Thankful Thursday | a comment fix is coming!
This week, I am thankful:
that Mediavine is going to fix a comment problem!
A number of you have had a weird problem where, only on your screen, your comment appears multiple times, sprinkled randomly throughout the comment section.
I've been sending screenshots and exchanging emails with Mediavine over this issue for weeks now, and they finally were able to replicate the problem on their end and figure out the issue.
YAY!
The fix will roll out with the next update, so hang tight. Less-buggy comments are coming your way fairly soon.
I am extremely happy about this.
for a desk with a window seat
My desk has always been in a dark corner of the downstairs office, mainly because that's where it fit.
But since Lisey's bedroom is now empty (she's at aviation mechanic school), we moved my desk in there, next to a window.
Pardon me for yelling, but I AM SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS.
I really, really like natural light, and I almost never had any natural light in my downstairs office.
But now my desk has plenty of daylight all day long. I even have a plant on my desk!
Plus, this is going to be so much better for online classes; last semester I sat at the kitchen table, but now I can go into the bedroom and shut the door.
That'll be much more convenient for me and for the rest of the household!
that I was able to switch A&P sections
You may remember that last semester, I had a really terrible biology professor.
Well, the profs were just announced for the fall A&P sections, and the reviews on my assigned professor were eerie echoes of my last-semester experience.
Nope, nope, nope. Not doing that again.
So, I did some research on the other available professors and switched to one that has promising reviews.
(In case you missed it, I'm doing pre-requisites for my eventual enrollment in a nursing program, and here's why.)
for the recent rain
We've had a lot of rainfall in the last week, which is great because we had a serious dry spell in July/earlier August.
We probably are still in a deficit, but the deficit has to have shrunk by now.
that fall is coming
I am sorry to say that my extended forecast calls for nothing but humidity for weeks to come.
I felt kind of depressed when I scrolled through that. Really? Terrible humidity even through mid-September? Ugh.
But then I reminded myself that ok, fall IS coming.
The humidity WILL NOT stay forever.
One day, in the not-so-distant future, there will be a crisp, sunny day to enjoy, and I'm thankful for that.
that I live in an area with four seasons
One of the reasons I like the Mid-Atlantic is that we get a pretty good mix of all four seasons.
At the end of summer, almost without fail, I end up feeling like I can't stand any more humid air.
But right about the time I start feeling like that, the summer heat and humidity begin to fade.
And at the end of February, I start to feel really, really sick of the cold, gray days.
But shortly after that, in mid-March, the air starts to shift.
So, yay for the seasonal switch-up!
that I didn't have hyperemesis 60 years ago
I was listening to an episode of Sawbones about thalidomide, which was used for fighting nausea in pregnant women, and which, it turns out, causes birth defects.
Given my experience with hyperemesis 4x over, I would have been a likely candidate for this drug, especially if I lived outside the US.
(Mercifully, the FDA did not approve this for use in America.)
Anyway, listening to this episode made me thankful that I was pregnant in an era where there were safer anti-nausea drugs available.
That bump there is a 12-week Zoe
In a similar vein, I am thankful...
that I wasn't pregnant hundreds of years ago
If I'd been a procreating adult before the advent of:
- birth control
- IV fluids
- anti-nausea drugs
I probably would have just kept getting pregnant until I died from malnutrition/dehydration.
(I might have ended up like Charlotte Bronte!)
for how much U.S. food has improved in my lifetime
Mr. FG and I were talking to Sonia and Zoe about this at dinner the other night; when we were kids, tacos were kinda considered to be international food.
When I was a kid, I'd never heard of Thai food at all. Or hummus, chia, or quinoa.
And I'd never eaten a mango, a passionfruit, or a starfruit.
I definitely had never had chipotle chilies, which are now one of my favorite things.
I think both restaurant food and home-cooked food have become much, much more varied and interesting. What a delicious time to be alive!
I’m thankful
That I don’t have to lead on the IT project at work.
(Stealing one of yours) a desk by a window on a quiet street.
A good osteopath.
Disposable income.
That I was assigned to take over the "library" (shelves of books in the hallway) of our tiny school. I LOVE books, have always loved libraries, and am really enjoying doing this.
(That said . . . I know there are some librarians here. Does anyone have a recommendation for cloud-based library software for a very, very small school with not many books? There are so many options now, and it's a little overwhelming.)
That my schedule at work means I now take the 2/3 graders to P.E. Watching 7-year-olds try to dribble basketballs through their legs is great entertainment.
That those same young kids have their P.E. scheduled with a group of younger high school kids (like I said: tiny school, and limited staff). Watching how the older kids help the little ones, and how much the little kids look up to the older ones, is really great.
