Thankful Thursday | a cold one!
This week, I am thankful:
that our power stayed on during the cold snap
We had tons of rain followed by some very cold, windy weather, and a lot of people in my area lost power.
Ours flickered a few times, but we never lost it. Yay!
for the way Lisey and I get each other
I saw this little weather graphic, texted it to Lisey and I said, "Whyyy is this frog outside? He's going to get cold!"
And she said, "Omg, his mom knows better than to not wrap him up."
I said, "He needs shoes."
She said, "And a scarf."
Although now that I look at it again, I think pants are a more pressing issue. 😉
Anyway, I appreciate that I could depend on Lisey to focus on the frog, not the fact that the real feel outdoors was 0 degrees.
We understand each other. 😉
for oil heat
Heat pumps don't work all that great when the outdoor temperatures are this cold, so I have been feeling thankful to have oil heat.
for a lasagna from a neighbor
On Christmas Eve afternoon, I was feeling a little bit overwhelmed, and I wasn't sure what I was going to make for dinner.
Then my doorbell rang, and it was my neighbor, with a pan of homemade lasagna in hand.
I almost cried, I was so happy!
for the beautiful ice I saw yesterday
I went to a new-to-me trail, which followed a creek. And since it's been so cold, there was lots of interesting ice to look at.
I love the way these tiny air bubbles are trapped in the ice.
The day before, I walked another new-to-me-trail, where there was some beautiful ice that I think was formed by the splashes from the waves.
I love all the different ways that ice looks...I am always taking detours off the trail to go inspect it!
for my ear-warmer
I found this ear warmer, abandoned in front of my old house a few years ago, frozen in the ice. No one ever came by to get it, so I took it inside, cleaned it up, and it's been very nice for my chilly walks.
I like it for the ear coverage, of course, but it also keeps my forehead toasty warm. And I know in the photo, it looks like it would be a drafty piece of apparel, but it's lined with fleece!
that Lisey passed both of her FAA tests
Now she's good to go to head into her last semester of aviation mechanic school. Yay!!!
Not everyone passes these tests on their first try, so she is feeling super duper relieved. If you don't pass them in time, you have to sit out a whole semester, and she really didn't want to do that.
I'm really proud of her because she studied so hard for these tests; even on Christmas day she spent some time with her headphones on, working through practice questions.
for the first real taste of no-school rest
After my semester finished, I dove head first into Christmas stuff, so this week has been the first I have really felt the "ahhhh" of being off of school.
And I liiiiike it.
I am finally getting to catch up on a lot of tasks that I'd put off in order to study, and I feel happy about that!
for the way that skills can always be used to help others
Remember when my cousin was pregnant and sick and I went over every other week to do dishes and laundry and such for her? I remember feeling so happy that my very ordinary household skills were able to be so helpful.
I was thinking about that recently because I mended some of the puppets at the non-profit children's museum where Sonia works; I took them home, laundered them, and fixed any of them that had issues.
My laundry room looked kind of hilarious at one point because there were sheep, puppy, pig, and unicorn puppets everywhere.
I've done all sorts of mending jobs over the years in my own home, and those skills came in very handy with the puppets.
My painting practice is another skill that came in handy because I was able to fix a wall mural at the museum, and Sonia and I collaborated to paint a sign for a museum attraction (I did the letters and she made it look beautiful with her art).
Anyway, I think it's so nice that almost any skill you have can be used to do something good in the world...even random skills like mending.
Congratulations to Lisey!!! Hard work and diligent effort paid off for both of you this year. I'll bet she learned her good study habits from her mom. 🙂
That a wonderful list today Kristen.
I'm thankful for warmer weather and sunny skies. It felt nice outside yesterday. Our electricity was only off for two hours Friday morning. I am thankful that service was restored so quickly as I know others in our area were not so fortunate.
I'm thankful for the Pollyanna movie, on Amazon Prime at the moment. We watched it last night and the Glad:game was well done and reminded me of how Kristen discuss perspective on this blog.
I'm thankful for general good health.
I'm thankful for relative wealth.
I'm thankful for my breakfast and the ease at which it was obtained and prepared (modern food and the microwave oven).
I'm thankful I played Elf Monopoly with DD and DH yesterday. No one had a killer instinct so we had to call the game on account of too much niceness.
I should probably watch that movie! I loved the Pollyanna book when I was a kid.
Yay Lisey! And yay for your real break! And the ice! And the electricity! And the oil heat! All of it!!
1. Also super grateful that we didn't lose power during an ice storm and intense wind!
2. Grateful to the line workers who were out there in miserable conditions restoring power to others in my area (and whole region!)
3. For a relaxed Christmas with some fun new video games.
4. For my husband who loves to decorate for Christmas including taking stuff down and putting away when the time comes.
5. For the years we had with our dog. We lost him in July and this was our first Christmas without him. Miss him, but am grateful for how great of a buddy he was.
