I'm feeling kind of crabby.
I have only 20 minutes, but I think that leaves enough time for a little something that almost always helps me feel less crabby: a small list of things I'm grateful for.
I'll go first, and you can join me in the comments if you'd like.
1. The sun is out today.
It's been rather cloudy here of late, which never helps my mood. But today it's cold and clear, and I'll take that over clouds any day.
2. Joshua and Lisey both did great on their presentations.
They each had a college class presentation to do with a partner this week, and they both got the maximum grade possible.
Like Mr. FG and me, neither of them really enjoy being up in front of people. But that's ok...you don't have to love everything in life. There are some things you just have to get through, and get through they did!
(Joshua's partner was actually named Elise. He probably felt very comfortable! 😉 )
3. Sonia and Zoe and I are keeping up with history and science.
We do those subjects together, and it's easy for us to get off track and fall behind, especially with science.
But so far, we are doing a bang-up job, and I totally do not see us in a mad rush to finish science in the spring. Phew.
4. My desk is clean.
On a whim, I did a serious clean-up of the office on Monday (it needed it in a serious way), and now I am surprised every time I walk in and see my clean, clear desk.
5. My Stitch Fix jeans are so comfy.
I've worn my cheap skinny jeans the last few days (because I have to wash my Stitch Fix jeans sometimes, you know), and today I pulled out the black ones from my last fix.
SO MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE.
The stretchiness, the thick fabric...so good.
I have zero regrets about purchasing these. Zero.
______________
If you're having a crabby Wednesday, make a little grateful list in the comments.
(It does help, even when you're sure it won't!)
1. The sun is out and my curtains are open!
2. My oldest daughter will be home for Thanksgiving.
3. My husband is taking a four day weekend just so we can hang out together.
4. Tomorrow I celebrate 26 years of marriage to a man who still makes me laugh harder than anyone else can.
5. Our insurance covered most of my husbands root canal.
This makes me smile. All of it! I especially love #4. I'm 9 years in and I can say the same thing. I'm glad to read that it's possible 26 years in!
Happy Anniversary!!! I love love 🙂
Oh, this whole "it's never light out" thing is getting me a little crabby,too, but:
1. It is also sunny today where I live, which is welcome.
2. I'm having lunch with my dad today.
3. We're having a bunch of people for Thanksgiving, so I get to do one of my favorite things for a few days: cook!
4. I'm meeting up with my sister after work for a little RnR.
5. My office-mate brings her dog many days. It's nice to be able to pet him when things get stressful, and he's always willing to oblige.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go open the blinds...
I woke up feeling more overwhelmed than crabby, but your post made me reflect a bit. I am spending the day with my sons today and that always helps. We have the weeks grocery shopping done and meals planned. And I have a stitch fix on the way - I hope I get something good. I haven’t ordered one in years and decided to give them another try because I received an offer to waive the stylist fee. I DO feel a little better!
I am also a bit crabby, because I'm traveling for work and waited 45 minutes for a hotel shuttle that didn't come. Turned out he was having car trouble, but geez it was cold out there!
1. I am in a warm hotel room now with good wifi.
2. Also good free coffee.
3. I will be with my whole family next week for Thanksgiving - husband, nearly grown kids, and my sister.
4. I have meal planned for the Thanksgiving week.
5. I love my outfit today for my presentation, and now that I think about it, the pants are Stitch Fix.
Here's my FB post from this morning. Hope it brings a smile to your face. And yes, the comments are from family so they understand. (Hope the link works)
https://www.facebook.com/maureen.kelleyconlon/posts/1912129305469386
Seems like it didn't work, but I am not that expert on links!
Seems like it didn't work, but I am not that expert on links!
It's cooler here but the sun is so nice. I like sun on cold days, it's such a comfort.
I'm getting a little more comfortable at my new job and the engineer in the office next to me is starting to chat with me.
I get to babysit my two youngest grandkids tomorrow night since their parents have a work party to attend. I will spend the night there, which will give me about a two mile commute to work instead of 55 the next day!
I finally see tree leaves turning, which I love.
