Thankful Thursday | so satisfying
This week, I am thankful:
for my dad's air compressor
Several of you suggested that I might want to blow out my second-hand fans, so I stopped by my dad's garage and went at it.
As soon as I pointed the compressor inside the fan, chunks of dust began to fly out.
So satisfying! Right up there with power-washing in terms of immediate gratification.
Unbeknownst to me, my mom took a picture of me doing this. For your readers, she said. 😉
for the fact that humidity does not last forever
I've been trying to go for walks super early, and it's still pretty miserable.
And the other night I tried going for a walk late enough that the street lights were starting to come on when I got home.
And it was still pretty miserable.
So, I have concluded that the best strategy is to just be thankful this is a temporary circumstance. I don't live in a place where it's hot and humid all year long, and I am super grateful for that!
always for interesting things to see in nature
It's humid, yes, but there are still always new-to-me things to observe on my walks.
Like this mushroom that looks kind of like a fried egg.
And this very oddly-patterned spider web, which looks like someone turned to the zig-zag setting on their sewing machine.
for the customer support people at Chewy
I'd ordered a litter mat for Chiquita, since we have one for Shelly and we love it. But when the box arrived, it just had a few toys I'd ordered, and no mat.
Weird.
I got on the customer service chat, and the guy who was helping me asked about my pet. So, I told him about Chiquita and sent him a photo. My litter mat arrived in a few days, but then a few days later, another package also arrived.
Inside was a little note and a set of three toy balls for Chiquita. Aww!
I like that Chewy does things like this; it's such a unique customer service strategy, and it does make you sit up and take notice!
for the funny things Chiquita does
Guys, she figured out how to open the cabinet underneath the sink, and once she gets in there, she climbs behind the drawers.
I'm gonna have to get some cabinet locks to keep her out.
Good thing she's so cute.
for technology
Zoe was cat-sitting recently, and we were still needing to work through the last few lessons of her algebra book.
So, we had some Snapchat video calls to do that, filters and all.
Speaking of, I'm grateful...
that we are ALL done with algebra
We finished it up this week, which means I am well and truly done teaching math. My 17-year career as a math teacher has come to a close, and I am so so delighted.
YAYYYYY!!!!
This career has made me very competent when it comes to math, and I appreciate that.
But it has not made me love math.
(Sorry to all you mathematicians out there. I will forever be a words-over-numbers person.)
I'm actually, factually done homeschooling now and I can hardly believe it.
The timing has all worked out perfectly since I am becoming a full-time student myself this fall. I'm ready to be just a student and not a teacher. 🙂
And to answer a reader's question, yes, this means that Zoe has graduated from high school! My last student! Yay!
Her high school years have been chock full of challenges she didn't ask for, but she made it and I'm so proud of her.
that my algebra books sold already
I listed them promptly on eBay since I know homeschool moms are shopping for books right now.
I got a low offer, sent a counteroffer back that was within $5 of my asking price, and the buyer accepted. Woohoo!
For the first time since 2004, my house has no math books on the bookshelves. And that's kinda wild because I used to have a whole Saxon library here.
Here's how I sell books on eBay, in case you want to try it yourself!
What are you thankful for this week?
So does this mean Zoe is now a high school graduate and ALL DONE?!
If so, CONGRATULATIONS, ZOE!!
Yes! I updated the post to include that info. She's all done with high school!
I got her a coveted Lego set to celebrate, and we will have a party with her friend group. And next spring, we're hoping to plan a celebratory trip; she wants to bring Lisey along, and by next spring, Lisey should have some time off of work to join us.
@Kristen, Ummm, maybe she should go visit Lisey in Hawaii. I hear that is a fantastic place for a vacation! And congratulations Zoe! Big achievement! You rock!
Haha, yes, and that's especially appealing because we get discounted Hawaii tickets through Lisey's work. 😉
@Kristen, Congrats Zoe! Inquiring minds would like to know which Lego set she got! Which reminds me, I got a plant set for Christmas and it's been sitting 2/3 complete in my spare room. I need to get it finished and on display!
Will Zoe plan to attend some kind of college or training in the fall?
We're hot and humid here in Texas, as well, so I feel your pain!
--It makes me VERY thankful for air conditioning, and for working in an air-conditioned environment.
--And for the AC in my car, which really goes full blast and makes it comfortable within just a couple of minutes.
--Also thankful that the electric grid has, so far, held up in this heat.
--Thankful that I was able to work extra hours yesterday when another employee called in.
--Thankful for my church. I joined it a little over a year ago, and already have many incredible friends there. Talk about community! Every week they make me feel welcomed and loved. Two ladies invited me to sit with them when I first started attending. One later became my "chariot driver," ferrying me to and from work, and also on other errands, after I'd wrecked my car. Another guy offered to drive me to shop for cars and to make sure I wasn't being rooked by any of the salesmen. A group of ladies have invited me to their monthly girl's night out, and we're going to Red Lobster next week. Some younger adults have given me gifts for holidays and also when I had to have cancer surgery. Everyone cheered me every step of the way for that. I also was invited for a Christmas Day get-together planned for everyone who didn't have family or a place to go. A group always invites me out to eat, although I can't always do this with my Sunday afternoon job. A gentleman is offering to drive me to and from my upcoming cataract surgeries. I never feel like the odd person out because I'm single, and I never feel alone.
--Thankful for this blog and for the members. I learn so much from you all, and feel included every morning (esp. Tuesday and Thursday) when I'm drinking my coffee and reading the comments. So a big shout out to Kristin, her daughters, her cats and all her readers!
That's so lovely that your church is like this; I hear so many stories of difficult with life in church as a single person, but your congregation is just knocking it out of the park in this regard. Yay!
I want to belong to your church! I'm leaving my current church because, after 9 months, no one has *ever* reached out to me to offer support or practical help--- even though there are only about 40 people there. And most know I'm going through a significant tragedy.
No one will accept my help or support, either. And there are almost no opportunities to serve. Not used to either of those.
The church my mentor recommended has already been much more supportive, in the two times I've been there, than my current church in all this time. And has numerous opportunities to serve, even though it's not a really big church. Thankful!
Wow, that's so wild that no one has helped you. I'm so sorry to hear that's been your experience!