Thankful for
The laughs we had at Christmas
Visiting family and friends
Three and a half day still left of my holiday break
Another sunny day
1. I am thankful for a strong body. Even though I have neglected it and allowed it to be sadly out of shape, it still allowed me to complete another boot camp this morning at 5 AM. I had to modify every.single.exercise, I could barely catch my breath most of the time, and I even fell over at one point because my legs were so weak after an exercise but I still finished.
2. I am thankful for coffee & water. Those seem to be main stays for me lately and I am very grateful for both.
3. For time alone in the mornings to work, think, & prepare myself for the day ahead. This is an area that I struggle in and I am trying hard to carve out some time for myself every day in the name of self care. It's important.
4. For the lovely cold weather & a lovely warm home to enjoy it in.
5. For after Christmas bargains that allowed me to purchase some much needed sheets for our bed at a very deep discount. For the coming new year and the clean slate feeling it brings with it. For our dog who is just my baby and brings me so much joy every day. For our son and the joy of getting to see Christmas through the eyes of a child all over again.
@Angie,
Boot camp! Good for you. I was in great shape before Covid. It is so hard going back, but I’ve decided it is not as hard as getting weaker especially since I’m relatively old.
You go!
I too am thankful that we kept our power the whole time that we had the blizzard to the rain to the snow to the freeze. We did have to miss Christmas Eve service (which made me quite sad) and miss some time with some relations of my wife but that's okay.
I'm thankful that I have a backup sump pump. It activated when the float on the primary one apparently got jammed (I seem to have fixed it and it's been working since.) Had there not been a secondary pump I would have had a bad time.
I'm thankful that I still get a few people reaching out and seeing how we're doing after the loss. No one from my family ever really reached out or said anything but random coworkers and people from church came to talk to us.
I'm thankful that my financial situation is doing alright at the moment. I mean, is inflation really awful, of course it is! Is the housing market really rotten? You betcha! Do I wish I lived somewhere else with better people around me who better fit my values who would stop pushing awful polices? Absolutely! But, on the bright side both my wife and I are finally in positions where we can consider our employment stable (although nothing is ever guaranteed) we have some savings and we are debt free. So I guess I can't really complain too much.
@Battra92,
I missed where you shared about your loss previously and just want to say that I'm so, so sorry. Praying for you and your family now and will continue to do so as God brings you to mind.
@Ruth T, and @Battra92,
I apparently missed you sharing about your loss, too, but also want to say how sorry I am that you're going through it right now (or ever). Thankful you have people around you reaching out, as well as this community.
@Battra92, I also missed reading about your loss. My heart goes out to you, your wife, and your daughter.
@Battra92,
I've been a happy lurker, not a poster. But I want you to know that you and your wife have been in my thoughts. I feel your pain and the pain of uninterested family members. Thankfully this forum serves as a second family who cares.
(Central Calif. Artist, formerly known as Jana, because I am enjoying commenters' descriptive names)
Thankfulness:
1. rain!
2. Kristen's faithful blogging.
3. good internet (as opposed to intermittent cell service. . . sigh.)
4. a big stack of books to choose from when I can't sleep.
5. a new knitting project—to have the right yarn on hand, and a friend who lent me a new pattern.
Kristen, I love this list so much! You have so much love in your life, and that makes me so very happy.
This morning I am thankful that:
1) I was able to spend almost the entire day outside at the ocean yesterday on a gorgeous short-sleeves day here in S California, after returning from five weeks in beautiful-but-currently-very-chilly Germany, where I was visiting my DD and family.
2) For beautiful food care of my own kitchen. Since returning home I’ve made vegetarian chili, and a savory tart, some of which I’m taking to my mom today to hopefully enjoy.
3) For a door opening unexpectedly. My mother and I have had a complicated relationship, but due to the recent death of her second husband, a person I did not respect, it has created space for she and I to reconnect on a new and more authentic level.
4) For my granddaughters, who never cease to make me laugh, and who remind me to try and view the world through the innocent eyes of a child rather than the cynical eyes of an adult whenever possible.
5) For being able to connect a second time with Lea in Germany, who I was first introduced to here on your blog when you featured her in a Meet The Reader post, for a truly delightful afternoon of food and conversation. Happy New Year Lea!
@Tamara R,
Oh Tamara R - I am glad to hear you made it back safely! I was wondering with the weather conditions in the US.
Happy New Year to you as well!
I am Thankful God Gifted me a New Day. I am Thankful i am not sick. I am Thankful we didnt loose Heat or Electricity during the storm. I am Thankful for All my Family and Freinds. I am Truely Blessed for and I have and All the people I have and have had in my life. I guess I am Thankful for So Much in My Life. And Thankful for my Fur Babies.
@Sherry, that's a heck of a lot!
Thankful we were able to see my whole family for Christmas! What a great feeling to catch up, laugh, sing and cry a little over old photos. The next generation of nieces and nephews are absolutely fantastic.
