Thankful Thursday | goodbye, clouds!
This week, I am thankful:
that there's lots of sun in the forecast coming up
It was so gloomy out all day yesterday, I was feeling a little bit blue.
But I looked ahead in the forecast and there are LOTS of sunny days coming up. Woohoo!!
That will be good for my mental state. 🙂
And knowing that there's sun ahead helps me get through the cloudy days.
that my office has a window
When I moved in here, I purposely put my desk right by the window.
That way, even on cloudy days, I still have some daylight.
For many, many years, I blogged in the basement of my other house, and my goodness, I so much prefer having a desk by a window!
that my friend is coming to visit me!
My dear friend Mia from Ohio is flying in for the weekend, and I am so super happy about that. I have not seen her since the summer of 2021, I think, so we are waaaay overdue for some in-person friend time.
We text all the time and also talk on the phone when we can manage to sync our schedules, but still, there's nothing like in-person time.
We are SO excited!!
that my first exam went well
I only got one wrong, so yay!
Now I just have to do this a bunch more times, and then I'll be through the semester. 😉
We have five exams in the first six weeks of this semester, so I'm gonna be a pretty busy test-taker for a bit here.
for the advantage of being a woman and a mom
This semester one of our classes is women's health/OB, and I've been saying that for this class, it's a serious advantage to be a woman with kids.
A lot of the test questions are rather obvious if you've been having periods, have experienced pregnancy, have raised babies, and so on.
I feel a little sorry for the dudes in my class; this has to be so much harder for them!
for my math background
We learned IV math yesterday, and I felt grateful again for the years I spent teaching math to my kids. I think that's the main reason that med-math is not overwhelming for me.
I was not born a math whiz...I've just done a lot of math in my lifetime. 🙂
for the beautiful fog the other day
While I would not want fog all the time, I do have a deep appreciation for a foggy morning, especially when the sun is peeking through.
I took so many pictures when I went walking that morning!
All of my usual sights look way more magical when they're covered in fog, so I just kept wanting to stop and take more pictures.
Isn't it wild how this next one looks like it's had some sort of filter applied? It really was that foggy out!
for friends at school
This morning, I'm getting together with one friend so we can practice our competency skills* before we test this morning.
I also am part of several group texts (like one with my lab group from last semester and one with some friends who sit by me in lecture), and it's so helpful to be able to ask questions and bounce things off of each other.
I don't know everyone in my 130+ people class, but I do know a lot of them now, and that makes me happy.
*Competency testing happens every semester before clinicals; we go into a lab at school and do a head-to-toe assessment, vital signs, put on and take off personal protective equipment, give an injection, give a G-tube med, and give oxygen, all with a fake patient (called a manikin), while a professor passes or fails us.
If we fail any skill, we get two more chances to come back in and try it again.
for the way that age doesn't matter in nursing school
I think I've mentioned before that I made two really good friends at school, and they sit on either side of me.
One is 20, the other is in her 30s, and I'm in my 40s, so we represent Gen Z, Millenials, and Gen X (that's me!) and somehow, our age difference just doesn't matter at all.
I love that.
____________________
Alrighty. I'm off to practice my competency skills for two hours and then do my test. I'm pretty nervous (this test is happening so early in semester two!), but I've been practicing, and even if I do fail a skill or two, I am sure I can pass on a second try.
The fog pictures are beautiful. A while ago, we had an art exhibition with "foggy" works of art (photography, litho, oils, watercolours..) where I live and your pictures would not have been amiss there. Fog is so atmospheric! (Be it cold).
I bet you get to have a lot of medical talk with Mia, since I recall she is an RN?
My thankfuls this week
* Our loving family. It makes me so happy to witness and be part of the interactions, the love and laughs and practical help and discussions on life and people -
* My group of immediate colleagues, who support each other and and our new leader who is doing two jobs right now since one job has not yet ended but the other started already
* For a very sunny day today: the sun is warming me through the window and I am looking forward to a stroll later today
* For better sleep lately, with vivid dreams. When I can remember one or two of my dreams that is often a sign I have slept well and am rested
* For the financial bandwidth that makes it easier to choose purchases, services or (para)medical support that will be helpful for me.
*For all the bigger and smaller chores that we completed in fall, that make our house easier to maintain at this moment.
* For having been brought up in a "make hay when the sun shines" attitude.
You’ve got this! As I was reading the list of skills you have to complete, I realized I do all of them while caring for my kid. Nurses know way more than I do, but it’s fun to think I really do have *sone* nursing skills!
