Thankful Thursday | better than jewelry
This week, I am thankful:
that I don't love fancy brands
During our Philly day trip, we wandered into a Tiffany's store, and this made me grateful that I am not fancy enough to appreciate such expensive things. It took no self-control for me to walk out empty-handed.
Honestly, my favorite item in the store was this stuffed bird:
Unfortunately, he is $300. YIKES.
Is he cute? Yes.
Is he $300 cute? No.
that I'm so close to being done with the schoolwork for my first class
I'm in the middle of a string of night shifts right now, so before they started, I worked ahead on assignments. And that means all I have left now is submitting a Docucare assignment, which I have basically finished.
I should get feedback on a previous Docucare assignment today, and after I look over that, I will apply any feedback and then submit the one I'm working on.
Then I'm done, 2.5 weeks ahead of time.
Yay!!!
(Docucare is basically a practice version of medical documentation software that we use in hospitals, such as Epic.)
that I was able to get my non-hospital life in order before this set of shifts
I had a nice string of 4.5 days off, so even though I spent one of them in Philly, I still had time to straighten out the rest of my life.
I got schoolwork done (as I said above), but I also:
- cleaned my house
- washed my laundry
- organized my fridge
- called and made appointments (because I finally had a day off during normal business hours!)
- did my end-of-quarter tax paperwork
- planned some menus
- prepped food
- wrote blog posts
OOOOOH, did I feel better after all of that.
This means I have very few Non-Hospital-Life things hanging over my head right now. Yay!
that my night shifts got moved closer together
My original schedule was supposed to be three nights, then five days off, then three nights.
Now it's three nights, two days off, then three nights.
I'm happier about this because honestly, with five days off in between, I'd just be starting to live daytime life again and then I'd have to flip right back to nights.
This way I can just get it all over with, although I really do not know what I'm gonna do with myself on the two days in between.
If you see me posting on my Facebook page at 2 am, you will know what has happened. 😉
that my professor listened to my appeal
On the last exam, there were two questions that really should have been "select all that apply" rather than multiple-choice.
For instance, if you're gonna ask me to pick a risk factor for breast cancer to use while educating a patient, you can't have four choices that are all risk factors!
She emailed me back, asked for sources, I found them in the textbook and sent them over, and she agreed with my assessment. She's gonna credit points to anyone who missed those questions, and she'll rewrite the questions for future classes.
Yay!
I so appreciate when professors are willing to listen to students.
for the non-traditional way my life has turned out
(If I have said this before, I apologize for repeating myself!)
Sometimes, I do still feel some sadness that my life didn't take the route I thought it would.
But overall, I am grateful.
I feel like I have such an interesting little life now:
- I take little trips
- I do things with friends
- I go to the symphony
- I live in my cute little house
- I spend part of my life in Hospital World doing meaningful work
- I'm working on another degree
- I get to share my life here with you all
...and I am only getting started on this new phase of life.
There is time for many more interesting adventures!
that a lifetime is enough for so many things
I know I have said this before; that I am frequently amazed at how much one can fit into a lifetime.
As I meet people at work and I answer questions about my pre-hospital life, I am sometimes struck by how many things, how many life stages, how many iterations of me I have experienced already!
And I am possibly only about halfway through my life. There might still be so much time ahead of me. 🙂
that I now look forward to the future
I have written about this a little here, and quite a lot on my Patreon, but...I used to look to the future with dread. It seemed dark and threatening and hopeless, and at my lowest point, in the weeks before I left my marriage, I saw no point in continuing on with life.
I looked down the road and all I could see was more suffering.
But now, I look forward with happy anticipation. I think my future is full of interesting possibilities and adventures, and I hope I am blessed with many more years.
Thinking about this is making me tear up, in a happy way. What a relief this change is.
I love seeing how much happier you are and I am so pleased that you have managed to attain a life that works for you.
I think this Thankful Thursday is now a habit, I start to type up my list before the post is even up!
-a generous mother-in-law. She took me, her and my sister out for Sunday lunch. It is wonderful how accepting she is of my sister as family to her.
- an understanding boss. I’ve been suffering with a cold since Monday and my boss was cool with me doing reduced hours to try and recover quicker. He had “man-flu” as well so perhaps that played into it as well.
- remote working. This has helped in my slow recovery from a cold. Not having to schlep into an actual office is lovely. It also means that I am not spreading my germs to anyone else, although my husband now reckons he is coming down with it! And boy, is he a grumpy patient!
- being a 2-car household. My husband’s car has had to go back into the garage to have a couple of issues fixed, but as I am not off on site visits this week it has meant that he can use my car to get to and from work.
- family and friends. Always grateful for their love and support.
Oh Kristen it’s great to hear that you’ve moved forward and are enjoying your new life. I’ve been following for a very long time, well from your Banana Choc Chop recipe time in reality. We never know entirely what’s around the corner and brave life changes are the hardest and the most rewarding - Emma, Northamptonshire, England
You really have bloomed in your new path- thanks for sharing thr journey!
It's been a hard few weeks, so I'm having to scrape the bottom of the barrel for thankfuls...
Hot showers.
Cool nights.
Fuzzy cats who like to sleep next to me, so I have company in the night when I have insomnia.
Kids who help without complaining ( much!).
