This week, I am thankful:
that there are only six more weeks until September
I know some of you adore summer, but I’m over here counting down the weeks until the air might improve. 😉
Fellow humidity-haters: things are likely to improve a bit in six weeks! At least, for those of you relatively local to me.
for an exam-free life
I am still feeling a little dizzy (in a good way) at the thought that I do not have to study for anything right now.
How I feel when I realize I don’t have to study!
And honestly, I think most of my BSN classes do not involve exams, so my life from here on out should be pretty exam-free, and that is wild to think about. Yay!
Obviously, I will be learning plenty of stuff at my job as a new nurse, but it will not involve studying for exams. And that makes all the difference because when you have an exam looming, you always feel the pressure to study.
(At least, I do!)
But my new nurse job will not require me to spend a bunch of non-working hours studying. I can clock out and actually be done. Amazing.
that I passed my NCLEX on the first try
I know this is old news, but I still feel delighted that I didn’t have to spend another $200 for a second try, delighted I don’t have to study for it anymore, delighted I only had to do 85 questions, delighted it’s done, done, done.
I will be basking in this feeling for a while, I think.
for time to read books again
In the last week, I have read almost four entire books. And that’s a big change from reading almost no books during nursing school.
(Did three of the books have to do with medicine? YES. But they were not for school; they were for fun!)
for a little breather before anything new
My nursing job doesn’t start until August 11th, so for the next three weeks or so, I have a little time for a pause. It’s like a small intermission before I start my work as a nurse and also before I start my BSN classes.
And I am grateful!
I think my brain can use a little rest. 🙂
How I feel approaching my new grad nurse job:
for a visit from a butterfly
I looked up and saw this one hanging by my kitchen window!
And in a similar thankful vein, I have been seeing a lot of box turtles recently and that makes me happy.
The other day on a drive to the gym, I saw one crossing the road. That made me nervous so I pulled over on the next side street, hopped out of my car, and helped the turtle get across the road safely.
I probably looked like I had lost my mind, but you know, the turtle is ok, so it was worth it. 😉
for being healthy
I have general good health, which I am grateful for, but also, I’m thankful to not have had even any minor health issues lately (such as a cold).
for the many places you can find Chiquita
You never know where she will turn up next. 😉
an unhelpful companion when you are putting laundry away
Ruth T
Saturday 19th of July 2025
I love that you included a Sandra Boynton photo!
Kristen
Saturday 19th of July 2025
I loved Sandra Boynton's board books when my kids were little. So good. They are one of the only things I kept from their babyhood/toddlerhood. :) So much sentimental value wrapped up in those!
AW
Friday 18th of July 2025
I’m thankful for: - Our river life. We live near the river and go often to swim and spend time there. - Time with family camping, enjoying the outdoors and growing closer to together. - The fun times our girls had with Grandma & Auntie for a week by themselves and the yearly summer tradition it has become. - Cooler weather in the 70s and lower 80s. I’m in the same boat as Kirsten. - Our new and improved used camper and how we all proudly worked together to make it our own.
Katy @ Practical Walk
Friday 18th of July 2025
I'm thankful for - nieces and nephews - zucchini growing better after learning a pillinating trick... Thanks internet people. - For 1 & 2 Peter, so much practical words in those two letters in the Bible. - a comfy bed and ac
Lindsey
Thursday 17th of July 2025
Also posted on the Non-Consumer Advocate, but terrific enough to be posted twice! I have one GIGANTIC frugal thing—courtesy of the two relatives who flew up here on their own dime and refused any payment to redo our study. This house was built in 1950 and also went through a flood. We had most of it rebuilt when we moved in, but the study at the back of the house was not a high priority until the electricity (already sparse of outlets) began throwing the circuit. The guys came up to do that but when they opened the plywood panels, they found little insulation and some of it was newspapers from 1950, ditto for the ceiling plus no vapor barrier, mold on the flooring, never mind the lack of correctly installed electricity in that part of the house. So, we now have all new insulation, newly painted sheetrock instead of the dark cheapo paneling, 12 recessed lights in the new ceiling, new flooring, and enough outlets to power the Pentagon. We paid only for the materials and to feed the guys, less than $10,000 for a project much larger than the bid we got from a local person for a much smaller version of the job, for close to $45,000. Plus, both these guys are icky-picky, so we know things were done correctly (they are in construction in their real lives). Oh, and they also replaced the toilets in both our bathrooms with the new extra tall handicapped toilets, so several inches taller than the old handicapped toilets were, and installed a Ring device so I don’t have to drag myself to the front door to answer bells from window salesmen and religious proselytizers.
And, they loved salmon so ate through 3 to 4 fillets a day, for either lunch or dinner. We had built up a huge stockpile, due to generosity of fisher friends, as in over 60 fillets, so we were able to feed them from our freezer except for two days. So, also frugal.
We are so blessed in our neighbors and in most of our relatives. It is humbling and embarrassing to need help but we did remind ourselves of the times we flew out to help fathers and FILs when we were young and they had reached old age. It helped us feel less useless and more just like part of the wheel of time that goes around for everyone.
Marissa
Thursday 17th of July 2025
Huh, I swear I've heard of James Patterson before, maybe because he is such a prolific author. Don't think I've read any of his books, though. Coauthorship of a novel seems like such a unique and fun thing to do. This week I am thankful: - For a long conversation with a friend last weekend - For the rivers nearby relatively devoid of creepy crawlies so we can enjoy nature while it is oppressively hot - For a long and insightful conversation with my boss last week - For my spouse's positive attitude and adaptability (so far) in the face of a very challenging change at work - For my parents, who continue to blow me away with their discernment and wisdom during difficult situations