Thankful for this time off from work to do little things, do nothing at all, to read and write as much as I like!
Thankful that my daughter starts her new job next week, full of anticipation and hopefulness.
Thankful that Covid tests and masks are plentiful in my house and remember a time when they weren’t so readily available
Coffee!
This week I'm thankful...
- that I am slowly healing. Every time I get an update on matters related to my parents' estates, it throws me into a tailspin and I re-live the hurt of past betrayals and the consequences of those betrayals. Thankfully, over time, this setback is getting shorter, and less intense. I'll take that as progress, and I'll trust that God will strengthen me through this process and that one day the pain will be a memory.
- on a less intense note, I'm thankful that our cold snap in Florida is ending. It's so unusual to have 4 sub-freezing nights, in a row, this early in winter. My dry nose and skin are so thankful that the humidity and warmth are returning.
- for my husband. As he gulped chocolate milk from the container before rushing off to the office, I couldn't help but laugh.
@Brooke, I’m glad to hear that estate matters are getting easier. The whole process is so difficult. Anger, grief, loss and love all rolled up into an intense, overwhelming bundle of emotion. Take care of yourself.
Such pretty pictures; I love how frozen water makes such pretty pictures.
This week I'm thankful for:
*my faith. God gets me through things.
*the time I was able to spend with my sisters, nieces, and nephews the day after Christmas. It had been more than a year since I'd seen them, and I was missing them.
*being able to go to both Christmas Eve and Christmas day services. I gotta tell you; we have an amazing organist in our little country church, and it makes the special feel extra, extra special.
*not losing electricity last week.
*the not-yet-melted snow folk in our front yard. The rest of the yard is brown grass, but the snow creations stand.
*finishing the 2000 piece puzzle.
*my husband who is in the kitchen flipping buckwheat pancakes so that I may type out my thankful list.
*my friends' newly-earned debt-free status! (They've been working hard and pinching pennies to pay this debt off early.)
*my children's friends.
*Thankful Thursday.
Congratulations to Lisey!
I am thankful, also, that we didn't lose power. I'm sure I found it more fascinating that the outdoor temperature where we live was colder than the temperature down in Antarctica (it's their summer).
I am thankful that even if we had lost power, my handy husband knows how to power the furnace with the generator. Also that we have a gas water heater and are not on a well, so even without lights, we would have warm water and be able to flush toilets.
Thankful for kids who appreciate even small things--one of my youngest's favorite things he got in his stocking was a laser pointer. And he was thrilled to get some bags of Goldfish we got on sale at Big Lots.
Thankful for big kids who still like to play games with the family, especially on holidays.
I forgot: thankful that I found a use for the expired (unopened, forgotten stash) of rolled oats in our pantry. The birds (and, sigh, the squirrels) are loving them. Right now I'm watching a male and female cardinal feast on my patio while they take turns bathing in the puddles from the melting snow in the yard!
Congratulations, Lisey! Well done!
1-My hardworking geothermal heatpump. True, the heat is not as toasty warm as oil or gas, but it's good enough. And it keeps the electric bill very affordable.
2-The beautiful sun shining through the trees and into my yummy warm mug of tea.
3-Eggs. I have one for breakfast every morning and it just makes for an energetic start to the day.
4-A visit from my sister, brother-in-law, nieces and their dog. They live only two hours away but somehow we don't see each other but a couple of times a year. It was such a great time and I don't take it for granted.
5-Time. I retired three years ago next week and I am still amazed not having to go to work five days a week after several decades of that defining my life. Today I'm beginning a re-start on a project I started many years ago and never managed to finish. What a luxury!
6-This weekly exercise - thank you Kristen!
Congratulations and Well Done Lisey!
I'm thankful for so, so much.... just few.
1. We also did not lose power when everyone around us did. This was especially helpful since we hosted the family Christmas gathering :).
2. For my entire family-even the extended ones that I don't get to see nearly enough.
3. Good health for me and my family.
4. My oil heat (thanks for the reminder, Kristen!). It isn't cheap, but boy is it warm.
5. That while one of our pipes did freeze, we were able to catch it and repair it before it burst.
6. Extra time with my daughter over the holiday break.
Guys, I need your help. During Christmas, I keep a pot of spices on the stove, just water, orange peels, apple peels and cinnamon. I let it burn down to a black crust that won't come off. This is a 13/10 stainless steel heavy duty pot, so other than hot water, I have done nothing. I don't want to damage it if at all possible. What can I do?
Sorry for hijacking the thread, but I would be incredibly thankful for any help. 🙂
@Jennifer, Try filling it with equal parts water and vinegar to cover the crust. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes, then empty the pot and scrub with some baking soda. Usually works for me.