Being part of a school family where I can see so many people devote their time and energy to our kids' futures. The chicken dinner fundraiser this past weekend was a mammoth effort, and it was successful. And plenty of people stayed to help clean up.
...
@mbmom11, Hot showers and cool nights are nowhere near the bottom of my pitiful barrel!
@mbmom11, Never take a hot shower for granted! The showers at my school locker room are so hard to figure out, I've had many a cool/cold shower after cycling in for class. 😉 Refreshing, yes, and cleansing, but not very awesome!
I am so happy for you that you are loving your life. You are a role model and inspiration. I'm glad for you that you have arrived at a new, happy and, fulfilling life.
I am thankful the utility company had trees trimmed near power lines on our street. We have had some outages over the years and hopefully this will prevent future outages. I am thankful the US has experienced so few tropical storms/hurricanes so far this year. I am sorry for those on the islands that have been slammed but grateful more people have not been affected. It was sad to see yet more houses were demolished near Cape Hatteras the other day but it was a single digit number rather than tens or hundred of thousands, or more.
I am thankful for continued good health and being able bodied.
I am thankful for fall weather. We have had mostly lovely days for several weeks now. The sunsets this week have been gorgeous as well.
I am thankful for home and neighborhood. While most neighbors are younger than we are it is energizing to see so many people out and about. Kids in the neighborhood play together and outside. A lot of people walk. Our house is small enough that we don't need to downsize. Also, our daughter and SIL live in the neighborhood. They are a few streets away so we can easily see each other but are not next door neighbors. Houses in our neighborhood are similar to Kristen's house. A shout out to houses built in the 1950s.
@K D,
I think the 1950's mid-century ranch is among the most functional homes ever built. It is also an easy home to update.
I am so grateful for a recent wonderful short girl vacation with family members - I couldn’t have had more fun if I had tried.
I am grateful for the lovely weather we continue to have (although some rain sure would be appreciated too).
I am grateful for the beautiful end of season flowers that are at peak bloom.
I am grateful for the chance to meet up half way with a college friend and for our enduring connection even though we see each other once a year.
I am grateful for a kind and generous old friend who is moving 3 hours away soon. She has been a blessing in my life in so many ways.
@Jean C, I initially read your first thankful as a vacation for girls who are short! Ha!
@Carla G, One of IS short- lol. But 5 days of non-stop fun and activities was plenty for me.
I'm very happy that you're happy. It sounds like you've had a rough road. I am thankful that although my life also didn't follow the expected path (due to the death of my husband), I still find a lot of joy. Although I didn't want to die, I also didn't want to live. I'd give anything to have him back but my life is good now too.
I am thankful you share your story of hopefulness. And in a silly one, I am thankful everyone went to bed early last night so I had time to really clean the kitchen and came down to a sparkling clean kitchen this am.
It is so odd to me that Tiffany is selling a stuffed animal. I mean, are there children that go into this store with their parents? Is this who it's meant for? Or are adults buying this along with a ring? I don't get it. But then, I'm not their target demographic, either. 🙂
Thankfuls:
--For my friend with kids of similar ages to mine. Because our children are also friends and are often going to the same events and places, we can help each other out with driving, holding on to kids until the other can get there, etc. It's so nice to have that support.
--That my daughter's teacher has a sense of humor. One of the words on this week's spelling list is "respect," and of course I couldn't help myself from immediately singing the Aretha Franklin version. I wrote a note in the communication section of the take-home folder for the teacher to this effect, and she thought that it was very funny.
--That I have so many songs memorized and that I can sing. I'm not a super-trained singer, butI love to sing, just to myself or out loud snippets of songs as things remind me of the lyrics. My children do not so much appreciate this. Now. I'm convinced they'll appreciate it later. And my daughter was very impressed that I know the Star Spangled Banner, which all the cheerleaders are learning now so they can lead it at games. Of course, my knowing it and being able to sing it (barely--that's a tough range!) will probably mean I'm on the hook for singing it with the girls at the games. Eek.
--For my husband's willingness and ability to support my children in ways I probably wouldn't. We're coming into hunting season, which requires a lot of planning, traveling, and sheer physical exertion on his part. All three of my boys absolutely love the hunting and camping, though, and my daughter can't wait until she's old enough.
--For two fully functioning bathrooms. Both toilets flush easily! I don't have to schelp all my stuff down the hall to my kids' bathroom to take a shower like I'm still in a college dorm! Luxury.
--For a functioning washing machine. I have said many times in the past couple of washing-machineless months that the washing machine is the most important invention for women in history, and that's not really too much hyperbole.
@kristin @ going country, I sing the Star Spangled Banner at every sporting event I go to and I'm usually the only one around me singing it. I think we should all know the words. I even know most of the Canadian National Anthem because of hockey and baseball. LOL
@Maureen, I know the words to O Canada as well, thanks to Nascar! Funny story: for years I thought they were saying, "we stand on God for thee" which seemed a little weird. I was pretty embarrassed when I realized the word was 'guard.' 🙂
@Bobi,
As a proud Canadian, that made me giggle!
@kristin @ going country, I also have lots of songs in my head (Broadway musicals live there rent-free). Once during a stressful time when our youngest was in the hospital, one of my other kids and I were discussing Les Miserables, and I said I was sure I knew every song from it. He challenged me, saying there's no way I could sing "Stars", and he had the shock of his life when I belted that song out right then and there in the kitchen. A fine stress-reliever!