@Fru-gal Lisa, I feel your pain(heat related!) I’m ready for a 90s cold spell.
@Fru-gal Lisa, Oh my goodness! What a great church family! Love it!
@Fru-gal Lisa,
I loved hearing how your church family envelops you in friendship, caring and practical help! What a day brightener!
Good luck on your cataract surgery. It changed my life, and is not the least bit uncomfortable.
@Kimberly,
I'm thankful you have found a new, more supportive church community! I find it a bit odd that no one in your prior church reached out to you, or accepted any help or support.....isn't that part of what we do for the people around us, church or no church?. Anyway, this new one sounds so much better.
@Kristen, That's for sure.
Many years ago, I once joined another church's singles Sunday school class. Big mistake! One guy hit on several of the female members, and if we didn't respond the way he wanted, he'd start ugly rumors about us, implying we were either LGBQT or promiscuous heterosexuals, depending on how attractive he thought we were. Even worse, he once showed up drunk outside a young lady's bedroom window, no mean feat since she lived in a second-floor apartment! IMO, he should have been asked to quit attending, but nothing was done and he started spreading those rumors. Once, the church asked us to talk to the high school students' class. We were glad to do so, but in the middle of our visit, I realized they were responding to us as if we were people in the circus freak show. Which the church apparently thought we were. So after that, wherever I attend church, I avoid singles' groups and just go as a regular member. This church has welcomed people from all walks of life, including the unmarried, and every service, says a prayer for "family, friends and neighbors and those who are alone." I think more churches need to realize that not all people get/stay married and that single/widowed/divorced members need to be treated with dignity.
@Kathy L, Thanks for the heads up about the surgery. I'm excited but also a bit nervous. Your comment helps!
@Liz B., I've had other churches that were wonderful, but sometimes the churches change pastors or members or etc. and the changes are not for the better. I've also had to leave amazing churches when I move out of town. So I don't mean to condemn them all.
Thanks, Kristen for the tip about blowing dust out of fans (I need to do that). And congratulations on the cute dress (which I was too preoccupied to mention Tuesday), and especially on the successful close of your homeschooling career!
Now, Thankful Thursday, Next-Door Neighbor Edition. (This one's going to be a little long, folks, so bear with me.)
First, I am thankful beyond words that my dear next-door neighbor (hereafter, my NDN) didn't injure herself or anyone else when she got lost behind the wheel Monday afternoon and wound up in a city 45 minutes east of here. I'm also profoundly thankful for the kind gas station folks who let her leave her car there (it was getting dark when she pulled in, thoroughly confused) and arranged to have her transported to the ER of the local hospital, where she remained overnight. And I'm thankful for the ER's nurse case manager, who finally used NDN's cell phone to reach me late Tuesday morning. I'd tried to call NDN on her cell earlier that morning and gotten no answer.
I'm also deeply thankful for NDN's only close friend beyond our street, whom I'd already contacted Tuesday am when I noticed NDN's car was missing, and who was available (with her husband) to drive over to the other city and bring NDN and her car home. Just before I took the call from the nurse, a couple of idiot lights went on in my Element, and I didn't want to risk getting on the Thruway myself.
I'm further thankful that the close friend (I'll call her CF) has temporarily assumed much of the responsibility for NDN. As I told CF in a private conversation, although I love NDN dearly and I'm willing to help in any way I can, I'm not ready to take on primary responsibility for another person with evident cognitive problems so soon after DH's death. Among other things, CF did get NDN yesterday to the primary care doctor they share, and there are a couple of medical issues that could have contributed to NDN's increased confusion. So our joint focus at the moment is on getting those cleared up.
I'm thankful as well that I did get contact info from NDN both for CF and for NDN's only living relative who might be of some help (a nephew in Atlanta) before all this happened. I volunteered to call the nephew Tuesday night and fill him in on the situation, so at least he is now aware of it.
Finally, I'm thankful for the folks at my own garage, who cleared up the problem with the Element yesterday. (The problem, it turned out, wasn't with anything the idiot lights were telling me; I had a few defective idiot lights. !!!!!)
I'm so glad there's someone else who can assume most of this responsibility! I am sure that you need a break from that after the last years you've been through.
@A. Marie, I am so glad that EVERYONE was able to help you with NDN. It takes a village to look after everyone and always be on top of people.
And the Thruway is kinda scary no matter what time of day. They really need to expand it, but for the time it would take to do that, it would make it scarier. And for the amount they charge in tolls, there should be money to do that! And the only reason I HATE the EZ Pass is because you don't know how much they are charging until you look it up on line.
Be Safe!
@Maureen, I love the Thruway. Every time I'm on it, I think "Can you dig that? The New York State Thruway is closed, man!"
@A. Marie, I'm thankful you were able to help out. That sounds like a tough situation. It sounds like your whole neighborhood is awesome.
@A. Marie,
I completely agree that you should not take on the responsibility of being primary caregiver for your neighbor, and I'm so glad you don't have to. You need time to heal, and it was wise of you to decline the role.
@A. Marie, Thank you for the help and support you so obviously give. And, too.For the reminder to update phone logs for first person to call response."There,but for the grace.."
@Rose, That comment dates you. And the fact that I know it dates you dates me! I actually love being old enough to remember Woodstock, don't you?
@Cynthia, Well, I'm actually not old enough to remember Woodstock but I've seen the movie.
Erm, I remember lots of quotes from things that happened before I was born.
@A. Marie,
Your next-door neighbor is truly blessed to have friends like you and CF. I'm sure the nephew is so relieved to know his aunt has friends like the two of you.
Rebekah
@Rose, haha! I get that reference! ♥️
@Rose, sometimes it is scary; too many trucks and then snow. One time we were in Niagara Falls in November, and they were saying that in Buffalo the Thruway and Airport were closed. We thought that it was strange because it wasn't snowing in our area. But when we got to the Thruway in Buffalo, oh my goodness! So much snow for us Native Down-staters! Then what to our wondering eyes appear, but 3 HUGE snowplows covering all the lanes for snow removal. We hooked in behind them (very dangerous!) and made it to Rochester where, again, there was no snow. We were learning very quickly what "Lake Effect Snow" was. And praise those snow plow drivers in Upstate NY every time!!!
