Thankful Thursday | for happy shoes
This week, I am thankful:
for my new blue Converse
I feel pretty happy when I wear them. 🙂
that my first microbiology exam went well
I got a solid A, so, yay! And now I know better what to expect on the next exams in this class.
that I took Bio 101 so recently
Bio 101 was my first class back as an adult student (spring 2021), so that was pretty recent. This is a good thing because wow, all the stuff I learned in that class has repeatedly appeared in my subsequent classes.
For instance, this week in microbiology, we are talking about active and passive transport, exocytosis, endocytosis, pinocytosis, and so on.
And this has been super easy because I remember it all from Bio 101.
that I do not have to take a ton of chemistry classes
I'm doing an intro to chemistry class this semester and oof, I just do not find this material faintly interesting.
It's not that I can't do it; it's that it is not bringing me joy. Kinda the same way I feel about algebra. 😉
I like biology types of science WAY better.
So, I am feeling super grateful that I don't have multiple semesters of chemistry ahead of me!
Two and a half more months, and then I can kiss this chemistry class goodbye.
for the fan I found in my basement
I set up my weights in the unfinished area of the basement, and I found a floor fan in there, left by the previous renters. So now I have some breeze hitting me while I work out. Yay!
for our cat
I know...she's always on the list.
I think it's so cute how she always wants to be where we are.
for beautiful skies
I've been going for super early walks some mornings, and I have seen some lovely sunrise skies as a result.
for the hardwood floors here
The other morning I got up and noticed how lovely my office was looking, largely because of the wood floors.
I really love them! And I am especially appreciative of having them in a rental.
for hoodie weather
I was PRETTY excited to pull out some jeans and hoodies this week.
I know I will eventually be tired of jeans and hoodies, but for right now, it's a welcome change.
Speaking of which....
that seasons change in my area
We get a pretty even mix of all four seasons and I am HERE for that. I never get too sick of any one season this way!
I'm thankful for cooler weather even though it seemed to arrive overnight. It does feel good to get out the jeans and long sleeved garments. It also makes me more interested in cooking. Chicken Tortilla soup for dinner last night was a nice change.
I'm thankful my trip to see my sister went smoothly. The flights were on time, the rain stopped for the football game, it was wonderful to spend time with family.
I'm thankful for a chance to see a friend that lives in FL a couple times this week. She was traveling in my area and her auto train trip has been delayed because of Hurricane Ian so I saw her Tuesday and will see her again today.
I'm thankful that our fireplace now works correctly. My husband was frustrated that it did not after we had work done a few years ago. This time we hired someone that a neighbor recommended knowing she does a lot of research.
I'm thankful for dishwashers. I love how clean they get things with so little effort. They beat my elbow grease by a mile. I've lived with them for most of my life and I still appreciate them.
I'm thankful for new tennis (actually running) shoes and orthotics. I know I'm lucky that I can afford what I need when it comes to shoes.
@K D,
re: dishwashers
I don't mind handwashing some items (coffee mugs). But I love being able to chuck the super greasy stuff in the dishwasher.
and three cheers for fireplaces. They add so much cheer to winter months that it makes up for the extra darkness.
Hoodies are delightful! We’re in full hoody weather here (mittens/hat advisable in the morning), and I love it.
My thankful list:
—the encouragement for me I’m all of you in response to my Meet the Reader. I can get pretty down on myself about life, and your words encouraged me quite a bit.
—a sore body. I’ve been really active since getting here (moving, resuming running) and I’m starting to feel the changes in my body. It’s satisfying to to go to bed at 8:30 because I’m physically tired, not just mentally tired.
—the ability to move well. I had Covid in June and again in August (while we were moving—I don’t recommend it), and I’m able to keep up with all the things after only 3 weeks recovery.
—getting some pictures/art up on the wall to make our house feel more homey.
—the ability to help care for a friend 1000 miles away with technology. I wish I could be there but this is a close second.
@Kaitlin, I'm impressed by your thankfulness for a sore body! It's a great feeling to feel your body getting stronger but oof! I don't like being sore! 😉
@Kaitlin, I am just getting caught up with reading the FG blog this week. I enjoyed meeting you and reading about your frugal life.
So many people who have participated in the Meet a Reader challenge have found it super encouraging, just like you. That's a sign there are lovely people that hang out here!
@Kaitlin,
I well understand getting down on oneself but, man, Kaitlin, in your situation, all that you do is awesome! And, inspiring. All the work you do with little ones to take care of would be more than enough for me. Add to that all of the moving and two bouts with Covid and I truly am impressed with your drive.