Kristen, it is so good to see you in a good place now and enjoying your life!
Thankful for:
Cooler weather! I know we will probably have a few more hot days here and there, but overall it’s much cooler and less humid. I love sweater weather!
Thankful our son-in-law has mostly recovered from an unexpected hospital stay last week (needed IV antibiotics) and is almost back to normal.
Thankful for hope. We’ve been walking with a family member through a very difficult time and seeing light as the end of the dark tunnel is precious.
Thankful for our grands. Now that all of them live within an hour’s drive, we’ve been able to do some one-on-one things with some of the older ones, and it is such fun to see them growing up and developing their own interests.
We were caring for a sick dog so I have not posted in some time.
Thankful that we had 15 years with our pupper, he was treated like a king (actually like a baby). He is on to greater things and we miss him. Also for my vets compassion.
That my husband was able to take time off of work to care for him.
For 80 degree days and 50 degree nights. No air or heat needed for now.
That I have reached my peace with retiring. I know it is best for me.
Thankful and grateful for our police force and all those who responded during the church crisis. To those who put their lives at risk for others. Also for community prayers. Never would I have thought this could happen in my community.
For dog therapy group who came here from out of state, amazing people and pets. A pastor and his wife travel to areas in need with them.
@Mar, I'm so sorry to read about your pupper passing. Their sweet souls are such a hard loss when they are gone - I'll be thinking of you today.
@Mar,
The only time a beloved pet really lets us down is when they go on up to the "rainbow bridge" in Heaven. Their little life spans just aren't as long as ours, and that is sad. So sorry for your loss.
It's also such a tragedy when good people can't even go to church or school without being attacked and gunned down. Very sorry that happened, and may God bring comfort and peace and healing to everyone going through this horrible experience.
@Mar,
Sorry for your loss of a loved comrade and family member.
@Mar, I'm very sorry about your dog.
@Mar, I am sorry for the loss of your pup. I hope his love will stay with you always.
@Mar, losing a pet is heartbreaking. Fifteen years is a long time (but not long enough, it is never long enough). We had to euthanize our 4 1/2 year old cat a few months ago, I'm envious of your 15 years.
@Selena, thank you all!
@Mar, I’m so sorry. I know the feeling and my thoughts go out to you.
I am so moved by your palpable joy, Kristen. You were and are so, so brave to have righted the ship of your life. I was encouraged and motivated by your journey, and I also righted my ship this year it seems. I'd slowly become depressed for a string of reasons, but once I realized what was wrong, I slowly reached out and began bringing joy back into my life.
This morning I was excited to wake up and greet the day, a big change from a year ago. So, thank you once again for being brave enough to share your journey here.
@Tamara R, thanks for sharing this - what a lovely comment! Kristen has inspired so many of us in so many ways!
What a great Thursday post, Kristen! I especially like your comments about life and how many iterations there are ... at this point I feel like I am on my fourth life. Ha. It is amazing to look back at our past years and think, "really? I lived that life?" THEN you think, "Whoa. What others lives might I live?"
You are a great inspiration!
This week I am thankful for beautiful fall leaves, for a great new pet sitter, for great clients and a cozy house.
I love the last part of your Thankfulness about change. Change can be good or bad. You chose the most difficult one - leaving a marriage and starting out on your own. But you stood your ground and succeeded and it looks wonderful on you. You kept your head high and kept our heads high, no matter how hard. And we are still all here cheering you on. It's wonderful to see someone succeed later in life.
I too will be looking at change next year, but retirement change. And as I am trying to prepare myself for it, both financially and mentally, there is a lot that I don't know what I will be doing with myself. And it is sort of scary, but I am so looking forward to NOT sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day. I am thankful for people before me that can prepare me for this big change.
I am thankful that my husband and I enjoyed our vacation last week and made it home after traveling 1,091 miles and back. We spent time in new places with my sister in law and her husband and had a great time. They needed us as much as we needed them on vacation and it was great to spend time with them.
I am thankful that my body hurts from going to the gym this week, but I am really working on bettering myself. I thoroughly enjoy this gym and as much as I enjoyed my vacation, I am enjoying getting back into the gym grove.
So thankful that my granddaughter had a great month in school with only 1 really bad day (she is in a remedial class and really has to work hard). And that is even after she broke her arm! It was a challenge for her dealing with her arm and trying to work in school, but she did it and we are all very proud.
And as always, thankful for the roof over my head, money in the bank, and food on my table. We worked hard to get to this point in our lives, and I'm thankful we did it.
@Kristen, I do have something from Tiffany's from when I worked in Manhattan. A supplier gave me a sterling silver key chain when we bought our first house. I have never used it and it is still sitting in the blue box it came in. I lost the white ribbon years ago.
And when I was pregnant, someone gave me a gift card from Tiffany's. I could not find anything for myself, so I went to the baby section. I ended up buying some clothes for the baby. There was a woman there buying her entire layette at the store. I can't imagine how much that cost - and that was in 1987! Can you imagine the cost now!
There are Lalique fish that I want. $125.00 EACH. A friend said that sometimes Goodwill gets Lalique stuff. So I'll go that route or go without!!
@Suellen, Lalique fish are very cool. Have you tried eBay, Etsy, or estate sales? I have not seen them often in the secondhand market, but you could be at the right place at the right time.
