Thankful Thursday | a furnace is on the way
In case you're new here: Thankful Thursdays are a practice we started in 2020, at the height of the Covid pandemic, mainly because we all desperately needed to find the good things in our lives in a time that was so unsettling. And since we all found our list-making so helpful, we've just been carrying on ever since. 🙂
This week, I am thankful:
that we're getting a new furnace, for sure!
My landlords let me know that they are definitely moving forward with getting a new furnace for this house, sometime in the next few weeks.
YAY!!!!
This furnace has had a lot of problems since we've lived here, and I am so grateful my landlords are replacing it.
I'm also grateful that the install will be done before heat is even a faint whisper of a necessity.
that Brittany and I both got to donate blood
We were both so pleased when our hemoglobin results came back high enough!
And it is nice to know that our donation is filling a serious need (an A-blood shortage, which is what we both have).
that I am not claustrophobic
I had to have an MRI on my shoulder (it's been bothering me for a bit), and this was my very first time in an MRI machine.
It is a little bit of an odd feeling to be scooted into a small tube, but it didn't freak me out. I can imagine how it makes some people panicked, though!
that nothing is seriously wrong with my shoulder
It's basically just some tendinitis, soooo....off to PT I will go.
But this experience did make me think of the people who have to have scans and then wait to find out if something scary is happening (like cancer). I know that has to be terribly nerve-wracking.
that I do not have to eat chickpea pasta
I picked up a box of protein pasta from Aldi, made from chickpeas and....I will not be doing that again. Yikes.
It is made from 100% chickpea flour and let's just say, you can tell.
In fact, if I had to choose between:
1)never eating pasta
2) eating this pasta
...then I would just live a pasta-free life. Ha.
Sooo, if I want pasta in the future, I will just cook regular pasta and eat some extra chicken to add the 12 grams of protein (which is what this pasta has per serving). Or I will add an ounce of Parmesan cheese, which has 10 grams of protein.
What I'm saying is: there are much more pleasant ways to get protein, and since I can eat gluten, I will stick with gluten-full pasta, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
that summer is not forever
I struggle with summer weather in the same way that a lot of people struggle with winter weather.
So, I choose to focus on the happy news that summer does not last forever. We are already done with June. July and August will be more of the same, but things will improve some in September.
That means I have gotten through ⅓ of the hottest months.
And I am grateful not to live somewhere far south of here (such as south Florida), where relief does not come in September!
for air conditioning
Will this be on my list all summer? POSSIBLY.
I cannot imagine navigating mid-Atlantic summers without air-conditioning. The weather outside might be terrible, but at least I can hide in my house and get some relief. 🙂
that the gym is cooler than outside
Not gonna lie, sometimes the big track area is only marginally less humid than outdoors, but even at its worst, it is still not as bad as outside.
that by next week at this time, I will have my NCLEX results
I take my NCLEX this coming Tuesday, and most of my classmates have been getting their results within 24 hours. So definitely by next Thursday, I will know how mine came out.
(Have I mentioned how happy I will be to have this behind me??)
that better health insurance is coming
This week, I did the sign-up part for the health insurance that comes with my new nurse job. The coverage is better with this plan and it costs less out of pocket than my current plan does, so yay! Double savings.
I will cancel my other insurance the minute my new plan goes into effect.
for cute kitties
Miss Shelley, Zoe's constant companion:
And my constant companion:
Doesn't she look like she's counting while people hide in a game of hide and seek??
What are you thankful for this week?
P.S. I will be here tomorrow with a post, even though it's a holiday (the 4th of July) here in the U.S. 🙂
I am thankful, every day, for my home health aide of almost 11 years. She's a can-do person who has a great attitude and she is SO SMART. She THINKS and this has endeared her, along with many other things, because I need someone who thinks about what they are doing. She's also clever and at this stage, pretty much reads my mind.
I'd like to say that I feel as if summer is 1/3rd over (because i really do not do well in summer in an overheated apartment with only one AC that requires nothing else on in the kitchen, etc.) but it stays hot and very warm through the end of October here. It never really cools down till after the annual World Series.
I am grateful for a roof over my head even though I'm not sure what the future holds in terms of whether I can afford it as the rent just keeps rolling up. And there is no alternative housing where I live.
I am grateful that I found a new PCP. I still miss the one who came before (She moved to France to be with her husband and to have her first child!) because she was just so special. She made you feel like a person first and not a patient or a diagnosis. She truly knew who you were when she saw you.
I am grateful for a variety of delivery services even if some are overpriced.
I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in an insurance company sponsored free healthy food program. I've been getting all kinds of really good proteins and salad mixings. It has saved me a lot of money each week (It includes a pound of salmon! Which is expensive even when on sale.) and lets me have some items I could not afford to have regularly.
Speaking of: One of our local legislators sponsors Fresh Food for Seniors where you pay $10 in cash and get a bag of fruits and veggies from local farms. Some of the items are not what I'd eat (rutabaga?) but even if only half the bag has what I like (I share the rest with a neighbor and my aide), it's still a bargain.
I am grateful for those individuals in the government, the very few, who stand up for what we as their constituents have told them we want and do not want. It doesn't mean they can save us from the current debacle but at least they respect those of us who voted for them and LISTEN to us.
@Irena, You can mash or French fry rutabaga. Not as yummy as white potatoes but good and lower carb.
@Irena,
Having a PCP who listens and really pays attention to your concerns is worth his/her/their weight in gold. After much stalling on my part, I finally made an appointment with a new-to-me PCP that a friend recommended highly....only to find the word is out that this doctor is REALLY GOOD, and I couldn't get an appointment until January 2026. :-0 Fortunately, I don't have anything urgent at this time. I hope your new PCP is as good as your former one was/is!
I agree with your thoughts about government folks, too.
1. I, too, am thankful for air conditioning. So much so, I'd just about nominate Willis Carrier, the inventor of AC, for sainthood if I could. Or at least for some great big prize! Living in a southern state, air conditioned cars, houses and workplaces are necessities, and our hot season lasts about 8 months.