That we got a brand-new school bus this year. My husband is the bus driver, so he drives all of us to school, and now we have air conditioning! SOOOOO appreciated on these above-90-degree days. Also, if it ever rains, we will now have a bus that doesn't leak through the ceiling. Luxury indeed. 🙂
@kristin @ going country,
I'm the "librarian" at our small church - we basically just have a couple of shelves - and we use Libib! It's $9/month or $99/year but they have a 25% discount for education or non-profits. I've found it to be very intuitive to use - basically, you just scan the ISBN on the back of the book and it uploads all the info - and it's very satisfying to have everything organized /tracked so easily and so beautifully.
The true librarians here, I'm sure, have lots more recommendations, but I thought I'd share my experience since our situations sound like they might be similar. 🙂
@Julie, Thank you! That was one of my top contenders so far. Does it work well for circulating--checking things out and so on? Do your parishioners find it easy to use? Since I'm dealing with young kids, I really wanted to find something very user-friendly on the patron side.
@kristin @ going country, LibraryThing is also really good, and they have great patron controls.
@kristin @ going country, I love books too. I use betterworldbooks.com. Check them out. Happy Reading!
Vicky M
@kristin @ going country, I have friends who love Libib and LibraryThing 🙂
I am thankful that I was able to spend some time with my daughter yesterday on her vacation day. We ran some errands together and I visited with my grandkitties.
I am grateful that I am able to attend yoga classes in person in the studio. Last year there were a few outdoor classes but given the heat and humidity of this summer (not to mention the bugs, first Brood X cicadas and now oak mites) it would have been unpleasant. I'm thankful that vaccination has made this possible, so another shout out for that.
I'm thankful for air conditioning. If ever there was summer where it was used this is that summer. I try not to heat up the house too much by using my slow cooker outside and my Instant Pot so that I don't turn on the oven often but it's just hot night and day.
I'm grateful for the ability to walk early every morning before the heat, and sun, rise.
I'm thankful for technology that keeps us in touch with those we don't see often. I have communicated with two childhood friends this week regarding tragedies one of them suffered this past week. I'm thankful so many people have stepped in to help in this situation.
I am grateful that life this summer is a lot more "normal" than it was a year ago. It may be two steps forward and one step back but the overall path is upward.
I am thankful for Thankful Thursday posts.
I’m sure you will enjoy having your desk in a bright corner. My husband’s desk sits by a window. The way it’s situated allows him to see everything going on in the neighborhood as well as enjoy the birds. He loves it.
I am thankful that
• August is almost over and September is around the corner. September is my favorite month at the beach. The crowds disappear. The water is still warm and the sea breeze kicks in. Best of all, the August’s heat and humidity are gone.
• At this very moment, all three of my adult children are healthy, happy and their lives are heading in a positive direction. They have had some personal and health challenges over the last two years, so this fills my heart with joy!
• That my 10-year old great nephew is recovering from Covid without any difficulties or complications, and my niece has not come down with a breakthrough case.
The theme this Thursday centers around the fact that our air conditioning has been out since last weekend. So I'm thankful that:
*the motor needed for our broken AC is supposed to come in on Monday. So we should have air conditioning again Monday evening.
*the very busy repairman is a friend of the church's trustee and is willing to come to our house after he gets off work to take care of things.
*most of our rooms have ceiling fans.
*the addition built onto our house has two air conditioning units. One is in my father's bedroom, so he (who has health issues that would be worse with this 90+ heat) can be comfortable in our home. The teenage boys are also thankful their room is cool.
*we have cold water for showers.
*the brick that heats up the south-facing and currently non-air-conditioned main part of the house also retains heat quite well in the winter when it's cold.
*my husband will be picking up some grocery items today that will make it possible for us to not bake/cook for some meals.
Thankful for good health news for my daughter and she is starting her last year of graduate school, her confidence is continuing to grow.
Thankful that I have started prepping for school, including making strides to get 2 of 3 classrooms ready and 4 hours of online training is almost behind me.
Thankful for good books to read and relax with on my back porch.
Thankful for setting out manageable goals and a system of checking in with them to stay the course, the feeling of progress is very motivating. September always feels like new years to me and I really enjoy setting up new goals, benchmarks and systems to start fresh.
Coffee!
Thankful that testing came back negative for Covid on my husband. We are having a huge Sahara Dust cloud here in Florida, and it has wreaked havoc on our throats and sinuses to the point we thought we had covid even though we are vaccinated. Luckily we don't and he was able to go to work today.
But also Thankful that it's just dust clouds and not hurricanes.
Thankful for the rain that is washing away a lot of the dust, so we are starting to feel better.
Thankful that we have been eating dinner at home all week.