@Suellen, I just looked on eBay and the lowest price is $60 (because it has a small chip). Pretty, but does not look like a $125 item. As Gomer Pyle would say, GOLLLLLEEEE!
I am thankful that you made it through that dark period to come out on the other side. So many people don't. I hope you thought of all of us and knew we needed you. 🙂
I am thankful that the car harness we bought for our puppy (to keep her inside. we have been training her but are taking no chances on her jumping out) is easy to put on her. My husband is on the low side of patience, so I was a bit worried. lol.
I am thankful for the opportunity to join my BFF for alumni weekend at her son's college. All through his years there I accompanied her (the father was unable) to all parents' weekend, choir concerts, autism programs and really enjoyed all his classmates and their activities. Now we go to alumni weekend and have just as much fun.
Kristen, I'm so happy to see you enjoying your life.
- I'm thankful that our daughter is planning a family outing to celebrate my birthday this weekend.
- I'm thankful our daughter invited my BFF to join in the family outing.
- I'm thankful that I was able to pick our grandson up from daycare while our daughter and son-in-law attended his grandfather's funeral. It was wonderful to get to spend time with grandson and help his parents not be stressed about racing to pick him up before daycare closed.
- I'm thankful that I'm enjoying work more after a reorganization of the project and being given tasks that align with my skill set.
- I'm thankful my sister and brother-in-law bought a house that doesn't have stairs. My sister is disabled and had fallen on the steps of their current house multiple times. I'm happy knowing she'll be in a safer environment now.
Based on life expectancy, I'm 2/3 or 3/4 done with my life. I agree, there's so many stages. Younger widowhood was not a stage I thought would happen to me. Yet, I m retired earlier than most people and am trying to carve out a new life in this next 15-30 years. All who have read your blog for a while celebrate your new life with you. It's tough starting again especially when the reasons needed are tough ones.
@Sam, you've put my own thoughts into words so well that I'll second your emotions, with a few additional comments. I can't say I exactly experienced "younger" widowhood at age 68--but then it almost always feels too soon, doesn't it? And I've had a similar thought about my own remaining lifespan: If life could be divided into quarters like a football game, I'd definitely be well into the fourth quarter. Still, I plan not just to run out the clock, but to play the game!
And finally, I join you and everyone else in celebrating Kristen's new life and her obvious joy in it. Three hearty huzzahs!
@A. Marie, agree with you and hope you enjoy what is left in your usual big way. you are an inspiration to many.
@A. Marie, you never know, it could go into overtime - even double overtime,
@A. Marie, I love that! Continue to play! Lately I’ve been struggling with feeling like I’m marking time so that’s encouraging!
What a beautiful post! You have helped so many by writing about your experience.
I am thankful for DH who after 40 years still makes me crazy, but I still love.
I am thankful that I was able to take a wonderful trip for my anniversary.
I am thankful that our country has set aside environmentally sensitive lands for national and state parks for all to enjoy.
I am thankful that I'm still strong and healthy so I can hike and occasionally get lost in the woods.
I am thankful for little surprises. During our trip, we came upon a round up complete with cowboys and cattle dogs. What a sight!!
Wishing everyone peace, good health, and prosperity.
Kristen, I teared up, too. I so appreciate your honesty and immensely thankful that you continued on with life. Look at you now! A shining example for everyone.
Thankful for this blog. I wake, do chores, feed animals, make coffee, read this blog. It sets up the day for positivity and light.
Bought a new to me tractor yesterday. My first big buy since losing my dad, brother and husband (that was a dark year).
My cousin acts as my procurer, making calls to guys, because yes it is still hard to get guys to take me seriously. Well! I knew the seller as we had dated for a couple of years in hs. What a hoot! He gave me a smoking great deal as he wasn't using it as much as his friends were borrowing it.
The savings he gave (6k) me will allow me to buy more implements.
The house/shop/barn purge continues. Listed some antique items at a great price and they sold the same day to a funky home furnishings store.
The much needed rain this week makes it safe to cut and split firewood. Gotta fill up the woodshed.
The sun will be up soon, have a happy Wednesday everyone!
I am very tempted by jewelry. But I use my skills as a side business. I buy jewelry at auction, often white gold when out of fashion, or camee or pearl. I only buy 18 carat or more. And resale most when they are back into fashion. Keeping the interesting mostly historical pieces for me and my kids. A expensive hobby that pays for itself, also bought lots of junk silver when price was low and resold when 4x over. Made more money then with traditional investment. I love the nice handbags and the Hermes scarves, I just get them at estate sales, also resale some. I wear haute couture from the 1930 till 1980, for less than a pair of jeans. I also dab in first edition and some art work. Still making my own yogurt and home cooked meal daily.
@Bella,
How fascinating! You lead an interesting life with an amazing hobby/side hustle!
Yes, I’m happy to see you so happy with the changes in your life.
This week, I’m thankful for/that …
- My husband has completed Minnesota and has reached Iowa safely on his kayaking journey. Also, no more leaks in his kayak.
- My 5 senses and the chance to use all 5 to experience fall to the fullest. I love having eyes to see the beautiful changing colors of the fall leaves; ears to hear the crickets, birds and crunching of leaves under my feet; touch to feel the warmth of my girls snuggled next to me and my fleece blanket in the chilly mornings; and finally, my taste to taste all the wonderful fall flavors like apple, pumpkins and spices.
