Thankful Thursday |
New here? Thankful Thursday is a weekly practice we've been doing to help us all pay attention to the good that is around us, even in the midst of really hard times. It's a $0 mood booster. 🙂
This week I am thankful:
that Lisey took my van to be cleaned
For Christmas, Mr. FG got me a gift certificate to get my van thoroughly cleaned. However, I had not ever managed to get around to using it, so Lisey volunteered to take it for me.
So thoughtful!
for the upsides of online college classes
I don't think that online biology is necessarily ideal, particularly for the lab portion of the class.
But there are upsides, like the fact that I can switch a load of laundry right before class, or that I can make a cup of coffee right before I sit down for a class.
for the advantages of being an older student
My brain may not be as young and quick as it was when I was 18, but on the other hand, I know myself way better now, and that means I have better ideas about how to study for and remember concepts.
(and that is why my notes are peppered with terrible drawings and also why my notes are in sort of funny shapes or in odd orders. I know what triggers my visual memories at this point in my life.)
for the warmer air
It has felt positively spring-like a few days this week and that's making me happy. Also, it has been sunny.
for the longer days
I know I say this almost every week, but you guys! The days are getting so long now! I'm almost forgetting that it's time to start dinner because it's so light outside.
Plus, as my brother reminded me, daylight saving time starts on March 14, which is only about two weeks away.
And that always makes me feel like spring is coming.
that a kind reader sent me some cookbooks and notebooks
She had some cookbooks that might help with our low FODMAP situation here, and in the package, she added some of her little handmade notebooks, which was so nice.
Of course, I will share them with the girls. 🙂
that my attitude does not need to be dependent on circumstances/other people
Obviously, it is much, much easier to have a cheerful attitude when the people around me are being easy to get along with, or when my circumstances are easy.
But it is a mercy that I am not helpless when things are hard. I can still remind myself of things that are true, remind myself of things that are good, remind myself of things that I am in control of (and let go of the things I am not!), and so on.
Wouldn't it be terrible if the only way we could have a good attitude or could find peace is for everything outside of us to cooperate? What a helpless feeling that would be.
for a kind pediatrician
Zoe had a routine checkup this week, and I was reminded of what a lovely person our pediatrician is. She has a really calm way of dealing with things, and I was thinking about what a useful trait that must be for a pediatrician.
And then I thought back to when I was a brand new mom and I remembered how helpful the calm and encouraging pediatricians were for my sleep-deprived self.
Yay for pediatricians!
that a year ago, I could not see the future
I am so, so thankful that I did not have a good sense of how long the world would remain in a state of not-normal.
If I had known, I would have been so much more discouraged last March. And that makes me really thankful I did not know.
Not knowing made it much easier to take things one day at a time.
Interestingly, our devotional this morning included a reading from Matthew 6, which says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
How often I make myself upset by worrying about tomorrow! But when I do remember to focus just on today, life feels so much more manageable.
What are you thankful for this week?
Oh, I love calm pediatricians as well! When I had my first son he had to go back into the hospital because the breast feeding wasn't going as planned. He had lost too much weight. I freaked out and starting bawling.! The pediatrician we had at the time did not have a good bedside manner. She wanted to know why I was crying because my son was not a sick child, just dehydrated. I could have just used a good hug and a calming voice. My husband being a new father pretty much blamed me for our son getting dehydrated. It did not go well lets just put it that way. Our next ped doctor was sooo much better. She was awesome!
I stood up for myself with our second son and things went much better. They are both happy and healthy little boys now.
Oh my goodness, I can completely imagine why you'd cry. The combo of new parent stress + sleep deprivation makes it very hard to handle things, and a poor bedside manner would not help at all.
As a variation on how my attitude is dependent on me: Yesterday, I received a magazine from my undergraduate school that combined alumni-updates and fund-raiser-strategic-plan information. Two days before, I got one from my graduate school. I am thankful for how those places shaped me into who I am, and for the many wonderful people who worked with me there, (sometimes much more of the work being personal, rather than strictly academic studies. I was not a mature student!).
Yet I was discouraged to read some of the success stories, because if I compare myself, I am nowhere near some of their accomplishments, especially considering my abilities and my potential.
So I purposely redirected myself off that dangerous line of thinking, to review the positive things I am and have, to be who I am now, and not go on a winding journey into the past. And I congratulated those accomplished people in my mind, knowing that they have their own struggles, and being thankful for the gifts they share.
It's such hard work to redirect thoughts like that...good job, you!
