Thankful Thursday | 80%
This week, I am thankful:
that my exam grade was not as bad as I anticipated
I got 20/25, which is 80%. That's my lowest exam grade ever, but it's not exactly a tragedy. I can definitely pop back from that.
This first exam basically got split in half this semester; we got one-half of the material this week, and we'll have the other half of this module's material on next week's exam.
So in a sense, I have a chance to redeem this exam next Monday. If I do really well on that one, my grade for this module won't be bad at all.
And besides, an 80 is still passing. I just prefer not to be floating so close to the not-passing level!
I like me some margin.
that I have some ideas about how to prepare better for the next exam
I've got some other resources I'm going to use, and I think I might try to get together with friends to study together before Monday.
that I have some clear days to study
I don't have any lectures today or tomorrow, which means I can focus on studying for the upcoming exam. Yay!
Tomorrow is the second-chance competency testing at school, but since I passed on my first try, I have the prize of an empty school day.
for a fun visit with my friend Mia
Unfortunately, we took almost no pictures because we forgot! But we did have a lovely time with each other, and I'm sad she had to go back to Ohio.
Perhaps one day we will live in the same state again...
(I met Mia when she lived here for a number of years.)
for so many sunny days
This week has been wonderfully, delightfully sunny, and that has made my heart happy.
Mia and I were walking on a trail together last weekend and I think I probably said, "OH I love this sunshine!!" somewhere around 15 times. 😉
for our cats
Because, of course! Always!
Our cats entertain Zoe and me so much.
Both of them like to hide underneath sheets and comforters, so you always have to be a little careful before you plop down onto a bed!
It's not so tricky when it's just a sheet like this, but if it's a comforter on an unmade bed, a lump of cat is hard to notice. 😉
that I got a $1000 scholarship yesterday!
Geez, I can't believe I made it this far in today's post before I remembered to include this.
This one is from the PEO sisterhood, an organization that helps support the education of women. I got one from them last year, which I used to pay for my first semester of books, and I am delighted to have another one this year. Yay!!
A local friend of mine suggested I apply, and I am so glad that I did.
I am gonna be ok. 🙂
that I have paid for over half of my RN degree already
My first two semesters are all paid for now and that's over half of the cost of my degree because obviously my prereq classes are behind me now too.
So, I truly only have two more semesters to cover.
Also, I think I have most of the books purchased now; you have to buy a ton in the first semester, and then you keep using those books in future semesters.
And of course, I've already paid for my student uniforms and the other various required supplies.
So, the financial end is in sight, and once I graduate, my degree is gonna earn me money. 🙂
that the days are noticeably longer
I love that the sun comes up a little earlier; that makes it easier to squeeze in a walk, shower, and breakfast before morning lectures.
And of course, I love that the sun is setting later (5:35 pm today!) More daylight always makes me happy.
By the end of February, sunset will be at 5:58, giving us 11 hours and 19 minutes of daylight.
(Who's counting? MEEEEE.)
CONGRATULATIONS on the scholarship and the 80%!!! 80% is downright decent when you think you've bombed and, like you said, you know better how to prepare for the next installment. You've got this!
Congratulations on your scholarship! And on your not-terrible exam grade. 🙂
Thankfuls:
--For a weekend of no basketball games. The basketball season is busy, and I get tired of driving so far for games, so a break is appreciated. Of course, there are three games next week, but we only have another weekend after that before the season is over.
--That my eldest son is looking forward to a more-fun FFA trip to Albuquerque this year for the state speech finals than last year's trip to Las Cruces. It's about half the distance, for one thing, but also last year they had to leave right after the contest to get one of their members back for a basketball game, so they had to miss out on all the fun stuff. This yeat they're not rushed, though, and get to do other things, which is, to me, half the point of FFA travel.
--That everyone has recovered from their various illnesses and we're all back to work/school.
--For our school superintendent, who works crazy hours as we build a new school. She is also a tireless advocate at the state level for our school, most recently doing everything she can to protest our state education department's prospective rule change that would mandate five-day school weeks. We're been a four-day school for a very long time, as are a lot of other schools in our rural state, so this would be a big change, and not for the better.
--For the cabbage seeds that have sprouted. The little bent backs of the seedlings are juuuust showing, and every year I'm excited to see them. I get tired of the work sometimes, but I really just love growing food.
@kristin @ going country, I read your blog religiously and never realized you had a four day school week. What an interesting concept and if it's been working for years, maybe they can grandfather your district in and not fix what isn't broken?
I hope you can keep your four-day week!
@Jennifer, That would be logical, but what they want is to force every school in the state to have a five-day week, regardless of student performance or the many reasons it works for us and schools like us.
I had noticed it was still light around 5:15 last evening. Yay! I'll use that as my number one.
2, Had a good visit with my mom this week. She sounded and looked like herself, except she refuses to enter hospice, because she doesn't have cancer and she's not dying, she says.
3. Daughter may have found an affordable Manhattan apartment the size of a closet, which leads me to
Stress 1. Gus has been meowing nonstop pitifully ever since she left and is driving me crazy.
Stress 2. My crazy/drunk ex-tenant is threatening to sue me because she broke up with her boyfriend (the other tenant), moved out, and now wants all the rent she paid me back. Unfortunately for her, the world does not work the way she thinks it should, so she doesn't have a leg to stand on, but it's more annoyance to deal with.
Back to thankful. 4. New doc, new drugs. Trying something different.
5. I finally have the feral cats' feeding area rigged up so the deer can't eat their food. Yes, that includes you, pathetic doe with broken leg. Scram.
Chest hurts from stress even though I know it's a frivolous lawsuit. And somehow the deer learned to walk up stairs to get at the food.
@Rose, Your 3!
@Rose, court with tenants is SO stressful even if you KNOW you are in the right. Been there, done that.
