Thankful Thursday | four years
You know, I was thinking about how it's been over four years since we started doing Thankful Thursdays! We began this practice in the summer of 2020 because heaven knows we all needed to hunt for good things in that first year of the pandemic.
While I did manage to find things to appreciate at that time, my current self often thinks how grateful I am that it is not 2020 anymore. For many, many reasons. 🙂
My 2020 self didn't know that things would be so much better by 2024!
This week, I am thankful:
that I saw lots of sunrises this week
Since the time change doesn't happen until this weekend (!), sunrises are pretty easy to catch right now.
And I did that Monday-Wednesday this week.
that I have time this weekend to study for my first pediatrics exam
My exam is bright and early Monday morning, and I have quite a bit of empty space this weekend to study for it.
I purposely scheduled my two current pay period shifts for next Friday and Saturday so that they wouldn't immediately precede an exam!
As I've mentioned before, I always feel a little iffy before the first exam in any class; you never know how a group of professors will test until the first one is done.
that I know some of this peds material
I was doing the infectious diseases topic and when the lice slides came up, I was like OHHHH I already know all about this. Because once upon a time, allllll of my (homeschooled) kids got lice simultaneously.
(Here's how I finally figured out how to handle lice without insecticides, by the way. Save it in case you get a lice infestation!)
Something in peds that I did not know: giving aspirin to a child who has had a viral illness can cause a rare but very serious complication called Reye's Syndrome (you can read about it here at the Mayo Clinic's site.)
that I can easily take out my piercing for clinical
On clinical days, we students are not supposed to have any ear piercings except for a single stud in each ear.
So, that means I gotta do something with my cartilage hoop.
The first semester of clinicals, I put in a very uncomfortable clear spacer, and the spacer kept falling out anyway.
At some point between then and now, I realized I can just take the hoop out for the 8 hours of clinical and then put it back in at the end of the day. I've had that piercing for so long, it's fine without a spacer during the day. Yay!
And once I am an actual nurse, it'll be fine to keep it in. I wear it for my tech job all the time, and the nurses on my floor have plenty of extra ear piercings.
The rules for student nurses are just more strict than for nurses.
for access to fresh produce
I came across this Mental Floss article highlighting a recent rise in cases of scurvy, and it reminded me how grateful I am to be able to have plenty of fresh produce in my life.
The scurvy cases are largely due to socioeconomic factors and it reminded me of the challenge it is to eat a healthy diet when you don't have enough money or even a home with a kitchen and refrigerator.
And that made me think about how I appreciate the various ways Hungry Harvest works to make a dent in this problem by providing low cost or free produce to people in need (they actually have a program at my college that offers this!)
for the ghost earrings Zoe let me borrow for my pediatrics clinical day
Kids love novelty items, and these met the "studs-only" requirement. At clinical a little preschooler with a feeding-pump backpack appreciated my ghost earrings after I appreciated her cat ear headband. 🙂
If I ever land in the world of pediatrics, I will most assuredly accumulate a whole collection of novelty stud earrings.
Although, I don't know...I have a lot of elderly patients on my regular unit, and I will say that the women in that age range also really love stuff like this. So maybe I should just start a collection anyway. 😉
I do have to work on Thanksgiving day this year, so maybe some pumpkins would be a good start.
I love Thankful Thursday!
My thankfuls for the past two weeks:
1. That I had such a fun trip with my mother and the weather was good.
2. That we didn't have any issues with switching trains or have major delays.
3. That the place we stayed at was so nice.
4. That I was able to go swimming this week. I love sea swimming all year round.
5. That it's the weekend soon!
@Sophie in Denmark, sea swimming all year round? You are one tough cookie!
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, it feels great!
@Sophie in Denmark, I keep thinking I should try it. Then I think, this is how you will die.
@Sophie in Denmark,
Do you swim with buddies? I love outdoor swimming, but sea swimming takes it one step further - currents! Plus, how do you ensure your clothes do not get blown away?
I imagine myself waving frantically at my disappearing bag -
@JNL, I swim alone but there are jetties to use! I put all my things in a rucksack and that's heavy enough to anchor it. Someone I work with is part of a winter swimming club so maybe I'll go along sometime. If the sea is choppy I stay very close to the shore. It's not a long swim 😛
- I'm very thankful for our house.
-My comfortable bed.
- Sunshine and warm weather
-I'm also thankful for healthy food
Thankful Thursdays were a very very good idea! Even when I do not have time to contribute, I mentally list my Thankfuls. And most of the time I feel more Thankfuls than I care to list here, because the list would be too long.
Thankful
-that I have weathered the first week of time change in Europe. Sleep, and especially food craving and bowel movement (apols if TMI) are completely upset the first week and they are impacting my mood as well. But after a week it gets better (when we switch to summer, sleep/fatigue is the hardest element).
-that the weather is still soft and that I still have flowering annuals and shrubs
-that my lactose free crumble was good and can be added to the rota.
-that I know my body well. I had my eyes seen to and we do indeed need to fix some things. Laser planned, drops issued, etc. Glad I did not postpone - I grabbed a timeslot that came up when someone else cancelled. The waiting list would have been two months.
-that I learned things from the covid perod. Those years taught us a lot about self-care, useful household routines, maintaining our social circle, and personal priorities. Knowledge that hopefully will only be applied without any outbreaks of illness.
-that we can still work from home. Being work-from-home office workers has made it possible for us to continue much of our life, during covid. And as we are reaching our sixties and have elderly family members, working from home is making it possible to extend care to others, and plan our own medical appointments, without hugely upsetting our work schedule or requiring exhaustive travel.
