Thankful Thursday | for shop windows
This week, I am thankful:
for flowers that I didn't have to plant
Sometimes I choose to take a walk in the historic downtown area instead of on a wooded trail, and when I do, I always enjoy seeing the lovely flower-filled plants people put together.
I'm not much of a plant-person myself, but I'm glad other people are!
for the fun of looking in shop windows
When I do my downtown walks, I always like peeking in the windows of the little shops.
They're starting to be filled with Christmas-y things now! Aren't these little guys so cute?
This bear made me giggle because here he is from the front:
And his schnozz is SO big from the side!
that I am fast at writing
This BSN class would be even worse if I were not well-practiced at typing out my thoughts! Since I have been typing here for so long, though, I'm fairly quick at getting writing assignments done.
Of course, the school writing is way, way less fun than blogging. Here, I get to decide what I write about, I can be informal, I don't have to follow fussy APA guidelines, and I make the rules about how long or short my posts are.
Writing with fewer rules = way more fun. 😉
that my friend "made" me take a break from homework
My friend Jena suggested that PERHAPS it would be a good idea to not spend every single second of my non-work days doing homework. Ha.
So, I took a break midday and met up with her for coffee, and I'm glad I did!
that I only have three more weeks of this class left
Week five finishes this weekend, and I already submitted all of my week five homework, so I'm counting it as done.
That means I just have to survive weeks six, seven, and eight, and then I'm FREEEEEEEEE.
that it's kind of cold on my walks now
I know the fans of summer will never understand this, but I actually do like walking in the crisp, cold air, all bundled up.
To me, this is vastly preferable to a humid summer morning walk.
for crunchy leaves to walk in
Even in these, my middle-aged years, I still dearly love walking through a good pile of crunchy leaves.
I will probably enjoy this as long as I'm alive, honestly!
that I never have a problem falling asleep
I know this is an issue that plagues many people, but for whatever reason, it is not a problem for me.
I am almost always so tired at night that I am asleep within 10 minutes of hitting my pillow.
How do I know?
Well, I have been trying to use a breathing/meditation app every night when I go to bed, since breathwork does have some proven health benefits.
A number of the little daily sessions are only 10 minutes, and I still sometimes fall asleep before they're over.
I think I need to sit up while I do my breathing exercises. 😉
Regardless, the point remains: I fall asleep easily, and I appreciate that!
(Note: I know falling asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow can be a sign of a problem, but my thyroid is fine, my watch says my sleep score is good, and I experience almost no daytime sleepiness. I just conk out fast when I lay my head down at 9 pm. 😉 I'd blame my current anemia, but I've been a fast-to-fall-asleep person for quite some time.)
That I live in a city where you can get a lot of things delivered in a timely fashion, although not always frugal as there are delivery fees and tips. But since I cannot get out and when I do it is more expensive for transport than the combination of most delivery fees plus a tip.
That I live in an older apartment building with a terrific and professional staff, including the super who is a kind and thoughtful person as well. I've been here for decades and we went through a period with a less than super, super. It felt literally unsafe. Now, so much literal and figurative safe vibe.
For neighbors who do things like take out the boxes from various deliveries (I can mostly break them down but I cannot walk/access the place where trash is put on our floor.) that I have to leave outside my apt door as I cannot get to the trash deposit area. (There is no room to keep them in the apartment.) I know one neighbor does it primarily because they don't like anything outside doors, but it doesn't matter. It's a huge help.
For Amazon delivery people who follow delivery instructions and bring them to the apartment door. Sometimes I have to wait a whole other day to get someone to bring up for me, which is annoying when you ordered something because it had the delivery date it arrived on!
For the local newspaper delivery service. They may not always put the paper in front of the door where I can reach it (neighbors, again if they see it will move it to the mat outside my door instead of in the middle of our hallway where I can't access it .) Neither a wheelchair or transit chair can fit through the front door! Barring a problem beyond their control (Printer doesn't deliver papers; seriously bad weather), it is there every morning. Yes, I could read online but it takes so much longer to do than reading a printed paper!
To the various podcast and content posters who strive to present a lot of unbiased information about our state and federal government, far more so than even the top media. It is amazing how much work these individuals put into finding factual information and providing it in a way that is easy to understand. I love love love Politic Girl in particular.
A doctor I follow online posted her gratitude for the phlebotomist who drew her blood and no pain at all. Shout out to my One Medical NYC phlebotomist, Ms. Rachel. I've got what they call "bad" veins (They are squiggly instead of straight which can make for some very painful situations with blood draws and IV insertion.) and she can manage to really get blood drawn without pain. Sometimes I don't even know that she's started and she is done. (Tip for all: Stay as hydrated as you can. The one time it was painful was when I had to fast, including no water, for another test. That lack of hydration does not make it easy to draw blood.)
That we have good maintenance in our apartment building. With rare exceptions, things work as they should. (Not detailing because the minute you say something is great, well, you know what happens.)
That more and more material is being offered online by our library system. I still prefer holding a book in my hands, but faster access is a big plus.
@Irena, such a great list. I'm glad that you are surrounded by helpful community!
