Thankful Thursday | another lull
This week, I am thankful:
that Tuesday is over
Because things always seem to happen in clusters, on Tuesday of this week, I had a microbiology exam followed by a microbiology lab with two quizzes, followed by a chemistry exam.
I am so happy to be on the other side of that day! And while I'm still waiting on my chemistry grade, I got back A's on the other three. Whew.
that microbiology lab is almost over
We had our last three-hour lab this week, and next week is our lab final.
So after that, no more lab for the rest of the semester. Yay!
This lab has been a lot of work, and having it off my plate is really going to help me.
for the satisfaction of learning things
This morning I saw in the news that there is a listeria outbreak right now. And because I am in microbiology right now, I felt curious about the details of listeria bacteria.
I googled and saw this little summary, and I felt a little thrill of delight that I knew what all of these words meant!
I don't even really like microbes that much, but I still felt happy to understand what I was reading about listeria.
that the semester end is in sight
Four more weeks of class + one week of finals, and then I'm done!
for a new dishwasher
The dishwasher in my rental has been having extremely unpredictable leaking (like, once a month for no apparent reason), so the landlord had a new one installed this week.
Sweet!
I haven't been a renter since the year 2000, so it's a weird experience to get a new appliance without paying for it directly.
for early morning light
You all know that the late afternoon darkness that comes with the end of DST is...not my favorite.
But I do appreciate that now it is light enough for a walk really early in the morning.
that elections are over
I'm glad the signs will be taken down and that I will stop having a mailbox full of political mailers every day.
for a washer and dryer
I was thinking this week about how thankful I am to have a rental with a washer and dryer. Having to go to a laundromat would be much less fabulous.
for tacos on a hard day
Tacos do not solve problems, but they do lift the spirits a bit. 😉
There are so many things to be thankful for, yet when I sit down to think about them, they don't come easily to mind,
1. Small morning pleasures: a cup of coffee, bowl of cereal and a book
2. I am able to work from home today, this will allow me to attend my son's parent/teacher conferences. He's in HS and seems to be struggling a little bit, but he tells me that everything is fine.
3. My husband who cooks dinner every day.
4. The sunny weather today, I may be able to get out and do some more gardening today.
It is a surprisingly challenging exercise, isn't it?
Enjoy the sunny weather! It's sunny here too and I am so happy about that.
Congratulations on another academic success…
1) I am thankful that the rain and wind from Tropical Storm Nicole is subsiding!!! Rescue Pup needs her walk.
2) I am thankful for the men and women in public service who are on call during all kinds of weather. They keep us safe and respond to those in need. Hurricane season would be much more difficult without dedicated utility workers, fire and rescue personnel, police officers, life guards, paramedics, and shelter workers.
3) I’m happy that my neighbor of 22 years who was running for a local office won!!! We need hard-working, ethical people to fill our elected positions. I know she will work hard for the people of our county.
4) I’m feeling blessed by my friends and family.
Wishing everyone peace, joy and good health.
"Tacos don't solve problems." ???? Of course they do. I live in the Southwest and Mexican food helps you get through life. We all know that.
Second only to chocolate. 😀 😀 😀
@Anne, as a Texas girl, I must agree.
@Anne, another Texas girl here and you are speaking facts! 🙂 gimme allll the tacos!
@Dawn, A yes vote from a New Mexico gringa!
I am thankful for, in no particular order:
1) the desire to read again (it had been missing for a very long time)
2) that my daughter's anti-depressants seem to be working (it takes a minute to find the right medication and dosage)
3) for an upcoming family vacation that's been in the works for a couple of years now
4) for a job I enjoy and feel relatively confident in performing
5) for a dog who is nothing but love, joy, and silliness to balance out a well-loved dog who is anxious and more than a little bit sassy
6) for therapy - I resisted for a long time and am grateful I finally started
7) for upcoming fun things in our calendar - I struggle with it getting dark so early and the colder temperatures and find if I have things to look forward to it's easier
8) for a "have to do" schedule that has decreased over the past few months providing more time for a "want to do" or a "sit on couch" schedule
9) for peanut butter toast with banana and a good cup of dark, black coffee
10) for blogs, books, podcasts, and shows that are a pleasure to consume
@Stacy, Your #9 rocks!!!! Finally, another lover of pb toast with sliced banana:)
@Vicki Skonieczny,
I've never tried this, but now I want to! It sounds great. I might sub the Nutella for the PB.
@Stacy,
One of my husband's favorite sandwiches - PB and banana!
@Vicki Skonieczny, Another PB and B lover here. 🙂
@Karen A., Happy to hear this!!!! I knew I couldn't be the only one:)
@VY, I've had it with Nutella too......warning: ADDICTING!!