Thankful that we have planned our next adventure which will include days of bike riding in the PA/VA area. Can't wait!
Thankful that my daughter has a hobby of photography and took some amazing pictures of my grand daughter last weekend in a sunflower maze. It took 2 turns running around the maze, but the pictures are beautiful and capture our grand daughter's personality.
Ooh, where are you guys biking in PA/VA? I've done some biking in both states.
@Kristen, the Pittsburgh GAP to Cumberland trail. We'll be staying in Frostburg and Ohiopyle along the way and taking day trips in either direction. I'm not up to camping along the side of the trail just yet! Maybe next year.
There is a facebook group for Rails To Trails with all kinds of info on rail trails. So glad I found that. Now I see more riding in my future.
@Maureen, the dust storm is just terrible!!!! It has forced me indoors. And yes, I too thought for a moment that I had a breakthrough case of Covid.
@Maureen, be sure to try the railbikes (tracks & yaks) in Frostburg!
I am thankful for:
1) surviving traffic going into the office x2 this week.
2) being able to start running again after foot surgery in May.
3) For finishing a great audiobook "The Marsh King's Daughter" (really, really good). 4) For almost completely weeding my garden before I plant fall things
5) Amazon....lol
1. My husband installed our porch swing. 100+ Heat Index is too hot to really enjoy it right now, but I think If I get up before sunrise or wait a few weeks it'll be a great spot to enjoy some coffee. I've always wanted a porch so that I could have a porch swing, and now I have both!
2. Coffee. It's a comfort food.
3. My first day of employment in 9 years is today! I'm working only 3 hours a week right now, but I'm really excited about what I'm doing and the freedom to Leave the House without children after an intense period of isolating. (totally could have yelled that to you since I really am that excited to Leave the House!)
4. An office space that has a door and South-facing windows. It may be my favorite room right now, because it is also where the piano is and it looks out over our porch and new porch swing.
A beautiful office space makes such a difference!
@Kaitlin, Congratulations! It can be a challenge to re-enter the formal workplace s good for you. But don't you ever say "I didn't work for 9 years"!!! Parenting is work, as is keeping house.
@WilliamB, Thanks! "Formal" may be a stretch, as I'm working with international toddlers (doesn't that make them sound so accomplished given their small stature?). We had a lot of fun together today.
1. That we didn’t need to buy a new backpack for my son for school. Since he was only in-person for half of last year he can just use the one from last year since it had minimal wear and tear.
2. For a little quiet time at home since both my kids are in school again. It’s my daughter’s first time being back in-person since March 2020 and I miss having the kids around but also I can enjoy a little peace and quiet.
3. For the stack of library books I picked up yesterday after going online last week to request them.
4. That Fall is coming soon and all the lovely things that come with it.
5. That our sweet dog is feeling better after being sick last week.
@Toni, My kids just returned to school for the first time since March 2020, and it was really weird. I even had one home, and it just feels off to not have all my littles with me all the time. But so nice for a few minutes of peace, for sure.
@Kaitlin, yes, my house was the quietest it has been in nearly 18 months…it will take some getting used to and I will always be thankful for that time we had together that otherwise we would not have, but excited for them to get back to a little bit of “normal” and also for me to have a quiet cup of coffee in the mornings like the olden days haha. 🙂
What website do you use to research professors? I’m also a 40+ mom going back to school for my RN and also have to take (and in some cases re-take..ahem Bio because those credits are only “good” for a few years) prerequisites.
Ratemyprofessor.com is often useful!
I’m thankful for the wonderful “summer vacation day” I had with my kids yesterday. I generally like my job and like working full time but less so in the summer, as I have fond memories of summer break and my mom taking us to do different fun activities and I regret that I can’t do that with my kids (even though they haven’t started school yet so technically it’s not a summer break for them) Yesterday I took the day off though and we went to a new playground with a splash pad and then got ice cream after. Really enjoyed by all of us!
I’m also grateful for podcasts and those who create them, I learn so much from some of them and it’s great entertainment.
Your comment about how food has improved strikes home for me as well. I recently went to the grocery store that we used when I grew up, which was renovated recently. What is now the produce section, was half the entire store before. When I was a kid there were three types of apples: red delicious, granny smiths, and macintoshes. OTOH the red delicious apples used to actually be delicious, crisp and flavorful rather than the styrofoamy mealy nasties of today whose only so-called positive attribute is that they "travel well."
Farmer's markets, too! There are two every weekend within walking distance (not sure the third survived the pandemic) and many more within a short drive. Such a change from the single one when I was a kid - which, ironically, is now so crowded that I don't go.
