Thankful Thursday | a kind eBay-er
This week, I am thankful:
for a kind soul on eBay
A complete stranger on eBay messaged me to let me know a buyer had left erroneous feedback on a book I'd sold. It was a negative rating, accompanied by a picture of a broken appliance, so this was most certainly not accurate.
I messaged the person who'd left the feedback and politely asked for them to fix the error, and they did!
So now my feedback is back up at 100%, rather than 85%. Whew.
What a sweet thing for the random eBay person to do for me; they did not have to message me to let me know about the error, but they did anyway.
that Zoe only needed a new battery
Whenever a car won't start, I always hope that it is only a battery problem, not something more complicated.
And whew, that's what it turned out to be for her! She's got a new battery installed now, and she's back on the road with no issues. Yay!
Also, last week someone said something about how a jumper cable bag sometimes has instructions on it. Well, may I present to you my jumper cable situation?
It's a random set, housed in a very old H&M bag.
But you know what? It works. And I just google the instructions every time before I jump a car, to be on the safe side.
that I got to see my college girl's campus
I went to visit her for the day last Friday, and she showed me all around her campus.
So now I have a picture in my head of where she's at!
Also, please enjoy the paintings on her wall:
Also: peep the lamp I spray-painted for her.
Check out her Aldi orchid!
And her fluffy orange cat. 🙂
for my velcro cat, always
Chiquita is forever following me. 😉
for the joy of being on day shift again
Oh my word, I am a much happier nurse this way.
for a sweet preceptor
This week I've been with my main preceptor (the experienced nurse who has been teaching me during my orientation weeks), and I just feel so grateful for what a great fit she has been for me.
It's been a very positive experience!
I brought her a little gift yesterday (some Snoopy pens, since she's a Snoopy fan too, plus her favorite popcorn) and she brought me a Starbucks to celebrate my last day of orientation.
for supportive co-workers
Lots of techs and nurses on my unit knew it was my last day of orientation yesterday, and so many of them said things like, "You've got this! You're gonna do great.", and I was reminded again how much I love the camaraderie we have on our unit.
that the chrysanthemum from my grandma's yard is still blooming
My South Dakota aunt brought it to me back when I was still married, and I planted it at my old house. But before I left that house for good, I dug up a small part of the mum and brought it here to my new house.
And it's still blooming here!
for the way you all shared in yesterday's comment section
I was slightly nervous to publish that post on a day when I was working, since I didn't know what would happen in the comments. But I should have known I could trust you guys to be wonderful. Thank you!
Thankful:
- I got 8 hrs of sleep last night in a row. I can't remember the last time that happened.
- my adult kids remembered my husband's birthday with some gifts and cards. Eldest son had me take husband out to dinner on his dime. My husband wanted to try the Chipotle in town, so done! My husband is a cheap date ?.
- the German exchange student I have who got strep is finally responding to the meds. It's miserable to be sick far from home. I can provide a warm bed and internet to make her comfortable, but the meds did the trick. She'll miss one more day of school though - she needs to build her strength up for the trip home Saturday.
- college daughter home for fall break has been really helpful. ( I just need to ignore the mess on the floor of her bedroom.)
- autumn weather finally arrived!
@mbmom11, YAY, SLEEP. Such a relief. I hope you get many more nights like that!
May I make the obvious connection with the chrysanthemum here? You, too, have been uprooted, even cut down to a smaller version of you, and you have not only survived, but are blooming. 🙂
Thankfuls:
--That I was subbing at school yesterday when the superintendent took the high school kids on a tour of our new school building and I got to go with them. It is CRAZY what a nice facility our micro school in the middle of nowhere is going to have. My kids are so lucky.
--For our superintendent, who has been working on getting this new school built for six years now. Pretty sure she would not have started it had she known what it would actually require--so true for many things in life--but once things were in motion, she was relentless in moving things forward despite many complications.
--That I don't actually work at the school regularly anymore. Subbing reminded me that while it is fun to see the kids and the staff, it is SO EXHAUSTING doing that all day and then also caring for my own household. Salute to all caregivers who work outside the home, too.
--That my sister is coming for a short visit today with her new boyfriend. I'm the first in our family to meet him, and he sounds great. I have hope he'll take our rambunctious household in stride. Most of my sister's friends are childless and sometimes find our family to be a little much, I think. (So do I, for that matter . . .)
--That my sister and her boyfriend are coming in his camper--he was working at a climbing camp in Kentucky for people with disabilities and she flew out to meet him there and drive back to Colorado with him--so they will be sleeping in the camper. This means I do not have to shovel out my eldest son's room that I use as a guest room and rearrange all the sleeping arrangements in my household. I would have, of course, but this is such a busy week, I'm glad I didn't have that to do, too.