@Jennifer, whenever I find myself in such a situation I make a thick paste of baking soda and water and let the pot soak for a while. Have no hesitation about how much baking soda to use-sprinkle/pour in as much as you want. Add enough water to make the consistency of mud. After it has soaked for 20 minutes or longer (I have let things soak overnight) then use some sort of pot scraper to work away at the mess. This whole process can be repeated as necessary, until your pot looks shiny and new again. Good Luck!
@Jennifer, I do not know the exact measurements, but I found a recipe online for a paste of baking powder, salt, and either peroxide or white vinegar that worked great on several of my son’s burnt pans. I saved the pans from the garbage. They are like new! Google to the rescue! (Do not use Easy Off. My husband ruined my favorite pan that way.)
@Aunt Diane from Streator,
Thanks to everyone - I'll get to work on it today!!
@Steph from NY, I do this so regularly that I have to buy baking soda in bulk. It requires an overnight rest with the "mud", but then it peels away cleanly, like magic.
TT, Weather, Good Nursing Care, and Free Beer Edition:
First and most important, I remain grateful beyond words that our Central NY city was spared the worst of last week's storm. Cold, wind, and 2" of snow, my neighbors and I can live with; a massive snow dump and a days-long power outage, not so much. I'm looking for a way I can make a donation to help those affected by the storm in Buffalo. I may donate to one of the funds that was previously set up to help the Black community there after the Tops mass shooting earlier this year, since communities of color also experienced some of this storm's worst effects.
I'm also grateful that the new supervisor on DH's ward took the time to go over some concerns with me during my visit to DH yesterday. This new supervisor and his new assistant just came on board last week, and a few things had been allowed to slide in the period between supervisors. So far, I like these new folks very much.
And on a much lighter note, I'm thankful that this morning's weather came in at just above freezing, so that the five unopened craft beers I found sitting next to a recycling bin on a curb (still in their six-pack holder) were only well chilled and not frozen. Even more astonishing is the fact that this brings my 2022 total of unopened beers found around the 'hood to an even dozen. (My mind is still boggled by the five unopened bottles of Guinness I found the week after St. Patrick's Day.)
@A. Marie, I do love me some good yarns about trash pickin'. Keep 'em comin'.
@A. Marie,
When my older neighbor went into assisted living. Her daughter put out for the trash a case of vintage French red wine including a 1967 Chateau Latour. I can’t decide whether to send it to auction or drink it.
@Bee, if both the cork and the contents of the 1967 CL appear to be all right, I'd suggest contacting a couple of wine auctioneers (without, of course, telling them where you found the wine!). The worst they can say is no, right?
@A. Marie,
I have looked into auctioneers, but I’m sure tempted to drink it. I may never have another chance to drink a wine like that again!
First off congratulations to Lisey in her quest to be a mechanic. That is awesome that she passed her tests the first time. You definitely instilled good study habits; something my parents did not do so I did not do as well as I could have in school. And to you for doing so well in school.
My thankfuls: Thankful last week for getting the news that my ankle is healing the way it should and I can downgrade to a brace rather than the boot. I spent 3 weeks in a cast and 4 weeks in a boot and it feels so good to be able to walk around almost normal. I'm still nervous about going up and down stairs and being on unlevel ground, but I will manage and walk slowly. And best thing - no PT unless I feel I need it. So far, so good.
Thankful that we made it to Western NY for Christmas. Our daughter is NOT in Buffalo, but close enough that after we got there on Saturday evening, it snowed 12 inches thru early Monday morning. Once we headed East on our way home, we encountered brown grass and clear highways. But Buffalo is in some serious trouble.
Thankful that we enjoyed our Christmas together with our daughter and granddaughter. Our son-in-law drove into work (he's a nurse) on Sunday afternoon to relieve another nurse who had been at work for 48+ hours straight (they were taking 4 hour breaks). I am thankful for his compassion and dedication to helping people.
Thankful we have an amazing dog sitter who will stay with the dogs and keep the house warm. We showed her the woodstove and when we got home, the house was roasting! I was, of course, very nervous all weekend, but she did great.
Thankful to be in the 4 seasons again. Even after 8 years in FL, it was hard not to have cold and/or snow on Christmas. Altho it was extremely cold and super windy this year, I enjoyed the "feeling of Christmas."
Congratulations, Lisey!!
What a great list, and your ice pictures are so pretty!
This week I am grateful for snow. Early snow means a great ski season, means water for the rivers next spring, means hydration for my plants...and it's so pretty!
I am grateful for heat and a cozy house and a job I do from home.
I'm grateful for the quiet Christmas we had and that we got to ski on Christmas too. That's always a fun way to spend our day.
And always we are grateful for our sweet kitties!
Congratulations on a job well done, Lisey!
This week I am thankful for:
1. A brother who surprised me with chrusciki for Christmas, which we haven't made since my mom died a few years ago. They are labor-intensive to make and the store-bought ones just aren't as good.