Not crabby, but still feeling yucky and spacey while getting over a cold and the NyQuil from last night still hasn't fully worn off yet. (I metabolize antihistamines slowly.)
1. The sore throat is gone.
2. The sun is out.
3. Soup for lunch, love soup!
4. I have good magazines and Netflix at the ready.
5. I am blessed to have sick time available to recouperate and not spread it to others in the office by saying home, and my boss is very understanding. Should be mandatory for all workplaces.
#5 - You are lucky. I work in a hospital, of all places, and I have no sick days. I got really sick 2 weeks ago and had to take 6 days off, no pay. It sucks.
Isabelle - that's awful! I am also very lucky to work in a flexible environment. My boss is a bit of a germaphobe - and if you cough a little too hard he'll tell us to go home!
I love this idea! Last night I read an article talking about how practicing gratitude, even in very dark times, can improve your happiness. I've been having a really hard November, so I think I'll also list 5 happy things. Thanks for setting a good example. 🙂
1. I haven't been feeling 100% lately with medical stuff and Mr. Picky Pincher has picked up a lot of my slack around the house. I swear, some days I don't deserve this man.
2. We made a solidified plan to start eating healthier starting with next week's menu. I'm excited!
3. I've been sad that it gets dark here at 6 pm, which means we can no longer take a walk after dinner. Instead, we now are going to do 20 minutes of yoga together.
4. This is childish and dorky, but I don't care! The new Pokemon game comes out on Friday and I've been waiting a year for it. 🙂
5. It's starting to get cooler here, which means I can kinda-sorta start wearing sweaters. 🙂
OMG my son is over the moon about the new Pokemon game. He preordered it so we will be at the store bright and early Friday so he can start playing right away!!!
I hope you feel better! Sending happy thoughts for good health!
Both my husband and I have jobs.
I am nearly finished with Christmas shopping.
Next week we get to go be with family.
I have been lax about working out since it has been so cold, but I’m going to have time this evening.
I have an interview on Friday for a new job.
Good luck for the job!!!
The weather has finally turned unsummery here in the deep South. Love it.
Family is coming here to Grandma's for Thanksgiving, and people are bringing almost all the food!
Found Louise Penny's latest book at library.
Frugal Girl wrote her usual comforting and friendly blog.
Happy Holidays!
Amen to your 4th line! Kristin's blog sets the tone for my day as I read it in the morning with my coffee!
1. I have the best husband in the whole world.
2. I have been sleeping well, every day, for several weeks now.
3. I just got a state inspection for the car, and everything passed.
4. Next week: family time.:-)
5. DH and I are healthy.
6. My faith is thriving.
I'm super excited about our Thanksgiving potluck at work tomorrow. I've been thinking about it since last week. I love potlucks since I can try a variety of dishes by making only one. It's also great to have everyone in the office in one place in a festive atmosphere. I just can't wait!
1. I'm home today. for the third day in a row. Which means I can keep working on home organization that has been neglected for too long, and Christmas lists that all the relatives seem to want.
2. I got 6ish straight hours of sleep last night! I think tomorrow I'll feel like I have a superpower (I refer to it as "The Day After the Day effect").
3. All 3 kids are playing quietly and happily.
4. The sun came out after a week of clouds. I actually thought someone came in our backdoor because the whole living area lit up so brightly for a few moments. Ha. It's been dreary, but today is positively delightful!
I have a medical procedure this afternoon that I'm nervous and crabby about. So this is very timely.
1. Grateful that I've been keeping up with my lesson planning and other schoolwork (I'm a teacher). It's my first year teaching some of these courses and it's a lot of work putting materials and units together.
2. Grateful that my husband is kind enough to drive me to the medical procedure today since I'm not supposed to drive home after.
3. Grateful for my two smaller classes that I teach. The kids are really well behaved. It makes teaching a joy.
4. Grateful that my Christmas shopping is coming along and that I have the money set aside to buy the gifts for my loved ones.
5. Grateful that I have a quiet weekend to look forward to with not much going on. Can't wait to relax.
Hope it's over by now and not too bad.
