Thankful Thursday | cold showers, be gone
This week, I am thankful:
that a new water heater is on the way
The old oil boiler here is doing a good job of heating the house, but it is not doing a fantastic job of providing consistently hot water for our showers.
We have all been getting pretty good at taking super quick showers. 😉
Happily, my landlords are installing a new electric water heater for us soon, and we are looking forward to showers that are hotter than lukewarm.
Lukewarm = VERY COLD when it's winter!
for my kind neighbor who lets me borrow her lawn equipment
She likes to tinker with small engines, so she has a whole array of lawn machines that she's rehabbed, and she is always so kind to let me borrow them.
for a warm-ish day to take care of my leafy yard
If you wait until January to clean up your leaves, a temperate day is by no means a guarantee! So I am grateful that we had a couple of dry days followed by a not-too-cold day...perfect for yard work.
for my sunny bedroom
I am forever grateful for the south sun it gets, especially in the winter.
for the manicure my sister-in-law gave me
She got a gel nail kit for Christmas, so while my brother was busy with their kids, she and I had a little manicure session. 🙂
for slightly longer days
I am definitely noticing the change now. It's so minuscule at first, but this many weeks after the winter solstice, it's starting to become noticeable.
I like that we are at least moving in the direction of longer days now!
Sonia and I were both feeling the winter blues last night, and I was like, "Ok, Sonia. There are two more weeks until February. February is a short month. And then in March, things get a little better."
I know, by looking at my morning walk photos from last year, that I saw my first little green leaves in the brush on March 5th:
So I know a green tinge will soon begin to spread over this gray and brown world.
Soon!
for financial provision
I am so thankful that all of my needs have been met this past year; we have had food and shelter and so much more. I know that this is often not the case for women when they first leave a marriage, so I do not take it for granted.
for my neighborhood that feels so good
The other day I had to drive past my current neighborhood on the way from one errand to another.
I thought about how I must have driven on the highway past this neighborhood hundreds and hundreds of times over the years, barely even noticing that it existed.
But that day as I drove by, I felt a warm sense of affection...like, "this is my peaceful harbor."
And I am grateful for that feeling.
I’m glad you get to take warm showers again. I’ve loved how well our home does at keeping water warm after a house that had trouble with that.
Thankful for:
1. My church. I walked in last night for chime rehearsal, and the smell of the building was warm and familiar. It’s wonderful to notice feeling at home in a new city.
2. A day with my son. He had an appointment in the capitol which is a bit of a drive so we got to spend the whole day together. It’s been a while since just me and him have been on an adventure and it was fun.
3. First round of major home renovations are almost done, which means I get to (clean away all the dust!) organize and decorate finally.
4. A body that allows me to work hard and be active. This may not always be the case, but it’s true right now and I’m enjoying it.
I feel like that line about February being short and March being spring was also in The Long Winter, the Laura Ingalls Wilder book. Hopefully our winter turns out better!
@Laura, I was recalling that line from the Little House books, too.
Thankful for the long visit with my son during his college break, for health, for the ability to drive, which gives me freedom to do what I want and need to do, for the time I had on Sunday having a games day with the young adults from my church.
Yesterday was a tough day for our school district. A girl committed suicide on Tuesday and it's an awkward situation for the school to deal with because they are trying to be considerate of the grieving family as well as trying to meet the needs of the kids and staff who are traumatized by this. I am grateful for their sensitive handling of the situation which includes providing mental health support for the community. My heart bleeds for all who are affected and I am grateful to those who are stepping in the gap to be there for those who need it.
@Kris,
I'm so sorry for your community's loss. My mom still works at the school I attended K-12 and they went through that situation within the last couple of years. It's so hard. Grace to you all.
@Ruth T, thank you. We don't know the girl or the family but it's still a heavy thing to process.
@Laura, first thing I thought of!
I am so completely happy about your water heater because I love my hot showers.
This week I am thankful for:
*hot showers!
*an upcoming get-together.
*my not-new flannel nightgown. One of my nightgowns started sprouting too many holes to bother mending. This week I discovered a very lovely flannel nightgown I'd forgotten about which was hiding in plain sight in my closet.
*my wool blanket.
*little twitches I felt near my chin; in the past, that seems to have meant another muscle waking up. I'm not really sure because I can't figure out how to voluntarily move it.
*kids who can take care of getting supper ready tonight while I'm at an appointment.
*good drinking water.
*a new bag of coffee.
*a son who is willing to humble himself and apologize when he realizes he's wronged somebody.
*and because I keep thinking about it, why not mention hot showers again?
@Jody S., it’s exciting news to hear that you are regaining more feeling in your facial muscles. Thinking of you and impressed by your strength. Wishing you good health!
@Jody S., did you have Bell's palsy?
@Bee, Thank you.
