Thankful Thursday | because we need some perkiness
Since current circumstances are putting a damper on even the most perky among us, I'm doing a weekly post full of things I can be thankful for/encouraging things I've seen. Join me in the comments to give yourself a little mood boost!
I am thankful:
that the weather has been so sunny.
Has it been unseasonably cool? Ok, yes.
But there have been a lot of days with gorgeous blue skies and bright sunshine.
And I will take that over warm + cloudy any day.
that all four of my kids showed me appreciation on Mother's Day.
I know it's a Hallmark holiday, but it's nice to be appreciated.
And Mr. FG gave me a card with such a nice note it in, it made me cry (in a good way).
that grocery store stock levels are a little better now.
Toilet paper is still tough to find, but little by little, things are improving each time I do a two-week shopping trip.
for work.
I am really grateful to still have plenty of things to keep me busy; so far, I haven't had any remotely empty days.
There's school with the girls, cooking, cleaning, laundry, blogging, home projects, and more, and I am thankful.
A life with no work would get old and empty really fast!
that we are all healthy.
Unoriginal, I know, but it's still a super important thing to be grateful for.
that we can afford to have our dead tree taken down.
Paying to have a tree removed is massively unrewarding (kind of on the level of paying for tire replacement).
But I am grateful we have the money saved to cover the cost.
that we have so many options for going outside.
Without even using our cars to go anywhere, we have our deck, our yard (which has a nice fire pit), and neighborhood roads that are good for walking, with access to the riverfront.
I know people in cities do not have this luxury right now, so I try not to take it for granted!
that people in my neighborhood are nice to each other.
NextDoor is a dumpster fire on the regular, but our private neighborhood online group is 95% drama free. 🙂
that some more curbside pickup options are going to be offered here soon.
Sonia would really appreciate Jo-Ann's being allowed to do curbside pickup again.
that I can maintain most of our haircuts myself.
I can handle Mr. FG's hair, I can buzz Zoe's undercut, and I cut Sonia's hair myself all the time even under normal circumstances.
Lisey could use a trim, but her hair is so thick, I am scared to give it a try. Luckily, she has a medium length style right now that can look fine without a cut for a while.
And I hardly ever get my hair cut anyway, so my hair is fine for now.
This is a very fortunate time to be low-maintenance on the beauty side of things because even though salons are all closed, my eyelashes, hair color, and fingernails look exactly the same as always! 😉
We have had many sunny days but for now I am so happy for the rain that fell this afternoon. Our food supply has been maintained even if there was a little making do. As you have written our shelves are looking less dystopian and bare. My granddaughter had a nasty fall but all is better now and I am thankful for a universal system and the swift treatment she as given. Out petrol is os much cheaper now which compensates for some of the price increases. Finally autumn is coming and we are having cooler nights. It is such treat to sleep comfortably.
SCHOOOOOOL'S OOOOOUUUUUTTTT!
I don't think I've been this excited for the end of school since I was a kid myself. Remember that chant, "No more pencils, no more books?" The updated one would be "No more nagging, no more Zoom, no more dragging kids back in the room . . ."
Also, I am thankful on a daily basis that we were already so extreme with our DIY lifestyle, because honestly, there has been very little change in our life. Living in a ghost town and being accustomed to not going anywhere helps, too. 🙂
Haha, that is how I often felt when all four of my kids were homeschooled together. I was SO happy when we were done for the summer.
I'm with you on the low maintenance. Glad my grey hair is not half brow/half grey as are many people's just now.
We are grateful to walk in the local and beautiful park, to have food delivered (husband doubly vulnerable, I age vulnerable), and to be able to see grandkids virtually and from a distance. I love the Ipad library books and HGTV.
What I am most grateful for is that I enjoy being locked in with my husband of 50 yers. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be quarantined with someone I did not love.
Thank you, too,for your increased blogging, Kristen. I still enjoy it so much every time. Best of everything to you and your beautiful family. I hope your parents are well. My dear daughter-in-law is helping us when we are stuck. Family is the most wonderful thing for which to be grateful.