--That we now have a bathroom for guest use that I'm not embarrassed to have them use. 🙂 My husband is putting the faucets back in today now that the epoxy paint has had the recommended three days to cure. Right down to the wire having the bathrooms functional in time for guests.
@kristin @ going country,
I love the chrysanthemum analogy. Bloom where you are planted.
Or sometimes...if there's no soil there to allow for blooming, get yourself to some better soil!
@kristin @ going country, Can't believe I missed the obvious: You're a Kris-anthemum. Ahem. I'll see myself out.
Bahahaha, I love it!
@kristin @ going country, Your chrysanthemum analogy is so clever and spot on, I love it!
@kristin @ going country, that's "right down to the wire," all right! And congratulations to you and your husband on all the hard work you put into the bathroom project.
@kristin @ going country, I hear you about the rambunctious household. When we were first married (and even a couple of kids into this life), my husband's family (lots of younger siblings) would come and completely "enliven" our house. Somewhere along the way, I realized we'd flipped situations.
@kristin @ going country,
Perfect pun!
College girl will have loved showing you around!
This week's thankfuls:
That my husband did go and see a doctor about his complaints (he dodges medical appointments as if they were bullits) and is also following up on the recommendations;
That the weather was good enough to take a walk every day. Even today, with Benjamin expected to arrive in an hour or so;
That I sleep so much better at the moment than I did a few months back. Bring on the long evenings!
That I coould pick up a new library book, by Jane Goodall. I am interested in reading her thoughts on hope for the world;
That we get to vote next week. First of all I am very thankful we have the right to vote, which is not the case everywhere in the world. And secondly I am very fed up with all the debates and polls, which are not about giving new insights imho but more about digging heels in the ground.
@JNL, I ignore polls when I found out years ago (after reading very small print on bottom of TV screen when news reporting) that polls only consist of 2,000 people (<0.05%) in a specific place (area/online) for limited time. To me that's not a good enough representation of the public, its just an opinion unless you are talking about local/specific related area only.
@Regina, it’s not a bad idea to be skeptical of polls as some are poorly done. However, I do recall from intro to social statistics that a randomly selected sample of about 2000 is correct for national polls. The point is that it has to be done in a certain way. It’s more accurate than 100% sampling. I know it seems counterintuitive but it’s true. Here’s a link to the basics on Wikipedia if you need your eyes to glaze over.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sample_size_determination
@Regina, once landlines started to be come almost extinct, political polls lost most of their value.
I’ve seen so many people take photos at graduation in that spot. Another pretty spot on campus is the tulip beds in the spring and the landscaping around the oldest building on campus is usually very pretty. My first degree is from here. (My second two are from the state’s main university - probably closer to where you live). I taught there for six years after I graduated until I moved. We still visit the town from time to time. They have changed the area around the campus a lot. My parents graduated from there. Two of my sisters graduated from there. My husband got his masters there. They have one of the most uninspiring mascots of all times and an awful color combination. 🙂
Hahaha she feels the same about the color combo!!!
A quick one before I get ready for class:
I'm thankful that when I dropped our Crockpot ceramic insert and it shattered into smithereens on the tile floor, I was a) the only one in the kitchen and b) wearing outdoor slippers. Nobody got hurt, and we are investigating stainless steel slow cookers now! That's the second ceramic crock I've either cracked or shattered. :/
I'm thankful for cats, especially the Commodore, who has learned to be super polite and NOT wake people up, and to understand that even if I wake up at 3 am (Thank you, menopause), it is not time to ask for breakfast. The kitchen is closed until at least 6 am!
I'm thankful that I do have access to a vehicle on chilly mornings like this--honestly, I would bike to class today, but I need to hit the grocery store and there's one near the school so I might as well. I did cycle in on Tuesday, despite predicted gusty weather, but I was thankful that there was a break in the wind gusts just when I needed it. And grateful that I've gotten strong enough to pedal through 15 mph winds!
@Karen A.,
I'm sorry about the crockpot. I have been there. My son has a Breville crockpot. He loves it and it has lasted for years. Also, my instapot has a slow cook function as well as the pressure cook function. Both these options allow the cook to sauté and brown food in the pot before using the slow cook function. This is wonderful because there is less clean up.
BOO to a broken crockpot!
@Karen A.,
I had a crock crack, and found an identical new crockpot liner, with lid, at the local thrift store. (Apparently someone's electrical outer part fizzled out so they donated the non-electrical pieces.) So it was a frugal quick fix and I ended up with an extra glass lid. Which can be used with other pots, pans and casserole dishes.
@Fru-gal Lisa and @Karen A., I often see crockpot crocks at my local thrifts. So it might be worth checking these out, if you've got any extra time (possibly not with your busy life, Karen) and good thrift stores nearby.
@Fru-gal Lisa, I have extra crock pot inset I purchased from thrift stores for most used size. I don't do dishes everyday so the extra insert allows me to continue to use if other dirty.