@Central Calif. Artist, Kinda, sorta. Technically Bell's palsy is a diagnosis of exclusion (i. e. not caused by an identifiable something). My facial paralysis was caused by Lyme Disease. From what I gather, recovery from facial paralysis caused by Lyme or maybe Ramsey-Hunt (etc.) is typically longer than from Bell's Palsy.
@Jody S., I also was wondering if you had Bell’s palsy, because I was diagnosed with it last January. It happened several weeks after catching COVID (from when I was hospitalized for possible heart issues). They never attributed it to COVID however. Anyway, looks like I’ll always have a tinge of effect, for instance if I try a broad smile, since a year has passed.
BTW, my daughter has lifelong Lyme…she may have been misdiagnosed in the ‘70s when a lab report said symptoms were Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Google says Lyme was first diagnosed in the mid ‘70s.
@Shirley, I am so glad the rest of my Lyme symptoms seem resolved. The only lasting effect is the palsy, and that's just because the damage was done, I guess. You know, you should give up regarding gaining more function because I've known others who've recovered after longer than a year. But I have also known some who haven't recovered after many, many years. I am currently dealing with the beginnings of synkinesis for which I am going to see a specialist on Monday; I'm hoping the therapy they have works. And, still not 100% of my face has "awakened." BUT I can blink!!! That is a big, big thing.
And I'm sorry for your daughter. Long Lyme is so hard for so many people; that's why I really think people need to educate themselves about all the symptoms (and there are so many and varied symptoms!).
@Jody S., what a destructive thing, that stupid Lyme Disease. Thank you for answering (I am sort of newish here) and may you continue to recover!
@Jody S., so nice to see a response, Jody. You are so right about blinking, it’s a major step! Good to hear you’re on top of things and seeing a specialist on Monday. Wishing you all the best!
@Jody S.,
There is a child named Pippa in Birmingham Al who is recovering from Lyme. She just spoke on Christmas Day for the first time in three months and walked this week for the first time in five and a half months. They thought it was a functional neurological disorder at first before discovering Lyme…her mom is Kelly Daspit and her Facebook page talks about it and gives updates. I hope you recover as well!
@Sabrina, Thank you. Yes, Lyme can be so severe, and it so often seems like something else.
I am thankful for the mostly mild winter we have had. It has made being outside more pleasant. The days are longer, it's noticeable, and I appreciate it.
I'm thankful our microwave did not go out last night. It had a burning smell after I reheated sweet potatoes but I waited and it was okay later. It would have been bad timing, schedule wise, for it to go up now.
I'm thankful an annoying minor cold that started early last week is finally abating.
I'm thankful this is not my blog so I don't have to make time for a big list today.
@K D, lol! And no pictures!
I like that your neighbor is a SHE and tinkers with small engines. Reminds me of your "you don't need whiskers" posts. 😉
I would probably blow up my garage, but I admire people who do things that I can't. 😉
This week I am thankful for:
*my on-call obligation ends tonight and my weekend is free and clear for me to go and do! It might be the last one at my current hospital, too!
*my two oldest are coming to have dinner with me on Sunday - I haven't spent any time with my kids since Christmas Day.
*dark roast coffee this morning after making my way through a bag of medium roast, which was a Christmas gift, but never my preference, and my morning coffee is ESSENTIAL.
*a work friend who is coming on Saturday to take some landscape timbers out of my garage. She's making a raised bed garden so I am happy that the deconstructed playscape we had in the backyard for years now has a purpose! More garage space=me eventually being able to park inside!
Hooray for dreaming of spring - there is much to look forward to!
Carrots.
I'm working early and long hours this week and I am in compulsive need to much on something, due to the stress. So far carrots have kept me distracted from the cupboard where our son is keeping chocolate bars (Why ever did he put them in plain sight? Sigh).
Back to work, have a great end of the week all!
Munch
@J NL, Baby carrots with sliced string cheese is one of my favorite snacks. I don't know why; something about the texture of the carrots plus cheese is very satisfying. Sometimes I make a meal of it!
@J NL, what would happen if you asked him to move the candy?
This week I am thankful for:
1. Signs my back procedure might be working so I can start physical therapy and hopefully be able to get out and walk in the Spring sunshine.
2. Folks who post nature photos and videos so I can live vicariously through them while I recuperate. I miss sitting in nature, but it is very difficult to get outside right now.
3. Heating pads that soothe the aches and pains. I found one that you wear like a shawl and it feels so good on my aching shoulders where my stress tends to sit.
4. The bits of sunshine we had yesterday, even if only for a short while.
5. Friends and family who check in on us. It's really nice to know that people care about you.
@AnnieH, I don't like to run errands but sometimes I go along with my husband just to enjoy the heated seats! I have hating pads but you can't sit on them so the car seats are like having from my neck to my knees warmed.
@Lindsey, I recently strained a muscle in my lower back and I also have tagged along on many trips to home improvement stores just to sit on the heated seats in my husband’s truck 🙂
I'm thankful for yesterday's Q&A, plus an unexpected event this week (about which I choose not to be more specific), for prompting me to go back and review my own major life choices.
