TToT – Out There
It’s been a week.
So many things going on here I can’t even sort them out quite right. But it’s good. It’s a good kind of whirlwind to be caught up in.
Let’s get to it because I still have about fifteen things to finish tonight.
First, I have to be pretty happy about the fact that the writing is flowing both here and outside of this space. I got three non-TToT posts in last week. (Honestly, some weeks that’s been the only thing that keeps me afloat here at all.) This week I had words go up four times, I think. And there is more to come.
I’m thrilled that my first-ever guest post went swimmingly. Eli from Coach Daddy brought his wit and wisdom over here to discuss that very dirty topic: leftovers. If you haven’t read it, please go do that right now…click here. It’s fun and hilarious and pretty spot-on, if you ask me. There will be more guests post in the future. Interested? You know where to find me. Let’s talk.
I am so very happy to be part of the 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion initiative. As I scurry to finish and link this up, we are on the cusp of reaching that 1000 member participation mark. And that doesn’t begin to count all those who aren’t plugged in on the Facebook group. If you’re already in this, you know it’s awesome and you can feel the energy. If you are not yet part of it, please see this very blatant plea from my heart to yours to click over to my first post on #1000Speak. Read it, get the links you need, and be part of this.
As an offshoot of that, I am thankful to Lizzi and Sarah for continuing to bug the heck out of me to get my arse on social media. The #1000Speak was the thing that pushed me over. I will admit out loud that I am still wondering if I should delete delete delete that page and disappear off the radar again. This is a lot of “out there” for a sand-in-the-head, introverted, Clark-like girl llke me. However. I am starting to understand why these ladies – and the rest of you who joined the campaign – were so persistent.
Why yes, that is a sheep sitting in a tree eating Cheez-Its!
I guess now I have to say here that I am thankful for the THING. I could not finish this post effectively due to being entrenched in a bit of online banter that morphed and warped and extended over quite a bit of the later evening here. I laughed so hard I could not breathe, I tell you. I cried. And I have proof that there is absolutely an image for everything somewhere on the Internet. And so that leads me directly to the next item on my list, other than a great and hearty laugh.
I am thankful for what this little blog has brought me. Connections, camaraderie, friendships, encouragement, great words to read from so many people…these are just some of the many benefits that have come from me tossing up a page two and a half years ago out of sheer frustration with everything. I am amazed at how quickly and willingly this community of people will jump in to encourage, support, help, and teach one another. I am amazed at how all of the smaller circles of connection overlap with one another like a great big Venn diagram. It’s grand.
I am thankful for my Daughter. She makes me laugh. She makes my heart absolutely burst. She melts me on the spot with one hug or “I love you, Mamma.” She is one of the biggest reasons I said yes to #1000Speak. It is very true that children are gentle and compassionate by nature; all the negativity that #1000Speak is trying to quash is learned behavior. I want her to hold on to that gentle and compassionate nature. I’ll have more to say on that next week, I think. Come back for that.
I am thankful for the Fab Hub for being a great husband and father. I am thankful that he works hard and takes such good care of Zilla and me. One morning this week, he took Zilla to school so I could keep my RA joints out of the cold. After they left, I passed out and slept hard rested for a bit. Later, I came down to the kitchen to find this:
![20150119_125841[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/20150119_1258411.jpg)
Everything I needed to make my own coffee was set up and ready for me. The Hub always brews the coffee here. Remember, he makes the best coffee on the planet. It’s true. Ask anyone who has had a cup here. The man has a gift for perfect coffee. Rather than brew the pot and leave it to sit until I got around to it, he prepared everything so all I had to do was push the button to make it go. It was like a hug in a cup.
![20150119_130024[1]](http://www.themeaningofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/20150119_1300241.jpg)
And he left it on lobster note paper which is completely sweet because of the Lobster thing that we have. Go on and read it – it’s a great story. It’s anything but typically romantic, but it’s completely and typically us. And it’s kind of hilarious.
I am thankful for (and rather impressed with) Lizzi’s brain. Her ability to pull information out of her head helped me find someone I needed to contact. She knew just who I meant and told me where to look. Huzzah!
And let’s give the Rotten Cats a thank-you for once again providing me with some hilarious blog fodder and a topic for my Friday Five feature. Posts about those little buggers are always well-received. Here’s the latest from the boys, in case you missed it…click here. Have fun.
I do know that I owe you a few goodies that I mentioned last week…that smoothie post, which includes a sort of crazy little story, and two Soup of the Week recipes (one with cauliflower, one for hot and sour soup). Lizzi sent me a fun little gift to go with the soup, so that will be fun. I’m thinking of doing a link-up for the Friday Five – any takers? Thanks to Val for the suggestion!
