Thankful Thursday | 11 days
11 days until the final exam!
This week, I am thankful:
that we got a little bit of rain
We are in a rain deficit here, but we did get a thunderstorm and I was so happy because it helped to wash some of the oak pollen dust away.
for our cute cats
I love how Shelley peeks around doors like this; she's done it ever since we adopted her. 🙂 And I love her little tuxedo jacket.
And Chiquita...always a character.
for the green in the world
This was the parking garage view a few weeks ago:
And here's what it is now:
What a wild difference!
that my school to-do list is getting short
I am super-duper close, you guys!!
The updated list:
Exam 4ATI pharmacology examATI comprehensive examRemediation bullet points for both ATI exams642 days of clinical (only one more weekend!)- A concept map presentation on renal disease
Finish my SDoH project,participate in an online discussion about it,and have a debriefing session about it at school- Cumulative final exam
By the time next Thankful Thursday rolls around, I will have only the final exam left on my plate. Woohoo!
that I never, ever have to do ATI remediation bullets again
I have taken ATI tests every single semester (usually four per semester) and I have had to do remediation bullet points for alllll of those exams.
But now I have submitted my last bullet point assignment ever and I am really happy because those remediation assignments are tedious.
that my ATI prediction is good
The ATI tests serve as a predictor of your odds of passing the NCLEX, and mine gives me a 99% chance. Yay!
But I kind of already knew that because my school has nearly a 99% pass rate for the NCLEX. If you survive my school, you can pass the NCLEX. 😉
My clinical manager at the hospital (for my tech job) said my school is one of the hardest ones in the area, but she said she likes hiring graduates from here because they are well-prepared for the job.
that I had a minute to clean up my office
I survived that ten-day stretch of back to back to back work/school/clinical, and on a day off, I got to tidy up my office a bit and it feels SO MUCH BETTER.
for the privilege of turning 47
It is kind of wild to think that I will be 50 in just three more years. Perhaps I will feel like a real adult then. 😉
As I say every year, I am grateful to have another birthday. Growing older is a privilege and I am thankful to be here.
I am also very very very grateful that the last half of my 40s has been miles better than the first half. 🙂
Thankful that my husband is doing well. He's been in the hospital with a very fast heart rate (155). It went down, back to where it was (40's), but of course, then went down a little too far. Normal for him, but they don't want to put him on medication because of that. One more test and hopefully he will be home to rest for a few days. And the nurses have been great!
But last weekend before this issue, we went to Coastal NC and rode our bikes. I am thankful that I was able to do 90 miles in 3 days and the hubs and his brother in law did 110 miles. Add climbing 2 flights of stairs with bicycles every day to that as well and very strong headwinds for 2 days. We had a great time and arrived home tired and exhausted. Will do it again. But my husband says 3 days of riding is enough and bless those folks who ride for longer than a week. Maybe it's just too early in the season for us and we just were not prepared like others.
And I am so thankful for the beautiful greenry around us. The hills are looking wonderful (or alive?!?!?!) As much as I dislike mud season, I love the green.
And thankful it's May! Congrats on it only being 11 more days for you Kristen!
@Maureen,
I hope that your husband is back to normal again soon. I know firsthand how terrifying this can be. I had about a bout with tachycardia several years ago and it was exhausting. I felt like my heart was going to come of my chest.
It took me a while to find out what was causing my rapid heartbeat. It was the result of an overactive thyroid caused by the wrong dosage of thyroid medication. I found out later that this was obvious in the emergency room bloodwork. However, I was sent home from the ER after just 3 hours without any resolution. The attending physician told me I probably just needed to learn to handle stress. She suggested that I try yoga or meditation.
@Bee, @Maureen I also dealt with a bout of Tachycardia a few years ago - mine was after getting shingles VAX -- went to ER that night with HR over 160 for 4 hours - they kept me, ran every test, I had to go on low dose of Metoprolol as it kept randomly happening -- 2 years later I was finally weaned off the RX and released from cardiologist with no issues. Tachycardia is no joke, it's the worst feeling to have your heart feel like it will beat out of your chest and you can do nothing to stop it!
@Bee,
I hope you reported that idiot attending physician to the hospital board or its chief of staff or head administrator. Makes me wonder how many heart attacks she incorrectly attributed to "stress". Doing so could be deadly, esp. to women.
@Fru-gal Lisa, @Bee, I so agree. I would have definitely reported that MD!
And hubs just went for his stress test. Hopefully he will be released soon. In the meantime, I'm dealing with my lead from h-e-double hockey sticks. UGH! I'm surprised I'm not the one in the hospital!!!!!