Thankful:
-for sun yesterday. I had been missing it. I also like that by the time classes start at school it’s no longer dark and by the end of this month I will see 80 more minutes of sun each day!!
-for a physical therapist who takes good care of my kids. He does so well with them and he understands our story a bit because of his life experience. So really, he’s not just a therapist, hes an awesome human
-for people who jumped at the opportunity to help. It keeps amazing me that people think I’m worth their time. I want people to feel that way in how I respond to them too.
-for a good review at work from someone who knows my field well.
-that today and each day only has 24 hours in it. I used to get frustrated by the seeming shortness of each day, but when my energy is low, I’m so thankful the days aren’t any longer than they are.
Yep, I think you'd do very well in competency testing. You'd just need to learn the verbiage for the head to toe assessment. "I'm inspecting the skin on the abdomen for wounds, incisions, rashes, redness, and color."
"I'm inspecting the respirations for rate, rhythm, depth, effort, symmetry of movement, and thoracic shape and contour."
Etc., etc. And we also have to verbalize all of our cardiac and pulmonary stethoscope placements. "I'm listening for the aortic sound, which is an S2 sound, at the second intercostal space, right of the sternal border."
But I'm sure the actual skills part of the head to toe, you'd be just fine at!
If you ever decide to go into nursing, you will have a serious leg up on everyone else.
@Kaitlin, Your post reminds me of Al Franken's Stuart Smalley's character on Saturday Night Live, whose Daily Affirmation was "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!" So, yes you are, and yes you are, and yes they do. ;-}
@Kristen, there’s so much nursing language I’m glad I don’t have to use. If you go into peds, I’d love to have you as one of my kids’ nurses!
I am considering peds...we'll see how I like that rotation!
Good luck on your test, Kristen!
Thankful:
For a nearly-teen homeschooled kid who is not too cool to go for a lunchtime walk with his mom. He likes it because he "gets out and about" during the school day, and I like it because he is absolutely fearless when it comes to walking in chilly weather, which challenges me to remember "no bad weather, just the wrong clothing" and just suck it up and get out there and move. He isn't even embarrassed when I take an old grocery bag and pick up litter as we walk.
For the good nature of our weeklong dinner guest--DH has a PhD student who visits semi-regularly, and he stays in a hotel but rather than consign him to restaurant or military base food, he comes over for dinner. And his good nature is such that he is pleased with any homecooked meal, so I don't worry about making anything fancy.
For Clark; he has settled in so nicely and is such a people cat. He wants to be around somebody nearly every hour of the day, especially when we're doing homeschool at the table (chemistry experiments are his favorite).
For improving weather; it's supposed to get up to 50 degrees today!
@Karen A., we used to take bag & pick up returnable cans & bottles & kid would get the $ from ones picked up. Incentive to walk & spend time with me. 🙂
I’m with you, I need the sun. As I sit here writing this, it’s coming up and glaring through the shutters. Love it! I’m already happy. I’m really enjoying reading about your nursing school experiences. I graduated in 1979 and am still best friends with 2 of my classmates. We are all retired now but often reminisce about those hard nursing school days. That training and subsequent career changed all our lives for the positive, we were so poor before. A nursing career was so fulfilling and allowed us to live better lives for us and our children. Have a great day, I’m going to spend some time outdoors in the sun today.
@Kathy E, Maybe Kristen could do a poll and see how many of her readers are/were nurses or "nursing adjacent" in their careers. My unscientific study suggests there are a lot of you!
@JDinNM, I've thought the same thing, because it sure seems as if this is a place of many nurses. Then I wonder how a poll would turn out dividing out the ages. And then I get curious about all the geographical variations. . .But then I think of the hundreds (thousands?) who don't comment.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, TWICE? What's going on here??
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I bet even "lurkers" would comment if Kristen had a post with that single question.
I LOVE your fog pictures! Largely because of reading your blog for so long, I've started taking photos whenever I'm out. Sometimes I pull the car over and hop out to get a photo of something particularly beautiful. The noticing (and the photos that remind me later) have added a decent measure of joy to my days, so thank you for that. 🙂
@Beth, It's the "noticing" factor, isn't it? For me it started with getting a dog, because they notice everything! And everybody! But once smart phones came with cameras so you had one on you all the time, I started looking at (noticing) things from a different perspective. And you're absolutely right -- it adds a measure of joy. And connection.
