Gosh, I hope I haven’t jinxed myself with that title. If I fall from the scaffolding this weekend or get hit by a bus, it’s that title’s fault. Hey, the lengths I’ll go to for a good joke…but yes, that one would be on me.

It’s crazy month here at the Dust Mansion. We are hastily beginning to reassemble our family room and some of our kitchen, while simultaneously getting ready for the decorating bonanza that is part of Christmas. Oh, and we’re also painting three quarters of the wall and ceiling spaces in our house.

Hence, I am sitting here with white paint specks stuck in my hair and dotting my lack of manicure while hastily and belatedly (of course) tapping out this month’s “Where Bloggers Live” post: The top ten things for which I am thankful.” (She’s a wordy one this month, so if you don’t have time now, I’ll tell my kids to repurpose it as my eulogy, if needed.) Here goes:

Ten: this group. Every month I whine to myself that I am just “too ‘busy’” to blog. I am not, but I imagine that I am because I am disorganized and scattered and shiny penny. But this group of WBL women, who are likely the only ones who regularly read my posts, are the SINGLE reason I get these posts posted (albeit late, most of the time). I have interacted with them via comments and posts and texts to the point that I DO consider them friends and–in classic me fashion–I am a half-assed friend in return. But I check in on them more than they know (even if it occasionally seems stalkerish) and am grateful for the words they have posted, the staccato conversations we exchange, and their encouragement and acceptance. I am also grateful for the many of you who check in from time to time, and have given me the opportunity to rediscover what Dr. Sroka (college professor) helped me discover: that I looooove words and love to write.

Nine: the world around me. Fractured and broken as it is in any given moment, there is SO much beauty to be found everywhere. Well, not everywhere. but it isn’t too hard to find if you look. From the way the sun lights up the leaves against a dark blue-gray sky, to the unexpectedly delightful conversations with a stranger, I am thankful for the big and little things experienced in a day…and need to remember to take stock of them more often.

Eight: Flaws and Forgiveness. This could be its own top ten (or thirty) list. Sure, behind all the glamour that is “DustandDoghair” one would think I exude charm and grace from each of my perfumed and delicate pores. (I’ll pause while you admire my humility.) Speaking of humility, I am a regular student of it, with opportunities to appreciate my flaws and failings at every turn. I am terrible at keeping a secret, procrastinate the hell out of everything, have offered more than my share of pettiness, have been unreliable (what time was this post due?), make crappy excuses for myself, and a dozen and a half other failings, including underestimating my failings. But knowing I have (an exceptional amount) of flaws gives me something else to work on. I am my own DIY project, a work in constant progress (and like all my projects will likely never see completion) and along with all of that comes the love, acceptance and forgiveness of all the people in my life. Wow. How blessed am I?!!!

Hey, someone has to give all the saintly people a reason to be saintly. And speaking of which..

Seven: Maureen. God sent her. She is the one person who keeps me from saying “I don’t have friends.” I know, that’s asking a lot of her, but damn, she delivers. She is salty, faith driven, funny, thoughtful, loyal, practical, laughs at my jokes, accepts my sarcasm with grace, listens to my rants, shares her rants, lets Mr and I be ourselves without judging, cheerleads my projects and always makes me feel better about myself. She is also a role model. I would like to be more like her when I grow up.

Six: The dogs of my life: both of the Peppers, Duffy, Bailey, Kelly, Jack, Allie and Ro. There was one decade of my life when I didn’t live with a dog in the house. I spent most of it wanting a dog. They are work, they are hair, they are mischief, they are frequently gross, and they are indispensable in my life. They make me laugh and are my constant companions, give affection on-demand, make coming home an event replete with gifts, accept hugs when there is no one else to give them to and offer love 24/7/365.

Five: Family. If I learned anything from life under Covid, it was how much I had neglected the family that did not live within the walls of our home (parents excluded). We had SO focused on our kiddos and all of their adventures; Mr’s job, which is extremely demanding, and all of the time pressures and fatigue that goes with that; seemingly being “BUSY” all the time, logistics, etc. etc., that we rarely saw other members of our family without the excuse of a holiday. When I couldn’t see them because of the “fear virus” I really came to appreciate how much I actually missed them all. Missed opportunities, missed memories, missed friendships within my family. Once we had our jabs and lost our fear, we began to remedy that. I am VERY thankful for my family, my two brothers and my sisters in law, and for their families. I am thankful for the fun we have had together, especially in the past two years, and for their willingness to forgive and accept us, and all our quirks and failings, for who we are.