@Bee,
It is super common for women to be told tachycardia is from not handling their stress. My tachycardia was more than twice as fast as normal tachycardia. I suffered for 10 yrs of this just randomly happening, usually about 20 min. My heart felt like it was fluttering. My hands and feet would turn blue and I would be weak and light headed. I finally got a cardiologist to look at the one EKG that was done while it happened, he was shocked I never passed out during an episode. My heart had made an electrical shortcut loop. I was being sent out of the office with no help when I finally got this doctor to look at the EKG print out. He was shocked and I was put on the fast track to having ablation. So the shortcut was burned away. I'm fine now but will always be a little angry at all the doctors that dismissed me and said it was stress.
@Maureen, Very glad to hear your husband is doing better. DS had tachycardia while recovering from surgeries, and they never found a cause, but we were just happy when it resolved!
@Bee, @Fru-gal Lisa,
The first thing I thought after reading Bee's comment was "that idiot doctor blew off your symptoms because you're a woman". Which, seeing as the doctor in question *was/is* a woman, you'd think she'd be more interested in taking care of you? Maybe not.
Today at work, a friend who recently lost her mom to lung cancer was telling us about some issues her mom faced while in the hospital. They did all kinds of scans and tests to figure out what was wrong with her mom, and when the doctor read the scan that showed multiple tumors in her lungs, the doctor said something like "wow, you must have been quite a smoker!!". :-0
Her mom had never smoked a day in her life, but had some sort of genetic mutation that predisposed her to getting lung cancer. My friend has sent a strongly worded letter to the hospital administration with all that she observed while her mom was there.
@Karen A., A friend just told me this morning about how her daughter had sudden episodes of tachycardia after (jaw) surgery and none of her doctors could explain it (just, as noted above, said she was probably stressed). Then she spoke with a pediatric cardiologist who was up on the latest research, and she said it's not at all uncommon after surgeries. Hers also resolved on its own. I'm glad your son's did too!
@Fru-gal Lisa,
After I spent an evening at the ER, I called the cardiologist office. I had made an appointment earlier in the week and they worked me in. The cardiologist was shocked when I told him what happenedp and said that he would personally contact ER doctor.
Hey Kristin I'm 68 and still waiting to feel grown up!!!
@Plaidkaren, I'm nearly 70 and don't feel grown up either!
@A. Marie, I'm 72 and don't feel grown up either.
@Plaidkaren, Chiming in at 71. Still waiting to be a *real* grownup
@Plaidkaren,
I look in the mirror and wonder, "Who is that old person looking back at me?".
Sorry Kristin, I turned 50 on Monday... no adult feeling yet. 😉
OH NO.
Hehe.
@Plaidkaren, I'm turning 60 on Monday and I was just contemplating when I'd feel like an adult. Apparently I have a few years ahead of me yet. 🙂
@Kris, we share a birthday, although I’ve got ten years on you, so, yes 5-5-55.
Enjoy your day.
@Bee,
YES!! I don't even recognize her. 🙂
@Plaidkaren, ditto. i am older than that and still act like a baby sometimes. have never felt grown up. peter pan is my hero.
@Bee, ha ha. i was so ugly in high school, i have only gotten better as i got older. the bar was so low. i look in the mirror and say not so bad for an ugly duckling. plus all the ladies from my dept when i was working are all pushing daisy's. Am grateful to be alive and kicking. i was cute as a button from 2 to 6 yrs old though.
@Bee, LOL.. not me - I still see the take no excrement woman I was when I was 18. My count down to Medicare started today.
@Selena, That is wonderful. I don't see that 18-year old, but I definitely feel her presence.
Woo hoo 11 days left!!! Soon to be 10!!!
I am about to turn 50 and I feel exactly the same about it as you. I'll be a real grown up then, right? Hey growing old is mandatory and growing up is optional.
11 days!!! Woohoo! I am so excited for you!! You know we're all cheering you on as you run toward the finish line 🙂
Kristen,
I'm happy you are almost finished with your nursing degree. Kudos for your hard work and perseverance.
I am thankful for a wonderful trip to see family and attend a baby shower for my nephew and his wife. It was heart warming to see all the support they have and I had a great time hanging out with my sisters and their families. All the travel went smoothly as well: flights were on time, traffic was decent, etc.
I am super thankful lately because DS#1, after all his trials, is looking forward to starting a new job in a couple of weeks!!
