New here? Thankful Thursday is something we’ve been doing in these COVID times; a (frugal and free) exercise to help us hunt for the good that is in our lives and in the world, even in the midst of a pandemic.
This week I am thankful:
for my cheerful spiral wall candleholder
I have Ikea tea lights in it, and they turn on automatically every afternoon (they have an internal timer).
They do chew up batteries faster than I’d like, but I am considering the battery purchases an investment in my mental state, because oof, I am struggling with how dark it gets so early in the afternoon.
And some happy tea lights help a little bit.
that soon, the days will start getting longer.
We have *checks calendar* about 18 days left until the shortest day of the year. That’s just a little over two weeks!
And then, slowly, the days will lengthen.
It will still be cold, but I do. not. care. I will just be thankful for the daylight.
that the sun is shining today
Mr. FG and I had a cold walk this morning, but oh, happy sunshine! I will cheerfully freeze as long as there is sunshine.
that I don’t live in a place with darker winters
At this time of year, I am reminded that I never, ever, ever want to live somewhere that is more cloudy and dark in the winter than here.
(For instance, the Pacific Northwest. Or really far up north, where the days are extremely short in the winter.)
I know I could survive and that God would give me grace to do so, but that is just NOT a circumstance I will ever freely choose.
that we are still able to have medical/dental appointments
I was thinking back to the initial lockdown and how everything was completely shut. I am grateful that now, optometrists and dentists and such have figured out how to keep seeing patients.
for the sweet readers who bought Sonia’s knitted items
Sonia has a hand-me-down phone from Mr. FG, but it’s gotten so old that it is no longer compatible with Ting’s current SIM cards, so we can’t activate it to get her service. And the battery dies awfully quickly too.
Thanks in part to the sale of her knitted items, she had enough cash to purchase a refurbished phone for herself, along with a case and screen protector.
(We have opted not to buy phones for our kids; we’ve given them our hand-me-down ones for free, but if they want something more updated, they have to buy it for themselves.)
Also, I have to tell you that the reader who bought the white bunny is naming her Miss Clara and will be using her in her virtual kindergarten classroom. Is that not the cutest thing?
that my post office experience was good
The post office can be a disaster in December. But I went to ship Sonia’s packages shortly after opening time one morning, and happily, the line moved pretty fast, and the employee who helped me was cheerful and efficient.
(I made sure to go home and fill out the survey on my receipt, mentioning the employee by name. This post office used to be staffed with much crabbier employees, so I want the post office to know how much I appreciate the cheerful people!)
that our current plumbing problem MIGHT be simple
Remember how we had a leaky septic vent pipe a few years back?
Well, we started having the same slight rotten egg smell, so we called the plumbers and they brought their smoke machine out.
It appears that perhaps the culprit was our aging toilet seals (visible smoke was coming out there), so they fixed those, and we’ll have to wait and see if that takes care of the smell.
The plumber said we may eventually want to replace our vent pipes, as they are made from an old pre-PVC style of pipe, which is more prone to leaking.
But I am really hoping that that time is not right now because it involves removing a lot of drywall, and I am not ever in the mood for that.
It’s not event that I don’t want to pay for the work; it’s that I hate having my house torn apart!
But this is Thankful Thursday so I will not go further down that rabbit trail. 
that our financial needs are provided for
This is always something to be thankful for, of course. But in these current times, I am particularly reminded to be grateful for our jobs, our home, our cars, food to eat, and so on.
Isa says
Kristen, have you considered Light Therapy? Its changed my life!
Maggie says
I am thankful for this blog. It’s always uplifting to read here!
I am also thankful that my work isn’t as stressful as useful so I get around to do things that I usually have to keep postponing.
I am cold all the time in this weather but it also makes me thankful for my hot shower, the heating and hot water bottles!
And I am so thankful that I am not nauseous anymore. (Hello week 12!)
Maggie says
P.S.: Every time I see the photo of Sonia’s stuffed animals, I get all happy. They are too adorable.
Liz says
I’m so thankful that I can work from home. I’m located in Central CA and we have never fully opened up. While my job is a little challenging, teaching 25 Kindergartens virtually to English Language Learners and I only speak English but my Spanish is getting better ….so yeah some days are very challenging I feel blessed that I was able to create my set up at home.
She will be “reading” our daily morning message and my class can’t wait to “meet” her.
PS: I am thankful that Miss Clara will be joining my class soon.