@Irena,
Loved your comment about the neighbors. It used to bug me that my neighbors get obsessive about anything in the hall -HELLO! It's chicago and there are BOOTS- but now I just shrug and let them move it.
To be fair, we all saw this coming when someone paid more than double for a condo in here than anyone else did. Now they are trying to make our cozy community feel like a Manhattan Coop. lol
Thankful things, mostly school edition! I'm thankful:
--That DS#2 got officially invited into the nursing school program at school! He sat right down and signed all the electronic documents, and he'll start in Fall 2026. I am also on the wait list, but I got on it a bit later than him. If I do well in this bio class, I can apply for the Accelerated Academic program and maaaybe get in with his cohort so we can carpool and study together. If not, I'm not going to worry about it.
--That today is my last lab exam for bio class. I am a word nerd, and I prefer learning through words and have a horrible time with microscope slide images...but I've been holding my own in lab, and it will soon be over.
--For my 96 in my last bio lecture exam--I have one more lecture exam in December, and the way I've calculated it, i could get an 80 on that (and this lab exam) and still get an A.
--For DH and my other sons' unwavering support. DS#1 took some vacation days this week to hold down the fort when DH had to go back to work after the shutdown ended, and did a great job schooling our youngest and keeping things running.
@Karen A., mazel tov. way to go!!!!
@Karen A., Yeah for your son! I remember that feeling when my daughter got into nursing school. Fingers Crossed (and prayers said) for you too.
Today, I'm thankful for the life and service of our beautiful red x silver hybrid maple tree in the backyard, which I had taken down yesterday. This wasn't easy and it wasn't cheap. But the tree was clearly dying, and I didn't want to risk having a winter storm bring it down on the house, garage, and/or sheds. I don't mind admitting, however, that I shed a few tears over memories of all the parties DH and I hosted under that tree, and all the times we relaxed in the swing in its shade.
I'm also thankful for the expertise, efficiency, and courtesy of the tree crew that did the work. They made a hard day easier.
@A. Marie, When my grandpa was fighting cancer, he had us grandkids come in to visit him and once he said, "Life is like a tree. You can plant it, water it, care for it as best you can, but if God decides to take that tree, well, you've got to accept it's His will." I always think of him when I see a tree whose time has come. It sounds like your tree gave you and your family some beautiful memories to treasure!
@A. Marie, So many random, micro-losses in this widow journey. I am sorry for your hard day
@A. Marie,
I'm sorry that you had to take down your tree. I understand how special a tree can be. I have one very large oak in my backyard which had grown significantly over the years marking the passage of time. Every time that we have a hurricane or tropical storm, I pray that my tree will make it through.
@A. Marie, I'm sorry about your tree. We are surrounded by trees, but there's one special one in the field between our house and the cemetery dubbed "the lonely tree." I feel somehow like I wronged it by not typing The Lonely Tree. Anyway, it's so much a part of our family; it's grown up with us.
@A. Marie, My sympathies for the loss of your tree. My parents had a ginko tree in their backyard that I named Sharon for a school assignment when I was little and many years later I was married under it's shade in July. Years after that it caught some sort of disease that the tree surgeon couldn't resolve. I cried when it had to be taken down.
@A. Marie,
I'm so sorry about the tree and the sadness this brings. I can empathize. Our loquat tree was killed by Helene, and I have to have it taken down. We had a lot of crazy times picking loquats, and DH raised an amazing amount of loquat saplings from the seeds, most of which he happily gave away instead of selling them.
@A. Marie, I'm so sorry about your special tree!
@A. Marie,
My sympathies over the loss of the tree. However, as someone who put off taking down a maple tree just to have it fall over in a windstorm and knock our garage skew, it's a wise choice.
Maybe plant something new in the spring? We planted another autumn blaze maple, which didn't take too long to grow to lovely heights.
@A. Marie, Because of 3 hurricanes in less than 2 years, the mature, beautiful, shade-and-pinestraw-giving pine trees in my yard had to come down this year. It was indeed expensive, and I miss them daily, but they were beat up, a couple were dying, and I couldn't afford to have one fall on my house in the next big storm.
Solidarity in your sadness about that tree!
@A. Marie, Truly sorry about the loss of such a special tree. We had a Japanese cherry blossom tree in our front yard that we cherished. Every spring it rained down pink blossoms onto our lawn and we always said that a bride should be standing beneath it for a gorgeous photo.
When it declined and died, we had to get permission to have it removed since we live in a historic area and have a Shade Tree Commissioner who needs to approve any removals. And still we had to pay for the removal!
@A. Marie, we had a beautiful maple tree in front of our house. When we built the house 38 years ago, the tree was already there, just smaller. We positioned the house where we got nice shade on the front porch, yet it didn’t obstruct our view. Our kids called it the “Family Tree”. Well, it started to show signs of rot in the middle and we had to have it removed two years ago. I put a whiskey barrel on the the stump and fill it with flowers, and right now, a small fir tree. But I miss that tree. I think I will plant another maple in the spring. I understand your feelings about your tree. Certain things evoke memories and feelings that are yours alone.
@A. Marie, rest in peace beautiful tree, may your memory be for a blessing.