Awwww, that is lovely news! I hope things just keep on improving for him.
@Karen A., huzzahs for DS#1 and for all his family!
@Karen A., That was quite a journey for your dear son. Kudos to him and your whole family for your perseverance. Hope he loves his job!
@ErikaJS, Thank you, and A.Marie, and Kristen, and the entire Commentariat for holding us up in your thoughts last year during all of that. Crazy to think it's been just over a year since it all started, and last night DS was mowing the lawn and today getting his car serviced and checking all his paperwork prior to starting his new position. He is pretty excited; it's a similar company to where he was working, but a better company that seems excited to get him on board, and it's a more permanent (not a contractor) position, from what I understand.
@Karen A.,
WooHoooooo to your DS!! That's awesome!
As Kristen is for Shelley and Chiquita, I'm glad for the continued health and well-being of my Betty. She received an excellent bill of health at her annual checkup on Tuesday, with special commendation on having lost almost a pound this year. (I'm now alternating cans of her usual senior cat food with cans of a weight control formula, and this seems to be helping.) I wish long lives to her, Shelley, Chiquita, Karen A.'s Clark, Ruby's Dora, and all the other members of the FG Cat Club.
@A. Marie, yay! for Betty's great health and you for being such an excellent cat mama.
My Dora is busy watching birds through the sun room door this morning, looking serene in all her fluffy glory.
Awww, yay for some weight loss. Slow is perfect for cats; my vet said if they lose weight too fast, it tends to dump fat in their liver (I think that was what it was...anyone can correct me if I'm wrong!)
@A. Marie,
Yay for a clean bill of health for your Betty. Our Lafayette has gained weight - he desperately needed to - now that were giving him a prescribed steroid cream nightly (he has chronic IBS). He's high maintenance, but is so much a part of our family. Our Lovey, who is 18, is doing great.....she 100% lives up to her name.
@A. Marie, Clark is cheering Betty on, even though he objects to his own austerity measures, he is aware one must stay sleek and alert in order to hunt bugs and keep one's servants on their toes.
@Kristen, no idea but the two dumps we took are NOT food insecure. Another dump we took in was as was one of the siblings we adopted from the shelter. Vet and I call the female "teen mom" - she was. She's like a pork tenderloin, nary a bit of sag after delivery and spay. The male weighs a bit less than when we took him in (in his defense, he had a nasty case of worms and his food consumption proved it).
Male is the *best* cat we've ever had - better half was a dog person but the male we took in loves us both. We're convinced his prior owner was around better half's age but passed away and the cat became homeless. I told our vet even if the cat was chipped, we didn't want to give him back. He was not chipped (or neutered, or likely vaccinated).
IMHO, pets keep us healthier. Nothing relieves stress more than a cat (or a small dog) on your lap OR a dog close by.
Happy Birthday!!
I just love that dandelion picture! Nice angle!
- Our dog Bruno
- easy yummy hoemeade granola bars
- prickly pear blooming it's beautiful bright happy yellow flowers!
- work for my husband
- rain
- coffee
- variety in foods
Next week is going to be the week of rain for us. April Showers coming late this year, I guess.
I too am thankful for the green. I really hate winter and find it to be the hardest time of the year for me. Seeing the greenery and things coming back to life is a nice change.
I'm also thankful that the memorial tree we planted for my son is still alive and survived the winter!
Thankful that I have some vacations to look forward to. Even if they aren't centered around me, it will be nice to get away for a time.
Thankful that the weekend is almost here. I could really stand for some fun times or at least some do nothing times. I'm sure I will have lots to work on at home but still.
@Battra92, really cool about your son's tree! What a great memorial you can see every day.
@Battra92,
I find "home" work stuff to be so much more satisfying than "work" work stuff.
I am so excited to have followed along with you on your nursing school journey here, and can't wait to see you in your graduation attire. Congratulations just isn't a big enough word for what you've accomplished!
1) Over here I am thankful for the rich life we've created here in retirement after a lot of initial effort. Last night I was on a webinar for marine life volunteers, of which I'm one, learning about ocean life adaptations. Tonight I'm attending a talk on local stingrays. Tomorrow we're attending a social bridge party at our local bridge club. And so on and so on.
2) On a similar note, I'm equally thankful that my elderly mom's life has continued to expand in the 55+ community we helped her move into last year. She is booked and busy, and thriving. What a turnaround from the financial situation she was in prior to downsizing and then making thiss move.
Also-
3) Strawberry season
4) Green and yellow (mustard!) covered hills
5) Spring wildflowers, particularly orange poppies and purple lupin.