2. For being able to share, and glean the rewards of sharing. I gave a guy all the wood from a ginormous downed oak tree and he now has enough firewood to heat his house all winter. The pile has been in my yard for two summers now, and I wanted it gone. (I'd advertised it on Craigslist and Next Door, but people wanted it already chopped up and split into fire logs so no one bought it.) This fellow didn't mind loading up sections of the big trunk and cutting it down to size himself. He just happened to be a roofing company salesman. So he gave me a really good deal (2%) for financing half the cost of a METAL roof! Talk about a win-win situation!
2a. That I have enough funds in my account to pay for the first half of the roof.
3. That I found a professional handyman to install the ceiling fan, and the other guy, who made a big mess of things, came by and got his tools and didn't charge me for his visit. Frugal fail: He lost some parts to the Walmart fan, so I can't take it back to the store. I went out and bought a nicer fan from Lowes, so maybe it's all for the best. I will donate the Walmart fan parts, plus the old fan we took out, to Habitat ReStore. They sell ceiling fan components.
4. For fantastic neighbors who put on block parties. And for the party itself! Last weekend, we celebrated Independence Day a week early, and had a great time. I'm still eating the leftovers they gave me!
5. That I'm scheduled to work a 4-hour shift on July 4. It's an afternoon shift -- I will be in the air conditioning, but I will be able to sleep late and I will get off duty in time to see the fireworks if I want. (I'll probably just go watch 'em on TV. In air-conditioned comfort. The temperature is forecast to be 90 degrees.) Some of my customers were tsk-tsking, feeling sorry for those of us who are working. In my case, it's a blessing: living alone, I don't have anyone to celebrate holidays with, and I like getting to see my regular customers and chat with them. And I'm getting paid to do so!
@Fru-gal Lisa,
Not that you have an answer, but how did the not-so-good handyman lose parts of the fan? Did he put them in his pockets, and then walk away with them? Not that it matters, and you ended up with a better fan!
@Fru-gal Lisa, were it not for the folks from the northern part of the US paying to bring electricity to your area, most would not be living there. We'll see if the "we can run our own standalone grid" arrogance will stand the test of time. Or if you'll be paying for the crypto miners shutting down to "save the grid".
@Fru-gal Lisa, the only reason the south has as many people/businesses is because of A/C. And given the extremely fragile grid in your state (no offense but if a state can't keep the grid up - with or without paying crypto bros - I highly doubt they could be their own country), I'd be doing some serious, serious disaster planning (up to and including moving). This thinking does not only apply to Fru-gal Lisa's state.
The cats are both adorable, I love their body language.
Yay that your hemoglobine was fine! You (both) would not have been able to donate otherwise.
This week I am thankful for
- the end of the unpleasantly hot/humid days, and the start of a few pleasantly warm days
-eldest coming back in one piece after his shifts in a facility without airconditioning. And sunhats off to those workers who still worked outside in the hot weather
-made to measure compression socks. What a difference in comfort, I will be wearing more faithfully now
-clean outdoors water. The water quality in our swim pond has remained excellent in spite of the heat and the pond has been used intensively by all ages.
- some of our dedicated swimmers who spend time collecting garbage before our morning swim starts. Their finds include buckets, shoes and water toys and an occasional forgotten rucksack - and sadly also cigaret butts and empty cans. They make the place cleaner and happier for us all
-last, but not least: Freedom. 1 July marks Keti Koti (cutting through the chains - celebration of the end of slavery in Surinam) and 4 July marks US independence day. These days are a reminder that freedom is something to be thankful for and not to be taken for granted. I am part of the Frisian minority in NL, and I like to quote the Frisian Freedom as it was granted by Charlemagne: "that all Frisians would be free, the born and the unborn, as long as the wind blows from the clouds, and the world stands" . I heartily wish this to for everyone. Happy celebrations all!
1. I am very grateful for 49 years of very good health.
( That said these last few weeks of back to back less than great health situationships have ticked me off...)
2. I am grateful to live with amazing medical facilities all within an hour travel to meet all these needs...
3. We have very good health insurance coverage
4. We have the finances to cover the copays.. all these stinking copays...
5. I am grateful that al my dramas have happened over summer and not during the regular school year(I work in early childhood). We run a smaller camp like program in the summer so my responsibilities are less pressing right now and I have an easier time getting someone to fill in for me!
6. I am grateful for the friends I have to whine to about my dramas! lol
(noting life threatening just super annoying!)
Good luck for the test! I highly approve of the cat pictures - Chiquita looks like she'd pounce on you in hide and seek.
1. I am thankful for a thunderstorm last night. It's been very hot and the storm cleared the air (and in general I love thunderstorms).
2. I am thankful to have a beach so nearby. I was jumping off swimming platforms every afternoon this week and it was so refreshing. I'm also thankful for clean water to swim in!
3. I'm thankful that I jumped off the high platform despite being a little scared (although it was smaller than the platform I jumped off last year when I lost my glasses!)
4. I am NOT thankful for being locked out last weekend but I am very thankful to my neighbours who helped out and called a locksmith on my behalf (my phone had died), and I am thankful that it got fixed relatively quickly.
5. My gym is not air conditioned (I guess in northern Europe it's not seen as a necessity) so yesterday was a very hot workout indeed, but I am thankful that I could lift 20kg heavier than previously on the leg press machine. And I'm thankful that I went, despite not initially wanting to.
6. One extra thankful - my summer vacation starts this week and I'm thankful to be going home for a few weeks!
@Sophie in Denmark, Where is "home"?
@JDinNM, The UK 🙂
@Sophie in Denmark, the swimming platforms sound like so much fun! Yay for being brave and going off the high one!
@Caitlie, Thank you! I jumped off it again earlier!
@Sophie in Denmark, Well, I knew the UK!! I was wondering England/Scotland/Wales?
@JDinNM, Oh, sorry! England!
I've been having a big shoulder problem, too, which is basically arthritis in my AC joint. Not fun. But I am so thankful for a kind orthopedist who gave me a shot of steroid, a referral to PT, and some big relief! Also thankful for:
*not feeling as angry/emotional about cooking - this is huge for me, and I am feeding myself very well
*a therapist who is understanding and encouraging
*my little tooty coffeemaker which brews a nice cup of coffee daily
*my job, which adds meaning and structure to my days, not to mention the besties I have there
*my blogs, which help me connect to others and express myself fully (:
I'm with you on that pasta - I can't do the texture. Blech.