@NumberCruncher, This'll be my third time in court if she manages to find some lawyer willing to represent her. She texted me, "Let me know if you are willing to settle this without the headache of lawyers and court, I think this would be the only way to keep this to a 5-digit number (albeit, a high one)."
Then there was the weekly renter who sued me. I canceled their stay three months ahead because I was having a new septic installed that week and I refunded every penny. She thought I should be required to pay the difference between the price of my cottage per night and the hotel she stayed at. That is, if my place was $200 a night and she was "forced" to go to a hotel at $400 a night, she thought I owed her the extra $200. After she explained it, the judge was like, "What?"
@Rose, That's beyond ridiculous! I've actually had a judge scold a previous tenant of mine for "wasting everyone's time with this nonsense". The shock on her face and somewhat apologetic stammering that followed was at least some compensation for the time and stress involved!
@Rose, re: your TT #2: I'm sorry your mom feels that way about hospice. If people could just get over the idea that hospice means "giving up," it would save them a lot of pain and suffering. (Dr. Bestest Neighbor, among the many other stars in his crown, used to be the medical director of our local hospice.) Still, I know you can't make her do what she doesn't want to do.
And re: your Stress #2: I nominate your ex-tenant and Fru-gal Lisa's ex-roommate for the Worst Renters Ever Hall of Fame. DH had a few horror stories from his landlord days, but nothing quite as bad as either of these.
@A. Marie, BFF got a lot of help from hospice. But my mother's brain is affected by cancer and some days are just crazy and some are OK. I never know in advance while driving 2.5 hours each way.
Actually I think Ahole Tenant, the one before this bunch, was worse. His staff moved in in May; by October he was refusing to pay rent, told me "Tell your stories to the judge" and because of Covid eviction freeze, they lived there for at least another year rent free and trashing the place. He is literally the only person in my life I've ever been afraid of--he is quite seriously a sociopath. He is still ensconced after four years at "his" restaurant, for which he has never paid a single red cent of rent. AND--he fakes scurrilous and defamatory emails, such as the actual owner of the property telling him "Thanks for the rent. Can you advance me a little more? My gambling debts are getting bad." In addition to forging the old guy's signature on a fake lease. Oh and he moved into the old guy's apartment one day when he was away for a few days and refused to leave, saying he had a lease.
https://www.easthamptonstar.com/police-courts/202329/tangled-tale-two-brothers Article in local paper about that bit of news.
The current idiot is just a really not all that bright millennial who thinks she can shake me down for money. mmmm, I don't scare that easily, honey.
@Rose,
I think you should break some more legs...on the deer, of course...
@Rose, can you not call the DNR to see if they can deal with the injured doe? Or another wildlife rescue organization?
@Selena, Apparently deer can get along quite fine with a broken leg. She managed to hop up stairs with three legs to a second floor deck. I was begged by a neighbor not to call the wildlife rescue as they'd just put her down.
@Rose, which IMHO, is the kindest thing to do. She's at risk from predators (including humans) and for disease/starvation.
Scholarship money is always a good thing! School can be quite expensive so every bit helps. And as for sun, its been like spring here and I go out into it every chance I get to bank up some sun hours. (: Things to be thankful for today:
*I am still able bodied enough to do all of my own yardwork and I have the time for it, too. As mentioned, the weather in Central Texas has been glorious.
*funds in my HSA will more than cover the cost of dental work I am having done today and having my chipped teeth repaired will boost my smile.
*I learned how to sell on Ebay! I went through my jewelry box and grabbed up things I no longer needed or wanted and this will help me simplify AND earn a little extra money to put towards other things. I have already sold three things and its less than 24 hours later. The things I have chosen to keep have great sentiment for me.
*I have been sleeping like a rock - probably all that yardwork, ha ha.
P.S. The kitties look very well-loved and cared for.
@Gina from The Cannary Family, I've sold on eBay before but never considered selling jewelry. Hmmm, thank you for that idea. I have many necklaces, pendant style, that I rarely wear anymore. I wonder. . .
@Gina from The Cannary Family,
How did you figure out pricing?
@Connie, most of the items were James Avery - either from the current collection, or retired and sold on Ebay and Poshmark. So I just researched what the average asking price was, taking into consideration that people usually "make an offer". So far, so good!
Congratulations on the scholarship! And I'm glad you were okay on the exam, too. My son has had a couple of quizzes like that this semester, and they were good for him because now he knows what he needs to do.
My thankfuls:
*That I go to therapy today. It's been 5 weeks (because I neglected to make appointments before the others ran out), and I can tell! I love my face therapists.
*For more sunlight.
*For helpful kids I like to spend time with. And that they mostly like to spend time with me.
*That I've had a few fun evenings of making valentines and listening to records with the kids.
*That my son was able to finish a story on time for a submission deadline, and I thought it was good and fun to read.
*That I managed to get a box of treats and Valentine's Day cards in the mail for my college boy. He should have it before the 14th. (I'm usually late or never with such things.)
1. Thankful I had a good dentist visit and had the funds to pay for it- no dental insurance this year
2. Had to help my parents with a tech issue- so great that I still have my parents at 80 and 82.
3. Sunny weather. Cool for us Floridians, but I don't mind as long as it's not GRAY.
4. A good boss- just called her to ask off for time. The time is owed to me, but I always feel a little nervous asking for days off.
5. Good sons- both remembered to call their dad on his Birthday without prompting!
@Michele, I have been fortunate that my parents have adopted my son as their new IT guy since he is older now. It used to be my job. But, I still get the Iphone calls as he and I are the only ones with an Iphone. Two days ago, my dad called and wanted to know why when he calls me his phone lights up green, but doesn't when he calls other people. I don't know. He routinely calls to know why his phone isn't ringing aloud. Usually it updated and turned his bluetooth on and the phone doesn't ring then (and why is that?? I would like to know that also).