@Tamara R, Are you in southern california? I'm loving all three of your 3-5 items right now too!
@Tamara R,
Oh man! How cool is that! Id love to be a marine wildlife volunteer. Of course, Ohio does not have many opportunities to do that. ha. 🙂
@CrunchyCake, Yes! In S Orange County. Orange, yellow and purple are our spring colors here, right? 🙂
@Liz B., How about at at a lake? Critters there too!
We’re about the same age, curious if you were a They Might Be Giants fan: “When I think about the dirt that I’ll be wearing for a shirt OH I hope that I get old before I die!”
Mine are all age related:
Thankful for my 90 year old neighbor. I just accompanied her on a run. We’ve been next door for 16 years now and she’s been a continual blessing throughout this time.
Thankful for good health all round a mere 4 years from 50- I can run up the courthouse stairs with a full bucket of cases while my much younger coworkers are still waiting on the elevator. I really hate elevators, so I am very grateful anytime I can avoid one.
After a very frustrating morning, I’m thankful that 13 is temporary!
@Tarynkay, I was stuck in an elevator once, by myself. No phone or call button in it. My phone was back at my desk (I’ll never make that mistake again). It was the end of the workday and most staff were gone or leaving. I somehow got it to open after much trying. The repairman who came the next day could not believe I did. I get chills just thinking about it.
Eleven more days left is so exciting ! I now have 10 more months before I retire, and I'm excited about that, too. I don't even have to take a final exam at the end, ha.
My thanksgivings:
1. I'm also thankful for rain. It wasn't a lot, but it was better than the relentless sun we've been experiencing for too long. It was so nice to have a steady, gentle, cool rain, I worked out in the yard in it.
2. I'm thankful that I will have two of the grandchildren (11 and 9) spend much of the weekend with me. I'm looking forward to it. Their younger two siblings are going to stay with their paternal aunt and uncle, who like to host them individually or in pairs, to have more one-on-one time with them. And my daughter and son-in-law are going to have a very rare weekend almost entirely to themselves.
3. I'm thankful for the drier, slightly cooler air we are having after that rain. We need more rain, but dreaded summer is approaching fast, so the currently cooler days are bliss.
4. I'm thankful my dogs obeyed me last night and came back in the house with me, when I realized their frantic barking was about a snake under the back porch deck. I couldn't tell what kind of snake it was in the darkness under the deck, and they were right there on top of it, so I was in a hurry to get them away in case it was poisonous.
5. I'm thankful that, although my beet crop in one raised bed this winter was destroyed by something I never could find, one hidden beet seed secretly hung in there through the winter's freezes, no water and no care. It grew this spring, to my utter surprise, and produced a fine beet. So I got one beet, anyway!
@JD, and the Beet goes on... 😉
@A. Marie, Bravo!
@A. Marie,
Ha! Shall I name it Sonny or Cher?
@JD, on the one hand, I just looked up Sonny on Wikipedia, and the line "And the beat goes on" is on his gravestone. On the other hand, Cher is still with us, since she has never skied into a tree. So it's your call.
@A. Marie, hee hee!!
@A. Marie, oh boo hiss A. Marie..
- I’m thankful for our fuzzy teddy bear of a dog. Now that he turned one, he’s dropping some of his annoying puppy behavior like play biting and stealing laundry, shoes, and stuffed animals. We still have to work on jumping and his trying to eat everything in the yard, but at least he’s mostly trustworthy in the house. He’s always up for a cuddle if anyone needs one. I’ve considered training him to be a therapy dog and was so happy how sweet and calmly he reacted to a little girl in a wheelchair that wanted to pet him.
- I’m so happy my new metal garden beds came yesterday! I only bought two small ones to try them out, and I’m excited to put them together!
- I’m grateful my teenager has drastically improved his school work habits this year. The middle school babied them, so the start of high school was a huge jump in expectations.
- I'm thankful for the beautiful flowers in our yard. The peonies are especially lovely this week.
- I'm thankful I was able to go to dinner to support a friend during difficult times with her husband. No problems were solved but sometimes just sharing the burdens make them feel lighter.
- I'm thankful that I purchased a new car last year. I enjoy driving it and all the features it has that my old Honda Pilot did not.
- I'm thankful we live close to DD and SIL. We get to babysit our grandson tonight while they attend a banquet.
- I'm thankful DH and I both already have our REAL IDs. The DMV offices here are packed and people are waiting hours to get theirs.