I am extremely grateful and blessed to have learned that lesson before forever regretting NOT learning it.

And I would also be remiss to not be particularly grateful for the dozens of hours my brother Jim has already selflessly offered in helping us with our kitchen project. As an electrician, he was happy at the prospect of saving us beaucoup francs, BUT what I have enjoyed most is spending that time with him (peppering him with questions and blathering about life while he makes complex calculations and secretly contemplates the good old days of covid, jk).

Four: My parents. I am very blessed to still have both my mom, who is 87, and my dad, 93. Neither of them had idyllic childhoods, to say the least. But they truly endeavored, particularly my mom, to be sure that their children knew what good parents were (maybe except for those hair do‘s). They have always made me feel loved, and that they were proud of me in everything that I do. They continue to be my biggest cheerleaders. My mom gave me the gift of sewing and crafting, and my dad inspired me with his ability to build and create things and invent solutions to practical problems. My mom is the sage who listened to all of my secrets. There is nothing I couldn’t (or didn’t) tell her and she has always given amazing advice. They are always thanking me for the comparatively little things I do for them. And, as they still live in the house I grew up in despite their health struggles and advanced age, they are a reminder about the gifts and graces of a long life well lived.

Three: Our kiddos. When we started our family, we spent a little time with this superficial ideal of matching dresses and coordinating sweaters; augmented by the ability to say “I beg your pardon” instead of “huh?”; the confidence to shake hands and look people in the eye when they’re speaking; and to always remember “please” and “thank you,” among other basics.. That grew into a million other hopes and dreams for and with them. Like their parents, they are not perfect; but they are hard working, faithful, kind, and thoughtful; best friends with each other, forgiving of our shortcomings, fun and funny as hell. Last week we had a spontaneous spaghetti dinner around the dining room table where the banter was coming in hot and heavy (and most of the wine disappeared). We laughed our heads off and had a wonderful time together. They are not exactly what I dreamed they would be. They are infinitely better.

Two: Mister. I can’t think of anyone who has been less appreciated by and taken more harassment from me than Mister. For a guy who’s taken on extra studies, extra work, and extra everything throughout our 37+ years together for the SPECIFIC purpose of building a better life for our family, he at least deserves better meals for a start. Mister is a visionary, a romantic and an adventurer and sees everything in life with the bigger lens of possibility. His brain doesn’t rest. He can’t sit still for long (as opposed to his bride who is VERY good at sitting), endeavors to always do “the right thing,” always gets the car door for me (even if he’s “mad” at me and it’s pouring rain outside). He always laughs at my jokes, and gives me a very wide berth to be myself even though he is the A to my B. The guy deserves his own post filled with all the compliments and proclamations he deserves, but absolutely wouldn’t want one. I am VERY grateful and thankful that he is the one to drive me crazy in all possible ways. The absolute love of my life.

Numero Uno: all things God. Items 10 – 2 do not exist without God. Nothing in my life exists without God. God is good, all the time. In the days where my life seems off course, prayer and the hope/faith that this is all about something bigger than home remodeling, a snarky post or backyard adventures helps to right my ship. I am remarkably unworthy of all my blessings, but I do know their source.

Well, fingers crossed that this isn’t my last post (she said to herself nervously before clicking the “Publish” button). While we wait and see, kindly check out the posts of gratitude from my WBL pals:

Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks
Bettye at Fashion Schlub
Leslie at Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After
Sally at Within a World of My Own  
Iris at Iris’ Original Ramblings – (Iris is taking a break for a little bit ❤️)
Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style

Welcome to “Where Bloggers Live.” It’s kind of like HGTV’s “Celebrities at Home,” but…Bloggers! 
Who doesn’t like to peek behind the scenes and see inside people’s homes? 
The second Friday of each month is when this group of seven bloggers link up to share their workspaces, 
homes, towns… or whatever our fearless leader, the fabulous Bettye, proposes.
Make sure you visit everyone to see where the magic happens!