1. Found a natural remedy that gets me to sleep without the usual hour or more toss-and-turning.
2. Got rid of the rat that's been plaguing our house all fall! Had to do a bunch of cleanup when we got back from vacation, but it also included the beastie! The poison took a while to be effective, but FINALLY...
3. Came home to some bushy kale -- for salads with red cabbage & napa, yum!
4. Got the red cabbage and napa at fall harvest prices!
5. Got 90% of my unpacking done last night!
The pathology report came back with 'no cancer'. For this I am very thankful.
I'm so happy for you!!
That is a HUGE thing. Yay!
WOW. This puts all of my crabbiness in perspective today! I'm so pleased for you, Carol!
Yay!!!!
Very timely since I’ve had a very cranky week and needed to be reminded to focus on the good
1. It’s sunny and beautiful (albeit cold) here and I’m wearing comfy boots (yay for boot weather)
2. Despite 1 kid being sick with the flu, the other two are healthy so far.
3. We are hosting thanksgiving next week and will be the biggest crowd in years. It’s my favorite day of the year and I can’t wait.
4. My daughter has been training hard for months for a big regional competition this coming weekend and I get to spend the whole weekend with her marveling at her strength, braveness and determination.
5. Despite eating an
#5 was supposed to say despite eating an entire bagel today at work, I’ve been very good about my diet the past month and feel healthier than I have in a long time and my jeans fit better today
I didn't wake up crabby but I woke up with a headache to a dark rainy day. Like you, I'd take cold and sunny over cold and rainy any day! I'd also take snow over rain as well! I also woke up to opening my first Grove box with all the free goodies. (No wonder I wasn't crabby! ) Thanks so much for sharing that link with us. What fun to get so many products for only $20! Big bonus that the Grove company is such an upstanding company picking only upstanding products!
I have many things to be grateful for but I thought today that I'd put your blog and all you share at the top of my list. I rarely read all of the blogs that I've subscribed to, I even more rarely leave comments and just about never buy things from recommended links (we are getting ready to retire and RV for a few years before settling so we are selling things, not buying). Your blog, however, I look forward to and read right away. I enjoy your honest reviews on products and companies and never feel that you are giving a positive review just to appease a retailer.
I hope this eases some of your crabby mood knowing that you have such a positive impact on a lot of people!
Aww, that IS very encouraging. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and lift me up.
Kristen, once again, so timely! I had a rough, crabby, snap-at-the-family morning. So my grateful list:
1. Grace. Grateful that God gives me grace despite my attitude on a cold-rainy morning. He knows that it doesn't define me and He loves me just the same.
2. A good Skype call with colleagues. I was a little nervous going into it, but it was well-received.
3. We're finally all on the upswing from an upper respiratory thing going through the house. I haven't had to use the NoseFrida snot sucker in the last two days on either kid. Winning!
4. We were able to reschedule the delivery of furniture. The thought of where to put it exactly is causing some stress, but I'm letting that stress overtake the gratitude for a blessing. It will all work out - it's just furniture.
5. I'm grateful for this season is our lives - busy, yes, but we are in quiet season of rest in regards to what so many other people are dealing with these days. It's a reminder to pray for those in the trenches of life, to uphold and uplift them.
PS - what brand/style jeans/skinny pants are those? Mine are fading a bit and I need to find a decent replacement.
Haha! I am grateful for my expensive jeans too. I bit the bullet and bought expensive jeans at Nordstroms on Monday using a gift card we had had for forever. I am wearing the black pair today, and they feel incredible. They are falling a little low on my hips, so I am going to take a couple of tucks in the back of the waist, but that is par for the course with me and pants.
I have three more weeks of lectures to write, and next week is a short week! I am teaching my first college-level course. It is wonderful and exciting, but also nerve-racking and exhausting (what if I can't answer their questions, what if I can't make it make sense, what if I run out of things to say). Today I answered a question that I didn't even realize I knew the answer to. It's funny how your training prepares your brain to just take over exactly when you need it to.
I just met a postdoc who is doing research on Russia's national park system. I didn't even know such a thing existed. It is always a treat to hear about others' research.