Your story made me think for a long while about how we can deal with a lot gracefully. Thanks for sharing.
@Erika JS, Amen to your appreciation of Kaitlin.
I am thankful for the autumn weather we are having today - a cold night and a sunny morning. It is lovely outside and the sun is making our house warm and coys too;
For people who have skills that complement mine. My husband is way better at technical stuff than I am, and whenever we are in need of advanced technical help, we are in a position to hire them;
For heater maintenance tomorrow. It is really good to have our heater serviced before the cold really kicks in;
For seeing my sibling tomorrow, even if the occasion is a sad one (funeral of a friend);
For our cats, that have been around cuddling and purring for over ten years now, and have the best of experience cheering and conforting us and getting us to give them attention and treats.
Prayers for anyone in Florida.
Our local Red Cross has their dogs packed up and are heading to there.
A relative stayed in Tampa so thankful she was ok. I hope she learned a lesson on when to stay and when to leave. She is very naïve.
Thankful for all the training my employer has had this week!
For my puppers who are both sweethearts.
For my brother's dog who he takes to the home to see dad. The residents are always SO happy to see her. She is such a well behaved dog.
@Mar, I used to take my mother's dog to see her at her rehab. He's a Great Pyrenees the size of a pony, but shiny floors freak him out, so I would literally have to drag him through the lobby. Then when we got to carpeted parts he was fine. Sheesh! But everyone loves him.
Aww, I'm glad your new shoes are bringing you joy, even if chemistry isn't!
This week I am thankful for the teachers I work with. It can be really hard to be a specialist and go into someone else's world, but they are all awesome this year and I feel totally valued and respected by them as well as mostly kept in the loop. 😉
I am also thankful for my food storage and my gleaning/foraging/gardening skills. Every little bit of food seems to count these days.
I hope everyone has a wonderful day!
I'm thankful that Ian shifted and has not hit my town as badly as first predicted, and so far we still have power. But OOF, my heart is breaking for those in the path who got hit and are still getting hit. The damage is unreal.
@Brooke,
Please take care. I’m glad you were spared a direct hit. So frightening!
@Brooke,
Yes, so glad that you are safe and still have power. Fingers crossed that continues. I keep hearing horror stories from friends who have loved ones living in areas that were slammed - the loved ones are all okay, thankfully, but their homes are not.
TT, On the Disabled List Edition:
Thankful for my grad school BFF, who arrived last Saturday to get me through this week's gum-grafting procedure, and who has ended up having to get me through a bad back as well. (Sleeping too soundly Saturday night/Sunday morning in an awkward position, and having a nightmare that made me tense up, brought on an attack of sciatica.)
Thankful as ever for the Bestest Neighbors: Dr. BN came over, examined my back, and opined that it was sciatica and not a slipped disk. And Ms. BN made a special trip out to get me a back support belt.
Thankful for the belt and for the two hydrocodone/acetaminophen pills I took the night after the gum grafting, all of which have pretty much sent the sciatica packing.
Thankful that the gum grafting itself went well, and that I seem to be recovering satisfactorily.
Now if it would just stop raining long enough for BFF and I to get out and do a few things before she leaves this Saturday...but I mustn't grumble. Our thoughts remain with all of you who are going through Ian, have gone through Fiona, or are enduring other forms of extreme weather.
@A. Marie,
Sciatica is the worst! I hope that yours is indeed gone. Mine has been bothering me on and off for a month. It was triggered again by the physical labor involved in storm prep. Advil is just not doing the trick. I hope you feel better.
@A. Marie,
I had gum grafts several years ago. They aren't fun, but they "took" so I'm glad I did it. Best of luck on them and on getting your sciatica knocked out.
@A. Marie, lifelong friendships are one of the sweetest things on earth. I'm glad you had your BFF to go through this very challenging week with you. And hopefully next week a newer friend will happen along.
@A. Marie, Gum grafting!?! What fresh hell is this? Hope yoour back and your mouth feel better soon.
--For the crazy quantity of fall lettuce in the garden that is not only providing me with all the lettuce I can eat, but all the neighbors, teachers at school, and this week, the cafeteria at school. The lettuce that came from Sysco was in poor shape, and the school cook didn't think she'd have enough for the salad bar until the new shipment came today. Luckily for her, I have enough for the whole county. I think literally. So I supplied the lettuce for the school salad bar this week, which I found very funny.
--For the ability to move quickly. Yesterday was a nuts day at work and I was running (sometimes literally) all over the school. I also had to run to get to a kid on the playground who was dangling precariously from the monkey bars. I'm grateful my body still moves fast. As long as I have young children myself or work with them, it's a great asset.