Thankful that my nine year old granddaughter, who was born with the rare heart defect CC-TGA, had her cardiac check up Monday, echocardiogram and EKG, and nothing has changed over the past year at all. This is always such wonderful news. She is a gymnast, soccer and softball player, a straight-A student and my second-oldest grandchild.
Yay! I'm so glad to hear that she is doing well.
A rather more dramatic translation of that Bible passage you quoted is one I think of quite frequently, "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
Thankful for the students at school who are agreeable and cheerful. There aren't many that are deliberately troublesome, but there are a couple, and they remind me to be thankful for the majority of the students who aren't.
Yes that's the version of that verse I remember from memorizing in third grade 🙂
Kristen, I love that you mentioned that verse from your devotional today. That verse (and the ones preceding it from that passage) were playing over and over in my mind a few nights ago as I was trying to fall asleep.
Today I will celebrate our now 7 year old Grandson in person, inside, without a mask because I am 2 weeks post vaccine. I will hug his 12 year old sister. And enjoy the 14 year old who is such a teenager! I too am very thankful I didn't know what this year would hold.
Ohhh, that is wonderful news! Yay!!!
How did you feel after your second shot? I keep hearing that's the hardest one.
Spouse and I just got our second shot today. Not sure what all the hooha is about the second shot. I asked the nurse and it is the same med and same amount.
We both feel fine and the vaccination site is actually less sore than it was the first time.
??????????????
That's great! I've heard from some people that were miserable for a good 24 hours after the second shot, and others seem to have no reaction at all.
I wonder if it's a person-to-person variation, or if some brands of the vaccine have a different set of side effects.
I’ve read that younger people are more likely to report severe side effects with the second shot than older people. They don’t know why for sure but think it may have something to do with younger people having more robust immune systems. No one I know over 60 has had anything more than a mild reaction, if even that, to the second shot.
For anyone who's wondering, the second shot is the same dose as the first, but it invokes a stronger immune response because it is the second time your immune system is challenged. Some people have side effects as a result of this immune response, but not all people do. It doesn't actually mean you have less or more immunity necessarily, just that everyone is different. The current expert thinking is that side effects are evidence of a robust immune response, so if you can stand a headache or slight fever, it's best not to treat them with ibuprofen or other meds, but only if you can stand it. I'm glad to hear you got both of your shots! I think of every single instance of vaccination as a tiny victory over this virus! You are now protected and you are protecting everyone around you too!
I have a lot that I am feeling thankful for this week:
- I live in Texas and was one of the fortunate few that never lost power last week and have not had any plumbing issues. It’s made me also realize to not take these things for granted.
- also grateful that it has been in the 70s this week instead of -2!
- we bought a piano back in January and it brings me so much peace every time I play it. I’m loving hearing my husband learn to play too.
- my oldest daughter had her cochlear implant surgery on Monday after getting rescheduled from the storms and it all went well! She has bounced back quickly fortunately - I’m always amazed at kids’ resiliency.
To your first and second ones - HOORAY! We also managed not to lose power/water. I feel guilty, but also extremely grateful.
Congratulations on your daughter's cochlear implant. Those are truly
a miracle. My husband had one several years ago and going to the clinic
seeing all the little children in the pre-school was so wonderful and miraculous!
Nice to hear that some Texans did not lose power. Also glad the weather has
improved and warmed up!
It's been a rough few weeks in the mental health department so I need to write down things I'm thankful for today.
1) I'm thankful for the sunshine. Last week in TN, it was an entire week of gray skies and ice and snow.
2) I'm thankful for employment for both myself, my husband, and my son that has remained consistent even in the midst of a pandemic.
3) I'm thankful for puzzles that keep the mind occupied and challenged on gray, icy, cold days.
4) I'm thankful that God's promises are new every morning.
5) I'm thankful for Sonic ice in my drink. I buy it by the bagful and keep in my garage freezer.
-That you helped me be grateful for the later and later sunset each day. I don't know that I consciously noticed it before, but I do now and it makes me happy.
-That I splurged and bought the Spoonflower fabric for making masks last summer. I didn't know I'd be wearing them 9 months later, but it makes me happy to put on a mask with subtle ironic/snarky COVID messages.
-That I have a job I love with colleagues I genuinely like.
This week I am thankful:
- our weather is sunny and 70s, I like it much better than the snow and temperature in the teens last week
- I was able to go for a walk with my BFF, even though she's training for a marathon and ran 10 miles that day, she still went for a 3 miles walk with me
- We got the estimate to repair our flooring after the ice maker line leaked. The cost was less than I feared but not much more than our insurance deductible. If we decide not to file a claim, I'm thankful for the money we have set aside for home maintenance.