Well that made me happier too!
Go Amanda! I've been teaching in college for awhile now and I have to remind myself every day that I am not a poser and I *DO* know this stuff. Also, that it is okay to say, "You know what? I'm not sure! Let's look it up! (Or let me get back to you)".
I agree that it is super interesting to hear about other people's research. In fact, I would love to hear about yours! I am a linguist, specialized in Spanish. In very broad, layman's(ish*) terms, I look at how culture and communication context affect language use.
*I don't know if it's really layman's terms anymore. I've been swallowed up in academia for so long that I know I say things that make me sound like a snob!
First, I love gratitude lists; no matter how down or up things are in my life, the listing always makes me slow down, breathe deep & remember how blessed I am.
1. The leaves are turning! And that makes me want to paint!
2. I've discovered I can make spring rolls easily & gluten-free & I'm hooked.
3. I have amazing friends & family & a safe place to live.
4. It is the middle of the month & I still have food money left.
5. My fluffy orange socks that do a spectacular job of warming my cold feet.
6. A Monster Calls, the movie I'm in the middle of watching & liking.
7. Bloggers who remind us all to be grateful, even on a crabby-feeling sort of day.
1. My part of school is done for today and it's been done since 11:30.
2. I have time during an afternoon allergist appointment to check many days of Spanish II. This will be a good use of time otherwise spent wasted.
3. Just found out our evening activities were canceled so we have a free night!
4. Dinner is already planned, which is 1/2 the battle so that's a win!!
5. I have a sitter lined up so I don't have to bring additional kids to my daughter's allergist appointment. An appointment that promises to be long and borning!
I had to take Sonia for an allergist appointment this summer and you are right...those are long appointments! So much waiting.
I too have been a bit crabby this week but I am grateful for:
The sun today feels good even though it is a cool day here.
We have family coming for Thanksgiving
We have food, shelter and medical benefits
Kristen and this great group of people who did indeed make me feel less crabby as I read the post and comments.
So thank you Kristen and all!!!
I love reading your blog - I look forward to it every day.
1. The results of my baseline colonoscopy cams back clear. I don't need another one for 5 years.
2. I have next week off from my full-time teaching job.
3. I'm currently reading an excellent book in bed, under my new heated throw blanket.
4. I have lost 5 lbs. so far this month.
5. My college son is coming home on Wed. p.m. for Thanksgiving, and I can't wait.
That was easier than I thought! Thanks!
If you shop around a bit, you might find another pair of your wonderful new jeans online, perhaps even at a better price point. Google is your friend...
1. I got a new brassiere in a discontinued color on sale for 50% off from Nordstrom. It fits!
2. I have found a smaller, faster computer I can afford to replace the one I'm using now, which is nearly eight years old.
3. My son got a conditional job offer for a position with the city that he applied for last year. He is downtown this morning having his second interview. I am praying hard. He is a good guy, highly qualified, and deserves a break.
4. There is a new book waiting for me at the library.
5. I have four new, beautiful crowns on my front teeth. I paid cash for them and my new mouth-guard, which gave me a 10% discount for the part not covered by insurance. They look just like my old teeth, minus the ugly cracks in the enamel.
Oh, boy, do I need to participate in this today... I woke up at 4:30, plowed through an obscene number of emails, and just now exploded an ice cold Dr. Pepper treat all over myself and the flex office I'm working in this afternoon.
So...
1) My sweet niece, who will be one on Friday, is coming for Thanksgiving (with her parents and grandparents (i.e., my sister, BIL, and parents). I am SO excited to watch her toddle around our house. She just started walking, so she is very tipsy.
2) I still have almost all of the Dr. Pepper. I desperately need some caffeine and if I'm going to go for it, I want it to be a treat.
3) They physical therapy I did for de Quervain's tenosynovitis (iPad thumb) has worked really well. I can actually type again!
4) My new car gets amazing gas mileage and everything in it works! I love it. I did NOT want to replace my old car, but I was hit and it was totaled.