I am thankful that my body works well. I completed a 16 mile bike ride with my daughter yesterday. And I am thankful that she and I have a lovely relationship. She is moving to her own apartment in August, so I am thankful for this time spent with her.
I am thankful that we were able to be in a position to adopt a new dog that needed a home. I am thankful that we have the financial means to care for a pet. And I am very thankful that my husband likes dogs as much as I do!
Finally, I am thankful that my job allows me the ability to volunteer and give back to my community. We are in the beginning of the empty-nest phase, with adult children still coming and going. But I do not have to care for them as I once did when they were young. So I am able to help at a local rooftop garden and weed, and plant, and play in the dirt. Last night there were thunderstorms, but I am thankful that this morning the sun is shining, the temperature is cool, and I have the means to help!
@MH, Congratulations on your new furry family member! Thank you for adopting.
I 100% agree that the Aldi protein chickpea pasta is not good. I have celiac, so the traditional wheat pasta is not an option. However, there are lots of very good gluten free pastas out there that I will gladly eat, so I don't have to forgo pasta. I'm grateful for all the amazing GF options out there now days. 15+ years ago, this wasn't true.
I'm grateful that my dog's physical therapy seems to be helping her mobility (she's a senior dog with arthritis, hip dysplasia, etc). We've been walking 10+ minutes at a time now in spite of the heat-a huge change from 3 months ago. She even seems happier which makes me happier!
I'm grateful for a cozy home where everything works and everyone is kind (most of the time ;-)).
I'm grateful that I got to see both my kiddos this week.
And of course I'm grateful for Independence Day.
@Sarah,
I agree that gluten-free items have improved greatly over the years. There are now many options in grocery stores and restaurants. It is a blessings.
@Sarah, I agree with your gratitude for the plethora of gluten free options these days.
@Sarah,
I don't mind the Tinkyada or Aldi gluten free pasta that is a mix of brown rice and quinoa. How about you, what are your favorites? I don't have celiac so I have the luxury to not have to rely on gluten free products, but I like to have some good GF pasta on hand for when daughter visits..she doesn't have celiac but follows a gluten free diet for other reasons. I used to think the corn-based pasta was terrible. Limp and flavorless.
@Sarah, Hi there, can you tell me how a person gets tested for Celiac please? The last 2 times I ate bread, the cramps and peristalsis was out of this world painful, and to boot salivating on top of it all. I know it wasn't food poisoning and so I'm thinking it's the whole wheat sourdough bread, and crackers that I ate. I stopped with the bread and bought a gluten free bread (it's vile!) and have since had no pains or salivating (it's been a week). I did have a pumpernickel bagel and no pains with that. I decided today I will do one more test, I ate 2 slices of the w/w sourdough bread, and will wait to see what tomorrow brings, not entirely looking forward to what may happen. Any info you can provide will be most appreciated!
@Sarah, glad your canine's PT is helping. I can afford all the options for my feline but that only deals with one of the two issues. And the one it does, does not have a high rate of success (a recurrence within 19 days is not good).
This week I am thankful
*that I finally started HRT. My NP is a friend & she reassured me that I’m not too old. I don’t know if it’s the new patch or the break in high temps that has me feeling better- but I feel better!!
*for the decreased humidity these last few days. Count me among those who do not enjoy summer. I am a cold temps kind of woman
*getting ready for a week in London with my son & his wife. He has never been to Europe & his excitement is a joy!
*My daughter made us dinner last night. She doesn’t think she likes to cook, but has never really made the effort. I’m helping her find easy, tasty recipes & I’m going to her house on Wed for encouragement & assistance. And dinner!! It’s really been fun
*for these 2 rescue dogs. They make me laugh & smile a hundred times a day. I feel so lucky that we all found each other
@Diane, I, too, am very grateful for HRT! (Hormone Replacement Therapy, for anyone who is wondering.)
@Diane,
Also very grateful for HRT! I don’t know how I could live without it, honestly!
@Cindi, HRT rules.
1. In-laws living close by
2. Yummy food
3. Water! Our town keeps having water leaks, then water being off. But at this moment it's on.
4. Rain! And lots of it! So good for my garden.
5. Today I should have a day at home, hoping to get to those things I've been trying to work at.
This week, I'm thankful:
For JASNA BFF's generosity in making me her "plus one" for the Morgan Library reception, and for her NYC hospitality in general.
For the alert bicyclist who helped me get my suitcase back from the cab (see this Tuesday's FFT for the exciting details!).
For 20 Mule Team Borax. I had two invasions of ants on Tuesday (large winged ants and smaller non-winged ones), and the borax took care of both invasions in record time.
For sage from my garden, which I'm using as an experimental ant deterrent at the places where the ants seemed to be getting in. This is something I’m trying on the advice of Lady Catherine de Bourgh (as played by the wonderful Judy Parfitt; even Judi Dench in the 2005 film doesn’t come close) in the 1980 BBC Pride and Prejudice: She advises Charlotte Lucas Collins to put fresh sage into her laundry closets to discourage ants there. It’s been over 48 hours now, and no more ants. I’d really rather not call an exterminator, for both financial and environmental reasons.
And for my garden in general, which is approaching peak beauty. We could use more rain than we've been getting lately, but all that rain in May and early June certainly did wonders.
@A. Marie, I am also thankful that you got your suitcase back - thank goodness for that cyclist!
I've heard that mint also discourages ants. My friend tried that last summer with ants and it seemed to do the trick. I hadn't heard that about sage; I always associate it with people using it to 'smudge' their houses to get rid of ghosts (or they used to, I think this is a closed practice). One of my guilty pleasures is listening to ghost story podcasts - I guess it's getting rid of a spooky pest, in that case 😉
@A. Marie, Somebody recently told me that citrus peels also deter ants from coming in.
@A. Marie, cinnamon, too, deters ants!
@A. Marie, Our handyman got rid of our ants in a jiffy by putting mint oil on a napkin. It worked so well that I keep my empty Altaic’s containers and my packs of gum in strategic places in the kitchen (like the silverware drawers). Only the odd ant here and there while everyone is fighting them.
He did agree that cinnamon oil works as well.
Congrats on the successful blood donation!
This week I am thankful:
* for coffee!
* that one of our new neighbors comes highly recommended and is someone my husband knows from his previous job. I am going to miss our current neighbors terribly, so this helps.