PS I love your picures, as always
@JNL, you point of the lessons learnt during covid is so valid. For us, making sure we desinfect door knobs and our phones regularly helps keep sickness at bay
You need turkey earrings!
or pumpkin pie slices.
@PNW Casey,
A skeleton, with rattling bones
I'm thankful that I woke up to be able to read this post. There is so much dark stuff on the internet and your blog (and especially these posts) are a ray of light. So thank you, Kristen <3
Those ghost earrings are adorable. I love how a little thing like fun earrings or a favourite shirt can really make our day go from ordinary to more whimsical and exciting.
Thankful things:
-That for the first time since becoming a mother, I am fully skipping Halloween. I escaped for a few days away to visit my parents, which means my husband is on Halloween duty. I dread Halloween every year, so it is thrilling!
- Flannel sheets.
-Mom's home cooking.
-The crunch of leaves under my feet; in places literally having to wade through piles of them in the forest.
-The fresh start of a new month.
-Starting this November in a MUCH better head space versus last November.
Our homily last Sunday was all about choosing joy (with much more emphasis on God's blessings, of course). You would have liked it. 🙂
Thankfuls:
--That while my husband, eldest son, and I were all quite sick with a nasty stomach bug on Tuesday, the younger three got themselves ready for school, fed animals, did their homework, and my daughter even loaded and started the dishwasher for me. Yay for older kids.
--For our heated mattress pad, which I cranked to high when I was so sick in the middle of the night. Nice to have a soft, heated place to huddle between trips to the bathroom.
--For indoor plumbing. I actually thought in the middle of the wretchedness how much worse it would be if I only had an outhouse. Ugh.
--For my habit of stashing things in the freezer, which is how the younger three children ate dinner on Tuesday (chili) and the sick ones had homemade chicken broth when we started to need something non-solid for sustenance.
--That all three of us started to feel better yesterday and should be good to go for trick or treating today. Still crossing my fingers my daughter doesn't come down with it sometime today. She's the only one in the family who hasn't had it yet.
@kristin @ going country, I hope you all are better soon. Stomach bugs are the worse. And yes, having to use an outhouse would be terrible!
On another note, I think that would have loved the homily. There are two homilies that have stayed with me over the years - “Love shows up” and “kindness punches holes in the darkness.”
I think most people used a chamber pot at night rather than going to an outhouse. Then you'd empty the pot in the outhouse.
@Rose,
Having used a chamber pot on too many occasions, it is not any less difficult to me than using the outhouse and no more convenient. I preferred to take a flashlight and pick my way through the chicken pen (with an aggressive rooster) in the dark and use the outhouse, myself.
@Rose, Given the, um, output in our house that night, I do not think a chamber pot would have been preferable to an outhouse.
@JD, Sounds not fun. But at least at night the rooster would have been, well, roosting, and therefore--you'd hope--quiescent.
Thankful my oldest grand is old enough to use a Target catalog to point out what she wants for her birthday and Christmas. Takes the guessing work out. She said grandma take a picture so you remember them. Lol sure kiddo...
For a lot of firsts this year! Northern lights & total eclipse.
For local restaurants.
For our Christmas break at work, we are closed for several weeks at Christmas. Yay!!!!
For the Apple Fitness app, my kids and others are all sharing their workout info. I have been trying to keep up with them. They are all half my age but we have fun with the goofy messages you can send.
For the Halloween lunch we are having today, free pizza!
Great post today.
I too am thankful for this weekly exercise.
While Kristen has been appreciating the sunrises I've been admiring the sunsets this week. They have been long and gorgeous. I have been soaking in as much after dinner still light outside time as possible as I don't love the result of DST ending.
I too am thankful for the abundance of food. It's wonderful to eat berries year round thanks to frozen food. Our choices are sometimes overwhelming but we are fortunate to have them.
I am thankful for time to sit outside yesterday, first with a friend and then later with DD and SIL.
I am thankful for our neighborhood. The houses and yards are modest (most houses are ~1000 square feet) but they are well built and well maintained. Families make it work and there are lots of kids about. We are also close to major roads and shopping.
@K D, I too love sunrises and sunsets. I have hundreds of photos on my phone of the Golden Hours. I have always felt each was a celebration of such. Thank you, Kristen, for sharing.
@Bee, I agree with you and @K D about sunrises and sunsets--and with everyone here in being thankful for Kristen's wonderful photos of the natural world. And for everything else she does here, for that matter.
I’m very grateful we finally got some rain! We’ve been experiencing so many field fires recently, including an extra scary one, 20 miles from our house. They managed to close down the highway before the flames spread to the other side. It’s been eerie to get daily emergency weather notifications for extreme fire danger and dust storm watches.
I’m also thankful for another year of pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating with my kids! I love Halloween.
Thankful for a break from caregiving and the freedom that affords.
Thankful for a recent trip to see family members and to celebrate a milestone birthday. Thankful that a family member has the resources to hire help with their caregiving responsibilities.
Thankful for mild fall weather that has facilitated getting fall chores completed.
Thankful for our wonderful library and all the resources it provides our community. I have to pay an annual non-resident fee but it is so worth it.
Thankful for a fun volunteer gig that I have done for 15 years - and the socialization and respite it has provided.
- agreed on gorgeous sunrises and sunsets this week!