@A. Marie, and others, I floated that idea to DH (who swears up and down that we had already replaced a crock once with one he'd saved from a dead crockpot), but he is adamant that we avoid any more Shatterings in the future, and is investing in a 360Ware stainless steel slow cooker. We will see how it goes!
- For Thankful Thursday. I keep a gratitude journal, and it brings so much joy. I start and usually end the day with it. Living with gratitude really does change everything. You provide this wonderful platform for all of us to send our collective joy out into the world when the world really needs it. Thank you!
- Sweet Bella, an adorable, loving black velcro kitty. At 4:30 here she is right by my side, watching me bedrotting while she purrs away. This is our anniversary month. She was feral when I discovered her. I had a rescue dog and cat already and as a nervous renter was not looking to enlarge the family. She was so tiny though and tugged on my heart. So I left food and water for her daily. When October rolled around I became frightened for her safety. Someone had murdered her mother. What would they do to this black kitten? So Bella became an indoor cat. One of the best, most joyful decisions I've made. 14 years later I am constantly in awe of her. She got me through the isolation of the pandemic, and many other life events. Tall order for such a small creature.
- For the astonishment of each morning. Waking up to the realization that I have been gifted another day, another opportunity to do better, to be better, to live. That is pretty powerful stuff at O'dark O'clock.
- For community. From none to here in this unique, thoughtful and supportive group, in the retirement park where I live, and my new church family.
- For my faith which is the most important part of my life. Gratitude does not even begin to express it. I don't think we have the big enough words.
- I am definitely all up in my feels this morning. Thankful for a safe place to put it all! May your day be blessed <3
@AZ Lynn, Love this!
@AZ Lynn,
One of the good things of noting down what makes you feel thankful and contented, is that you can help reshape your mood when you are feeling down. For instance, if you are generally thankful for coffee, for cuddles and for spiritual inspiration, you can sit down with a coffee, your pet, and a spiritual book or podcast when you feel blue. It helps you get to know your needs.
I love this point!
@AZ Lynn, this is particularly lovely.
Thankful for our dog that will be at my second appointment today. I admit people into hospice. I do love my job but also thankful for animals that lighten the atmosphere
First, kudos to Kristin@goingcountry for the mum analogy.
Second, I love Sonia's art on her walls.
Third, my DD#2 has orchids blooming constantly in her work office and even she doesn't know how she does it, because she's not usually lucky with plants. She usually has a couple blooming at once. I've always had precisely zero luck with orchids.
Now, for my Thankful list:
1. I'm thankful that the animal that my older dog was barking at under the shed, while the younger dog circled the shed, turned out to be just a cat, not a rattlesnake or rabid raccoon or anything like that. I'm thankful that I managed to give the cat a way to escape, and that it was completely unharmed. I'm not so thankful this all happened between 1:40 am and 3 am.
2. I'm thankful for a fun evening with the younger four grands last Friday. They cooperated well with each other, enjoyed the playtime, the meal, the homegrown lemonade, the dessert and the movie. I certainly enjoyed them.
3. I'm still thankful, if puzzled, that the chard I planted is growing well. I picked a pail full the other night. It never grew for me before. I have no idea what I did this time that worked, but I'm thankful!
4. I'm thankful that - at least for now - my home insurance website shows I'm still covered and that my premium didn't shoot up way higher. My renewal is in December, and the website tells me I will have a modest increase and a modest increase in hurricane deductible. (For non-Floridians: in Florida we have a special hurricane deductible based on a percentage of our home's value and separate from our normal deductible used for non-hurricane events. Hurricane deductibles are typically high.)
5. And finally, one week left of October and then it's four months to retirement!
@JD, Hate those middle of the night/early morning investigations with a spotlight to see what critter is lurking about. And happy for you it was just a cat.
@JD, glad it was not a skunk. Nothing and I mean nothing smells worse than a fresh skunk spray. What you smell after one has been hit on the road pales in comparison.
Every time you post a Snoopy picture, it reminds me of my first lunch box when I went to kindergarten 🙂 While we were cleaning out heaps of stuff, I found some unused Snoopy Valentine cards; are you interested in having them?
Also, the college photo spot is beautiful. When my son and I visited a campus earlier this fall, the tour guide pointed out the big photograph spot on campus and even stopped to give folks the opportunity to take a picture. He wasn't interested. (It wasn't nearly as pretty as the spot you found.)
This week I am thankful:
*for people who work in stores and have a good sense of humor. I was looking for my husband in a farm supply store, and a helpful employee asked if he could help me with something. "I'm just looking for my husband-- big guy with the beard?" His eyes lit up and he said, "I haven't seen him, but I can make an announcement on the intercom, 'Big guy with the beard please report to the service desk.'" He was disappointed when I declined. Then I ran into another employee just out of sight who offered the same thing. I could tell these two guys really liked playing on the intercom. I sorta wish I had let them do it 😉
*for my daughter's quiet thoughtfulness. I was in bed this weekend feeling unwell, and she went downstairs and started playing the piano. She started playing favorite hymns, on after the other, in a different manner than her normal practice. I could tell she was playing them as a gift to me.