Although I hope I don't come off as sounding smug or overly self-satisfied, I have no regrets about these choices--and much gratitude to the universe, since there was a lot of lucky happenstance involved in some of them. My only real regret is not having been kinder in certain situations with certain people.
And my heart goes out to those of you who did express some regrets yesterday. I can only echo what other commenters said then: (a) No good efforts are ever truly wasted; (b) we can only do the best we can with the knowledge we have at any given time; and (c) please don't be hard on yourselves. (These are all things I used to tell DH, who was prone to depression and second-guessing. I could usually make him smile by reminding him that if he hadn't made some of his earlier choices, he'd never have met me!)
@A. Marie, Because I can still replay and agonize over mistakes I made in my 20s, my husband, too, has been prompted to point out that without those mistakes I would not have spent the last 40 years with him. It is sort of frightening how one small choice might have changed my whole life.
It would be difficult to get moving in the morning without a hot shower. Glad you will soon enjoy hot showers again.
Thankful for
1. That the end of my dental implant procedure is in sight. I go today to get my crown
2. That we have good dental insurance and enough savings to cover the rest of the implant procedure
3. That we may have finally found someone to repair our sinking driveway that looks like the surface of the moon. We have contacted many contractors over the years and once they see how bad it is, they ghost us and never return. The company who came out on Monday has already called twice to see if we're ready to sign the contract. Also, thankful that they offered us a discount to use our driveway as a before/after in their advertising.
4. That we have the money saved to cover the cost of repairing the driveway
5. My DH, even though he sometimes drives me nuts! After over 35 years of marriage, we still love and respect each other and want to spend time together.
Seeing the light stream in your bedroom windows makes me happy!
Today I am thankful for:
1-waiting for a life long friend to call. We have a weekly lets talk date.
2-good health. Monday I visited a friend after her chemo appointment and I am amazed at her positive attitude. I'm such a wimp when it comes to pain and discomfort, I can't imagine doing a good job as she is.
3-a bonus from our insurance company. For some reason, I received a $350 check refunding a copay. Woo woo!
4-the 80th birthday party of a friend tomorrow night at a really nice restaurant
5-free online yoga.
Health - this time a year ago were 1 month post-COVID and still felt as if a MACK truck took us out.
Ds#1, who moved to Tampa, is hearing the end of his job's 3 month training program and is so happy with life. Makes a mama happy too.
Dh got the COLA in his disability and that is going to allow us a little more wiggle room in our budget.
Doggies. We lost ours several years ago and are not in the situation to get another, so seeing everyone else's mitigates the yearning.
The different blogs I read. I have a rotation of 6 that I read daily and they are all pretty different, but I either learn or laugh with each one. Can't beat that.
@Jennifer,
Would you mind sharing what other blogs are in your daily rotation? Always looking for more kind, quality reading material!
Brrrr. It was always the worst in our old house with the very old water heater when the hot water would give out in the middle of a shower. So glad you're getting a new water heater.
Thankfuls:
--As always, for the end of my work "week." I only work Mondays and Wednesdays typically, and that's about as much as I can do on a regular basis and still maintain the level of cooking and housekeeping that I prefer.
--That part of my job is as our school's (very amateur) librarian. The best part of my day is when I'm working with the books. Yesterday I set up our library (which is really just the entry to the elementary, lined with bookshelves) with a school spirit-themed display for homecoming. It was fun.
--For these Tuesdays and Thursdays that I get to spend with just my daughter. She's in her last year of preschool, which here is just a two-day program. So I work on the days she's at school, and we're both home on the other two days when her brothers are at school. This is the last year that I'll have days when it's just her and me, and I will miss them.
--For the heated mattress pad on my bed. I LOVE going to bed, and it's extra satisfying to slide into a heated cocoon at the end of a cold day.
--That I'm mostly past the up every night phase of mothering. I have one son who has been having some bad dreams of late, and so every few nights he'll appear in our bedroom and I have to get up to get him back to bed. But it's not every night, multiple times a night anymore, which it was for about a decade when I had babies and toddlers. I appreciate every full night of sleep I get now.
I’m decidedly not thankful that our ORKIN visit earlier this week turned up not only termites (I was right about the sudden tiny ceiling holes, blast it) but bonus bats in the attic. (Neither were present at the time of our home inspection a year ago, because of course.) I *AM* thankful that we caught both early enough that there’s no permanent or structural damage—Mr. ORKIN actually complimented my spotting skills!—and both colonies are relatively tiny / easily dealt with. This coming Tuesday will be critter eviction day. The bats are a protected species and will be humanely relocated, which makes me happy, as I like bats. The termites, however, are in for it, and good riddance!!!
I’m grateful that our house is paid off, thus giving us more breathing room for when these “Joys of home ownership” moments crop up. I’m also thankful that yesterday’s storm was far tamer than predicted. The snow should be gone in time for the ORKIN folks to safely access our roof next week for bat-proofing measures.
