitchen looking more pre-teen than pre-school. But when she asked me tonight if I loved her better as a baby, I assured her that I love every one of her stages, past, present, and future. I am thankful for her smile. She’s had moments when she’s quite a pill, too, but I’m even thankful for those moments because they are all her and she’s here and she’s wonderful.
I am thankful for my new phone. I have a thing about cars and cell phones – I hate paying for them. I always wait for the next batch of free phone upgrades when my mobile contract comes around for renewal. My old phone was on its last legs and the new one is working so much better.
I am thankful for my Husband, for his kindness and sweetness, and for the way he loves and takes care of Zilla and me. I am thankful for his ability to always remain calm, no matter how challenging life may be at the moment. I am thankful for the balance he provides in our home. I have a tendency to overreact a little when things don’t go as planned. He manages to stay cool and clear-headed. He takes care of the hard stuff that gives me a headache. And I’m always grateful to have the world’s best cup of coffee every morning, courtesy of him.
I am thankful for the Rotten Cats. They’ve been especially sweet and companionable this week. And nobody pooped on the floor (*knocks wood), so that’s cause for celebration!
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We want you, the TToT community to design and choose a brand new lovely TToT banner to use as we move through our next 100 TToT link-ups. Make a button and upload it to the contest linkie just below. Come back during next weekend’s TToT and vote for your three favorites. Got it? The linkie button for that contest is right here:
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Now it’s your turn: What silver linings have you found this week? What negatives have you been able to see in a positive light? When was the last time you skinned your knee? What are your thoughts on cars and phones?
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Ahhhhh I always always love the feeling of family I get from your posts, Lisa. I still maintain I don’t see quite that level of loveliness (especially with Fab hub) anywhere else, and it’s delightful to read.
I’m glad so many things went RIGHT with your week, in spite of the hurry and the fight against time. Are Zilla’s knees getting better? I hate skinned knees and can’t remember the last time I did it – I tend to just bash myself and bruise, rather than skin my joints any more.
And I love that you get that. I guess it just comes through. And shh…don’t tell my Hub I adore him so much. I like to keep him on his toes. 😉
There were many things right with the week and that is the whole reason I love the TToT. There is always good, no matter how rough things may seem. Keeps it all in perspective, I guess. And while I did have a bit of a meltdown about the stupid car, it was less of one than I would have had a year ago. So there’s that.
Zilla’s knees are still bothering her and still sore, but she’s getting better. Such a perfectly inconvenient spot – right ON the part of the knee where it bends, rather than just underneath. Hard to bend the leg without discomfort. But she still rocked her karate test this morning. I did let the Sensei know she was a bit limited in movement and you could see it in some of her movements. But still. He said she did great and knew everything. Huzzah!
I’m sorry you had a car repair bill, but glad it was fixed relatively easily. I think I’m with you on not enjoying spending money on them.
Long weekends, especially the ones without big plans, are the best. Even if it does kick up the work pace a notch the following week.
Dumping money into cars is the worst!
And yes, a good long unplanned weekend is a great feeling. Just what we needed to get us through the last couple busy weeks of school!
The waiting room at the car place is always interesting. Once I ripped a recipe out of a magazine while I was waiting for an oil change. I still feel a little guilty about it. So this is true confession time, lol. Unexpected car repair costs have killed us more than once. Love and hugs to Zilla. While I can still give my adult kids big hugs, I sort of miss the lap sitting and feeling the weight of their essence on me. I’m getting motivated to design a button and link up. Thankful for PicMonkey.
So funny about the magazine recipe, Val. I usually take a picture with my phone now, but somehow even that makes me feel like a criminal! 😀
Car repairs are always so ill-timed, aren’t they? Right before Zilla’s birthday and party? Honestly.
I’ll pass on the love and hugs. She’s still hobbling about a bit, but definitely improving.
I think I’m going to stick to the voting on the button thing, but I’m pretty excited!
My Hub thinks the sentence about passing on love and hugs to Zilla sounds like “no thanks, I’ll pass.” He’s such a dork. I told Zilla you sent love and hugs and she said, “Awww…how sweet!” 🙂
It sounds as if you really found the best in things this week. Car repair bills aren’t any fun but it I’m glad it was just a minor thing and you still have your car. I can’t stand being without a car. It makes me feel trapped. Skinned knees are the worst, hope your daughter is feeling better!