*that I was able to meet my son's flight instructor (assuming the final approval for the scholarship goes through) and that he didn't seem untrustworthy. He seemed steady and thoughtful, and I liked that.
*for joy in learning and for the opportunity to teach my children.
*for my husband. When I read your post yesterday, I couldn't help but feel grateful for him. I am also thankful that you are in a better place and that you are able to encourage others in dark places.
*that my friend's daughter is doing well at college (away from home). It sounds like she's growing in all the right ways. For this friend.
*for the coffee. For a couple good telephone conversations this week. For loving children. For my father's lunch buddies.
Ooh yes, I would be interested in those!
And I too wish you'd let them say that over the intercom. Hehe.
@Kristen and Jody,
The way men's fashions are today, if they'd announced that, there might have been a couple dozen big guys with beards show up at the service desk, LOL!
That's a very fair point!
@Jody S., Steady is what you want in a flight instructor. 🙂 So happy for your son. And also touched by your daughter's musical gift to you. That's very sweet.
- I'm thankful that my 92-year-old MIL is recovering after falling and breaking her femur. She had surgery and is now in rehab.
- I'm thankful our insurance company is working with us on our claim after the tornado damage. Somehow, even though our fence damage was part of the claim, their adjuster had not added it, so we were not getting reimbursed for it. Thankful DH had taken pictures of the damage and insurance company will accept those.
- I'm thankful for the insurance payment to cover the rest of the roof. We had to pay over $20,000 out of pocket before we got the payment, and my savings account is missing that money. 😉
- I'm thankful that both sets of grandparents live close to our daughter and SIL. Grandson is sick today and grandparents are needed to take care of him.
- I'm thankful we have significant money in savings as we wait for DH's long-term disability claim to be settled. His paycheck yesterday was an order of magnitude smaller than usual!
Thankful that NY State sent me an "inflation refund check" based on DH's and my 2023 tax return (the last year we filed jointly, since he died that year).
Not thankful that my bank wouldn't let me deposit it, because DH's name was on the check and I took his name off all our accounts after I settled the estate. Also not thankful that NY State made it so $%#!! hard to figure out which number to call to get this straightened out.
But thankful that I finally made it through the telephone maze, and that the young lady I finally got on the phone was kind, helpful, and patient.
Finally, thankful for my bird feeders (which I've just put up for the winter) and my birds. I'm enjoying watching the blue jays fight over the peanuts in the tray feeder (which they figured out immediately) and the other birds figure out the other feeders (which is taking a little longer).
Yay for a refund check! And yay that it's finally deposited too.
@Kristen, unfortunately, it'll be a while till it's deposited. I learned that NY State has to send me a form to get this done, which I'll need to have notarized (fortunately, one of my neighbors is a notary) and then to return to NYS with a copy of DH's death certificate and any other documentation they may want. So this will take some time. But at least I've gotten the process going.
Knowing the necessary steps is half the work!
@A. Marie, if the check has your name on it why can the bank not deposit it? I have had a check with both names on it & deposited into account with only 1 name on account, as long as 1 name matches.
@Regina, it depends on the bank. Mine's being a PITA about it.
@A. Marie, I hate this hassle so much for you!
@A. Marie, I feel your pain.
A PSA for anyone who is settling an estate - keep at least one bank account open with both you and the deceased person on it. My sister passed away 8 years ago and almost every year since I have received an unexpected random check (class action lawsuits, refunds, for example) that I need to cash. Having us both on an account still makes it easy.
@A. Marie, that sounds very similar to the process one has to go through to recover unclaimed property.
Another PSA, each state has an unclaimed property website. Everyone should check it from time to time - you may be surprised at what you find and can recover (with some administrative hoops to jump through). It takes time and patience- but eventually you get your money back. Examples of things found in unclaimed property - unclaimed insurance proceeds, final paychecks (for young people mostly), unclaimed utility or other deposits, stock certificates (for employee plans from prior employment), Western Union payments.
@Jean C, I'm rather surprised your bank hasn't discovered your sister is deceased.
Also, until a person gets a credit card in his/her own name (aka not joint), I'd not tell the credit card company. While yes @A. Marie they can rightly cut off an authorized user, some will be a PITA (besides closing the account), some will cut your credit limit. Even if you are a pay-off each month, a decrease in credit limit can affect your credit score. And possibly put you in a bind *if* you'd need to short term use a larger amount.
Lots to be grateful for!
1) That I celebrated 20 years with my husband this week. We had such a lovely time together & when went out to eat, our waitress (who had asked about the occasion) commented that we still enjoy spending time together, because we were chatting & laughing. I feel lucky to have this.