- made another large batch of applesauce for the freezer
- grateful that grandparents can still travel to come see us
- seeing my quiet teen shine in a school play speaking role
- music teachers at school: they have put in countless hours and boatloads of energy to make marching band season a success. And thanks to their spouses because those trains don't run on their own...
** I might have to borrow your story about student nurses vs. staff nurse dress expectations: I am always telling my student teachers that the expectations for their professional dress is different than that of teachers on staff. It feels difficult and unfair (to them, sometimes).
@K, agreed on student teachers. A colleague used to say … “dress for the job you want; they already have the job.”
In high school I found some dangling earrings that were tiny (metal) credit cards. Even the boys noticed them and thought they were neat. There are a lot of holiday themed earrings out there, so you should have fun picking them out, Kristen.
This week, I'm thankful for (besides the fact that Kristen started Thankful Thursdays, which I'm always thankful for)
1. That I was able to register both my widowed sister and myself for the free workshop at church for managing a recent death as we go through the holidays. I'm so thankful she will also be able to go to the workshop during her visit with me.
2. That the plant my daughter manages just had a ribbon cutting for one of their new product lines and that, in spite of all the hurricanes and attendant damage, they are on target with their timeline for another, larger expansion that will employ up to 200 new people, something our county desperately needs. She and her staff have put a lot of hard work into this.
3. That I'm going to get to go by my other daughter's house after work and see my grandchildren dressed to go trick or treating. Before I started working in this town, I didn't have time to drive an hour each way to go see them dressed up, and had to depend on photos.
4. That I discovered Americana Décor Satin Enamels (I have no financial interest in that company) through The Palette Muse when I was looking up the easiest ways to paint cabinets. My bathroom cabinets that I painted white two years ago are still pristine after daily use. I didn't have to sand or prime, I only had to clean the wood with TSP. I just bought more paint in cream for the bookshelf I'm re-doing. Only downside - very limited colors, although of course you could mix some of them.
5. This one is also for A. Marie. I saw my first Northern Flicker in the yard.
@JD, I’m jealous of your northern flicker.
@JD, thanks for the flicker report (and for thinking of me in connection with the flicker). I put up most of my feeders last week, and along with the usual suspects (house sparrows, house finches, goldfinches, chickadees, tufted titmice, cardinals, and blue jays), I've had a downy woodpecker, a pair of red-bellied woodpeckers, a Carolina wren, and (unusually for this early in the season) a red-breasted nuthatch. The RB nuthatch is considered an "irruptive" species from further north of us, and I'm looking forward to seeing more "irruptives" as winter comes on. No flickers yet, though!
And I'm glad your church is having the workshop you describe. The December after I put DH in the nursing home, the Natalie MacMaster/Allison Krauss song "Get Me Through December" was about all that enabled me to drag myself through that holiday season.
I have the world's loudest Carolina wren in my front yard. Every morning it yells GERMANY GERMANY GERMANY at me.
@Bee,
I was surprised to see it. I doubt I would have spotted it, except that a squirrel took umbrage at the Flicker poking around in the squirrel's patch of ground, and decided to jump on it (!). The flicker chased it off easily, but that movement caught my eye.
@A. Marie,
I am glad you found something to get you through! I just have no idea how hard this will or won't hit me.
I saw my first blue jay at the feeder this summer. Although they are all over in town, we never see them out in my yard.
@Rose,
They are SO LOUD. We had them nesting six feet from our door one year. It was impossible to hear oneself think when they got going.
@JD and @Rose, what I always hear mine saying is TWEEDLEDEE TWEEDLEDEE TWEEDLEDEE. Possibly they or I have been reading too much Lewis Carroll, or perhaps this is a real difference in regional wren dialect. 😀
And, @JD, I hope that your flicker on the ground was eating ants, which is what flickers feeding on the ground are generally doing. Wonder if they can eat Florida fire ants??
@JD, Put out peanuts. You'll see them. They may be my favorite bird behind seagulls and corvids.
This is one of my fave pix I've taken, during a snowstorm.
https://ibb.co/r6CrgfG
@Rose,
Lovely picture! Such blue-
@JNL, They are beautiful. Oddly enough, the bluebird (not blue jay) is the state bird of New York, where I live, and I've never seen one.
Who knows, though? When I was a kid in the 70s, we never ever had wildlife like this here. No whales close to the shore, no foxes, no bald eagles, I saw the occasional rabbit and that was it. Nature recovers and maybe I'll see a bluebird sometime. The only other bird I would so much love to see is an albatross, but they're in the Pacific, not the Atlantic.
@A. Marie, found this online.
What does the Carolina Wren sing? Not just one song. The male may have 27-41 different song types. Sometimes your hear “germany.” Other times you may hear “tea kettle” or “cheery.” The male also chatters and can make harsh, scolding calls.
@Rose, Mine screams JEWELRY JEWELRY JEWELRY (or we’re gearing the same thing differently)
@Diane, hearing insert eye roll
@Rose,
Beautiful photo. I have about four blue Jay's that come to my peanut feeder when I put our peanuts. The first one is always the make, who sends out the "Bat signal" that peanuts are available. Then they take turns grabbing peanuts and flying away with one in their beaks. It's really fun to watch them.
Thankful that after MANY setbacks out of my control, we finally got our 3 day CD disclosure for closing on our house and should close Monday or at the latest Tuesday! Woohoo.
Thankful for the very patient sellers (which will also be my new neighbors). Originally, we were to close on Oct 23, so this has been pushed a good amount.