--For the perspective that has come with having four children. A lot of the things that would have stressed me out with my first are much less of a big deal with the second, third, or fourth. I wouldn't say parenting ever gets easy, but as with anything else, experience lends perspective.
--For the excess commodities, which this week provided me with a ten-pound bag of potatoes on the very day I was going to ask my husband to get some for me because we were out. And then they showed up at my door, for free. Yay.
--For the money to buy books. If anyone in our family wants to read a book, I generally just buy a used copy online. If we don't want to keep it, I donate it to the school library I put together. I wish I had a good public library for our family of readers, but in the absence of that, I'm very grateful for online book buying and the money to do it.
@kristin @ going country,
Children definitely change your perspective. Parenting can be the most difficult and most rewarding thing we do.
@kristin @ going country, Experience lends perspective! I’m going to hold on to that!
I'm thankful for the seasonable weather, for the fog blanketing the many small valleys I can see from my front porch, for homemade bread for toast for this morning's breakfast, for my son whose birthday is tomorrow and who always makes me laugh, for pretty pumpkins, for my niece whose birthday was yesterday and who gifted us with the knowledge that she is expecting a baby in the spring, for my youngest who climbed into bed with me to warm up this morning, for having finished one of two dresses I need to make before mid-October (for an upcoming wedding), and I'm thankful that the we found a different chemistry text for my 16yo to try because that other one was simply not jiving with his learning style!
1. Thankful for our comfortable home, power, water, and being able to see the stars at night From My Back patio. This is striking to me today especially seeing the devastation that so many in SW Florida are walking through.
2. Thankful for the wonderful fall weather we are having. It is such a reprieve from the heat of the summer.
3. For our Boxer pup Gus. He came
Home just before we lost our sweet girl
Luna. We had no idea this was coming but I am so grateful that we brought him home when we did. His antics and sweet affection are a healing balm. I miss Luna so much.
4. For prayer with my husband. Wisdom, discernment, and God given strength in setting boundaries.
5. For the gift of getting to be a Mom. Parenting is tough but there is so much joy. I am reminding myself as I am
Trying to tick off all of the necessary tasks every day to remember what a joy it is to get to put him bed at night, be the one who cooks his favorite meal, and rehearse spelling words. The days are long but the years are short.
@Angie, As you have said,”Parenting is tough but there is so much joy.” Even with so many challenges, my husband and I have thoroughly enjoyed being parents. Now we’re more in “ coaching” roles with our son and daughter. We’re still connecting with them very well; they just don’t need us in the same ways as when they were younger. ( I grieved the changing of these roles for awhile but I’m embracing the new role now).
I’m sorry you’ve lost Luna. I know that’s sad. We lost our dear Faithful last year three days after losing my dad. I’m glad that your new Gus is bringing you joy. We also received our pup Wally a few months after we lost Faithful. Wally is delightful and we’re so thankful to have him as a new family member.
@Angie, I'm right there with you on the gift of getting to be a mom. Best thing that ever happened to me.
@CrunchyCake, and @ Angie,
Same here.....I became a mom via adoption (at the ripe old age of 47 - what a leap of faith that was!), but my son is the light of my life. He is the greatest gift I have ever received. A dear friend told me once, "being a parent is the hardest job you'll ever love". He was so right.
Like Brooke, I'm thankful that Ian shifted from my area, but that's overshadowed by my sadness at the terrible destruction Ian has left as it moves across our state, and the possible flooding and winds it might bring to other states. So far, I know one of my siblings has a tree down in her yard - on top of their car that they had moved to that end of the yard to get it away from a much older tree by their driveway - but they think there is no serious damage to the car or house, because their panel fence took most of the hit, from what they can tell. So I'm thankful they are okay and their house and car probably are. Between floods, hurricanes and fires, there has been a lot of destruction in the news lately.
I'm also thankful that the adoption of the new dog was approved this week. I can register his chip and get him scheduled for a first vet appointment with our vet. I'm thankful that he and our "original" dog get along so well, and that his being three-legged has not slowed him down when running wild, joyous circles and figure eights with our other dog.
I'm thankful that the body shop thinks the damage to my car from the fender-bender in the Costco gas line was cosmetic damage only. I have to wait for November for an opening to get it fixed, so I'm glad I can drive it.
I'm thankful that my old freezer keeps on running. I still haven't found a great sale on freezers to replace the ancient one I have.
I'm thankful that although half or all the pumps were shut down at many stations, I've been able to find gas so I can keep commuting to work.