* that we found a place to have my son's birthday party that didn't cost a fortune. There's a good chance that our current house will be on the market by then (in just over two weeks) and new house might have a giant hole dug out for the new basement, so we needed another option.
* for our stable community. 2025 is a year of all kinds of changes for us, but at least we are well-established and have a solid community of friends around us.
* that my garden is doing so well. It's at the new house and has been grossly ignored after the initial planting, but (aside from the crazy amount of weeds) things are growing really well!
I used to buy the 100% corn pasta Price Chopper sold in New York, which sounds like it would be terrible, but was actually good. Thankfully, everyone in my house can eat regular pasta now, though.
Thankfuls:
--For the high school girl who is teaching my daughter to crochet. I have nothing to offer in the fiber arts, so I am very happy there is someone else willing to teach my very crafty child. She wouldn't have charged me, but I've been paying her anyway. Her time and skill are worth it to me.
--That our big van broke down AFTER my husband and sons were done with their big masonry job down the hill, instead of before. I was in the village when my husband called me to come pick them up, which is ten minutes closer to where they were, so I just went down the hill and picked them up.
--That my husband can replace the starter on the van himself. It will require a trip to town today, but we actually needed to go in to get a prescription before next Thursday, anyway, so this worked out kind of. Also thankful the van is parked at our friends' ranch out of the way where it can be left safely and worked on in place, and thus does not need to be towed.
--For my friend who has been trading off with me getting our kids to the basketball camp in the next village over this week. I drove them yesterday, and she can do it today. That worked out perfectly, since my husband will be taking my car to town today and I really did not want to have to drive the teeny-tiny stick-shift Ford Ranger. I can drive a stick, but not with any confidence. Which is the biggest reason we bought the Ranger and why we insist our children learn on it. Thwy'll never have any trouble with manual transmission vehicles.
--For whoever the anonymous commenters were on my blog who identified some flowering branches my kids had brought me a few summers ago as golden currants, a native shrub to our area. I had no idea those bushes would produce edible berries. Also thankful for the child who brought me those branches to start with, because I didn't even know the bushes were there. He just thought I would like the spring flowers on them. They grow wild all around an abandoned house in our village, and now the berries are ripe. My children have been picking them for me every couple of days so I can make jelly. Currants require no purchased pectin, which I never have, so it's the perfect fruit for me to make jelly with. I have four children who love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which is a good incentive for them to keep picking as long as there are currants there.
--That I can sing. I am not a very trained singer, but I was in choirs as a kid, played instruments, etc., so I have some musical background. I have a naturally nice voice and an incredible memory for tunes and songs, so I sing a lot spontaneously. My children roll their eyes at me, but they also sometimes sing when a song reminds them of something. I still sing to my daughter when I put her to bed at night--"My Girl" by The Temptations--and the other night she asked me to also sing a hymn I had been singing randomly earlier in the day. She thought it sounded like a good song to go to sleep to, as indeed it is.
@kristin @ going country, Singing is one of the joys in life!
@kristin @ going country, When I used to take our youngest out on the canoe, he'd ask me to sing sea shanties while we rowed. I believe his favorite was "John Kanaka."
@Karen A., Ha. My eldest has had a great love for sea shanties ever since my MiL got him some CDs of them when he was not even a year old. Many of them are WILDLY inappropriate, but toddlers don't know what "Spanish ladies" were, and didn't get the euphemisms in "The Fireship." (I did, and got great amusement from it. I even did a whole post about it.) At about 11 years old, he had a Paul Clayton CD of sea shanties on repeat in his CD player.
@kristin @ going country, Has he ever heard the group Fisherman's Friends? They are based in Port Isaac, Cornwall (of the TV show Doc Martin fame), and are escellent. There are a few bawdy ones to skip, like "Being a Pirate" (about losing various body parts...ahem), but otherwise they're great. Also there's a new artist called Sail North who writes "modern" sea shanties, that my third son told me about, and his stuff is neat, if not traditional.
Gah! "Excellent." I can absolutely spell/type!
@Karen A., Check out the movie about them, called Fisherman's Friends. Sweet.
This week I am thankful:
*that my vertigo bouts are temporary and mild.
*for continued weight loss.
*that my husband made my breakfast.
*that the traffic ticket that arrived at our house today wasn't mine.
*for pretty flowers growing wild.
@Jody S., what a surprise (& relief) the traffic ticket must have been for you. I was anxious & relieved just reading it.
Can confirm that chickpea pasta is nothing like wheat pasta! Veggie Craft pasta is pretty good, though.
Today I'm thankful that we're out of the heat dome; though our AC did just fine during the heat wave, I am glad to be able to open windows in the morning for a bit (as is the Commodore!)
I'm thankful that DS#3 had no complications when he donated blood last week. He's done fine before, but DH was worried because that last time he (DH) gave blood, they completely mangled his veins so he was bruised and sore for weeks afterwards.
I'm thankful that DH has worked out a lighter summer schedule for himself, so he can be home a bit more.
I'm thankful for delicious cold watermelon. It's on sale right now and you better believe I'm getting one every time I hit the store while it's on sale!
And some forethinking thankfulness--I'm thankful that we have a fairly soundproof house, and no babies or small children who need their sleep, because Fourth of July is coming and I know our neighbors will be setting off fireworks, not to mention all the nearby community fireworks. We will be hunkering down in our closed-up house and watching Independence Day, probably. 😉
Yes, summer can be hard. However, it has been hotter in the Mid-Atlantic in the month of June than on the East Coast of Florida. Weather can be strange.
As we approach 4th of July, I am thankful for the men and women who have made tremendous sacrifices for us and for our country.
I am also thankful for my family. Over the last week, I have been able to spend quality time with nieces, nephews, and extended family. We are scattered throughout the country. I miss them!
I am thankful that I was able to spend a day on the water. Boat days are my favorite.
Wishing you all a safe holiday weekend and the blessings of peace, good health, and prosperity.
Today I'm thankful for:
Air conditioning. It really feels like a necessity where I live, since it's hot and humid for over half the year. My mother grew up without it, and she lived even further south at the time. I can't imagine what that was like.
That we have made it to July without any long runs of 100+ temperatures. I'm sure that will change, but for now there is still no extreme heat in the forecast.
For the rain that waters the garden so I don't have to.