Now when we visit our daughter, the entrance ramps have gates to close when the Thruway closes so no one gets on and gets stranded. Yes, we travel that part of the Thruway; South of Buffalo.
Gratitudes:
1.Thankful I have tested negative for covid after a rough case I picked up while we traveled. Feeling stronger every day!
2. Thankful for air conditioning— I live in PHOENIX ARIZONA and we cannot go outside right now!!!!!!!!
3.Grateful for the PREMIER TICKETS I received as a birthday present to go see OPPENHEIMER in the IMAX theater tonight!!!! (ICY COLD MOVIE THEATER YAY!!)
4. Grateful for neighbor who introduced me to a new yoga studio that is only 2 miles from my house! The studio I like to drop into once in a while is too far away to drive to so I haven’t gone in a while.
5. Grateful for some positive changes in the health of a family member who has been ill for a long time.
Woohoo for a negative Covid test!
@Madeline, Nice to meet you. I live in Scottsdale and just got over a case of Covid as well. It was my first time getting it. My doctor said Covid and flu are going around right now.
@Beth B., my theory about covid and flu in your area right now is that everyone is indoors together, so whatever is contagious is getting passed around.
@Central Calif. Artist, That's probably a correct theory! It's way too hot to be outside right now.
Hey, it's possible to like words and numbers!
BFF's cat Hortense does that with kitchen cabinets, so much that BFF designated several as hers. (I was supposed to take her cat and dog when she died, but her brother decided he wanted them and he frequently texts me pictures of them.)
I am thankful for the plumbers FINALLY fixing the hot water heater today. Well, they haven't shown up yet but I think I scared them last time. Two weeks of cold showers is enough.
I am glad I took tomorrow off work so I can hang at the movies with my son. Yesss!
I am also happy that my atrocious anxiety which was ruining my life seems to have eased up, finally. I don't know why but I'll take it, thanks.
I'm just happy in general, mostly, these past few weeks. Dunno why, again, but fine.
@Rose, I don't know how you went two weeks with cold showers. After a hot walk last night, I thought: I just need a cold shower! But the cold was so shocking I had to add warm in there. I just didn't know it would be that cold after I was sweating so profusely! (this also shows you that I don't usually walk in the heat, ahem. Not super healthy here)
I take cool showers in the summer, but that's definitely different than a solidly cold shower!
@Sarah C., Not a heck of a lot of choice. My daughter boiled water on the stove and used that and some cups, but I'm too lazy. I kept telling myself IT'S SO REFRESHING! (It's not.) My son went to our guest house outdoor shower and used that, but given it's rented via Airbnb, I wasn't quite comfortable getting naked with strangers wandering around. (Yes, the shower is fully enclosed with wood. But still.)
@Rose, Do you think the cold showers and the good mood are linked? 🙂 It's been really evident in your comments that you've been doing well. Yay!
@Rose,
Well, I am so happy to hear that YOU are happy. ☺☺
I feel envious that you like both!
And yay for some hot water. Thank heavens this didn't go out in winter or you'd have REALLY been suffering.
And extra yay for happiness. Woohoo!
@Rose,
Hooray for hot water. It seems to me that dishes don't come clean in cold water.
@Rebekah in SoCal,
Hooray for hot water -- I love your comment.
When I lived in an apartment complex, their boiler would often go on the blink. Usually it occurred when there was freezing weather.
I ended up buying a small microwave (from Goodwill) for the upstairs bathroom. I sat it on the vanity counter and would heat bowls of hot water for sponge baths. It was either that or take cold showers. Or stink. Because it'd be many days before the boiler would be fixed. And often the morons who fixed it would forget to turn it on again, and we'd still be without hot water.
I griped to my cousin , "I feel like I'm living in a Third World country!"
He replied, "If you were, you wouldn't be in a heated townhouse, you wouldn't have electricity or running water and you certainly wouldn't have a microwave."
That brought me back down to Earth.
@Jody S., a cold shower may help reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling
Congrats to Zoe and to you! I’m one of those people that loves math. Algebra is my favorite as it feels like doing a puzzle to me.
I’m thankful for the means and vacation time to help my daughter get moved and settled into her first post-college apartment.
I’m also thankful that my other daughter asked me to go to a concert with her a few hours away. We’re making a little trip out of it.
I’m thankful for lovely coworkers and employees and that I am over half way done with mid-year reviews for my team as it’s not my favorite part of my job!
I’m thankful ikea exists as it us so much easier to set up cute rooms on a budget!
Have a great day!
Congratulations on your retirement from teaching! Time to be a student again. 🙂
My life has been taken over by the aftermath of our wretched storm on Saturday, so this will again be a Storm Edition.
Thankfuls:
--For the solid stone gym down the street we have keys to, where we shelter during tornado warnings. It is much safer than our mobile home with additions.
--Of course, that no people or animals were injured during the storm.
--That our house didn't sustain any damage that makes it impossible to live in.
--For the many neighbors who called in the aftermath to check on us and offer assistance.
--That I am physically able to do all the labor involved in cleaning up, particularly since my husband left for New York the day before all this happened, so I'm the only adult in the house. Sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping, over and over. Pulling up carpet. Raking giant piles of leaves and branches for burning. Pulling off the large section of tin roof that peeled off our horse shed. Boarding up windows. Fixing fences. It's a lot, and although I am sore and tired, I can do it.
--For the help of my eldest son, who is extremely competent for a 13-year-old. He was the one who cut the plywood for the windows and nailed it up. He was the one who climbed up on the horse shed and screwed in the tin pieces to cover the frame. He was the one who helped me catch the horses the night of the storm, and fix their fence so they would stay in their corral. He's not quite as experienced--or as big and strong--as his father, but he is very handy to have around. He also shot yet another bull snake that was in the chicken coop. 🙂
--For the glass company that was out in our county measuring windows for replacement the Monday after the storm, and the insurance adjuster who happened to be driving (sort of) past us on Tuesday and went out of his way to come here and make the inspection for our claim.
@kristin @ going country, I'm glad you have somewhere safe to go during storms. It sounded like a scary one!
@kristin @ going country, greetings from my emergency to yours. I'm so glad that your damage wasn't worse, that neighbors and others are rallying round, and that your oldest son is such a help.