- My health journey. I’m eating less, eating healthier and exercising more. Also, loosing weight and feeling great!
- I can cross off my to-do list. I’m trying to get a lot done while my husband is gone. Still have so much to do but it’s getting less each day.
- My closer relationships with family and my girls. It takes a lot of effort for this introverted gal to get out of her comfort zone to text and call people to stay in touch and also, to invite them out to events. As for my girls, I’m surprised at how much closer I am to them.
@AW, I think this is the very first time I've seen "no more leaks in his kayak" in a Thankful Thursday list! But very glad to hear (read) it -- is he making this voyage alone? How far does he have to go? Does he have to kayak back home?
What a cheerful post! I'm happy for you, Kristen. I thought the stuffed bird was adorable, until you gave the price.
I'm thankful for:
1. I'm not seeing too much of it yet, but I'm still thankful for the cooler air we have. And I am REALLY thankful that I am not watching a hurricane barrel up the Gulf again. My poor, rural county is still deep into hurricane recovery.
2. For some help dealing with insurance choices from the state SHIP program. It's still a quagmire, but at least they eliminate what isn't available, and list available plans with comparative costs and coverage.
3. For my daughter's safe trip to Salt Lake City this week, and hopefully, an equally safe trip home.
4. My granddaughter who started middle school this fall is finding new friends while still getting together at times with old ones who were assigned to different middle schools. She was really unhappy at first at being separated from her two closest elementary school friends. And she has the bus situation all figured out now after a rocky start.
5. For stumbling across something in a closet that had my husband's signature on it. Seeing his (terrible) handwriting once again made me smile.
PS, I'm having trouble posting this. Here it goes again - I hope it doesn't post twice.
@JD, my DH's handwriting was terrible too. He was left-handed to begin with, and then he broke his left wrist (badly) in a fall in 1999, so his handwriting deteriorated even further. But still, every scrap I still have with his writing is precious--and I imagine that you feel the same.
@A. Marie,
DH was a lefty and broke his wrist in a fall off of equipment! What are the odds? But his handwriting was always bad, from childhood on. As he had strokes, it really went downhill, but when at his best, even he couldn't read it at times.
@JD, I have very unique handwriting. I kind of like it but others find it hard to read.
Adversity turns many people bitter. I admire you, Kristen, because there has never been a hint of bitterness, resentfulness, nor revenge in any of your writing through the years.
And my biggest thankful this week is ... Kristen's help with a PC issue. Yes, folks, if nursing does not work out (ha ha), Kristen can always get a job on the Geek Squad.
@Book Club Elaine, or teaching piano, or teaching school kids, or in a hardware store, or in a restaurant, maybe even a library!!!
You just radiate joy now and I can feel it through my screen! I love it!
I really appreciate reading your “looking forward” perspective. I’m not in a bad/sad/mad place, but a reminder that there are things to look forward to is just the uplift I needed this morning. This week I am thankful…
• My son’s driver’s ed classes are taking place at this school. I’m also thankful he took the initiative to find classes, so many things off my too do list.
• Four our CSA – I’ll be picking up the last box today. We’ve had so many delicious fresh veggies and I’ve frozen a nice stash for future months.
• We had a great drop-in dogsitting experience in September. I wasn’t able to get our puppy into daycare but I did find a nice person who was able to come over when I was in the office to let the dogs out and play.
• Fall is slowly creeping in – the leave are just starting to change color!
• My husband signed us up for golf lessons! I’m excited to learn something new and have another thing for us to do together.
All good things! I am not only impressed that you reached out to the professor on your behalf, I'm also glad that she is awarding the other students in the class the same recognition. Some may consider just the grades, but so many actually benefitted from that small effort. Many of your classmates probably saw their grade and grumbled about how unfair the question was and that they were frustrated with the teacher. When she chose to address their grades and not just yours, she acknowledged her error and the other students learned (or were reminded) that speaking up is worth it. Plus the prof was given an excellent example of how information that may be meant one way can be perceived another. An important lesson for all!
Re: your last section, it's always darkest before dawn. So glad you stuck it out and kept on keeping on!
Meanwhile, your dining room is very lovely. Wish I had those hardwood floors! (My LVP is nice, but as the song says, "there's nothing like the real thing, baby!")
Today I am thankful that when my snuggly-wuggly dog found a hole in the fence (I didn't know it was there, it was behind a huge shrub) and escaped, I was outside changing the sprinkler. I heard the bell on his collar -- it was in the distance -- and realized he was gone outside the backyard. This resulted in a 30-minute chase up and down the street -- not thankful for that. All during this time, Snuggy stops and pees, looks back at me, waits until I'm a few feet away then bolts and runs farther. (A healthy 2 y.o. dog vs a 70 y.o. woman with a sore knee -- you know who has the advantage, and it's not me.) He thought it was a fun game; I disagree! But when he crossed the busy street, he didn't get hit, thank the Lord! Some neighbors, workmen and passers-by tried to help me corral him. (Unsuccessful). Finally, Snuggles discovered a piece of BBQ chicken laying in someone's yard (left by a workman? thrown from a car?) and decided to chow down on that. MMM-mmm! With the yummy chicken wing delicacy commanding his full attention, I was able to sneak up on him and put the leash on his collar before he could jump up and run off again. Snugs didn't get to finish his chicken, and is now safely inside the house. I was so sweaty, I had to take another shower and wash my hair.
