My Last Post of the Year–it’s all about thanks

My Year of Gratitude

By Amy Gesenhues

I believe that gratitude does as much for the person giving it as the person who receives it. I say thanks for everything. I tell my daughter thank you for being my daughter every night when I tuck her in. I think a silent thank you to myself every time I see our mail lady leave envelopes in our mail box (I can’t explain it, but I love getting mail).

It’s been a big year for me and I have a lot of thanks to be giving. I can’t think of a better way to express my gratitude than right here on the page.

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Women’s Studies in Pop Music

Beyonce’s song is stuck in my head.

I keep repeating the lyric, “if you like then you should of put a ring on it,” because they’re the only words I know from the song (that and the, “uh-oh-oh-uh-oh-oh,” chorus but those aren’t really words).

It’s kind of an offensive lyric for a ball busting feminist like me (as if putting a ring on “it” means he gets to keep “it” with the “it” being a living, breathing person). Of course, I have to change up the idea of the song while I’m humming it. I keep imagining guys putting rings on things like remote controls, cars, plasma tvs, beer (where would you put a ring on a shamWOW towel?).

I know this is only leading me to practice reverse feminism by stereotyping men and their likes, but the ball busting feminist theory that I live by allows such reversals. So there.

I also have a pin that says, “He’s pretty, but can he type.” I keep it in my jewelry drawer, but I think about it when I see a really cute guy in business attire.

The Universe Gave Me a Shout Out Today

Today was my son’s first day in daycare. I love where he goes. The women who watch him are great. And he only goes three days a week. It’s the very best situation all around.

And it was still hard.

I teared up when I first got to the daycare (totally unexpected…I went to say good morning and my voice cracked). Then I weeped a bit in my car as I drove away.

To cheer myself up and because it’s my usual habit, I stopped at my usual Heine Brothers by my office. Before giving birth, I would go to this coffee shop five out of five mornings for my cup of java to carry into the office. Not once have I ever seen my cousin there.  He lives in Lanesville.  If I’m lucky enough to see him at a coffee shop, it’s at the HobKnobb in Southern Indiana.

But there I was standing in line and who walks in but my cousin…out of the blue with a big smile on his face and a, “What are you doing here?” expression. This cousin of mine happens to have the same name as my son…the universe sent him to me to reassure me my boy was just fine. Here was a fellow namesaker (they’re both named after my dad) giving me a big smile and hug when I needed it most.

My morning melted after that and everything got a whole lot easier. I even enjoyed being at my desk getting work accomplished without the hundred and one interruptions that come with having a two month old hanging around. I wish that 2009 is as magical as this morning was!

What a great idea…

Sunday night and I haven’t finished my column that is due tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.

This happens more Sundays than it doesn’t happen.  If I’m good, I write my column on Saturday or even Sunday afternoon and revise it Sunday night to send in Monday morning. If I’m bad I wait until now–10:30 p.m. on Sunday night–until I finally sit down with my laptop to piece some words together.

My husband recommended that I write a couple columns to have “in stock” so that I don’t have this situation. It’s a great idea, but it’s not how writers work I explain to him. Yes, having a bank of columns saved up would be great…so would saving more than we spend, only eating 1500 calories a day, exercising 6 to 7 times a week, watching less than an hour of tv a day, keeping our house clean, I could go on but you get the point. In theory it’s great. In reality it’s next to impossible.

So being that it’s less than two hours from midnight. I’m going to close my post for tonight and start my column.

Running on Empty

Amy wrote it with one eye closed tonight.

I am sleepy sleepy sleepy and my laptop battery says I only have 13 minutes left (13 minutes minutes in laptop time = about 8 minutes in real time).

Tonight was our last official Christmas gathering and it was well worth the wait. Lots of food, family, and presents. I’m luckier than a four leaf clover to have the family I have.

Hope you and yours enjoyed the holiday season. Next stop: the new year.

Things to do now and things to do next year

If you planned on doing anything this year and haven’t done it yet, you better hop to it.

You have FIVE more days left. Only five more days to 2008. Wow. Here’s a quick list of five things you can still do before the end of the year:

1. Start exercising
2. Read a good book
3. Learn how to cook a gourmet dish
4. Do something nice for somebody you love (or don’t even know)
5. Dye your hair

And for balance, here are five things you’ll have to wait until next year to do:

1. Lose 30 pounds
2. Learn a new language
3. Make a quilt
4. Find a new job (okay, this one, you may be able to accomplish in five days but it probably wouldn’t be the kind of job you enjoy)
5. Spend a month in Italy

Thank You

Did you get everything you want today?

My daughter told us that, “…everybody sure did do a good job picking out my presents.” (Yes, sometimes she sounds like an extra from Hee-Haw, but the sentiment is still genuine).

I’m fortunate. I started the day with everything I could possibly want, so all my gifts were the whip topping and sprinkles on an already fulfilling life.

Tonight, I think it’s only fitting that I dish out extra gratitude to my family, my friends, the universe, and all the people in my life who make it the extraordinary experience it is.

So…Thank you. I am forever grateful to be part of the wave that makes my Christmas and every other day a ride worth living. I am forever grateful for all the wonder, joy, and love that surrounds me.

It ’twas the Night Before Christmas…for real

It’s a good thing I’ve got an article to post because the longer I sit here typing, the longer it will take for Santa to get here.

Merry Christmas all…please enjoy this week’s column about my annual Christmas shopping habits:

Diary of a Mad Shopper

By AMY GESENHUES

I have relatives who shop throughout the year collecting the perfect gifts for loved ones. I know people who have all of their holiday gift buying completed before the Thanksgiving turkey gets stuffed. That’s not my style.

I like to do it all in one day just days away from Santa’s visit. This may sound insane to many, but it works. Here’s how:

10:30 a.m. and I’m on the couch with a pen and pad in hand. I’m making my list and checking it twice with my husband to ensure I haven’t forgotten anyone. 10:52 a.m. and I’m out the door to Target ready to face the crowds. The plan is to fill my red shopping cart with as many goodies as I can knock out in one store.

Target is an all-in-one-day Christmas shopper’s dream. If you really had to, you could find something for every single person you know at Target. I find enough to knock out about eighty percent of my gift list. Nice. Next stop: Best Buy.

Read rest of article.

Does Acne Ever Stop?

Thank God it’s not prom. I’ve got a zit on my chin the size of golf ball.

Okay, maybe it’s more the size of a dimple on a golf ball.  Either way, I’m sure you can see it across an intersection. And, I’m not going to lie, it hurts a little bit too…and not just my complexion pride.

Alright, enough about adult acne. It actually gets easier to take once you’re 35. Like not get invited to a party. I don’t mind so much now when I’m left off an invite list. Not that there’s a lot of partying going on in my circles. Or maybe there is and I’m just unaware since I’m not invited.

Tomorrow night’s the big night. Santa’s coming and we’re ready. We’ve got plenty of cookies baked for the big guy.  He’ll get all of them too since my face  is breaking out like a morgan freeman from shawshank. Probably best I avoid chocolate, sugars, and sweets.

My First Rejection Letter

Actually it was an email.

Yes, I received my first rejection email from a literary agent…which really just means I’m one answer closer to getting an acceptance note.

It was kind cool to see the personal email in my inbox. Made me feel legit.

So I will go on finishing my novel, pitching agents, and one day I’ll say, “You wouldn’t believe how many agents rejected my manuscript before I finally found someone to rep me.”