There is something very comfortable about the sound of the dryer on a cloudy and dreary afternoon.

There is also something soothing about hearing the steady rhythm of Sam’s breathing as he sleeps in the next room while I work.

There is something satisfying about climbing down from a ladder in the brand new kitchen after having scraped exploded egg from the ceiling and repainting to hide the evidence.

There is something peaceful about being away from drama and recognizing subtle reminders that life is much greater than the insignificant daily annoyances.

There is something so pleasurable about enjoying a lunch of beef noodle soup at the café on Main Street and guffawing about the whole town knowing my husband, thanks to his reputation for burning stumps in our front yard while a burn ban has been issued.

I am grateful for people who have a laugh funnier than what they happen to laugh about.

I am grateful for a new key holder to hang on our wall.

I am grateful that Sam insisted that I put every backsplash tile into place last night – it was my design (not really, I just found a picture and insisted it was THE one) and it was the first part of the kitchen vision, and it is now coming to fruition and looks SOOOOO good.

I am grateful that food explosions in this new kitchen have happened in process instead of at completion.

I am grateful for white ceiling paint that is pink until it dries.

And I am grateful that the police chief responds, “Oh, that’s just Sam,” when questioned about the guy who is ignoring the burn ban, which makes me grateful for friends in HIGH places.