My favorite is when he calls and says "where am I...I need directions to "X"." I need to have him share his location on his phone cause this happens a lot
LOL. You are right though...we should be thankful for these calls!
@Michele, about your #4: maybe it would help you to read the book recommended by AFVirginia on Monday called "Ask for It: How Women Can Use the Power of Negotiation to Get What They Really Want" by Linda Babcock. I just ordered a copy on Thriftbooks based on her story. It is so hard to ask for things that I think might inconvenience someone else, even when it is "owed" to me!
@Marlena, " Usually it updated and turned his bluetooth on and the phone doesn’t ring then"
That one drives me up the wall.
@Marlena, I too get annoyed when updates turn on Bluetooth. I only have it on when I am using it then off again. Never have location services on either unless I'm using GPS.
@WilliamB, my iPhone does still ring when Bluetooth is on - odd.
Congrats on the 80% and amazing on the scholarship! You'll do much better on the next simply because you have some idea of what to expect from this professor and the type of exam now.
I also am thankful for every extra minute of the sunshine!
My cat (who we call the "domestic terrorist" because he's sooo pesky!) loves being under the sheets/blanket also. He comes running every morning when he hears me make the bed cause his favorite thing is when you throw the blanket or sheet in the air (which I normally wouldn't do making the bed...just when changing sheets, but he loves it so much that I have to). My parents recently had their very old dog put down and thought they were done with pets...but about two months later adopted a new dog from the shelter. It does provide so much entertainment and joy for their days.
Thankful that I don't have any doctors appointments this month (knock on wood). After months of dealing with health stuff, I welcome a month off!
Speaking of pets, we found out my very old french bulldog has a soft tissue sarcoma. This is horrible, but I am very thankful that for now it is causing her no pain, no irritation...she doesn't seem to even know it is there.
And finally, I have mostly finished my taxes (won't file for another month or two), but we owe about 30% less than last year. Still thousands of $$, but less thousands than before...(look at me trying to find that silver lining Kristen always talks about....it's rough with this one).
First, I'm so glad you passed the exam, Kristen--and, as others have already noted, a grade of 80 isn't the end of the world. Plus you now have a much better idea of what's coming and how to study for it. (Are you sure you shouldn't take Chiquita's approach of just sleeping with your head on the study materials, though?)
Now, a round of thankful/NOT thankful/thankful:
I'm thankful that we too have been enjoying a burst of sunshine instead of a typically gloomy Central NY February. The weather has made it easier for me to deal with these two pieces of NOT good news, which I first mentioned in my Feb. 2 post on the NCA:
(a) My SIL in Texas called to let me know that my BIL (DH’s 7-years-younger brother, a year younger than I am) now has a formal diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s. We both pretty well knew this was coming, but hearing that it's "official" is still hard. I offered my SIL what comfort and support I could, and will continue to do so--but both she and I know all too well from DH’s experience where this is going.
(b) And a dear neighbor, Bailey dog’s mom (BDM; I walk Bailey on days when her humans can’t be home at lunchtime), has just been diagnosed with pretty advanced ovarian cancer. (So advanced that she’s going to have to have chemo just to shrink the tumor before they can even consider surgery.) BDM is 10 years younger than I am; she’s my best friend among the neighbors after the Bestest Neighbors and my next-door neighbor; and this is simply awful. I will of course be pitching in to help her and her husband where I can as well.
But I'm thankful that I have the time, the strength, and (in my BIL/SIL's case) the experience to help both families through what's coming. It's not enough, but it's something.
@A. Marie,
I'm so sorry to hear about your bad news and pray for the best outcomes there. Please take care of yourself, too; your own wounds are still fresh.
@A. Marie, Yikes. This is a veritable tsunami of overwhelm. Please please please find as many release valves as you can to keep you own head above water.
@A. Marie, Oh, my. Yes you can be of great help to your loves. May your generous heart be comforted.
@A. Marie, How terrible for your SIL, and for you, having to watch this happen to someone else so close to you. And then Bailey's mom and her husband...words fail. And the poor dog, they know when something is up in their small worlds. I hope you are taking care of yourself.
Echoing Lindsey; I can imagine this is so hard to watch. But I also know that you are going to be such a blessing to your SIL. <3
@Lindsey, you bet your socks Bailey knows what's up. I've noticed that she's been rather droopy and depressed since last fall, and I'd wager a Jackson or two that she knew before either of her humans did. BDM didn't have a clue till she started having abdominal pain the week after New Year's.
@A. Marie, Ovarian cancer is notoriously late in being diagnosed.
@JDinNM, It is. If it weren't for that, it'd have a sky-high survival rate. Even so, my mother outlasted hers by many decades.
Best of luck to you and yours, A. Marie.
I don't know, I think Chiquita is the perfect study partner!
Today is Day 21 in the hospital, but dh is tentatively scheduled for release tomorrow! His health is as close to normal as it can be. He is very weak and will have in home PT for a while to get back to walking. He can shuffle a few feet right now, which will make caring for him a bit easier. He is on a soft food, bite size diet and mildly thick liquids due to damage from putting the breathing tube down his throat. It will improve with time we hope. Continued prayers for both of us as we transition home where it will all be on me.
@Jennifer, prayers for you and your husband. (((hugs)))
@Jennifer, Thinking of you and wishing you strength and your DH a speedier than expected recovery. You can do this.
@Jennifer, Best of all things to you and DH. The difference between can't walk at all and can walk just a few steps is huge. If he has gastrointestinal effects, try asking about his consuming the probiotic-heavy yogurts or yogurt drinkables. It made all the difference for my roommate when he had ~something~ gastro that knocked him back for months. The sad thing is I had to think of it; none of his doctors recommended it.
@WilliamB, So far, there haven't been any issues, but our ds suffered for a year and discovered probiotic yogurt and his issues and pain have all but vanished. None of the 4 Drs he saw recommended this or even mentioned it, as was the case for your roommates. I posted this to help get the word out because it's such a simple thing to try that may help, with no side effects.