Kristen in the final stretch, knowing that all her hard work will be over shortly & the rewards are worth every long journey to this point. Hang in there, the finish in is in sight! You've got this!!!
Thankful for the mostly warmer days & the sunshine! We've had some overnight temps in the frost/freeze numbers, but daytime temps have been 60s-80. Luckily most of my (perineal) flowers are not in danger of freezing & many stores only have very few flowers on stock, so no potted flowers yet.
Thankful that teen is enjoying time with friends & making effort to do all Senior activities. It makes my heart happy knowing teen really enjoying Senior year.
Thankful for rescue dogs who have been SOOOOO excited & happy lately. So many kisses, pawing at us to get our attention for pets, running like crazy & being very vocal (as teen puts it). 🙂
Thankful that my dad's medical team listens to him & is trying to adjust his radiation treatments. The treatment has become so painful that my dad was down for 3 days & did not show up for one of his daily treatments. They are going to try pain meds to see if helps, which hoping it will because he is only 1/3 way through at this point.
Thankful that I got to see a former coworker last month. I was just recently told that coworker now in hospital & not responsive to medical care & looking not good. This same coworker just lost spouse less than 6 weeks ago. Unfortunately I was told no visitation, which surprised me.
Thankful to be getting projects done before graduation.
Have a great weekend.
Happy Happy Birthday!! So excited for you to be soo close to being done with nursing school! You have many, many great things in your future.
As a college test center associate, we also do not like ATI exams 😉
Happy belated birthday, Kristen! You are in a fabulous position in your life, having shaped it into exactly the life you want (given the raw deal you had) and by your own wits and hard work. Soo much to celebrate and I am thankful to be along on your journey.
1) Thankful that DS18 won his final tennis match yesterday. He hasn't played much this season, and the entire team win came down to his match. It's a lot of pressure, and he's so happy he won for the team.
2) For fantastic friends. Cultivating & maintaining great friends does take effort, and it is such a gift to have such a group of incredible women in my life. I introduced two friends to each other, and we hiked & it was absolutely lovely.
3) That DS19 has a summer job lined up.
4) DH & I had a really relaxing & nice evening together. There has been *a lot* on our plates, so it was such a treat to just sit for a bit, catch up with each other, and have some laughs.
5) For sunshine, freezer leftovers, past self that made freezer leftovers, & delicious coffee in the morning.
You are so close to being done!!
I'm very grateful for the little bit of rain in the forecast as we, too, are in a deficit.
For the great variety of food available to us. I like to eat a lot of different things, and it's so nice to have choices.
That past me planted seeds back in March, even though it was cold and technically too early. I took a chance and I'm now enjoying lettuce, arugula, and bok choy from my greenhouse, and have a bunch of little carrots growing.
For things to look forward to -- upcoming trips, visits with friends, etc. While I try to focus on good in the present, it's also nice to have good things to anticipate.
For the birdsong that fills the air every morning.
Not to put a sad note on it, but I didn't feel like a real adult until I lost my mom. I was 51 but age wasn't what did it.
I am thankful for..blueberry rhubarb crumble..a good relationahip with my sister and brother..I am done with household spring cleaning and just need to do some sweeping and throwing away in the garages..ready for gardening season.
@Amy cheapohmom,
I hear you. When I lost my mom, I had to draw deep within myself and find strength I did not realize I had. It made me a better, stronger, more spiritual person -- but it is not a self-improvement technique I would wish on anyone. May the memory of your mother forever be a blessing to you.
@Amy cheapohmom, so true. I was 46 when my mom died and 49 when my dad died. After they were both gone, I remember telling a friend that it felt like I lost both my roof and my foundation. I also remember saying that I didn't know if it was such a good idea that we "kids" were now fully in charge.
@Fru-gal Lisa, when my mom died it was a blessing. The mom I once knew had been gone for a number of years. Why we can euthanize animals but don't give humans the same option is beyond me.
Thankful and f-ing proud that my dad cared for her at home until she passed away. Most males of his age would have put their wives in a nursing home. He could cook, grocery shop, do laundry. He did hire a house cleaner who doubled as a caretaker when needed - small towns do come in handy at times. Thankful for a family member (magats should be so lucky but will never be) that were there to help dad and care for mom until the end. And who continue to provide guidance for the care of mom's sibling (as well as the two who have already passed). I know I, my sibling, my kids will return the favor. Not so sure the kids/grandkids of the siblings will though I suspect at least one will.
Kristen, you are the all-American success story, 21st Century style -- a single mom/displaced homemaker who reinvented herself during her 40's, and is launching a brand new professional career as a nurse. So proud of you!