@Stacy, You should try PB on (soft) white bread with nacho cheese Doritos. Don't knock it until you try it! It is surprisingly yummy. My friend craved them when she was pregnant and I thought she was certifiable! LOL Now it's a go to for me, my daughter, and my granddaughter! =D
That I achieved my goals in the lightning trip I had to take yesterday; the airports and flights were fine; the delays not too onerous; and the company and weather good.
That I have a coworker who's happy to take many of the things I'm decluttering in advance of my move. I'm happy to get them out of my house, into to a good home, and without having to make extra trips to the thrift stores. He's happy to get them for his growing family, for free and delivered to his (our) workplace.
That I found a thrift store that takes just about anything - for example, Goodwill won't take tents or sleeping bags - and accepts donations 24/7.
For Standard Time and beautiful fall weather.
For my friends who are visiting for a couple of days. They're my first houseguests since the Times Before.
For finding a really appropriate small gift for some other friends. They always make thumbprint cookies with the jam from their annual Bonne Maman advent calendar. I came across a thumbprint cookie cutters that were just crying out to be given to them. My friends and I long ago worked out that gift-giving is random (not event-driven!) and need never be reciprocated.
For a trip I'm planning with family and my father for next summer.
@WilliamB,
Your gift exchange note reminded me of a former colleague, who has since moved on to head an East Coast museum. We organically began leaving random “giftlets” on each other's desks whenever we came across something special, such as your find. Some of the most beautiful things in my home are from those exchanges. I miss her.
As an example, my sign off included a French phrase. She found 2 cut glass wine glasses with the exact phrase in one of the antique/second hand shops she haunts.
@WilliamB, I regard Bonne Maman jam as a gift directly from heaven. When people began speaking of possible food shortages some months back, I ordered approximately two dozen jars from various sources.
If there is a nuclear holocaust, I will pass with a jar in my hand.
I’ve been enjoying the morning light too! Now my kids have just enough light to get to their bus stop!
Thankful that my husband has been waking me up with hot coffee the last few mornings. I’ve been feeling lousy (allergies that are the worst I’ve ever had) and he has to go to work before kids wake, so the coffee has been helping me feel awake enough and okay enough to get kids going.
Thankful that it’s almost cold enough to be done with 30s and rain. Tomorrow it should be 20s/30s and snow, which is a vast improvement in my mind. If the rain of this week had been snow I think we’d be up to 12+ inches.
Thankful that it’s cold enough to use the oven often. And thankful that our elderly neighbors like our treats.
Thankful that we live in an era when insulating a house is fairly effective. Our old house feels cold where there isn’t modern insulation, but the demoing we find ourselves doing is going to make it so much easier to put in fresh insulation. And what we don’t need to demo we can blow insulation in.
@Kaitlin, I know that the whole Daylight Savings Time thing gets people's knickers in a knot, but even though I don't love it, I do feel like it provides additional safety for kids at bus stops in the early morning hours. I'm usually driving to work at the time when the busses are out and it's hard to see people out and about, especially if it's raining.
@Kris, I would rather us be on Standard Time all year round. It's when we switch back to Standard Time that it gets lighter in the mornings!
@Karen A., I am with you! I hate Daylight Savings Time. Mostly, I hate the abruptness of switching either directions. There is a reason nature does it slowly!
I agree that tacos lift the spirit. We made fish tacos this week and i love the spicy smell of them!
Also thankful for celebrating my dad's 86th birthday. He isn't in the best of shape and I am grateful to have him around.
Grateful that I was able to help my niece out with her first vacation as a young adult.
Grateful that I will do the same for my nephew when it is his turn.
Grateful that my snow tires are on. 🙂
Thanks again, Kristen for this place on the internet. Also, commenting about your blog about your Aunt. Lovely picture of your Dad. You definitely have his smile!
I'm thankful that I was able to successfully drive over 500 miles in one day to get me and my kids home from our trip! I am still amazed that I drove there and back.
Thankful for the many blessings we had on our trip.
I'm very thankful that we were able to sign my son up for a class he needs to take care of his core requirements in college. He's still in high school but doing College Credit Plus, and he wanted to get a science core done, but all the classes were in person and he wants a completely online course. Luckily Intro Anthropology was available and is all online. Score.
Thankful for a sunny warm day to get the backyard tidied before the rain and cold weather move in tomorrow.
@Karen A.,
That driving feat is not to be underestimated. In one day….
It is a rough week for me. My father passed away after a 10-day struggle in the hospital on Monday night. He walked into the hospital with only the assistance of a rollator to get a test, was immediately sent to the ED, and he never came out of the hospital. I'm inspired by Kristen and will list the thankful things even in difficult situations.
- The hospital staff was amazing. I was back and forth between Florida and South Carolina, and I was able to stay updated with their assistance. The doctors in particular took the time to meet with me, call me when I was away, and one stayed long after his shift ended to assist us with end of life care. I'm so thankful that they cared deeply for dad and took care of him the best they could.
- Even though dad went off hospice care in the hospital, the hospice staff kept in touch with me and the hospital daily, and I met with one staff member twice in the hospital. These people are saints. I have felt so supported and cared for with them.