- Our son is coming home from college for a visit. Love getting to see him.
- Mom just moved into a memory care unit and had to quarantine for 10 days. Glad that is past her so she can interact with other residents and take part in activities. We're hoping that will ease her anxiety about being there.
- That my sister lives close to the facility where Mom is now so she can check in her regularly. It's hard being four hours away and not being able to help out.
I dislike Daylight Savings Time, but I realize others love it. Florida has been bouncing around the idea of sticking to one time and no longer changing time. I wish they would.
But I am thankful for many things, including:
That, although I am not that fond of living in Florida (the heat! humidity! bugs!) I can be thankful for living in a rural area in which I can see so much wildlife on my work commutes, local trips and just being outside: the red-shouldered hawks, seagulls, bob cats, deer - lots and lots of deer - owls, foxes, coyotes, anhingas, egrets, cranes, gray and fox squirrels, feral hogs, rabbits, alligators, and the gorgeous bald eagle that I spot frequently on my way to and from work as it hunts the water-filled ditches after our recent heavy rains. I haven't seen a bear or panther yet, but I'm okay with that, unless I should be safely in my car at sighting and they are not running out into my path. They are out there, though, especially bears.
For being able to celebrate my almost birthday this weekend with my family, and for never feeling bad about having a birthday only once every four years. It has truly never bothered me.
For my husband and I having no reaction to our second vaccines, except for some soreness at the site for a little while.
That the biopsy on a tiny patch on my leg came back as basal cell, not something worse, and won't take much at all to remove it.
And like Kristen feels, and probably everyone else - that I didn't know in advance how long this pandemic was going to affect us, or how severely. I would have been pretty depressed, I think.
I'm with you on the DST! Personally I wish it would be done away with. I do not like the adjustments twice every year, and since I dislike summertime, I don't care about how long the days are. 🙁
I don't like the adjusting, to be sure. But I do enjoy the light later in the days; I wish we would switch to the DST time and just leave it like that all year long.
I don't love summertime either, at least as far as the temps go. I just like the long days!
Let's see:
* That people were apparently interested enough in my post. It was kind of an ego boost, to be honest.
* That some of the elderly people in my church have been vaccinated.
* That I have a monitor/TV stand out for delivery today. I plan on using that for clearing up some room on my workbench. That should make my life a little bit easier (I hope!) I still need to tackle my tool storage, though.
* That we had a bit of a thaw. It's not spring but it's not unbearably cold and we aren't getting more snow.
I have been a reader for many years, but I believe this is the first time I have commented, mostly because my family does not live very frugally. (I am much more frugal than my husband.) However, I do feel like I have something to add when the conversation turns to Thankfulness.
I am thankful for the abundant sunshine despite the very cold weather this month in Michigan.
I am thankful that each of my three college student children live near enough to home that I get to see them quite regularly.
I am thankful for my second covid-19 vaccine that I will be getting tomorrow and the freedom that the immunity gives me to teach and tutor in person again in the near future.
I am thankful for my church community that continues to find creative ways for outreach and connection through all of the necessary changes this past year.
I am thankful for a mind capable of learning and a heart capable of growing.
I'm thankful that I had shovelled off most of our back deck over the last week (mostly just to enjoy being outside for a few minutes) because yesterday it was sunny and 45 and the kids and I were able to play on a dry deck like it was summer!
I'm thankful for forgiveness. When I blow it as a parent, when my kids blow it with other people... I'm thankful that we can learn, apologize, and be forgiven.
I'm thankful for books.
I'm thankful that the 2 little ones at home with me are pretty flexible kiddos. We ended up having to wait someplace in our van for 2 hours on Monday and I don't think either one complained. What. A. Gift.
1. That we have finally landed on a pain medication that my Mom can tolerate following knee replacement surgery last week.
2. That we are almost two weeks out from said surgery - I am told by many that the first two weeks are the roughest and I am excited for her to be on the other side of this and continuing to recover.
3. For the last few days of temps in the upper 60's and low 70's - gosh I can't wait for Springtime and this taste of what's to come has been such a blessing.
4. I agree with Kristen - I am grateful we cannot see the road ahead. If I had seen last March the scope and depth of what was to come I don't know that I would have weathered it well at all. There is so much mercy & grace baked in to that truth.
5. For the housing search ahead. It is a tough market and homes are being quickly sold but I know that God will lead us to the home he has just for us and that it will bless our family.