My thankfuls:
1. High school secretary straightened out a messy situation in substitute teaching. The result is that I didn't lose any pay, and didn't have to work for the crazy teacher who can't decide when she wants to be off.
2. Finding my lost cell phone. (Yes, I finally broke down and got one. Free service for one year, then I can change to another cheap plan.)
3. Rain. I love it that I don't have to water my lawn! Also that there were no tornadoes in my town.
4. Getting people to help me do things around the house I can't do by myself.
5. After last week's high water incident, my car is fully repaired and we saved the motor from having to be replaced. (No doubt also saved a ton of money; one high school student told me new motors cost something like $8,000!)
Aww, Lisa, thank you. 🙂
• Spring is finally here! The woods behind our house are getting a beautiful green haze and little leaves are sprouting on the bushes around the house.
• The weather has been pleasant enough that my husband and I have been able to spend time in the backyard in the evenings relaxing and playing with the dogs.
• The severe weather that was expected this week completely missed us. The predictions caused all afterschool activities to be cancelled and my office to close early. We could have used the rain, but we avoided hail and tornados.
• We were able to share last minute hockey tickets with friends this past weekend.
• As always, thankful for puppy snuggles and time with my family.
Kristen, I didn’t feel like an adult until my dad died when I was 40. I sure hope you can reach adulthood without that unhappy event!
I am very excited for you to be done with nursing school! (Sheesh, Central Calif. Artist, you’ve never even met Kristen—get a real life!!) Do nursing schools have valedictorians? If so, I bet you will be the one.
I was on the list for valedictorian and I did go to the luncheon but I didn't want to give a speech, so I didn't even submit for it. Ha.
@Kristen, that speaks of adult-like maturity. . . no reason to stress yourself out for recognition and validation because your goal to become a nurse outshines all that "LOOK-AT-ME” stuff which is a driver behind awards. It might be necessary if one was graduating without a clear and vital skill, needing to stand out in the stacks of resumés, but you are much farther along in life. Oh-oh, I think you are an adult, whether or not you feel it.
Also: I DON'T LIKE GIVING SPEECHES. Ha.
Now if they wanted me to type a valedictorian essay, that would be entirely different. 😉
It’s really great to attend a strong professional school program. Being well prepared is invaluable!
Thankful for a very rainy day after a dry season. For our world greening up, although it looks more like Kristen's first picture than her second one around here! For getting to hear my daughter play in a trio last night--her skill level continues to progress. For continued employment. For the opportunity to meet our son's girlfriend today, as well as the chance to celebrate his university graduation on Saturday.
Thankful that:
1. Husband is doing okay on his chemo, although I think his glorious hair is thinning.
2. my food bank volunteer hours, which force me out of the house and always leave me feeling more positive about humans; they are a good antidote to what is going on politically.
3. no one can figure out why I keep losing blood, but my family doc and my cardiologist keep working on it together. It still sort of freaks me out when one or the other calls me at home to check on how I am doing.
4. one of my favorite authors has come out with a new book, so I know I have several hours of pleasurable reading in front of me.
5. the husband, always the husband.
What I am not thankful for is the increasing daylight. Today our first daylight started at 3:59 am and will end at 11:36 pm. Soon we will have daylight 24 hours a day. It makes me crazy to have no nights.
As much as I like daylight, I would be displeased about 24 hours of it! So I can imagine how you feel.
@Lindsey, all my best to you and the husband during your current health challenges. (And I can understand your feelings about the husband's possibly thinning hair. Despite everything else DH lost along the Alzheimer's way, he had a glorious head of only slightly graying hair until the end--and this was a modest comfort to me.)
@Lindsey, Sending every good wish for the health issues you and your DH are having at the moment. Glad that you have access to good medical care. Your upbeat thoughts in the face of difficulties always, always inspire me.
That much daylight would be irritating, to my eyes, for a start.
I am thankful my younger son is doing well after having gallbladder surgery. He had a bad reaction to the surgical glue, but lots of Benadryl and cool packs and it cleared quickly.
Thankful, again, that we live close. We brought him home with us for a day and now he's home. I will take him supper meals for a few days so I can put eyes on him and make sure he isn't doing too much.
Thankful that although my older son's dad is a jerk, that he is close with his brother in another state. His stepmom when they were growing up was kind (they've since divorced). Son and DIL are going to spend the weekend with them all for his brother's college graduation.