Lastly, I’m thankful for my 17 lb former street cat. He knows when I’m stressed out—which I have definitely been, thanks to the above!—and will demand to lay on my chest for a nap. Who needs a weighted blanket? 😉
@N, my Betty is my weighted blanket: At 14 pounds, her favorite place to crash out on me is right across my collarbone. She's a great comforter...er, comfort!
@A. Marie, great play on words.
1) So grateful that our house didn't flood, when the garage & pool/back patio area flooded this weekend. Similarly, grateful I could figure out how to fix at least the garage situation on my own.
2) Work often is no fun (that's why they pay me, and call it "work", I suppose, but my colleagues truly often make me laugh & make things so much more enjoyable.
3) For technology, which allows me to stay in close contact with my family.
4) That my 15 y.o. has really embraced high school. Sometimes, he's too social, and needs to spend more time on academics :-), but I love that he has a broad group of friends, enjoys the community, and is living his best life.
5) For a safe & warm home, filled with my little family.
I’m grateful I found a church that I feel comfortable and welcome in and I didn’t have to try a whole bunch to find it. Been going again since 1st week in December and feels great!
I’m grateful for a grocery store across the street since I was feeling too lazy to venture out elsewhere yesterday on my day off.
I’m grateful that I made it safely to work this morning despite all the snow we got last night and early this morning (I like snow just not driving in it!)
I am so glad you are getting a new hot water heater! I have an aversion to cold showers. During the oil crisis of the early to mid-1970s, my mom would turn off the hot water heater to save money on electricity. She would then forget to turn it back on. I took so many cold showers; but despite this, she was a great mom. 🙂
Today I am thankful for beautiful weather!
Nothing is better than 72 and sunny with moderate humidity.
I am so happy to be watching my DGB (Darling Grand Baby) today. He is definitely the most adorable baby in the world.
I am thankful that at this very moment all my children are happy. I didn’t understand when I became a mom that I could only be as happy as my least happy child.
I am thankful that my husband and I are settling into a comfortable routine. He now works out of Atlanta. He flies out Monday morning and comes home Thursday night. It is not ideal, but he is only a few years from retirement. His company is not requiring him to relocate which is wonderful! Neither one of us has any desire to deal with life in that huge, crazy city.
I am blessed to have all that I need.
Wishing everyone love, peace and good health.
This week I am thankful for
1. Being released from Orthopedic care from my fractured ankle back on Oct 29. Truly thankful that it wasn't a worse fracture and that I would have needed screws and plates and another 6-8 weeks of care.
2. Thankful that my husband has gotten over the flu. And truly thankful that I did not get it.
3. Thankful that I went over my January budget and realized I can reduce some of my personal spending for the rest of the year. It puts an extra $250 a month into the budget. And it's all because we live in the country and I don't go anywhere to spend the money. Saves gas too!
4. Thankful that we have not been going out to dinner either. Saves on the waistline and cash in the pocket. And cash in the bank for the pop-up bills.
5. Thankful for my nice warm bed with the flannel sheets and lots of blankets. I realized this week that I missed flannel sheets and lots of blankets while living in FL. It was so warm at night that most nights I would wake up sweating and it wasn't from hot flashes. Grateful now in WV that we use the wood stove and keep the downstairs warm and the upstairs cool so we can snuggle in bed at night. We both definitely missed that during the 8 years in FL.
1. I am thankful to see improved endurance during my workouts. This means progress is being made and that encourages me to press on.
2. Coffee. I think this will make my list every week. Getting out of bed every morning at 4 AM is no joke and if coffee and I were not bff's I would be in a serious struggle come 3 PM every afternoon.
3. For the boon of energy that exercise and weight loss is giving me. This past weekend I cleaned all of the furniture in my master bedroom with no pain - the last time I tackled this task I was in pain for several days. Sounds dumb I know but this is a glorious thing to me.
4. For the hope of Spring. Now that the holidays have come and gone I am ready for Spring. We have had some warm days but I am longing for the green of the grass and trees to return and to see abundant flowers and veggies growing in my garden.
5. For the joy that a new pup has brought to our family. She is literally a gift to us all especially my 8 month old Boxer who is beyond excited to have a new sister even if at only 6 weeks old she keep him in line.
Happy Thursday!
This week I’m thankful for:
1. Getting two days home alone while my partner was travelling for work. As an introvert (with fatigue) I “charge” best when alone, so two quiet evenings has been heaven.
2. I’m not sure this will be correct in English, but for the wonderful ladies I’ve been hosting two times this week while we’re preparing for a new year at the local RA association. Setting up budget, activities and planning a trip to Spain at a treatment facility. I’m learning so much! As one who’s at the start of my journey with volunteering and memberships at different associations I’m so grateful for having these experienced ladies to guide and teach me.