It's been a very stressful week. Taxes owed, a long distance older friend without food (or much of a social circle or transportation), a cat with pancreatitis and a hair cut. It doesn't sound like much for which to be grateful, but I had money set aside. I am very grateful to have had the money and not have had to worry about scrambling around for money to cover an expense like these (two of which were expensive--taxes and cat) and being able to help a friend this time around. Also grateful the taxes are done, my friend has food (and he got his food stamps card in the mail), the cat is eating and feeling much better, and my hair looks great--all icing on the cake.
@Mary, I'm glad you found positives during this stressful week. Very kind of you to help out your long-distance friend. Can't imagine how difficult it would be to not have money for groceries.
@Mary, I second Beverly's comment! And our dog has pancreatitis, so I know how hard it can be to treat, and to see the suffering when there's a flare up. I'm glad your cat is feeling better!
My sister has chronic pancreatitis. It's a beast.
Mary, I'm so glad you were able to help your friend.
We have not seen the sun lately, I can’t remember what the sky looks like. Ha!
Thankful a relative who was critically injured is doing well and will be out of rehab soon.
That my car is such a beast in the snow. Like a hot knife through butter.
We had a leucistic raccoon at our back door. So beautiful. Your chances of seeing one are 1 in 750,000 same as chances of getting struck by lightening. He has been here twice so far.
That my boss bought me a new computer, my current one is over 10 years old and SO slow.
For the forecast that includes seeing the sun.
That my computer only cost 130 to fix. Phew!!
@Mar, I had to look up what that raccoon was. Very cool!
@Heather in MI, Me too! "Beautiful and rare."
@Mar, me three! Thanks for sharing that info.
@Mar, I looked up the raccoon too! So pretty! Thank you for sharing!
Kristen, while I believe you're going to do great, good luck this semester regardless. You've got this!
Truly I am thankful for many things, but the big one this week is that I have performances at a theatre that is very dear to me. I was blessed to be able to take the time from my regular job. That job is a huge blessing in itself, but it has been so much fun to stretch my acting muscles.
Have a wonderful day, everyone!
I too am thankful for the sunny forecast going forward. It has been a gray, cool, damp week.
I am thankful a good friend received good news regarding an upcoming family wedding. It looked like her son was not going to be able to travel overseas but now he will be able to. That changes the whole tone of the event, in a good way.
I am thankful a friend resolved her issues with not receiving texts from Android phones. She thinks the problem started when they switched to AT&T in November. After a lot of sleuthing and finally help from AT&T she is back to receiving texts from all phones.
I am thankful I'll see an old casual friend today for the first time in a few years.
I am thankful breakfast is waiting for me to eat.
The flu hit us like a freight train this week, but even in the midst of that, there are still things to be thankful for. So, Thankfulness: Influenza Edition
--That my daughter didn't start to feel poorly until late afternoon yesterday, and didn't throw up until last night. She had never in her short life (6.5 years) thrown up, which is kind of amazing, and which she spectacularly changed last night. But I'm glad it happened when she was at home and I was there, because she was sort of panicked about it. It is a shocking experience the first time, I can imagine.
--That while I had been feeling some cold symptoms last night, I myself was not similarly afflicted while I was helping her. As much NOT fun as stripping the bed and mopping her up was at midnight, it would have been a lot worse if I had been running to the bathroom myself.
--That while my eldest son woke up to also throw up while I was helping my daughter, he is old enough that he just went to the bathroom on his own and took care of it. Poor kid, but YAY FOR OLDER KIDS.
--For a sense of humor that doesn't desert me even at such times. While I was cleaning up my daughter's floor and listening to my poor eldest get sick in the bathroom next door, I was reminded of the time years ago that same son and his younger brother sat on their respective beds across from each other in their room when they were about 5 and 3, and each used their own personal vomit bowls simultaneously. I was amused at the connection my brain was making. Also kind of amused when I went in to clean the toilet after he was done and the toilet lid cover CAME OFF IN MY HAND. "Well," I thought, "Guess I can just throw that away and not worry about cleaning it. Whee!" And also, "Yes, God, I see you also have a sense of humor." And alsoalso, "At least it wasn't the actual seat. My sons never put down the lid anyway."
--That husband and youngest son had the flu last weekend, not at the same time as these more recent two, and that their flu was of the fever and aches variety, not the kind that requires proximity to a toilet.
--For excellent drying weather today, for all the laundry I need to do. Draping my kitchen in wet blankets to dry indoors would be no fun at all. This might be one of the rare times that I regret choosing to not have a dryer. But it's going to be 61 degrees and sunny with a breeze, and I have six long clotheslines to use. Yay.
--That this did not happen when we didn't have running water. I shudder to think.
--For the perspective--dare I say wisdom?--to know that "This, too, shall pass."