I'm thankful for my family, water, electricity, a home and a job!
I'm glad you are ok, JD.
@JD,
Stay safe, JD. I hope all is well with you and congrats on the new dog.
@Kristen,
Thanks, Kristen. We here went from being dead in the path of the eye to not even getting a drop of rain so far, just some breezes with minor gusts. It could have been much, much worse, and for those further south of us, it is. I am not taking my good fortune for granted, that's for sure. I had relatives who lived through Michael, which hit as a Cat. 5, and I well remember all they went through during, and for a long time after, the storm.
@Bee, best wishes to you, JD, and all our other Floridians.
@Bee,
I hope you are safe as well!
@JD,
So glad to hear your area has been spared. Thank you, too, for adopting a three legged dog - so many people would (and maybe did) pass up such an animal who has "special needs" or who doesn't look "perfect".
@A. Marie,
Thank you!
@Liz B.,
His foster "mom" told me she was afraid no one would take him with three legs. He had been hit by a car when quite young and it shattered his leg. His original owners didn't take him to the vet for it, and he drug it around in pain for about a year. Then they moved away and abandoned him, leaving him behind, which is when he was finally rescued. Losing his leg meant also losing that pain, so he's a happy dog now. I think I had better never meet his original family - I wouldn't be able to trust myself.
Your house is so nice, Kristen. Especially so since you've put your own lovely touch on it.
This week I am thankful that work at last seems to be settling down and becoming less physically demanding, although I did wear my old pedometer one day this week and racked up two miles just inside the office that day. Also thankful as always for my sweet family and our herd of rescued pets, especially our newest cat who is so cuddly. And that I have not (possibly have not YET) caught the nasty cold my son and then husband have had. Maybe I'll get lucky and avoid it all together.
Ooh, I always feel rather doomed when someone in my house gets a cold. They're so hard to avoid! I hope you manage to escape this one.
I'm grateful too for my pets, who are sweet and loving and always provide us with comic relief. My daughter usually makes Gus the kitten dance the can-can every night. My son asked our coonhound, Betsy, please not to snarl at the priest this year at the Blessing of the Animals. (She looked like she was planning to snarl again. She's friendly, just gets scared easily.) Last year, our beagle was on the cover of the local paper, howling, at the event. My BFF said, "I can hear that picture."
Thankful for my wonderful kids, who often drive me insane, but also are the best things ever. I can gush about them for hours, and often do, while other people's eyes glaze over.
I'm grateful to live here in my little house with the sun shining, enough food and water, and safe. I get overly stressed about the state of the world--Ukraine, Russia, floods in India and Pakistan, and of course Fiona and Ian, not to mention a possible worldwide recession--I need to count my blessings. Of course, there's always trouble in the world somewhere, but this year seems very perilous to me. I have a job, me and mine are safe.
@Rose, I have felt uneasy this year too. The whole world is on fire. This is strange for me because I rarely embrace negativity. I’m glad your family is well.
@Rose,
Lol'ing at gushing about kids while the listener's eyes glaze over...I feel like I am constantly going on about my son, much to the polite dismay of my friends and colleagues.
Thankful that DH took my car to put air in a tire. We have somehow lost our air pump
Thankful for flexibility in my work hours
Thankful for cooler weather
Thankful our dog has mostly recovered from kennel cough
Thankful for stocked pantry and freezer
I have had a rather tough week. Even the simplest things have been difficult. This exercise is timely because sometimes I forget that I have been blessed.
The winds and rains of the outer bands of Hurricane Ian have been pummeling us now for about 14 hours. We have about 20 more hours to go. So far, all is well with us locally, our extended family and friends. Prayers for the people of Florida’s West Coast who have not been so fortunate.
From our windows, I see that our yard is a bit of a mess with debris everywhere. I am thankful that I may not have to pay to get the palm trees trimmed this fall. Palm fronds are everywhere.
I am thankful to still have electricity which means a hot breakfast and coffee this morning. Electricity is something that I take for granted.
My adult son had an emergency while traveling and needed to fly home. We were able to get him home on the last flight in before the airports were closed.
I’m thankful for the members of US Consulates who serve the American community abroad.
I am thankful for my sister who picked up my son at the airport. His mountaineering gear wouldn’t fit in the rental vehicle that I am driving post accident. She took time out from her storm prep to help.
I’m truly thankful for the kindness of strangers. There are truly angels everywhere.
Wishing everyone peace and good health…
Hugs to you, Bee. It's hard when a bunch of things go wrong at once.
@Kristen,
Thank you, Kristen. Nothing has been easy the last 10 days — lots and lots of challenges. The good news is that none of these have been life altering which is a blessing in itself.