3. For my best friend being able to answer the phone when I had a real bad day this Monday. Now we have scheduled a “phone date” next Monday to catch up and I will make an effort to continue regular calls. I got a wake up when she said she knew it must be serious since I called.
4. Feeling better and have more energy. Being able to make “real” dinners and continue cleaning out my old sewing room in preparation for renovations.
5. A super nice visit from a friend. I will lay on the couch this weekend to recover from all the hustle and bustle this week, but I’m so happy to have the energy to be social.
@Gunn from Northern Norway, your English is very good! My question: is your “RA” association rheumatoid arthritis or something else?
Wow you have a very generous and handy neighbor!
This week I am thankful for:
Eggs! I have not experienced egg shortages around here as has been reported in other places and I was able to buy our usual supply although yes more expensive.
Our Nest thermostat set to turn up the heat before we wake up to start getting ready.
As you noted, longer days to come and my son is not getting on the school bus in darkness anymore.
My health so I can take walks whenever I want, help my mom, and yes to keep up with the constant household chores and maintenance.
My boys for helping with said chores with minimal reminding from me and for just being in my life!
That's a big one to be thankful for, that your neighbor loans you her lawn equipment!
1. I'm thankful for the family gathering we had this past weekend, for the first time in years. Many of the younger kids are DH's (and mine by marriage) great-great-nephews/nieces. My children are first cousins to people my age and even older than me, so we have some funny cross-generational relationships. We find it entertaining. I'm thankful that even kids who'd never met before played together like old friends.
2. I'm thankful my daughter's business flight to Arizona was neither canceled nor delayed, and that she is having a chance to see a state she's never visited before.
3. I'm thankful that I buy often from small farmers, so I can do things like put a note on their order page saying "Hey, I ordered X because you were out of Y, but if you have Y by delivery time, could you switch my order to Y for me?" and they'll do it, no problem. I can't do that at the grocery store when they are out of stock.
4. I'm thankful that I caught someone spoofing/hacking/whatever of my work email, trying to get one of our clients to send them money electronically instead of paying our invoice with a check. Thank heavens the client hadn't done so yet when I hurriedly called them. I'm also thankful one of my bosses knew how to go in and find some shenanigans then reset all the security settings and my password, and is contacting our computer security contractor for more information and advice.
5. I'm thankful for Crock-pots. Mine is cooking my dinner at home right now.
I love that you're in such a good place now!
This week I'm thankful:
* for the times in the past week that I haven't slept well. Normally, good sleep is such a blessing but there's one or two nights a week that I'm awake for long periods. I've really cherished that awake time this week as it's been a long chunk of uninterrupted time for me to pray for someone that's dear to me. My days are full of children and doing things (which is great!) but man, I've appreciated this uninterrupted time.
* that our Community Bible Study class is studying Job right now and for the other passages of Scripture they've taken us to during this study. This week I'm resting in Psalm 62:5-8.
* for a quick fix for my child that chipped one of her adult teeth! Within 48 hours she had it filled. I'm also thankful that this happened now and not 3 years ago when her anxiety at the dentist was more intense.
* that my husband understands, is gracious, and values my opinion.
* for a couple of days this week that were dry enough to take my dog out and spend some time playing fetch. Also, that my cat-loving girls are also really loving the dog!
Thankful list, sick edition..... This week I'm thankful that I started feeling sick on the last day of my vacation. So thankful I was able to enjoy the rest of the vacation.
I'm thankful for honey citrus mint tea and for throat coat tea bags. Man, those feel so good on my throat.
I'm thankful for my husband, who went out to get me a honey citrus mint tea. 🙂
I'm thankful I was able to get an urgent care appointment for this afternoon. And for my health insurance that covers this type of visit. I haven't found a primary care doctor since we moved here, so urgent care centers have been so helpful.
Finally, I'm thankful for a support system that covers me in prayer when I'm struggling like this.
This post makes me very thankful for our instant hot water heater. I do not like cold showers. When we all come back from the beach and have multiple people taking showers in the house, it's really nice not to run out of hot water.
I'm thankful for a fast MRI appointment so I can find out next week if I need knee surgery or ? I really miss my daily walks.
I'm thankful for my oldest who brought me a pot of tulips and randomly brings me flowers he knows I would like. My sweet husband taught him well.
For the funny pictures my youngest and his girlfriend send me. They knitted a hat for the roommates cat and sent me a picture of a very grumpy cat wearing it.
For the beautiful sunny weather here in south Florida. We live for days like today.
Yay for hot showers! Def not the right time of year for luke warm showers. Been there!
* For my first Quilt Group meeting of the year. Many members are getting older (90's) and we have lost a few in the past months, so every time we get together is a celebration.
* Dry wood to keep us warm!
* A well stocked larder that we use each week to have Soup & Chat with our favorite neighbors. Drop ins welcome.
* My greenhouse that continues to give us fresh veggies and the promise of a garden in a few months.