OK, that’s it for me. I have stuff to do. Don’t forget to go sign on for #1000Speak. You know you want to. Just do it.
Now it’s your turn: What have you been thankful for this week? What has made your heart burst with happiness? What are you excited about? You know the drill…share ’em or link ’em!
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Ohhhhhh I cannot TELL YOU HOW MUCH FUN IT IS TO HAVE YOU ON FACEBOOK!
*delighted, still, COMPLETELY*
And WE PASSED THE THOUSAND!
And…YAY to all your list, and to compassion and writing and lobsters and your Fab Hub and superbrilliantfun Facebook threads (there WILL be a post on that) and A THOUSAND BLOGGERS ALL TOGETHER!
SOOOOOOOEXCITED
When you post on that hilarious thread, I do hope you will include my stellar images. 😀
Right now I’m still trying to get through the overwhelmedness of it all…so many people…so much stuff. There are people in my IRLBB life (that’s in real life before blogging because we all know that in real life can also be blogging) who, if they find out I got on there, will say “Oh really…you? The I will hate FB forever person?” Still have to figure out how to explain that one.
Tell them about #1000Speak and say it was for a perfectly good reason hitherto unsupplied.
“…hitherto unsupplied…” I like that.
*grins* I en’t a righter fur nuffink!
I am thrilled that you finally made the plunge and got yourself on FB. Looks like you are really enjoying it already! I was going through the banter between you and Lizzi and the others who jumped in. Good heavens, there really is a photo for everything! 🙂
It was so nice to see you writing more again. And the guest post was great!
Love me a good Venn diagram.
Wasn’t that little string of conversation hilarious? It actually helped me to get my post done, believe it or not. I was languishing and dragging my fingers and all the conversations going on just felt kind of like everybody sitting in the room together trying to get it done and it helped push me to done – earlier than I think I’ve been in months for TToT.
I almost fell off my chair when I found the Cheez-It sheep in the tree because it fit the conversation so perfectly. I could not believe it.
It feels good to write more again and the more I do, the more ideas I get. I needed to get past the “well my blog got me through the whole JOB thing and now it has no identity” problem. I think we’re pulling away…
Val thinks the Venn is a bit ‘mathy’ for me… 😀
The only thing that surprised me in this post was the Venn diagram. It seemed a bit to “mathy” for you. But I liked it! Cheez in the trees! Admit it – the THING is fun.
Is that sass I hear, Val? 😉 Nice. English teachers use Venn diagrams, too, you know. But yeah, it is pretty ‘mathy’ for me. 😀
The Cheez-It image came out of a very silly exchange of conversation and silliness late last night on the THING. And yes, it was quite a bit of fun.
I have seen Venn diagrams used way more in English than I have in Math, and I was a Math minor in college. 🙂
Zilla just had Venn diagrams in her first grade math book this week.
I am SO glad you’ve decided to join us on Facebook – it is really a great way to stay connected and I love having you there. I’m SUPER psyched about #1000Speak surpassing our goal ALREADY too! Your hubby is really too cute and so are your black cats. My first ever pet was a black cat named Spooky who lived to be 22, so I have a soft spot for them. I love the little thing about children learning what they live. I wish every parent on earth would read that and take it to heart. I’m on my way over to read Eli’s guest post because I’m a little behind on my reading this week, what with two blogs going now and all.
Thanks, Jen. I will admit (just for Lizzi) that I’ve found it not as awful as I thought. I’ve learned some things, connected with some people I already knew through here as well as found some new ones. I’ve already found help for two or three blog-related questions I was having which is awesome, too.
I am beyond excited about #1000Speak hitting the 1,000 mark and then some. It’s mind-blowing.
We got the three black cats because that just happened to be what was there when we went to pick out cats. But we have since learned that black cats are a particular adoption issue. Many people won’t take them because they are too superstitious and others, well, want them too eagerly for let’s say unsavory practices. Too many end up left behind or euthanized. Sad.
That poem came to mind when I was writing my post – my Mom or my Grandparents or both had it on the wall when I was growing up.
Eli’s guest post is a hoot – you’ll enjoy it.
*grins HUGE*
I see you doing that.
My first boyfriend’s mother had that ‘children learn what they experience’ piece on her refrigerator way back in 1978.
It’s a great thing and honestly, I haven’t seen it in years. I’m glad to have remembered it!
Oh good lord. I just deleted my Facebook that makes me the last hold out! I read your other stuff all week but only had my phone so couldnt comment. The ahole cat was hysterical!
That’s hysterical. The fact that I got on at all might mean that civilization as we know it is about to grind to a halt.
I try to avoid commenting from my phone, even if I do read there, because it’s tedious and small and never comes out right. Rarely does that work for me. I’m glad you read, though!