- I got to spend time with my dad when he was still conscious. He was not his usual self, but I was able to trigger a smile when I asked if he wanted a milkshake.
- There has been no drama, and only cooperation, with my sister during this time. We had not spoken in over a year prior to this. We will not be best friends, but I am so thankful that we have been able to work through this together.
-For Thankful Thursdays. Just this process of writing this has helped me process some grief and let the tears flow.
- For God's faithfulness and His people. Amen.
@Brooke, My condolences on the loss of your father. What a strong spirit you have to see the positive things during your grief. And I'm so glad you got to be with your father and that you and your sister are able to work together. Praying for you.
@Brooke, So very sorry for your loss.
@Brooke,
So sorry for your loss. Wishing you strength and comfort.
@Brooke, I'm so sorry about your father. May he rest in peace, and may you and the rest of your family find peace.
But I'm also glad that you and your sister were able to work together on this. My middle sister and I were barely on speaking terms before all four of us sibs had to pull together to coordinate my mother's end-of-life care long-distance. Although (as in your case) she and I will never be particularly close, things have been much better since then.
Dear Brooke,
I extend my heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Yours is one of the most moving posts I’ve seen in a while. May the hopeful note of your sister's non-drama grow through your shared grief.
Brooke, thank you for your vulnerability in sharing this with us. Virtual hugs to you in this challenging time. For what it's worth, my siblings and I had our struggles while our parents, particularly mom, were alive, but we seem to have found a closer connection since mom died 1 1/2 years ago. Hoping that's the case for you and your sister.
@Brooke, sending condolences during this very hard time. May memories bring so much comfort.
@Brooke,
I pray for peace and comfort as you go through your grief. I'm so sorry for your loss.
@Brooke, your post has brought me to tears. I feel sad for you in the loss of your dad. I’m praying for God to comfort you and give you peace as only He can do. I’m so glad your dad ( and you) had such compassionate help from hospital staff as well as hospice caregivers.
@Brooke, I'm so sorry. It's so hard.
@Brooke, oh my, I am so sorry. I am so happy that you were able to count so many blessings during this difficult time. Hospice is so amazing and I love hearing how they supported you so well.
Brooke, thank you for your kind, perseverant, persistent, and loving care of your father throughout these years. They are not unseen or forgotten. God bless you.
@Brooke, I am so, so sorry to her about your dad's death.
@Brooke,
Sending wishes of love, peace and strength.
@Brooke, I am sorry for your loss.
Oh wow, Brooke, I am so very sorry for the loss of your dad.
I am grateful for the mercies that were there during this hard time, especially that you and your sister were able to work together.
Big hugs to you and your family.
@Brooke, I am so sorry for you loss. It's life-changing to lose anyone, but losing someone who pre-dates you is like losing history. I am happy for the blessings that did find you this week, and I wish you comfort in the difficult times to follow.
@Brooke,
I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is so very hard, yet you have been able to express gratitude through your grief. I agree, hospice nurses are angels here on earth.
@Everyone, My goodness, thank you so much for the support. I am overwhelmed by your kindness. ❤️
I'm thankful for:
A husband that doesn't mind my singing in the car, and this morning was singing with me! (We work together, another thing to be thankful for, always carpooling/saving money on gas)
That my parents plumbing problems will hopefully be solved very soon. They've had an underground leak.
That my newish rescue cat let me sleep better last night. He insists on waking me up multiple times per night for pets (and I can't lock him out, he seems to have separation issues and I'm afraid what he'd do to my closed door also!)
That the heavy rain that is predicted to come here will be over a day, and not many days.
That my husband agreed we could go to Cracker Barrel for Thanksgiving this year. Paying for two of their specials is cheaper than cooking for four - except for the leftovers. But no stress or dishes sounds wonderful.
@Sarah C., Our rescue dog took a long time to let us sleep through the night, so i hope that day comes soon for your cat. Even now, after three years, he sometimes has days where for some unknown reason he becomes very needy and will come into our bed in the middle of that night and wedge his 75 pound carcass between me and the husband, even if we are spoon sleeping! At least he weighs less than our needy 160 pound Irish wolfhound did.
@Sarah C.,
Cracker Barrel for Thanksgiving dinner sounds wonderful! It's just hubby, son and myself, but hubby has no interest in going out for dinner for Turkey Day.
TACOS might actually solve problems!!!
Unpredictable monthly leakage for your dishwasher? That is probably it's monthly ... Rinse cycle hahaha ^_^
@Rachel, Your comment made me laugh so hard! Needed that today...thanks!
Hee-hee!
Thankful for the early morning light too! And we’ve started doing dark evening walks as well, and I’m really enjoying the stars, moon and spooky clouds. It’s helping to combat the cabin fever feeling of finishing work when it’s dark outside.