Thankful that this week DH and I were able to travel to work together for the day. I've hurt my shoulder and driving irritates it...my office is a bit away (I only go every couple weeks) so him driving this week was very helpful.
Thankful for my doctor. She is great and always listens to my concerns and works with my specialist. I can't say enough good things about her.
Thankful that I was able to have lunch with a good friend this past week that I hadn't seen in a while.
I’m happy for you, Kristen! You have accomplished wonderful things in the last 4 years.
Finding thankfuls seems a little difficult this morning, so this exercise is especially important.
1. I am thankful that my grandchildren will be coming over this evening for our neighborhood’s Halloween celebration.
2. I am thankful that my grandchildren have so many people that love them. Tonight they will be accompanied by 7 adult family members as they trick or treat - 2 parents, 3 grandparents, and 2 aunts.
3. I am thankful that I live in a community that provides its children with a safe and festive place to celebrate Halloween.
4. Unfortunately, I have developed arthritis in my spine. I am thankful to have access to physical therapy and other alternative therapies to help alleviate the discomfort without painkillers or invasive procedures.
5. I am thankful that the election will soon be over. I am not saying this to discuss politics. On the contrary, my undergraduate work was in political science and economics. I have family members who have served in all levels of government and in the military. So politics has been central to a nearly every conversation for months. I have election fatigue.
Wishing everyone the blessings of peace, prosperity, and good health. Have a happy and safe Halloween!
@Bee, So sorry about the arthritis. I hope you continue to find ways to alleviate the pain. Wishing you good health, as well, if I may return your sentiment.
@Bee, sorry to hear about your arthritis in your spine. I will have to Google about that. I hope you find relief that works for you.
And sorry you feel overwhelmed by politics conversations. I have not had much political conversation as working early elections we are not allowed to discuss anything related to voting & politics. Though I am sick of the political ads.
@Bee, I'm so sorry about the spinal arthritis. Ow ow ow. I wish you success with the various alternative procedures.
I love Thankful Thursday too!
Hm....was I better off in 2020? Maybe? BFF, Mom, and Betsy were all alive. But then I spent a week in the hospital with Covid in November 2020 and my health has been worse ever since. Whatever. Can't change the past.
Thankful for the beautiful weather here.
For being resourceful.
Thankful that the weird brown staining on my hands and arms I was nervous about this morning--is my liver going??--scrubbed off. Pretty sure it was water I drained from dried mushrooms last night.
Thankful for my home, although two puppies are always doing their best to make it a mess.
I'm so glad that the latest annoyance, with the furnace, has been fixed. The guys were muttering, "This never happens. This thing is brand new."
@Rose, I remember a children’s book in which the child sufffered from the dreaded bobo pops. The little girl had put red dots all over herself, and her mother thought she was ill. Glad you were fine!
I love those ghost earrings! I have a pair of small silver skulls I like to wear especially on Halloween.
This week I am thankful for:
1. A good checkup at the eye doctor.
2. Lots of pumpkin seeds to roast from our jack-o-lantern.
3. The sunny days this week where I had a chance to sit out and enjoy it.
4. Gently spooky Halloween movies, nothing too scary and no gore for me, thank you.
5. Being able to visit a new-to-me museum this week.
Also, yes, Reye's Syndrome is basically why there's no children's aspirin any more. Used to be a staple.
@Rose,
My mom used to crush up half an aspirin in a spoon, add a blob of fruit jam, and mix it together beside giving it to whichever one of us kids was sick. It was all we had - there was no Tylenol or ibuprofen, and she never bought children's aspirin. It's a wonder we didn't all end up with Reyes syndrome.
• My son turned 14 this week! I’m so thankful to be his mom, he’s the bestest kid!
• My friend was able to travel to Las Vegas with me. It was such a treat to have someone to unwind with at the end of each day and because I was working all day, she had some forced relaxation which I know she desperately needs!
• I’m happy to be eating homecooked meals. Eating out in Las Vegas is fun and delicious (and the main thing I look forward to when I’m there for work) but there’s just something about a good homecooked meal.
• I updated our family calendar for November and we have so much to look forward to this month.
• The daily small things – evenings with my family, snuggles with our dog, good books, the woods behind my house, time each day to do a quiet activity I love.
A tip for those who have sensitive ears- I dip all of my costume earring jewelry posts in Vaseline or Neosporin before inserting into my ears, and no longer experience any irritation. It works like magic, it really does. No more irritated ears since I started doing this.
I feel rich with experiences this week, as we come out of the chaos of 12 months of remodeling and can instead fully immerse ourselves in the wonderful things our area offers.
I am thankful that:
- I got to dress up and enjoy kayaking with about 500 costumed witches for our area's annual Witch Paddle Around The Harbor. It was so much fun, and there was joy everywhere between both participants and watchers.
- I got to hike numerous times this week with husband and friends in the canyons that surround us, all ending at the coast. Views and laughter for days, plus some good eats afterward.
- The gorgeous sunsets of fall. After a lot of marine layer in early October, the skies have now cleared, and the ensuing sunset colors have been glorious.
- My granddaughter gifted me with the very first oil painting she completed upon starting art classes. I feel honored that she choose me to gift it to first, and it's now framed and positioned in my office, where I can enjoy it daily.
- For the fresh air that leaving our windows open delivers daily. We were sheathed in plastic last week while our home's exterior was being painted, and I sorely missed the constant presence fresh air. It's so nice to be back online!
@Tamara R, The paddle out sounds fun! Is it ever be done in boats made from Giant pumpkins?
