Thankful Thursday | bring on the oranges
New here? We've been making thankful lists every week, as a way of hunting for the good that's still here even in the midst of tough times. Join us in the comments!
This week, I am thankful:
that my canker sore is gone
You guys, I am back to eating bananas and oranges and chocolate and peppermint patties and I am delighted.
that my biology class is going well so far
It's a little weird to be a student again, but several weeks into the semester, I am doing fine.
that it's extremely easy to deal with snow days right now
Under normal circumstances, I'd look at the snow in the forecast and think about what will be cancelled. But since pretty much everything is online right now, snow is not a big deal at all!
We can just enjoy the beauty and carry on as usual.
that Zoe is such a good cleaner
I have had all of my kids do chores around the house, but Zoe really goes above and beyond.
Like, if it's her job to clean the bathroom, that room is spotless.
As in, cleaner than if I did the job myself.
that we are all healthy
We have had a remarkably head-cold free winter thus far, I assume as a result of this odd lifestyle we are all living right now. Definitely an upside!
for opportunities to serve others
I've been steadily doing all the tutorial website updates that keep coming my way (for the tutorial Zoe goes to.)
I babysat for my nieces and nephew yesterday so my sister-in-law could take another niece to the doctor after a bad fall.
(No extra kids are allowed to tag along right now, obviously.)
I was able to take outdoor snowy photos for my brother's save-the-date announcements.
And of course, I've been able to help my pregnant cousin regularly over the last few months.
Isn't it wonderful that ordinary skills can be used to bless other people?
that bad attitudes are often temporary
I had a tremendously bad attitude about life one day earlier this week, for a wide variety of reasons, and I am happy to report that the bad attitude has not turned out to be permanent.
(Bad attitudes just FEEL like they will be permanent when you are in the middle of them.)
that Sonia's able to do her drive times
She took driver's ed this past summer, online, and it's taken until now to get her practice times scheduled with the instructor (they had quite a backlog).
She did her first one yesterday, and it went great, which is as I expected, since she and I have been driving together since June. She's hardly a newbie at this point!
that the sun sets at 5:40!
We are past 10.5 hours of daylight now.
for the joy of food
There's such a wide variety of delicious foods available to us in these modern times, and I am thankful.
Even when it comes to a morning bowl of oatmeal, there are so many delicious ways to change it up.
Speaking of which, I am also thankful...
for the reader who suggested orange peel in oatmeal
If you like orange peel, you really need to try adding it into your oats. SO GOOD.
Especially if you also add carrots, raisins, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, vanilla, and cream.
I am thankful for my morning coffee, my Nana, and my sons.
How do yo add orange peel to oatmeal?
I’m thankful:
That it snowed last night so that I decided to take the dogs for a walk this morning
Which reminded me to move my car to avoid a parking ticket!
And during the walk I got to smell fresh baked bread from our local bakery
And I found a few things in a free pile to use and to sell
And the snow was beautiful
Also thankful for our health, warm house, winter boots, good food and things to do.
Zester!
I've really been struggling recently. Between some extra-cold weather that has made being outside a lot less appealing (I don't mind the cold, but I'm not a big fan of "spend 10 minutes getting ready to go outside and another 10 minutes taking everything off when you come back in"), remote learning that has my kids SO TIRED of doing school online, and some extra work pressure from this project that was supposed to be done in December (and impacted planned vacation around the holidays) and just Will Not End, I've been struggling to feel motivated to do anything beyond immediate needs.
Which is not great for living a fulfilling life.
I am grateful for:
1. Morning coffee
2. Older children who are generally responsible - this remote learning thing would be a lot harder if my kids were younger or less trustworthy.
3. A loving, supportive spouse. Marrying the right person almost 14 years ago has made pandemic living endurable and sometimes fun!
4. A safe home. My home is warm, has running water (hot and cold), and is generally a safe haven. I'm grateful to have that, when I have friends who were literally homeless not that long ago.