I am so glad my extra blog posts are bringing you cheer. 🙂
And yes, I'm glad my gray hairs are au natural; no roots to show!
The extra posts are perking all of us up! Thank you so much!
We are too warm and need rain here, but I'm grateful that the nights still cool down enough to make sleeping with windows open possible. It was in the low 60's this morning. Before long, that will be a fond memory, but I'm sure enjoying it now.
I'm so thankful that elective surgeries are being allowed again, so my grandchild can get her postponed back surgery for her severe scoliosis. She bears up so well, but the truth is, she is in at least some pain all the time. The shut down hit right as she was supposed to be getting her surgery.
Our thrift stores are opening back up!
I'm thankful that the 4 or 5 weeks of working from home gave me the time to get some projects done. It's a relief to know they are off my list.
Count me in as being thankful that I never used professionals for manicures, pedicures or eyebrow maintenance, and I never covered my gray hairs. Except for the layers of my hair being too long, I look basically the same as always.
And of course I'm thankful that I kept getting paid! Florida has terrible unemployment insurance- one has to jump through complicated hoops every single week in order to claim it, and it's only $275 a week. I know there is supposed to be extra added to it right now for the virus, but people are waiting forever to be able to get anything at all, as the system is overwhelmed.
I'm thankful that we are in May yet my husband hasn't been hospitalized this year so far. That's a big one!
There is so much to be thankful for. However, There is one thing that has greatly contributed to my happiness. The weather this spring has been the most beautiful in recent memory. By May, the heat has usually set in here in North Florida. However, the cool breezes off the ocean with highs in the 70s continue. This means lots of time outdoors.
I'm thankful for my family who is always there for each other.
I'm thankful for my husband of 42 years who still says "hey baby", even though I look far different than I did at 18.☺
I'm thankful I enjoy frugal activities and practiced for many years. So even when there is less I don't feel deprived.
I'm thankful I enjoy reuse crafts and projects. Because there is always plenty to do and make.
I'm thankful for the funny dogs who are always happy to see me.
I'm thankful you are kind and share in a very nice way.
Ditto to much of what you wrote -- Health is a big gift.
So is this day . . . Fernando Ortega's music, The Good Day, then comes to mind -- which reminds me of the great joy music brings -- and that makes me think of all peace I have in which to hear it -- and then I remember I CAN hear, and see . . . and breathe . . . all giving me better camping ground upon which to perch. Looking even at hard spaces through a lens of gratitude is a good thing. Thanks!
I am grateful we have enough and our health. We also live in an area with lots of walking opportunities and we have a nice yard. I am also grateful I was able to go out and buy plants for the yard. They aren't planted yet, but they look so nice. Everything is green and the days are super long.
I am also grateful for the time that has allowed me to get several projects that have been on hold done.
I am grateful for this blog and the lovely people that leave such nice comments.
I am grateful for our health the ability to continue to have our regular income.
I am grateful that because our expenses are down we are able to donate more to those in need.
I am grateful that because I am 60+ they will shop for me at Sam's Club. They usually have just about everything on my list. I do tip generously.
I am grateful that we discovered a wonderful section of the state park near our home that is little used. The woods and being able to walk near the river are so restorative.
I am grateful that I have four siblings that are sharing a health care crisis with our mother together.
I am grateful that it is spring and there is a lot of daylight and not a lot of cold weather.
I am thankful for having pandemic hair, nails and lashes all the time! I colour my own hair, do my own manicures and pedicures and use mascara. I get a professional cut and colour about once a year usually before we take a vacation or attend a special event.
I am thankful I am now breast cancer free and am enjoying the reprieve now before I must start treatment. My tumour was sent to a lab in California and I am awaiting the results for the risk of reoccurence. If the risk is low I just require radiation and if the risk is high I will require chemotherapy and then the radiation. I have been on a cooking, cleaning, stockpiling and baking frenzy lately as that will certainly make life easier in the future.