2. Some time off to relax. It's been a stressful few months as the recent treatment for my back injury didn't work, and now I have to plan what to do next with my doctor. I miss being more active.
3. Having plenty to read and things I can do sitting down. It has kept my mind occupied so I don't waste time ruminating on my situation.
4. Warm clothes. It was a bit chillier than usual in my home as it's a cement building and the wind was blowing straight at us during the cold snap. I layered up a bit and kept the chill at bay without having to turn the heat up higher.
5. Like you Kristen, I appreciate the basic skills my mom taught us. Being able to repair clothes and such is helpful and frugal.
@AnnieH, oh my, someone else actually knows chrusciki. My mom made them and now I do. I didn't this year though but they are a family tradition for sure.
@christina,
When I was a teenager, my family and I lived on Long Island, NY. there was a local radio station that played polka music on Sunday mornings, and we would always have it on while eating breakfast. The town the radio station was in had a significant Polish community, and the radio host would always read the ad for a local bakery that sold chrusciki (among other things). This was 40+ years ago, lol, and I'm sad to say we never drove out to that bakery while we lived there. I'd love to try some. I feel certain I'd love it, hee hee!
@Liz B., Riverhead still has a number of Polish bakeries and delis.
@christina, When I opened the container I thought, "this smells like Christmas!" Unfortunately, I don't have the counter space in my apartment to make them here. The pandemic, and back issues for me for the last few years, meant I couldn't go to my brother's place and make them with him, since he has the room. Hoping next year I will be able to.
A pan of homemade lasagna! That is a lovely gift. I’m glad it came just in time to
fill a need.
This week I’m thankful that I made it through Christmas.
I’m thankful that I have been able to spend time with my adult children.
I’m glad the cold weather has passed. It was in the low 20’s in North Florida for 3 nights in a row. We are just not used to that.
I’m thankful that we did not travel this Christmas. It was hard not to have my family all together, but it appears that not traveling to Western New York over the holiday was a good decision.
I’m thankful for sappy Christmas movies. They warm my heart.
Wishing everyone a joyous New Year!
I am always encouraged by Kristen's Thankful Thursday and all the comments, so I am making one of my goals for 2023 to be a participant and not just a spectator.
1. I'm thankful that my husband was able to fix our refrigerator when it died the week before Thanksgiving. He watched a lot of videos and determined the problem was the mother board, which he was able to install himself.
2. I'm thankful that a friend had an extra fridge that they gave us. This got us through the waiting period while the new part was being shipped.
3. I'm thankful that we had the extra fridge around this week. I did a lot of cooking ahead while our family is all here and it was so handy to have an extra storage area.
4. I am thankful that our daughter and her fiance have been here all week, and our son is home from college for a month. Sitting down to dinner with everyone around the table fills my heart!
5. I am thankful that my parents are still able to fly in today, even though it is several days later than planned. They were caught in the middle of all the cancelled flights on Southwest airlines and were able to rebook on another airline. So we will enjoy a long weekend with a large part of the family, including mine and my sister's kids.
6. I'm thankful for this community and the encouragement that it offers.
1. I live in Buffalo, NY and I am so thankful that we had power and heat throughout the Blizzard. We had one morning where the furnace had trouble turning on, but my husband was able to clear the vents on the furnace and it started right up. There was nothing visible blocking the vents, ice or snow must have built up in the lines.
2. My husband tested positive for COVID Christmas morning. And I tested positive Tuesday morning. Because of the Blizzard all our family Christmas plans were cancelled, we didn’t expose our extended family to COVID. Staying home was easy, because we couldn’t go any way!
3. My treadmill at home. Even though we couldn’t leave the house I was still able to get some exercise, which really helps me keep my sanity.
4. Our street FINALLY got plowed yesterday. Not that we can go anywhere but it’s nice to know we can get out if we need to.
5. I went grocery shopping before the storm, before we knew all the Christmas plans would be cancelled. This meant we had way too much food, but I now don’t need to go to the store when so many people are saying the stores are sold out. And we shouldn’t go anyway.
6. I made a huge pot of Turkey Soup the day before the Blizzard. We’ve had lots of Turkey soup to eat while we are sick. I made my usual large batch of rolls for Christmas, which have been delicious with our turkey soup!
@Kristy T, Glad that you were safe and warm in the blizzard! If you have to be sick /snowed in, it's great that you had prepared ahead and have soup and rolls (I could eat that every day, especially in the winter).
@Kristy T, my sympathy on both the blizzard and your household outbreak of COVID. Wishing you a speedy recovery from both.
Congratulations to Lisey on passing her exams! And to you, Kristen, on your much needed school break.
It’s been an unusual week since last Thursday because of the weather, but so many thankful moments were still enjoyed.
Like most of you, we had rain, ice, snow, along with subzero temps. This is unusual for KY, but it does happen once in a blue moon. DH & I spent last Thursday through Monday inside our nice, warm house with running water & electricity. We have natural gas for heat & all our utilities are underground, so we “weathered” the storm just fine.