5. My family's health. My immediate family (spouse and kids) and the majority my extended family have all managed to come through the pandemic with health intact (we lost my last living grandparent to a combination of age and Covid). We've also had a new baby born last April (my SIL's second), and a lot of my extended family works in education, healthcare, or entertainment, so it's a big deal that we're all still here and healthy a year later.
I'm thankful for:
1) The new exterior paint on our house. (We're just in the process of finishing it.) It changes the look of the house & makes it look so much more modern. I'm shocked at the impact it has on the house. It needed to be done for non-cosmetic reasons, but I'm enjoying the "makeover" aspect all the same
2) Delicious leftovers. I had a crazy day yesterday, and enjoyed leftover Greek food for lunch, and a leftover bulgogi bowl for dinner (while I got on a call to register my baby for high school.)
3) That we found a fun, COVID safe birthday option for my 15 year old. That was a challenge, but he's looking forward to the day we've planned. Fingers crossed it doesn't rain.
4) Tennis. During COVID, this has been one of the only activities the kids can play - together, or with masked friends. I couldn't pay the kids to play tennis pre COVID, but now they are both enjoying it. We have a court about 1/3 of a mile from the house, so better yet, they can bike there.
5) We just closed on a 15 year refi on our house, for a fantastic rate. Money savings? Yes, please. We were able to sign outdoors (masked) at our patio table, so as safe as possible during COVID. And, it stopped raining, so we didn't have to worry about wet paper work.
I am also thankful that bad attitudes are often short lived; I'm having one of those myself right now, so this is a perfect time for this activity!
I am thankful that the hubs is so organized and is planning all of our 2021 camping trips. These days if you don't book something as soon as you possibly can, you're often out of luck!
I am thankful for virtual counseling sessions. It's not nearly the same as an in-person session, but it IS safer and it's better than nothing!
For a flexible schedule that means I can work extra some days to make time for playing on other days.
For time to just be. To just sit and do nothing and just take a moment to relax.
I so agree with you about booking camping trips. I just booked our largest, and most expensive trip last week. there were only two sites to choose from!! Crazy.
I am really excited that my son has been back in school for the past few weeks. He's so much happier spending time with his friends.
Another family and I carpool our boys to soccer practice - it's easier to make dinner when you only have to stop once for drop off or pick up.
Mostly sunny skies! The temps have only reached above 0 once in the past week, but the sunshine streaming through my windows makes it easier to bear.
That I can work from home - black ice has been a really issue this week and not having to travel to or from work is wonderful!
Thankful for:
My cat who provides endless laughter as well as snuggles.
For snow, which leads to subcategories of thankfulness--we have a sunny day and the sun on the snow is pretty and cheerful. Snow makes me feel like it's not only ok, but the right thing to do to sit and read and drink tea or coffee. Snowy weather is also conducive to continue my knitting project (throw blanket is almost done! Maybe today!). And lastly ... you really can't snowshoe without snow. It's been perfect conditions for the past week and has allowed me to spend fun time with my husband and son .... and by myself. Yesterday I spent a much-needed afternoon bushwhacking through the snow. I saw 4 deer and several spots where they had bedded down--one area had 16 impressions in the snow where they slept. It was beautiful and fascinating and a much-needed release from the stress of dealing with my mom in hospice.
I'm sorry your mom is in hospice care. That is a tough road for the person and for the family.
Thank you, Lindsey.
"I had a tremendously bad attitude about life one day earlier this week"
Thanks for sharing this! I was in such a foul mood this morning and it helps to read you have that problem too and that this will not last forever.
Just one today, to encompass all others: Thankful for my eldest son, who is turning eleven years old today and continues to teach me about motherhood every day.
I am thankful that my pep seems to have returned after having Covid a month ago. Even though I had such a mild case, it has been reminding me ever since that it was here and I am not a youngster any more. Also thankful that our son is soon starting a new job that we hope will be far less stressful than his old one, and that everyone we love is still okay and employed.
A friend of mine lost her husband recently (not Covid FWIW) and I am thankful that I got to know him and know that he brought such joy to my friend's life for the too brief time he had on Earth.