I am thankful both of my grown daughters remembered me on Mother's day and spoilt me terribly.
I am thankful to be feeling great and getting outside almost every day for nearby nature walks.
I am thankful for today's rain because that means I won't have to water my perennials today!
Good reason to be thankful. I hope your risk are low.
Here's hoping for the best results from your test!
Have you tried early morning grocery shopping? I was at the grocery store before 7 this morning. They had TP, not a lot and I'm sure it will be gone before noon. Just a suggestion.
I'm not sure which stores everyone shops at, but the really big box retailer *usually* gets a truck at night and will have it stocked in the morning and one in the day (mine comes around 2:30). Times will be different at all locations of course.
*I am thankful for the fact that my husband is working 30% and getting paid 100%. We LOVE having him home so much.
*I am thankful that we live in a neighborhood with several walking trails and the high school track. My kids are taking up running since their soccer season was cancelled.
*I'm thankful dentist office are opening again so that we can get in for cleanings.
*My foster daughter had severe anxiety and depression. I'm thankful that another foster family around the corner could help her last night when she hit a really low point and needed a friend who had walked in her shoes before. It takes a village to foster.
*I'm thankful I have had plenty to feet my family and share with others during this quarintine.
*I'm thankful for a new job that allows me to work from home while my kids sleep.
*I'm thankful for the technology that helps me stay connected to family around the country. My siblings after my best friends, and since we don't live geographically close, it's important to have other ways to feel connected.
*I know life is so hard for many right now, but for our family life is incredibly good. The blessing of that won't ever be lost on me.
Oh wow, your stores still open that early? Most of the stores here have seriously limited their hours. For instance, Aldi used to open at 8, and now they don't open until 9:00 and they close at 7 pm.
You are probably right, though; no matter what the open time is, I should get there right away to improve my chances.
Today I am thankful that my department (retail) is not as stressful as it had been!
I am thankful for the clothesline my husband put in yesterday! I can't wait to use it... as soon as the rain stops.
I am thankful that my family is so thoughtful. I worked a semi-tough mothers day, and came home to a cleaned up house, brownies, homemade bread, candies, dinner, roses, a snuggly 5 yo, a teenager who made a presence, and my hubby.
I am thankful for the funds to pay off a high interest loan yesterday!
I have lots to be thankful for. 🙂
I’m thankful for being able to rest after feeling a bit burned out.
I’m thankful for fuller shelves in the grocery store.
I’m thankful I bought my mothers birthday gift before the shutdown.
I’m thankful for my little Etsy store that gives me some happy sewing to do. Etsy.com/shop/FabricSpeaks
I’m thankful for the 2 days of much-needed rain.
I’m thankful that this very difficult semester for my college daughter is done today!
I’m thankful for long phone chats with a dear friend who lives far away and was previously too over scheduled to chat for long.
I also am thankful for the increase in blog posts here!!
I love hearing about what people are thankful for - it's a beautiful reminder. Mine are:
1. My family is healthy and happy in this situation
2. My parents and in-laws are all doing fine with minimizing their risk of acquiring COVID 19. They're most at risk.
3. The days are sunny and comfortable here. The first few weeks of staying at home were rainy and cold (by So. California standards) and the weather seems to affect me more than it used to.
4. We have what we need.
5. The internet.
6. My kids' attitudes. They have taught me more about human nature and myself in the last 10 years than my entire life before they arrived.
7. Long, hot showers
1. After having to short-sale our previous home during the housing crisis in 2008-10, we were able to purchase a new home last week with EXCELLENT credit so we got a wonderful LOW mortgage rate. It's been a long, few years but we were patient and did the right things and it paid off.
2. Our kids are grown and gone, so we were able to purchase a smaller, beautiful BRAND NEW town home in a lovely community. And, most importantly, we'll have ZERO yard work. We are NOT yard people.