Have so much fun with your friend!
@kristin @ going country, I also shudder to think.
@kristin @ going country,
I'm also thankful you have water now that your family has the flu!
Maybe your toilet lid saw the handwriting on the wall with this flu and went ahead and surrendered.
@kristin @ going country, thanks. I feel better about my own small woes of today after reading about your larger (and smellier) ones!
I used to have a giant brass Chinese bowl that we used for vomiting. It had Chinese characters beaten into it, and when my daughter was taking Mandarin in school, asked her to translate it. She pointed to the two giant marks and read, "PUKE BOWL."
I have zero idea where that bowl came from and I have zero idea what happened to it.
@kristin @ going country, Oh man... what a parenting adventure!
@kristin @ going country, I'm in my 60s and I still remember the comfort my mom gave me during and after barfing episodes. During, she would hold back my hair, mop my brow, and say empathic things. Afterward, she'd bring me crackers and 7UP in bed - and a whistle in case I needed to call her for anything else!
@A. Marie, Exactly my reaction. I actually debated amending my own post but worried it would sound like gloating ("Thankful for no projectile vomiting today!").
@kristin @ going country, All I can think to say is, "Oh, my!"
Nobody is born a math whiz. It’s all about practice. Even people who seem like math geniuses needed to practice. They put in the time.
Most of the women I get on my classes who think they’re bad at math have just let fear of math or thinking they’re bad at math get in the way of practicing it or seeing its beauty.
@Nicoleandmaggie, so much has to do with how well a subject is taught, and if it is taught in a method that the student can process. I'd always dreaded science, and it high school, the chemistry teacher was so good that I almost enjoyed it!
@Nicoleandmaggie, I'm trying to get my elementary-aged kids to practice those simple multiplication facts. I am realizing how important these facts are to not being frustrated with later math.
@Jody S., YES. We're running up against this, again, with our next third-grader. He has GOT to memorize the addition and multiplication facts. It just takes too long to find area or whatever when he's laboriously adding six to six to six to six or whatever. One of his older brothers was motivated by an ice cream sundae. Perhaps that would work with him . . .
@kristin @ going country, I absolutely insisted on drilling my kids in their times tables. It's vital for math later on. Ice cream sundaes are worth it!
I am obviously not a math teacher by trade; I only had four students! lol
But I did spend two decades teaching piano lessons, and I can say that I observed a spectrum of ability that was not related to practice. I had a few students who, no matter how much effort they put in, were just really, really not musically inclined. Their giftings were elsewhere....something was just not clicking.
On the other end of the spectrum were students who excelled without putting in hours and hours of effort. Piano-playing came naturally to them.
And in the middle was a range between the two extremes; that's where most students fall.
I would assume there is something of a similar spread when it comes to math. There are a few who don't need tons of practice to be good at math, but most people are in the middle and have to put in a good amount of practice to be good at it.
And I know there are some math disabilities that make math nigh onto impossible for some people (Lisey had a friend who got a math exception in college because of such a diagnosis).
Anyway! What I'm saying is that math is not the easiest subject for me, so I'm definitely somewhere in the middle of the range.
And despite having marinated in math for decades, it still does not bring me joy. But that's ok! My skills are good enough to easily help me through nursing school, and good enough to help fellow students who are struggling with the math part of nursing school. 🙂
Back when I was looking at nursing schools, I visited a school in Seattle. The person I talked with recommended that I not go to their school as I was from Texas and it was a huge difference in the sunny days in Texas and the gray rainy days of Seattle. I listened and went to school in Texas.
I am thankful that today is Thursday and January THE LONGEST OF THE LONG MONTHS is over. Yippee
@Stephanie, isn't it such a matter of perspective, usually based on geography? Because to me August lasts way way way too long!
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I agree! I don’t mind January but ugh, August! blah! 🙂
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, For me, July is the worst month. I find myself yelling, "When is the f-ing sun going to go down!!" By August we are having some darkness for a few hours.
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, Definitely a geography mind set. I live in the southwest, love the winter and dread August and September.
Since Kristen started the Thankful Thursday posts, I have realized how gratitude improves my state of mind and happiness. I find this exercise so valuable that I convinced the wellness committee at my company to have a lunch and learn about gratitude and mental health.
I'm thankful that I work for a small company that cares about the physical and mental wellness of the employees.
I'm thankful for my wonderful husband of 36 years. He's my rock and is always incredibly supportive. Even though he was out of town last night, he still helped me cope with a difficult family situation.