@A. Marie,
I'm sorry you had to remove your special tree. I have not been faced with having to do this, but DH and I planted a Japanese maple tree in our front yard maybe 8 years ago, in memory of my father in law. It was a tiny sapling when we bought it, and we have watched it steadily grow over the years. It will be a hard day when we move to a new home - which is in the discussion phase for now, as I'll be retiring in about 12.5 months. (Who's counting? Me. :-))
This week I am thankful for:
Getting my paperwork work completed and mailed. It took a few phone calls and math skills to finish up.
Having patience with payroll. I'm missing a ROE, which is holding up my EI, I made the call and I hope they figure it out.
My international exchange students. They stepped up and cooked supper when I was having a very low energy day.
Flowers- my partner arrived home from work yesterday and brought flowers for us...
My dog- she'll be 14 in December. She's slowed down but she is the best girl. Our daily adventures are not as long, but she still loves to go for a stroll.
My mom - she's 85 and still active...
And as always, Kristen and this safe space.
Check out dognamedstella on instagram for some crunchy leaf action. The dogs are so full of joy with leaf piles.
@Victoria, I love watching her!
@Victoria, those dogs are having the best time! I come across those & can't help but laugh. 🙂
@Victoria,
I adore watching Stella and Mabel videos! It always makes me laugh, no matter how many times I watch them.
1) Our new solar panels, looking forward to lower energy bills.
2) The dry, clear weather we have this week.
3) My volunteer work in a charity shop, I work with lovely people and really enjoy my afternoons there.
4) Having time to bake at home - cinnamon rolls and cheese scones this week.
5) That my daughter (age 4) has easily accepted that our Christmas decorations are not going up until December. I love Christmas, but not this early!
@Jen,
Re: your #5, I totally agree with you about a too-early Christmas season! Glad to know there is a like-minded person somewhere in the world! Around here, some stores and front yards had Christmas stuff out around Halloween, and one of the radio stations started playing Christmas carols on Veteran's Day. How weird is that?
@Jen,
#5 - I agree completely! I love Christmas, but I also love Thanksgiving and I miss acknowledgement of it. Reminds me of one of my favorite comics (maybe Bizarro?): The Pilgrims are facing Santa Claus and say "Who are you and what are you doing here before Thanksgiving?"
@Carla in Texas, We're in the UK so I think it's even worse over here as we have nothing after Halloween! One holiday at a time please
@Fru-gal Lisa, Our wedding anniversary is the end of September, we go back to our wedding venue every year for dinner and to get there we walk past a huge department store. We have a little bet every year as to whether they'll have their Christmas music playing in store, they have 5 out of 6 years so far!
I am still in weeds and can't seem to get out. So this exercise is an attitude adjustment.
• I am thankful for the time that I spent cuddling on the couch with my grands yesterday. Really, there are few things as wonderful!
• I am thankful for sweet little doggie snores. This sound always makes me smile.
• I am thankful for perfect weather. Cool evenings, moderate humidity and 72 degrees everyday! This is my dream weather -- almost like living in San Diego.
• I am thankful that my son's and DIL's business is gaining traction.
• I am thankful that I took the plunge and changed my hair. The new process has mitigated the problems of old lady hair which we discussed a bit yesterday.
Wishing everyone the blessings of peace, good health, and prosperity.
Thank you for this forum, Kristen, it’s a timely one for me today.
I’m thankful for:
Routine—my usual breakfast, my usual coffee, my usual chair all bring equilibrium after a disrupted night.
The ability of emergency room staff to be kind and attentive despite high demands and stress.
My mother’s good humor in a bad situation.
My son and DIL’s quick responsiveness and support.
For cell phones, so I could simultaneously talk to the EMTs while driving to the hospital, and so that I could update family (and receive and pass on their love) while waiting with my mother.
@JaeFi,
Wishing you strength and hope. Wishing your mother a speedy recovery.
Thankfuls:
--For rain, finally. It's been so dry that every time anyone drives by our house on the dirt road--which is a lot this time of year, what with hay hauling and cattle shipping at the ranches down the hill--we get enveloped in clouds of dust. I don't know how much rain we're supposed to get today, but it should be enough to settle the dust a bit.
--That my son who went to a statewide public speaking FFA contest yesterday made it to the top 16. He was disappointed he didn't win, of course, but this was an intense extemporaneous discussion contest with many consecutive rounds, and it was the first time he had done it, so I was proud of him for doing as well as he did. He needed a confidence boost.
--That my husband had a book review published in a national publication. It's always fun when he gets published, maybe a few times a year. He writes articles about things I am not super interested in, so it's nice he gets to express himself to other people about these things. And he gets paid, too. 🙂
--For a talk with a friend about a difficult situation. Neither of us can solve it, but it was helpful to talk about it anyway.
--For some on-point scripture readings at the daily Masses I went to this week. Lots to think about.