3. Our state is mostly open--with some capacity limits-and I will be able to get a hair cut soon!
That we live in a neighborhood with 9 miles of hiking trails
That our family is healthy
That it's spring so we can spend more time outdoors and make our own adventures rather than being stuck inside
That we are able to pay all our bills and put food on the table, even though our income has been cut significantly
That my planner is in the drawer and has been for months. As much as we miss the activities we love this time of nothing to do is a gift
That my parents raised me to be frugal and creative so when times get tough I can make it work
Kristen, do you have a Target near you? Our Target consistently has toilet paper (the good kind!) even when the grocery store shelves are empty
I'm thankful for:
A beautiful day yesterday; my daughter and I went to a local park and drank in the beauty of the tulips in full bloom
Meanwhile, my husband and son were able to go fishing and even caught some!
Returning to work
My mom's health improving; she is still testing positive for Covid-19 but is not symptomatic
The ongoing kindness of friends who check in with me regularly
I’m thankful that I no longer color my hair so am not anxiously waiting to get my roots done! Choosing to grow out the grey has saved me $$$, and it looks great.
My doctor’s office has just opened back up for appointments so I won’t have to contort myself to display my shingles rash while using Teledoc!
I have insurance and can afford the premium, visit copay and prescription cost.
I received a DoorDash gift for Mother’s Day so I can treat myself to many healthy dinners while feeling under the weather.
Most organizations that I have to deal with in the wake of my husband’s passing are being very co-operative. It may be that the current situation is making people more considerate, but I really appreciate it.
It’s a tough time but looking for the positive, and making calls with a smile on my face is certainly helping.
Yikes, shingles! Until you've had it, it is hard to describe how painful it can be. I hope yours is located someplace that is not off putting. My brother in law got one whole side of his face and scalp covered with it. Honestly, he was tempted to put on a Phantom of the Opera mask when he went out in public, it was so eye-catching. Hope you have a fast recovery.
Sorry for your loss (husband)!
1. The company I work for (healthcare) is surprisingly starting to lay off. I am thankful my husband and I have been so thoughtful with our money. If I do get laid off, we will survive financially. It would be sad to lose my career, but it would work out.
2. I am thankful for my daughter's doctor. My daughter had her 18 month check-up today and the doctor just sat and talked with me. She genuinely wanted to know how I was surviving emotionally.
3. For my Buy Nothing Group. It saves us so much money and brings us closer to neighbors.
I have two new ones to share today:
1) My employer decided to let us exercise on work time while we WFH. (Standard policy is you can't.)
2) WFH means 2 fewer months interacting with the boss I don't like, before my impending transfer to a different department.
I, too, was thinking these last couple of days of how thankful I am for where we live and our outdoor options. I folded laundry on my back deck in the sunshine yesterday! My kids have a big yard to run in. I normally take spin classes, but yesterday I did my first road ride (which makes me totally nervous) so I was glad I live in an area where there are bike lanes and low speed limits.
I'm thankful that my beloved discount produce store is open again!! I went this morning and it felt so good to fill my cart with healthy things and not kill my budget. I was also thankful for the 45 minutes it took to drive there. I called my college roommate on the way there (she's going to have a baby soon!) and called my closest friend from Virginia on the way back. So good to catch up with friends!
I'm thankful that we seem to really be settling into a good spot at home. My daughter no longer cries every night from sadness over what she's lost and who she misses. I have been a more peaceful mother.
I'm thankful that my attempt to regrow romaine lettuce heads is working!! (Yes, I'll be going on about this for weeks. My mind is amazed that this works and I'm geeked about it.)
And I'm thankful that you're blogging as much as you are. It's been an encouragement. Thank you!!!
That my doctor confirmed what I already knew about myself: that I shouldn't wear a mask with my current breathing issues. I also got a nice note so I don't have to wear one at work, the stores etc. Sad that I have to get a Dr's permission to go places but it makes me happy that I am protected.
That my new medication isn't expensive ($10 or so for a 90 day supply.)
That thanks to some restaurant supply trips I now can make really good popcorn at home.