For reasonably good health and the ability to keep up with things around the house and even work and exercise a bit. A few years ago I was practically bed-ridden, so this is something I am especially thankful for all the time now.
For decent-to-good dairy free and gluten free substitutes for my favorite foods. I have had to avoid dairy and/or wheat off and on over the past three decades, and the difference in what is available now versus what it was like 30 years ago is enormous.
For a safe and happy home, loving family, and sweet cats.
For my finding a knitting project in my stash where the yarn's measurements (gauge) matches the pattern gauge. This means I don't have to rewrite the pattern before starting.
For my knitting competence because I decided to make a change anyway, which I could do on the fly.
I feel about running hot water the way FG feels about AC. It's a miracle, folks.
For my friend L. Our personalities are nothing alike (closest example I can think of is the Jeanine Garofalo and Uma Thurman in The Truth About Cats and Dogs), our politics overlap only a little, and our faiths even less. Nonetheless L and I are firmly best friends and we have each other' s backs.
I know I say this a lot: for my doggo, who loves to jump up on the bed in the morning and be my couch footrest in the evening.
I dont love the heat or humidity of summer but I do love that it allows me to grow delicious summer vegetables. Its my second year being able to grow outdoors and its brought a tremendous amount of joy in my day to day.
Amen to air conditioning! P.S., It isn't just south Florida that swelters in September! All of Florida (and surrounding areas) will do so.
1. I'm thankful I was able to pry the old dead headlight bulb off the connector so I could replace it. It was really stuck on there.
2. I'm thankful for the invitation to spend part of tomorrow's holiday with my daughter's sister-in-law and the S-I-L's husband. This way, we'll all be together and no one misses out.
3. I'm thankful DD2 arrived safely in Pennsylvania for work on Tuesday and should be back home today.
4. I'm thankful that I picked a good melon the other day. It's some sort of new, to me at least, cantaloupe cross and turned out to be delicious. I am not normally the best melon picker.
5. And finally, I'm thankful for tomorrow's celebration of independence, and for all those who have sacrificed labor, time, finances, safety or lives for it, in whatever capacity.
This week I am thankful….
• The AC repairman is in my house right now! The AC works, just not great. It’s going to be hot and humid this week so I am thankful they were able to squeeze us in.
• For the small items that I brought home from my grandparent’s house. My heart is happy when I see the lamp, the salt cellar, or the plant pots around my house. Sadly my grandma doesn’t remember visiting my house, but there are reminders of her all around.
• My husband and I had a good talk about some things that were making me sad. It’s hard to tell someone their (unintended) actions hurt without hurting their feelings in turn, but after our talk I feel lighter.
• My son is willing to tackle some bigger chores that I need help with. It’s keeping him busy during summer break and allows me to spend quality time with him once I am done with work.
• I was able to meet up with college friends for dinner on Sunday night and my husband and son were able to enjoy “dude night” while I was out.
• My son will be getting his front tooth crown this afternoon. The whole saga of the broken tooth has been relatively easy to navigate and he hasn’t been in any pain.
I'm glad your shoulder pain isn't due to anything too serious, though tendonitis is painful. I hope you're feeling better soon.
I also have an insurance-related thanks -- I started Medicare on Monday. I have been self-employed and paying for my own health insurance for 27 years. While I'm still paying for Medicare and a supplement, it is much cheaper and much better coverage than the high-cost, high-deductible plans I've been on most of my adult life.
My husband and I spent several days doing a thorough clean-out and de-clutter of the house and behind the garage. Yesterday my husband hauled a trailer full of stuff to the dump. It's a horrible waste, but it feels so good to have it done. Today I'm taking donations to the thrift store. At some point my husband will take a load to the recycle center.
I'm grateful we are both in good health and able to do all these things.
Our neighborhood picnic was this week. I'm glad to live surrounded by good neighbors.
I don't remember when Chiquita went from looking like a baby kitty (all thin and legs) to looking like an adult cat. When did that happen? My kitten is almost 8 months old and still looking very thin and gangly...wondering when she will start looking more grown up. My other cat had outgrown her by 4 or 5 months old.
Have you tried the Barilla Protein Plus pasta? My family has been eating it for years, and they will never eat any whole wheat or bean pasta.
I appreciate your thankfulness for not being claustrophobic, as I found out last year when I had scheduled an MRI for my back, that I was indeed claustrophobic. The minute that I started going into that tube, my heart rate became highly elevated, and I felt a panic attack coming on. Luckily, I got out immediately and was able to avoid a full-blown attack. And thankful that I found a workaround, at least for now, by getting an X-ray and subsequent PT for my chronic back issue, which was diagnosable via X-ray. Phew!
Here are my thankful's this week:
1. That my friend was kind enough to share free concert tickets with my son and I. We're headed down to the venue later today (it's 2+ hours away) and staying the night due to the drive.
2. Thankful that I had enough Marriott points (just barely) to cover our hotel room in a pricey area! I originally booked a king room because I couldn't "afford" the price of 2 queens (so funny that there was a price difference) without paying a cash upcharge, so I called the hotel yesterday to ask about switching to a 2-bed room, and they very happily obliged.
3. The summer weather here has been mild so far, with just a couple of days in the 80s. We are in Northern California, so our late summer/early fall tends to be warmer than June and July. August seems to be hot no matter where you are!
4. We had a whole house fan installed this spring, and it's been very useful already. On the warm days, when the inside temp is above 75 degrees, we can open all the windows in the late afternoon/early evening, and the house fan brings in all the cool air that blankets our coastal-adjacent region every night. It brings the house temperature down by about 10 degrees! Since air conditioning is not standard in our area, this has been a great addition to our mid-century home and was about 1/10th of the cost of installing AC.
5. I'm looking forward to celebrating my father-in-law's 80th birthday this weekend in a beautiful location. Family is arriving from the East Coast as well as all over California. It will be nice to gather and celebrate him.
@Lindsey G, Once when getting a shoulder MRI, the tech kept telling me to wear an eye-mask. He said as part of his training he had to go into the machine repeatedly. 25 times he was fine, on the 26th time panic set in, he now uses an eye-mask. Knuckleheaded me insisted I would be fine, I was definitely NOT FINE! The ceiling was right next to my nose, YIKES! He pulled me out, let me gather my wits with some deep breathing and then I took the eye-mask. I was able to get through it after that.