We had a few FaceTime calls with DS & his family, allowing us to see our granddaughters & hear all about their Christmas. So thankful we’re able to do this!
Although I missed Christmas mass in person, I was able to watch the weekly diocesan Christmas mass on TV - wonderful!
Also grateful that I’m retired and didn’t have to brave the weather to drive to work! I’m a total wuss about that because of a couple of harrowing near miss wrecks in the past.
Looking forward to another new year!
I love your pictures of the ice especially the ones with the frozen bubbles.
Congratulations to Lisey. Her hard work paid off.
1. I'm thankful it is not cold here, 56 high.
2. My wonderful landlord/friend. I'm going through some stuff and she is helping me navigate through calmer.
3. Some money came in to ease the burden.
4. I had a wonderful video chat with my daughter the other day.
5. COVID came around here again and I didn't get it. Yay! That is a horrible sickness.
As always, I am thankful for this group. I hope everyone has a wonderful week.
Kristen, thank you for the blog. You are awesome! Caring, honest, faithful, and so much more.
This week I am thankful:
-We didn't lose power either even though it was blowing a gale. (My town is the windiest in New York State.)
-My kids are flexible and easygoing (in some ways) so they've been patient with things like lack of much to do with Christmas.
-I am less sick today than I have been all week. I haven't fallen in several days.
-I've lost a lot of weight this year because of stress, but I kinda like it.
-My friend's brother wants to keep her cat and dog, which I'd promised her I'd take. The dog is too old to bring up here, but the cat is standoffish and odd and wouldn't be happy in my house, I don't think.
-For the life of my friend.
I am thankful for the warmer temperatures in the Midwest. My sons just left for winter running with their high school team and that makes them HAPPY! No sarcasm…they love it and miss it if weather makes them run inside!
I am thankful for a beautiful Christmas Day mass. The music warmed my heart and really took me back to childhood.
Thankful for a fellow frugal friend who always picks up scores at the supermarket for both of us. This week was a deep discount ham. Last week was a huge smoked turkey. We both have hungry teens, so this is truly helpful and necessary.
Always thankful for my extended family and friends.
Thankful for my husband and kids who are taking care of me since I tested positive for Covid. Today a thermos of coffee was waiting for me by my bedroom door. Always thankful for them.
Thank you for continuing to share Lisey’s journey with us. I’m so interested in her choice of career and am rooting for her, so it’s nice to hear she’s progressing well!
I’m thankful that we got through the cold spell without issue. And that I can work at home today after we got another six inches or so of snow last night.
I’m also thankful we got a visit from a bobcat yesterday. It’s nice to see that one or more are still around here (there was a litter of four last year in our area). The cat looked in really good shape. And in that regard, I’m thankful our cats have no interest in going outside.
I’m thankful to have been able to serve a shift at the food bank warehouse. In a three-hour shift, volunteers packed 1,060 boxes of goods that will go to be distributed in the community. I feel like I got a decent workout.
And finally, I’m really thankful that we didn’t end up taking a quick trip over the holidays when we saw a great last-minute deal. We were so close to booking, then reconsidered. We would have been flying Southwest and stuck in the meltdown.
I love reading these. Here are mine:
I am grateful I slept well (suffered from insomnia in the past);
I am grateful I have today off with pay.
I am grateful a good friend gave me a load of good condition outerwear to donate to a women's shelter. going to do that today.
I am grateful I will follow my food plan today (have a health condition).
Congratulations to Lisey! This week I am thankful for:
1. A week off from work to sleep in, bake and devote my energy to my family and home instead of deadlines and e-mail.
2. Spending time with family who came in from out of town for the holidays.
3. Red New Mexico dried chile pods!
4. Sun on cold days.
5. My noise cancelling ear pods to listen to audiobooks while vacuuming and doing chores.
We got to spend Christmas with family in the Seattle area. My husband was flying in and luckily his flight was not cancelled as hundreds of other flights were. Thankful for a truly amazing Christmas Eve service at a local church, wonderful food, and time with my huge extended family here.
Congrats to Lisey! I love the ice pictures too!
I am thankful for:
Time spent with my young adult kids over Christmas. My husband got Covid on Xmas eve so we scrapped the rest of our holiday visits. We watched movies and played games.
When I forgot my husband’s antiviral Rx in a shopping cart in the grocery store parking lot, it was still there 3 hours later when I realized. Phew!!
That my husband has recovered from Covid and generally for him. We missed him while he quarantined.
Pipes didn’t freeze, furnace held up fine and fridge was well stocked for the below zero weather last week.
Not sure yet if my daughter’s apt (500 miles away) survived burst pipes in her building, but if not, we have the resources and insurance to set it right.
Happy new year to all!
Free homemade food is a nice gift!