@Bee, No, but that's a fun idea! Lot's of creativity on display though, from bony skeletons as crew, to witch broom paddles, to matching witch families.
A year ago, we had a major snowstorm, complete with power outages. Thankful for the beautiful fall we have had, including no snow today! For meeting up with my siblings for coffee earlier this week .... for video calls with my kids ... for a fun pumpkin carving event with my young adult group over the weekend .... for all the fun places to hike in my area.
Thankfulness
1. A raise at work. I've had some big expenses lately and the raise will definitely come in handy.
2. My partner and I being on the same page. We're watching another couple purchase a house and the drama is amazing. So glad we were on the same page with the house we just bought.
3. My therapist, who helped me figure out some priorities.
4. My confidence in myself that I will be able to make changes to reflect those priorities.
5. Jitterbug, my cat, who feels the need to "guard" me when I'm in the bathroom. It makes me laugh when I pull open the shower curtain to see him lying on the bath rug, facing out.
That's really sad that scurvy is still a problem in this day and age.
This makes me thankful that I really love vegetables and fruit. I know several people who have to force themselves to eat these things -- not me!
We have our first snow yesterday! I love all the seasons, but I especially enjoy winter.
I'm thankful both my older dogs had good annual checkups.
For libraries. I have been reading so many books and listening to so many audiobooks lately -- all free. Such a wonderful institution.
For a kind and thoughtful husband.
Aspirin has been withdrawn for any use in kids since the 80’s, when the Reyes connection was discovered (at least in the US, unsure about other countries)
I’m old enough to remember taking chewable, orange flavored St. Joseph’s brand aspirin as a kid.
That, and something called Fletcher’s Castoria for constipation. It was absolutely awful tasting!
@Kim from Philadelphia, Probably castor oil.
@Kim from Philadelphia,
I loved those aspirin! Aspirin and ginger ale cured everything when I was young.
Luckily, my mom did not give use the other. Yuck!
@mbmom11, I almost liked being sick as a kid because Mom would always make baked cup custards. So good. And when I had one of my extremely frequent sore throats, Mom used the old folk remedy of Ben Gay on the neck and wrapping it up with an old T shirt. It usually made me feel much better and Mom was so tender wrapping up my neck.
@mbmom11, YES! Baby aspirin and warm ginger ale was what we always got!
@Kim from Philadelphia, my mother used to give me Fletcher's Castoria and then go to bed, leaving 4-year-old me to deal with the inevitable result alone in the middle of the night. There are things that will give a person a flinty sense of self-reliance!
@Rose, castor oil, for sure
@Ruby, oh my goodness! Not the best timing- lol!
Today, I'm thankful for the unseasonably warm weather (though not for the climate change that's causing it). I've gone out and raked up enough leaves out of my own yard and the Bestest Neighbors' splendid pile on the curb to start a new compost heap. Fortunately, the BNs are as adamant about not using lawn pesticides as I am, so no worries about compost contamination.
And I'm thankful for the former neighbor and friend (a fellow contractor and landlord of DH's) who, 10 years ago, bought DH's half of the last five rental properties he co-owned with another friend. That friend, like DH himself, is now gone--but his widow made the last payment on that mortgage to me yesterday. She and I shook hands on behalf of our dear departeds, had a good long gossip about past and present times, and agreed to get together for a dinner with yet another widowed friend next week.
This week I am so thankful:
-that my husband returns from work travel tomorrow. The household functions completely different when he is away. I miss him!
-that both of my kids are in a stable period in their lives.
-that my parents' health is staying steady at the moment. They are approaching their 80s, so I don't take their health for granted.
-for mild fall weather. It is going to change in the next few days, but I am happy we had no snow in Oct. this year!
-always, always for my "zoo" of three cats and three dogs. They bring so much joy to our lives.
Have a great week everyone!
Many thankfuls, starting with those beautiful sunrise photos above.
1. My husband put in a sprinkler system for the groundcover I planted at church, lost in summer due to inadequate water and recently replanted.
2. A friend provided new clippings for the groundcover and helped me plant it.
3. Someone I don't know in real life bought a painting from my website (BECAUSE OF KRISTEN'S GENEROUS MEET-A-READER!) –thank you "Mimi".
4. Someone else I've not met in real life commissioned a painting (T/Y FG and JD!)
5. A good opening reception for my show —enough people to not feel like a loser but not so many that I couldn't greet each person (and had decent sales too).
6. So thankful I have the $ to pay for help to fix my broken website. . . hours on the phone, but getting better with each session I work on it.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, So glad to hear of your opening reception joy and, importantly, success. It always warms my heart to see a worthy artist succeeding even if I’m not curating the show.
Would you be able to name your website again? Sorry, I’ve been distracted by some health issues, now happily resolved.
@ErikaJS, not Jana, but here's her website !
https://www.cabinart.net/blog/
@Suz, thank you! My website croaked this week, I spent 3 days rebuilding it, and then we had no internet all day today. So I appreciate you providing this for the very supportive and encouraging @ErikaJS!
@ErikaJS, thank you for asking. So glad to hear your health issues are resolved. I've been distracted by tech issues, and I think those are resolved now too. Life is complicated, isn't it??
Gratitude List:
1. Hubby's colonoscopy was clear. He won't go again until 2031 and I am good until 2032. I am grateful we have the resources to do it but don't HAVE to do for a long while.