5) I get to teach my favorite class (of all time) tonight. I have graduate students and they are WONDERFUL.
Also, Kristen, as a college prof, can I just say how pleased I am to see that Joshua and Lisey are enjoying college so much!? I am so happy that they had good experiences in group projects. I am always hesitant to assign group work because so many people have negative experience. At the same time, working in teams is essential to work and, frankly, life!
They did both end up with good partners this time, but oh man, most of the time it seems like group projects are a disaster. I think it's great that you tend not to assign group work! I always hated having to be dependent on other people for my grade...so frustrating.
But, it is good that my kids can work with others successfully! This bodes well for their futures. Yay!
1. Finding my 2 kids coloring together. I know there's many out there who long to be Mama's and it's a reminder to me to not take them for granted. God brought one to us through birth another through foster adoption.
2. I'm feeling brain overload as I study a new language, but that means I'm getting language session time in.
3. Internet to connect with people, both those I know personally and others, like you all on this blog!
I love these Thankful posts! I just read through the responses after a yucky incident with one of my kids (the kind that involves everyone changing into clean clothes and a few loads of laundry, and carpet cleaner), and I was so tempted to grumble about it. Then I took 5 minutes and read most of the responses here, and I was struck again by how much we all have for which to be thankful. Thank you, fellow readers, for sharing your thankfulness even in the midst of rough days! I love the community on your blog, Kristen!
I agree, Kaitlin! My 4 year old had a meltdown this morning because we forgot her blanket at the house and I almost let it set the mood for my day today. But coming to the blog and reading everyone's lists has changed my 'tude!
I will play.
1. I am feeling better after being out of commission for a couple of days due to a head cold.
2. My 2 fur babies. They bring so much joy to my life and greet me when I get home.
3. Healthy food to eat. It's something that I hope I never take for granted.
4. The sweet children I care for everyday. (I am a nanny) Even the days they are a little cranky.
5. My hubby. Getting ready yo celebrate 5 years of marriage next month! Love him so very much.
1) Kristen, I'm thankful that I found your blog and have been happily following you for years. You are such a positive, real person presence, and I just think you're pretty great!
2) I had the day off work and got to go to lunch with my 93 year old uncle, who I totally adore. He still lives independently, drives, does all his own household chores, and is as sharp as a tack!
3) I'm thankful for working with my patients. I work in pediatrics in a poor, pretty violent neighborhood, and these kids do not have easy lives. I really believe I was put here for a reason, and just love these kids so much. Plus I bug them to always work hard in school and eat their vegetables- ha!
4) thankful that my older Honda is really good on gas!
5) we have the sweetest dog. He's a big rescue mutt, and he just always makes me happy when he loves on his mamma!
1. It is sunny here (Central Florida) but also "cooling off" which is so nice and such a welcome relief.
2. We get to spend Thanksgiving with my parents, we have lived FAR away from them for a long time and we know our days are numbered with them so I am thankful for another holiday together.
3. My kids and grandkids will NOT be home this year, but they are all happy and healthy and have wonderful places to spend Thanksgiving.
4. My dh got a new job that is a HUGE improvement.
5. Black and White popcorn BOGO at Sam's Club. (SO TOTALLY FRIVOLOUS!)
I wasn't really going to stop in and comment but the popcorn at Sam's has me all excited. I wait all year for it. I am grateful for all the great sales this holiday to stock my pantry up with.
1. Have enough money to pay for special foods for our Thanksgiving meal.
2. A terrific husband for the last 34 years.
3. Talked my husband into throwing out 7 socks with holes in the bottom. If they were on the top, I'd darn them but one of the residual effects of chemo he had years ago is ultra sensitive soles of the feet. We had to replace the tile in our walk-in shower because he could not stand the pain they caused.
4. A younger neighbor who in the winter drags our empty garbage can back from the street and puts it back next to our garage.
5. A friend who thought she'd like amaretto but does not and gave the nearly full bottle for me. I use it as a substitute for vanilla in baked goods.
I love gratitude lists!