* My MIL sent us back home with a tourtiere and a chicken pot pie . Will be handy on busy nights
* After losing my voice for a week now, it's coming back. yay!
* Just won a shampoo, a conditionner and a leave-in cream for curly hair on my Buy Nothing group
* Books. Books, books, books!! And public libraries.
* My ADD/autistic daughter being so driven! she is doing volunteer work at the moment (20h in 3 days) instead of doing nothing at home. Because she wanted to. She's 13 and she's been talking for years about getting a paid job. This is reassuring for her future.
I am thankful for the unity and camaraderie of this blog and thankful for Kristen and her daughters who bring it to us.
Thankful our subzero weather is gone for now and has been replaced with temps in the 50's. Thankful my new to me car does not have any cold weather issues and is trustworthy on the road. Weather is not a good reason to miss work as a nurse if you can help it.
Thankful for recovery from second bout of COVID, though slightly productive cough still lingers.
Thankful and honored to make a small wedding cake for my young Godly friend and fiance' who's wedding is Saturday. She and a team of church friends helped so much in the care of my sister who had ALS. The team played a great part in allowing my sister to remain home until her death. I am still thankful for that.
Thankful the winter solstice has passed and the days start to get a little longer.
At the moment I'm thankful that my mother-in-law loves playing with my kids! They're visiting for a few days and it's really nice to have them here.
I'm thankful for the thoughtful things my husband did for me over Christmas.
I'm thankful for the fun that a new planner brings! I love my 2022 one and am having fun getting my 2023 one ready.
I'm thankful for a slower pace these last couple of weeks, even though sickness is part of what made it so slow.
I'm thankful for a great Christmas. From the excitement of my young kids in the morning to getting to be with church family Sunday morning to our Christmas night tradition... I feel like I'm still riding the high. My kids are 4, 6, and 8, which seems so perfect for Christmas. I think we may have hit our peak for Christmas fun. 🙂
Kristen, that picture of the frozen air bubbles is amazing! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Exactly one week ago it was 14 below. Out my window I watched crews working on sparking and booming power lines and listened to the warning sirens from the spillway. My windows were covered in ice. Today the windows are all thrown open and the howling winds are temperate and it's expected to make it to 70 degrees. My cat is confused. >^..^<
A huge congrats to Lisey! Way to go.
1) I'm thankful our flights weren't cancelled, and we were able to successfully get to Portland and back, to spend time with my parents for the holidays.
2) Looking very forward to our time with just the four of us (my husband, and the kids) when we go skiing tomorrow. It's always a fun adventure together, and I love the family time.
3) That I got in a great workout yesterday & today. The holidays were filled with plenty of indulgences & relaxing, so it felt nice to move my body again, and get back into a bit of a routine.
4) That work has been very light. I'm on call & working a few days, and have spent many holidays working, so this is always a treat.
5) That, despite our Christmas "gift" to each other not working out as planned (everything was closed, due to the ice storm), we still had a fabulous time together.
Way to go, Lisey! It is so wonderful that you have such a powerful work ethic to complete your tests on the first try. You will go far in this world!
- Sleep has been a problem for me for 9 years. I read an article this week that I put into practice for 3 days and last night it WORKED. here is the article:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90253444/what-happened-when-i-tried-the-u-s-armys-tactic-to-fall-asleep-in-two-minutes
- It has been dark and rainy after the ice storm (Pacific NW) so we are enjoying our Christmas tree to lighten up a dreary day.
- The rain chain and barrel. This year we will be engineering a containment tank for water collection for use in the garden. We collected 45 gallons of water just yesterday!
- Thankful for dry wood to keep us warm.
- Most of all, so very thankful for this blog and the community that Kristen has built.
I love that you fixed puppets for the kids' museum! And congrats to Lisey.
Thankful that:
1. the weather has warmed up to 10 below; one day we were even above zero. Life gets a lot more complicated at 40 below. Vehicles start refusing to work, the furnace going out becomes life threatening, and events are cancelled.
2. our grocery stores all now have curbside pickup. Some days I am strong enough to drive but staggering around picking up groceries is just too much. My husband would go but I hate burdening him with everything. I am also afraid if I don't push myself I will let myself get lazy.
3. no fewer than four people gave us cookies as a Christmas gift. The husband loves cookies almost as much as he loves me, and these gifts meant I did not have to bake cookies this year. And I love gifts that are consumable so my house doesn't get cluttered up.
4. pound hound cornered the hedgehog and barked like a maniac until I decided to investigate why he was barking. Esmarelda had managed to escape her pen, although I still cannot figure out how. I did not even realize she was gone.
5. the husband, always the husband.
A.Marie, you asked in a previous post about my drive to North Pole: North Pole, Alaska, is not the actual true north pole. Our North Pole is a very small town about 17 miles from Fairbanks. It makes the most of its name, with a Santa Claus house completed with reindeer hanging about, street names like Santa Claus Lane, and so on. At the holiday they have tons of lighted trees, so it can be quite cheery to drive there.