@Jennifer, To be honest, that oversight rather pissed me off. It shouldn't be up to us nonprofessional, untrained bystanders to think of this, eh?
@WilliamB, I really believe that so many Drs are swayed by Big Pharmacy and simply don't believe in most things natural. Oddly enough, in this 24 day hospital stay, I had several nurses talk openly about supplements and homemade remedies. I think if mankind thrived for centuries before chemical meds, there is plenty to be learned there.
Yay! Kristen! For the pretty good grade and the awesome scholarship!
This week I am thankful for health insurance doing its thing, and for an A-plus report at my eye exam, and that our rescued pup has settled in and is learning some useful commands. For the longest time I was concerned she might be deaf because she never responded, but she just had to get comfortable first. Also thankful that my husband, who has diabetes, is responding well to a change in medication and generally feels much better.
Yay for you on the scholarship and not so horrible exam score!
Thankful for:
-The beautiful sunny days we’ve had this week. It’s still cold, but the sun makes it seem less bone chilling.
-Plenty of leftovers in the freezer, so not much cooking for me this week, except for making snacks for a movie night with some friends on Friday and Super Bowl snacks to take to daughter’s house on Sunday.
-Hubby had appt with spine Doc yesterday (from earlier car crash) and broken vertebrae are healing… still two more months in the back brace, but he can lift things up to 10 lbs now instead of 5, so that is very helpful for us both.
-We have a couple fun things on the schedule in the next couple weeks which is a lovely departure from all the Dr. appointments!
-We got a new car to replace the one totaled in the wreck… it was a loaner at the dealership, so had low miles, good warranty, and some upgrades, all at a great price. Not a color I love, but the perks outweighed the color.
Thankful Thursday post flood edition......
1. We finally got moved into an Airbnb so we are not breathing dust and watching bits of insulation floating around in the air of our house. Also I get to sleep in a bedroom that is not 40 degrees at night. That is a win.
2. The contents people arrived at my home on Tuesday. They were wonderful. They packed and moved the entire contents of my home in two days - I was originally told it would be five days so that was a win.
3. Clear sunny days this week. Driving back and forth to my house is at least pleasant when the air is warm enough to open the sunroof and listen to some music.
4. My son. He has been so well behaved since we moved to our temporary home. He has not fussed, complained or whined one bit. This house is farther away from school so he has to get up earlier and even that has not been an issue. So grateful for this.
5. Anxiety is a very real thing and this event has brought a lot of anxiety my way. I am thankful for medication that helps me to sleep and a husband who reassures me and comforts me when the pressure is unbearably intense.
@Angie, I'm glad you are in your temporary home. Anxiety is indeed a thing and you have a lot of reason to feel anxious right now.
@Angie,
Oh, I missed something! So sorry to hear about that, but I am glad you have somewhere safe to go. Blessings!
You passed! And that's what counts! And congrats, big time, on the scholarship.
So was it on purpose that you posted the picture of Chiquita on the table with the paper in front of her saying "CAt"? That made me laugh.
My thankfuls:
1. My daughter is going to use her bigger vehicle to help me return an appliance to the store for an exchange.
2. I found a musical snow globe, with animals inside, that isn't explicitly Christmas themed, for the young granddaughter who is fascinated with musical snow globes and will have her 8th birthday next month. I had found a number of non-Christmas ones with unicorns, ballerinas and pink girly-girl stuff inside, all of which would make my super-hero-and-soccer-loving granddaughter gag.
3. I'm thankful for a car that starts each morning. Being down to one vehicle means I'm out of luck if it doesn't. That's the only real downside to having just one.
4. My bosses let me keep a space heater under my desk. These guys turn on the AC as soon as the temperature creeps up to 63F outside.
5. I finally found a 5 x 7 copy of a picture of DH's three sisters, taken circa 1945 when they were ten, seven and one and DH was not even a twinkle in anyone's eye (he was born 9 years after the youngest sister). He had copied and improved the original when he was a photographer in the Navy, making numerous copies for the family and I'd been hunting for one of those copies. I'm going to put it in a frame and put it in his room along with several other family photos. Being the lone survivor of his birth family, he likes to look at their pictures.
@JD, I too chuckled at the CAt scan...
@JD, finding a good copy of this family photo is wonderful, and I hope that your DH will enjoy it. (Be sure to keep another copy for yourself, though, in case your DH's copy goes missing. I know all too well how this can happen in care facilities.)
Another of my BILs (my oldest sister's husband, a great photographer in his own right) made us all copies of a photo of my paternal grandmother and her two sisters from the 1910s--three prim young ladies in starched dresses and enormous hair bows. Visitors to the house are regularly stopped in their tracks by this photo and want to know who they were.
Glad to hear a sigh of relief from you. 🙂
Thankful that as busy as it is at work that doesn't feel overwhelming (for me adleast). I'm more detailed oriented & work quickly compared to some others (who sometimes try to help but take longer to do than it would for me to do myself--I remember teamwork makes dream work & it is less selfish!)
Thankful that my election training was not difficult (more common sense) & that everyone seems to be ready. Apparently I'm the baby (youngest) along with another lady I know from high school (long time ago). As predicted the govt still has not made clear/final decisions on some training so we will (hopefully) find out by first day.
Thankful that teen is managing (so it looks) the new semester pretty well. Though school emails some important information/dates later than should & missed few opportunities that would have liked to do. I think 2 days before or day of is not realistic for advanced notice (not tests) to be able to schedule for people (which emails are sent out late night or in morning when kids in class or should be in bed & don't check emails).
Thankful teen orthodontist appt went better than expected & will find out if end is in sight (again) soon.
Thankful for sunshine also! Today is supposed to get to 50 (does for about hour) but has been predicted for all week but not made it quite there yet. The low/mid 20s overnight/morning reminds us it's still winter, which I suspect will reappear at least once more.