@gina - I get the medium roast coffee, I, too was gifted 3 lbs of med roast and have been mixing it in with my dark roast about 70/30. Barely notice it!
Thankful that:
1. Despite starting out crummy, I closed out yesterday feeling productive, relieved, and good. And the cherry on top - I had a good night's rest (my favorite!).
2. All the rain we've had the last few weeks have resulted in clear views and green hills. Seeing it feels so good.
3. our pediatric dentist is a good guy. Our orthodontist had recommended that my daughter get two teeth pulled. After looking at the x-rays, our dentist said there's no rush and doesn't see any issues with the way her teeth are. Saved us traumas and some dolla's!
4. The anxiety provoking tasks that started the week are working their way through to resolution.
5. thankful thursdays is still a thing here. Reading about others being thankful for hot showers, good drinking water, their bodies, their families, etc. makes me feel thankful for those things too.
I am thankful for. . .
1. Three part-time jobs that still allow me to be present for the kids when they get home from school.
2. A savings account so that if my husband can't find a job right away when his contract runs out in June we will be okay for a few months.
3. My 12-year-old daughter's cell phone! We got her a simple one for Christmas (no social media, etc.) and I am really enjoying texting back and forth with her throughout the day.
4. A large group of friends. I've invited about 50 people to my birthday party this weekend! Kind of hoping they don't all come because of our small house; things could get very interesting!
5. My church. Kind of worried that if we have to move we won't be able to find another one we like as well.
I love your reminder about the world soon starting to be green tinged again. It'll be a few more months here in Colorado, but it's coming...
I'm thankful for...
...an Airbnb owned by friends of friends that was gifted to us for a night en route to a funeral this week. We did chip in for the cleaning fee, but it was nicer and cheaper than a hotel.
...safe travels as we were gone for 39 hours and driving for 22 of those.
...a few minutes to climb on rocks at the Wichita Mountains in OK. And that my child who crashed into a rock face first didn't need medical care.
...cash Christmas gifts which is making it possible for us to have a family get away this weekend.
...and that the EN are doing well settling back in at home and needing my help much less.
Thankful that my best friend's husband got through his hip replacement surgery and seems to be on the mend. It was outpatient, which seems crazy to me, but she said they've made great strides in this field, and she's a nurse, so she would know!
Thankful for a sunny, warmish day today so we could get outside, before the cold comes back with some snow.
Thankful that I figured out how to make our favorite brownies even better--oddly enough, by using flaxseed instead of eggs! They are fudgier and I think will be a hit. I wouldn't have hit on this if my husband hadn't suggested I make some brownies for my best friend's family. One of their daughters if vegan, so I wanted to make a small batch of vegan brownies as well, and I happened to have some flaxseed meal in the freezer. Happy discovery indeed. As my husband rightly pointed out, sometimes when you decide to do something nice for others, it pays off. 😉
Thankful for the neighborhood cats that roam in our backyard--I'm allergic to them and so is one of my sons, but I adore cats, and getting to watch them explore is so fun. A welcome respite from the dogs that many of our neighbors have.
I, too am thankful for warm, cozy showers. Even though our city has safe water (another thankful, as there are so many in the world who do not) it is hard on water heaters in general and I have been out of hot water at least twice since I've lived in this house.
Thankful for my home. My best friends and landlord bought this house with me in mind and remodeled it thirty years ago. It is just big enough for me to live comfortably, plant garden and native perennials in a quiet neighborhood. As a farm girl at heart, this is a blessing.
Thankful for my best friends and landlord and even though they now live in WV, they are close in heart.
Thankful for my dog's groomer. My dog loves her almost as much as she loves me. It has been a blessing to have a major reduction in dog hair attached to the furniture, anything fleece, my clothes, etc.
Thankful for my dog. She is very snuggly at times and is a good bed heater on cold nights.
For your winter blues, have you considered a SAD light? They're inexpensive and even if they don't help you, they'll do no harm.
This is long enough that I think a summary is in order:
Life, in the past few years, has given me a LOT of lemons. I'm thankful that I have the skills, experiences, resources, support network, and grit to work the problems and create effective plans for dealing with them.
I'm thankful that I am, one by one, getting through all the Big Things of this phase of my life. For quite a number of reasons the past few years have been challenging (the pandemic didn't help either). One is almost taken care of, I've gotten a start on another. The third is a family member with a serious disease, so it's one life-long exercise in situation management and working the problem while coping with the emotional aspects. Fortunately I'm really, really good at working the problem. A fourth is a happy thing that will, nonetheless, take a lot of paperwork and following-up.
That I am competent enough to effectively plan my way through the Big Things.
The fifth Big Thing is the last bits of my mother's death and estate handling. I'm supremely grateful that everything has been handled without familial acrimony (well, I can't speak for my SIL but it's not her circus so I'm going to pretend it doesn't matter). My father is taking the lead, he welcomes his children's help, and my brother and I divvied up the tangible goods without ill-will. The little bit of wrasslin' was over family items, not money, and we resolved them equitably and peacefully. This despite the fact that my brother and I have been growing apart for many years.