My cats make good blog fodder – always have. This morning I woke up to all three of them positioned in various places near me on the bed. Good lord…clearly they think I like them.
Or they’re plotting against you!
It is probably that. I’m sure of it. I often wake up at night to find Cat Three sitting right at my shoulder, staring at my head while I sleep. Creepy.
You’ve been a solid friend for me this week as I muddled through with more or less success. Just so glad it’s the weekend, and we leave soon!
Friday Five link-up sounds like fun though I often write my TToT on Friday. Guess I could put it off until Saturday, though.
Love Hub’s note. So, so glad you’re on facebook, though I did not participate in the chatter. Just read a bit here and there.
I hate weeks like that. I hope your getaway is awesome. We have yet to do that since we were first married. Took our honeymoon and the following year we went away alone over Thanksgiving. That was the last time…ten years, no getaway together. Hrm.
I’ve been writing my TToT on Saturdays, but trying to get them done earlier so I’m not buried behind a screen all day when the Hub and Zilla are home. Time management is not going the best for me since the holidays and I’m desperately trying to get back on track.
I must admit, I’ve never seen a graphic of a sheep in a tree eating Cheez-Its before!
I wouldn’t have believed it myself, but there it is!
Congrats on the guest post success Lisa! And writing many words! I’m in full support of anyone who has broken the writer’s block barrier. I bet it’s a good feeling:)
I’m looking forward to reading your posts. The pic of the 3 cats. Most excellent. I will being by reading the post about them first:)
The coffee thing? A very sweet gesture. And no doubt perfectly presented. He of coffee making fame:)
Thanks – it was a long and sad block. I almost turned off the blog and quit. Words seem to be flowing better and I’m going to go with it, not question it, because I am certain there will be another block at some point down the road!
Have fun reading and thanks for poking around. The cat ones are particularly entertaining.
The coffee thing was completely adorable and while it was still not as good as his, at least I didn’t have to schlepp to Dunkin’. 😀
All good stuff here! I was delighted to see you show up on FB, and I am thrilled beyond thrilled at the outpouring of response to 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion! The cats post was all so very funny/familiar as mom to four of those furry brats! And yes, I will participate in a Friday Five link-up! The coffee set-up with the lobster instruction notes was the sweetest – that’s what love looks like! 🙂
I had a feeling you might appreciate the antics of the cats, Josie. I have to laugh because we had a four-cat owner tell us when we got our third, “Three is OK; never get four. Four cats is too many cats.”
I am also thrilled at the amazing response to #1000Speak. It’s kind of unbelievable.
What a great phrase, Josie – “that’s what love looks like.” I love that!
Stay tuned for the Friday thing. I have to figure myself out, but I love Val’s idea.
“…thankful for what this little blog has brought me. Connections, camaraderie, friendships, encouragement, great words to read from so many people”
that so says it all about blogging and the people that I’ve met through my keyboard!
It really does, Clark. Who would have imagined the people and things I have met and learned by doing this. And such goodpeople, too.
Thankful to be with you on 1000 Speak as well, Lisa. And that you’ve got a loving support system with you!! Ole!
And ole to you too, Michelle! I am just loving how #1000Speak is blossoming. And thanks to you for all your work on the magazine and for not giving up on my stupid link!
I have to say I have really enjoyed having you on the great big book of face.
I will also admit my mind may have been in the gutter because I didn’t realize your list was on a lobster…I thought it was something else….entirely…
I have always loved that children learn what they live
Thanks, Erin. It’s been entertaining, if nothing more. Kind of overwhelming but I’ve been glad for the fun conversations, helpful tips, and connections with people, both new and old. Well, not old…you know what I mean.
ROFL! That never struck me as, er, not a lobster. Now I have to go look.
Love that poem, too. It seems to fit what we’re doing, no?
I’m very happy that you have finally made it to FB. So much so, in fact, that I might have mentioned it in my TToT….
I’ll be going back to see what the Rotten Cats did this week.
I noticed the lobster note paper immediately! I have a lobster, too!
Well that’s pretty cool! I’m coming over to check it out now. Looooong day today and I’m only getting to my computer at like 11:30.
I can’t remember who gave us that paper – people still find us stuff all these years later. It’s pretty cute.
Hi. This is my first TToT and I’m a little nervous. But reading yours, it seems like we all to through similar doubts, fears, and discoveries. I’m excited to be here.
You can find my very first TToT, here: http://www.lisaakramer.com/2015/01/30/ten-things-of-thankful-1-the-power-of-thankfulness/
Hi, Lisa! Welcome to the TToT. The TToT gang is awesome – no worries! I promise you we all share exactly those things at one point or another. I think you’ll find it’s a very friendly and very supportive group of people. Looking forward to reading your post!