1. Thankful for sunshine today. Did small amt of yard work. I'm weak. Trying to build up. 2. Found a great shabby chic painted mirror...frame is round with grubby ornate cream curly fancy round frame. 1905 era. Thrift store. 3. Neighbor and I ate salad and pizza outside tables at restaurant with vodka and orange juice. 4. Made chicken legs baked. Yum. 5. Lady down street fell twice but is ok now
This week, I am very thankful that my parents have both now received their second dose of the COVID vaccine. They are both in their 70s and my mother is weak from cancer, so having them both vaccinated is one less stress to deal with!
Your comment about being able to do laundry/get a fresh cup of coffee made me smile. While we were doing online church, I did exactly those things! There is something nice about comfortable seating/hot beverage/blanket and snuggly cat on your lap during virtual church ...
Anyway. Super hugely thankful that my mom's hospice physician tried her on a corticosteroid. Oh.my.goodness. What an improvement. SO MUCH better control of her symptoms--plus she is tons more alert and interactive and her appetite has increased (for her, that's a good thing). I know this isn't a "cure" but all of us deeply appreciate that we can have quality time with her.
More moderate temps so I could take my kids for a window visit with her yesterday. Single digit temperatures = no desire to shiver outside a window.
While the sunshine and warmer temps are nice, I was grateful we had a bout of colder weather and snow. A friend of mine and I went snowshoeing together last Saturday. I don't remember the last time I laughed so much. I felt mentally lighter after our afternoon, if that makes sense.
My bed. We bought a new mattress a year ago and every night when I lay down, I think how comfortable it is.
A friend from work and I email most days (I'm not getting many work hours and haven't seen her in awhile). I think we both appreciate the support we feel from each other.
Kris, I'm thinking about you and your mom. Virtual hugs to you both.
So happy to hear that you are getting more quality time with your mom; wonderful!
And yes, a good laugh really does lighten a mental load.
Thanks, both of you!
I'll start off with a funny one today...
-I am thankful that I choose a "different" bathroom stall at work yesterday. Someone else flushed and my "normal" stall over flowed with sewage! Can you just image if I would have stuck with my normal routine??? OMG. Now, I can never use that one again.
Ok, more serious ones:
-I am thankful that my mother and father who are in their 80's can still live on their own. A colleague, who has younger parents, is dealing with her parents' transition into assisted living.
-I am thankful that hubby has been grocery shopping on his off weekday. He's been finding all the meat mark downs. I don't think there is anymore room left in our freezer.
-I am thankful that my SIL is doing just fine (other than some flu like symptoms) with her Covid diagnosis.
Oh man, a public bathroom overflow is an embarrassing nightmare! Glad you were spared.
I could use some prayers dear readers. I am going back into the classroom in a large urban district on Monday. I am excited to see the students, but very nervous for all of us.
Prayers and more prayers for you and your work family!
Oh, I know that can be really hard for teachers. I hope things go off without a hitch.
Do teachers in your area have early access to the vaccine yet?
Oh, I hear you! Special Ed was sent back in October on a waiver in my district and I was nervous but it has really worked out okay. Only one adult in the next room got it from her mother and it did not spread. I am a stickler for masks, etc, in my room and I never take it off unless we are outside. So far, so good.
I did go to my doctor beforehand to make sure I didn't have any underlying conditions (beyond the overlying condition of being more of me than I would like, ahem) and that helped put my mind at ease.
I hope they are getting you vaccines soon -- best of luck to you!
I love your comments, Priskill! Always so fun to read.
Thankful for silver linings...as you mentioned if we had known originally just how long life would be changed for a year ago, it would have been much more challenging. However, silver lining with all of this for me was a chance to try new things...this week I am thankful to have opened an ETSY shop of my own, would never have had the chance to try new crafts or risk being adventurous and sharing them with others if we had not had this past year. I am also thankful to have a warm home of our own, just for our family. I feel that it is a true luxury and I am very grateful for our home. I have also been so thankful for the amazing few days of sunshine-total mood booster and reminder that more good things are coming soon to be thankful for. Love this weekly reset you help us all do! Hope its a great weekend for you and your family, and all the frugal girl friends.
Boy, we don't often hear about the upsides of this last year, but how cool that you were able to use that time positively -- Good luck with your shop!
1. The sunny weather
2. The walks we got to take yesterday and today. The kids loved them.
3. For the feeling of hope I have now after feeling fairly hopeless regarding some interpersonal disagreements with a particular close family member.