@kristin @ going country, Those older sons are so very, very helpful. Mine are protective (over-protective?) of me, and I love it. I was wondering if your husband was out-of-town since he wasn't mentioned in your posts. Bad timing, but it sounds like it's working out.
Congrats to Zoe! She was just a little one when I started reading the blog! Time flies.
And yay to no more math! I am with you Kristen, words over numbers any day.
I have had great customer service with Chewy. That's so cute they sent a new kitty gift.
This week I am thankful for :
My vet office who called and asked if I would like to take some prescription food that someone donated (saving me about $90). And I am thankful for the person thoughtful enough to donate the food after their kitty passed.
I am thankful for my friends and family that made my birthday special. And even though I turned pretty red-faced, I am grateful for the waitress in the small restaurant where we celebrated who told everyone in the entire restaurant my name and so the entire restaurant sang me happy birthday. I will always remember that. And I am thankful for the good sports who took a moment out of their evening to celebrate with me.
We tied our record high of 108 this week so I am very thankful for air conditioning.
I am thankful for a happy dream I had after weeks of dark, upsetting dreams.
I am thankful for summer fruits - especially nectarines, strawberries and cherries. Some of my favorite foods!
Thankful for the food on my table and for me eating leftovers and mish-mosh! I like your posts, Kristen, on using up food, so I really have been trying to be more conscience about food waste. I like that I am trying to use up what I have around the house too!
Thankful for farm fresh food this time of the year. Peaches are in season and are so tasty. Plus my husband discovered 2 huge zucchini in the garden, so I am in the process of making bread for his work and then a chocolate cake for my scrapbooking ladies on Saturday. I hope they come out OK as they are new recipes.
Thankful that I finished 1 scrapbook and I'm on to the next scrapbook. The finished one was started 2 years ago from a trip that was 7 years ago, and with moving and finding a new group to scrapbook with, I really wanted it done. Here's hoping that the new scrapbook is done by St. Patrick's Day because that is the theme, all the past St. Patrick's Day parties that we have held until now; and there have been a lot!
Thankful that I am getting out and going bike riding. Last week I did 61 miles (different days). I need to get ready for my vacation that is 3 weeks from today. I am so looking forward to it! Lots of biking to be done and I love that. I also need time away from work for an extended period. Mental health, ha!
Thankful that I talked myself out of buying a new car. I still have 2 years left of payments and my current car is a Subaru with only 77,500 miles. It is 6 years old, but still in great shape. Hopefully by the end of this year, I'll be able to pay it off in cash and just enjoy the ride!
@Maureen, your car is a virtual baby! My '96 Accord has 247,000 miles. Yikes. A 6-year-old car sounds about perfect to me. Good for you on saving up to pay cash for your next car—Debt free is the best way to live.
@Maureen,
Congratulations on finishing the scrapbook.
@Maureen, My Chevy Cobalt was 15 years old and going strong. So nice not to have any payments. Rarely had a car repair.
And then I totaled it. Arrggghh!
My advice: drive a car until its wheels fall off....or when you start getting too many unexpected repair bills. Much, much better than having to make car payments. Although I really like my 2-year-old (new-to-me) used Kia, I wish I still had the (unwrecked) Cobalt. I would much rather have driven it for another several years. Sadly, the cost of repair would have far exceeded the car's worth, and the frame was bent, so bye-bye Chevy Cobalt.
* Thankful that we get to see our youngest daughter this weekend. She lives about 4 hours away. It's been about 4 months since we saw her last - can't wait!
* as always, thankful that my husband is very handy and able to tackle projects that would cost a lot in labor.
* thankful that our oldest (living with us since the cost of living is so very high) has rented a storage unit so we can have more space until she is able to afford her own place.
* thankful that our area is not experiencing the super hot conditions that many others are enduring. Praying for all who are suffering in extreme heat to get relief.
* thankful for my job. I work with two incredible people who are kind and encouraging. My favorite job ever.
*thankful for this blog and the community here. 🙂
Continue to be thankful I got the A/C in my new-to-me car fixed back in June. Pricey repair (compressor) but can't imagine not having it working now. And can't imagine being homeless (I guess "unhoused" is the term now) in these conditions. And thankful that here in New Mexico it is what we always say: "But it's a dry heat!" (meaning low to no humidity). But that also means it's dry dry dry for the trees, which I will do my best not to lose in these 100+ temps. I've given up on the vegetables.
My cat also climbs in cabinets and sometimes into spaces that he then can't get out of (like between cabinets in that free space in corners where they come together and underneath is open!). I've had to fill spaces with expanding foam for that. But I have found a large rubber band (the kind that comes around asparagus works great) around the door pulls on the cabinets keeps him from getting in the doors.
I swear when my cat was a kitten it was like he woke up daily looking for new ways to hurt himself!
I really love that spider web design, incredibly avante garde. I'm picturing a spider wearing a beatnik-like black beret with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth as he works on his art.
Uh, anybody else here old enough to know what a beatnik is?
@Anne, I know what a beatnik is.
@Anne, hahahaha, SNAP DON'T CLAP
@Rose, Yes, Dobie Gillis and Maynard. Whenever I hear the word "exercise," I think of Maynard and "Work?"
@Anne, Yes!
Hubby was born & raised in Greenwich Village,NY.
He filled me in,lol
@Anne, yes, I too remember beatniks, if only from the pages of Life magazine and the Dobie Gillis TV series. And I'm one up on Rose for actually being old enough to remember Woodstock--although I was nowhere near it, being 14 years old and confined to TN at the time.
@Anne, Oh, yes.
Maynard G. Kreps on "Dobie Gillis."
Played by Bob Denver, who went on to portray the title character on "Gilligan's Island."
I homeschooled my oldest son for the past two years. I learned so much math from this experience! I realized that I’m not bad at math, I just never had a good math teacher/curriculum. Math was definitely always my most hated subject and a lot of this came from not understanding it, in my case. From your experience, I see that it’s possible to understand it really well and still not enjoy it.
My son will return to not homeschool this year and I’m going to miss the math. Hopefully I can keep up with him as he continues to move through school.
Yep, for sure. I understand it, I can do it backwards and forwards, and still there is no joy. lol
What a milestone to be done with homeschooling and algebra!
This week has been hard to give thanks. Lots of frustrating or Big things are this week, and they have preoccupied my mind.