That my brother correctly predicted which books I'd want and set them aside for me. That when I told him that I'm put that on this week's Thankful List, it made him smile just as much as it made me.
That in about 8 months I'll move to a new house that will make me quite happy. The list of "this will be easier in the new place" keeps growing. For example, right now I'm digging out of the months of paperwork on which I fell behind (even well-managed illnesses and estates are time consuming). I'm using a small dining table, a folding card table, and a couch-side table to have enough room to spread out. My new office/den has a 3-sided wrap around desk. Not only will there be enough space, but I'll be able to do everything in one place, instead of setting up the tables in one place, keeping my office supplies in another, etc. That the house is sunny at all times of the day and I can have plants almost anywhere. That a slug of luck and a lifetime of moderation means I can buy the house that is more than I need but is what I want.
That I work with a great group of people and a very supportive, nice, and flexible boss. I want to take 2 days off to deal with personal paperwork? Her response is to ask if 2 days will be enough.
@WilliamB, is this a long distance move that will make you happier, or just a close by home that configues better for your needs?
@Anne, It's a close-by home that is better configured for my needs ~and~ it'll make me happier. Another nice thing about it being close-by is that I'll have a couple of months during which I can move select items into the house or garage, making the overall move easier.
@WilliamB, you are so lucky to have a nice boss. many years ago my boss would not let me have the day off to wait for my new furniture. my neighbor did it for me. she also would not let me have election day off to work at the polls. she passed away the month before i retired. i don't think she was a happy person.
This week all my gratitude involves our local hospital. It is community built, community owned, and non-profit, and it shows. (For comparison I have the miserable care I got when I spent a year in Seattle nine years ago for medical treatment, were patients were treated like cattle and after 15 operations in 13 months I was sent back home and told to enroll in hospice services.) I have spent an hour with my cardiologist and when I asked about why he could spend so long, he said they were evaluated on other criteria, not on how many people they see in a day. When I have been in the hospital, most recently in the ICU, the RN staffing levels were high--4 for 8 patients. Then this week I had to have an MRI. Last time, in Seattle, it was a brutal 98 minutes in the tube. I initially refused this test and when I explained why, my doctor guaranteed that the experience would be far different this time. Very reluctantly I agreed. When I arrived yesterday, I told that I would be going in feet first. Now why would they not do that every time a scan did not involve your head?? That alone reduced the claustrophobic feelings. And then an anesthesiologist walked in and said my doctor had arranged for him to be there to give me periodic small doses of medication to make sure I was okay. So, today, I am so very thankful for all the people who realized in 1970 that we needed a better hospital system and those who have carried that mission forward.
@Lindsey, 98 minutes??? I am so anxious and claustrophobic, that if I had known that about a procedure, I think I would have said, "Just send me home and let me die." I sobbed all the way home after my first MRI. My most recent one was done with the aid of sedatives and it wasn't so bad. It wasn't good, but I didn't cry.
Surely someone can invent and build one that is the size of a living room, with an operational TV in the ceiling.
@Anne, I know about the anxious and claustrophobic part!! I will now know that all future MRIs will be done feet first, with fentanyl. Also, this one was only 25 minutes, so not so long.
@Lindsey, I had my first MRI (of the head) in October and I found it quite difficult and had a terrible migraine afterwards... I think I will ask for an open MRI next time (if my health insurance will cover the cost).... or for a sedative.
@Anne, I'm sorry it was so hard for you. There are open MRIs, which look like a SF-ish circle; perhaps one would be available for you?
@WilliamB, Anne, Christine, Lindsay- not really tagging you but want to say for the sake of people who might need MRI but are now afraid- I’ve now had many, of all different parts of body, in lots of places/settings and different kinds of scanners, and I was so apprehensive because people told “horror stories”, but it wasn’t that bad at all. It can be loud, boring, and lying still were the worst parts, and getting detailed results to help determine diagnosis and treatment are so valuable. I hope that people are not frightened. I’m glad health care providers are able to help make things easier, but in all the times I never needed or wanted meds, and could use that time in the device as prayer/meditation time.
I'm thankful for umbrellas in this cold rain, warm mittens made from recycled sweaters that my good friend game me, the way the light glows yellow inside a house when the day outside is miserable and grey, the way everything difficult or painful is finite and will one day end, for three little people who listen to me and keep me ever mindful of what comes out of my mouth and how I respond to life's obstacles (what do I want them to learn?). It's cold and rainy here. Thankful that VA usually has the loveliest of weather. Days like today are not as often as the good ones. : )
@Jen D., This made me smile. Thank you.
Only 7-ish more weeks until the time change! I usually am not affected by the short days of winter being in SoCal but spending a lot of time in the PNW with my parents and the gloomy days even when it is not raining are weighing on me. I am thankful for the snowed in highway that meant my 5 day road trip to see my mom has turned into 2 weeks though!