Wish it was a little more minor in the cost department, Jean, but yes a hose replacement at 6 years old is pretty reasonable. Not having your car is like not having freedom. Amazing how we depend on these things.
Zilla’s knees are a lot better – she made it through her karate test this morning, even though they’re still bothering her. Tough little girl!
It’s fascinating to watch children grow up. Who they are remains the same, yet develops over time. I think we all need reassurance every now and then that we are loved even though we aren’t exactly the same as we were, or will be. I’ve had similar conversations with my kids over the years.
I think you’re exactly right, Kristi. And mine is definitely growing…this morning she did her own ponytail. Without me. Kind of sad and exciting all at the same time. Fascinating is definitely a good word to describe what it’s like watching Zilla’s personality develop.
cars, ten pound sacks of poop, none of it on the floor… rottens…. what more can one really ask for eh?
They were so well-behaved I almost liked them for a few days. 😀 They were delighted to receive their package in the mail this morning…I have video. It’s hilarious!
You’re so right, 4 day work weeks seem so much longer than a 5 day one. Still, I’m always thrilled to get those 3-day weekends. Yours sounded lovely – naps and relaxing, schedule-free. So glad you enjoyed. Mine was great as well for many of the same reasons. Car problems stink. And I’m happy to hear yours are resolved. 🙂
Car problems do stink, Marcia, but yes it’s solved and overall our cars are serving us very well. That’s a good thing.
I agree on the whole short week thing. In theory it should work. It doesn’t it just doesn’t.
Kind of all there is to say about it, isn’t it??? 😀
Ugh. I hate car repairs too. Always mean to save up money for them but never do. And yay for new phones. I finally got mine in December and I’m so thankful for a new battery that holds a charge. Especially since my children hoard the chargers. Have a great week ahead.
The new phone makes me so happy. I also love that the screen is quite a bit larger, which is helpful for my rapidly-changing 40-something eyesight! 😀 Have a great week, too, Jamie!
A new phone would be awesome. Ours are quite old, but I can’t in good conscience get a new one until the phone goes kaput.
Car repairs really are a pain.
Bryan and I have a similar relationship; one of us is calm in the face of a problem, the other is not. I’m usually the calm one, though, which is funny, seeing as how my nickname in high school was Spaz. 🙂
Christine, I’m with you on the phone thing. We only replace them when the free upgrades come around. Just can’t bring ourselves to drop cash on the phones.
I think having a balance in a relationship like that works very well. If you’re the calm one, however did you get that nickname?
Well, I’m not calm in day to day life. I am quite excitable. Except when there is some problem to be solved. Then, I’m calm and methodical, while Bryan loses his mind and is ready to throw in the towel within seconds.
I think in the midst of a problem or crisis is when maintaining calm is important. I’m with Bryan – I do the freak-out thing.
Poor Zilla and her knees! That’s rough. I love what you wrote about short weeks–“…picking up steam as you head toward optimum efficacy…” love, love, love that. And it’s all so true. Short weeks are so hard! School’s nearly out, and I have to admit I’m kind of dreading it. Hateful person that I am.
Haha – thanks. That just kind of fell out as I was writing.
I am excited for school to end…and dreading it. So we can be hateful together. It’s the loss of solitude that will be hard for me, nothing more. Working on finding a solution, though – stay tuned this week!
No poop on the floor makes for a good week, doesn’t it? Do they actually poop on the floor, or is it untidiness and it maybe sticking to the fur around the kitty butt and then falling off somewhere when they tried to outrun it? Asking for a friend….
I just had to do a HUGE car repair. $960. On a car worth about $1800, but only after it has $960 in repairs done on it. We don’t have public transportation, either, so there’s nothing to do but fix it and quickly.
Skinned knees are awful. They hurt every time you bend your leg. If I had one now, I’d probably have to be in a wheelchair!
Every stage of growing up gets better than the last one. I do miss my kids as babies, but they’re real people now, often delightful, and I don’t have to change their diapers.
As any cat owner knows, no poop and no puke is cause for celebration! Tell your friend that I suspect it is both, depending on the day and/or circumstances. Sometimes it’s pretty clear that it’s an errant turd that fell off at an inopportune time/location. Others it’s about kitty feeling sick or kitty being annoyed that his brother did his business in the box first. There are many boxes, mind you, but all that crap the vets tell you about one for every cat and an extra? Nonsense. They all use the same damn box no matter what. That help?