Thankful that I was able to get (previous) breast care health insurance coverage (again) for free so that I can make my mammogram appointment. 6 images & biopsy done last year I would not have been able to pay those bills. I am so thankful I found this (local area) program. I share info with women who don't have insurance.
Thankful my body is forcing me to get sleep so that I do not get run down & sick. I'm the type of person who can not run on fumes longer than 2 days & I make effort to get necessary sleep to keep my healthy & going.
And of course our rescue dogs who are so happy to be with us & eagerly waiting at door when getting home. Teen just loves these dogs! Which makes us all happy. 🙂
Have a good day everyone.
Well, first I am thankful for all your GOOD news, esp the scholarship. I am grateful for life, and that its lessons come through oh so many venues-- like your blog.
I am grateful to God how has kept --keeps--a steady Hand -- even when I fly all over the map. Mindful that several of my senior citizen-friends NEED good nursing care, and am praying for your preparation, and for those who are on the front lines this AM--
Congratulations on your scholarship and passing grade!
- I'm thankful for the days this week filled with sunshine and afternoon warm temperatures.
- I'm thankful for modern medicine so our first grandbaby can be safely delivered via C-section. Baby is in Frank breach position.
- I'm thankful that my SIL is doing well in rehab.
- I'm thankful that DH's tests from Mayo clinic came back normal. We still desperately want to know that is causing him to feel horrible but at the same time, I'm thankful that the tests haven't found anything major.
- I'm thankful that my 2010 Honda Pilot is still running fine. I have been thinking about replacing it for over a year but the whole car buying process is very daunting to me.
@Beverly, your 2010 Pilot is a baby. My '96 Accord is still getting me from point A to point B, although my mechanic advised me to NOT drive it on a 1600-mile road trip last year. (I took another vehicle, and 2 weeks after getting home, my Accord's radiator disintegrated!) Keep your oil changed regularly (I do it every 4000 miles) and stay ahead of maintenance. I am slightly considering finding a newer car (249,000 miles on mine), but finding a stick-shift will be a real chore.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, You're another stick-shift lover! My 2010 Corolla may be the last "standard" transmission I own. Makes me sad but as my wise grandmother used to say "Is that the worst thing that's happened [insert timeframe here, length depending now how bad the thing is]?"
I hope your Accord lasts you a long time more.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, it can be done. The person who bought my stick shift (2004) got rear-ended - it had 240K miles on it. We were both bummed out, it was such a good car (yeah, it was also an Accord). The silver lining is the cost of used cars was high at the time so he got way more money for an 18 year old car than he would have otherwise. He did manage to find a "newer older model" stick shift.
Good job, you!
Thankful for sunshine, for hikes, for my moronic kittens who keep life from being dull (they are NOT helping me with my frugality--hoping my latest cord-cover purchase prevents them from chewing cords--also have been trying to find good alternatives for them to chew/play with), for my patient and supportive husband, and for a very gracious boss when I did a Stupid Kris trick yesterday (I'm a prn employee and I had turned up the volume on my phone when I went to bed in case I was called in to work. Unfortunately, that doesn't work when you have your phone on vibrate only mode. Yes, I missed the call. Oooph. Still feeling badly about that one.).
Good job, Kristen and congrats on the scholarship!
I'm grateful for a good friend at work 🙂
Grateful for some sunshine today
Grateful that I've got more confident with cooking
Grateful that spring is on the way!
Congratulations on the scholarship!
I am thankful that the pandemic is over and we can get out, shop, and talk with strangers. I know, I know: this isn't a recent thing. The reason I list it is that for me, the loss of pleasant incidental contact with people I encounter was a hard blow. Yesterday I had several of them: at Penzey's, at the Polish sausage shop, at the garden shop.
Penzey's gave me an extra free bottle of Taco Spice so I could send it to my SIL. It came up in conversation that I was sending her something else and I guess the manager was inspired to share.
I had great chats with the deli counter person and the manager, about Poland and Ukraine (their natal lands, I've been to both), about different sausages (so much to learn!), about Fat Thursday (I might go there again today to try the Polish version of the pre-Lenten donuts), and tasted about a dozen sausages.
At the garden shop the greenhouse manager taught me more about keeping herbs alive, and agreed with me that the ones they had for sale looked sad and so gave me 2-for-1 to make up for their small size and possible demise.
@WilliamB, I've been loving striking up conversation with random people at different points in my day. A little voice tells me to stop and listen. Its always something that brings a bit of humanity to my day.
@WilliamB,
Are the Polish pre-Lent donuts called paczkis? (Pronounced "poonch-key", or so I've been told). Just wondering, because they sell them in my area (SW Ohio). I first heard about them from my BFF, who grew up in a Polish neighborhood in Cleveland.
@Liz B., Yup, that's them. They're the size of a very large orange and were delicious. I had two.
I remember crying whenever I would get anything below 90. My mother would say, "there are millions out there who would be ecstatic to get anything that is a passing score, and you cry because you got one."
I think you are doing a fantasticly stupendous job at balancing everything in your life so well.
I love the pictures of your non-helpful, non-official, non-productive, (albeit entertaining), study partner! ☺
A passing grade on a tough exam AND a scholarship - that is happy dance worthy!
This week I’m thankful for:
• My grandma turned 85 this week! We had a good chat and she was tickled that her yoga class was so full on her birthday – she’s so great at finding little things to be happy about.
• My son’s immune system! He bounced back the fastest out of the three of us when the flu swept through our house.
• My washer and dryer – I have been washing all of our bedding and throw blankets. We needed a good deep clean after a week of fever.
• I am really missing the snow this year, but I really love how safe and not icy the roads and sidewalks are this winter.
• The ability to work from home this week. I’m feeling better but my cough is uncomfortable so working from home is a blessing.