4. That I only have one more child to potty train. Three down, one to go!
5. For my Bible and the reminders of eternal hope it brings me every day, and that that hope has nothing to do with my goodness or abilities, but rather the unchanging goodness of God
I felt the same way when I was down to one more kid to potty train! I was so happy to be done with that stage.
I am so glad that things are looking better with the family member. Relational stress is THE WORST in my book.
I am thankful that I talked to several people today that have Covid vaccine appointments or had just received their first dose of the vaccine.
I am thankful that I had long phone conversations with both my sisters this week. I'm on the east coast and they live in the Midwest.
I am grateful for the warmer, brighter weather. We had many freezing precipitation events this month but it looks like there are none forecast in the near future.
I am grateful that I was able to get my hair cut this morning. I double masked, there were not a lot of people in the salon, and it feels wonderful to be rid of scraggly hair.
I am thankful that I have been able to walk outside every day, even if it involved trudging through a thick layer of sleet a couple of days. Needing to deal with clearing pavement gave me a chance to be outside when the going was tough.
I am grateful that my husband was sympathetic when I hit the Covid wall Sunday evening. I did not respond well to the news of having a big up coming event miniaturized. I did what I could to get over it and after some mourning I was able to see the positives.
I am thankful that we have managed to hang in there for the past 50 weeks and that we have this weekly exercise.
Like most others it seems, I am also thankful for the nice weather we have had this week. Hopefully the worst of winter is behind us.
While I am always thankful for my husband, I had an unexpected blast from the past this week and was reminded that my past relationships left a lot to be desired. It made me extra grateful that we managed to find each other and have created a life together that we both love.
1. It was 43 below zero at our house earlier this week. Today it was zero. When I was young, 40 and 50 below seemed invigorating and adventurous but now it gets just tiresome. Thankful it has warmed up.
2. Got the seeds that I ordered a few weeks ago and today we are setting out the seed starting table so I can start my leeks. I grow literally hundreds of them so I have enough to freeze for the entire winter. They are always the first thing I start so I have growing things to tend indoors two months before the snow melts. Feels like spring.
3. I am not much of a coupon clipper but I had two that could stack, and then I found tuna in the dented can area...putting them all together, I got a dozen cans of tuna for ten cents each! We love tuna around here.
4. Thankful to our mail guy, who has been delivering here for some time and gotten to know us. Yesterday he delivered two 40 pound bags of dog food and another two 41 pound bags of chicken feed. He knocked on the door and said the snow coming down was going to damage the bags if they sat out there, and then he carried them into the entryway for us.
5. Our rescue dog. He has this weird little habit of sitting while I put his food bowl down and then he stands up and gives my hand a quick lick before starting to eat. It makes me smile each time. He does a similar thing at bedtime. When we get under the cover, he hops up on the bed, gives each of us a quick lick and then jumps down to his own bed.
Your dog sounds so precious —he’s kissing you goodnight!
We worked with our vet to determine, after six weeks, that our greyhound has a pinched nerve and nothing more serious. She is on medicine and is back to her silly self. We are getting needed moisture in CO, so I have not had to water in a month.
In 1972, we rescued a greyhound and Abbott was a part of our family for 15 years. He was wonderful and is missed daily!
1) I am thankful to be released shortly, after nearly a week in the hospital after emergency abdominal surgery.
2) I am grateful that I am recovering well and will, hopefully, make a full recovery with no future flare ups.
3) I am grateful for a wonderful and caring coworker who jumped in and took over my classes (I am a middle school teacher). It gives me such a sense of calm to know she’s covering.
4) I am grateful that I will be able to tap into the sick leave bank once I use all of my sick days. I have only 10 of my own days, and that is not nearly enough. I joined the bank about 5 years ago, strongly doubting that I would ever use it. I had to donate a day then and an additional sick day a few years ago. So so grateful...
5) I have health insurance but am worried about the bills. So grateful I have savings to help, if needed.
6) Grateful, as always, for my family and their health, love, and happiness.
Feel better soon!
You have a lot on your plate. Hugs.
Thank you!
Longtime reader and very infrequent comment-er here with my thankful list:
1. It’s in the 3o’s and sunny here today! It felt great to take a walk and feel just a hint of spring. It’s not here to stay yet, but a lovely reminder that Spring is just around the corner.
2. I went on an errand to my local quilt shop and the woman who helped me was so lovely! We found all the items on my short-ish list and she made some excellent suggestions. I’m thankful for her help and for the ability to afford the things I needed there— and to be able to shop locally for them.