This week I am thankful for my natural persistence. It is serving me well as I sort out some things in my new job. I am also thankful that my job involves teaching small children because I find persisting on their behalf to be much more meaningful than say persisting to fight the insurance company, for example.
1. Thankful that our Christmas stuff is put away. I'm enjoying the clean, decluttered rooms.
2. Thankful for a beautiful amaryllis blooming on the kitchen table.
3. Thankful we were able to help our son move into a new dorm at college, and for his improved outlook on life due to the change.
4. Thankful we were live close enough for him to come at night during the days he was between dorms.
5. Thankful for our beautiful Texas winter weather this week, and that we can grow things outdoors year round. Nothing like a little dirt therapy in the garden.
I only need one thankful thought:
My 11-year old granddaughter was born with a rare heart defect ( L-CC-TGA) and must have an echocardiogram twice a year. She had one Tuesday. No change from last year. This is what we want to hear, and praise the Lord, we have had this same result every echo since she was born.
I can’t be more thankful.
@SandyH, That is wonderful!
Nice nails!
I'm thankful for:
* Being able to work part-time (as opposed to full-time). My frugal ways, a good salary and my hubby's support is making this possible. Not taking this for granted
* My Buy Nothing group. Just today I got a gigantic balloons guirland given to me, to be used on saturdag for my DD birthday celebration
* That 3 friends from her school are coming tommorow night to celebrate her, and then 8 family members on Saturday. I love celebrating birthdays!
* For medication treating mental health issues and neurological conditions. In my household we are dealing with autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression and OCD. Let's just say that we are all doing better with pharmaceutical help.
* Books, books, books, and the public library.
@Isa, The way a friend put it was "Hormone and such are great; if homemade aren't available, store-bought can do the job."
@WilliamB, yes! No shame in it.
Thankful our very mild weather.
That my youngest has taken on the task of planning a summer vacation.
That there were only 4 work days this week.
My FIL is happy with his new caretakers.
I have been able to walk the dogs every day due to no snow which is very unusual for us.
I am thankful for
-picnics with my grandson, in January! We had two, one on a blanket in the park & one on the screened porch on fine china.
-Pandora...it really helps me through some hard days
-my houseplants....they really help me through hard days as well
-that my son's ex let's our grandson spend lots of time with us
-the wildlife (& not so wild) in my neighborhood...this week the herd of deer have been coming closer as I take my walk in the woods...they are so funny & curious. The birds at my feeder & my neighbor's cat making the daily rounds through my yard...climbing trees, checking things out & hopefully taking care of a few mice, chipmunks, squirrels...
Thankfuls:
1. Just learned an Aldi is coming to my county, a place that old Trader Joe has been snubbing for years in spite of repeated requests. Many people around here drive 45-90 miles to go there, and maybe Aldi's will scratch that itch.
2. A friend recommended a new tea, sent me one tea bag, and yuck, I'm thankful for the sample so I didn't waste money on a whole box.
3. Today has been a sunny day after weeks of gray and wet (but no one in Central California will EVER complain about the rain).
4. My awesome neighbor is bringing a Costco rotisserie chicken to us tonight for dinner.
5. Daffodil shoots are appearing above the soil!
Interviewing for jobs, getting offers but now I landed the opportunity to interview for my dream job! Time to practice, rework my resume and highlight some specific talents and shoot for the moon! Having some possible job options that aren’t in a classroom as a traditional teacher. When you let your teaching license lapse it is hard to get back into a regular classroom and as you watch the news and read the paper of what happens at schools it is hard to want to return to a regular classroom job, am I right?
The two beautiful teapots that my daughter gave me (small & medium size), and delicious tea to steep in them.
A healthy family.
That my son is enjoying learning carpentry. After years in food service, it's so good to see him happy and interested in a new field.
Very thankful for good jobs that supply not only fulfillment, but also what we need and want; being able to buy food is a huge plus. Reminds me that I want to drop off food donations at our local food pantry.
And yes, the new heat pump hot water heater that my husband and other son installed early this winter! Cold showers, and no hot water to do laundry or run the dishwasher were really pushing my unhappy button.
Roasted red pepper and cheese tart with apple slices
Borscht and focaccia
Sweet potato gnocchi, cabbage and kale slaw, fococcia and cheese
Leftover soup
Chik fil a
Spaghetti casserole and salad
Roasted chicken legs, potatoes, and cauliflower with a citrus side salad
I'm thankful for a new job. It has some challenges but it's a good fit for me right now and I'm grateful for it. I'm grateful for a group that I'm part of and the support I get from that. I'm grateful for a car that allows me to travel for my job. I'm grateful for Landshark's onion rings. Best onion rings I've ever had. It's a local place near Amarillo. I'm glad this new job gives me the weekends off. Grateful for my landlord/roommate and her ability to take care of my dogs while I'm out of town.