I also hate feeling the machine touching me. Other techs have told me to ask for a wide-bore machine since most folks will have plenty of room in them. Works for me and I am plus-sized. I also take earplugs and headphones if they have. If they can play music I try to float away on Vivaldi's the Four Seasons while imaging myself having afternoon tea in a lovely park.
Do I like getting MRIs now?...no. But I am better equipped now when I have to.
I am thankful for my team of babysitters! Daycare was closed for the week and my main sitter got sick late Sunday night. I am overwhelmed with joy that I was able piece together childcare at the last minute.
I am thankful that my daughter is a pretty good kid.
I am thankful for my morning coffee.
I am thankful for cooler weather this weekend.
Your assessment of chickpea pasta made me laugh. Colorado's star NHL player, Nathan MacKinnon, apparently relies on chickpea pasta (and reportedly wanted/wants his teammates to eat it too). I guess it works for him--Colorado won the Stanley Cup in 2022, and MacKinnon won the league's MVP award last year. Still doesn't make me want to eat chickpea pasta though!
I'm thankful for:
-Delicious watermelon (even though it spikes my blood sugar - I'll go for a walk after I eat it)
-A new school for my daughter. She's been increasingly unhappy at her former school. -The new school is also just a few minutes away, whereas I spent 2+ hours picking up and dropping her off at her former school.
-My job. I really am happy to be part of this team. We are looking at possible layoffs at my husband's job so I am especially thankful that we have insurance coverage and income from my job.
-That my folks live nearby. They needed some help renewing their passports and I was able to run over to their place, take some pictures and submit their application online over my (admittedly longer than usual) lunch break. My poor mom said she couldn't sleep the prior night when she realized that they had expired (they are planning on traveling later this year)! It's reassuring to know that we can run over there if anything ever pops up.
Chaquita looks like she's getting ready to be launched into the air from the box lids. 🙂 That look you get when you are on the Demon Drop rollercoaster (Cedar Point).
Thankful for another year around the sun. This year feels a little different as I can figure out what I want/need instead of worrying about & appeasing others.
Thankful that as long as I live in this area (of state) that I will have fireworks tonight for my birthday & tomorrow night for 4th of July America's birthday.
Thankful that teen is being creative in finding ways to earn (legal) money in addition to part time job.
Thankful teen makes effort to make my birthday special. Recognizing that it's important to remember the people we care about & show them we care.
Thankful for rescue dogs who are always so happy to see us.
Thankful for simple summertime bbq food. And simple summertime desserts & treats (Lemon bars, ice cream, fruit popsicles, fresh fruit with/without Angel food cake & giant homemade cookies).
Thankful for the normal 85* (no humidity) sunshine weather. Though the mosquitoes I can do without. 🙁 It's been so hot, humid & wet that the mosquitoes are starting to get bad.
Thankful for our pretty back yard at night time. The hanging solar lanterns from the trees, the multi colored changing solar lights along the flowers & the beautiful landscaping. Teen & I have worked really hard to get the yard into non chaos from the chaos that it was when we started.
Thankful for Kristen & her blog where we can learn & share with others.
Thankful for our military & their families who serve to keep our country (USA) freedom. May God bless & protect them.
@Regina,
Happy Birthday!!
@Regina, Happy Birthday!
@Regina, Your Demon Drop reference made me laugh! It's been a while, but I remember it! And I hope you had a very happy birthday!
@Regina, happy birthday! Your description of your backyard sounds magical! I know it takes a lot of effort to make/keep it so. I think it is so nice that your teen is both thoughtful, caring, creative and hard working.
@Gina @Sophie in Denmark
Thank you for the birthday wishes 🙂
@Ruth T,
Thank you for the birthday wishes. 🙂
@Jean C,
Thank you for the birthday wishes & kind words. 🙂
Each post you put that you're thankful for A/C and a photo of our dear Banana girl, I keep thinking, "If you're hot, they're hot. Bring them inside." And she's always near a window 😉 Thanks for keeping our dear communal kitty nice and comfy this summer. I'm sure her fur feels wonderfully cool to the touch!
I am thankful for
-boring summer days.
-cool evenings so I can walk.
-that my hip “popped” and feels much better now!
-for my kids
- for old friends who know me well and for new friends too
-indoor plumbing
-trash service!
I am thankful for all the rain we got overnight.
I am thankful for the cute little baby toads who suddenly appeared in my front courtyard.
I am thankful I saw the baby toads before the dog saw them.
@JDinNM, Oh, and thankful that some neighbors (without my having to ask) cleared out some dead saltbush that was encroaching on my wood fence, just in the nick of time before 4th of July fireworks. Whew!
So my new phone, and/or browser has decided I cannot write long comments…I guess it considers me too long-winded. Anyway, I had just said that tomorrow is your blogiversary! A worthy holiday celebrating freedom!
Also, I am thankful to be home. I am thankful to have not suffered too terribly from migraines on our vacation and I’m thankful that most of my plants survived my ten day absence during a brutal heatwave.
This week I am thankful . . .
That I have things to which to apply. I have been struggling for years now to get a job that ticks all the boxes. I actually love my current job, but it doesn't pay enough and has an expiration date. Lots of folks have been encouraging, and I keep getting interviews, but, boy, is it hard to get constantly rejected. The upside is that I keep finding a position or two to which to apply each week. I am so grateful for these opportunities because it means that if I just keep stepping up to the plate, one day I am going to connect with that ball.
That I could just go to Lowes and buy a new fridge. Our current fridge is only six years old, but it has also been through a lot, along with our family during the last five years. If we have almost broken down a few times, I shouldn't be surprised that the fridge is too. It really started having trouble in January when we experienced the infamous Water Crisis (google Richmond VA Water Crisis if you are curious). My handy husband cleaned it thoroughly, thawed it completely, and got it back working. Now it is on the fritz again, and of course we are leaving for vacation next week and have guests coming the following week. We don't have a couple of weeks to try things and wait for repair people and lose food and buy restaurant food. So I just went to Lowes, picked a fridge that is on clearance, and scheduled the delivery for tomorrow. I am so grateful for a financial situation that allows us to admit defeat with a fridge that shouldn't be at the end of its life. A happy bonus is that I was just about to do a thorough cleaning again. Buh-bye dirty, warm fridge!