@Fru-gal Lisa, this might be difficult at 70 with a bum knee, but if you lie down on the ground and call him like you are in distress, he will come to you. I hope he has no gastric repercussions from sidewalk chicken!
so glad you got your dog back. what a nightmare. when buddy was a young pup he escaped from his leash behind our apt at 5am. he raced like the wind. i just stood there watching him. no way could i chase him with the two back operations and other incidents i have had. when i turned to go back to our apt building, he came running back to me. whew was i lucky.
@Ruby, unless it's a husky, that's for $%&@#! sure...grrr
Thankful that rescue dogs back to normal. After giving haircuts (which has been done many times) they both acted afraid of me for about a week. Of course teen telling them to run & hide (I was taking pictures of new haircuts) didn't help.
Thankful for the continued warm weather. Enjoying the 80* & looking forward to 80* through weekend.
Thankful for the sunshine. Not much rain & clouds so blue skies with sunshine. Especially with sunset earlier every day.
Thankful for grateful people. It seems few & far between lately of people who are not happy for the little things.
Thankful for common sense. It amazes me how many people do not have. I'm really having to learn to take a step back & remove myself from situations where there is no rational.
Thankful teen doing well in college classes & so far no complaints about college at least.
Thankful for Kristen & her blog where we can share & learn from each other.
Re: y our last section, it's always darkest before dawn. So glad you stuck it out and kept on keeping on!
Meanwhile, your dining room is very lovely. Wish I had those hardwood floors! (My LVP is nice, but as the song says, "there's nothing like the real thing, baby!")
Today I am thankful that when my snuggly-wuggly dog found a hole in the fence (I didn't know it was there, it was behind a huge shrub) and escaped, I was outside changing the sprinkler. I heard the bell on his collar -- it was in the distance -- and realized he was gone outside the backyard. This resulted in a 30-minute chase up and down the street -- not thankful for that. All during this time, Snuggy stops and pees, looks back at me, waits until I'm a few feet away then bolts and runs farther. (A healthy 2 y.o. dog vs a 70 y.o. woman with a sore knee -- you know who has the advantage, and it's not me.) He thought it was a fun game; I disagree! But when he crossed the busy street, he didn't get hit, thank the Lord! Some neighbors, workmen and passers-by tried to help me corral him. (Unsuccessful). Finally, Snuggles discovered a piece of BBQ chicken laying in someone's yard (left by a workman? thrown from a car?) and decided to chow down on that. MMM-mmm! With the yummy chicken wing delicacy commanding his full attention, I was able to sneak up on him and put the leash on his collar before he could jump up and run off again. Snugs didn't get to finish his chicken, and is now safely inside the house. I was so sweaty, I had to take another shower and wash my hair.
I'm so happy for you, Kristen! You deserve to have all your dreams come true!
1. This week I am thankful for my workplace union, and unions in general.
2. I'm thankful for my sister.
3. I'm thankful to be going out with friends tomorrow.
4. I'm thankful that I was able to run four miles last week.
5. I'm thankful that I was brave enough to jump off the 5 metre swimming platform the other day!
I'm thankful you did continue on with life. We are so grateful to have you here on Earth!
And I'm thankful for you sharing that link about grid correction on roads. I was able to send it to my husband and teach HIM a fun fact! That never happens! Haha
It marks a true educator to seriously consider a student's feedback.
Thankful that my husband and I are in league when it comes to supporting our (now grown) children
That our children enjoy spending time with us, at home or away.
That they also support us in very many ways.
That autumn so far has been mild and that we got to spend a lot of time on and in the garden.
For central heating. It is warm during the day but in the evening, we use heating for a few hours.
1. Thankful that I am allowed to work from home in comfortable clothing (priceless when pregnant), with a salted honey candle burning on my desk and the back porch door open ushering in a lovely breeze. Not to mention a load of laundry washing that I threw in on my morning break. This is such a blessing.
2. Thankful for good doctors caring for me during my pregnancy and for my husband during his recent surgery.
3. Thankful for our first fall meal of chili and baked potatoes. Yum!
4. Thankful for provision. We always have enough for ourselves and to share with others.
5. Thankful for fall days with high clear blue skies, breezes and temperatures that are pure loveliness.
SOOOO many life cycles to move through and plan fopr and also be taken off guaard by! Life is what happens while we’re making other plans,right??
Married young, and STILL happy for it. (Lucky.) I went back to school for Nursing at age 27 when. my son was in school.My hours were the same as his. Clinical was close to home in local hospitals.
Got bored again around age 40 so I went back to school again and became a Nurse Practitioner and had a whole “nother phase of career for 20 years. Moved more than I had “planned” in our lifetime , but ended up where we are meant to be!
Am 72, have re energized my astrology business, I am into metaphysical stuff..and am meeting new people, having fun.Belong to some art groups and am learning watercolor.I take short trips with a local tour group” Las Vegas and the Sphere are next!
My husband I hike and kayak.. I was quite UN athletic in my youth and that I can do those 2 things is still a miracle to me..and what they have ADDED TO MY LIFE!
YOU ARE JUST GETTING STARTED. on PART TWO!!!!!!!!! Much energy released when are kids are basically ”raised” and are adults..we enjoy them in new ways…and get to take care of our own needs and desires a bit more!!