Happy meat is now available as well, as well as organic foods, cage free chickens, vastly more choices: from far away if you want to avoid seasonality (which I do), local if you want delicate and fresh. Just so, so many choices. It's true that choices can slow you down and add frustration and aggravation to the day, and sometimes even overwhelm you with concerns but on the whole, I'm pleased about the increase in "grandma food" choices. (That's foods that grandma would recognize.)
Nodding my head about the produce. So much more variety is available now!
@Kristen, And when I was little, only (I'm deleting a few descriptors here) health food freaks ate yogurt. Or people from countries I mostly didn't know where they were.
It is wonderful that some of the international cuisines have moved from the urban areas where those populations were centered, and become more mainstream.
I'm thankful that, even though we've had to make do with a desk in our bedroom during COVID, the view from my "office/bedroom" is lovely, looking out over our pool & patio area. I too opted for privacy & a door that would shut, despite the downside of having our desk in our room. I tell myself that this is a season, and it won't last forever.
I'm also thankful for friends that will help carpool (and, that all of us, including the teens, are vaccinated, to allow this to happen). I'm grateful my kids enjoy sports, but the juggle of driving & work can be a challenge. We went without carpools for a long time due to COVID, so this is really helping.
I'm grateful for the weather we've had this summer. Largely all really sunny, nice, & not as hot as usual.
I'm grateful for my local Buy Nothing group, which allows me to share & not feel wasteful. Case in point this week - hundreds of Serrano peppers, that my garden bed just cannot stop producing, thanks to said fantastic weather.
Yes to more varied foods and yes to an office with a window!
1. Speaking of food, I'm thankful someone decided to make cassava flour widely available here in the US. People in some other countries have been using cassava for a long time, but it wasn't really sold as a flour here, until it became known that it was a good flour to use in place of wheat flour. It's not perfect, but it has vastly simplified many wheat- and nut-free recipes.
2. I'm very grateful that when my husband accidentally left the porch doors open long enough to let a hummingbird get trapped on the porch, I was able to help the bird escape. It had gotten its feet entangled in the screen wire, and was helplessly hanging. I managed to untangle the tiny little feet and carry it outside, where it flew off and re-fueled at our hummingbird feeder. Side note -- holding a hummingbird is like holding a feather in your hand. They seem to weigh nothing.
3. I'm thankful for my eldest, whose birthday is tomorrow. She survived a very inexperienced set of parents and still turned out okay! She's a sweet woman, loving wife, good mother, and thoughtful daughter.
4. We have humidity, humidity and humidity on our horizon, too - 91% this morning -- but autumn IS on the way.
5. I'm thankful I didn't live "back then" either. My husband would have died of diabetes as a young man, I would have been struggling much more with my very poor vision and autoimmune diseases, and my sister would have been crippled without her knee replacements due to arthritis. My grandmother had a congenital heart condition and died young in 1937, after giving birth to seven kids (!). Today, her heart would have been repaired. I don't like everything about today's world, but there's some things now that I am really grateful for.
@JD, What a great hummingbird rescue, how cool !
@JD, your #5 has me reflecting (as I have sometimes reflected) that if it weren't for modern medicine, DH would have died at age 7 of scarlet fever, and I would have died at age 29 of a ruptured appendix. Thank goodness we've managed to survive to our present 72 and 66, even despite current challenges.
@A. Marie, @JD, I'm thankful for modern medicine, too. My 6 year old wouldn't have made it past his first minutes of life even a few decades ago. He's a miracle and modern medicine has been part of that miracle.
I am so with you on a desk by a window. I have been working from home since March 2020 (and will probably continue until at least the Spring), and my desk faces a window. When I had to go in to work, it was in a building with no windows at all. Such a difference!
I also live in Virginia (southeast) and I think everyday I comment to some poor soul how I can't wait for the Fall. The humidity is killing me.
Does it seem especially humid? I don't know if my memory is failing me but my word, it seems like this stretch of super-humid days is interminable!
And yes. Windows make all the difference!
So thankful for a fabulous Internist/PCP. He listens and doesn’t rush you at appts. Answers questions and concerns. He looks like a cowboy (does have a ranch) with his boots and jeans and cowboy shirt on and I don’t mind the casual dress at all.
Thankful I’ve got a new project in my “old” age. Have “dusted” off my piano teaching skills and will teach the 10yr old daughter of a friend who has been wanting to learn to play very badly.
Thankful I can say my God has continued to supply all my needs in so many ways.
I am thankful for this blog, that my f-i-l is now part of hospice care and being kept comfortable as his cancer has returned. Thankful for my family hubby and two kids whom I adore and wanted my whole life.. Grateful that this week we all did some decluttering together and I come home and go AHHHHHHH. Also thhat hubbyy continues to work from home and doesn't have to go to Philly from New York every day.