--That I finally got a date to bring the cow we're buying from our neighbor in to the butcher. The place we've used the past few years wasn't even returning phone calls--either they went out of business or they're too busy--so I had to call around. Often the response is they're booking slaughter dates six months out, but one could take it at the end of December. My husband is going to be gone hunting with my younger two boys then, so it will fall on me to get the brand inspection, the cow loaded in the trailer, and to the processor, but at least my older son will be here to help me. He's had a lot more experience with cattle than I have, and he can drive a truck with a trailer. I should probably be embarrassed that my not-quite-16-year-old son can do this and I can't, but then, he was raised in cattle country and I grew up on a cul-de-sac. 🙂
@kristin @ going country,
Tell your son that being in the top 16 in the whole STATE is nothing short of phenomenal! Especially as it was his first competition! That is absolutely fantastic, and nothing to be disappointed about. Public speaking is a skill that will help him in any career field he chooses. (Unless he decides to become a monk and take a vow of silence, LOL.)
@kristin @ going country,
I hear your pain on the slaughter house woes. My favorite place makes all dates in Jan for the next year. Snooze, you lose. I did find a mobile guy who I followed one day, his rig was spotless. I did some asking around and he is a favorite secret. Ha!
@kristin @ going country, Yay! for FFA boy. Yay! for husband! In the past, my son frequently wanted to talk computer-y stuff to me. It was a foreign language. I struggled to be supportive because I couldn't (didn't want to) understand it.
I will go out of my way to walk through a pile of leaves!!!!
Kristen, that bear is too cute!
This week I thankful for:
1. It finally truly feels like autumn. I am not a summer person and prefer the cooler weather.
2. I also prefer less daylight. I have trouble falling asleep on time when it's light out until almost 9pm and I need my sleep.
3. The smell of decaying fallen leaves on a cool day. There is something so cozy about it, especially when we sit in the park with hot cider.
4. The Golden Hour in autumn. The buildings across the river look gorgeous as they reflect the sunset!
5. Thanksgiving will be at my SIL's house. She and her husband are wonderful hosts and their home is so comfortable and cozy.
It always surprises me how quickly a week goes by. Scraping the barrel a bit this week, but here goes, this week I am thankful
- that my sleep has been better this last week. I was able to have a couple of lay-ins at the weekend and it really helped.
- for my Wednesday night craft group and the new mama who has brought her now 6-week old baby girl with her the last couple of weeks for all us ladies to take turns in having snuggles with her. She is so placid and doesn't complain unless she really wants some food!!
- that the snow we had yesterday didn't settle. Though I'm not enjoying this cold weather.
- that I have a small oil filled radiator that I use to heat my office and don't have to put the full-house heating system on.
- and as always family, friends and fur-babies
@Stacey in UK, Baby snuggles are the best! Happy that your friend brought her daughter to craft night so the ladies could enjoy snuggling with her.
I envy folks like you and my husband who can just lie down and be asleep. However, once asleep, I am dead to the world so it works out.
Yay! For the approaching end of the Unnecessarily Difficult Class!
Crunchy leaves and crunchy ice (when there is a thin layer frozen on top of a puddle) are ALWAYS worth going out of the way for, and I'm at least a decade older than you!
@Shelagh, Crunchy ice...I just can't help myself when it come across it!
@Shelagh, What's life without a little whimsy?
I love the shop directions! And Chiquita helping you work!
I have lots of thankfuls this week!
1. I got to vote in my very first Danish election! I am also thankful for some of the results!
2. I tried a running club. It was a little intense and I was sore the next day, but I'm happy I went and I might go again if I'm brave/dumb enough 😉
3. Although the date I went on recently was disappointing, I'm glad I gave it a shot.
4. I baked bread with yeast for the first time and was doubtful, but it turned out really well! The second loaf was less successful but it was still decent.
5. I was paying for something with cash at the shop earlier and was unexpectedly short on change. I was going to pay for the rest by card but a stranger gave me the money I needed!
6. I normally work late on Thursdays but today I finished early, and I am SO relieved because it's snowing like crazy outside.
7....and I am thankful to be cosy with a cup of hot chocolate 🙂
@Sophie in Denmark,
That sounds like a good week - so kind of that stranger too!
@JNL, It was! Now I'm thinking of Blanche DuBois saying 'I've always depended on the kindness of strangers!' A very different context, of course!
@Sophie in Denmark, I hope you enjoy the yeast-baking experiments. I find making yeast bread a delight from start to finish. Once you're experienced, it's even more fun.
I was out of pocket yesterday, at a doctor's visit 2 hours away, an appointment which triggered a few thanksgivings.
1. I went to discuss the results of my bone scan. As a small person with small bones, I am vulnerable to bone loss, and my scan two years ago showed osteopenia in my spine and pelvis. The scan I took this fall shows no worsening at all in my spine and I actually improved my pelvic area bone density, without any medication. This was good news indeed, and my doctor was all smiles and "Let's keep this going!"
2. I mentioned before that I have a family member who has distanced herself from the rest of us. She lives less than an hour from the town where I see the doctor. I invited her and her husband via text to meet me for lunch there, and they accepted! We had a nice long chat. So that was very good.
3. They accepted my new insurance at the doctor's office, no problem.
4. It is so nice to have someone else who can do the work while I am gone from the office, now for as long as I continue to work. No more driving an hour to the office to work half a day, two and a quarter hours to the doctor from work, and two hours back home from the doctor, all in one looong day.
5. I have just over 3 months until retirement!!!!
@JD, loud cheers for you and our other members who are approaching retirement! Come on in, the water's fine! And your other news is all good too.