I read this blog on the regular but comment only sporadically. I love that I get so many tips, tricks & thankfulness reminders from all of you. This week I am grateful
- that my husband has steadily recovered from his hospital stay in July & is back to being able to do almost all of his own self care.
- that cousins in Tampa are safe from the hurricane.
- that my grocery shopping yesterday included some great sale items at rock bottom prices.
- that I qualify for the Silver Sneakers program through my health insurance, giving me a free membership to the local YMCA. I’ve been going to various exercise classes for about 6 weeks now & love it!
- that despite all the uncertainty in the world, I have all that I need & am blessed with more than I need. God is good.
@LDA, I am the same, loving the "tips, tricks and thankfulness reminders from all of you."
The weather here has been getting cooler, with night time temps in the 40s, so it's only a matter of time until we get a frost warning. I've been bringing in my house plants (they spend their summer outside, which they love), and I love having the plants inside--it really makes my home look cozy for winter, and I appreciate having the greenery inside in the middle of winter. They survive inside during the winter, but really thrive during the summer while being outside.
Last night, I met a friend for dinner, which we try to do at least every two weeks. She's the ex-wife of my ex-husband and I got her in the divorce, lol. I was friendly with them as a couple and when they divorced, I realized how much I'd miss her friendship if I let that relationship dissolve. She and I both made a conscious effort to maintain (and strengthen) our relationship and it's been amazing having a close friend like her. Funny how things work out in unexpected ways.
Ok, I really love the story of how you are friends with your ex's ex. So great!
@Mary, grad school BFF marveled at the "ex's ex" story. She's on much better and closer terms with her ex's sister and the sister's family than the ex is, but she says she draws the line at the ex's exes. (He has two exes besides BFF, as well as one current spouse.)
@A. Marie,
That’s a lot of spouses!
Our cousin's hubby walked out on her in a cold and cruel way. So, his sister, the rest of his family, and their dear friends of 30 years are all firmly in her life, closer than ever.
@Erika JS, Good for them. One of the most hurtful things was discovering that my sister in law was good buds with my husband's mistress. Afer 25 years of putting up with her monumental crap, this was my reward?
I'm thankful for...
cooler weather!!!
my dog
my grandson
that I'm getting to take a weekend away with my best friend this weekend
& that I've had some fun times with friends lately.
It's been a very rough year at my house. I'm thankful for you & your reminders to focus on gratitude.
I'm definitely thankful for the cooler weather as well. Still nice during the day, but much cooler in the evenings/morning.
I say this a lot, but thankful for freezer leftovers. When we have busy weekends (last weekend was a soccer tournament), I don't get to batch cook. Which means we're often looking in the freezer for meals. I'm always grateful that "past me" thought ahead enough to prep food & freeze it for "future me". A gift to myself, if you will.
I'm thankful that the kids have a different winter break schedule than usual, due to the way the holidays land. As a result, we're able to add some significantly less expensive skiing, as they have a bonus week in January, where most people are back to work/school.
Grateful for a largely flexible job. I've worked throughout my entire parenting journey (save 12 weeks for each kid), and having a flexible job has made all the difference. Particularly in this busy season of life.
I love my Buy Nothing group. I so enjoy sharing, and also finding the occasional thing we can use. With two teens, those often end up being food related. I hate food waste, so it's a nice win when a neighbor has six boxes of mac & cheese, for example. It's not exactly a nutritional power house, but it's a good "in a pinch" option, that the teens can make themselves.
I'm also thankful for my new shoes. I am currently breaking them in around the house.
I'm thankful that my wife is throwing me a birthday party. I haven't had one since I was in second grade. Honestly, so far no Yes RSVPs have come back but I am happy that a party is being thrown in my honor even if no one comes.
I am thankful that I am working on better communication with people.
Thankful that I have plenty to read.
@Battra92,
Happy birthday and I hope your party brings you great joy!
@Battra92, How nice that you are having a party thrown for you. Even if you don't like being the center of attention, like you said, it feels good to be celebrated occasionally. Regardless of how big the group ends up being, I hope that you feel joy on your birthday!
Aww, that is lovely about your party that your wife is throwing.
What new shoes did you get?
@Kristen, I got some Vans Old Skool. Mostly I'm a Converse man but these should offer a little more support.
Ooh! What color?
@JD, It's not until next month but thank you. 🙂
@Battra92,
What a nice thing for your wife to do for you! I feel the same way - I don't like being the center of attention - but I do like having my birthday celebrated (usually it's just me, my hubby and our son, which is fine with me). I find that people tend to be slow to send RSVPs these days, if they send them at all - but I hope you enjoy your party no matter what!
