Monday, June 24, 2019

Grateful, blessed and thankful

 
I saw my friend Debbie this weekend, whom I value so much. Throughout our few hours today, she kept saying she is "grateful, blessed and thankful." I thought, "I'm gonna use that." It's a good gratitude statement to have on hand, to say out loud, to feel out loud.
 
Today is not perfect. It's Monday, hello. I was out too late last night. My leftovers didn't heat up well. I have worries and fears and to dos but not a lot of to do energy inside me. I napped during lunch and watched a video of a fluffy cat sitting in a box even though I have that kind of programming live at home. I ate some peanut butter to ward off my fatigue-induced queasiness, made an afternoon playlist on my phone, and poured myself a glass of fizzy water.
 
And now, I give thanks.
 
Grateful, blessed, and thankful. Thanks for the phrase, Deb. And the pizza and the company and for laughing so gleefully when I raced to sip down the foam on my soda. Xox
 
Grateful, blessed, and thankful today! for...
 
Glen Hansard's healing tunes
 
Friends who find me to be a help and a light in their lives. What a gift they see me that way and I them.
 
A comfortable bed and a cat who sleeps in it
 
My recent self-propelled choice to exercise at all, and furthermore, outside
 
My purple hiking pack that more frequently gets used as an airplane carry on
 
Bruce Springsteen covers
 
Plane reservations for July and August -- tickets to see my tribe
 
That while I may be out of shape and self conscious about my look, I can walk, I can take the stairs at the office. My blood pressure is always even and I have several doctors who I trust and like.
 
Daydreaming about nuptials of a dear friend next year -- planning and honoring and celebrating this girl who's been so careful with my tears, my goals; so quick to remind me that doubts are normal but not my friend.
 
The 8,000 bottles of shampoo in my shower. I am ready to battle dander, itch, fade, and build up, yes yes I am.
 
Cucumbers and tomatoes with salt and pepper and Paul Newman balsamic vinaigrette, this is my new favorite snack!!!! Hallelujah I am eating veggies as a snack! Something from the ground as a snack! May the cholesterol rejoice!
 
A niece who carries blocks in her mouth as she crawls. She is efficient and knows already to keep close to her the things that bring her joy and I am proud.
 
The Valley has not been insanely hot most days this summer so far
 
Cracking an ice cold fizzy water open after a big long walk and letting those cran-razz bubbles hit ya
 
A community that has scattered and diffused somewhat of its traditional makeup is still a part of my life, as I have had so much recent contact with several of the lovely souls inside it
 
Two hysterical comics at an open mic last week, one of whom had me laughing so hard I ceased to make sound
 
I have too many friends to keep up with; I never run out of people to contact and set up happy hour dates with
 
A surprise package for Mommy and Daddy that just needs some postage
 
My city. I just love it and once upon a time I never would have let myself imagine that I could belong to such a place.
 
My new peony Clinique perfume
 
No meetings at the office this week
 
Calorie counting apps, and the presence of mind to aim for five pounds lost, then five more, not a defeating 30 all at once
 
The bright blonde in my hair right now
 
All the rainbows covering storefronts in West Hollywood
 
Knowing through a tired haze that things will work out, be OK, return to center
 
Summer is here
 
Summer is here and we are grateful, blessed and thankful. Yeehaw. More of that on tap, please.
 
Be well and safe wherever you are, in grief, in stress, in confusion or joy. If you're feeling stuck may I suggest writing down some of the good.
 
Xox,
Daily Bailey and Max o' the Office

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Grateful

I know this whole, "List things you're grateful for" thing is all en vogue at the moment, but, well I don't have a rebuttal to that. I'm just participating. Vogue. Strike a pose.
 
Today I'm grateful for the following:
 
The affordability of tea
 
The return to rest after missteps and misspoken words
 
Pants that fit
 
Pop music
 
Minty, silky lip balm
 
Opportunities
 
Cheap, walk-in massage places
 
Running into a friend at the store in a city of 4 million
 
To be reading again. Beautiful novels and silly junk alike.
 
When I am window shopping and reason with myself, "Bails, you already have that at home," the statement is true. I am not without.
 
Same thing goes for friends. I have those in abundance.
 
If I never publish or even write a book, I am still a child of God and I still hold value in the lives of many
 
Payday tomorrow
 
Squishy blond nephews
 
Max is digging his new salmon/egg/sweet potato food
 
A planned read-along of Steinbeck with a precious girlfriend
 
Casual Friday
 
Clean hair
 
Nail clippers
 
Epsom salt, infused with eucalyptus
 
Feeling the bags under my eyes goes heavy as I pause to listen to meditation music
 
Eased traffic now that school is out
 
Quoting Cool Runnings with a friend via text and laughing maniacally out loud in a public place
 
Feeling safe, even when discontent
 
A box of mac and cheese waiting for me in the pantry
 
Parents who answer the phone several times a week and spend 40 minutes jabbering with me during every call
 
The strange, unknown reason why I am a magnet for my girlfriends' hand-me-down clothes
 
Friends who blaze their own trail. Even though their journeys make me jealous, they do show me that paths are many.
 
Simple, colorful, pendant necklaces
 
Invites to concerts and dinners before each show
 
Room temperature, sliced tomatoes with salt
 
Perfume
 
Cracking up at texts from my brothers
 
This new sunscreen that Neutrogena put out that smells ever so slightly of coconuts
 
All the daylight, and the hug of warm air that greets me after work
 
The harmony of Mark Knopfler and Chet Atkins, a cappella, and that some genius was smart enough to record it before the latter passed
 
Antacids
 
Naps
 
Local breweries
 
People who are kind. Always people who are kind. They resuscitate and embolden me again and again.