Thankfuls:
1. My son is using so many words. I once thought that he’d never talk to us. I’m pretty sure he will one day in the not too distant future because he has started using words regularly.
2. Son’s wheelchair broke, and in under 48 hours had a temp fix and in less than a week a more permanent fix. In our previous state it would take 3-6 weeks to get the chair looked at let alone repaired.
3. The repair on the wheelchair involved a part upgrade which will make Son more comfortable and better positioned.
4. The many rain showers we’ve had this week. My kids have really enjoyed how gentle rain is here. Hail is not the norm. Neither are violent thunderstorms.
5. Coffee. I’m living on caffeine. And that’s okay because it won’t be this way forever.
6. Today only has 24 hours in it. I like how steady that is. Today only lasts until it’s 25 hours are up and tomorrow brings the hope of a brighter spot or a fresh start.
@Kaitlin,
Does your son have an assistive communication device? My daughter has one and it helps her communicate better at school and it seems to help her verbalize more. If you don't gave one, maybe the school district will pay for it?
@Kaitlin, I so much admire your ability to flex your thankful muscles in such a tough time. Thank you for the good example. And I'm glad for your #1. A boy at church has been using more and more words, and it's so fun when he talks to me. (He's still waiting for his new wheelchair after many weeks of being measured for a new one-----he hit his adolescent growth spurt, and, oh, my--- a new one is needed badly.)
@mbmom11, he has a device and he knows how to use it but he’s told us he’d rather talk with his mouth than with the device so we’ve started engaging more with verbalizing thoughts. It’s be easier for me if he used the board more often because but he’s pretty upfront about not being willing to, especially with me
Sending you love, friend. I can relate to how you are feeling.
Congrats to Zoe for making it to the finish line with high school! And kudos to you, Kristen, for all your accomplishments as a mom and teacher to your kids! Well done!
I wonder if the zigzag web you spotted was created by an orb weaver spider? We had a similar-looking web in the yard of our previous home. The spider was still working on the web. I don’t care for spiders but this one was beautiful… black and yellow and quite large.
Today I’m thankful I can spend time with one of my sisters. We’ll be doing lunch together.
I’m thankful my husband got a great report from his dermatologist checkup.
I’m thankful for beautiful hydrangea bushes in our garden… they seem to have found a second life in this heat that had been wilting them. Now they have gorgeous blossoms.
I’m thankful that God is in control of all things. A few things in our home seem chaotic right now no matter how much we’re doing to try to bring order. As well, we have a few friends who are experiencing severe health issues. We know that God is in control of their lives and is carrying them through it all.
I’m so thankful for music!!
I, too, am thankful for a new church. After being forty years in a church that had a terrible split early this year and the grieving of separating friends, those of us who left are in new groups and thriving. And yet we stay connected because of the love for each other and continue to provide physical help for one another (taking out and putting in the window ac, hauling off sticks, etc.) as well as praying for one another.
A couple from the first of the forty years visited us this week and told us about their life, since being married in our community, and moving to the Atlanta area those many years ago. I had the privilege of making their wedding cake and handling their reception. I can hardly remember doing it, but I do remember it was one of the prettier cakes of that summer of THREE wedding cakes while working full time. It was a blessed visit. They gave each of our families (I am a family of one!) a whole tray of Ferraro Roche Chocolates (I'm rationing them!) and they also gifted me with a beautiful silk scarf.
I am thankful for pet mail order, too. I order Molly's milk bones and chew sticks and am glad to carry them just from the front porch to their storage spot rather than the store and in and out of the car.
I am thankful for trash pickup. I have a compost pile for veggie scraps and yard/garden refuse (that will easily break down). But being able to get rid of trash and recyclables is good. I currently have a plethora of boxes from recent mail order purchases to the point it looks like I'm moving. Glad I can break them down and have them carried off.
Thankful for fresh fruits and veggies. My Dr. says our area suffers from seasonal GERD when tomatoes are abundant. But is there anything else that tastes so much like summer?
A Marie, I do hope your friend recovers, even for a little while. Sometimes an infection is the culprit, but I know you know this. A little time might help in the getting of things in order at least.
Kristen, Completing your life as a math teacher (and homeschooling) is a good reason to don that LBD and go out to eat!
@Chrissy, yes, yes,yes to fresh tomatoes morning,noon and night. Nothing like a summer fresh tomato!!
This week, I am thankful for:
Air conditioning! It has been hot and humid here. Hot, I can take, humid, not so muc!
My husband, who picks up the pieces when I am called to deal with other issues.
My Subaru Forester, a reliable, comfortable car that gets me where I need to be in comfort!
An upcoming weekend with two of our grandchildren while their mom and dad enjoy a weekend with friends.
That my aunt and uncle, in their 90’s, both with cognitive issues, are are being housed together in a room at the local hospital while seeking placement in a care facility. It is a sad situation, but their safety is in jeopardy and this needs to happen before winter. Thankfully they have the financial means to make this a bit easier. But they don’t want this, and that is a roadblock that I hope I don’t have to deal with.
Congratulations to Zoe on her graduation! Well done, Zoe, and well done, Kristen! Now on to nursing school, I know you are going to ace it! I loved my nursing career, it served me well for 43 years! Caring for others was my jam! And still is, just in a different way!
I really appreciate these prompts each week to look for the the good in life, Kristen . <3
1) That I live close enough to the coast to escape the bulk of the heat wave currently hitting S. California. Right now the canyon in our backyard is covered in fog, and the outdoor thermometer reads 68. It will likely go up to 80 degrees or so later in the day, but filling the house up with cool air in the AM definitely puts us ahead of needing to run the $$$ A/C.
2) For the ceiling fans we had installed throughout the house two summers ago. Having moving air come down from above has been a game changer in so many ways. The biggest is it allows me to through open my windows and patio sliders much earlier in the day than in summers past. I so prefer fresh air over A/C!
3) For the ability to walk at the beach even on the hottest day. Even if its hot just a short walk away from the water, it's never hot along the sand. There is lways a cooling breeze, for which I am so, so thankful. We may have to avoid our local hills in the summer due to heat, but I can still walk for miles each day, even if those miles are flat.