@Battra92, it's too bad we don't all live closer because your whole tribe from TFG would love to come.
@Anne, I agree! Your wife would have to rent a hotel venue for all the TFG people who'd attend!
Haha, yes, what a fun time we would all have together!
@Anne, it's ahem, October 6th, so I'm really slow in replying but that is exactly what I thought!
That homecoming week at work is almost OVER. EGADS. Year 29. Whew.
Thankful so thankful for cooler weather.
My son has had some travels in work and will soon be safely home.
Fall football fun in person and on tv.
Funny fact. I love chemistry. The math and the orderliness. I detest bio classes!!
Great job in your test!
This is a wonderful thing about the ways in which we are all different. I cannot fathom loving chemistry, and you can't fathom loving bio!
@Kristen, ha! I love both. It's physics I don't really like. Algebra was one of my absolute favorites too.
Thankful that Tampa was spared the worst of Ian, as I have family there.
Thankful I live in a state that doesn't get hurricanes! We did get the tail end of Hurricane Ike back in 2008 and were without power for a week, and that was humbling!
Thankful for the cooler weather which makes for beautiful hikes with my kids.
For good kids who aren't too cool to be around their mom yet. 🙂
Here in the Midwest it is dry, but we have had cool nights and pleasant days. So I am thankful for not running the heat or air.
Thankful for my sweet dog in spite of her propensity to shed large quantities of hair. She is a cuddler and provides a lot of company.
Thankful to be able to work three days a week. I am a geriatric LPN and work nights. Thankful to be able to draw SS, have Medicare and have good supplemental insurance to pay medical bills. I am fully aware that I am able to have some ailments treated that other folks won't or can't because of the expense.
Thankful for tea.
Have been praying for the people in Florida and the coastal region. Also Puerto Ricans and other islanders that were in Ian's path.
Thankful for a good dousing rainfall. It will help the local wildfires and those brave firefighters.
Thankful for the sweet stray kitten who showed up. He loves the dog, sleeps in the dog house and is learning to climb trees.
Thankful to a friend who brought me excess tomatoes from his garden, I will be canning those tomorrow.
Thankful for my new to me wood splitter, helping me to fill our woodshed for warming fires this winter.
Thankful for my dog who brings me endless smiles.
I wish I had some new and clever things to be thankful for but I rarely do so I will just trot out the usuals.
1. After a lifetime of frugality my hsband and I are doing just fine in retirement.
2. My husband. He just turned 80, and I am so incredibly thankful that he's still around. He is my world. We even do our household errands together.
3. Two cats who amuse us endlessly. We adore them.
4. Here's a new one. A couple of years ago I found the women of my high school graduating class (over 50 years ago) met every few months for lunch. It has been so much fun. And absolutely amazing at how certain people's lives did, or didn't, turn out.
@Anne,
Being together still at your age is a Thankful well worth repeating and I hope you will be able to mention this again for many years to come!
What a wonderful blessing, to have a long and happy relationship. I am so delighted for you.
@Anne, I second what J NL and Kristen said. Me, I'm just happy when DH has a good enough day that he's trying to talk. His ward supervisor, two of his aides, and I were both delighted with this today.
@Bee,
"There are truly angels everywhere..." You are so right. The stories of people helping people rarely make the news, but there are so, so many of them! Take care!
I am just catching up on the posts from the last month or so, it's been a whirlwind...but wanted to get my thankful thoughts out:
- I am so thankful we got to see my family finally after 3 years. We talk weekly on viber but it's not the same. Hugging my mom was definitely much needed.
- I am so so thankful my son's croup/COVID situation got resolved quickly. This was the first time in my life I had to call 911 because he couldn't breathe and could barely talk. I still shudder just thinking about it. Also thankful we had albuterol nebulizer at hand and used it right away. The post about the mom with complex medical need kids made me think about this too. The quick intervention we did at home just by having the right equipment and thinking of using it at the moment really brought him relief.
- I am also thankful that the same son did not break his arm when he fell at the afterschool playground. 2 ER visits in 3 weeks, these kids keep us on our toes.
- I am very thankful that my new job is going well, only 2 weeks in and it feels good, people are kind, I feel included, it's been great.
- I am also thankful that said job gives us extra time off, this has allowed me to plan out a mini 2-day trip with my son and use a heavily discounted Great Woolf Lodge room rate on a random day in October - we'll go to the water park for two days and just do one night for sleeping since we're fairly close. He is really excited about it.