That I am writing like crazy right now. I am an academic (hence the trouble finding a job LOL), and writing is our life blood. But writing has been a struggle the last few years (COVID and cancer and blah blah blah). This year it feels like the universe is starting to let me loose, and the result has been that writing is fun and exiting again. Will it help my job prospects? We'll see . . .
@Amanda in VA, good luck with the continuing job hunt!
@Amanda in VA,
Good luck with the job hunt!
@Amanda in VA, check & see if your utility company does free fridge recycling. Consumers Energy picks up for free & gives you $50 & free energy saving goody bag.
Good luck with job search. It's much different & longer process nowadays.
Right now, I am thankful for
the rainstorm yesterday.
the birds all singing each morning, they are so loud and happy (i use the cornell app to find out who the birds are, its like shazam for birds)
the lettuce, peppers and tomatoes in my garden
a four day weekend due to the holiday!
I'm in full agreement on the chickpea pasta. One time was enough for me to know I didn't like it. I finished the box. Felt like I did my part to not waste food. I fully concur that there are much better and tastier ways to get your protein.
I laughed and laughed over the chickpea pasta. I am not fond of chickpeas in any shape. And I do get a little claustrophobic having an MRI. I'm okay if I keep my eyes closed. My mistake is opening them to the plate right over my face.
Even though summer is my jam (I think it's because my "funnest" times in life have been during the summer, and I used to swim a lot) I appreciate AC also. I took laundry out today to get it all done at once and I was drippin' sweat.
I am grateful to not have to take my laundry to a stream and beat it on a rock.
I am thankful that it is sweetcorn season. Had my first two ears to eat last night for supper. In fact I had a great "gourmet" burger with a soft onion bun, home grown beef, Jimmy Dean bacon, grilled onion slice to go along with it. It was mighty tasty.
I am thankful that we have had showers frequently enough that I have not had to water the mineral tubs.
I am thankful that I saw a monarch butterfly this past week. I have not seen her since. And I'm thankful to have nectar for the pollinators. It is also a joy to see the lightening bugs in the evening.
This week I’m thankful for…
Rechargeable bike lights with a USB cord, fast and effective and I’ve had mine for years. I love that I never ever have to hunt for batteries for these. I still have to hunt for batteries for other items, but not for my bike lights.
Self seeding flowers, like calendula, poppies and nasturtiums. They are so pretty and need no extra watering.
The first cucumbers from the garden. Store bought ones, even local ones, do not compare to the taste of a freshly picked cucumber!
My dental cleaning yesterday gave me the all clear and no problems on the horizon. I have full dental coverage, but I’d rather not have any problems brewing.
My young neighbour (almost 10) who weed whacked an area between our two houses and really cleaned up. He’s a helpful guy and he loves to do real jobs with real tools.
Thankful for the herd of 4 farmers and tractors who cut my grazing fields this morning. It was wonderfully overcast and everyone was dusty but all smiles because we beat the hottest part of the day.
Favorite nephew welded the steel benches that I bought for the cemetery/family plot. Soon we'll pack a picnic, fishing poles and deliver them on a Sunday in our future.
For the 3 unit load of mint compost delivered this week.
Fresh raspberries, blueberries and strawberries, I love this time of year.
Twin baby fawns frolicking by the camp spot by the pond. So sweet!
I will be participating in 2 4th of July parades tomorrow, dressed in 1776 dress, riding side saddle as part of the DAR contingent. My cousins are marching as part of the Continental Army corps. Then an evening of rodeo fun & fireworks afterward.
Chickpeas?...Yum! Chickpea pasta?...not so much. I stick with whole wheat pasta, more fiber than regular and the texture is fine. BTW, red lentil pasta is even worse than chickpea.
As for the MRIs, I do get claustrophobic. But I have learned from some great technicians to ask for a wide-bore machine so you feel like you have more room and don't feel the sides touching you especially if you are plus-sized like me. Also, ask for an eye-mask and earplugs. If they have headphones and can play music for you, even better. Then take a deep breath and try to imagine yourself somewhere pleasant and calm.
This week I am thankful for:
1. Like lots of folks - air conditioning. This Eastern European descendent does not like heat and humidity.
2. I found a small rechargeable portable fan to make the bus commutes a little cooler.
3. The quiet when we run the A/C since the windows are closed. I live in a busy city and sometimes the noise just gets to be too dang much!
4. Iced tea. My favorite summertime drink.
5. Cat videos. So cute, so fluffy, so silly!
Oh I also very much dislike chick pea pasta . They said to rinse it after boiling. It didn’t help. Yuck!
I am VERY claustrophobic. I had an MRI during Covid so I had to also mask up. I have to close my eyes to walk in the and be guided into the tube. Even then I had to be pulled back out to restart after I calmed myself down. I hope I never another one.
I have so many things to be thankful for this week.
1. Was able to spend some one on one time with my grandson. Kids grow up so fat. This was pleasure for us both.
2. Thankful that when I left my purse in a sandwich shop someone turned it into the cashier. I was in full panic mode thinking about the hassle of replacing all the cards and drivers licenses.
3. Thankful that 3rd quarter taxes are completed. I dread this task and anm always glad it’s done.
4. That we received rain the other day so I didn’t have to water the garden in this heat.
5. Very thankful for air conditioning. I hate these 90 degree days with high humidity. Can’t wait for fall!
Thankful for: our two family members who flew up here for a small electrical job on our study but ended up ripping it down to the studs to take care of a small mold issue and some asbestos (this is a very old house); new ceiling and flooring included. They refuse any payment but meals so all we are covering is the materials costs. This would cost us 10s of thousands and the headache of workers who don't show or do a crappy job. They work construction and are both (but especially one is) icky-picky in the extreme, so nothing is short changed. They feel that as younger family, they need to take care of older family and are teaching their own sons that.
2. For all the folks who gave us salmon, pretty much filling our freezer before their arrival. They both love salmon so one of the two meals I cook each day is salmon focused.
3. For the strangers who donated the two blood transfusions I had last week. This is on top of others I had last month. I hope they are blessed in life. I would not be alive without them.