@Lindsey, I was actually pretty sure that North Pole is not *the* North Pole. But thanks for the vivid description of it.
And you can add another item to Pound Hound's resume: Hedgehog Herder!
First time commenter here - I only found Kirsten’s blog this year so a lot of back reading of posts. My thankful five are -
Celebrated Christmas with my children ( and my son’s girlfriend) joining us for the Christmas Eve Mass, extra special as last year we were still under Covid restricted numbers and there were no Christmas services.
My son came home for just three days and on Boxing Day we hosted dinner so his grandparents and Aunty could catch up with him personally. He’s gone again but home on the 8th of January for a concert.
I’m grateful that international acts are coming again to Auckland so that I will see my son three times early in 2023 - they do not go to his university town in the South Island.
Enjoying a slice of panetonne with my morning coffee as a festive treat.
Grateful that my DH put up the pool last week and I can read my book lazing on a donut in the pool, bliss.
I don’t have warm feelings about wintry icy weather but Kristen, your photos focus so much on the beauty to be found in all seasons of nature. So I’m thankful for your photos… not sure how it would be done but I think you could market your photos if you were so inclined.
I’m thankful that when we lost power last week for 3 hours, my husband knew how to get the generator going so the fridge/ freezer and coffee maker could still have power.
I’m thankful that my husband and his brothers were able to say their goodbyes to their mom and express their love to her before she died last week. Her death was sad but expected. She had such excellent care in the small assisted living home and for that we are all so grateful. We will miss her.
I’m thankful we were able to participate in a 100th day party for our grandson this week. It was such a sweet time.
@Martha, Sounds like you have many lovely memories of your mother-in-law to comfort you as you miss her.
I'm so glad your neighbors take such good care of you! You deserve it!
Today I'm thankful for five cavity-free dentist visits. I'm thankful for the ability to buy all three of my kids post-visit treats without worrying about cost thanks to full-time employment. Finally, I'm thankful for a nice relaxing winter break from work.
Way to go, Lisey! And that is so sweet about the laundry room full of recuperating puppets.
I am thankful that we got through Christmas Eve with minor frozen pipes and rolling power outages. I cooked a holiday lunch instead of supper out of fear we'd have no electricity again when the temperature dropped in the evening, but it was all good and I am thankful for that.
Also thankful for our wonderful veterinarian, who is taking such great care of our middle dog: she is terminally ill with advanced heart disease. We count every day with her as a blessing.
I love hearing about your Arty Fixy skills!!
I am thankful Xmas is over. It was nice but I like ending a year and starting a new one. 2022 was not a good one for me personally. Whew!
I am thankful for my furry family members. They have been very comforting.
I am thankful for the light of candles on dark evenings. Cozy!
Thankful for-
The grands they are so much fun. The 3 year old will point to me and say grandma we will do this together.
For very light traffic on our trip.
The storm did not do much damage in our area.
That the weather for the CBus Zoo lights was chilly but not cold. There was a bison really close to us, he was huge.
That my dad in law accepted elderly care. I was hoping he would not say no to it. He really needs someone checking up on him more often.
Congratulations to Lisey. Good luck moving forward.
I have gone nowhere since Christmas except to walk--
Monday: We walked at a new location.
Tuesday: I stayed home so that my daughter could go do something for her in laws. Just to be here for the grandkids.
Wednesday: The ladies and I had to finish up our outdoor challenge in the woods. It's relaxing. Yes, the ice formations were interesting. Rain raising the height of the water, hard freeze, and then reducing the height of the water, leaving ice behind.
Thursday: My grandson and I did a walk in nature. Ice formations, swans, wood sculptures, waterfalls, and playground. The temp was in the low 50s today and it was sunny. Really needed to get out
A Thankful Week.
I really love your list this time. Every mom needs at least ONE kid that gets her. (:
I am sitting here in my empty (of people) house. And while I could feel sad about that, it is:
clean
warm
and has a good dinner and a soft bed waiting for me.
And thats just about everything I need right now.
Happy New Year!
https://cannaryfamily.blogspot.com/
Yes! I wouldn't want to be alone all the time, but there IS something lovely about a quiet evening in a cozy house by yourself.
I just love your talented photography skills. You uplift all of us by including them in your blog.
As a longtime employee of a fine arts museum, I applaud your work (and Sonia's employment) for a fellow museum. The puppets are adorable and non-profits depend deeply on volunteers to keep their doors open.
This week I am thankful for those people who lift me up, especially my dear husband, who is always there to help in any way he can. He is witty and wise, cheerful and entertaining, too. I hit the lottery with him, big time.
I’m thankful for your blog. We play “what do you see” in nature pictures and I see a fat frog in your ice from the waves picture which follows the theme of your frog needing pants 😉