Jody S. says
I’m thankful today that our friend helped us by replacing our toilet with a taller one for my taller and aging father who will be moving in with us quite soon. Our friend also taught our eldest how to do the replacing of the toilet and let him do a good bit of the work.
I’m thankful for a kind lady in our church who watched our children today so that we could go shopping for Christmas items (and also more items to adapt our house for my father). She also cooked lunch, made crafts with kids, decorated our house, and had a lasagna in the oven for supper when we returned.
I’m thankful that I enjoy making lists. . . cheap entertainment since there’s always something to do.
I’m thankful for Advent and the hymns that go with it. And that I’ve sold a few items on my Etsy shop although I’ve had zero time to put into listing the gazillion items I need to list. I’m thankful for people who smile through the masks.
priskill says
Thankful for:
Wonderful co-workers and very cute little children and that we were actually productive today. Sometimes I feel like the proverbial hamster in the wheel, running and running without accomplishing anything. But by some miracle, things worked today
Must remember this for the future less-productive days, ahem.
I found all kinds of clothes I forgot I had and they fit or on the way to fitting — no shopping makes me happy.
2 more weeks to vacation! I can’t go visit my mom this year — can’t expose her to COVID — so trying to plan the 3 weeks for staycation and to get some work done at home.
Sleeping better! I think the cooler weather has really helped here
My family and friends are all healthy and pretty happy so I am, too!
Susan says
1 going to visit an elderly neighbor in a.m. I always shower and wash hair before and mask so I bring no germs. 2. Publix delivery brought all good stuff fennel and a leek and I am slicing to roast with butter and chicken breasts…for over rice. Never used before. 3. Got kale to put away for 5 salads. 4. Sending checks for xmas to relatives. 5. It is very cold here in GA right now
Angie says
Thankful for…
1. Provision. This week we had enough overflow to give to a family in need. There is so much need all around us and I am so humbly grateful that during this time we are able to give to those less fortunate. As a mother of a small child the heartbreak in these scenarios is very relatable.
2. For a warm house with a beautiful Christmas tree, hot water and a lovely wood burning fireplace.
3. For good friends to vent to and speak with, share with and just plain love on. It is such a gift to love and be loved.
4. For good food that is not Thanksgiving leftovers. I loved the holiday and the food was wonderful and we ate all of our leftovers BUT I am grateful for the chicken tacos with cilantro and lettuce and tomatoes for tonight’s dinner. YUMMY! and different.
5. For Christmas carols, and bright light coming in the window I work beside each day, hot coffee in the morning and snuggles from my little boy. All good things that add so much joy to life.
Stay safe everyone!
Lindsey says
1. The opposite of you: I rejoice that we are still losing 6 or more minutes of sunlight a day. Many nights the northern lights come out, so it is peaceful and colorful.
2. The friend who makes lovely cards and periodically leaves a packet of 5 of them in my mailbox. I had just run out and had several cards that needed to be sent and a new packet appeared like magic yesterday. I have tried to buy them from her but she is retired and says this makes her feel productive, so I deliver eggs when I have an extra dozen.
3. My chair that stands me up on days when I cannot function well. It is a Godsend on some days.
4. That I have not had to use my chair assist for several weeks now!
5. That our pound hound barked like a maniac when he saw a moose trying to shove his head into the chicken run. This poor dog is afraid of everything, including my husband’s yells during football games or sudden moves of our hands when he is lying on the couch next to us, yet here he was barking and banging his head against the window. The moose didn’t care, he just wandered off when he could not make a dent in the run, but we gave the dog tons of praise and dog treats.
Karen says
A beautiful sunny (a good kind of chilly) day to take a walk.
For lovely colleagues to work with.
For wonderful students to teach.
For a wonderful life partner.
For good health.
Extra bonus gratitude for: coffee
Luann says
I agree with your comment about the coffee
Katy in Africa says
– Something that went missing was returned and I’m so relieved. I had specifically prayed for it to be found as its not ours and I thank the Lord it was returned today.
– My son’s rash is going away.
– Finally moved into the next phase of our language sessions.
– À book I’m reading that’s been incredibly encouraging.
– Even though we had to postpone our plans, I’m grateful we still got to go have a Thanksgiving meal with friends.
Battra92 says
Well to join on your plumbing mishaps …
I am thankful that the septic company was able to come out, dig up my yard, remove the clog and there isn’t raw septic … stuff, spewing out of my washer drain. I’m also really happy there were able to do it the morning after the issue.