Along with Kristen and others, thankful for one last mild sunny day--in my case, a last chance to disconnect the hoses and do other final yard chores. The prediction for Friday and Saturday here is for 2 inches of rain.
Thankful for the person working the Price Chopper customer service desk alone this morning, who fielded all kinds of oddball problems (including mine) with both aplomb and humor. I told her as I left that I thought she should have her own "Customer Service" sitcom.
Thankful for the poll workers at my polling place (and all others) on Tuesday, who show up at an impossibly early hour to do a difficult job for minimal compensation.
And thankful above all (as always) for DH's ward supervisor, who does an even more difficult job for what I'm sure isn't enough money. In the midst of dealing with half a dozen other issues, she not only listened to my report that the HVAC unit in DH's room was blowing cold air, but was on her way to talk to maintenance about it in person when I left.
Thankful for our family circle, for beautiful night skies, for a homely home, for the sounds and smells of autumn, for abundance in my life
I am so thankful for you and your positivity! And for the idea to make fish tacos!
I am thrilled to be driving to work during the early morning light, as well. I know that will end soon and I'll be driving in the dark, but at least I can enjoy it for a little while after the time change. I still get up in the dark, which is hard for me, but this helps.
1. I'm thankful that hurricane Nicole is not nearly as bad as Ian was, which is not to downplay the damage Nicole is bringing.
2. I'm thankful that I can get out of the rental car soon. The shop had to replace a part they hadn't planned for on my own car's repairs, so I didn't get it back when expected, but the end is in sight, now. I have had problems with this rental car - it had low tires when I got it and the rental company finally had to send me to a tire store to get new tires on it.
3. I'm thankful that my employers decided last year to start taking Veterans' Day off, so I will have tomorrow off. And I'm so thankful for veterans! My husband, dad, and so many members of my family are veterans, plus the long-gone ancestors who were as well.
4. I'm thankful for the nice windchime my husband got me a few years ago. When it is windy, such as this morning, I hear the soft, low tones from the tuned metal pipes and it makes me smile. I had showed him the type I wanted, and he delivered. He even added a tiny, but still musical, chime that now hangs on my kitchen doorknob.
5. I'm thankful for comfortable shoes!
This has been a busy week but not as productive as I hoped but I have to find the silver lining somewhere so here it goes...
I was able to join my son for his school's Thanksgiving luncheon. His teacher set up the classroom for the parents to have lunch there instead of the noisy cafeteria which was a blessing since my son does have anxiety and sensory issues.
Flavored coffee and vanilla syrup.
The heater turning on before I get up in the morning.
My trusty laptop so I can finish up work at home and not stay late in the office.
Morning sun as my son gets on the bus. I love standard time season!
@CindySW, "since my son does have anxiety and sensory issues."
As a girl who grew up with all of those out the wazoo, I am so glad that there is a good bit of knowledge and sensitivity about these issues now. I just got yelled at for them.
@Rose, for me, one of the worst was always, and I do mean always, having to work in an office with music blaring for 8 solid hours. And, of course, the music chooser never picked soothing classical music, but always some kind of rock. My last four years of work was in an extremely busy and subsequently noisey, medical clinic. Every day a nurse came in and cranked up a country western station (a music I normally like).
For four years I felt like my nerves were standing straight up and screaming.
Thankful for gorgeous mild weather this week. Wintry weather will be arriving Saturday so I'm trying to soak it up. For my daughter's 17th birthday this week and the joy she brings us. For a college age son who regularly texts us. For my very tolerant husband. For friendship.
Thankful:
1. I'm making it through a really busy and pressure-filled patch. I'm in the thick of it but I'm ok.
2. That when my daughter unexpectedly came at me with a gush of blood coming out of her mouth that it was just a loose tooth. It finally fell out this morning. She's 11 so it's been a while since she's lost a tooth. Scared the daylights out of me! I'm also thankful that neither of us flipped out.
3. for fuzzy socks and sweaters
4. that I'm sleeping in big chunks of time at night
5. that my parents are willing (and able) to take the time to get their estate planning documents in order now. I'm also thankful that want to split all their assets 50/50 between my brother and me when they pass - glad that it's simple and that it won't cause a rift between my brother and me. The most important one to me is the health directive. It's uncomfortable but it's important that we know what they want so we're not guessing and then wondering for the rest of our lives if we did the right thing. In this process of updating their paperwork, I reviewed the previous version from 1997. It was so touching to me that they designated me as first in line to make the decision for them. I was only 21, the younger sibling, the girl (which in their upbringing, would have put me behind my brother), and not the one in medical school. They trusted me, even back then. It meant so much to me.
1. Blue Bell Peppermint Bark ice cream is back.
2 Hurricane Nicole did not have a large impact here, inland, although it does look like the erosion on the coast is causing HUGE problems.
3. That we still have power, internet and DISH, a lot are without power in FL right now.
4. That we are close enough to check on all of our older parents when storms come.
5. The elections are over, and I am happy with the results in FL, but even if I wasn't, I am thankful for a quick outcome and release of results and that the ads (paper and tv) are over!