@JD, Congrats on being so close to retirement!
@JD,
I received a phone call from my doctor this morning regarding my bone scan. I have had considerable bone loss since the last bone density test. The doctor made some recommendations. May I adk what you felt helped you?
@Bee,
My doctor upped my vitamin D3 plus K (she insists that the K be in the MK7 form) and advised me to include calcium rich foods in my diet such as dairy if tolerated, and greens and green brassicas. (I eat a lot of greens and consume a glass of milk daily as well as eat occasional cheese, yogurt and cottage cheese) Most of all, she told me to do weight bearing exercises using weights close to my body. She suggested using dumbbells with squats, walking with a weighted backpack, doing arm exercises with dumbbells, that sort of thing. I increased my weights just a little bit and hope to increase them a bit more soon.
She won't refuse to prescribe medications for bone density, but she would prefer not to do so, because of side-effects, so she wants me to use diet and exercise first. No one was more surprised than me to see it working.
@A. Marie,
It seems like only yesterday that I had a year and a half to go. I have my flippers on and am ready to jump in!
@Beverly,
Thank you! This has been long awaited.
Woohoo on the bone improvement!
And also a big yay to retirement being soooo close.
@JD, it doesn't seem quite fair that a small person with small bones gets the short straw re: osteoporosis? Nothing one can do about her bone structure. So guess I'll continue with yard work, carrying water, and feed for the wildlife. All the feed comes in 50 lbs bags but I don't carry them all that far (and do rearrange my shed when I restock). Oats are the hardest - they are quite dense in the bag.
For Quilting lessons from a community of passionate quilters. I have finished my son's t shirt quilt for Christmas. It was one of my goals in retirement.
I love it. The only problem is I can find a way to let him to take it back to Michigan. I think we are going to share custody so I can keep it on his bed here when he comes.
- My biggest thankful for the week is that DH's long-term disability claim was finally approved! The decision has brough much peace of mind after us spending the last 60 days anxious for the decision.
- I'm thankful that DH and I went out to dinner last night to celebrate the approval of the long-term disability claim. We tried to go to a steak house for which we had a gift card, but the wait was 1.55 hours at 5:45 so we went to favorite restaurant instead. We stopped by the Peach Cobbler Factory for dessert after dinner, which was decidedly unfrugal. Our meal was $27 and dessert was $21!!
- I'm thankful that DH and I got to attend a 70th birthday celebration for a dear friend we've known for over 35 years.
- I'm thankful that DS's cat is doing well after his thyroid radiation treatment. I'm also very thankful that DS handled the cat being in quarantine for a week without having a mental breakdown from listening to kitty cry about being left alone. DS is very soft hearted and hearing his best buddy cry was heart-breaking for him.
- I'm thankful that I can finally receive text replies from my sister again. I stopped getting her replies on Nov 7th. We've both spend hours with customer support to get the problem resolved. No idea what caused it, nor what solved it, but I'm so happy it is resolved.
- I'm thankful that my BFF and I are getting together this evening. I haven't seen her in a month.
This week I am thankful for…
• This weekly exercise.
• Nightly snuggles with my two pups.
• Impromptu dinners with my family and friends.
• The ability to suspend holds on the Libby app! I am now first in line for all those holiday romances that I put on hold last year!
• The ability to work from home three days a week.
• How much I enjoy time with my coworkers when I am in the office.
• The ability to be there. My best friend’s best friend from high school is having a double mastectomy on Friday. I am thankful that I have been able to be her shoulder to cry on so she can in turn be strong for her friend. The supporters need supporters.
Much to be thankful for, despite an icky work week:
-Amazing friends, including those who have the same time to retirement as me, and we agreed to track together, build in hiking trips to make the time go faster, and just generally listen & support.
-That DS18 comes home for a week for Thanksgiving break!
-That I *think* I got my tech issue resolved at work, after 5 hours of not being able to log in & connect to meetings.
-That DH took the time to listen to all of my work drama, and just generally was supportive
-For fall/winter walks
I must admit I'm envious of your ability to sleep well. I have never been that person.
Today I'm grateful for the little bit of rain we've had, which is great for the garlic and daffodils I've planted. (It is usually snow this time of year, but we're still waiting on that.)
That both of our vehicles, though 11 years old, still run great.
For friends.
For choral singing -- I'm participating in two choirs in the runup to Christmas and it is such an uplifting experience to sing with others.
That we're squeezing in one more camping trip next week.
I am still thankful for the young Cleaning Ladies help last week. The "Lady Who Lives Here" has already been cluttering things up but will remedy that today. and plough forward with straightening up the back porch. My tools have a way of jumping out of the tool box and not jumping back in. Christmas decor is out there and though I won't decorate quite this soon, it will be good to regain clarity on where things are.
I am thankful for my plant corner. I got a better grow light and I think it helps my plants AND me on these dreary days. The first one I got was not big enough nor working as it should. It was not very expensive. This one was not expensive either, but brightens much more territory and stands on the floor. I'm finding myself tending to the plants more often. I have never been one to have trouble with overwatering them.