I'm thankful that DH made it safely to his appointment at the Mayo clinic and his testing has already begun this morning.
I'm thankful that DH and I both have good jobs so him flying to Mayo again is not a huge financial burden.
I'm thankful my SIL is going to get help after having a major mental health crisis this week.
@Beverly,
Wishing your SIL strength and recovery
@Beverly,
Best wishes to your DH and SIL.
Kristen, I love your foggy, “magical” photos!
And I feel certain you’ll do well on your
competency skills tests. The study, review and practice you are so diligent to apply beforehand must surely serve you well during testing time.
I’m thankful, too, for sunshine in the forecast. Yesterday I felt so down and I’m not sure why but maybe it has been the accumulation of gloomy days. I’m feeling more positive today.
I’m thankful for the wonderful time my husband and I had this past Monday. We had an opportunity to spend time with our grandson and our son. Our grandson is such a delightful kid. And it does our hearts good, too, to see our son growing in his Dad skills.
I’m thankful for good health, good friends and good neighbors. We don’t take any of these relationships for granted.
Thankful for the week seems to be flying by. Even though it's been a Monday feeling (so far) everyday I can't believe its Thursday already. Working 6 days a week (now) the days sometimes seem to run together!
Thankful being able to get things done on Sunday (only day off). Between grocery shopping (any sale items) & doing household chores I get mostly everything done, teen helps during week also. February is a busy month between regular work & (temporary) 9 day early election & appointments.
Thankful that we have stocked pantry & freezer (mostly meat) & household supplies so that if nothing on sale or can't/don't make it to store we ate still ok.
Thankful also for the sunshine expected. The fig is pretty if don't have to go outside or travel in it. Fog here has been so thick that can't see very far or vehicles on roadways. Luckily the snow is almost gone (again) & fog will be less, if any.
Thankful plumbers (that came again earlier this week) were able to (temporarily) fix problem & did clear out everything in house & to road. I was only charged for house to road. I need to replace/re pipe because not enough decline & too many ups instead of downs. Luckily the plumbers are willing to come on my only day off (& not charge more), now getting the rest of money.
Thankful for teen who has been so goofy lately making me smile. I love that teen still likes to be silly & is happier lately.
Thankful for inspiration from many of you on Frugal Girl sharing your knowledge & stories assuring me that I'm not the only one experiencing life's problems & experiences. Thank you.
We vacationed at New River Gorge National Park in WV last summer and encountered lots of picturesque fog. However, this past week has been non-picturesque here in Michigan--foggy due to warm temperatures over the snow. It's been a gray week (month). Since the weather hasn't been my fave, it's good to look for other things to be thankful for.
There IS some filtered sunshine this morning, which is a mood booster. Thankful for my silly kittens. I had left my daughter's bra by the register last night to finish drying after it had been laundered and I forgot about it. It made a most excellent toy for Stuart kitty this morning (yes, I rescued the bra). Thankful for a gym membership, which gives me a good indoor place for enjoyable workouts when I can't get outside. For family members nearby who can meet up with me for coffee today. For my selfless husband--he quietly gives of himself in multiple ways.
We have a lot of fog and mist where I live. I like it.
What am I thankful for this week?
* That last night's anxiety dreams aren't happening, especially the tsunami one.
* For my friends. One of the male ones has a crush on me and it does my bruised ego good.
* My fireplace. I loved falling asleep last night in a firelit room.
* It's February and next month it will be spring.
* dingdong, dingaling, and wingdings, the pets.
@Rose, My 5 year old has a current obsession with tsunamis (we also live on the coast and have 3 tsunami alarms in our city) It seems to be a mix of interest but also some anxiety, constantly asking when we are in different parts of town if we’d be “safe” here if there was a tsunami right now and pointing out hills and other places we should run to if a tsunami happened.
@LB, I was always so frightened by the idea as a kid. Then again, I also was terrified that I might step on a stonefish, which can kill instantly!!!! Aaand they don't live even in in this hemisphere. Safe to say I had issues with anxiety as a kid.
And yes, in my dream I grabbed my four most precious antiques, threw them in the car, told my son to leash the dogs and get in and my daughter to put the cat in the carrier and get in and drove to the slightly higher ground.
@Rose, Feelings of being overwhelmed manifest in my dreams, too.
@Jody S., I think this came from yesterday morning where a pang went through me and I thought to myself, "Mom will die in February." Tomorrow has got to be a better day.
