Grateful For Grandads

Bubble's paternal grandfather has been AWOL for six months.  But then, he is notorious for disappearing for months at a time so this is nothing unusual.  He is an alcoholic and has been battling with this for the last 17 years.  For a period of about 5 years he was dry... he was even in attendance at our wedding.  Everyone thought he was a very charming and affable man.  But then his wife passed away from cancer and he fell into the drink again and has not really made it out since.

It is difficult for Wad to discuss his father.  He has experienced alot of pain and hardship as a result of choices his father made.  He will never forget that, ultimately, when forced to choose between his family and the drink, his father chose to drink.

Is it odd for me to say that I am grateful for the way Wad's father treated him?  Wad's father, through his maltreatment of Wad, has actually solidified Wad into the most dependable and caring man.  A completely devoted father.  He has vowed never to let his wife and family down.  He works like a slave to keep us afloat in this recession.  He cannot get enough of Bubble and is desperate for the time that is just him and her.

The complete opposite to the way his father behaved in a very similar situation.

It's a sad story and one that most likely will not have a happy ending.  But I am grateful for the influence that Bubble's grandad has had on her father because we are in a much stronger position as a family because of him.

Grateful For Grandads

Bubble has three grandads (so this is the first of 3 Gratefuls). She owes a good many things (and each different) to each of them.  The above image is of Bubble and her Grandad through my mum's marriage.  My step-father.  He is not related to her by blood but he loves her (like he loves me) as his own and does all the 'grandad' things with her that her other two grandads are unable to.  She owes stability and security to him.  He is the kind of man that is a rock in a storm, a safe harbour.  He will always be there for her and I am very grateful for him.

Grateful For a Welcome Back :)

Having been away for a couple of months, I was incredibly nervous to come back. Would I still have any followers? Would anyone still be interested? Would folk have written me off as just another blogger that fell by the wayside?

Self absorbed I know.

But to my utter delight, you are all still there. Not only are you still there but you are welcoming me back into the fold and shouting Hooray! Keep at it girl!

And I will. :o)

Thank you so very very much!

Grateful For...

Today I'm grateful for microwaves. 

Yes, I know this is stupid but if you are a serial leaver of unfinished tea/coffee then you can NEVER underestimate the value of the microwave. If the aliens in 'Signs' could have been defeated with leftover teas and coffees, I could have kicked ass.

However, I am not a monster with no palate. I know that microwaving a cold cup of tea or coffee can destroy it but when surviving on minimal sleep, I'm afraid I need the caffeine ingredient rather than the actual enjoyment of the flavour of the leaves/beans.

It's an addiction. (caffeine, not microwaves)

*sigh*

*yawn*

*slurp*

:o)

Grateful For...



Trying to amuse housebound Bubble!

Hilariously, it is now Saturday and I still haven't managed to post more regularly.  Despite Cherie's nifty blogging tip, I haven't managed to follow her advice.  It's just been too tricky this week.  Bubble has chicken pox and is feeling very miserable!  Consequently she wants to nurse all the time.  She has pox on the soles of her feet which I think must be bothering her because she wants to be lifted all the time and is only content on my lap nursing.  She's relentless.  If my boob could pack its bags and fly to Spain, I think it would!!

Regardless of that fact, and rather unusually, I am grateful for Bubble still breastfeeding.  I know it's a lifestyle choice and there are times I wish I had my body and my independence back but I simply cannot fault the comfort that breastfeeding can offer Bubble especially in this circumstance.  I simply don't know how I would soothe her better.  If sitting on the sofa watching Finding Nemo on repeat with her continuously on the breast alleviates her suffering of that horrible itchiness, then so be it.

I am so grateful that my body can do that for her.

:o)

Grateful for...

...Optimism.

Specifically, my optimisim.  No matter how many roadblocks are thrown in my path, no matter how much it seems that they knock me down, I always manage to get up.  I never fail to get excited about the next course of action.  Never fail to put all my energy into making it work. No matter how often it fails...

That doesn't mean I don't feel the exhaustion and pain of failure.  I often feel so tired that I want to give it all up.

But I don't.

I ought to acknowledge that and be grateful for it.

:o)

Grateful for...

...a daughter's delight. :o)