I’m thankful that the washer and the drain are now both functioning.
I am also thankful that Emergency funds exist and that I have one.
Kristen says
Well, that is a very un-fun thing to spend an emergency fund on. I don’t know WHAT I expect to spend an emergency fund on, but I am somehow always disappointed when it’s something like that!
I suppose I am sub-consciously expecting an emergency to be something like, “Let’s add a deck to our house!” not, “Let’s solve this disgusting plumbing problem.”
Ruby says
I am thankful it’s Thursday, because tomorrow is Friday and I wrap up my workweek. Last week’s four day break spoiled me rotten.
Also thankful for our wonderful vet, who took great care of our very high-strung, formerly abused rescue dog when she had a UTI this week and didn’t even charge us much. So very thankful that tomorrow will be the very last of the leftovers I have to eat for lunch! It’s time to cook something new and exciting. I am also ridiculously happy at finding fruitcake mix (the chopped candied fruit) at Publix this week after it suddenly disappeared from our usual grocery store.
Amy says
I got my first seed catalog in the mail! I’ve been doing a LOT of research for my new garden next spring and the internet is a wonderful tool, but sometimes you just want to sit and flip pages.
Maureen says
I am thankful that you were “better late than never” as I enjoy all your posts (not too much pressure, huh?)
I am thankful that my town has a small post office in a Hallmark card store. It is nice to see some recognizable faces that are cheery when I go to the post office. I do support the store some of the time, too. Our regular post offices are old and smelly buildings and the lines are always long.
I am also thankful for my husband putting up with my messed up dinners this week. I just can’t get into the swing of cooking dinners — or actually trying to figure out what to cook. I need to get back into the swing of all things.
I am thankful that a vendor sent my husband a gift card for their mistake. It gave my husband a very small sense of worth for his very demanding job and that people do appreciate him even if it’s not his direct company.
And I am so grateful that my son in law did not suffer too much when he had covid the past 2-1/2 weeks. And so far, that my daughter and granddaughter have not gotten it yet. Knock wood, tomorrow is the last day of quarantine for them.
I am donating to different causes this year, but not forgetting the food bank and the people that brighten up the lives of my neighbors. My husband and I are extremely fortunate that we have not lost any income and have plenty to share, a roof over our heads and food in our bellies. Many do not.
Christine81 says
It would be interesting to hear what organizations/causes readers are donating to. Food banks do amazing work!
JD says
I’m thankful that it’s Thursday, because that means tomorrow is Friday. Heh.
I’m thankful that I was easily able to return to the store some crystal glassware I had ordered as a gift. The company I purchased it through mailed it to me in the thin manufacturer’s cardboard case for the four glasses, with one 20″ long, 3-bubble air pillow wrap, and placed them in a large kraft carton. Not surprisingly, two of the glasses were broken. I ordered the same set through a different store, and got a bigger discount to boot. Now, let’s see if they pack them better…
I’m thankful that my sister’s and brother-in-law’s furnace issue was just a bad breaker. New breaker in, problem gone. And the man didn’t even charge them.
I’m thankful that our old upright freezer still keeps going . It’s approaching 30 years of age, and I dread hunting a replacement that will fit in that tight space. Apparently, they don’t make them that size anymore.
I’m thankful for kindness. We need it now more than ever, and while I know a lot of people are on edge, including me, I seem to see more deliberate kindness than before. More holding of doors, more saying thank you, more “you go ahead, you just have two items.” I’m so very thankful for that.
Bee says
As always, thank you for offering all of us the gift of gratitude. There is so much to be thankful for and often I take my blessings for granted.
1) I am thankful for my local library. It provides so much for our community. They sponsored a giving tree this Christmas for the county homeless coalition. Buying the small and humble gifts requested by those in need reminded me of the many blessing that I have been given.
2) As always, I am so thankful for my rescue pup. She is wonderful and has made staying at home less lonely.
3) I am thankful for my safe, warm home and lovely neighbors.
4) I am thankful for blue skies, warm sunshine and chilly temperatures. These things make my walks with rescue pup so enjoyable.
5) I am grateful that I was able to give my daughter, a Graduate Student, monetary help when she found herself short of funds.
Michele Davidson says
I moved from WAY upstate NY to Florida after college. I’ve been here 27 years and I never get sick of the LIGHT.
kristin @ going country says
Same. Upstate New York on the Canadian border to New Mexico two years ago, and I still can’t get over the sunlight in the winter.