• My dogs have been extra snuggly, just when I needed it.
• We live super close to my son’s school. This morning he brought his trumpet case to school, but not his trumpet. I was able to run it up to the school for him and get back home before my coffee got cold.
Congratulations on your good test score (an 80 percent is still a "B" in my book!) and on your scholarship! That's excellent news!
Your 80% can and will be brought up by your next exam for sure, even though it’s by no means a bad grade. The definition of win/win. I’m thankful for this because it’s been clear from the start that your nursing career will be stellar.
I’m verrry thankful that a health challenge I’ve been dealing with seems to have turned a corner at long last. This was a long road.
And, most thankful for my dear DH (yes, two dears) who shouldered everything during this time without blinking an eye and with great wit.
Yay!! An 80% is not shabby, and I know you will be able to pull it up!
I am so very thankful (always!) for my husband. He is very handy, willing to attend you-tube university, and has saved us countless dollars with his handyman skills. Our current project is redoing our ensuite shower. For various reasons, it has taken FAR longer than we planned, but the end is in sight!! We are almost to the grouting stage, then have to install the new door and we should be back in business. I am also thankful for our other bathrooms that allowed us to take longer getting this one done. I am thankful for some mild temperatures, blue skies and SUN. Thankful to be spending time with my parents this weekend. Both of them are in failing health, and I treasure any time we have together. I am thankful for all of our critters. We have 3 dogs and 2 cats. Basically a zoo! 😉 They bring us much love and happiness.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Thankful that:
1. Kristen passed her test
2. Kristen got a scholarship (isn't it funny how no one knows or will say what "PEO" stands for? My guess is Philanthropic Educational Organization.)
3. Sunshine after good rains
4. Good progress on paintings in spite of normal interruptions
5. A great team to keep working together on cleaning up neglected spaces at church (WHY do people treat our church like a thrift shop??)
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, Re: PEO, IKR? and what's the flower thing? My neighbor had all kinds of daisy-like flower pins that were "marguerites" so I gathered they chose or were assigned a secret flower.
Jana, you are right! It does stand for "Philanthropic Educational Organization", according to their website.
https://www.peointernational.org/about-peo/
Just scroll down to read about it.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
PEO indeeds stands for Philanthropic Educational Organization. PEOs may seem a bit secretive, but this organization is 150 years-old. They grew out of a time when women often needed the protection and help of other women.
@Bee, @Kristen, AWESOME! I GUESSED IT CORRECTLY! I had a couple of elderly drawing students in PEO and whenever someone asked what it stood for, they just giggled.
@Chrissy, not sure what you are referring to with "IKR" or "the flower thing". I am curious what they do to raise money for scholarships. I have made presentations about my art for a couple of different club chapters, but they had me leave when they were conducting their business.
Thankful, Kristen, that you did better on your test than you thought. And the gifted scholarship! PEO Ladies are usually a delightful bunch. Back in the day, my next door neighbor (92 y/o, and a precious friend) and her club members gave me a scholarship for $300. At that time it was like receiving $1000. I was able to buy a Taber's (medical dictionary), a Lippencott (kind of like an all in one encyclopedia of common procedures and the nursing protocol/requirements. Also had pediatric stages which was greatly helpful) and a lab jacket. The books were a great help in the day before Google! I will list that friend and that gift as thankfuls for today.
Thankful to get my teeth cleaned today. I have the best dental office! Thankful that I am able to have vision and dental insurance from work so I don't have to pay anything out of pocket.
Thankful for the warmer weather. And the early morning bird conversations. Thankful for the tete-tete daffodil leaves peaking through the ground. Also thankful that my parsley wintered over as did some verbena in a couple of my color pots. I am shocked they survived as it was 20 below at the coldest!
So glad I frugally contributed to my tax-free Health Savings Account and now in retirement I have funds to pay for hearing aids, dental, vision, all health insurances, and all medical bills not covered. Taking the long view for planning is really important!
Yay for your scholarship! I am very happy to hear that you have monetary support as well as emotional support to become a RN.
Re not taking pictures: On my siblings wedding I turned off my telephone after activating my voicemail, and forgot to take even a single picture. But I lived every moment of that day intensely. And fortunately there was a wonderful profesional photographer so I still got to have some pictures afterwards 🙂
This week I am so thankful for friends who are are having an amicable divorce. It is good to witness and feel how thoughtful they are of each others needs as they are navigating this difficult period in their lives.
I am thankful for beautiful music, and sharing it with those near me.
Congratulations on the scholarship! And the passing grade. Nursing school is so stressful, and you are getting exceptional grades. Well done.
My weekly thankful include:
1. I got to spend 4 days with my grandsons in NH last week while momma was on a work trip and dad recovering from pneumonia. I enjoy every minute with these kids!
2. That my 8 year old grandson is a voracious reader. He isn’t allowed on social media and has limited screen time, so he usually has two books going at once. I think good readers have a natural advantage when they get to college as there is so much reading to do!
3. That both of the boys love to play outside. I made sure they had early dinner so they could go outside and play with their dad. Oh, the rosy red cheeks and big smiles!
4. For a fun family dinner at my mom’s on Sunday. I have some pretty amazing siblings, and we have remained close always. My mother really enjoys having family around the table and she eats better when she has company to enjoy the meal with
5. For a mostly pleasant visit with my aunt and uncle at the nursing home yesterday. Uncle had a fall the day before, but luckily, no injuries. As always, I left with a list of things they “need”, but it’s fine, I like having a purpose. My cousin says I was born to be a “helper” which I believe is true. 42 years of being a nurse, the helper part never leaves you!
Scholarships are a wonderful gift & passing your test plus learning how to study for the next are priceless.
I am so thankful I'm a week into healing from hip replacement surgery. Had unrealistic expectations about recuperation but trying to do grace & patience now.
For my two daughters who have taken time out of their busy schedules to care for me.