That my MIL didn't have Covid. She had a bit of a scale and because everything is tested as Covid she got a test. Turns out she just had a bad case of food poisoning, which is nothing to sneeze at but she's feeling better now.
For good music. I was listening to Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity by Holst the other day and while Neptune the Mystic is still my favorite of the suite, I can see why it is so popular. I've also been playing some Ralph Vaughan Williams such as The Lark Ascending, Fantasia on Greensleeves and my favorite, Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis - itself a take on Tallis's "Why fumeth in fight" (aka No. 3 of Nine Tunes for Archbishop Parker’s Psalter and a setting of Psalm 2.) So this has been relaxing and very nice.
For a lot of the free entertainment out there.
That my daughter is at the helping stage. She's not exactly thrilled about cleaning but she likes being a part of the family and helping with things as best she can.
Oh I looove Fantasia on Greensleeves!
I am thankful...
1. My buy nothing group provided to us a winter jacket for my son. He is SOOO rough on his clothing.
2. Hubby was off work today and was able to bring my son a lunch to daycare. I didn't have to drive to the store and buy stuff to make one.
3. My momma's scans for her cancer are showing that it is continuing to shrink. This really motivates her to continue with these meds even though they make her tired.
1. I am thankful for the chance to speak with others and hear that the struggles we are facing during this COVid season are similar if not exactly the same. It is so easy to feel isolated during all of the working from home, everything is closed, we can't go anywhere season but speaking to people who are having the same challenges with small children at home, working from home, all the daily tasks, and the list goes on....is a comfort. What a blessing to know that one is not alone in the challenges we are feeling.
2. I am thankful that the people that I share a home with me are so patient and understanding with me when I melt down over all of the above.
3. I am thankful for the health of my family. This is not a small thing these days and I am so very grateful.
4. I am thankful that Spring is on the horizon. I find it encouraging to know that January is done & we are halfway through February. In the south this means that Spring is drawing near and it just can't come soon enough for me!
5. For my son who never complains about not being able to go to school because of COVid and is happy and imaginative and seemingly unaffected by all of the mess going around us. I pray that this will be true for all the kids who have had to weather the storm.
Steel cut oatmeal https://www.wellplated.com/steel-cut-oats-recipe/ I like them much better than the rolled oats. Make once and eat three to four times with this recipe.
Problem is I still have to buy old fashioned oats for baking and granola, but that is ok. https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/12/eleven-madison-park-granola-salty-recipe.html
Sunshine (Florida in winter is THE best), my son keeps sending me pictures from Nebraska with the negative temperatures, I remember being sooo cold, but I don't miss it! I just got some hanging planters with pansies for the porch! I LOVE IT!
Books, just started Living Life Backwards about Ecclesiastes
Gym, Library, etc. that they are all open.
Grandkids and a DIL who sends me lots of pictures and videos.
Technology, watched a show at the gym that I had DVR'd at home, makes the treadmill not be as tedious.
- for the simple comfort of a cup of tea or coffee, and a flickering candle on my stove
- for the bouquet my kids just brought me from playing outside. Don't know what it is... looks like dried stalks of wheat... it's lovely sitting on my kitchen island in my free vase
- for all the houseplants I have that were given to me through the last several years. I've managed not to kill them and they add a lovely touch of color to my very neutral decor
- that there are still a few places open where my kids can go for some out-of-the-house fun. Their gymnastics place is still operating and they get to go once a week. Plus a couple other play places that are still open with restrictions. They're climbing the walls as it is, so these things help.
-for my daughter's March birthday I really wanted to go on a little local cabin getaway. We're majorly due for a diversion, I know the kids would love it, and it would be more memorable than a little party. But when I went to book the cabin the final cost seemed so high (with fees, plus were a family of six which adds to the price), and I couldn't justify it. Then a couple days later I checked again on a different website and it was 50% less! I have no idea why it was half the cost on a different booking platform but I could have done a happy dance. I booked it pronto and I'm so excited.
I am thankful...