2) That I've had a quieter morning schedule this week, as my manager is out. 90% of my meetings are with London, so it's really a lovely change when my first meeting is at 8 am vs 6 am.
3) Leftovers. Eternally grateful for the cook once, eat 2x or 3x approach.
4) That DH started his new job this week.
5) That DS18 still calls my dad most weeks, even being in college. They share a lot & their relationship is amazing. I'm so happy for both of them that they have that.
@Hawaii Planner, yay for the new job for your husband!
@Hawaii Planner, Congratulations on your Anniversary. 🙂
@Hawaii Planner, Happy anniversary!
I love your girl's paintings! So cute and cheery.
So many wonderful things to be thankful for! I love the pictures of the kitties. And how kind of that person to reach out to you about the erroneous review.
- I am thankful for my cat, who makes my days so fun and full of purrs!
- I am thankful for my friends, who never fail to wrap me in their kindness and warmth.
A special week for you, Kristen. Thankful that we are all here to enjoy it and that you shared it with us. I bet your daughter loved showing you her campus as much as you enjoyed her company.
This week I am thankful for taking priority in my health. I've lost 30 lbs and found a gym that is working with my abilities while also making me work harder to achieve more. I am also learning disipline by getting up at 6:00 AM to make sure I make it to the gym for the 7:00 AM class. It's exactly what I needed.
Thankful for the small town we moved to to spend our retirement. We knew nothing of this town when we moved here 3 years ago. The people are wonderful and there are enough services for survival in our "golden years." LOL
Thankful for the knowledgeable people that handle Medicare. I know health insurance, but these people have the knowledge to help you make selections that suit your needs and situations rather than just group insurance from your employer. There are way too many options out there and anyone going to sign up for Medicare, I hope you search out one of these Medicare people before signing on the dotted line. Way better than the commercials on TV that just confuse you!
And thankful for our financial lady that showed us our money and how to handle it once I retire next year. That and the Medicare were eye openers for both of us and glad we did the review now rather than close to the deadline. (P.S. We are on track.)
That covered walkway at college is gorgeous! So are your flowers!
1. I have a big thankful thing this week: good eyesight! I think I've shared how my dog Snuggles mistook my good pair of glasses for a chew-bone. Goodbye, bifocals. So I had to visit the eye doctor to obtain a new prescription. I have 20-20 far vision and 20-25 close vision, my permanent artificial lenses (implanted from the cataract surgery a few years back) are still centered, where they should be, and I'm doing even better than expected, he said. Also, what they said would take 3 hours only took an hour and a half; it was a slow day in their office so I was seen right away.
2. Participating in Saturday's No Kings rally (my first-ever protest, albeit patriotic) was uneventful: no injuries, no violence and no arrests, but lots of people smiling and waving at us and giving us the "thumbs up" as they drove by. The official count for our city was 1,200 at the location -- the sidewalk on a very busy roadway-- where I was at. Only one person honked and yelled something ugly and gave us the middle finger. Even the local Fox station's TV news did a positive story on our demonstration.
3. Snuggles is doing a whole lot better on his behavior, other than ruining my eyeglasses. He's snuggling more, coming in when called, and even played ball with me.
4. The morning weather has been delightful and I've been sitting out on the patio reading books and drinking coffee. Since I work the p.m. shifts, I can enjoy my mornings a lot more. Snuggles will sit near me and be quiet as I read. Good doggy!
5. I've been given more hours at the retail job. It doesn't make up for the pay I would've gotten as a subbie, but it helps. I enjoy chatting with the customers when business is slow. It is a real community feeling in that store, and most everyone appreciates it.
- My dad seems like he’s ok. He went to the ER yesterday thinking he was having AFib issues, but they didn’t find anything going on with that. It sounds like he’s been having panic attacks, which isn’t good obviously, but I’m hoping it’s that rather than another heart issue.
- My 11yo daughter got glowing reviews from her teacher at PT conference. She is reading at a ninth grade level! Those 1000+ library books have really paid off!
- Even more important than her academics is that my daughter has been helping a new student in her class that doesn’t yet speak English. They immediately built a friendship despite not being able to talk to each other. My daughter and her friend now pass a pocket translator back and forth when working on partner/group assignments. When they don’t want to bother with the translator during free time they have fun communicating with things like meowing! Her teacher told me that her new friend now comes home from school telling her how much she loves school now. I’m always thankful and proud of my kind hearted (and silly) children.
- I have a 504 meeting regarding my teenage son next week. I’m very thankful he has a teacher, who’s been his English teacher for two years now, that offered to back me up when I ask the school for necessary (and reasonable) accommodations for his ADHD. Another teacher has also now offered a quiet space for him to do tests. He recently flunked a test in that class, despite it being a subject he excels at, because another student kept giggling throughout the test time. That would be hard for anyone to concentrate, but it’s significantly harder for someone who also deals with ADHD challenges. My son ended up writing multiple essays outside of class to make up the points. Hopefully my meeting with the school will go well!