Thankful that my yard projects are done. After delays for weather, all the grading was done and the hydroseed was sprayed. Now two weeks later, we have a great front lawn. I can't get over how much grass there is.
Thankful that all the plants I have put in the ground this spring seem like they are going to make it, including my dogwood tree and japanese maple. I've planted probably 12 azaleas, 3 limelight hydrangeas, multiple lantana, regular hydrangeas, blackberries, blueberries, a peach tree, etc.
Belated happy birthday, Kristen, you youngster!
*Health - my husband has fully recovered from a minor stroke on Palm Sunday. I am so grateful for the great medical care he received.
*Volunteer hours - I am a Master Gardener Intern (as opposed to a Master Gardener Adult). That means that I need to complete 40 hours working on approved garden projects within a year of passing the exam in order to become a real master gardener. The deadline is June 1. Um, somehow, I let time get away from me and I have only half. Thankfully, there are lots of projects becoming active in May so I have lots of opportunity to not only get the hours but meet very interesting people and see fantastic things going on in the gardening world.
*Adulthood - I don't always feel like a mature human. However, when I see my kids, other young relatives and young friends have thriving lives, especially in their families, vocations and avocations, I remember when I was at their place in life and then I feel like an adult. An old adult. But also a happy adult and an adult that knows who to ask when I need help with technology.
*Open windows - even with the heavy pollen counts, I love having fresh air coming indoors 24/7. The temperature is warming quickly so soon it will be AC time, so I'm really appreciating it today.
Grateful my hip surgery was completed without a glitch! Such a fine medical team! Soo relieved, it’s hard,worrying, the 2 months BEFORE the surgery date! (We retired RN’s know too much,so we worry over a lot of things!) I am allergic to many antibiotics so I was worried I would have a major anaphylactic reaction during my IV infusion..of course with an ANESTHESIOLOGIST staring you down the whole time, you would never be in danger.It didn’t happen 🙂
Grateful for husband and son to help with my recovery time at home.That first week..wowza! Now I know (as a Nurse) why we USED TO keep people in the hospital for a week or 5 days after major surgery.What do people do at home that don't have readily available help to act like nurses??????? My husband had a hard time figuring out my medication schedule!
Grateful for my strong spiritual foundations and practice.Prayer and meditation keep me as peaceful and productive as I can be through these trying times in our economy, and through my recovery,which is going GREAT!
SOOO grateful for KIND online communities like this one! A rarity these days!!!!!!
Chiquita is def the one with the “I’m up to something” face !! And dear Shelley is adorable!
I loved my 40’s..I learned a lot about nutrition and wokring out and got uber healthy. I went back to school and became an NP and worked with teens and college students health clinics. But my 50’s were even BETTER!!!! I just felt in my space, very empowered, a bit wise, and menopause ,around 55, was no big deal for me, no hot flashes, just a-little fatigue, needed thyroid. Some unpleasant irregular menses here and there.. leading up to stopping periods, annoying but not debilitating…I got a lot done in my career and developed new outdoor hobbies in my 50’s and 60’s.Now, in my 70’s I am finally writing the BOOK I had on back burner, and am learning watercolor.
Every decade has it’s shining moments.I ABSOLUTELY ADORED my 50’s!!!! You will too!
Thanksfuls:
1. A native-plants expert friend is helping me figure out landscaping around the new sign at church.
2. An old friend/former neighbor is renting the vacation house across the street this week.
3. I sold 4 paintings yesterday.
4. We gleaned oranges this morning and they are so sweet that a license should be required to eat them.
5. Someone that I did some gardening for is here at his vacation rental and wants to meet me. . . because he liked my work. 😎
6. Kristen is almost a nurse!!
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, yay for all your professional recognition this week!
@Suz, thank you! I don’t know which surprises me more: a good friend buying paintings or a complete stranger. So who do I expect to be my customers??? Relative acquaintances? Probably tourists in shops are the only sales that don’t surprise me.
Home stretch! You are doing great. Can't wait to see you in your cap and gown.
I am thankful that we are able to cover some larger than usual bills this month.
That my foot is feeling better after it got really painful a few weeks ago.
That we have access to antibiotics.
For an understanding and knowledgeable doctor.
For a virtually unlimited supply of free foam ear plugs for when the children are noisy in front of my house at night.
You are getting there, one day at a time!
omg the end is nigh. wow. of course you will pass. you worked your butt off. you rock.
Oh, Kristen, I'm so glad you posted an updated list because I'm the weirdo that almost emailed to nag for an update. Things crossed off lists make me so happy! Congratulations.