Becca says
I am thankful for:
-Hungry harvest. I haven’t been inside a grocery store since June when I did a massive stock up. We still have plenty of pantry items, but hungry harvest has helped fill in with fresh fruits/veg/eggs now that my farm shares ended.
-south mountain creamery. I just discovered this company which delivers farm fresh milk and other dairy products in my area. I legit have a milkman now and I’m super excited about it!
-a healthy family
-a safe, warm house
-my wonderful husband
-supportive co-workers
-and this blog!
A. Marie says
See my FFT post from Tuesday, re: the car crash and its aftermath. I’m thankful for each and every one of these mercies, as Kristen accurately calls them.
Ruth T says
As someone who had a remote learning kindergartener last spring, I especially love what Miss Clara the bunny will be doing.
I’m thankful for the adults at our church who volunteer with the kids each week. They are so loving, fun, and kind.
I’m thankful for my 6 year-old’s generous heart. Generosity is definitely one of her gifts and it is so neat to see her use it.
I’m thankful that my 6yo is still in school learning in-person. The school is working so hard to keep the kids there and I’m thankful for their efforts.
I’m thankful that my husband made it through his quarantine without getting COVID. Hooray for masks working!
I’m thankful that my my friend’s family who has COVID is doing well. Their special needs daughter was in the hospital until last night and God sparing her life was such an answer to prayer. I cry with gratitude. They lost their other daughter to illness last Christmas and the thought of them losing another was… hard. It was so good to see their whole family through the door last night as we dropped off some goodies. And since nothing tops that, I’ll end there.
Chris says
Ahhh…Thankful Thursday. Kristen, I am thankful for Thankful Thursday.
-our small business partially recovered from the impact of 2020 and state government lockdowns by having an unbelievably good late summer and fall. We were down over 55% in June and now we are only down 30%. We are so grateful for everyone using a local business. It makes a huge difference.
My mind goes blank after that. I am so relieved that we will be able to keep the business afloat and take care of our family that I can’t think of anything else. One of my sons has a condition that requires a very expensive treatment. It would never be covered by Medicaid and if we lost the business we couldn’t afford it on our own. We are so, so thankful for how this year is ending for our family.
Heidi Louise says
My local postal workers are always cheerful, especially the one who makes a point of showing me the newest stamps. I am thankful for their joy in their work.
I am thankful for my messy home, even though I feel badly about the messes.
Kristen says
Our mail guy right now is SO cheerful and energetic. We all feel cheered every time we see him!
Jody S. says
My family has nicknamed the fellow at our local post office “Mr. Smiley” because he is always so cheerful!
Jess says
I love these thankful Thursdays! Just an idea in case you haven’t considered it – have you thought of using reusable batteries for the candles if they would fit? If you’re going through batteries often, it’s a frugal and sustainable win to replace them next time with reusables!
Kristen says
Funnily enough, I did some research on these this morning, and it appears that the rechargeable options for these types of candles are not very good yet. I read lots of complaints about them not holding a charge for more than a day.
I will keep an eye out to see if something rechargeable AND good comes along, though. I’d much prefer that!
WilliamB says
1. During the pandemic, I can work from home if I have a cold.
2. Work is relatively quiet (fall was CRAZY busy) so I can get done what I need to get done, even though I am slowed down by this cold.
3. The work day before Thanksgiving was so quiet that I could deal with some of the accumulated paper on my desk. It’s been months since I could do that.
4. I have a propane heater now. Arranging for Thanksgiving meal outside was a week-long mad scramble that I did not enjoy and was more work than cooking the meal would have been, but the aftermath has one pleasant result.
5. That I have a lot of accumulated leave so I can take a day off if I want to.
Rose says
I’m out of the hospital and on the mend from Covid; I have a peaceful (ish, when the dogs don’t take exception to anything going on outside) warm, home; my children are home with me, studying college virtually because of Covid; flowers friends sent are still beautiful; and V8 juice. Ha, I love V8 and don’t have any appetite, so I’ve beeing drinking a lot of it.
Kris says
Rose, I was hoping you would keep us posted on your health. Glad to hear you are on the mend.
kristin @ going country says
That is a very big thing to be thankful for. I’m happy for you.
Kristen says
Oh, I am so thankful to hear that you are home now. Yay!!