I am thankful for a day in which it isn't raining; that the heart medication prescribed Monday for our middle rescue dog is already working, as she feels well enough to play again; for the new garage door company that came out and fixed the potentially deadly problem with our antique, massively heavy door for only 50 bucks; for a great boss with amazing software explanation skills; and -- the best thankful news -- our friend who has struggled with paying for housing received an assistance grant as part of a program to prevent homelessness.
1. Making meals at home. Due to recent dietary restrictions, my husband and I have been cooking at home nearly everyday. In two weeks, we've only eaten once and it was at chipotle for taco salads!
2. Skillshare! I've been unemployed since February and while its taking awhile to land a new position, I'm thankful for interesting classes online to fill my time. My husband paid for a year subscription ($60), which I thought was pricey at first, but I've watched so many fun videos already! I'm currently watching some embroidery classes and a few Japanese cooking ones!
3. My husband. He has been such a point of strength for me this past year when I left my toxic job and struggled through various health issues. He always seems to know when I need a random hug (seriously, hugs can cure anything!) or just a few words of encouragement. I'm so grateful everyday to have him in my life.
4. Access to fresh vegetables. When I grew up my single mom had a hard time keeping fresh produce in the house due to cost. I know enjoy stocking up on fresh veggies and fruit and have a small sense of glee whenever I open the refrigerator. I make a habit of supporting local food banks when I can and I'm a huge supporter of meals on wheels, everyone should have access to good, nutritious foods!
5. My car. We recently had parts stolen out of my husbands Prius. Apparently there have been multiple incidents in our area of having catalytic converters stolen due to the amount of palladium in them that people will sell. Everything was covered by insurance, but the part was back ordered nearly a month due to everyone else having the same problem. I'm so thankful to have my lil putt-putt so we didn't have to rely on friends and family to take us grocery shopping, etc.
Will Lisey do a blog post with you about aviation school?? I think it is immensely cool what she is doing and I think it'd be so fun to see what a day-in-the-life at that type of school is like!
Let's see ..
1.) That Henri basically avoided my area. We did get a metric ****ton of rain (that's a technical term from New England) which caused my septic leech field to get saturated but otherwise no flooding, no power loss, no nothing.
2.) That even though our planned picnic was cancelled by Henri that there were at least people who were willing to come over and spend time with us. Maybe we'll be able to postpone it for the future or do some smaller events.
3.) For some new shows on Crunchyroll to watch. They are free (with ads) and I can have some "me time" (which I don't get all that much of any more.
4.) That this weekend the county fairs are on as normal. My daughter is really excited to go.
@Battra92, enjoyed learning a new technical term from New England. Who knew? 😀
1. So grateful for a tiny kid-free breather! A friend invited all my children over for a sleepover over with hers last night so I got to sleep in and have a couple hours before I get them. Quiet times have been so very rare these last 18 months for this homeschooling momma!
2. A meeting my husband had at work this morning that he was expecting to go badly didn't. So grateful we can bring hard things like his work situation to the Father in prayer.
3. I found 5 dvds from our math curriculum in perfect condition at the thrift store yesterday and when I brought them to the counter to pay, the clerk asked me to take them for free, since it's for school. I wanted some backup copies since they get scratched after 4 kids!
4. Undeserved kindnesses, like personal safety, food security, freedom of religion, and free access to so much to boost education. It's really been on my heart as I see such heavy things happening globally. I don't deserve and certainly didn't earn it, and count it a blessing to be cherished and used well for benefiting others.
5. Having the privilege to be able to homeschool. Yes, it's REALLY hard some days, but especially right now I'm glad to give the sense of normalcy that home routines foster, when it seems like so much ISN'T normal lately. Also, being able to study without masks is a gift.
6. Kristen, I echo you on being grateful for current medical technology! I too had crippling hyperemesis the entire 9 months with my 4 pregnancies, and it got worse with each until it wasn't medically safe to have any more children. I could get the vomiting down out of the double digits with one medication, but it never went away fully. Sometimes now I'll smell something that triggers those feelings, or think of the nights when I'd wake up from a sound sleep to lose my cookies and am so glad that's over. I remember wanting to just die many times, and know that I probably would have if I'd been in a different period in history. Also, I'm so nearsighted as to be legally blind, so glad and contacts are a gift!
Thanks for encouraging your readers to chime in; I LOVE reading about what others are grateful for! So encouraging.
This is a big one: I am so very thankful that the COVID vaccine allowed my husband to survive his breakthrough COVID case without being hospitalized or, gulp, dying. Also thankful that I have tested negative. Extra thankful that there is a booster on the horizon. Wishing everyone good health and safety!