I am thankful to find a local farmer with farm fresh eggs that will deliver. With getting my house clean finally, I have the impetus to bake. I realized it had been a long time when I got the KitchenAid from the cabinet to make rolls last week for our family "Merry Thanksmas." I was dismayed to find that I had shoved the mixer into the cabinet wall hard enough to bend down the control lever. Some pliers and a little torque fixed it. (And the pliers are still in the kitchen and not back in the tool box.) The rolls were just meh, but nobody complained. Need to make them more often.
I am thankful for the retired Pharmacist, who's taken on the role of helping with Medicare D recommendations. She is a savvy lady and also well known for her quilting.
Thankful still for my dog Molly. While the dreary days do nothing for me, the lack of bright or contrasting light situations helps her with her vision. No squinting or reacting as if it the light shafts are a wall. I love her dearly.
1. I got to go to Bible study this week, and it was OK even though I'd missed some lessons because everyone had not kept up either. We just went back several pages and went from there. Everything is back on track. Glad to see my classmates and have somewhere to go that morning.
2. Taking a side trip to the little arts and crafts village and getting my brass candleholder (wall sconce) fixed. It's now hanging up on my dining room wall, where it belongs! And I had a nice visit with the metalworker.
3. At long last, our area is going to get some much-needed rain. October and November (so far) have been terribly dry.
4. Getting to see my friend/former coworker at her new job when I went shopping at Goodwill's thrift store. Her recently-developed health condition means that she can't drive or do what she used to be able to do anymore. But Goodwill Industries can accommodate her special needs, thus letting her still be able to work and earn money. She's doing well there, and hopefully the doctors will be able to help her.
5. Snuggles the Dog has not tried to escape from the yard lately. We fixed the holes in the back fence so that ol' Snuggs couldn't get out if he wanted to.
6. Being able to watch Ken Burns' American Revolution series online, and even better: getting to see it on my schedule. After I got home from work, I watched some but got sleepy. The computer allowed me to pause it and this morning I got to pick up where it left off. I plan to also binge watch it on Thanksgiving Day (how appropriate!).
7. I was able to fix my bedroom window (with corrugated cardboard cut to size) so that the light doesn't shine in, and it's better insulated this way. And last night when I came home, I couldn't see any light coming out from that window. (I'd left the light on, in order to test it.) I like that passers-by won't be able to see when/whether my light is on. Also put up the new curtains and they look nice inside the room. The curtain fabric is a magnolia flower pattern, with some colors perfectly matching my wall paint color. How cool is that?!?!
The overcast dreary weather is making me feel a bit gloomy. This weekly practice is an excellent antidote!
Thankful for:
1 - my husband was at his doctor's office when a medical situation happened, and it was addressed by specialists immediately. I'm so thankful because when it happened at an ER years ago, it took a lot longer to get relief from the pain.
2 - Like Kristen, I love walking outdoors in the clean chilly air. It really helps my stuffy sinuses.
3 - Yesterday a new induction range was delivered and installed. What a game changer! It's miraculous - you put a pan on the burner, turn the burner on and it heats immediately. No more standing around waiting for water to boil. Cooking will be a lot more fun now.
4 - Wood fires in the fireplace on dark cold nights.
5 - Friends. The old Girl Scout song "Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold" is true throughout a lifetime.
@Book Club Elaine,
#5 Yes! Had a long conversation with one of my best friends this week. We've been friends since 3rd grade, over 60 years ago.
I also love wood fires on cold nights, but we haven't had any cold enough yet here in north Texas.
@Book Club Elaine, #5! I remember singing that so often. I've drifted away from my gold ones due to distance, mostly. But when we do touch base, I find I need them so much!
@Book Club Elaine,
My troupe sang that song so often! What a great memory. My second favorite was rounds of White Coral Bells.
I would be happier if I didn't have to do as much leaf clean up as I always do, but I guess that comes with the joy of having so many trees. Luckily only 1 more (hopefully) leaf clean up (as long as neighbors clean up their leaves/don't blow towards my property) for the season.
Thankful for leaf pickup service provided as long as I get them put by the road. As many leaves as we have done this year it would be more of a chore to have to transport all them to compost.
Thankful for our house that keeps us warm & safe.
Thankful for being over observant as I was able to report suspicious persons in the area to police (that happened to be down the road) about some males that were walking & checking out houses while I was visiting my friend, who was recently attempted to be pushed in her door when coming home during the daytime. Luckily she was able to close the door between them but she had to hold it while trying to grab her phone to call 911.
Thankful for rescue dogs always! <3
Thankful that teen will be done with college class work by Thanksgiving. 🙂
Thankful teen has signed up for Spring 2026 classes already & was able to get schedule that wanted. Now just waiting to see about textbooks.
Thankful for quiet hurricane season this year, as Florida still recovering/rebuilding from back to back hurricanes last year. It's insane that you can not get flood insurance now in Florida.
Thankful for mild weather again after another round of snow/freezing rain earlier this week. Enjoying the mid 45-50* while we still can.
Thankful for Kristen and her blog where we can all learn & share with each other.
@Regina,
I am glad that you helped to prevent a potential crime. As I have found out, vigilance is important. On another note, I am also very thankful my Rescue Pup. She adds so much to our lives.