These are not in order. 😉
@Deb,
I’m glad you are well inland. There is Flooding and erosion on the Northeast coast. Many homes with water damage. The storm struck near a full moon with a king tide making the surge especially destructive. I live a 1/2 mile from the ocean and could hear its roar last night.
Kristen,
I just wanted you to know that I am very proud of you...going back to school, taking stem classes and getting "A's." You are awesome!
1) For a SIL who is so wonderful to my daughter (even though he pretends he wants to give her back - Sorry dude. No return policy at this venue. LOL
2) For still warm-ish days. I can tolerate the 50-60 degree weather if I must. But we had a couple of mid-30 degree days awhile back and that's enough winter for me! Ha ha!
3) For my company's WFH policy. I am only in the office 2 days a week (and it isn't a far commute) so tank of gas can last me 2 weeks or more...in a JEEP!
4) For time spent with family.
5) For Diet Coke, Amazon, & Hallmark Christmas movies. The first two are my addictions and my Mama enjoys the movies. She memory is declining so it doesn't matter that they show the same ones over and over and over and over. I personally do not need the unrealistic expectations. =P
Kristen - can you "dumb down" the listeria info? You know. For us non=medical peeps. I admit the only part of it I understood was the word "small". LOL
1. Weight Watchers. I know not everyone agrees but for me this plan is a huge help to me, let’s me enjoy foods I love and I don’t have to feel like all I can have in life is non-fat yogurt and lettuce.
2. I have loved the time change. I won’t love it come February but right now early
Nights are my jam.
3. Coffee. Don’t know what I’d do without it.
4. Chiropractic care. Sleeping without pain goodness what a blessing.
5. Organization. I have been organizing all the things. Closets, pantry, next is Christmas decor. It’s a good feeling to know that you are organized!
I am thankful for
1- my moms in prayer group which has been balm for my soul the last few weeks
2-cold beautiful sunny weather
3-egg nog is available in stores now
4- finding a show that my 16 yr old and I both think is hilarious (Arrested Development)
5-the new church i joined and love
I wrote a big thankful list last Thursday, but for some reason the comment couldn’t be published. I will try again today!
Left over from last Thursday: I was so happy to read that your new place feels like home. After all the pain and upheaval, it was so excellent to read that you’ve come to a point where your new home is a happy one. Although it wasn’t what you wanted or planned, you’ve done so much work to get to this point, and are showing your girls and all of us how it is possible to thrive even when things come along that have the potential to derail us. Emotional work and honesty for the win!
I’m grateful the cold I’ve had all week is past its peak.
I’m thankful I have a doctor and that she renewed my adderall prescription for another year. It is life-changing!
I’m thankful we are surviving this period of horrific inflation and sky high rent. On one hand, it’s frustrating not to be able to put some money away for retirement since we’re actually making a bit more than we were. On the other hand, what would we be doing if we weren’t?? So many people are clinging to the brink by their fingernails - or slipping off - but we are okay for now.
I’m grateful for a full and interesting piano studio. It’s taking 17 years to grow it to where it is once again varied and not all beginners. This city is a hard nut to crack in terms of establishing a business; I’m glad to finally feel like I have done so.
I’m thankful for my sweet goofball of a cat. He’s less than a year old and still full of teenage hijinks, but he’s also a loving boy and will be a good companion in years to come.
Is it weird or wrong of me that I usually feel happier after I write out the things that are going wrong rather than the things that are going right? I know, I know, I'm Opposite Girl.
@Rose, I think writing out things that are going wrong CAN be just a part of processing through hard emotions and circumstances. And as we process through those things, our bodies can feel lighter/happier.
My small group and I were just talking about "bad complaining" vs. "good complaining/lamenting" with part of the difference being what is our goal. (And discussing King David in the book of Psalms and how he lamented, gave himself pep talks, and praised God... intermixed and at different times. It wasn't all a list of thankfuls.) So for me, it helps to write down hard things, because then I don't dwell on them as much once I've expressed them on paper.
But I like writing down thankfuls too because then I do dwell on them more. 🙂
1. My mother's angry at me because I said she needed to ease up on texting my son for the next two weeks because he's studying for the GREs.
2. My fridge died and ruined a whole lot of food.
3. My dying best friend's pain is not well controlled. Today, fentanyl made her manic and didn't do anything for the pain.
4. I'm getting nervous about flying alone to see her because my health is so atrocious lately.
5. My doctor wants me to go to a specialty clinic which is a two hour drive away, sigh.
6. I hate my job and I don't know why.
7. Every day I struggle with anxiety and misery.
8. My house is a disaster.
9. Errrr....
10. My carpenter fixed the hole in the kitchen ceiling so that's something.
Oh man. Sending hugs your way.
@Rose,
Thinking of you with special hope that your health can be improved. That’s job one, IMO. Go to the clinic.