4) Speaking of which, its now wildfire season here in California, and one started at the base of our hill two days ago, but due to lack of wind, THANKFULLY, it was quickly put out by our local firefighters. It was quite the afternoon watching helicopters fly overhead with large water drop loads.
5) And finally, so thankful that no one was hurt during our fire event, even as I ironically want to wring the necks of the boys alleged to be shooting off illegal fireworks in dry brush just prior to the fire breaking out.
@Tamara R, I put ceiling fans in each of the four main rooms in our house over the years. They are wonderful; I'm glad you're enjoying yours!
@Tamara R,
Hi Tamara! So I take it you are back from Spain safe and sound and happy?!?
Did you have to deal with exzessive heat there?
@Lea, Hi Lea! Yes , we are back and we missed the heat, yeah! We walked 220 miles, it was hard, but so, so amazing!
And I came home 10 lbs lighter, and so far have kept it off. Another thing to be thankful for, lol!
@Tamara R,
Wow! And congratulations to that long, long hike and the weightloss if that was a wish of yours. This must have been an amazing experience.
Wow! All high school graduates! It still boggles my mind that you're not much older than I and I am dealing with little kid troubles.
Speaking of little kid troubles, I'm thankful that I have perspective to give my daughter in issues that come up with her friend group. In short, my daughter was a bit rude to the daughter of one of my wife's friends after this other girl was being a tattle tale reporting in on everything that the other girls were doing. A blow up ensued and said wife's daughter said she will "never forgive" my daughter for what she did, which made my daughter upset because she's learning that "friends forever" is not always true (believe me, I know this all too well!)
So yeah, I obviously don't like dealing with these situations but it's part of growing up and dealing with others, treating them with Grace and understanding how people can be and that doesn't give us liberty to be rude. I'm also thankful that she is growing up and learning more about these things.
In brighter news, my daughter is going away with her grandparents for the weekend and my wife and I are getting a nice little getaway together. I am really looking forward to it to say the least! I'm looking forward to more adult times with my wife. (I just realized that can sound wrong so make up your own version of what I meant 😛 )
I'm also thankful that dinners have been pretty easy at home lately. With the heat being what it is I don't want to grill outside or run the stove inside so it's been a lot of cold dinners (sandwiches) or easy stuff made in the air fryer. Also the induction burner keeps the kitchen that much cooler.
The heat has been annoying but at least it's not more torrential downpours.
Haha, yes, we did our single times of life in the opposite order from each other!
Thankful for a lot this week:
My big sister visited last week and was awesome - took kids for long bike rides, to the movies, and other adventures. She also helped with puzzles and reading and board games. She's the best!
We took a short trip out of town after she left to visit my daughter who settled a few states away. Lovely visit, though her cats were not thrilled with the invasion.
Google maps made it possible to take an alternative route for home on small state highways instead of hitting weekend traffic in big city. As I was ready to climb out of the car and walk the last time we got stuck there, it's much better for my stress levels and marriage not to get caught in that kind of traffic again.
Guard rails- we hit gravel and waited on an off/on ramp. Guard rail guided the car back onto the roads and not careening into woods. No one was hurt and just a crease in the fender. Bravo modern roads!
@mbmom11,
That's supposed to be skidded. Autocorrect- what were you thinking?
@mbmom11, I could publish an entire book of bloopers just from autocorrect "correcting" my text messages.
I am thankful for central AC as it’s needed during these excessive heat days (105-106) with high humidity and wind making it feel worse. Has been running 11 hours many days. Thankful for thermal, light blocking window treatments for front west-facing windows that I should have had long before this summer.
I am thankful I’m still getting tomatoes without heat cracks-hopefully that means the 55% UV blocking cover is working.
Just had another Cat Scan to check if problematic kidney stone has passed. The report is on hospital patient portal but I’m afraid to look-I am thankful there are medical procedures to take care of it if it has not passed!!!
“I’m thankful for living, I’m thankful each day.” (The last sentence of a children’s thankful book that I still enjoy reading every now and then and I read on Thanksgiving day after a thankful Psalm chapter is read by a family member.)
What will Zoe do next??
I am thankful that my car's radiator disintegrated in a shady place on the closed road to our cabin where everyone that passes by is a friend, that I eventually made it home without cracking the engine block, for AAA towing, and that I have a fabulous mechanic.
(It might be time to let go of my '96 Accord with 247,000 miles on it. . . sob.)
Zoe's gonna keep working on her two-year degree from the community college, and then figure out what next!
BIG virtual high-five on the being finished with homeschooling! I'm entering into senior year #2, and I am starting to get a little stressed about "getting it all in." But, it will all work out, I know. Yesterday I was talking with a friend about what I will do after (because I would like to have some retirement....still not vested in social security or anything). But that is likely 12 years in the future, so I really have no way of knowing yet.
This week:
*Thankful a friend's father is till alive after a heart attack (or maybe not a heart attack) while hiking in the Grand Canyon.
*Thankful for coffee.
*Very thankful I lost that last half pound which hit a BIG goal 🙂
*Thankful my daughter likes to take walks through our weedy garden with me. I love how she enjoys flowers.
*Thankful that my son seems to be doing well with driver's ed. class so far.
*Thankful he's getting lots of driving hours in while he's going back and forth to class.
*Thankful I was able to reschedule jury duty until fall (garden, taking son back to school). It would be most helpful for me if I could receive notification about jury duty more than 3 weeks ahead of time.
*On the Saxon Math topic-- thankful 3 of my children are zipping through their books because they are "behind." They will soon be "caught up" if they keep up the pace.
*Thankful son is getting so many hours of overtime. It's tough on him right now, but he needs the money for school.
*Thankful I can handle heat better than I used to be able to handle heat. I guess this is a plus of getting older?
*Thankful my girls who wrecked scooters this week only have skinned knees.
*Thankful for no cavities at the dentist yesterday for one daughter.
I guess that's enough for now. May you all have a ray of sunshine today 🙂
Hi!
Today, I'm thankful for YouTube exercise videos that have helped me reach my daily cardio goals!
We recently put our dog down and still had some of his prescription food left, purchased from Chewy. We contacted them and they refunded our money, told us to donate the food (we did), AND they sent us some fresh sunflowers!
@Emily Nielsen, that is remarkable service!! I'm sorry for your loss.