@MB in MN, thankful that your husband was able to avoid hospitalization. Thankful that you are well.
@Kaitlin, thank you for your kind words!
1. Somebody just mentioned being thankful for disposable income and I second that. I just, semi guiltily, ordered some new pillows for the living room. Obviously, that is a want and not a need, but I sometimes desperately need a change up as I am home a great deal of the time. I moved around some things I have and am already enjoying the change.
2. There is a bookstore over an hour away from me that sells used books for $1.00. It's too far to go for a quick run, but once in a great while we combine the trip with something else. On a recent visit I scored 16 books for $16.00. I could have gone on but I couldn't carry any more. Long ago I wore out my local library, they never have anything I search for. Anyway, it sort of feels like I have sixteen wonderful chocolate bars stored away in the refrigerator. 😀
3. Next week is my husband's 79th birthday and my oldest son and his girlfriend will be joining us for dinner. Looking forward to that.
Hi Kristin! I think it’s interesting that you are commenting on being pregnant in a more modern time. I have had that same thought in the last 21 years since my oldest of three kids was born. With my first child, I had to have an unplanned C-section after 46 1/2 hours of not progressing. I have often wondered if I would have survived my labor if this were 100 years ago or so. With my other two children, I elected to have pre- planned C-sections because I didn’t want to have to go through that again. Too many uncertainties.
On a different note, your desk and new work area is wonderful. How nice that you were able to make the change. I love the plant! I am wondering what your thoughts are and everyone else’s thoughts are on when a younger child wants to move into the room of an older sibling who is away at college. My youngest wants to move into his sister’s room (his room is quite small and her’s isn’t), but we are hesitant to move her because she’s not exactly out of the house yet - she’s only a sophomore. And what if she moves back home to go to grad school? There will be some hurt feelings if she has to move, but my son is quite frustrated with his lack of space that we really cannot improve upon. We are at a bit of a standstill with this decision. Thanks everyone!
@Steph,
Consider the fact that your daughter has had her time in the larger room and he has waited his turn. Maybe switch the rooms because she may not move home for grad school and he can enjoy the larger space now. Just my 2 cents on the subject.
@Steph, This is a hard decision! Your daughter in college is not the same person she was when she last lived in that room. Nor would she/that high schooler be the person who might move back to go to graduate school in three years. I tend to support making the room switch. I agree with Vicky's point that your son has put in his small-room time.
Perhaps you can make a sort of ceremony with her to pack up her old life--I'm thinking of decorations and memorabilia and such, maybe Marie-Kondo style, in proper boxes, that can be waiting for her if she moves back.
@Vicky M, these are good points to consider. Thank you Vicky M!
@Heidi Louise, you’ve given me a lot to think about! I like your suggestion about how to pack up. Thank you!
I am thankful for a couple of things. My 3 year old granddaughter has begun preK-3 in a Christian school and loves it. Her teacher sent a note to my son and DIL saying how much she loves her and if joy was a person, it would be Olive.
I finally tackled gathering and submitting medical receipts for reimbursement. I dread the job and procrastinated for months. I turned on Christian radio and spent 4 hours and am happily getting over $500 back.
I am thankful for air conditioning too during these high humidity days in Virginia.
I am thankful for my loving family. We all enjoy each other’s company and pray for each other and all of our children and grandchildren. I am including dear friends in this group.
Lastly, I am so thankful for the people who are part of this blog and for Kristen who shares her lovely family, photos, incite, and wisdom with all of us.
That the hurricane didn't much affect us. I'm starting to think my electric fan is my emotional support appliance.
That school is starting soon for my daughter, and that my son is doing so well with his job.
That my mother's eye surgery went so well.
I'm not so happy about being covered with bug bites and also suffering from allergic itching. Benadryl works well, but I have to nap after taking it.
Sadly about 10,000 (I think) American women did receive thalidomide in the 50’s and 60’s as part of clinical trials for drug approval in the US. Fortunately it wasn’t approved once they learned of these results.
I hear you about how lucky we are to have reproductive (and other) care in a current day, first world country. Many people just don’t understand how commonplace it was for women to die during pregnancy and delivery!
My big one this week is that DH's nursing home has finally reopened for visitation, after several weeks of lockdown because of positive COVID tests among staff.
And I join Battra in being glad that Henri pretty much missed my area. I've only just gotten my basement dried out from the remnants of TS Fred that came through here.
Thankful for....
1. Doctors & medicines to treat and cure things that would've resulted in death so many years ago.
2. Coffee, soup, casseroles, sunsets, hot showers, snuggles with my kiddo, time with my husband and lots of other comforting things that we have access to when we need them.