Where I live, surrounded with swampy woods, I see fog a lot all through the year. It's lovely, but can be deadly on my commutes that occur in the dark. However, this morning, a frosty night after a warmish day had mist rising over all the standing water from the 3X normal amount of rain we've had recently. It was magical to see a gray landscape of mist hovering over water glinting at the bases of trees stripped bare by the hurricane, as a huge heron lifted slowly out of the water and took to the sky. I could have pulled over and watched that again and again, if only the heron would have obliged.
I'm thankful for that peaceful scene for sure!
As well as:
1. Speaking of doing patient assessments, I'm thankful that a CNA assisting my brother-in-law Monday with his incontinence needs informed the nurse about a change that made him suspicious, so lab work was done immediately. Sure enough, my BIL has C. diff. but is responding very well to treatment. Since C. diff killed one of my elderly family members about five years ago, I am extremely grateful that the CNA was observant, quick, and didn't just zone out while doing an admittedly unpleasant task.
2. I'm thankful that I can now directly upload documents for my husband's medical needs. Frankly, mailing things has become a game of chance.
3. I'm thankful for the teen granddaughter texting me to ask about her grandfather while she had a free moment between school and work.
4. I'm thankful for good neighbors. After having a neighbor from Hades for about 30 years who has finally moved away, having good neighbors is a huge blessing.
5. I'm thankful it's February. This month is the birth month for both of my bosses, my sister, my husband, my nephew, my late aunt, my late grandmother and her late identical twin (of course) and finally, me! I have a birthday this year!
@JD, Yay for your birthday this year! Quadruple the celebration, I hope.
@JD,
You have so many wonderful thankfuls! I just love herons....we have many great blue herons in my area (SW Ohio), and I love photographing them. My MIL had C. diff during the last year of her life, and I believe it hastened her death - so glad that CNA was so observant, and that your BIL is responding well to treatment. Hooray for good neighbors, and happy birthday to you and yours!
@JD, ooh, are you a leap year baby??
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, what is this twice business??
@Central Calif. Artist Jana,
Yep. Born at five minutes till noon, so I hit it squarely on the head.
As my parents told me: my mother was 3 weeks late with her first baby, 2 weeks late with her second, and I was due Feb. 22nd. My dad told my mom she was going to fool around and have this one 1 week late, on Leap Year day, to which my mother said absolutely not. Ha. Father knew best, it seems.
@Liz B.,
Thanks Liz! My husband attended high school in College Corner near Oxford but he lived on the Indiana side. He was there about 2 years, the longest he stayed in a single school. He loved that area.
I always found that study groups in school were an absolute positive! It really does make it so much more easy. It's great if you can do it in person but with technology now it's even doable on the computer
Love the community you are building at school! And, congrats on your test!
It's been a week, so I always appreciate this moment to reflect:
1) DS16 was injured in a soccer game. First, both of my kids played 12+ years of soccer, and this is the first time anyone was injured enough to require a doctor's visit. That alone is something to be grateful for. Also, the doctor is pretty hopeful it's just a sprain vs something more serious.
2) After a week of work travel, super grateful to be back in my own bed at night. It's rainy & yucky here, but I'll take that tradeoff over being out of town!
3) Similar to your school community, I've met some really lovely soccer parents over the past few years (and, longer, with all of the soccer my kids have played). I count myself as lucky that the kids have had activities that have introduced me to some of my friends. All of that sideline time really adds up!
4) I feel grateful we have the resources to plan a reasonably last minute trip to visit my MIL/DH's family. The logistics are very complicated & our options are super limited, which always adds a bunch of cost. This will likely be our last family trip, given our teens will be in college/not have the same spring break/age of MIL, so I'm grateful we can get at least one more chance to get together.
5) I have two teen boys, and they are not very effusive in their affection. However, DS17 is always available for a hug, particularly if I'm having a rough day. He almost always responds in kind as well, when I tell him I love him. DS16...well, he's more of your typical moody teen. I know it's a phase, and I know he appreciates when I attend his games, take him to the doctor, etc. He's just not great at expressing it. 🙂
Count me among those thankful that a gloomy January is behind us. February burst in with sunshine where I live, and the dogs shared coffee time with me by the front window in the bright sun.
Also thankful for lunch out with my college roomie -- we have been friends for 40 years, for our rescued pup regaining her house training after the time she spent in the animal shelter before we adopted her, and a quiet week.
Have fun with Mia!!!
This week I'm thankful:
* that I followed my gut and went back to get my middle kid a second x-ray. This one showed a fracture that the first one didn't.
* that the orthopedic doctor was so kind. I had heard really good things about him and they were all true!
* that my kiddo doesn't need a cast and is healing well. He just needs to wear a padded sleeve when playing, which leads to....