This week I'm thankful:
*that #3 son landed a job.
*that husband and I are still SLOWWWWWLY losing a little weight.
*for kids who help cook when my shoulder doesn't want to do the work.
*for an upcoming appointment that I hope will help me with the shoulder problem.
*that the weather is warm enough for me to walk outside without my face tightening up.
*that I am done reading The Inferno. Dante, you are not my favorite author.
*for kids learning all by themselves. This week I was particularly delighted that one of the kids picked up a book about math for fun and proceeded to copy down a proof for the Pythagorean Theorem. For fun. Then she was teaching her younger brother about algebraic addition, and he was into it. It's so neat to see which kids gravitate toward which subjects.
*that my baby girl (9-years-old) is back to walking on her own two legs after a nasty bruise left her in RICE mode for about a week.
*that, while I need to work on my homeschool portfolios this week, this time around will be the last time to prepare a portfolio for son #3 (because he turns 18 before the next one is due).
I am thankful for the abundance of morel mushrooms in our area. And the ability to pay for some. Spring is not spring without having "a mess."
I am thankful there has been no neighborhood uprising over the fact I have not mowed my yard. I rather like the "fluffiness" of the growth and do see some random perennial plants that have self-seeded or need thinned that can be repotted for our upcoming Master Gardener sale. On the other hand, I am not thankful that the next door neighbor and the one across the street do not recognize peony bushes and mow them down. I get a wave of sadness remembering the people who planted those with such high hopes. My intention is to catch the neighbors to draw attention to them or see if they would rather enjoy them in my yard.
I am thankful the predicted storms did not come to fruition overhead and though we had some wind, we also received some rain that was welcome.
I am still very thankful for this new laptop. I cannot get over how quickly this one operates. With the old one, I felt like I was provided a commercial break to visit the powder room or fix a cup of tea or check the mail. Now it's INSTANT! My fingers have become acclimated to the key locations. Still adapting to the key pad, prefer not using a mouse. And I can watch a TV show w/o issue.
I am thankful for Kristen, the nearness of becoming a nurse from a program with high standards. For the anniversary of your trip around the sun. And the truth that most of us do not feel like adults yet. The Commentariat. I notice when some people do not check in.
For Butters. Who started out as Butterscotch because of the light honey colored stripes on his tail against his white fur. The comical way he argued every point and when I still told him no would put his head down in defeat and walk away meowing. For the way he would stick his paw in the water bowl and then lick his paw for a drink. How he loved to jump as high as he could and also run full tilt and bounce off a wall doing a half gainer. The trusting way he would cradle in my arm and let me wash his muddy paws in the sink after trying to dig to China in the fenced back yard. You loved your buddy Rags and your sister Princess Puff though you drove her crazy the way you liked to run and take her on a tumble wrapped in your arms. So many loved you and will miss you. I will always hear your comical “Wah-Yah” meow as you’d run through a room.Love ya buddy.
@Tiana, oh, what a lovely and loving tribute. I'm so sorry your buddy is gone.
Aww, what a sweet little furry friend you had.
Asparagus is a-poppin' up. Seeing tater plants popping up. Despite the second male on my team giving up the ghost (read: you need to work smarter not harder - females are the stronger sex I am totally convinced), I will survive, thrive, and make things better.
Also thankful that I can cat sit for a neighborhood family - for the second time, one of their children is in a state competition. The similarities between their kids and our kids are quite eerie. Regardless, we take being a good neighbor to heart. But we've had two neighbors disrespect this. Suffice it to say both of those neighbors moved, good riddance to both of them.
And @Kristen, I will say *if* I don't see a single post over the next 11 (likely 10) days, so be it. I can't speak for all of us but I suspect we all understand priorities. BUT we all expect an NCLEX report regardless of us all knowing you'll pass.
Happy belated #47!!! You are an amazing woman. I hope many blessings are on the horizon for you.
Cheering you on as you pass the finish line!
I'm thankful ...
- That I can see the birds and here their cheerful chirping.
- That my husband listens to me and helps me out when needed.
-A successful birthday party planned for my 80 year old mother in law.
- My mind being intact.
- The motivation to keep going even after deviating from the path so many times.
You are got that "last half of forties was better than the first half"
And just thing, your fifties will be ALL yours! Here is to much better days!
Glad you are wrapping this up. You have a LOT to be proud of--your positive outlook, you have raised your kids, survived a divorce, have a beautiful home AND made it thru nursing school!!
Well Done, Kristen!
@Sabrina,
Should say Just THiNk!