@Rose, my heart feels tight and full and drained all at the same time as I hear your struggles. Thank you for sharing.... praying for next steps and peace.
@Dorinda,
Yes, this is how I feel, too. @Rose, wishing I could wrap you in a warm blanket and encourage you to take it one small step at a time.
Great job on the classes, Kristen!
Today I am grateful to have the day off work so I can putter productively around the house. Grateful as always for my sweet husband and son, for having learned how to cook and sew so long ago, for a no-spend November that's going pretty well, and for our tribe of rescued pets, including the two rotten cats who were yanking fur out of each other all over the kitchen this morning. 🙂
1. I'm thankful for cooler weather here in SC and earlier morning light. I walk each morning and enjoy it much more in the light! I also love the earlier darkness (ducking and running!)! I love to light candles, turn on the fireplace, and enjoy our cozy home.
2. I'm thankful for a welcoming, theologically-sound new church home. We recently made the very difficult decision to leave a church we loved. We have found a new church home where we have been overwhelmingly welcomed and look forward to getting involved. I am so enjoying looking forward to going to church again.
3. I'm thankful for traveling mercies for my adult kids who, for some reason, enjoy driving overnight and hampering their moms' sleep! Everyone arrived safe and sound, and I am grateful.
4. I'm thankful for a spontaneous weekend away. Last Friday, I decided on the spur of the moment to just spend some money, made the plans, packed our bags, and when my husband walked in the door from school, I "kidnapped" him and away we went. We had a lovely weekend eating good food, exploring a lovely small town, and taking in a phenomenal community theatre production. Our empty nest makes these fun getaways possible, and we had a great time!
5. I'm thankful for an upcoming birthdays (three of us!) celebration and game night with dear friends. I plan to enjoy every bite of the chocolate cheesecake I'll be taking for dessert!
- There has recently been some violence and threats of violence at my son’s middle school, as well as, some other schools in town. I am very thankful that the schools and police have been taking things seriously and have been very proactive in keeping our kids safe.
- We recently had some seasonal maintenance on our old furnace and they found a potentially very dangerous issue. My husband’s friend was actually the one doing the inspection, so I’m not worried they’re just trying to get more money from us. We will be getting a new furnace tomorrow, just in time for a long span of cold weather! I will be thankful to have a nice warm house with a new safe furnace.
- I am starting a new job at my little library! It’s very part-time, but after 12 years of being a SAHM, it’ll be nice to do something for myself while contributing something financially to my family. I’m also grateful that it’s a place I already know and love.
Thank you for your blog. It starts my day and I appreciate the topics you discuss and all the comments you post.
Because, as you say, Kristen, things always happen in clusters, we had four large-ish house repairs strike at once.
My thankfulness is that we have a trusted contractor to choose the right professionals to work on each, and that we have enough savings in this category to cover the costs. Partly, this is because nothing has gone wrong for a very long time and so the savings accrued accordingly.
Still hard to see that much money go out the door but yay for being fiscally responsible.
Those grades are awesome, Kristen; you must and should be very proud of your work habits. And to care enough to test yourself on listeria, well, you’re going to be a super nurse!
I am thankful that our trash company has a special pickup for large household items! The previous owners left some large junk at the house and I was able to get the trash company to pick up 5 pieces of that junk yesterday.
I am also thankful the election is over. (Although, I am sorry for the people in GA who have another run-off to deal with.) And some ballot measure which I felt would be very harmful did not pass in my area. (I'll leave it vague and less political.) 🙂
I am thankful that my parents are visiting tomorrow. It will be fun to show them the progress we have made on the house.
I am so thankful for my morning cup of black coffee.
I am thankful for my view of snow-capped mountain peaks from my desk!
I am thankful that the big wooden file cabinet in my office sold. (I would have given it away for free just to have that space available so $30 was a bonus.)
@Rebekah in SoCal, Your comment reminded me that I am so thankful for the ranked choice voting system taht Alaska has now. It eliminates run-offs because when you vote, you select the people for an office by ranking your first choice, then your second, then your third and so on. If no candidate gets 50% plus one vote, then they go back and eliminate the lowest vote getter and apportion out the second, third and so on choices people who voted for him or her made. Eventually someone gets more than 50% and is the winner. The results tend to favor the most moderate candidates, with the extremists at both ends falling off. It will be almost the end of November before we know for sure who won our Senate and Representative seat, but at least there are no more mailers and ads, and in the long run it saves the state money not to have a bunch of run-offs. I pity Georgia's residents in the coming weeks, with all the ads that will be flooding mailboxes and airwaves.
Your recognition of the fact that you now understand the info on listeria reminds me of someone who is learning a new language. It just feels like a lot of memorization and then, suddenly, one day you realize you are able to read a paragraph in another language like you have always known it.