Community group & church play date group for providing meals.
That husband with PD/Dementia can still do basic life for himself.
Much progress is being made on our shouse.
Concentrating on the positive makes for a much better attitude.
Just wanted to share that where I live animal shelters are so over-full they have free and low-cost adoptions now. If you are looking for pets; this is worth checking into.
@Connie,
My Rescue Pup — all 100 pounds of her — adds so much to my life. My last pup (also a rescue) died in April of 2020. I waited 6 months before looking for another dog. In September of 2020, I had a very difficult time getting a new dog, because there was so much competition at that time. I eventually drove 3 hours to pick Rescue Pup up sight unseen. The first time I met her she laid her head on my chest. I paid the exorbitant fee and brought her home. My husband and I adore her.
People are often concerned that dogs put up for adoption possess negative behaviors. There are some organizations who foster dogs in private homes, and the dogs are completely vetted. For example, I knew Rescue Pup had lived with a cat and was not going to be a danger to Calico Kitty.
Congratulations on the scholarship, Kristen!
Today I am thankful that it is a telework day for DH, mainly because my blood pressure (always low anyways) is in the toilet and I feel like garbage. This happens occasionally and I am wearing compression socks, drinking water and hoping it goes back up. And I've been eating so healthy lately, too. But at least DH is making dinner tonight. Just hoping I feel better in time to help out at the cat shelter this afternoon.
I am so delighted you got a PEO grant! (I am a PEO). Please keep spreading the word that they support educational opportunities for women in various ways. If you need a loan to complete your education they also provide non-predatory loan opportunities for women in the second half of an undergraduate program or certification, graduate school or even PhDs. Anyone can Google PEO International and see the various projects that support women and how to connect with a chapter to sponsor them.
So glad to hear your test results were positive.
@Jean C,
Hello, sending greetings from Chapter HE in Florida.
@Bee, back at you from chapter DW in Michigan.
There are lots of cool resources out for mnemonics and such for med-surg. And I found taking my notes and translating them down fresh helped it sink in. You got this! And 80% is nothing to be frowning about! It’s just showing you a different angle you need to work at.
As a PEO myself, I am so happy to hear that you received this scholarship. I am thankful for this!
I have mentioned PEO before in my comments and I hope that it is okay to tell your readers a little about them. This isn’t an attempt at self-promotion. I sincerely hope it may help others.
PEO is an 150- year-old organization that gives out millions in scholarships annually to woman of all ages. It focus is solely philanthropic and supports women seeking an education at all levels. There are scholarships for traditional college-age students, graduate students, international students, and students like Kristen who are going back to school after a long break. There are also very low interest educational loans available. What’s more, PEO is also the caretaker of a small, highly-ranked college for women in Missouri where woman can attend without incurring thousands in debt.
For those of you seeking financial aid for yourself or a loved one, check out the website. https://www.peointernational.org/
There is information on the different scholarships available. The qualifications for each and the process for applying.
@Bee, what a great resource, and a fascinating history!
@Bee, thank you for the background info on PEO. Frankly, I had no idea. And I'm so glad Kristen got one of the scholarships!
My camping cat does the lump thing on the bed if I leave the trailer. Too funny.
Congrats on the scholarship. When I set up my dad's engineering scholarship fund I also set up a fund for medical students for both communities (our closest community where we farm and his community where he was raised). It is so important to support students going into stem and health fields. I am currently paying my cousin's daughter $1000 per term as she is going for her RN before going into the armed forces. So proud.
Her brother is doing the opposite, in the AF, going to college remotely, so I set up an acct for him to use as a down payment on a home in his future.
We will gain 62 minutes of daylight this month. So happy!
I recently tried AI for listening to a lecture. Gave me a transcript to read and study plus notes highlighting the most important info!!
@April, Maybe soon we'll all be artificially intelligent!
Congrats on passing, & getting the scholarship! That made me happy. 🙂
I feel like I've been on the struggle bus all week, so this list is just what I need.
1) Grateful for the free class I'm taking - the Science of Well-Being. (Offered free from Coursera, and the #1 Yale class they've ever offered.) I'm learning so much, and trying to put things into practice to increase my happiness, even on weeks when things are challenging.
2) I feel so, so lucky that I have an amazing sister. I feel that way often, but right now, she & I are navigating together picking up additional support for my special needs aunt. As my parents age, we need to provide more support. It's overwhelming, frustrating to navigate, and difficult to do at a distance. So grateful she's there on the journey as well.
3) My husband has listened to me endlessly this week, even when tuning me out would have been easier. 😉
4) A huge project I'm working on will be done next Tuesday night! Hurrah! The end is in sight.
5) It was sunny today, after a lot of rain! Related: we did have storm damage, but it was much more minor than most people had.
@Hawaii Planner, I've heard good things about that Yale class. I hope you report back on it.
Congrats on the scholarship! and the 80% that was better than you were fearing! I love your "what CAN I do" mindset!
!. I am thankful this week is almost over. We (the hubs, the dog, and I) have had anywhere from 4-7 appointments PER WEEK ever since the New Year started, and we are tired! Well, ok, the dog isn't tired, but she did recover quickly from day surgery and is perky again! Next week we have only 2--and one is for the car.
2. That the tumors on the dog's butt were benign. (Can't remember if I said that before.)
3. That the hubs hasn't fallen in 4 weeks! Getting the shower modified has been a great stress reliever, and we both feel he is much safer. He has also been going to PT for several weeks, and they have been supportive of his limitations, but firm in their expectations, and he is getting stronger.
4. Partially thankful for his physician, who agreed with me that PT would probably be helpful, and ordered it. Only partially, because I brought this up last autumn, stating the therapists had suggested that he be seen for a kind of "tune-up" to help strengthen him and correct some bad habits, but physician didn't feel Medicare would cover it, so didn't follow through. Took an additional half dozen falls and me dragging hubby to the office, but he did it. I hate being forced into the pushy wife role, but I can wear that hat well when I need to.