Love what your girl is doing. Good for her!
@JenRR, I'm glad your son is getting the help he needs. I had the same English teacher from grades 7-12, and it was a blessing!
JenRR,
I love how you said, “Even more important than her academics” about your daughter. I have no doubt my mom loves me (for which I am very thankful!), but it’s always felt like the doing of tasks/work was more important than being a kind and caring person. She probably doesn’t really feel that way, but her personality is more “doing” focused than “being” focused. Anyway, your daughter’s kindness really touched my heart.
Sounds like you had a good week, Kristen. 😉 Glad to hear you're back on days for work!
Let's see.. this week, I'm thankful for:
-My audit is almost over. This thing has been a nightmare and I'll be glad to see it completed.
-I actually got a lot of work done for my business. I still have a day job (see above) as I get my accounting firm up and running. And yes, I am accepting clients—though I don't know if it's a faux pas to promote my company on someone else's blog?! Definitely don't want to be rude! 🙂
-Since I got a lot done for my business (pricing calculator drafts, a decent-looking website, and I'll get setting up email and a booking system on Calendly), I'm that much closer to leaving the day job. The people I work with are lovely, but I'm not so keen on the work anymore.
Hope everyone else here had fabulous weeks!
@Natalie K., if you are setting up a CPA or EA practice you may want to follow/ reach out to Mike Sylvester, CPA (on X). He started a “collaboration room” for firms looking to grow and improve. I see that he has many professional followers as well as regular folks. He is a bit of a character. He and his wife have a successful small/medium size CPA firm in Indiana. I often find his content interesting.
@Jean C, Thanks for the suggestion! I will definitely look Mike up. 🙂
Congrats on finishing orientation, you've got this in spades.
I love Kristin's analogy for your sweet flower.
Thankful for farm helper completing the barn and shop gutters, we have an atmospheric river coming tonight.
Tonight I am holding a Haunted painting party where you take paintings and add ghosties, dark shadows, Spiders, bats, etc. We will share and sell some of them at the harvest festival.
Had to replace my printer this week and it was $200 less than when I purchased it 7 yrs ago. Yay. Farm helper is setting up tomorrow along with my laptop, tv in the family room and WiFi booster for guest rooms.
Gotta run and catch the sunrise! Have a wonderful day!
Thankful for the following:
I'm flying to North Carolina this weekend to visit a friend. Our schedules aligned and the flight is inexpensive.
My daughter was home for midterm break until yesterday
My son, who has been looking for employment in a competitive field, found out about a backup plan if his latest job interview doesn't pan out. Whew!
My husband is staying productive and upbeat despite being furloughed from his job.
The fall harvest event at our church was a hit last night, and I had fun volunteering for it.
@Kris, Another furlough spouse here. Like yours, my DH is staying busy and making the most of having to be at home. Stay strong! 🙂
Mums are the one flower/plant that I can never get to come back/bloom again next year. I see others do it successfully in my area, but I can't. 🙁
Thankful for our house that is keeping us warm & dry. For a safe place for us.
Thankful teen is expanding skillsets & learning new things in different areas. I just wish teen would not underestimate my ability of knowledge of some skillsets because teen has not seen me do it (last few years). I'm proud though that teen taking other interests & learning valuable skillsets to help in life.
Thankful we got everything taken care of outside as the rain & cold have settled in. Leaves everywhere & on everything. I will try to cut back my hostas this weekend (expected nice & no rain) & finish rock border with what I have left.
Thankful for rescue dogs who are always so happy to see us.
Thankful for garbage service customer service person who was able to handle the additional bill sent to me even though I was already paid for a year of service.
Thankful for Kristen and her blog where we can learn & share with each other. 🙂
@Regina, I don't know your planting zone, but mums do better if you can find small ones in the spring to plant for fall bloom. Then prune the growth up until July for fuller bloom. The ones all bloomed out for fall purchase usually are generally just for one this one flourish.
1. Thankful that my 10 year old son had a great birthday yesterday. I always want him to feel special on these days and to see such joy in his eyes is a gift.
2. For the health of our sweet baby girl who continues to grow and progress just the way she should. We get to meet her in January and it is hard to believe that this pregnancy is almost over...it has flown by!
3. For the beautiful fall weather we have had recently. Cool dry air, changing leaves, and sunshine. Honestly I don't think there can be anything more lovely.
4. Thankful for my comfortable bed and the way that I find refreshing rest these days. This is pretty high on my list as the pregnancy has me more tired than usual.
5. Fall candles and hot cups of coffee. Homemade soup for dinner & warm blankets to snuggle into on the couch. Cozy sweatshirts & windy days.
What beautiful cats! I love Sonia's paintings as well.