Thankful for:
1. Snow. It makes the entire world quieter and slows things down. I love winter.
2. Not living in a war zone. Last night we were driving home from somewhere and I had a vision of how damn lucky I am to be going home to a warm house and food, driving on a road not full of bomb potholes, and not afraid my house will be bombed while we are asleep. My parents and grandparents did not have that luxury for many years of their lives, and the misery goes on today for many people around the world. I am ashamed of how often I forget to be thankful for the security I have, even on otherwise bad days.
3. Another favorite author is coming out with a new book.
4. Pasta. I have tried other types, like the ones made of beans, but I like and am fortunate to be able to eat plain old flour pasta.
5. Stores that have bathrooms. Enough said.
Yes, it is like a language! That's part of what makes science classes tough, I think. The vocabulary is not what we're used to in everyday life!
Thankful...
1) that Boy #2 was only sick for 24 hours and no one else caught it.
2) that a spontaneous run to the local market out of necessity (honey for the sore throat) also netted me blueberries (11oz) for $1 a box, pomegranates for $1 ea, and apples for .50/lb. The apples were a bit worse for the wear, but they'll saute excellently for oatmeal topping or oatmeal muffins.
3) for sunlight shining through our south windows as I write this. Even on cold days, the sun warms our living room beautifully.
4) for time to sit and lament and comfort and laugh with Boy #1 last night. It would have been so easy for me to snap at him and just tell him to be-quiet-and-go-to-sleep-it's-bedtime! And I've done that too often. But this time, we redeemed it and made comforting memories.
5) for progesterone supplement to help me get away from being the explosive version of me in the days before my period.
6) for social media that helped me connect a new family (who lost their car and housing in Hurricane Ian and just moved to Colorado) to a free jogging stroller that will make the walk to school with a pokey 3yr old much faster.
What a mercy when a sickness doesn't spread through the family!
1) Thankful for the rain, which we so desperately need here in California.
2) Every so thankful that the teens can get themselves to school on rainy days. The previous options were not great, as there's no bus provided, biking on rainy days on their route is less safe than usual, and it's too far to realistically walk. In the before license days, we'd have to coordinate drop off, pick up, etc. Additionally, the teens can get themselves to school soccer tryouts. More free time, less driving!
3) For our pomegranate tree. We just picked a few, and I'm excited about one of my favorite fall foods.
4) For coworkers I enjoy spending time with. This has been a rocky work week, on top of a lot of rockiness in general.We all walked to (free) lunch together, chatted & commiserated. It makes such a huge difference.
5) For a husband who tries to share the load. It's not perfect, and there are very uneven weeks, we each have our own sweet spots, and I definitely do more organizing, planning, etc than him. But, he's there, helps & does what he can to be a true partner.
Today I am thankful for ibuprofen.
Ouch. I hope tomorrow is a better day!
Wow, you have an awesome landlord! In our last house they would do next to nothing.. electricity flickers, dishwasher leaked, ceilings need fixed from a burst pipe etc… thankfully we own now so I love having full control of our own home now.
Today i’m thankful for slow days and hot, homemade soup & buns!
I am grateful for landlords that are willing to fix things!
Congratulations on your A's! Very very impressive. Working, raising kids, your home life turning upside down most people don't get A's without all that! I love your positive attitude and joy. Im so excited you have a new dishwasher! Im grateful you have a rental home you enjoy! God is gracious to supply our needs! Blessings! Im thankful for your blog every day!
Thankful for acupuncture and massage, auction date night, thrift stores, a communicative college son, no more political ads, good voter turnout, and clean sheets.
Thankful this week for:
1. I finally set my appointment to treat the herniated disc in my back. I'm trying to be a patient patient, but the pain can make even the sweetest person a seriously cranky customer!
2. The cooler weather has finally settled in for good. I am tired of sweating, and hot flashes make it so much worse.
3. The earlier sunset. While I do enjoy the sunlight, having it set so late in summer makes it hard for me to wind down for sleep on time. I actually find it cozy when it gets dark early, makes me want to brew a pot of herbal tea, light candles, and read a good book.
4. Folks who post nature pics and videos online. It's hard for me to get outside with my back issues right now so I enjoy nature vicariously through them.
5. My cozy comforter on these chilly nights lately. Feels so good I don't want to get out of bed in the morning.
Thanks fulls:
All of you, and Kristen's blog. Feels like a happy community for sharing.
Our comfortable home. My husband is home sick today but cuddling on the couch with his favorite throws--so glad we bought the big couch.
Homemade split pea soup for dinner.
My reliable car. Kind of ugly but it runs great!
Beginning to rehearse Christmas music in my choirs. So lovely.
1. I am thankful that both of my daughters who are 900 miles away in college were able to vote (even though we got an urgent call from one of them to email her a photo of her US passport, that state would not accept her ID from our home state, but the photo of her passport displaced on a phone screen combined with the state ID from our home state sufficed). The second daughter researched the voting requirements in the state where she is attending college and where she is registered to vote in the meantime (or just happened to throw her passport in her book bag just in case that day).