1. That Mom was finally able to move into a nursing home facility with a memory care unit. There were a lot of hoops to get past relating to Covid testing that had to be completed before she could move in
2. For my sister and brother in law who took on the monumental task of getting Mom's new living space furnished and set up for her
3. My son's best friend, who is like our 2nd son, came and got some furniture of Mom's that was no longer needed and took it to his Grandmother who was in need of furniture. Made me happy that it went to someone we know that was in need
4. Our son came home from college to help his best friend load up that furniture. It was great to see his smiling face.
5. We finally found a contractor that will repair the rotten wood around our chimney. We had at least half a dozen contractors turn the job down because it was "too high up".
Beverly, it IS a process to move a loved one into a facility and that doesn't even address the emotional toll. I'm glad you had such good help.
If you get canker sores again, I strongly recommend Amosan oral rinse (that's the name it's sold under in Canada, but the active ingredient is 68.635% Sodium Perborate.) It comes as either a liquid or a powder you mix with water. It tastes strange, but it really, really helps canker sores heal faster, and also reduces the pain.
Amosan oral rinse is a blast from the past for me. My orthodontist of nearly 50 years ago used it when I got gum inflammation while wearing braces. It healed it up fast.
I don't really have a list of things to be thankful for, but an attitude adjustment is hiding somewhere inside me and I keep reminding myself to look for it. I can get easily overwhelmed by things and depressed about how I'm going to deal with them. So I keep refreshing my motto (which I want on my tombstone), "Anne, eat the elephant one bite at a time." It absolutely saves my sanity.
Right now, my very first ever purchase from ebay needs to be returned as the two sizes of shoes are quite different. I was so upset, but I know I can figure out how to do this. Just one step at a time.
Hang in there, Anne. And like you said, take one step at a time, one bite at a time, one minute at a time when you need to. Next thing you know, you'll feel back in control. You got this!
I am commandeering that saying -- love it!
Have to report an amusing end to the ebay story. I was getting stressed because nowhere was there an address to which I could return the mismatched shoes, not to mention I was dreading a trip to the post office. I contacted the seller (an ebay giant, apparently) and they said they would credit me and just keep the shoes. End of stress.
Now, I just need to find a woman who wears a 6 1/2 narrow on one foot and an 8 1/2 narrow on the other. 🙂
Oh, yay! So glad they made it easy for you.
And yeah, what do you do with a pair of mismatched shoes??
You can find places to buy single shoes online, such as for people with an injury to one foot, or to buy mismatched sized pairs, for people whose feet aren't the same size. I did just a quick google search--some of the places take donations.
One thing that stands out to me about you using ordinary skills to bless others is that you had the margin in your life to be able to help. As I think ahead to how I should use my time once things begin to normalize, I think it'll be important for me to remember to not over-schedule. This week I'm thankful...
* that my daughter didn't have to get 2 baby teeth pulled yesterday. We thought she might, but the dentist gave her 3 more weeks for them to come out on their own and I think they will. She's definitely motivated to wiggle them out now!
* for the weird combination of weather that we've had. While I'm not a fan of the really really cold temps, we've had a cool mixture of snow, then sun, then snow, then sun. Everything looks beautiful. (Kristen, your snow picture looks lovely!!!)
* for Michigan's interlibrary loan system.
* for how well our new cats are adjusting to our home. My dog just walked past the one we named Smores and she didn't even run away! 4 days ago would have been a very different story. And the cats are bringing a lot of happiness and fun to the house.
Ruth, I remember those wiggling days. Both of my kids had baby teeth that didn't want to come out. Since I didn't want to pay for dentist visits for extractions, we had a routine of (store-brand) Orajel, a Bob the Builder episode to distract them, and a wiggling session. Once in a while one of them will bring up that memory!
Ha! Love it!!
The snow photos are lovely. It's pictures like that which make me miss the occasional snows of my childhood and early adulthood. But I don't miss driving in them.
I'm thankful for my oldest sister, whose birthday is tomorrow. She put up with a lot from her pesky little sisters!
I'm thankful for a good, uneventful dental check up yesterday, and for the insurance my work provides to pay for the check up.
I'm thankful for books that make me laugh. They don't make noise to disturb my husband like watching a funny movie would do, but they take me out of the stress of life and leave me smiling.