1. This week I am thankful for my trip to Sweden. It was good to get away for a few days and the weather was glorious. I took a ferry to one of the islands off the coast and walked around the nature trails there and had a swim at the beach. There are no cars allowed on the island so it was very peaceful.
2. I'm thankful for the two museums I visited. The first museum was the Natural History Museum which had fantastic exhibitions on fossils, mammals, birds and DNA. I didn't have as much time to spend in there as I wished but it was incredible. I also went to a beautiful art museum.
3. I went to a famous bakery in the old town and got a cinnamon bun which was the size of my face! I also enjoyed simply walking around the town and finding some Christmas presents in a lovely independent shop.
4. I went to a park which had a free zoo and some stunning Botanical Gardens. Again, I would have loved to have spent more time there, but it was a wonderful morning.
5. The city had a reliable tram system for easy transport and the hotel I stayed in was very comfortable and included a delicious breakfast.
6. I went to a fantastic pizza restaurant for dinner.
7. I came back on a Saturday and enjoyed a Sunday of simply relaxing. I love going away but I also love coming back again!
This week I am profoundly thankful for three doctors. One of them caught my husband's bladder cancer and guided him through surgery and treatment. The other two docs worked on my multiple medical issues. They called me at home (on the weekend!), another time tracked me down at my volunteer shift at the food bank to tell me that my lab results showed I needed to immediately show up at the emergency room, were at the ER to make sure I was attended to immediately, and supported me when I really felt like I could not go on another day. They did refer me to hospice but in the meantime, I had six blood transfusions (thank you to folks who donate blood!) and 21 iron transfusions. Add a new drug and now I am still ill and so very, very tired but I no longer qualify for hospice because they think I will live beyond six months.
And the husband, always the husband, who has not wavered for one moment in his support (sometimes literally, like holding me up in the shower) during a horrific past six months.
LINDSEY!!!!!! I'm so very delighted to hear that your health has improved some. YAYYYYYY!!!!!
I'm doing a happy dance. And I hope things continue to get better for you.
@Lindsey, thank you for letting us know how you are doing. I have been wondering about you and missing your posts.
I am so glad for your and your husband's good medical care. Obviously it really made a difference for the 2 of you. I will keep the 2 of you in my thoughts and prayers.
@Lindsey, There you are! I was wondering about you--and your husband--and hoping all was well with both of you. It sounds like it wasn't, but I'm glad things are looking up. I hope everything continues to improve.
@Lindsey, sending you and your husband all the best wishes for better health. You are beloved here and on The NonConsumer Advocate.
@Lindsey, Sending you my best wishes. So glad to hear of your reprieve. Extra happy about the 3 doctors and your wonderful husband.
@Lindsey, I'm so glad you posted. I've been missing you and praying for you and the husband, always the husband.
Lindsey, I echo the other replies to you. I’ve also missed your posts, am thankful you’ve turned a corner, and hope for the very best for your continued improvement!
@Lindsey, so good to see you posting and for the update. I am hopeful for you both and glad that your prognosis has improved somewhat. When I think of you, I always remember your once in a lifetime trip a couple (?) years ago and that oh so special magical dance you and your husband had. I agree with others - you are beloved in the commentariat.
@Lindsey, I'm sorry that things have been so terribly difficult, and I'm thankful to hear things might be looking up. Prayers for you and your husband.
@Lindsey, I too am thankful to get your update. I'm sorry that health continues to be a struggle. I wish it wasn't and will be praying that you (& the husband) get relief and energy. In the meantime, when you're tired, remember how many times you've astonished doctors - over many decades - with your grit.
AGREED. Lindsey, you are amazingly resilient.
@Lindsey, I, too, have been thinking of you and am thankful for this update. Sending all good thoughts your way for you and your husband.
This week I'm thankful:
* that my husband comes home today. He had a conference out in California this week and I've listened to incessant "I miss Daddy" laments from my children. It's his first time travelling for work since my oldest was an infant, so they're just not used to it. But I'm glad he will be home today and that we will get to do fun family stuff all weekend.
* for the benefit of experience. I had to give a speech to a room of over 100 adults on Wednesday, but I wasn't really nervous at all since it was my third year of doing it. (The first year I wasn't sure if I was going to throw up, pee my pants, or both. I was so nervous!)
* for the support of my village.
* for great parent/teacher conferences this morning. This may have been the best year yet!
* for a week with no sports. It's only a week, but I've enjoyed the break.
* for my assistant coach of the team we start coaching this weekend. I have to miss the first practice because we'll be out of town, but she was so gracious about covering and I am thankful!
* for books to enjoy.
Oooh, good job on the public speaking!
This week I am thankful for….
• Upcoming events on my calendar! We have some fun get-togethers planned and I’m really looking forward to them all.
• All the fall colors – no matter where I am, where I am going, what I am doing I see beautiful fall colors.