Thank you for writing your first point, because I had not considered that reason for people not wearing masks. (And I hope you will never be hassled if you have to produce your note).
No problem. People with heart or breathing issues (e.g. asthma, severe allergies etc.) should not wear a mask according to what I've read and what my doctor told me.
I have only been out to a store once since masks became mandatory and no one said anything.
If you have an underlying medical condition, you really shouldn't go out at all if you can avoid it. Since you are unable to wear a mask, maybe your wife runs all the errands for now. It sucks to feel like your freedom is curtailed, but the truth is that a doctor's note will not protect you from this virus. Sorry to be a bummer, but I would hate to hear that you got sick.
Masks are worn to protect others, not yourself so much.
So technically it would still be ok for her/him to go shopping if others are all wearing masks.
That said, you are right about avoiding outings if possible when dealing with a health problem!
Thankful for:
~ our family is healthy
~ the weather has been so lovely in south Texas (not crazy hot yet!)
~ unemployment benefits have been processing correctly for my furloughed job
~ while my son's high school's online classes haven't been ideal, he continues to do a great job with his classwork and will be finished with finals next week
* FYI, our Jo-Ann Fabrics store had a two-week backlog on Curbside orders. It didn't mention that on my online confirmation, but when I called them to inquire about pick-up procedures they said my order wouldn't be ready for at least 2 weeks as they had more than 1,000 orders in the system for our store (New Braunfels, Texas). Hopefully Sonia's experience is faster!
I am grateful for:
1. My weekly ZOOM meetup with my art collective.We gather our crafts and sit down with the video and audio on, and do our own projects while we chat here and there, just like we did when we met up at our leader Meri’s studio.It is immensely nourishing to my spirit and my mental health to meet with these ladies!!!
2. Grateful for instacart grocery delivery. I can get almost every it goes i need, if not one week,then the next.Got my frozen fish fleets and meatloaf meat this week ,was unavailable last week.This week they were out of brown rice,most dry bean pkgs and tofu. I stock up on what I can each week, for future.
3. Grateful for a nice husband to be quarantined with.We play cards, we ride our bikes, have a movie night, a candlelight dinner night where we get dressed dup a little and have a nice supper with music on,etc. Been married a long time and we know how to also give each other personal space to rest and pursue our individual hobbies.
4.GRATEFUL for the Cloud Library app and being able ot get new books every week without going into a building!!
5.Grateful I love to cook, since we will not be in a restaurant int he forseeable future.We did enjoy lunch out once a week pre-Covid, but it’s not so much to give up.AM enjoying playing wiht new recipes..may try your pizza recipe soon.
6.Just grateful that even though we are 65, we are healthy, on no medications, we exercise a lot, and feel good most of the time. We are choosing to stay in for a while yet. No “grand reopening” for us (even though our state is opening up EVERYTHING this week..) till we see more data to support that it is safer.
Woops-hit send before I fixed all my typos.... sorry.
So thankful my family is healthy and most of us are employed. Also thankful that I enjoy cooking, sewing, puttering around fixing things and had a father who did not believe in boredom, as I have been happy as can be at home.
Something that makes me happy every day and certainly keeps me busy: our three rescue dogs and two rescue cats. There's never a dull moment with the fabulous five!
My father used to say, "Only boring people are bored." And then, years and years later, what did I hear come out of my mouth? Yup, the same thing...
Thankful for:
My husband.
My garden.
My animal shelter dog who has turned out to be a dream of a companion---except for the fact that after he eats or his face itches he likes to rub his snout along the textured living room wall. It is easier to wash the wall every than to get mad at him or frustrated when he doesn't stop.
My sister, who is a good person and a good friend.
Having always kept a well-stocked pantry, wish as someone else said, is like a bank account in hard times. Buying one or two extras a week slowly built it up and it has been a great help in keeping us out of grocery stores these past two months. And I am a small enough person that I like hearing my husband apologize, more than once recently, for the times he teased me about having what he considered an excess of toilet paper, canned goods, flour, yeast and sugar.