Susan says
I am thankful for:
1. My children’s short xmas lists. They make it tough for me shopping, but they are satisfied with what they have which is wonderful.
2. That we have the financial means to be generous at the holidays.
3. That Covid vaccines are on the horizon. We’ve not been sick nor lost jobs but I miss seeing people and am sad for what my kids have missed.
4. For healthcare workers, teachers/school admins, customer facing service workers, delivery people and my state and local politicians who are all making difficult decisions, working under crazy circumstances and doing the best they can say in and day out while dealing with constant criticism and insane conspiracy theories.
5.Perpetually thankful for my husband who shares the load, is thoughtful about what we all need and works very hard.
Jenelle says
1. I’m thankful that my family is health and my children can continue to attend school full time, in-person.
2. No one needed new winter coats this year! My daughter’s still fits and I was given three jackets for my son from my boss.
3. Even though our garage door broke again, I am thankful that no one was injured this time.
4. There are still some socially distant activities that our kids can still participate in. Tonight DD has baton lessons. With only three or four students, there is more than enough room in the school gym for them to practice!
kristin @ going country says
The wind has stopped, ALLELUIA.
I really dislike high winds. We have them a lot here, and had high winds all last week, with the bonus of low temperatures yesterday. 31 degrees with 35 mph winds is very unpleasant. But today its sunny, and calm, and we are going to be sunny and (relatively) calm for the entirely of our ten-day forecast. Yay.
For the woodstove, which keeps our somewhat drafty house comfortable even with weather like yesterday’s.
For the carrots that I planted in August and that I am just harvesting to eat now. Yum.
For the new kitchen faucet that I hope my husband will be able to install today, assuming we have all the parts we need. My current faucet has been partially broken and leaky for, uh, awhile. This new one and its installation is my husband’s birthday gift to me. He hates working on house things, so the labor is really his gift.
Kristen says
Did he say, “This is why we don’t need faucets?” Heh.
I hope your new faucet is fantastic!
kristin @ going country says
It’s in! Yay! It doesn’t leak! Yay! It moves freely! Yay!
I actually asked him about this, and he doesn’t feel that way about running water, but he did say that it’s stupid to have the modern installation of a faucet, with all the PVC pipe and hoses and fittings and all, because those things can (and often, do) break or leak. They also require crawling under the sink to reach. His opinion is that the old-fashioned set-up wherein there are three solid metal pipes–one for hot, one for cold, one for the faucet–coming directly out of the wall above the sink is the most practical plumbing. It is true that this very set-up at our very old house in New York has been functioning without incident since the kitchen was built on in 1927. So I guess he’s all for “modern” plumbing, as long as it’s 100 years old.
Kara says
Those year more than ever I have been thankful for home and food. There are so many without.
I’m thankful that our daughter’s cat did not wake me in the night (sleep disorder sufferer here!)
I’m thankful for each day that our 2 vety old cars run.
And I’m especially thankful for small mercies for my college daughter, and the lightness I heard in her voice yesterday. This semester, her next to last, has been beyond difficult. Beyond, beyond. And it has really weighed on my heart.
Susan says
So many college kids have struggled this semester! I also have a senior college kid. He’s been ok but having this situation be this way for his last hurrah makes me sad! I wish your daughter success with finals and a restorative break!
J. says
Like you, I am counting down to the shortest day, which I intend to spend with as many candles as will still be safe!
Thankful
That I got to see my aunt before she passed away, and that we can attend her small circle (because corona) funeral;
That I managed to finish more work from my backlog than I had feared I would, this week;
That I had help from my collegues and that I can see their support as helpfulness, not interference;
That our central heating is working so well;
That a friend of ours was so very kind to a very ill cousin;
That I managed to work long days and nights this week but managed to squeeze in some coffees with my husband also.
Kris says
I am thankful for …. all the Christmas lights, both indoors and out, which provide some much-needed cheer …. this will sound odd, but I’m glad I’ve experienced some difficult things in life as it gives me perspective that no matter how long it seems to take to go through hard times, they never last indefinitely …. along those same lines, I’m thankful for a sense of humor …. I’m thankful that I was low-censused at work yesterday which meant I could do some shopping at local small businesses (fun for me and income for them, AND I went early to avoid crowds) …. and thankful for a gorgeous sunny day yesterday, which was the icing on the cake!
Kristen, I’m so glad Sonia’s little animal friends all sold! Wishing you well with your plumbing issues. Bleah. Those are the worst.