2. A little bit of rain this morning. The farm is desperate for it here in California.
3. 37 years of sobriety. I worked with a newcomer beginning the steps today and she had a nightmare bottom - domestic violence which resulted in back surgery. But for the grace of God I would have likely chosen a house of chaos ( like the one I was raised in) had I not got sober at 23.
4. Freedom to cast my vote without fear of reprisal.
@Mary Ann, congratulations on your 37 years - so great that you're offering your support to others too, what a gift
@Mary Ann, Such a great and inspiring list.
you'll have a ball on your holiday shift; on the one hand I always felt a little sad to be working and not be with my family when I worked holidays at the hospital, but on the other hand, the patients don't want to be there either and its such a privilege to be able to care for someone when they need you most. Turkey earrings or maybe a turkey printed undershirt for your scrubs! Holidays are more lax for sure and staff is usually also do a great job of enjoying the company you have working
I LOVE novelty earrings! They're just fun, and usually make someone smile. I type this wearing my Madame Leona "haunted mansion" earrings....Happy Halloween!
Thankful for Halloween fun.
For High temps only in the mid 80's after another brutal Florida summer.
For my Job - which is low stress, and affords me to live pretty good in budget while saving.
My health, both mental and physical. And my Therapist who helps me with the mental part.
My family.
For the right to vote in free and fair elections.
This week has been a very heavy one. Caring for my husband who is healing from surgery to remove cancer and beginning treatments for said cancer. And caring for an elderly loved one in the advancing stages of cognitive decline - there are several diagnoses here so I will just leave it vague so as not to write a book. That said I am grateful for many things not the least of which is this exercise.
I am thankful for a team of medical professionals around me that encourage us along as the cognitive decline seems to become more prominent. When you are dealing with a loved one agitation, anger, and all of the symptoms are difficult. But having people around you that support you, offer helpful ideas and pray with you are just invaluable.
Thankful that my son's behavior at school is markedly improved over what we have seen in the last 2.5 years and at the beginning of the school year.
Thankful for errands in the car with my son with the sunroof open and he and I singing worship songs together and talking. These are the days.
Thankful to have seen some leaf rain. I just love fall days with a slight breeze and the leaves are raining from the trees. Just so good.
Thankful that election season is almost over. I am so exhausted by all the commercials, texts, phone calls, back biting and arguments. I think I will put up my tree this weekend and binge watch Christmas movies to combat all the negativity in this world.
@Angie, hands across the miles to you, your husband, and your elderly loved one with cognitive decline. Re: the advancing cognitive decline, there are some meds that can help with the agitation and anger; don't be afraid to try them, for the loved one's sake and your own.
@Angie, I’m so sorry. Sending wishes of strength, hope and love.
Sending you so much love. That is a LOT to deal with.
RAIN came to the midwest last night - hadn't had any in NWA since Labor Day weekend.
Because of the rain clearing the air allergies are much better.
A comfortable living space.
Daughters & their families.
That even though there are many trials in life, I can lean on my God & Savior.
We've been combing for lice quite recently, and I noticed there's no suggestion on how many tea tree oil drops to use. Til it has a nice smell?
I used a combo of clove oil, tea tree oil, neem powder, and coconut oil to get rid of pinworms. Recently. (Today). I'm still in the tears phase because I know this will be a six week battle.
Ohhh, friend, I am so sorry!
It's been so long, I'm not even sure how much I used. Maybe a half teaspoon per half cup of conditioner?
I honestly think the conditioner is THE most important part because it immobilizes the live lice and also helps a bit with loosening the nits.
I am always intrigued at humans decorating themselves and their surroundings. I don’t seem to have that gene but when working in advertising/commercial art that appeal made it easy to get people to part with their money. I noticed recently a young cashier had mummy fingernail art that was cute.
So glad the over 30 days without rain ended in central states. All the small volunteer fire departments were running out of resources to fight the many little wild fires popping up everywhere. A potential natural disaster averted.
I remind myself that though people are feeling present anxiety the majority of people are good and decent. In the two natural disasters I’ve experienced this year people of all religious and political views pitched in to help and make things better.
Here are my thankfuls:
1. That you started Thankful Thursday and that you're still doing it. It's always a bright spot in my week.
2. That it's Halloween, partly because it's always fun to give out treats and see cute kids in costumes, but even more because it means "spooky season" is over and the ads I see are already changing from horror movies and haunted houses to Thanksgiving and Christmas themed merchandise. I don't like the way the entire month of October seems dedicated to scaring people.
3. That I can afford decent food and that I can cook, saving money by not relying on ready-made food. Neither of those things has always been the case for me.
4. That the weather is finally cooling and we may have actual fall-like weather in November.
5. For a safe home and a peaceful family life in a nice neighborhood.
I am grateful for:
1. My supportive parents and brother. They really love me to pieces.
2. Trick or treating for Halloween. My son had so much fun, it filled my soul.
3. Wild blackberries I used to make cobbler. Pure joy!
4. Having a warm and cozy house that is a safe haven for my family.
Well, I hadn't discovered this place in 2020, but I'm glad Thankful Thursday was started!
This week I am thankful that my sister and brother-in-law were able to come by for a couple of days. They live in Alabama, and I haven't seen them in over 3 years. It was only for a few hours Fri and Sat, but there was never a quiet moment. We are the matriarchs now--all parents, and parents-in-law are deceased, as are our brothers, and it feels odd. I am the older by 9 years, but at this age, it doesn't matter.