- Also thankful for all the wood and kindling we've bought and collected over the last year. When the temps dropped suddenly last week I just put the fireplace on and don't have to turn on the furnace.
These are the "bigger" things but lot's of smaller ones throughout the last weeks...
Nina
This week I’m thankful for:
- A doctor that thought to check my iron/ferritin level as part of my work up for long-COVID. My iron is very low and I’m feeling optimistic that if this is treated I won’t be so fatigued and short of breath all the time.
- For the ability to help a family member financially who is going through a difficult divorce.
- That my elderly parent’s house is nearly ready to list/sell. The journey to go through 40+ years of belongings, clear the house, and renovate it to sell started over a year ago. There have been times I’ve wondered why I thought it would even be possible for me to do this and considered throwing in the towel. I’m so hopeful it will sell quickly.
- That I signed up for a community supported agriculture (CSA) share. Each week I look forward to seeing what my CSA box holds and designing meals around it. Our family is eating a lot more produce as a result!
Hope you all have a great weekend! Im looking forward to *not* needing to travel to my parent’s house again this weekend!
@Laura, have you seen the studies about Long Covid possibly being related to small blood clots? I have it too and I feel very hopeful about this leading to answers.
1. Friends in Florida were able to get to an inland hotel before Ian hit. They may still lose power, but hoping they will be safe where they are right now and their home will be okay. I hope everyone affected makes it through okay.
2. For having survived Hurricane Sandy ten years ago. I was terrified while we sheltered in place. The worst part was losing a co-worker who drowned in his basement during the storm.
3. Finally found a comfortable pair of warm slippers that don't make my feet sweat.
4. For folks who post pictures of their kitties, I so enjoy seeing them. We miss having one but are not ready to adopt another one yet.
5. Just generally thankful that I have what I need, food, shelter, and love in my life.
Thankful for soup and sweater weather. I have had a chicken carcass in my freezer all summer just waiting to be turned into broth, and now it is time. Yay! Also I love dressing all cozy and warm in the crisp weather.
Thankful for our close friends with kids the same age as ours. It is nice to have people going through the same things you are, and who have houses all set up for kiddos. Also friends for the kids to play with so the grown ups can chat.
Thankful we are settling into a routine with school. The first week and a half was really hard for my older son, but it seems like things are going smoother.
Thankful for the state parks near us. We booked a last minute camping trip for next weekend and are grateful to have so many cool parks to go see.
Thankful for my son being old enough to read chapter books together. We are reading the boxcar children, chronicles or marina, and the magic treehouse series and it is so much fun.
I'm thankful that I've hit the ages with my kids that they: a) want to help, and b) are actually helpful. My 4yo was helping me today and she was a great help. I'm also really thankful to be done making applesauce for a few days.
I'm thankful for the joy of young kids. Today was 'dress up as your favorite movie character day' at my kids' school and there were all kinds of adorable kids in princess, superhero, and all other kinds of costumes this morning. Their joy and excitement was contagious.
I'm thankful that I have a friend in my Bible study group with a newborn and that she's happy to let me hold him!! Such a gift!!!
I'm thankful for the community we have where we live.
I'm thankful for clean comedians.
I'm thankful for sunshine.
I am thankful for rain! We got a third of an inch yesterday and that is a big deal.
Cooler weather at night and moderate daytime weather.
Electricity last night. Many people just up the road lost power last night but ours wasn't. Being able to run the AC on a night when I had a migraine was a big deal.
The doves that visit every morning. I love the way they sound.
Coffee. Nothing tastes a good as that cup of coffee in the morning.
I'm grateful for fall weather in the mornings (cool temps, a breeze, blue skies, sunshine) and, even though it's still warm, afternoon highs in the low 90s after months of triple digit heat! It really makes a difference!
I'm thankful this week for -
My parents, especially my Mum (she's 86) who still comes over to help me with the house work some weeks. I love her to bits. My Dad comes and tries to help with things too but he's not as particular as Mum and I. Love him too though.
That my 15 yo continues to do well after a rocky summer.... she's been quite lovely and actually apologized to me on Tuesday for being rude! Imagine!!
For my house, although small and very old (more than 150 years!), it is everything we need. The mortgage is tiny now and I am so grateful for that given the cost of everything these days. I am so glad I held out and didn't 'upgrade' when the kids were little and it felt like we were going to explode the walls!
For my neighbour who always checks in on us, even if just by text and asks if we need anything when she is in town. And drives my daughter to school if she misses the bus and I am not able.