5. That the routine CT and MRI done on hubby last Fri. were both clear. No return of the liver cancer and no sign of further metastasis of the prostate cancer. We get the official notice tomorrow when we see his oncologist, and lab work, but I have already found the results on the patient portal site.
6. For my own care providers, all women. As a retired nurse myself, I find nurse practitioners are far better listeners and work with me, rather than "on" me. The past year has been stressful and my health has taken a back seat, but they are supportive and we have talked about ways for me to get back on track to better health.
@StephanieLD, re your #4: everyone needs a good doctor visit buddy. It's not being "a pushy wife," it's being a good supporter and back-up to the patient. Best of luck to you and I hope you're able to get back on track soon.
Congratulations on your grade. How did your classmates do? I know you said everyone felt a bit deflated yesterday. Have a good weekend now with some relaxed studying?
As I was driving home tonight, it was so nice to see daylight.
Spent the afternoon with my grandson. We went to a program at a local library. We have two more sessions to this program.
Saturday I am meeting up with a friend to deliver an item I have of his. I saw him last about a year ago.
Yesterday I had a lovely lunch at the Sr. Center with two friends. $5 for Chinese food to celebrate the New Year. They had lovely red envelopes with gold dragons on them. I picked up some left behind to use in card making.
Congratulations on the scholarship! So great to hear that. And I'm sure you will bounce back after what was a disappointing but decent grade on your recent exam. And I just love seeing pictures of your cats--they always make me smile! This week I am grateful for 1) some recent sunny days
2) this week's menu plan, which went according to plan (they don't always)
3) a batch of fascinating nonfiction natural science books that I purchased with a gift card
4) a better-paying job that makes it easier for us to save for long-term things like vacations and retirement, as well as some small everyday splurges
5) a 14-year-old car that survived another repair and keeps plugging along
-I'm also thankful for the sunshine!
-Good internet
- comfy bed
- nachos
- Our house
- decluttering... It really boosts my mood... And I was in a bad mood today
- encouraging Bible passages just hours after I was worrying about the exact thing I ended up reading about
—I’m thankful that my dentist appointment is going to result in a less expensive option for fixing my tooth.
—I’m thankful for my snuggly cat.
—I am thankful for the wonderful rain so that I don’t have to water my trees. I just need to sprinkle some fertilizer under my orange tree so that it can get soaked into the ground next time it rains.
—I’m thankful for Kanopy and Hoopla that I get free from my local libraries.
—I’m thankful for friends and family.
Hey! If you're making study guides that are essentially flashcards - check out quizlet. I've used it for my MATES - Masters of Teaching English Secondary - super helpful. Lots of flashcard sets already exist, search something like "Nursing 'Class Name' 'Class #'" and you should come up with something. I've typed in WGU D305, or something like that and had multiple sets of flashcards come up that were for my exact class.
Good Luck!
PEO is amazing! So happy to hear you got a PEO scholarship!
Kathleen, a proud sister in chapter NQ/IL
-That my husband's chest pain was "only" pneumonia. It could have been a heart attack or a pneumothorax (he has had one in the past).
-That I was actually off work the day we spent 8 hours in the Emergency Department so I didn't have to call in.
-That the bathroom reno went almost 100% smoothly. A couple of snafus but mostly fine.
-That our new puppy (she is one year old, but puppy behavior lasts for years) is unlearning all the bad habits she learned while being fostered. She is really smart.
First exams are always dicey, because you have to learn the professor's style of testing, and how to study for it. I'm sure you'll do even better now and 80 is NOT anywhere close to the not passing level, Ms. Overachiever!
In my doctorate program I got a 55 on my first exam (and it was one of the higher grades!). OMG, I cried! It was all about learning how the testing worked. I learned and did much better and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a GPA of 80.2 which was half a point away from the Valedictorian (who had the highest GPA ever in that program). I was pleased because she lived with her parents who cooked and SEWED for her and did a clerkship a few hours a week. I was married with one child when I started and a second child when I finished, I worked 2 jobs the whole time. AND I was the Salutatorian with only half a point behind. Could you have lived with yourself with that GPA??? LOL!
So glad to hear the educational scholarship news specifically. That really is a big, big win. The fact that you have your how-to-pay-for-this ducks in a row re your degree is a major accomplishment, not least because of the circumstances in which you find yourself. You should be hugely proud of yourself for making that happen, and being tenacious and brave enough to go all out for it. There must have been so many overwhelming moments, but you are well over half way there, doing brilliantly well and have an incredible career to look forward to.
Very impressed.
Congratulations on your scholarship!
Thanks for introducing me to the PEO sisterhood, a good outfit.
Totally agree, "I love that the sun is setting later (5:35 pm today!) More daylight always makes me happy." I also note the time, oh look, 5:30 and still daylight! Love the kitties.
Hello Kristen, you are an inspiration to single moms everywhere. Congratulations on all you have accomplished and will continue to accomplish. Praying for all your needs and that the rest of your schooling goes without a single hitch. Your and your girls are lovely and being the mother of 3 girls, and 6 grandchildren all living close to each other, I am aware of the importance of family. May you always cherish each other.
May our Lord bless you,
Patricia
Aww, thank you!
Yay for an unexpected windfall! Congratulations!
And your comment on your sleeping study buddy made me lol irl.
My mother is a PEO member in our local chapter. I'm glad they're doing good things for many women, including you!
Way to go on your exam grade and getting the scholarship!
My Thankfuls
1) 3 beautiful girls
2) My and my family’s health
3) For having what we need and not necessarily what we want
4) Time to pursue my hobbies or goals
5) Sunshine and warmer weather
Congrats on the scholarship! My mother was a PEO sister. It’s a sorority that started when women struggled for higher education. They founded a small college that is still alive; not sure where it is.