I am grateful that my sister figured out what was wrong with my dishwasher, and her husband had the tools to fix it. I've not used it since January, and although I know this is a first world problem, it is so nice to spend what feels like hours and hours doing dishes! I don't know how 2 people can generate so much laundry and dishwashing! And it was free!
I am thankful for hubby getting his shoulder injected today. With one side paralyzed, his other side takes a beating and the arthritis is terrible. He even groans in his sleep, bless his heart.
Apple cider doughnuts! On the way home from the doctor's office this morning, we saw one of the local food trucks parked at a bank and decided to stop and check them out. Oh. My. Word. They were so light, and fresh and WARM! I think I am in danger of becoming a groupie.
And I am glad my neighborhood is so competitive with Halloween decorating. My last neighborhood, I was the only one in our HOA who decorated their yard, and I felt pressured to do it bigger and better each year. But in my 70s, doing it all alone became so difficult and such a chore. Last year I gave most of my decor away, and didn't even hand out candy. Now I drive around the neighborhood and admire everyone else's yards, then go home, turn the lights off and watch my favorite scary movies. I enjoy October so much more now and don't feel like I've missed out on the whole autumn experience.
Naps! This has been such a mellow October, weather-wise. It's so nice to be able to open the windows and just take a nap some afternoons. And yet, the nights are cool enough for soups and stews and other comfort foods.
@StephanieLD, correction: it feels so nice NOT to spend hours and hours doing dishes!
@StephanieLD, Check out Martha Stewart's apple cider donut bundt cake. I always make it this time of year. So good and not too sweet.
Well, I'm glad you're here now!
@Rose,
I've made it before, and it's so yummy.
This week I am thankful:
* that we were able to get away for a couple of nights last weekend. Some people in my family really needed the break (honestly, probably me too) and it was great.
* for the amount of parenting resources available these days and for friends to talk with or give advice.
* for the ways that experience is great. My big presentation last week wasn't as scary because I've done it before. Being a head coach is way easier the second time around both because I'm more confident and because I saved my practice plans from last year and don't have to start from scratch.
* that I got out of work early today. I am feeling very behind on life and am excited for this bonus hour at home. (And the chance to participate in Thankful Thursday!)
* that the kennel loves my dog and says things like, "He's the best doodle we've ever had!" It still shocks me every time they say it. Way different situation from the first summer we had him.
* for the delicious salad I just finished for lunch.
I am thankful that a rather urgent call-back mammogram revealed no cause for alarm. Also thankful that I inherited my dad's handyman streak, as I repaired a dent in the toe of a leather shoe and a split siding board on our house.
Especially thankful, as we are in the midst of a hard drought, that we had an unexpected misty rain the past two days. Every tiny bit helps.
When I went to my PCP’s office this morning (pre-op clearance for second knee surgery) everyone was dressed in various Mario themed costumes. My doc had borrowed some things from her son for her costume. Although this is an adults only practice, it was such fun to see everyone all dressed up and made the visit much more fun! Especially all the “bloody” smears and handprints on the walls in the lab where you get blood drawn! Lol! So go for that earring collection Kristen!
I wear kitties, cows, horses and pigs, unadorned Christmas trees, aliens and tractors. I do have a pair of candy corn enamel earrings in right now. So fun! I am looking for Sasquatch...because I had a patient this week who would not stop talking about Bigfoot. I love living in the PNW!
Love the stormy sunrises and sunsets, too. I especially like the cloud breaks in the evening to star watch.
Thankful for youtube. My furnace was acting up, I looked it up on youtube, tried the solution and so far...knock on wood...it's working. I did call the tech, but he is scheduled out to Dec 15! The office mgr tried to strong arm me to pay the emergency $500 fee plus $200 tech hourly rate. Good grief!
The wood stove only heats 4 rooms and my elderly mom needs a warmer home.
I am taking my two older college aged niece and nephew to watch my youngest Great Niece and Nephew to trick or treat in my old neighborhood a few towns away. I moved away 49 years ago, but have stayed in touch all these years. I'm the get-a-way to "the farm" for them and they are my touch of city for me.
Thankful posts are wonderful!
Thankful for:
1. the one room in our house that has radiant heating is the master bath. So toasty on the toes in the middle of the night.
2. dogs who are not picky eaters. The Dane does require adult food, not puppy food that would encourage his already astronomical growth. However, other than that I can buy any one of the several foods I like for them without worrying they will have stomach problems or get picky if this week's sales price means a new food. Very happy given that a previous Irish wolfhound required kangaroo-based dog food, as he was allergic to anything else--and it was $90 for a 40-pound bag that he would eat up in less than two weeks.
3. For our furnace. It has been close to zero at our house, so it is getting a workout and it only gets worse as winter progresses.
4. While I am thinking about utilities, I lived in a dry cabin for a long time, so no water, electricity or heat. It continues to amaze me that I have running water and electricity and most days I do remember to be thankful for them.
5. living in an area where we seldom lock our door, we can get packages delivered and no one steals them even if we are gone for a few days, and we have had the same postman since the last one who worked this neighborhood for 25 years retired. Mr. Postman knew the husband was gone so when we received a shipment of dog food, he actually knocked on the door and brought it inside for me since there was no way I could lift it.
Oooh that bathroom sounds so perfect for Alaska living!
@Lindsey, just picked up a $120 (25lb) bag of hypoallergenic dog food so I celebrate your #2 with you! (Luckily we have mini dachshund so the bag will last a few months)
My brother fostered mastiffs and bought freezers full of actual meat for them, and I sometimes wondered whether his delicious, fit-for-humans meat was still cheaper than these sad air puff kibbles that are all we can safely feed our geriatric, multiple-health-issues pup at this point.