4. Our neighbors are young and have three children, including baby twins. She confided in me how tired her husband is with work and the kids and the chickens they keep for eggs and meat, and how they are barely making ends meat and she is so frightened of what is happening with the new obscene bill stealing from the poor to fund the rich... As I was leaving the food bank yesterday, which is closed for the next four days, Safeway dropped off a ton of really good produce. The boss allowed me to take 20 pounds of it, plus some fresh sausage, home for them since it came so late in the day a lot of it will go bad by Monday. She told me her kid had never eaten plums because they are too expensive so never introduced them to her. How screwed up is this world? Frugal is helping neighbors, plus the boss gave me a bag of plums, too.
5. The husband, always the husband. I had a very, very bad few days, as in could not stand up to shower two weeks ago. He showered with me and standing behind me to hold me up whispered, "I will be there to hold you up until the day I die." I have no idea how I lucked out, honestly I was not and am not now any sane person's idea of a good wife. we do have a shower chair but I still would need strength I did not have to get up off it.
@Lindsey, What a blessing you are, as I know your neighbor has already told you. I take monthly food boxes to people who can not get out to get them, but need them. My deliveries have dwindled as people moved put of area or no longer on list, but I am so happy to help (even in this little way). Thank you for caring & sharing with others. 🙂
Hahaha. Chiquita does look like she's counting for hide and seek!
I am thankful that I have 10 glorious days off starting tomorrow.
I am thankful that the new neighbors that moved in next door are quiet. I live near a university and it's a rental that used to be only rented to college kids. While some of them were delightful, it was never really quiet. Lately though, the house has been rented to families which has been much better (for me).
I am grateful to be reading so many good books which were bought for 50 cents or a dollar, or borrowed from the library. Having piles of books around, just waiting to be read, makes me feel rich.
I am grateful for the greens of summer and the sound of wind in the trees.
And I cannot say this enough: I am grateful for chocolate chip cookies.
@Lorraine, ooh, I'm with you about the chocolate chip cookies!
"And I am grateful not to live somewhere far south of here (such as south Florida), where relief does not come in September! " Don't feel bad for those living in an area that denies climate change (on top of the damage the state already allowed). Zero sympathy from me.
Tis humid here, always is humid this time of year and add fields of corn (soybeans don't add to the humidity like corn). I'd be fine if I had no A/C (didn't for almost 40 years of my life), I have a basement these days, for a number of years I did not. Don't call me a snowflake.
Not a lot of thankful in my neck-o-the-woods - despite being able to to afford the up to $10K of surgery for my pet, the odds of a successful outcome (read: no re-occurrence within less than 3 weeks up to almost four years) aren't a good bet.
The $ I recently sent to a senior citizen I've been helping was well timed. Sad that promised helped didn't get credited to her account. But at least the lights will stay on in her house.
If you have a puke, who may or may not have used the "rocket fuel for the economy" propaganda, make sure you remind him/her of it every opportunity you have. The economy is not going to rocket, it is going to tank. So any and every frugal tip we have is most welcome.
It is kind of a wild leap to lack sympathy for someone suffering in the heat, based on some broad assumption that everyone there is not concerned about climate change.
Also, it is bold to assume that everyone has the resources to leave a hot climate, even if they wanted to.
It was recently pointed out to me that every country has a 4th of July. The significance here is it is Independence Day. I wonder how many years it will take me to learn to call it the latter?
I'm thankful that my body aches are just aches and not illness.
I'm thankful for a very supportive husband.
I'm thankful for a wonderful place to live.
I'm thankful that our apartment overlooks a nature preserve so I can view nature daily whatever the weather is doing.
I'm thankful that I found a very good PCP many years ago and she is younger than me so she's likely to be around as long as I need her. We sit and talk about how I am doing before they give me gown to change into and then again once I am clothed. It's nice to feel like a person rather than a patient.
Thankful:
-For my progress with physical fitness (swimming) which shows that persistent work, even when slow, does pay off! I can do more laps and take fewer breaks.
-For my snorkel. My best purchase of 2025. I have a bit of diminished lung capability, and never felt that confident/coordinated when trying to swim and breathe. The snorkel keeps my body in a good position and lets me breathe and just be in the flow!
-For friends, who are in contact with me more, or some less, but always ready to share a laugh at something funny or catch up right where we left off previously.
-Thankful for A/C. Makes me think of this neat history from my hometown. Article is long, but the TLDR is that there was a sanitorium for respiratory illnesses cooled by cave air from 1901-1040 when it burned down. It's claimed to be the first AC in the U.S. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/limair-sanatorium-luray-caverns-air-conditioning
-For fun, delicious, and nourishing recipes! I accidentally ordered too many flax seeds, and found an Ethiopian dish to make called Telba Wot, which is tasty and will help me use them up.
They have entrepreneur children’s markets in Ogden for $25 per space. That includes the entrepreneur T-shirt. Ella made jewelry to sell and made her own sign. She made $92 ($52 after paying for supplies.) Brittany covered the fee but will split it with Ella next time. Brittany said it was such a good way to practice communication skills in a real setting as opposed to fake school settings.
@Jacque,
That was the wrong post. So sorry, but it did include cool info about my granddaughter’s way to make and sell jewelry.
We like Banza chickpea pasta, more $$, but helps to get protein and veggies in for the kiddos.
I LOVE the picture of you holding the mimosa blossom. It's like holding fireworks in your fingertips.
Hey Kristin, want to give you a word of encouragement regarding your shoulder. A few months ago my left shoulder was almost useless. After a few sessions of PT I'm a new person!!! You'll be good as new in no time!! Best of luck!
i am thankful for you. i had an mri a few weeks ago for my ankle. fell when we were in DC over spring break. waited for my usual pdiatry appt to go to him. a few x-rays and an mri i am back at pt. so frustrating the mri place said come early. sat for 2 hours in the wafting room and the mri was only 15 minutes in the machine. a plus was that the machine was up to my knee. lost count of how many mri's i have had. including one for one of hubby's experiments at Penn. hubby was so embarrassed when i asked the tech for a blankie. this time i forgot to ask for one.
happy 4th everyone. this year the fireworks are all the way downtown and not near our apt . boo hiss. and since my injury was in a boot for two weeks overcompensated and wrecked my hip. PT to the rescue.
I am thankful for a bunch of things today, but to be brief, seeing Chiquita counting down for hide-and-seek was a delight. She's adorable!