Well, there's sort of been a meme on the knitting blogs to use the "Stephan Colbert On Notice Board Generator" to put things (and people) "On Notice."

But I think I'm gonna go a different way. For one thing, I'm not a fan of Colbert. (Not that I dislike him. I'm completely agnostic on him. I don't watch the Comedy channel because they do some things I object to).

But mainly because I recognize I've kind of been Gripey McKvetcherson this week. And I know it's not attractive and not fun to read. Next week will be better. I promise. I have decided to take the entire day off tomorrow and get some of that downtime that I desperately need.

So anyway - I am making, and presenting here, a list of people I want to thank publically. People who have done nice things for me specifically or nice things in general.

1. My research student. Because he dropped by the other day with a bag full of "surplus" tomatoes from his garden for me. (My tomato plants gave up the ghost around July 15, so I've been without homegrown tomatoes).

2. My colleague D., because she laughs at my stupid jokes and makes me laugh with jokes of her own.

3. My colleague other-D., because he tells me that he has faith in my abilities even when I don't have faith in them myself.

4. The students I have (and there are a good number) who actually give a damn. They are the reasons I teach. It it nice to look out over a class and see attentive eyes, or the little "I get it" nod, or the questioning look when you've said something unexpected. And also when they laugh at my dumb jokes.

5. The veterinarian who attends to my parents' cats. She is obviously very good and very caring and is willing to research alternative treatments when the typical treatment doesn't work or might not be safe. (My mom called this afternoon to let me know that the cats were fine and I could stop worrying.)

6. My friend J. from church. Because she picked me up when my car broke down in July. And because she sometimes hugs me when she sees me, except they are the non-personal-space-invading kind of half-hug. So I don't feel smothered and need to pull away.

7. My co-leader for the youth group, because she lent me a car when mine was in the shop. And because she's a good person and does way more than anyone should have to. And because she's always there and always has something to say to build people up.

8. The person who "waved" me out ahead of them when I was trying to pull out of a parking lot into a stream of busy traffic. Thanks. You made my life a little easier just then. Maybe someday I'll get to do the same for you.

9. My postal delivery person, who could refuse to walk packages up to my front door and make me come down to the post office to get them, but who brings them up when she knows I'm home. (And who takes them back to the post office when I'm not and the weather is bad so stuff doesn't get ruined).

10. The people who read my blog - and who leave comments or send encouraging e-mails. Again, it's like looking out over an audience and seeing attentive eyes or the little "I get it" nod.

So that's an even ten. I could come up with more if I went a little further back in time than the past month or so.

I DO feel a lot better this afternoon. I think it's a combination of one worry being removed from my life, and getting a healthful dinner (pasta with fresh tomato sauce made from the donated tomatoes), and doing all my laundry and changing the sheets on my bed and getting to take a nice long shower instead of the quick-in-quick-out shower and hairwash during the week, and also the expectation of a day out tomorrow getting some necessities but also getting a few frivolities, like the next couple Book Club books. And looking forward to a week next week where I only have obligations for Monday and Wednesday evenings....