3. My Faith. Boy oh boy I am leaning on God these days.
4. Kleenex. Leaning on God & worship & life makes for some tears some times.
5. My husband. Full stop.
Kristen, I'm sure you will breathe a sigh of relief once the comments are fixed. Thank you for your patience.
Thankful that our AC (which went out on Saturday) was repairable and was up and running after the service guy fixed it yesterday. Also thankful for a loaner window AC unit--when placed it in a window at the end of the hallway, we were able to keep the bedroom end of the house comfortable by using fans to blow the cool air down the hallway.
Thankful for having funds available to splurge on a new bike for myself. I've always made do with one that my dad got me many years ago from a garage sale. This summer it broke and there was a lengthy wait to be able to get it repaired (so I never did). I love to ride my bike and have really missed it (I've borrowed my daughter's, but that's not the same thing) and today I purchased my own! I feel kinda guilty because they are so darn expensive but I find that if I enjoy what I am doing for exercise, I'm more likely to continue doing it. Am I rationalizing the purchase? Probably.
Thankful for video calls and texting. It's really helped me (and hopefully my son!) during this transition time with him starting college. Also thankful for his 18 years on this planet--today is his birthday (hence the video call).
Thankful for the extra space that has been freed up in my son's bedroom since he is gone--I moved my daughter's sewing machine out of our bedroom (which was the only place for it--her room is truly tiny) and into his. Now she has access whenever she chooses to use it.
Your desk by the window reminded me how grateful I am to be working from home now. Although it started off as a mitigation for COVID (boo), it has officially been changed due to cost savings from the company. I love working from home, so I'm overjoyed at this change.
Thinking of growing up, our diets were so bland and not interesting at all. I'd never had an avocado until I was nearly an adult, as well as things like cilantro, poblano peppers, artichoke, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and probably a billion other foods. So glad to have the diversity in my diet now!
I got to see the kids and grandkids this past weekend--it'd been almost a year for one set--and it was so good to have everyone together, even if it was a very full house with everyone here. I finally cooked (no fun cooking for ones self, but lots of fun when my daughters are helping) and even did some baking with the grandkids (a tradition we've started when the oldest was in diapers).
I got two little chickens for a broody hen who decided she didn't want chicks after all, so I've been rearing them. They're out in a dog crate in the coop during the day, but come in at night (they're not fully feathered yet and the night time lows are too low for them), and even though I wasn't really looking forward to rearing chicks again, I'm actually enjoying these two. They're Easter eggers, so they're chatty and very personable and we hang out in the evenings for awhile when I bring them in for the night. They'll gladly hop onto my hand and talk to me. My inside time with them is limited (they'll be feathered enough in a couple of weeks to stay in the coop full-time), but I'm enjoying their little feathered selves while I can.
Ooh yes, cilantro!
So very thankful for
Hearing the orthopedic dr tell me today that I can start transitioning out of the boot I’ve had to wear for the last 6 weeks to correct Achilles tendinitis & heel bursitis
The birth of our 2nd granddaughter yesterday!
For air conditioning- it’s very hot & humid in our part of the Bluegrass state too
For airlines, so we can go visit our family & grandchildren
For all the blessings, both big & small
Seeing as thalidomide has come up for discussion, I want to leave a tribute to Frances Kelsey, a pharmacologist and physician who was employed by the FDA to review drug trials. She refused to give the go-ahead for thalidomide because she felt there was not enough proof that it was safe. By then it was being used in 45 counties and she held out against terrific pressure from the manufacturer and refused to sign off on it.
It was her first month on the job and thalidomide reviewing was her first assignment.
Her testimony in front of the Senate was what killed off approval pressures and caused it to be banned. Years later she received the President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service, awarded to her by John F. Kennedy in 1962; she was the second woman to receive it. By the time it was banned in Europe, over 4000 kids had been born with severe deformities because their mothers were prescribed it. Ironically, years later they discovered that it is useful in treating some cancers and leprosy. (Can you tell I wrote a paper on her years ago??)
So, thankful for people who exhibit courage under pressure.
Yes! The podcast episode talked about her and my goodness, she really was brave to take such a stand at that time.
Whoa, who knew about Charlotte Bronte??! Man, I am always thankful to live in an age of medicine (as opposed to leeches and snake oil).
1. It Is Thursday. And tomorrow is a half day of school. Much thankfulness as it has been a loooong week.
2. A wonderfulOrientation and Movement specialist spent 3 hours with us today, modelling all the ways we can help a particularly challenging student. I LOVE this woman -- so gentle, so helpful, so smart. I am so thankful for her expertise and wisdom and that it kind of rubbed off on all of us and we were able to calm and support this student with much more success. What a difference -- it just made our week.