I'm thankful that I have half a meatloaf in my refrigerator, to make our meal tonight that much easier. And that my husband likes my meatloaf, even re-heated.
I'm grateful for Thankful Thursday, always.
I am thankful for my weekly Zoom meeting with my stitching friends. While we are based in Maryland we have a member's friend that joins from England and this week we had my friend join us from Toronto. While I miss being together this has benefits too. It probably would have been a snow day today but with Zoom we were still able to meet.
That I was able to bless both a neighbor and a friend with cookies this week. Since I have no events to bake for, because of Covid-19 cancellations, it was nice to get back to this activity.
I am grateful that I was able to walk and sit outside with a friend earlier this week.
I am thankful that February has only 28 days. There is no promise of spring weather in March but many years it does arrive.
I am grateful that we have plenty to eat, appliances and utilities that work, and a house in a decent neighborhood.
I am thankful that dealing with about 5" of snow is not difficult for me.
I am grateful for this exercise each week.
1. We will be eligible to get vaccinated as of next week. It may take a while to get an appointment, but just knowing we can try for one makes me feel better.
2. Hearing that family and friends and their family members have gotten theirs. It gives me hope...
3. My meditation teacher is now leading a second class each week. The lessons learned there have been so helpful in dealing with my mood issues and anxiety.
4. For the upcoming long weekend. It will give me more time to do extra cooking an freeze stuff for future meals when we are both very busy.
5. For my co-worker who checks in with me each day. While I wasn't crazy about commuting and don't miss that very much I do miss seeing my co-workers in person.
Thankful for:
* My house. Safe neighborhood, quiet neighbors, enough space for each of us to have alone time, space and equipment to work out at home, nice backyard, and paid off since September!
* Having the means to buy healthy food and in adequate quantities
* My frugal ways, and hubby and I sharing the same philosophy regarding money. At 35&40 we are living debt free and this feels amazing
* My 2 daughters
* To have reconnected with 2 friends from high school and going for a walk with them
I am thankful for the ability to learn on my own, read and understand complicated material, and the ability to write clearly and concisely.
Such an important thankfulness, Becca!
I share it, in particular lately as it relates to information from health insurance! I feel I am so fortunate to be able to understand those documents, and to also not be suffering the stresses of pain, grief, or inability to pay while I sort through them.
1. Thankful that we have had spectacular northern lights during the last two weeks.
2. that the weather has moderated so we are back to the minus teens instead of 40 below.
3. that my neighbor, who is allergic to shellfish, got a birthday box of lobster tails instead of other fish. The company is making it good and she doled her free lobster out to neighbors, two for each home. Yum.
4. that my brother, who was laid off two weeks ago from his management job was recalled when they realized he was the only one who knew how to run this special program. His wife had colon cancer and he was desperate not to lose health insurance.
5. that I read something that really made me smile every time I thought of it this week. There are two islands near the western top of Alaska, Big Diomede (belongs to Russia) and Little Diomede (belongs to the US). The school district took a group of young students cross country skiing "into tomorrow" by having them ski across the date line that cuts between the islands. A bunch of fathers went along with rifles to keep the polar bears away (polar bears do not hibernate). There was a very nifty picture of the kids in Alaska, with the mountains of Russia in the background. You can see the picture on the photographer Laurent Dick's FB page. His website contains a ton more Alaska photos, too. (I have no association with him, I just think he takes some of the best photos of our land) I love to think of these little guys learning about time and dates by physically skiing over an imaginary line.
Love your "time travel" story.
Thankful we had a two stage furnace installed, a little more money but it keeps the house so much more comfortable. It is always the exact temp you set it at rather than falling 2 degrees then running.
It is super cold and our dogs love the cold weather. They run and jump really high on to the deck like it is 4 foot tall and it is only about 4".
That I have achieved some amount of sanity from some Webinar classes and health apps.
I hope after covid grocery pick up orders and online doctor visits will be the norm. It is easier to wait for a phone call from doctor rather than to sit an hour in their office.