You might fall asleep so quickly because you are physically active all day! Even in your off time it seems like you enjoy projects and long walks rather than vegging on the couch. I know on days I’m moving a lot, I conk out much easier than my typical day.
- I’m thankful we will be able to visit my father for Thanksgiving. He’s been very lonely since his dog died. She was a great companion for him. He will be happily exhausted having us stay with him for a few days.
- I’m grateful for a supportive husband. As someone who suffers from lifelong mental illness, it’s nice to be able to have someone who can both acknowledge the “realness” of my illness and have patience while I try to work through challenges.
- I’m happy my dog enjoys car rides. He will be traveling with us to my dad’s house for the first time! Fingers crossed that he will be quiet and content, and let the car lull him to sleep like it does during our in town car rides.
- I’m relieved that, this morning, a tech person at Apple was able to help me fix my account issue. Yesterday, around 5pm an error occurred on just my iPad that would not let me login to anything that was connected to my Apple account. My iPad couldn’t run its backup to iCloud and I couldn’t even log in to access their help community. I did everything I could find online to fix it, but nothing worked. It’s great to have it fixed and have everything working again!
I am glad you always sleep well! My sleep quality differs from week to week and largely depends on how busy my mind is. Also, I dream about things that occupy my mind a lot but hey, dreaming about them beats lying awake over them!
This weeks' thankfuls:
For lucid dreams, which can be entertaining while you still rest;
For finding health stuff interesting, because that is helping me take wise decisions;
For enjoying cooking, a creative and frugal chore;
For seeing the end of our mortgage payments in the medium-to-near future;
For Mrs Cuddles who likes to sit on our lap now that it is colder;
Not thankful but thankful: the Hallmark Christmas movies that have driven away my weekly detective (I know, this is whining a little). But I also enjoy crafts and reading, and one of my library reservations came in today.
1. That we made it for my dentist appointment this morning only 7 minutes late. My husband turned off my 6:00 alarm because he forgot about the appt. We woke up at 7:00 and should've left by 6:45. AND that the staff were very nice about the tardiness. In 30 years, I've only been late one other time and they were snitty about it. The cleaning went well and they were so nice.
2. I'm thankful that I was able to make it into the building without the wheelchair, but with my husband's assistance; and that my arthritic legs allowed me to do so.
3. Our prodigal grandson called me on my birthday.
4. When our dogs accidentally got out of the fence, my husband and son were able to get them back before the antagonistic neighbor could call the county animal control on us. Again. We live out in the country, but don't let our dogs run loose. However, sometimes they're faster at the gate than we are. This was a BIG thing to be thankful for.
5. When the truck quit on our son while on the freeway, he was able to safely pull over and get it re-started and get home.
6. I'm thankful for good food and ice for my water.
@Carla in Texas,
How could I forget?! For my birthday our older son gave me board games, our younger son and his wife sent books from my wish list and my husband gave me my favorite chocolates, a planner and a bunch of colored pens.
@Carla in Texas, What wonderfully thoughtful gifts. The men in your life really know how to show appreciation to you. That in itself is another amazing gift!
I have been geeking out all week about 2026 calendars, planners, and journals! Ooh, and new colored pens/markers, highlighters, stickers, and all the things. It is like being a kid during back to school shopping. A new year, and a new backpack full of new treasures and dreams for a wonderful new adventure. sigh
This week I am thankful:
*for some rain. It was dry, windy, and a fire hazard.
*that cream was relatively cheap at Sam's Club.
*that some of the maintenance issues here at the parsonage have been resolved.
*for the music at my son's college. He loves music. We were able to watch a recital he participated in online. What's more, my other son who attends the same college (and who has had zero desire in the field of music or theater in the past-- even to attend events) is now considering taking music lessons and auditioning for plays in the future. This college really invests in the students as well-rounded people.
*for the coffee, full (or nearly full) freezers, homeschool progress, silly kittens, and my husband.
you are so lucky to sleep fast. my sleep has improved not sure why. but i am grateful also grateful that the college visit went well. dutchess community college has so many programs for students that need them. all that worrying. i have to trust more for sure.
Kristin,
I am thankful that I ran across your frugal girl website and that you are always kind enough to share pictures and sometimes wacky but mostly great advice.
I'm thankful that I was able to be there for an 80+ year old friend yesterday when she got a notice on her Facebook page that her brother had passed away. And I'm really thankful that I don't live anywhere near the nephew that posted it because I might beat the crap out of him for being so insensitive to his Aunt that lives one county North. Honestly what are people thinking now a days?
After being awake until 3:30 this morning I am grateful that when I got up at 6:02 and feed my fuzzy children they let me go back to sleep without bothering me.
I'm grateful for finishing my master's project and it will be submitted tomorrow. My first Master's class I started in 1994 and, then life happened. I was able to restart that portion of my life 3 years ago and now I am done.
Oddly enough, I am grateful for my aches and pains that have earned through life. I'll admit there are days when I wonder why I am continuing to live with these aches and pains and then I see friends and relatives that are so much worse off that I am. We just have to take it a day at a time.
Blessings to all.
Hehe your comment about wacky advice made me giggle.
I love a brisk morning walk. I walked with my friend at predawn as soon as I got my morning chores done. She needed the visit to talk out an issue.