One of our cats has a gross abscess, and it has been horrible to try to get him in a carrier (3 failed attempts), along with worry, combined with the awful sense that I betrayed his trust by trying to shove him in a box. But through it, I accept that it is better to have pets and go through the pain than to not have pets. ("Better to have loved and lost. . .")
@Emily Nielsen, Sorry for your loss.
My coworker had a Corgi dog that suffered from some kind of kidney ailment. She ordered some kind of special prescription dog food from Chewy. She'd just placed an order, and then her dog died within the next couple of days. She called Chewy and they said the order had already shipped, they couldn't stop it, but they would not charge her for it. She got a refund, and she got the free food and then wanted to help someone else. So she posted on FB that if anyone needed X kind of dogfood, she'd give it to them. Another Corgi owner, whose pet had the same ailment, responded. And, in talking to the other owner, my coworker made a new friend. She couldn't stop talking about how fantastic Chewy was!
I am thankful that the community pool is open for lap swim and has two time slots which are convenient for me. I am always surprised at how great my body feels the day after swimming.
I am thankful for that morning cup of pour over coffee. It really is the highlight of my day.
I am thankful to work from a home office. (During pregnancy there have been many days in which I cannot eat my planned lunch and having a full kitchen to quickly create something different has been a huge blessing.)
I am thankful for modern medicine and some medications that have really improved my reflux problems.
I am thankful that our AC can handle the summer heat.
I'm thankful for great weather so we can go outside, camp for my oldest kid who is super active, swim lessons for the littles, my parents who helped me out yesterday, my mother-in-law who always helps, that construction season is halfway over (because all the major roads are under construction and the city doesn't always set up detours... getting to swim lessons was exciting today because roads were unexpectedly closed and we drove through a college parking lot), for the local library. I'm thankful that the library's story person took time to talk with my 4 year old about patching her eye when she was little.
@Nikki, My son has to patch, too. He hates it, but it's working.
@Jody S., my son had eye surgery that did not quite work and wore a patch from age 2 to 8. We gave him stickers and let him decorate his patch, and his favorite teddy bear also wore a patch. It was tough, but he came out of it with perfect vision. And also a wicked sense of humor: an old lady asked him once, "Honey, how did you lose your eye?" and he looked around in mock panic and said, "Oh, my Gawd! I lost it? I'VE LOST MY EYE! Help me look for it!" She scurried off and I thought I'd bust a gut trying not to laugh until she was out of earshot.
@Ruby, ROTFL!
Congratulations to you and Zoe! And thanks to your mom for taking the photo!
I'm thankful today for:
1. Seeing the tiny baby frogs that were sitting on the cucumber leaves this morning. They are baby rain frogs, and so new, they are almost translucent. Full grown rain frogs are maybe 2" long when seated, so these babies are maybe half an inch long, seated. It looked like a scene from a fairy garden.
2. When I realized one of my dogs had fleas for the first time in 2-3 years, I just called my local vet and then my granddaughter. The vet set aside the medicine and my granddaughter drove by and picked it up. They made it so easy for me, since I work out of town.
3. Like most of us here - Air conditioning! The weather report says we might reach the record high today, with lots of humidity. The current real-feel is 116 deg. F and we are in a heat advisory.
4. Fans. My ceiling fans are a necessity and a portable fan is running in the laundry room where the dogs go to be in air conditioning during the day while I'm gone. I can keep the thermostat set a little higher thanks to the fans. The dogs like fans, too!
5. That my new dose of the refrigeration-required injection that is delivered to my home every 2 months came with a LOT of cool packs in a Styrofoam container this week, because it set on my porch for 5.5 hours during the hottest part of the day. The little temp indicator attached to the drug package was squarely in the safe zone when I unpacked the medicine.
@Jody S., I get that! Current wheelchair was sized for Don when he was 3. It fit beautifully then. He’s 8 now and the new chair that’s coming is a full size chair rather than toddler sized. We cannot wait!
Yay for being done with school!!!
-I am thankful that everyday is a new day.
-I am happy that I live in an area that has several libraries. Books, craft classes, magazine and puzzle exchanges, and many other things. I was once called a "Heavy Library User" by the Library Director of a large North Carolina county and it was one of the highest compliments I have ever received.
-I love the location of where I live. I am a couple of miles out of our small town, so in a pinch I can walk or ride my bike in to town. I can leave my house and go for a walk or a bike ride without having to get into my car to do those things. Yet, I am only 1/2 hour away from two good sized cities with Aldis and Sams Clubs.
-I am so thankful for my road bicycle. A few years ago (well, maybe close to 10), my boyfriend and my parents contributed to my bicycle buying fund. Combined with a sale on last year's model, I was able to get a fancy schmancy bike that was fitted to me. I love to ride this bike and have no desire to get a new one.
-I have been loving our weather, with cool enough nights to not need air conditioning to sleep. The days have also not been super hot, thank goodness. I've been able to run outside at lunch and do yard work after work. I've heard we're heading for a heat wave, so I'm appreciating the weather while we have it.
-Finally, I am so thankful that I can voluntarily have a low-spend July. I don't have to do it, but just wanted to flex the frugal muscles and bring all bills down to 0 before the end of the month. I normally will use the interest free credit card "float," but decided to stop doing that to get a better handle on the finances.
1. That the laws in our state just changed for homeschoolers--we no longer have to send in assessments in order to get permission to homeschool each year! This is so exciting, after 18 years of getting assessments and sending those and lists of curricula in to the board of education, now all that is needed is a simple notification letter! Woot! I still have two homeschoolers now, but this makes things much easier!
2. A/C, for sure. Humid here and I'm hoping the AC in my car works for my evening commute to my volunteer job. It's hot out there!
3. Fat free cottage cheese that doesn't taste horrible. I've been having digestive problems that I think are due to gallbladder issues, so have been trying to cut down on fat intake. Which is a shame, because so many things taste great with butter.
Chiquita is so cute! And congrats to Zoe!!
This week I'm also thankful for air conditioning. Phew. I'm also thankful to have been born in the age where air conditioning was commonplace.
I'm thankful that we got to spend time with my husband's sisters and their families last week. I'm also thankful to be back home and in my own bed. 🙂
I'm thankful that the end to our old lease is coming up soon. We've had some major hiccups with that rental and the property management, and now the end is in sight. Yahoo!