* that he had his padded sleeve on when he fell while running last night. He was initially in a lot of pain, but is doing better now.
* that my oldest daughter had a really good audition for the school play and is happy with the role she was given.
* that I got to go to my Thursday morning exercise class today. It's been a while and I think I'll be pretty sore, but it was good to be back at it.
* for help from others. This past Monday a big group came to help me with prep stuff and "many hands make light work" was so true and will save me a ton of time over the next month.
Man, this has been a full week!! And February doesn't show any signs of slowing down. So I guess I'm also thankful for the ability to do fun things like celebrate kids' birthdays, gather with family, and for my kids to try new things like theater and basketball. Those are certainly gifts that I shouldn't take for granted!
Thankful that better weather is on the way here too. I'm starting to have trouble remembering the last time I saw the sun.
And thankful to have an actual job to do for the JASNA publications committee (I'm reading proofs for JASNA's hard-copy journal, Persuasions), even though I'm having a few computer and printer issues. I haven't done anything like this since I retired 3.5 years ago, and it's gonna take me a day or so to get back in the saddle.
@A. Marie, You've got this!
Thanks for the lovely photos. They look like paintings! Congrats on passing your first exam with flying colors; I'm not surprised that you did so well.
This week, I am thankful for all the nice people out there who helped me find my dog when she got out of the fenced yard Saturday. (My bad -- I'd forgotten I left the gate open.) My friends helped me post on Facebook, and retrieved a recent photo of her from our church's Blessing of the Animals event. Turns out, my 15 y.o. pooch ran down the middle of a busy street to the shopping area. Several Good Samaritans, upon seeing her collar/tags and noticing her age, stopped their cars to try to catch her. The lady who caught her called the animal shelter; it was full and couldn't take any more strays. So she took my dog to her home in the country, lodged her overnight and brought her back the next day. But a whole lot of folks pitched in to find my pet: A beauty shop owner took my dog's picture and posted it; the rescuer's grandma let my dog stay over night and even fed her stew (people food); the clerk at the animal shelter provided helpful information and encouragement; my postman said he'd look for my dog and bring her back if he found her; a friend prayed with me for puppy-dog's return (yes, God answered our prayer) and was going to buy some treats and help in the hunt despite having had foot surgery; the guys at the neighborhood fire station said they'd keep an eye out for her; neighbors said they'd try to catch my dog if she was in their yards; and more. I'm thankful for each and every one of these folks. There are a lot of good people left in the world. Oh, and my fur-baby is back home safe and sound,.
@Fru-gal Lisa, The only time my dog got out of the yard I too had forgotten I had left a gate open. She had been at the groomer all day and I took advantage of that to do some yard work (it's hard to do when she "helps"), and thought I had closed and locked all three gates but left one slightly ajar (which is all it takes). Ran around like a maniac looking and calling for her and alerting the neighbors. Such a stomach churning agonizing experience. Turns out she simply wandered up the street to another neighbor's house and took a nap in their front courtyard. So glad you too had a happy ending.
@Fru-gal Lisa, I was dogsitting and the dog bolted out the front door. And this was in San Francisco, so big city with busy streets everywhere, my stomach dropped and I think I terrified the neighbors with the scream I let out. There was a park a few blocks away where I’d walk the dog so I ran there since I didn’t know where else to look. The dog was just sitting there at the park and happily walked right up to me. He had to cross an incredibly busy road to get there so luck was on our side for sure. I was also struck by how kind people were, one neighbor came out on his bicycle to help look, and at the park, someone who lived nearby ran back to their house and gave me an extra leash so I could safely walk him back home. Glad your pup is home too!
@Fru-gal Lisa, When we were living in one of the tiny villages, I was dog sitting and the ornery beast ran off. It was winter, when the polar bears wandered around town, and I was sure he would get eaten. We had no car but a government worker borrowed their vehicle, I fried up a pan of hamburger and hung the pan out the window of the vehicle as we slowly drove through the few streets of the village. Sure enough, his nose was able to pick up the smell before the met cooled off too much to give off an odor and he happily jumped into the vehicle. Like you, without my friend and the car, I would never have found him.
@Lindsey,
That's a brilliant idea, using meat to lure doggy back to you. Didn't think of that!
I had another dog get out years ago. The UPS man opened the gate, put something on my back porch (where it got soaked in the rain, and ruined) and didn't bother to close my gate. (Why he didn't leave it on the front porch, which has a roof, is beyond me.) Anyway, long story short, my beloved dog ran out and got himself killed. So I was really afraid history would repeat itself with this dog. (And I have yet to ever use UPS again!)