Boy wonder is splitting wood as I type this.
A warm fire to sit by. The hearth is warming 4 kitties right now.
The young man who will stack wood and split kindling today.. He is working thru some decisions.
Cookie dough in the freezer, thanks past self! Now the boys will have cowboy cookies with their cocoa.
Bright skies and sunshine today in my little spot of the PNW.
@Blue Gate Farmgirl, I love your whole list. Reading it and invisioning it is like watching clips of a Hallmark movie. I know that is not always the case. But you gave me a sweet cozy visit this morning. Thank you and glad you had all of them.
Thankful for Greek yogurt. What a great way to get in calcium and protein. For the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, which we will spend with our kids. For my sleep apnea oral appliance. It's making a difference, and I am soooo grateful not to have to use a CPAP. I suspect I would feel smothered if I used one of those (kudos to those of you who use them!). For those things I don't think about often--a reliable car, a warm house--for so many, these things are unattainable. And for the growth our young adult group is seeing, both in terms of numbers, as well as maturity.
I'm thankful for your flower photos. We're starting to get ice on the streams here in northern New England.
Like you, I am enjoying these crisp, cool days for walking. This will continue until the snow and ice fly.
I love my husband beyond all reasoning. However, there are nights when I am awake hour after hour, and he, like you has fallen asleep pretty much instantly. By hour 3 or 4 of listening to his gentle breathing, I have to restrain myself from punching him for being so blissfully asleep while I am lying right beside him miserable. I am so envious of him, and now you.
Anyway, I am thankful for:
1. Shorter days. This time of year I am sorry we no longer live in Utqiagvik, at the very top of the state. The sun went down there yesterday and will not rise again until mid January. I am not a big fan of sunlight and wish vampire life was really available. Not the sucking blood part, just the living in darkness part.
2. Persimmons, which have finally appeared here. I don't cook with them, so I have to wait until the ones for eating out of hand show up every November.
3. The friend who makes a delicious Caesar dressing and give me a repurposed wine bottle full of it every year as my Christmas gift. She delivers it before Thanksgiving so it is available for that meal.
4. oxygen machines. I am sorry that I resisted using one for so long because life is easier when you can breath without struggling. I have to say it does not seem fair that my father smoked for his entire adult life and I have never smoked, even dope, yet I am the one with the shredded lungs. Not that I would wish this on my father, but on days when I am feeling sorry for myself and want to wallow in the unfairness of life, this thought returns...
5. the husband, always the husband.
@Lindsey, I know your pain of lying next to a sleeping husband. He can sleep through anything as well. I only hope that age will change things for me!
Haha, yep, you would definitely be wanting to punch me. 😉
I'm so glad the oxygen machine is helping but YES it is super unfair that your non-smoking lungs have to use one!
@Lindsey,
You made me laugh so hard I snorted picturing you punching your hubby for blissfully sleeping.
I am glad that you found relief with the oxygen.
How are your magnesium levels? That may factor in to your insomnia. Wishing you well.
Hi Kristen, this is especially for you: I am just back from the hospital where I had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy. I cannot put into words how kind, helpful, thoughtful and amazing all the staff were, from the nurses to the anaesthesiologist and other staff who were in the room who's roles I did not know. They went above and beyond in making me feel not anxious and explaining things as they went along.
The colonoscopy prep was not a good experience, my mouth is not ready for such vile stuff at 6:30am this morning; it was a challenge, though I did discover that if I drank the prep through a straw it was more manageable. (thankful for that).
My results are not too bad, I was expecting the worse. The doctor does not think that there is any cancer in the stomach or the bowels, but we have to wait for the pathology to come back. (feeling much relieved).
So, for today's procedures I am most thankful, and extremely grateful for all the hospital staff, including the volunteer who walked me through the self-serve registration.
Awww yay! I’m so glad everyone was so kind.
This week I'm thankful:
* that we had a dry day today! I was one of the chaperones on my son's third grade field trip to a nature center and it included a mile-hike plus some other outdoor activities. They made it clear when we scheduled it that we were doing it rain or shine! In this case, it was clouds. Yay!
* that my work was willing to flex my work day so I could go on the field trip, even though they had an event today.
* that my daughter is thriving so much in theater. I'm glad she's found something she loves!
* for insight into my kiddo's personality this week. Also that she was able to take an aspect of her personality that can make relationships harder, and use it for good. I'm proud of her.
* that my son is still so sweet. I know he's nearing the next developmental phase and that things may be different someday, so I'm soaking up this time right now.
Being a fast sleeper is something I'd very much like to work towards, though I'm not sure how I could do that. I didn't realize it could be a sign of a health issue when it occurs at normal bedtime.
1) I am grateful for the ying yang of my relationship. My spouse is a change the world, always has an excess of ideas-type. I, on the other hand, am the sit back and let the chaos burn itself out-type. They are both important, and I'm grateful that his "ideas" serve to pull me out of the house when I'd otherwise prefer to hole up.
2) My remote job.
3) That we've been able to save money and still enjoy experiences while living overseas.
4) Everyone involved in cultivating and logistics-ing my food to me, every meal.
5) This planet and the natural world, which is always plodding along, despite help or hindrance.