3. I am ever thankful for the gift of time. I have more time for my own interests being newly retired and do not take that for granted. Certainly a lifetime of frugal choices and a very supportive husband has let me retire a few years early, but still- many folks just aren’t that fortunate. I also value our time together every day.
4. I am thankful for having a creative mind and then having the time and ability to use it. I’m revisiting old creative hobbies and interests (and taking up a few new ones) and making it a priority to do something creative every day. Making things brings me great satisfaction and enjoyment.
5. I am thankful for my new cozy wool slippers from LL Bean! They are just awesome and fit me perfectly. I wore my old slippers down to the nub so this new pair is amazing. They were a Christmas gift from my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. They always are so good to me so I’m thankful to them too. 🙂
I'm thankful my elderly parents received their first dose of the Covid19 vaccine yesterday and are feeling just fine. I had been calling for an appointment for weeks and it finally happened!
Yay!!
I am looking forward to spring when I can have my car detailed. My son's-in-lawfriend comes to the house. He did a beautiful job on my husband's car last fall.
1. Thankful for the Monday morning walks. The new Sr Center director wanted to start a walking group and she assigned me to, I guess, plan it. We only have a small, but adventurous, group of 65+plus years old. We went out one morning in 19 deg weather, we have trudged through snow-covered trails, walked in a light drizzle. Most important is the social connection.
2. Thursday's with the grandchildren.
3. The 50 deg day today. A little windy and muddy from the snow melt.
4. I had the knitting needles my daughter need and she had the yarn I could use, in lieu of buying, for a test project.
5. The Thursday night kundalini classes for the sense of calm and relaxation.
I like the last one about not knowing what was going to happen last year and this year. it makes me think about when people say would you want to know the future or change the past. I wouldn't want either because my life isn't sparkles and rainbows but its a good life and the people in it could change even down to my lovely cats or my favorite cup, those things are comforts. As for the future, like you said what if there was something awful in store for me or mine, I definitely wouldn't want to know that.
1. It's warmer than usual today. We can't really control our heat and have to have the windows open at least a teeny bit and I get cold easily. Thankfully I did not need to wear two sweaters and a hat while working today.
2. My brother gets his first COVID vaccination tomorrow. He's a teacher and is expected to teach in-person in the Fall so I am glad to know he will have the extra level of protection it should provide.
3. My husband sold some artwork. His work has been very sporadic since the pandemic began so it was good he earned some money to squirrel away.
4. Our returns are complicated so we use a tax professional, and they can do it all remotely.
5. The sunshine the last few days. It gets gloomy in the house otherwise so I am enjoying it while it's here.
So true about not being dependent on other's cheerfulness to find my own. I am working on this!! Being easily discouraged or sinking into a loved one's unhappiness are not helpful. I have a long way to go .
Thankful my daughter is plowing through all the stuff she has to do to make her big move cross country while dealing with some unhappiness. Proud of her and thankful she is strong.
Thankful we have visited her every night she has been here -- I know we will call and talk when she is far away. And visit, when the @#%*! COVID recedes.
Thankful we are not eating out during this visit too much -- both cheaper and healthy.
Thankful we are all healthy and I can get my vaccine next Wednesday. 🙂
Thankful it is Thursday, which is like our Friday. Woot!
Thankful for youtube and all the French bulldog videos that totally crack us up. Watching these before going to sleep often translates into cheerful, puppy-filled dreams. Especially love Griffin Frenchie -- never fails to make us smile. I know, I never thought this stuff would work but there you go 😉
Oh, I totally have a long way to go as well with that. I so easily pick up other people's feelings, which is great when it's a chance to rejoice with someone. But it's a problem when I pick up everyone else's negative feelings.
So so true !
Thankful for a wonderful dentist, he is calm and gentle but gets the job done.
Thankful for 1st vaccine dose for my husband tomorrow.
Thankful that tomorrow is Friday, I need the break from work!
Thankful for coffee, always thankful for coffee.
Thankful for an opportunity to learn new things, even when I am scared, I can still learn new things!
I'm always thankful for good health, a wonderful husband, a warm, safe, comfortable home, a reliable income, access to affordable food, a terrific free library system, reliable transportation and public parks and trails. I'm ashamed that I frequently take so much for granted.
But this week, I'm thankful that the postal service finally found my lost ink and delivered it. I love my mail lady, but admit I'm less than thankful for the mess the postal system seems to be in. Am I the only person still getting Christmas cards that were mailed in December? 😉
I'm also thankful for the extensive help I received from a variety of customer service representatives while trying to solve a complicated problem for my mom. It literally took hours of time on hold but every CSR I dealt with treated me with respect and did everything they could to help me. I'm hopeful the problem has been solved but only time will tell.