For living in a rural paradise, with nature on my doorstep. I always appreciate these things yet rarely mention them. From the amazing sunrise this morning to the beaver swimming laps in the river, I love it all.
xoxoxo
Covid edition Thankful Thursday:
Thankful that after a seemingly endless two weeks my first covid experience appears to be finally ending. Still a ways to go, but I did actually get out of the house yesterday to lead choir rehearsals, so that's significant progress!
Thankful that during our bouts with covid there was incredibly little food waste in our house.
Thankful for friends from church who dropped off medicine and food and all the ones who offered but from whom we didn't need help.
Thankful for the former music director from our church who filled in for me at short notice even though she had late-night plans the night before.
Thankful that my husband is on sabbatical this semester and didn't have to leave leave his classes in the lurch while he recovered from covid.
Hello! I gain much peace from reading everyone’s Thankful Thursday’s. And I am thankful for that. Hugs and well wishes to those in Ian’s path. My Thankful’s:
-That we hired our favorite contractor to paint our living room. Normally my husband and I paint, but he did not want to deal with drywall repair (and I couldn’t because of my torn rotator cuff repair). Our contractor got the job done to his high level of standard which we always appreciate.
-That our contractor found a plumbing leak in our ceiling, originating from a 2nd floor shower remodel from 18 months ago. My husband was able to troubleshoot the leak, which turned out to be minor. If it hadn’t been found then, the potential for mold and other damage down the road was great.
-That the person who installed the shower tile came over in a timely fashion to repair the crack that caused the leak. He was very professional and did not charge us for the work. We’re not sure how the crack started, but he repaired it without any problems.
-Covid hit my husband last Thursday and since then, my son and I have gotten sick also. We are on the mend now. Thankfully my husband was not the one doing the painting otherwise that job would still be dragging on.
-Thankful that we sold all of the furniture from my son’s bedroom. He grew out of the furniture, and the money we made is being put towards good use.
Today I'm thankful for...
1. The beautiful September we have had. Extra warm temperatures, sunny days, and beautiful blue skies. The gold leaves everywhere are an added bonus.
2. An extra "free" day unexpectedly.
3. Good co-workers
4. A less-stressful than usual start to the school year
5. Books
Thankful for:
1. Being introduced to a new mystery series, set in Elizabeth I era. They were written a long time ago but I am enjoying them. By Leonard Tourney, the Mathew Stock series if anyone is interested. If you like the Mel Starr books set in the 13oos and featuring a surgeon named Hugh de Singleton, you will like the Tourney books. Light reading but good escapism.
2. the 200 plus green cherry tomatoes I harvested weeks ago are sitting on the kitchen counter turning red, but not all at once. Every day we have a small serving of them and only one has gone bad so far. I get 7 gallon bags of red ones that I froze for future spaghetti sauce, besides the ones we ate all summer long.
3. living in interior northern Alaska, with no hurricane threats ever. When I watch the evacuations and displacements on the news, it is heart-hurting.
4. for the vacation pictures I took years ago, before cell phones. I was cleaning a shelf and pulled out an ancient photo album. One of the pics reminded me of a time I was standing in a very busy part of London and this little guy, barely 5 I think, pulled at my leg and cried that he was lost. The husband lifted him up on his shoulders and we walked around until the frantic mother spotted him. As he reunited with her, I said I was glad that he had come to us for help. His answer still makes me laugh: "My mother said if I am in trouble I need to find the oldest lady and ask her for help. Old ladies can be trusted." I was 41 at the time but I was grey in my 30s and never colored my hair so apparently I looked ancient to him.
5. For leggings season. They are much easier to fit a brace over than pants.
6. the hound and the husband.
I'm thankful for beautiful weather and cooler temperatures, for family living nearby, for being able to make healthy meals (even when I have to throw out my meal plan for a day), for free book studies, for my local library, for free activities in my area, for knowing that there are people to help when it's needed.
1. I’m grateful Hurricane Ian didn’t hit the east coast where we live. I feel bad for those Floridians on the west coast; we lost power for 2 weeks some years back after a hurricane, and it’s really hard. We had heavy winds and bad rain this time, but it was okay.
2. I’m grateful for 4 days off this week. We had Wed and Thurs off (schools closed), so with fall holiday and a personal day Tues, I’ll only have one day of work this week.
3. I’m grateful for time with my sons this week. They live in Orlando, which was in the path, so they drove down to spent 3 days with us. The rain was heavy with white out conditions on the way down, and I’m so happy they made it safely.
4. My husband accidentally drove through some deep water/flooding in the dark the other night during the storm. The water ripped a cover off under the car but otherwise didn’t damage the car.