2. I am thankful for early voting in my home state. I went on Sunday because I knew that I would be busy taking my mother for some medical tests on Tuesday,
3. I am thankful that my mother's roommate was away and I was able to save myself 3-4 hours of driving in traffic (and costs of tolls to leave NYC and drive to NJ) by staying in my mother's place Tuesday through Wednesday (since I had to drive my mother on Wednesday for a minor eye surgery in addition to Tuesday's medical tests appointment).
4. I am thankful that my husband's complicated medical test is over. He still has to do some follow up depending on the results of this test, but he is halfway done, hopefully.
5. I am thankful that my college/tests/studying days are behind me. My major was in science (more Chemistry/Calculus/Physics than biology) and I am pretty familiar with what Kristen is posting here. I graduated when one daughter was 8 years old and the other one was 6 years old. It was tough. My mother and my husband helped, but I was working part time and going to school part time. Even thirteen years later it still feels amazing to get home after work and not have homework/exams pending!
Thankful for the 70 degree weather this week, heading for the 30's which I won't appreciate.
That tomorrow is Friday, it has been a long week.
That it was nice enough out to cut my dogs fur outside, that is easier cleanup.
Thankful that the time change did not wear me out like it usually does.
That my ENT had an opening and I got right in. Having a plugged ear is SO annoying x 3 weeks.
I have had some major frugal fails so I am thankful I can handle yhem without going into major debt.
I am thankful I can afford to go on a real low sodium diet.
My youngest daughter is a very easy going person & helps me all the time.
Beautiful days before the weather drops
Our crazy cat,she lifts our spirits
Sunday: I’m thankful for my church and for the ability to worship freely in this country.
Monday: Being able to get a last minute appointment Trent with my counselor to help me process my feelings of anxiety with an upcoming outpatient surgery and biopsy.
Tuesday: My daughter has an awesome counselor and is making great progress with coping techniques for her generalized anxiety and social anxiety. It can be a little scary to trust your kid to someone who has so much influence.
Wednesday: No one was hurt and a Good Samaritan helped me when I ran into a deer.
Thursday: Ibuprofen…my daughter came home from school sick. I checked her temperature and it was very high. The medicine lowered it and she can now rest more comfortably and get the fluids she needs.
-The 18year old dog is stable for the moment.
-It’s been a rough 3 weeks but grateful I can see so many of the little blessings sprinkled in.
First of all, congrats on the upcoming completion of this semester!!
I am thankful for:
1. I love this time change because my body begins to wind down earlier and I am able to get a good night’s sleep;
2. Traveling with the hubs for work and pleasure;
3. Retired school counselor, but have been offered an opportunity to work part-time in a SPED Cooperative;
4. Son and Daughter-in-law will host Thanksgiving in their home.
I am not thankful that I have covid (first time!) and on a chemo week to boot. But I am thankful for an amazing family doctor and pharmacist who had the Paxlovid and an Oxygen monitor delivered to me within 2 hours of testing positive.
And a 15 yo daughter who actually made me a cup of coffee this morning.
And for people who can help with drives for my daughter to her sports and timekeeping.
Also, for the beautiful place I live as I sit in my recliner warm and cozy and watch leaves float down the river.
And for my sister who came and finished up the last of my leaves while I was at chemo this week, and then cleaned out my veggie/flower beds and mulched them with the mulched leaves.
I'm thankful for so much.
Brooke, what a moving, beautiful comment. I know what you're dealing with and going thru (I lost my dad and then my brother last year). Blessings to you and it really does help to find the good in all situations!
Thankful for my favorite cousin & son who moved in my new-to-me couch and chair.
...For my Honda Rubicon for starting every time I need it to complete chores.
...Friends staying in my newly renovated guest rooms this week, we are having so much fun!
...Local Art Tour happening this weekend, helping our local artists share their makings after 3 years.
...Great weather to get my garlic planted in the garden and tulip bulbs planted in the yards.
...Tacos! They are my go to comfort food. We will be having fish tacos this coming week. Cannot wait!
...off to make my oatmeal power cookies for our hike into the coastal hills tomorrow.
I’m a bit late for adding my thanks but…
Thankful for a lighter work week, I coasted a bit and caught up a bit
Thankful to observe and be inspired by good teachers.
Thankful for my road-trip this weekend - slow travel - low expectations make a little getaway more fun in my opinion
Thankful for visiting my parents gravesite-hadn’t been there in 8 years and it was a surprise to me how emotional it was - just grateful for them.
Coffee
1. Thankful for a full time job and the income that it provides.
2. Thankful for my grandchildren who bring us great joy.
3. Appreciate the cold weather and a warm cozy house, I was over the oppressive heat of the summer.
4. Looking forward to the holidays to have more family time.
5. Thankful for all the frugal tips found online to help everyone through this tome of significant inflation.