* Grateful that nobody is sick anymore. My 2 daughters and myself got really (really!) sick, each taking our turn, so this was our life for 3 weeks straight. Now it's all over. And hubby didn't catch it.
* Grateful that for the 1st time ever I'm going on a girl's weekend at a cabin in 2 days (with 2 friends), and planning to see another friend in a couple of weeks. So I'm grateful for friendship.
* Grateful to be working with a very nice group of ladies for the next year (maternity leave replacement) and to have an awesome work schedule too (Monday to Friday, 9h-3h30)
* Grateful for my 2 amazingly amazing daughters. I am so blessed and I never take them for granted.
* Grateful for my Light Therapy lamp. Been using it for the past 6 weeks and it's making a world of difference.
* In bulk, grateful to be living in Canada, for my house, for my 2004 car, for my health and the health of the people I love, for my husband steady job, for books, paint, Christmas coming, and 10 000 more things!!
1. I am grateful that the weather is rainy today. I live in west and while last year was a wonderfully wet winter, we had many years of drought before it. It was a very dry summer and a very dry fall so far and I fear slipping back into drought. Bring on the rain and snow!
2. Speaking of, the new garage door gasket I installed a couple of months ago is doing a great job of keeping the rain water out of my garage. Yay!
3. I am grateful for hot chocolate and steaming cups of tea on nights like this. Oh! And the warm chocolate chip cookies I just baked up to go with the drinks.
4. I am grateful the holidays are upon us. My favorite time of year.
5. I am grateful for old friends that fade away and then turn up and become new friends again.
1) I don't have to see patients tomorrow, so I can get caught up on paperwork.
2) Chocolate peanut butter ice cream.
3) Finished my Goodreads challenge for 2017.
4) Did a huge decluttering last weekend, and I am no longer getting attacked by things that fall out of my cupboards when I open them.
5) Finally replaced the work shoes that I should have replaced months ago, and my feet now feel like I'm walking on air.
Thank you all for your comments; I so appreciate this blog. I am grateful for:
- Good food to eat
- A place to live
- my older sister who is such a blessing in my life
- my awesome work colleages
- having a car
There is always something to be thankful for...I love that truth. What a blessing you are to my life, Kristen, and we don’t even know each other.
—Tried the spatchcock chicken yesterday from your post years ago. Oh my goodness, so good!
—Love the morning light (the good thing about the time change).
—Did some deep cleaning/reorganizing in my kitchen this week. Ahhhh....feels so good! Fall cleaning helps me feel better going into the holidays and winter.
—Making grape jelly from homegrown grapes with my mother today. Smile!
—Grandchildren - 3 girls, 3 boys. I never thought this stage of life would be so good.
Right? So much quicker to roast that way, and the salting makes the meat so tender. Love it!
I had a terribly crabby day too. Here's to improving my attitude:)
1) I had a delicious lunch of melty cheese & ham bagels.
2) I'm wearing new thrift store/garage sale clothes that are super comfy and warm.
3) We have heat, food in our fridge, gas in the car, and everyone's fairly healthy. And a working tub after the plumber fix.
4) My toddler is napping.
5) God cares for us. I'm his kid.
What makes me happy today is that we had a full family cuddle, for all 5 of us (2 parents, 3 kids) in the big bed just before getting ready this morning. We joked that we were like Ed, Ned, Ted, Red and Fred in Bed like in that Dr. Seuss book and made family inside jokes and had a few laughs. We're always rushing in the morning. But realising how precious that spontaneous family time is, we let it happen. And frankly, those 2 minutes this morning have kept me going all day. 🙂 I smile just thinking of it.
I have had a bad week and am so glad it's almost over. What kind of ballet flats do you have on with the jeans? They look comfortable but substantial (meaning, you don't have to go to the ER if you step on a rock--I have some of those).
They're Bali Elf flats, and I do love them! Here are more details about them: https://www.thefrugalgirl.com/2017/01/an-update-on-my-bali-elf-flats-2-5-years-later/
I just ordered a pair! I did remember reading your update once I re-read it; I must not have been in the market at the time. I love my Sam Edelman Felicias but because I wear them so much they don't hold up very well for me.