I am thankful for
1. great shower pressure, my husband fixed our shower and the water blasts out now which is a daily treat.
2. a mini- break away last weekend with friends with beach walks, restaurant meals and good company
3. my friend’s generosity in sharing her Bach ( holiday home) which is only a 45 minute ferry ride from our city.
4. Instagram for keeping me posted on DD1’s European trip and what’s App for free calls to my DD2 working in Australia, very reassuring for a mum
5. A four day working week - I am grateful that I can afford to choose my hours and for a supportive hubby
Chiquita in the cabinet reminded me of something that happened to my son. A few years ago he had moved into a new apartment. His very large cat disappeared. Just gone and nowhere to be found. He texted me perplexed and concerned. He woke up during the night to find the cat in bed with him. He snapped a picture to make sure he wasn't dreaming in case he was gone in the morning. Come to find out the cat could somehow climb in a cabinet and go behind the dishwasher and disappear. He did that until the novelty wore off. I called it the Narnia portal.
I am also ending my homeschool career. I have been homeschooling since fall 03. I still have two kids under 18 but they will be attending public school in my neighborhood.
This is an exciting time for you!
And for you too, it sounds like!
Hello, when our dog passed I had to call chewy to have something stopped delivery. The guy I talked to was so nice and very comforting about our dog. A few days later I got a package from chewy and I’m like I cancelled. Opened it up and it was a dozen roses in memory of our dog that passed and a sympathy card.
Go Chewy!!
Oh wow, that is amazing that they did that!
My daughter is finishing Saxon Math Algebra 1. I saw a même that really resonated with me, it said, " I love you so much I'm relearning Algebra for you!"
So accurate!!
Thanks for the air compressor idea! I normally dismantle our fans each summer, but have been procrastinating this task. We own an air compressor, so I'm going to up. My. Game!
Thankful for:
Fast air conditioner repair in NWA place.
Spending time in NEMO home before school starts- love my longtime friends here.
Being able to find bras for $10 since none of my pre-foob bras fit anymore.
Getting to play 2 games of pickle ball after not being able to since March.
For good medical people everywhere. Really appreciate when a spine doctor tells you that surgery will probably make hubs back worse instead of better.
I need to clean our bedroom white noise fan. My darling girl kitty sheds like crazy and there are streamers of silver cat hair blowing out the front when we turn it on.
I am thankful today for blessed cooling rain, even if it was rather on the torrential side for a couple of hours; for a homegrown tomato sandwich; for my sweet son helping carry heavy things for me -- my grip is poor due to arthritis; for an excellent visit with the rheumatologist; and for taking the long way while running errands so as to enjoy listening to an entire new-to-me music CD in the car.
1. After a round of Covid ran through our house, we're all finally feeling better.
2. That even though we didn't wind up needing anything, friends from church kept reaching out to check on us throughout our confinement.
3. We got better in time to drive our son to a planned meeting with his best friend for a few hours. They met online 10 years ago and even though they only get to be together for a few hours a year because we live so far apart, they're still great friends.
4. My husband was working through a messy pile of paperwork and discovered a check for $189 he'd forgotten about four days before it would have expired. Yikes!
5. That I'm slowly but surely selling things from our house on eBay. I put all earnings into a separate account, and just realized that we'll be able to cover a good chunk of this fall's tuition bill for my son out of what we've earned over the past year and a half just from selling stuff from our house.
I'm thankful that.....I got my first hearing aids today!!! I can even hear my own whispers now! Spent most of the hour drive home trying to adjust the car radio--my treble was all the way up, and the bass was slightly increased, but the VOLUME--oh, my! Can't wait to see if I can watch TV without the closed captioning!
Doing a (loud) happy dance around the house!
Congrats, Zoe! Enjoy your next adventure!
The spider web looks very similar to the 3 garden spiders that have taken up residence in the tomatoes, rosemary bush and grape arbor. The female spiders are big yellow and black with long legs. They are fantastic bug catchers.
I have long list but it's Friday and I'm late to the game.
The things that have been making me smile and feel good are brief encounters with strangers and meeting new people at church.
I met a man on the elevator. I told him how dapper he looked, like a real Southern gentleman (I'm in Savannah) He had on seersucker pants, a navy jacket and a yellow tie. We talked briefly and I mentioned I have been here 30 years.
As he walked a way with a bounce in his step, he turned around and said "well, I've been here 88!"
Then I was sitting on a bench at the same location. A lovely woman asked if I was from here. Similar conversation. She told me she was from Texas. My chatty self had to tell her about my kids in Texas and so on. She told me she was born and raised in Tyler. I said "Wow, the rose capital of Texas". She was delighted that I knew.
I had another brief encounter a couple of weeks ago. A man was sitting in the square (park) in front of my church. We said hello. He had the brightest smile. I had to turn around and ask if I could take a photo. It turns out that we were neighbors a couple of years ago.
These connections make me happy for hours, even longer when they come to mind.
(Grammar police, please go easy on me!)
Yay Zoe! Congratulations! Great job on homeschooling, Kristen!
We have been having a lot of humid days as well...ick...ick...ick! Very thankful for AC, even though I get a little chilled from it sometimes.
Chiquita is the cutest thing!
I had a spider web just like that at my house with a beautiful “common garden spider”. Even though the name called them common, they were beautiful. If you’re freaked out by spiders you won’t think so but I’m not so……
Outdoor spiders are no problem by me. I don't like it when they come inside and crawl in my bed, but outdoors is totally fine. lol
Chewey really does go above and beyond with customer service. A few years ago, I was doing a sponsored blog post for them, and my daddy passed away. I emailed them to inform them that the post would be a few days late. They sent me a sympathy card in the mail, and it was so touching.
Congratulations to Zoe! Graduating high school is such a special time, although I'm sure it's a little bittersweet for you.
1) My husband who seems to be endlessly able to deal with my messed up body.
2) Our new cat for brightening my day with her antics.
3) An older cat we have who has decided to brave the walk to the couch and sit with me even when the dog isn't in her crate.
4) That we don't need me to be making an income because I can't do that right now.
5) 50 oz water bottles that help me to make sure I get the water I need every day.