@Suz, my sweet longhaired dachshund had so many environmental and food allergies that I cooked for her. It seemed like every time I found a safe kibble for her, it almost instantly went out of stock or quadrupled in price. She ate a lot of fish, which was great for her skin. The dried cod skins she ate for her teeth gave her the worst case of cat breath ever, though.
I am glad this exercise was started. I can't believe it's been four years! Kristen looks more beautiful and radiant!
Thankful for the rain we received last night! We have been very dry and needful and it was more than just a dust settler!
With the the rain, the pollen settled and after two days of unseasonably warm weather, the night cooled. It was a wonderful night to sleep.
I, too am thankful for readily available fruits and veggies and with my Misfits box, I can get things that are still in season from other parts of the country. I will say that summer is the season I feel the healthiest because of the variety and adding in fresh herbs. As winter approaches, the comfort food tastes good but does me no physical favors.
I am thankful my brother and his girlfriend are taking over the Thanksgiving get-together this year (the Saturday before Thanksgiving). As the oldest sister in our immediate family, I took on the responsibility and did not mind it, but it took a toll on me. The "Family" elected my youngest brother to approach me about the change in place and when he was met with me saying "I think that is a wonderful idea!" he was rather taken aback! and so were the rest! I am still making and taking the homemade noodles, scalloped oysters and a dessert, but I don't have to clean house and get out the dishes and fix everything!
Thankful for the warm up weather we have had (80 in Michigan few days in row (new record) & mid 70s other days which is 15-20 above normal). Its been great except today & last 2 days have been WINDY!
Thankful got some leaves done (& picked up) before these last windy days. Leaves everywhere!
Thankful for an additional early election shift yesterday.
Thankful that early election is going so well. First day we had 700+ in person early voters at our site (out of 2 in our county & we are smaller/less voters). Today when I left (early afternoon/day 6) we had almost 3100 in person early voters. I am so encouraged about the amount of new/first time young voters coming to vote. And that things are going pretty smoothly & most everyone in good mood despite some having to wait up to 30-45 minutes.
Thankful for rescue dogs. They are anxiously waiting in the Halloween costumes (teen picked out hot dog costume while I picked up a fog hoodie with dog skeleton on it from head to tail) for trick or treaters.
Thankful despite turning on heat (few dsys) my utility bill new bill was less than previous month.
Thankful for Kristen & her blog site to be able to learn & share with all of you.
Happy Halloween to USA folks.
Have a great weekend.
I am thankful for you for all you that you share. You have always shared a thoughtful way of looking at life. You make mine day better, and the cats' pictures are the best. Here's to a great life as a nurse!!! I have several nurses in mine family that loved what they do.
Awww, this made me smile. 🙂
Love the earrings!
1) That DH & I had such a great anniversary trip to Costa Rica, and also that we are such good travelers together. There are many people I would not be very compatible traveling with (and, vice versa with me), so I'm very glad that DH & I are compatible on the traveling front.
2) For my parents, who came for one last anniversary trip, and stayed with DS17. They've been doing this since we moved to California, 13 years ago! We are very lucky to have them.
3) That I was able to give my mom a break from some care giving, while she stayed with us for an extra 5 days. She enjoyed the time, and is going home refreshed.
4) For the ability to vote by mail, which is ever so convenient. I was even able to send dS18's ballot with my dad, who was stopping to see him on his way back from California.
5) That DS18 is thriving in college. I'm so, so happy he's enjoying this phase of life. I enjoyed college, but mostly in the way you do if you're working three jobs and trying to maintain your grades for a scholarship. The opportunities for fun were limited, although I did enjoy my independence. I feel great that he's able to enjoy this first year, find his footing, and not worry about money.
*I'm thankful for breathing with ease and having less muscle weakness. It seemed to happen overnight. I'm a breast cancer survivor and it's taken a year to finally breathe without shortness of breath. One day, I just noticed that I walked much further without stopping (not that far ;+)
*I'm thankful for a clean home and my boyfriend who helped with a much needed deep clean.
*Glorious weather.
*Spending time with a dear friend that is moving to another state to start a new chapter. She's 85, fit as a fiddle and moving to be near family.
*I am grateful for so many things.
Turkey earrings would be fun!
Lunch with my friend(s). A past co-worker was going to be in the area this week and had reached out to get together. But my friend, who I work with again, said Wed. Fine. She and I showed up Wed and the third person did not. When she looked back at the email, it was for Thurs. So--we went back for Thursday. We ate and talked, catching up the last 6-9 months.
Voting--While out doing errands yesterday, I stopped off to early vote. (As I was leaving, I joked that now I have voted early, can I come back and vote often (for someone who doesn't vote) lol. People are too serious sometimes.
The weather has been wonderful. Since I woke up to 32 deg on Tuesday, it has been gorgeous.
I’m thankful for/that …
1) A sweet friend I met at church and meet up monthly. She’s someone I really look up to and hope to be like one day.
2) My loving and hardworking husband. His bones hurt from previous injury and he’s limping like crazy so the sacrifices he makes doesn’t go unnoticed.
3) My 3 beautiful and healthy girls. They’re very much loved.
4) The ability to taste good foods. I love to eat.
5) The first snow today. So pretty.
I am thankful that you adopted Chiquita and include her in pictures frequently.
You are both so cute together!
Aww, I'm glad she's bringing you joy too!