3. Did I mention Thursday???
4. Staff in the classroom -- they work so hard and figure so many things out -- the class would not run without them. It has been a rough 3 weeks since school began and they have hung in there bravely.
5. Um . . .Thursday Thursday Thursday
I'm thankful for:
1. Power - On Tuesday morning we had a bad storm come through the area. It caused the power to go out for a few hours but thankfully they were able to restore the power in a few hours. No food lost and while it was an annoyance, the power was back on before the day got too hot.
2. My parents - I have a number of medical issues and they are essential in helping me through the challenging times.
3. Medical Freedom & Choice - I am sure that this one won't be received well here, but I am grateful that I am not required to get the COVID vaccine. I have a number of medical issues that would lead to me possibly requiring hospitalization if I were to get the COVID vaccine so until the gov't takes away those rights I will continue to be vaccine free. (I still mask to protect myself and keep others safe)
4. Coffee Shops - I am so grateful for my local Caribou Coffee. I am NOT a fan of Starbucks because they have become to political lately and also the coffee at Caribou is just so much better, IMO. If you haven't tried it out yet, their Cold Brew is fabulous!
5. Rainy Days - I love rainy days because I feel like these are days where taking a nap is a-okay! Do you ever take afternoon naps?
I'm a little odd in that I hate taking naps. I pretty much only take one when I'm sick! For some reason, I just feel worse after a nap, even if it's the recommended quick power naps.
So, I usually just try to power through when I'm tired and then go to bed on the early side.
@Kristen, I used to be the same way but I struggle to sleep through the night due to racing thoughts so that afternoon nap has been my godsend lately. So I take advantage when I can. I still try to get to bed early but it doesn't always happen!
You might be interested in the documentary about Frieda’s here: https://www.friedas.com/about-us/our-story/ She brought so many foods into the mainstream that I couldn’t imagine not having! Like Kiwi!
1. Air Conditioning. We still have 2 months of "summer" here in Florida. Funny to see mums at WM and all the fall decorations at Hobby Lobby, we can dream......
2. My brother is coming down to surprise my dad for his 82nd birthday! We have a fun weekend planned (well, fun for 82, Italian dinner on Friday and dinner at the beach on Saturday!) 😉
3. That we were able to have the grand kids and my DIL here for two weeks as they are in transition between houses at the moment. It did involve two round trip drives to Houston, but it was worth it!
4. SCRIBD, very nice to have books to read as I waited at the car dealer today.
5. That my in laws (brother and parents) have moved here and we are doing one fun family activity every month. Scalloping this month, and Bioluminescence something or other next month!
Definitely not in order, but everything else would be a lot less fun without air conditioning!
So thankful for …..
God’s Amazing Grace
A big hot cup of coffee first thing every morning
A visit with my sweet grandsons Ben 8 and Eli 5
All the leftovers in my fridge for easy dinner
Prime delivery for basic essentials
Grateful that my new classroom has almost one whole wall of windows and the view is of mature oak trees. Should be lovely through the seasons.
My new coworkers are nice and I think I will like them.
My car now has a new windshield but still needs a tune up to be road ready, so at least it's one step closer.
This week I am thankful for my mother being a devoted grandmother to our new baby, that our heating got turned on again (Here, being cold has been more of a problem than the lack of AC), for the Relatively long maternal leave I get to take, For that dictation function in my phone that lets me comment and text while holding a sleeping baby.
I'm thankful
1) for the hummingbirds that I see outside my window.
2) That I've made it through the first two weeks of class and hopefully have the hang of things.
3) for my husband (celebrating an anniversary this week).
4) for leftovers--sometimes it's nice not the need to cook.
5) that I was able to talk to customer service, submit a receipt and get my FSA card unlocked.
Thanks Kristen for posting your positive outlook on things! I try to appreciate the little things too, but it's nice to see what others are thankful for.
I am a mother/baby nurse and have worked part time since my oldest child was born 23 yrs ago. I feel like I have had the best of both worlds being in a career I love, but being able to be home most days/nights. I think you would make a great nurse, whichever area you find yourself working. Nursing provides so many areas in which we help people. My mom is a nurse, my husband's mom was a nurse, and one of his grandmothers was a nurse-all different areas of nursing!! Kindness and empathy are a HUGE part of nursing, and I think you exhibit both! Prayers for you as prepare for the journey❤
I'm so happy for you and your desk move - you are a trooper for having rolled with no light for so long and you deserve all the sunshine! You've also inspired me to get a new plant for back to school (maybe a succulent - I do not have a green thumb LOL). I'm also with you about the 4 seasons...how lucky are we?