• Spooky podcasts! I don’t like horror but I do like “spooky things” in October. I’ve found some spooky podcasts that have made commutes and housecleaning a little more fun.
• Snuggly dogs.
• My husband stepping in without blinking an eye when I’m not 100%.
Thankful:
- For nearly 4 weeks with my parents
- For a body that craves exercise and let's me know when I haven't done enough
- For drier and cooler air
- For my favorite season: the fall
- For financial wisdom (from others and internally)
Oh, that rotary dial telephone! So perfect for her.
Thankful for health and that my depression seems to be letting up again.
Thankful for my husband who takes such good care of me whether I am well or sick.
Thankful for our on-site restaurant that cooks when I don't feel up to it.
Thankful for family even when I don't get to see them.
Thankful for the view of a nature preserve right outside our windows.
Life is good even when it's hard.
The shutdown doesn't affect my husband's military retirement and disability pay.
Even though it is affecting my brother's pay (he's a guard on an army base) we are in a position to help him out if he needs it.
It was raining and lightning this morning, which made for a beautiful drive to work.
My preK class all napped today. Super thankful for that. Lol
The delicious piece of apple pie i just ate but didn't have to bake myself.
The college campus looks beautiful and cozy! And I’m sure you will be a great off-orientation independent nurse! I am excited and joyful for you !!
Thankful things :
-That I got to see Rhode Island in its fall glory as I traveled for a work conference this week .
-That I got to sit in front of a cute Airbnb briefly and watch the RI fall leaves with a mug of coffee this morning- if even for a few minutes!
-Speaking of car batteries !! Thankful that though my car wouldn’t start when I checked out my Airbnb this morning(!) , a kind man doing construction on a nearby house was not only willing to help but had this brand new portable battery charger that his mom had recently bought him and that he had also just charged up- and it worked great on my car ! I’m planning to buy it now for emergencies- It’s this one - TJWLP Portable 30000mAh Car Jump Starter, Battery Charger and Power Bank, Emergency Jump Box - Walmart.com
I’m also thankful that I didn’t again have to google “how to jumpstart any car” although it would have been good practice Lol
-That a local auto parts store installed my new battery and the new battery got me back to NY in one piece!
-That my PT’s advice that getting more sunlight would make my cold symptoms get better faster was true! ( that and slowing down and lots of chicken soup)
-That my yucky cold is getting better. No more tissues and soup!
Thankfuls--
1. That I have been able to attend an early morning prayer meeting once a week. I am having my cup filled.
2. That I have finished parent teacher conferences for this term.
3. For the mild fall weather.
4. For reasonable sleep in the last week.
5. For supportive people around me.
Kristen, I saw in you book pile "shadows of the workhouse" by Jennifer Worth. I really enjoyed her books. They led me to the "Call the Nurse: True Stories of a Country Nurse on a Scottish Isle (The Country Nurse Series, Book One) " series by Mary J. MacLeod that you maybe interested in as well. Both book series go into detail about the kind of work the nurses do, MacLeod's books detail life on a remote Scottish island. Beautifully written.
Thankful Thursday on a Friday because my Thursday was crazy! I'm so thankful . . .
-for the school our daughter is about to transition to, her IEP advocate, and a special education attorney. Our special needs daughter has struggled and struggled in school. Last year the stress resulted in seizures. We felt so powerless as parents to do anything else. Then we found this local private school that is designed to serve students with her disabilities. They admitted her and recommended an IEP advocate who could help us argue for ourselves and understand what we were dealing with. This week we also spoke with an attorney who specializes in special education issues in part because he has a special needs child himself. We've learned so much and come so far since our daughter's epilepsy diagnosis last year. We have a lot farther to go, but we are just so thankful for the folks in our corner.
-for my practice of frugal shopping. It hit me when I was at the Goodwill yesterday quickly sorting through racks for clothes for the kids. Shopping at Goodwill and buying things off of facebook marketplace are skills that I have developed over many years. If I had never shopped in those ways and you told me "go to a Goodwill and buy that item for much less," I wouldn't necessarily know how to start. Because I have been doing it so long I know how to get bargains efficiently on the things our family needs, and I'm so grateful. I don't know how we would make ends meet if I had to buy everything new.
-my mother's health. My mama is an angel. Salt of the earth. She is 71 and in excellent health, so I hope that means I get to enjoy many, many more years of her company. For years now she has continued to work (she retired in 2023 only to immediately start working part time, which has turned into almost full time) while she cared for my dad, who has dementia, and my grandma, who is mostly healthy, but suffers from being old and silly. I convinced my mom to accompany me to sunny Florida in a couple of weeks when I go for an academic conference. She will finally get a chance to sit on the beach, read, and relax. I'm so blessed to have her in my life.
I am so happy for you that you've gotten a better school situation for your girl. You are a good mama. <3