I'm with you about snowy days, thankful that they are much easier to deal with since so much of what I do is now online.
And more on that: Fluffy, light snow, is a pleasure to shovel compared to the really heavy wet stuff.
I've gotten both doses of the vaccine and I can't express how grateful I feel about that.
Thankful that I am not letting past hurt with a work colleague fester, I'm able to deal with her professionally and not feel bad about her past hurtful actions one little bit.
I was driving by my mechanic's shop and get a phone call, it was my mechanic telling me my rear brake light was out and I should stop in and he'd replace it! Imagine my surprise at such kindness and care.
Oh my gosh I forgot the most important one! My niece had a crack in her skull (she is mid 40's) and a small aneurysm and ended up in a 13 day coma after brain surgery to fix them. She is out of the hospital and doing well! 🙂
Mar, what a wonderful gift and blessing! Rejoicing with you and your family!
I'm thankful for:
1. The ice storm that's currently over my area being (so far) less severe than expected. Our electricity was only out for a few hours today and we're fairly well prepared for ourselves and our older neighbor if it gets worse.
2. FOR ELECTRICITY!!!!! It's a gift.
3. That God allowed us to help my husband's elderly grandparents finalize their wills and end-of-life documents literally days before his grandfather became unable to speak. It's still going to be hard, but knowing that we're doing things as they'd wish is a big burden relieved. Plus maybe it will head off at least some of the inevitable family squabbles over possessions before they begin.... maybe. 🙂
4. For my noisy, busy family of 4 joyous and insane kiddos and a dear hubby that works hard for us so I can stay home with the zoo. And in relation to the munchkins....
5. I'm grateful that I was already in the homeschool groove before Covid crashed the party, and that although there's always the struggle against the cries of "tyranny!" from my 3 sons when they are, ahem, less than enthusiastic about their studies, they don't have learning challenges that need extra outside assistance. I don't take that for granted, ever.
6. Kristen, I have to echo you in gratefulness to not be currently in the throes of pregnancy. I too had hyperemesis (all 9 months every time, all 4 kids, got worse with each one, and daily vomiting in the double digits was the norm) and there were days when I truly wanted to crawl in a hole and die. The look in your eyes in your pregnancy pictures is one I know SO very well! I'm grateful for the empathy it has given me for others in difficult physical situations, so now I look for ways to help and feel like I can comfort better because I really do know what they're experiencing.
7. For a home brimming full of opportunities for creativity; books, sewing, crafts, school planning.... there's never enough time for doing it all, and I love it.
8. The sweet reminders of God's grace that you send out daily in this blog! It truly lifts my spirits each morning, thank you!
Wow, that is something to celebrate!
1. I am in my early 30's and bought my first house. I now have two roommates, who pay me rent and who I enjoy. I'm grateful to have two girls who are conscientious about the virus, pay me money every month, and who I enjoy as people!
2. I'm grateful that winter has been a bit more mild than normal where I live. If I bundle up, I can still go on walks and enjoy fresh air and a bit of sunlight.
3. Oranges are in season! I love oranges and they are so yummy and cheap this time of year.
4. I used some gift cards to buy new throw pillows for my living room couches and I LOVE the way it looks. I also hung up a picture that someone was giving away for free, that I love. I'm grateful that I am now happy with how my living room looks.
5. I love having a yard, but don't love yard work. I'm grateful that during the winter I don't have to do yard work.
-A safe trip so far for my husband.
-For my kids, that we can keep each other company
-For our neighbor kids who had left, but are back. They've been great friends for my kids and I'm so happy to see them again
I am thankful that
* It was an absolutely beautiful today. I sat outside when I ate my lunch and soaked up the sunshine.
* I have had several opportunities to make extra money since the first of the year which will pay for needed home maintenance and repairs.
* I found away not to cook dinner tonight without starving anyone. ( Sometimes I just don’t want to cook)
* My younger son will be able to get the Covid immunization tomorrow as a First Responder
* Love always seems to help conquer even the most challenging of circumstances
Oh my, i had missed the orange peel addition to the carrot cake oatmeal -- I am thankful to catch it.:)