I think everything you just wrote I lived this week. (Or at least a version of it.) You're not alone.
I am thankful for
-my tax return which is giving me a little bit more financial cushion,
-my parents both getting their first shot on Monday and I am due for my first shot next Monday,
-the fact that all of my students want to and are able to stay virtual so I know they can stay safe until they can be vaccinated which might not be for a very long time since they are so young,
-the discovery that I have the unique skill set required to keep four year olds engaged with virtual learning,
-the excellent sources of information I have discovered while being at home for everything from virtual teaching tips to medical information and parenting help,
-reliable sources of food and a husband who happily cooks whatever I buy,
-books, video games, movies, and other pleasant distractions,
-weather that is nice enough to open the windows and freshen the house,
-the fact that no one can come over anyway, so my house does not have to be all that clean,
-my sweet snuggly cats that are so comforting to my kids even if they are the main reason why my house could use more cleaning and/or freshening,
-the fact that my kids have each other to play with,
AND
-the chocolate that is coming in my hungry harvest order tomorrow! 😉
Have a wonderful Friday and weekend, everyone!
Please share what are some ideas to keep young ones engaged virtually! I am a girl scout leader of little ones and am starting to lose them.
Well, I feel like I could write a book at this point, but my best tips are:
first of all, build in reasons for them to move-songs, dances etc, but also have them go get you something to show, like something to count or something that is this color or starts with this letter, etc. Anytime you can make it about them is great!
Second, I find it immeasurably helpful to have an agenda of what we are doing, color coded and in simple language. I use a google doc for this. Example:
Today we will:
talk about moms,
read a book, count to ten and say goodbye.
I highlight each section in a different color.
Then I have another google doc next to it on the screen that has what we are doing for each "section" of the day. Each section is one page and is highlighted the same color as it's line on the agenda, so for example, "read a book" is blue, so the page for reading is also blue. I would have a link to the online read aloud, and maybe one or two questions about the book.
Final tips, if you can have another adult (or maybe a teenager) helping you, it's beyond valuable, and so is having two computer screens-one for sharing your screen and the other so that you can see the kids.
Also, make sure to let each kid get at least one turn to talk. This is where the other adult is so helpful!
One more thought: whatever you want to teach or talk about, look and see if Sesame Street has done it already. They have so much content available and they are consistently engaging for my little people.
I hope those ideas were helpful. If you need more specific help, you can ask Kristen to give you my email address. Just make sure you say something like "from frugal girl" in the subject line so I don't think it's spam.
I am thankful that my sister found a job and that our company was acquired. I am thankful for the brown rice pasta dish I made yesterday. I am thankful for friends who make me laugh as well as my favorite French show which also puts a smile on my face. I am also thankful for my garden and succulents.
Kristen, I’m sure you are a professor’s dream student!
Life experience is a pretty great teacher
I switched careers and went to grad school in my 30’s. I was such a better, more diligent student than I had been in college.
My 51 year old husband is now in grad school to become a high school English teacher. He’s currently student teaching (from our guest room!) and has all the benefits of a lot of life experience to bring to his students
I'm thankful my feral who was MIA for 8 days after the heavy winter storm came back no worse for wear. I feel bad he has an outdoor life.
That the work week was quiet. 99.9 % of the time they are not. I was able to sit on the deck for an hour yesterday it was so nice out. I needed the sun. That was my work break.
I am thankful my son Facetimes me with the grand baby, usually at dinner because its the only time she sits still. She is growing up so quickly and is such a happy baby.
Thankful that is took less than a 2 minute call to fix a $945. doctor bill that was coded wrong.
We have two freezers — upright — one old, one a lot newer. The old one stopped running yesterday. This is a weird thing to be thankful for, but it seriously could not have gone on the fritz at a better time. Our next steer is at the locker right now, and we'd have been in a world of hurt if it had been chock full. I had to sauce/salsa/can 60 pounds of tomatoes before the new beef got here anyway — and smoke two briskets — and can another 20 pounds of beef. Now it'll all be taken care of, and the timing was OK since two major work projects were concluded Monday. And, the service guys came today and fixed two small problems with the power supply and it is up and running. Not bad.