Lovely post! Are those electric baseboard heaters in your dining room area? I have some of those and find they're exorbitantly expensive to run. If I use mine, my winter heating bills explode. So on this Thankful Thursday I'm once again reminded to be thankful for my wood burning stove in the living room that can come close to heating the whole house for the price of some seasoned firewood that is less expensive than a one month's electric bill would otherwise be.
These ones are oil heat, actually; it's the only heat this house has. There's an oil burning furnace in the basement that heats water, and that runs through the baseboard radiators.
What a lovely post, Kristen.
I am thankful that DH is bouncing back from pneumonia, which we caught very early. He's been a good patient and getting lots of rest.
I am thankful that our daybed, bought just for such circumstances, is comfortable to sleep on. We bought it to go in his home office after I had to sleep on an uncomfortable sofa during Covid. However, the cat thinks it's hers and tried to dig me out from under the covers this morning. She's fifteen muscular pounds and impossible to ignore. I held onto the quilt and thought "she really needs a manicure" when her claws came through it!
Your comment about living the non-traditional life (and still having so much life to live) reminded me of a blog I read by Ann Voskamp earlier this week, "Things Will Still Bloom."
This line in particular was a good perspective refresher for me: "Whether in friendships, marriage, or parenting (or anything else for that matter), we are allowed to change our minds, shift gears, try something new, and even leave behind some old ways of doing things."
Thanks for sharing your path through life in this online community, however traditional - or non-traditional - it might be. =)
Kristen, I think we are all very thankful that you've come through such adversities and are doing so great!
Today had some UGH moments, and one I'm still trying to work out, but overall I'm thankful:
--That DH and I have saved and been frugal prior to this government shutdown. He's on furlough now but we have enough for our needs and for school tuition, and DS#1 has pledged to kick in if need be.
--That I have a DH who likes to be home! He's looking at this as a bit of a vacation; he has plenty of projects and helps out with DS#4's homeschool and would love a break from going in every day after they got rid of telework options.
--For the physical strength and stamina to bike in to school. I'm a broken record on this, I know, but today had a beautiful sunrise and it feels good to get somewhere on my own steam.
--For places that have bike racks for bicycle parking. Not every place does! I love that my satellite campus does, and that the library does.
--That DS#4 is doing great with his braces. I see him admiring his teeth now, where he used to be shy about his smile, and it's great to see his confidence growing. He had a good dental checkup today, and it's nice to have proof that we're keeping up with his dental hygiene.
Kristen, I am very thankful for this blog and your willingness to keep finding the good in the world!
Today, specifically, I'm grateful for the good Samaritan who helped my son fix his bike seat on the way to school. I received a text from my 14-year-old asking if I could help him, as his bike seat had completely broken off his bike, just 5 minutes before school started. By the time I got to him, a kindly man had stopped to help him fix his seat. It was puzzling as he had tools with him, but I learned that he was a construction worker who saw my son struggling in front of his construction site and went out to help him. He even found a part to replace the missing piece that was causing the seat to fall off. I ran into the Starbucks next door (after dropping my other son off at school) and left a gift card for this helper at his site. I'm really hoping it finds its way to him, as he was no longer out front when I returned!
Funny comment...many years ago, maybe I was 18, I worked the Christmas rush at the Tiffany warehouse near my home. It was fun even though I broke one thing picking it up off the warehouse shelf. I learned to tie a Tiffany bow but can't now.
Anyway point being is that they had a Tiffany "rummage sale" in which all of the imperfect items were sold for a huge discount. People who worked full time got first dibs then us first shift of night workers. That year everyone got cute little Tiffany china boxes that may have cost me $5 ? each. With my discount I got some champagne flutes for a couple of family members. They used to be reasonably priced and were my go to for wedding gifts.
Now I look at the catalog and just about have a stroke. Things are so, so expensive and UGLY. Not the classic Tiffany look at all.
I still have my tiny Tiffany china box. For that I'm thankful.
You deserve ALL good things, Kristen! I’m so happy you are creating a beautiful “act 2” ❤️
thankful for you and the wonderful community here. it would only b 3 months of fun money for the bird. YIKES. it wasn't that cute, right? so silver script called me this morning, and they wanted to go over my meds. which number a zillion. i was so bent out of shape and feeling violated. but the pharmacist told me that the latest one my diabetic dr. slapped on me in July makes people urinate more. previously, i made an appt with a urologist i hadn't seen pre-covid because i was voiding much more than the usual a lot. if you look at my meds and my conditions i should be pushing daisys. am very grateful that i am not and that i have a decent life. thank g-d. i have 21 years on my mother now. for the early part of my life i thought i would be a goner at the age she went. the company i worked for gave gifts from tiffany's for anniversary gifts. 5 years a pen. ten years a bowl. can't remember other stuff. then they gave amex gift cards. that was very nice. one year i got a vasr. mine broke and i asked for another, they gave it to me. then i found out it was worth $500. i still have it somewhere in my cluttered apt.
I am so happy that you are finding life so fulfilling & enjoyable! That is wonderful.
As for mine:
1) That my manager offered me Friday off, given that I was stuck at Heathrow airport over the weekend & had a verrrry long trip back home last week. I'm new in role, so I very much appreciate the unexpected flex day.
