Focus on Small Surprises
Every now and then, just when you think you’ve figured out a few things about how the world works, it throws you a curve ball.
I got several this week…and the week has barely begun. Perhaps trivial, these are my recent head-scratcher moments.
The Fab Hub does not eat pork. Nor does he eat veal. While I may fail to mention a hidden vegetable or two or toss some goat cheese into a recipe without necessarily telling him, I don’t mess with something like meat. That’s personal. Way too big for debate. Recently, we purchased some meatball mix from our favorite butcher that was a combination of beef, veal, and pork and decided to give it a try. I used it for meatballs this weekend and they were pretty good. Fab Hub said he liked them just fine, but preferred all beef. Fair enough. I’m shocked that he A) was willing to try it at all and B) actually passed a thumbs-up.
Every now and then, Kidzilla will actually ask to go to bed before we begin the “please go to sleep” process. Not only did she ask to go to bed on her own (three nights running) but tonight she was also in bed, lights out, and no sound coming from her by a full hour sooner than has been the norm lately. That was a major win for all concerned…no bedtime drama, no struggling to get Zilla to turn off her brain for the night, plus she ends up more rested for the next day.
I found the Rotten Cats sitting like this when I walked down the hall from Zilla’s room to ours the other night. Don’t they look angelic?
![20131007_002741[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/20131007_0027411-e1381197330705.jpg)
Perhaps they were also incredulous that she was in bed and quiet so early and gathered to discuss. Whatever the reason, it was a great opportunity for a good shot of all three Rotten Cats – which never happens. So I grabbed it.
Who knows what the rest of the week will bring?
The lesson here – for me at least – is that you just never know what surprises life might bring. Just when you think you know what to expect, something unexpected comes along. Sure, sometimes the unexpected isn’t particularly pleasant or entertaining. But I wonder if it’s possible that there are just as many pleasant surprises in our days, but we’re often too busy to notice? Or too programmed to expect the worst? Or too worried about what might go wrong that we fail to see what goes right?
I think I like the pleasant little surprises. They may seem small and inconsequential, but that’s really just about perspective and personal interpretation. I’d like to keep my eyes open for those happy little moments in between those that might prove more frustrating. It’s just one more way to perhaps focus just a little more on the positive things in life.
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My favorite small surprise has been my 10 year old son, begging for me to read to him. 🙂
Are the Rotten Cats siblings?
Oh, that’s a great surprise indeed! Reading is great!
Yes, the Rotten Cats are actually brothers. Can you tell?
When I first got married, my husband told me that he would eat any kind of meat except veal. As a result, I’ve never tried it myself, and now that I am pretty much a vegetarian, I guess I never will.
Love your cats.
I know – they are too much aren’t they?
Your cats are absolutely adorable… I think I would just jump in bed with them!!!!
Ha – they often jump in bed with me! Sometimes they take up way too much room…
I remember when my kids were first adjusting to being school kids that they were so worn out at night. There were a few weeks in kindergarten when I can remember actually telling my husband I missed my kid. Between all day school and early to bed I felt like I barely saw them.
That’s about where we are right now, May! The minute she’s asleep, I miss her but I know she needs the rest.
It was very courageous of hub to try and give a sign of approval (albeit not his favorite) to the meatballs. It’s good that you have some lines you will not cross.
Did you worry if the cats were plotting against you … or am I the only one that worries about things like that?
I actually do! When the three of them sit and stare at me, it unnerves me. I nearly always ask the Fab Hub to make them stop looking at me. And my Sister hates when all three are in the same room. Every now and then I wake up in the middle of the night to find one sitting next to my head staring at me. Always makes me wonder what evil I just forcibly aborted by opening my eyes…
Who does not love a surprise!
Last week I nearly fell from my chair when my ‘trying to give me vegetarian dishes is cause for divorce’ husband actually requested a vegetarian dish. Normally I have to sneak him anything vegetarian.
Get out – that’s awesome. The Fab Hub used to complain about meatless, too. We eat vegetarian and meatless more nights than not anymore.
I like the pleasant little surprises, too. Sometimes I think we’re programmed to look for the huge mind-blowing events and gloss over the little things that make up a life. I’ve learned to slow down and look for those good bits, too.
I think that’s exactly what it is, Andrea. And when we don’t get the mind-blowing ones, we’re so apt to think we aren’t blessed. I kinda like the little ones best, sometimes.
Not only did you get all three cats in a photo, but they’re all looking the same way. How likely is that to happen? I have a hard time getting my one cat to look at me sometimes.
I like little nice surprises too. Things you don’t expect and seem way too small to mean something – but they do. Things like waking up completely refreshed a few minutes before your alarm goes off. Or when someone does something random just to make your day.
Exactly – it never happens. And they all look sort of normal, too.