My "kids" are all grown and so I am very thankful I do not deal with either teachers or pediatricians anymore. Truth. But what I am mostly grateful lately is that my dear ones made it through last week in Texas. I don't know how we all got so lucky - we had a few mishaps but nothing like what some families went thru. Such gratefulness can bring stress and guilt, too. I am getting thru that as best I can.
https://cannaryfamily.blogspot.com/2021/02/still-with-me.html
Also grateful for: a car that runs great!, a weekend place in the country that we can go to to decompress (its not as fancy as it sounds), a hot dinner and shower after a long day at work, my comfy bed with flannel sheets, and the promise of a really good cup of coffee each morning.
The little things in life are not always so little.
Love a comfy bed with flannel sheets and the promise of good coffee...
so true. sometimes when I'm going to bed I look forward to being able to have that first cup of coffee or tea in the AM
I am thankful for my husband's birthday. He and I have a different view of how healthy he is, and he will not see a doctor. I am grateful to have him here and to celebrate this milestone with him!
I am grateful that our home is a haven in a world of unquiet.
That the evenings are getting longer, so we can take advantage of daylight before our Corona curfew kicks in at 21.
That I managed to get some work related tasks done, that were not progressing and were causing me worries.
Thankful for cheerful family and uplifting weather. A plate of good food and a comfortable bed at night. Good neighbours. And getting a haircut soon due to reopening hair salons. Haircuts are not need to haves, but they certainly are very nice to have! J.
I did not know there are curfews in the USA , I know Germany where I ' m from has them 21.00 hours .
I don't think J is in the US...I could be wrong, but my clues are the way she spelled "neighbours" and the fact that she used 21 to mean 9 o'clock. Usually only military people would say 2100 hours in the US. Everyone else would say 9. J, am I right? Are you perhaps in the UK?
I am in Netherlands Becca! You are quite a sleuth though! 🙂
What a beautiful post! When things are rough,my husband always says, “The sun will come up tomorrow.” This is his way of telling me that no matter what today is like, you can begin again tomorrow. Every day is a chance to begin again..
So anyway, I’m thankful for this post. I am grateful for my husband’s wisdom. I am blessed by this sunny, new day. I’m happy that the song stuck in my head today is “Morning Has Broken.”
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e0TInLOJuUM
Wishing you all peace, health and frugality
One of my favorite songs.
You totally cheered me up -- thank you!
Both of my grandparents had that song at their funerals and my dad wants it at his as well.
Trying to think outside the box today... (I always name the same things!)
Thankful for...
* an invitation to spend a night with a friend. Walk by the river, take-out pick-up and boards games? Yes please!
* Having a washer and dryer at home
* My King size bed
* Being able to access online registration right away to book my 3 (free) swimming sessions for next week. 1 minute after the registrations opened, the waiting list is already at 605 persons!
* To be bilingual (french (1st language) and english)
Thankful for:
The two delicious and free oatmeal cookies yesterday that perked up a dismal lunch.
Personally having 22 no-spending days this month so far. Have some shopping to do this weekend, so I should end the month at 23 days.
My sweet husband celebrating his 63rd birthday this week at home, with only the comment that on his next birthday, we surely will be able to go out and get Mexican food. 🙂
The first tiny spring wildflowers popping up in the grass.
Our beloved old cat, who adopted us almost 13 years ago, getting a sterling bill of health from the vet at his annual check-up.
I am thankful that I finally had time to read all of the comments and comment.
I am thankful that my son passed his test for his learner's permit today.
I am thankful his first short adventure in driving on a big road was uneventful other than my white knuckles.
I am thankful for homemade pizza tonight.
I am thankful (again) that my father is with me now and that I can keep tabs on him better.
I am quite thankful for this blog. And the weather. And the chicken that laid an egg in the cat's box on the front porch-- so funny.
I love your comment about Matthew 6. It is so true and, in all honesty, for me, comforting.
Thankful for my faith. It has been so important to me throughout my life; although, I know some would be surprised as I am as imperfect as a human can be. It has been extremely important over the past year.
Thankful for my immediate family. We are not a large family but I just love spending time with them.
I am thankful for the days beginning to be a little longer.
This will sound absolutely silly - but, I am thankful for some of the home reno shows and their reruns we have discovered during the pandemic. Some of them are so cute, some of them are really funny and some are both. Reno and home decorating is so far out of my small list of abilities I am constantly amazed at what can be done that I never would have imagined.
I am thankful for this blog.
I have been busy and I'm thankful today I did almost nothing.
I'm thankful for the Scriptures that guide me when I don't know what to do.
I'm thankful for coffee.
I'm thankful for my family.