And by the way, I love that we can talk about cat poop so easily.
I saw that about your car repair somewhere in comments today. Sad, but your argument makes sense.
You nailed it about the growing up – there are days I long for that snuggly little baby on my chest. But Zilla now? So completely delightful (even when she’s a pain in the butt) and such a person I can’t imagine it any other way.
I agree with Spaz, it’s good to have a constructive division of temperament.*
I’m with you on the day-dislocation of having Tuesday standing in for Monday. I mean, seriously! of all of the days of the week! Fridays sure Friday has the energy, Thursday or even Wednesday… any of them would be a better Monday than Tuesday!
no! don’t tell her! I’ll really be in trouble then!
I agree on the division of temperament. Saves us from insanity frequently.
I like that – the other days have more energy. 🙂 But Tuesday is already like the forgotten relative of the days of the week. To ask it to pinch-hit for Monday is cruel and unusual.
I hate car bills too…what a pain. Sounds like you have a fantastic family though.
They’re pretty awesome, Liv! 🙂 <3
I really appreciate how you found the Silver Lining in your car repair bill; it could have been more. Isn’t that the truth?! Waiting rooms are a great place to get blog fodder! Looking forward to reading about that! Hope this week is a great week for you and yours.
The waiting room post is in the works, Pattie. Quite fun.
Have a great week, too!
You are so right about those Monday-Tuesdays after a long weekend, they are most definitely all about that sack o’shit, and that’s pretty much how mine went too! I’ve got two more of them coming up, taking Friday off this week and Monday next week for a short trip to the mountains. Soooo looking forward to it!
I am just delighted to read about how Zilla is growing up and learning to deal with the bumps and bruises and disappointments of life, she is blessed to have such supportive parents and these lessons will last her a lifetime! It is hard to see those baby years disappear, mine are 35 and 40 and I still watch the little ones crossing the street to school and wish they were there too!
Cars and repairs, phones and replacements – double ugh, but when both are working great it’s wonderful! New phones are fun… once you learn them! I’m delighted you’ve got one of those good-guy husbands too, it makes the worst days bearable, and the best days heavenly!
Rotten cats, where would we be without their loves and antics? Sure would be boring, wouldn’t it. I actually look forward to coming home for those loves!
Three short weeks – you’ll be a pro and when you go back to five-day weeks, it will feel relaxed! Maybe? Trip to the mountains sounds awesome.
Zilla is definitely growing up (far too fast for me) and while I’d love to keep all the rough stuff far away from her, that’s all part of learning how to handle the world. I see less and less of the baby part of her and more and more big girl. But every stage is exciting and wonderful so I’m enjoying every second.
The Hub is definitely one of the good guys and, even better, when the technology around here needs attention, I have a resident IT guy to help! That is a definite plus.
The Rottens say hello to all of your kitty gang and send a big welcome to your newest addition!
You know what helps well with banged-up knees? Diaper rash cream! It contains zinc that helps the skin to heal and the oils keep the wound flexible, so the crust won’t break and cause more pain!
Sorry that your car did need more than just topping off the fluid, but I agree, it probably could have been a lot worse. Sure a thankful!!
I agree, at this age, the kiddos seem to grow in their personalities again. Lily is oftentimes in between being a major pain and the best, most understanding girl ever; now we just need to find a healthy middle ground 🙂
Have a wonderful week, Lisa!!
That is fascinating, Stephanie. I’m going to PM you for more info on that remedy.
Had to laugh out loud about Lily straddling that line. Zilla so often dances and twirls there. Middle ground would be nice – or at least something sort of steady. This little girl drama roller coaster is too much! 😀
Have a great week – and thanks for the tip!
I am struggling with my phone too. It is ONE STINKING YEAR OLD. My daughter was giving me a bad time about being an old lady as I was whining about having had the same phone during my entire growing up years. She tried to tell me being attached to the wall by a cord was a downside, but I am not so sure.
Some days I miss the phone attached to the wall and hoping to find a super-long cord so you could be semi-mobile! My phone started stinking quite a few months ago, so this upgrade was a very welcome change. And free. Did I mention the free upgrade part? Yeah. Free is good.