2) That I'll have time to meet friends for a 9:30 am workout class tomorrow, which definitely is not something I can normally work into my schedule.
3) That I'm going to use a bit of my European flight cancellation money to get a massage. I got downgraded from business to a middle seat in economy, and it very much impacted my flexibility & back. It was a LONG flight. I'm going to get a massage to try & loosen things back up.
4) That I made SO MUCH progress on a 3 month project that I've been really uninspired & stuck on. I've tried multiple iterations with no success, but now feel like I'm basically ready to go (with a few tweaks) for next week. Hurrah.
5) That I get to do a virtual happy hour with my sister + BFF on Saturday, and in general that i'm home for a weekend for the first time in a while!
And now I'm tearing up. I love to hear how well you are doing in this season and so glad to know that hard time is behind you. It gives me hope that the hard season I'm in will pass too--I'm two years into a breast cancer journey and having career challenges while caring for a special needs daughter and helping my mom care for my dad who is deep in dementia. It is a lot, but I am grateful . . .
-That I have lots of community around me. I have good friends, family, neighbors, and church family who check in with me and spend time with me.
-For a husband who is good as gold and children who are healthy and in a really fun phase right now. They are out of school today, so the oldest two went with me to visit with my dad and then get their covid and flu shots. I treated them to milkshakes afterward because they were just so great through it all. They really are fun to be around these days. They always have been, but now I don't have to change their diapers.
-That our business is doing really well. When you hire the right person, you know because revenue goes up by more than their salary. I'm so thankful for having a good team in place and the stability that comes with increasing profits.
-That I have the position I do even if it isn't the job I want. I dearly love the work, but it doesn't pay well and it is a contract position that ends next summer. Still, I am really lucky to have the job I have for now and have health insurance.
-That I do have lots of skills and experience. On my good days I think I just haven't found the right job. It just sucks to apply, apply, apply and get no, no, no. All I can do is keep trying.
@Amanda in VA, Wow. It sounds to me that you are doing AMAZINGLY well, given all you are dealing with. And what a role model you are for your children. Well done. "And this too will pass" is what got me through that "everything all at once" experience of health issues, parental dementia and quadruple heart bypasses and relocations, yada yada yada. It did pass. And I was thankful (since that's the word of the day) to be able to be there to deal with it. One day you'll look back and say to yourself "How in the world did I get through all of that?" But you will, and you did.
My son just started working at Epic!
Thankful I don't have to put up with Epic software. After the THIRD time my husband's PCP asking about his advance directive (which I had already sent THREE times), I mailed a copy to her at her office. I get a call asking why I sent it. I tell the person. She goes "we have it, you just have to PAGE BACK to find it (I originally sent it in 1991, this is 2023).
Now wouldn't you think that a document as important as this would be on the main screen - or dashboard to use the latest moniker? I would think so (I work in IT). I can envision someone who wants no heroic efforts hooked up to multiple machines because their advanced directive is buried in Epic's system. Off soapbox.
As an FYI, the medical system in which his doctor was employed went cheap when they converted to Epic. Nurses were doing transactions to move information from their prior system to Epic.
You make plans, life happens. Those who cannot (or will not) change will not have a happy life IMHO.
For your positive message!
How lovely to hear someone appreciating the good things life has to offer even when there are hard times. I live and work in Cambodia although I am originally from the UK and sometimes things are tough here - especially when it is 35 degrees C and 68% humidity! I have found my Christian faith has got me through tough times (and I suspect the same is true for you although you do not say it explicitly!)
Many thanks
It’s so heartwarming to hear about all your adventures in your new life. So happy for you.
LOOOOVE this post! Yes, thankful with you for all that your life has become and is becoming!
I'm thankful:
-To work in a field I'm passionate about
-That I slept more than 6 hours the past two nights
-That the weekend is almost here with some nice plans in the works.
-For a great excavating company who made our driveway a million times better and removed a major source of underlying stress (we get water delivered and if driveway is too bad, could cause issues for their truck and they're hesitant to come!)
-That my cat is ok after being sick last weekend.
What a wonderful post Kristen! Continues to amaze me when life puts exactly what you need to hear (meaning what I needed to hear right now) right in front of you. That was this post for me this morning. You saying you feel like you have an interesting little life right now, and reflecting on how many iterations of you you have already experienced, and looking forward to all the chapters to come...good stuff! Powerful stuff! Thanks so much for sharing!
Oh, I am so glad this landed at just the right time for you!
This week I am thankful for a thought I had 2024. In August of 2024, I had a realization that while I felt my sphere had become very small, I knew I had yet to meet all of the people in my life I would come to know. It was a small comfort at the time, but a comfort.
Fast forward to September of 2025, I am sitting at a table with three friends I have met in the last year and a stranger who in the last few weeks has become more than just a friend. While we were sitting around that table I told them all about my realization and we sat there looking at one other, all mostly new friends, and it felt very powerful.
I am thankful I stayed the course, I kept going out and talking with people, and I shared my life. Life has gotten better for it.
I love this for you!
I'm thankful for you, dear Kristen. ❤️
<3
Patricia Routledge of the British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances died today at 96. An interview when she was turning 95 was put up on social media. It's worth a read. She was a very interesting, very funny lady: https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/patricia-routledge-death-last-message-b2838736.html