I am thankful that after 37 hours, our WiFi was fixed by a repairman for FREE! ( first world problem ).
I don't know if it is okay to post this but a friend of mine who is a nurse was able to get a free pair of Crocs after seeing this promo: "Calling all medical workers…just a reminder that this is still available! Crocs wants to thank you for your hard work during this pandemic by giving away 10,000 FREE Pairs of Crocs per day and they’ve already given away 500,000 pairs! You’ll need to verify you’re a medical worker to request this. If you can’t get one today, try back tomorrow at 12PM ET. Spread the word to any medical heroes that you know!" Free is frugal!
I am thankful that we might be able to see our son who lives in a group home. We haven't been allowed to see him since March 24 and he has autism and doesn't do well with phone calls. The group homes here implemented the same no-visitor rules as the much larger and more-visited nursing homes. Thus, we haven't seen our boy in almost 2 months.
With the ending of the stay at home, am hoping the group home company will let us see our son. Hoping upon hope!
I hope for you!
Thank you! I appreciate that. We usually see him once or twice a week so going on 2 months is too long to not see him at all.
Oh my goodness! I am hoping for you too!
I am so grateful that the governor of Minnesota finally decided to do what he said he would do weeks ago and that was to START opening up the economy again. Starting monday retail stores can reopen and then on June 1st Hair Salons, Nail Salons, Restaurants, etc. will be able to reopen (Even the Mall of America ... which is about 15 minutes from me will reopen then too!). I never thought I'd ever look forward to running errands again. I have been fortunate to still run errands every day to get coffee at the local caribou and getting groceries when I need them BUT to be able to shop how and where I want will be SOOO nice. I am also thankful that I have the money to buy a house ... I will be buying my first house in a few weeks and its a NEW construction. It is a bit more expensive than I was planning on spending but the housing market in MN is INSANE and things FLY off of the market here (like 24 hour sales fast)!! Finally, I am thankful to be turning 30 in July and getting to celebrate with family and new friends! <3
1. I am thankful that hair salons are opening up. I have an appointment Monday for a long overdue haircut.
2. I’m also thankful for the warmer, sunny weather. We will be opening our pool any day now.
3. I’m thankful for my children who showed their appreciation and love on Mother’s Day.
4. Even though we are living through extraordinary times, ours lives haven’t really changed drastically. I am so thankful for the ability to know how to cook and knowing we will make it through the craziness. My hobbies have kept me busy here at home with very little reason to go anywhere. We live in the country on several acres of land. We can explore all day and never come into contact with anyone. That’s our social distancing. .
5. I’m thankful for today’s technology that has kept my family connected through the quarantine. I have watched videos and face-timed with family that I have bot been able to see often. It has really kept us connected.
This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.
I am grateful for each day no matter what it brings.
I am thankful that my daughter and son in law invited us to go fishing with them, and then surprised us with our son, daughter in law and three grandsons. The sun was beautiful even though there was no warmth in it, but it didn't matter. We haven't been close to our family in 10 weeks, because our son and daughter are in Law Enforcement, and have daily contact with the public. Just seeing everyone even with the social distancing was so wonderful.
I am grateful for...
* My daughters schools opening up last Monday after 2 months. The girls are so happy to be back!
* Having savings the bank, good jobs for myself and hubby, and not being worries about money for the time being.
* Nicer days! Sunny days! And my backyard allowing me to enjoy thoses nice days
* A fantastic Mother's Day even if unable to go anywhere. Got crafts and cards from the kids and hubby, and 2 nice home-made meals
* Having less to do because everything is closed down. Spending much more time at home relaxing at night/on week-ends. Funny how the whole family is feeling much less stressed even if hubby and I are both working full-time - me outside of the home and him at home for the time being - and the kids back in school. Goes to show that we were doing too much non-important "activities" that we thought were crucial (before the confinement. )
I am so glad a thankful list helped you, Kristyn! <3 Hugs to you; it's a hard time for everyone.