@Fru-gal Lisa, he was thinking porch pirates not going around back. Yeah, not too bright.
Your fog pictures are beautiful, we've had a lot of fog in NWA which make mornings lovely.
Thankful I was able to have hip replacement surgery yesterday. Incision pain isn't wonderful but already feels so much better than pre-surgery.
For all the wonderful staff at my hospital. Especially the nursing staff, one of them gave me the easiest start to my IV ever.
Friends who care for me and offer up prayers on my behalf.
That our shouse is coming along. Hopefully will be able to move the end of March.
Our current rental is all on one level & we have a walk in shower. Makes navigation with a walker much easier.
Loving daughters who take off work and care for me.
Your photos of the fog are just beautiful! You have captured the light in a special way.
This week I feel especially thAnkful that the sun has come out. It has been an unusually gray, wet winter here in Florida. I have a vitamin D deficiency and even though I use medical grade supplements, sunshine makes me feel so much better.
I am thankful for Rescue Pup and Calico Kitty. They are such great company when DH is away. Without them the house would be too quiet.
I am thankful for my wonderful GP who always listens, is especially kind and is always update on changes in his field.
Wishing you all many blessings!
Thankful for the neighbor who posted an absolutely charming video of “a flotilla” of Canada geese floating in formation down the Rio Grande on NextDoor. Comments ranged from “awesome” to “peaceful” to “beautiful to watch” to “precious” to “hypnotizing”. All of the above!
Thankful for another neighbor who posted a beautiful photo of an enormous flock of sandhill cranes feeding in a Village orchard, with the snow-capped mountains in the background. The birds picked a restaurant with a view.
Seeing the picture of baby Zoe in her car seat before “safer” straps came along, I am thankful I survived all those car trips before there were ANY straps. The safest thing parents could do was shove all their kids in the back seat “cheek to jowl” so they couldn’t move an inch in any direction. But they could still whine “Are we there yet?!!!”
And seeing Kristen's photographs of her foggy morning, I am thankful for the big blue New Mexico sky this morning, filled with the white wispy contrails of airplanes, a bright half moon still hanging in the southwest, and one hot air balloon.
@JDinNM, yes, I remember being stuffed in the back seat. I also remember riding in the back of the open pickup truck!
@DCO, Me, too. The back of the pickup truck was a fun ride!
And when I was little bitty, say 3 or 4 years old, my dad would stop his 1950s Ford pickup truck in the middle of the street and I would stand on the running board with one hand on the gas tank neck (it stuck out) and the other on the door handle and he'd let me ride as he slowly drove into the driveway.
Also, whenever a mom took a bunch of kids, like a Girl Scout troop, on a field trip somewhere, we'd sit so every other kid was against the seatback, up front on the edge of the seat, and on and on. They'd cram 6 or 8 girls in the car this way, and no one thought anything about it.
There were no seat belts, no padded dashes, and no outside mirror on the passenger side. Car seats for toddlers were designed so that the kid could ride high enough to see out all the windows; he'd probably be thrown from the car if there was a collision. The chrome levers for the air conditioners in cars stuck out; if you had a wreck, the thing could put your eye out. Some two door cars had a rope on the back of the front seats so you could hang on, I suppose, but it might have been so you could more easily get in and out of the back seat. Safety was not very well thought out back then.
The cars were big and heavy, so that was one of the few things that made them safer than today's lightweight gas saving models. It took a lot of force to clobber one of those heavy cars enough to cause a big dent.
I am thankful for my morning coffee in my new-to-me Thankful coffee mug.
I am thankful that January, with all of it's stress and deadlines, is finished.
I am thankful for my radiant heater. I hate to heat the whole house when I'm the only one home and am just staying in the office.
I am thankful to live so close to a nature preserve. We took our daughter on a hike Saturday to show her the Sequoia's planted over a hundred years ago.
I am thankful to be able to walk into uptown from my house. Last Friday I popped in to town on my lunch break, found a clearance sale in a closing storefront and was able to carry my finds back home!
@Rebekah in SoCal, sequoias in SoCal? Are they coastal redwoods (sequoia sempervirens) or the kind in Sequoia Nat'l Park (sequoia gigantea)?
I am in a bad mood but grateful that I got my paycheck for the month!
Kristen, thank you for sharing your beautiful photos!
This week, I am thankful for:
* Our rescue pup who is the sweetest, cutest, funniest and best girl ever.
* Our new-to-us home that we love more with every to-do crossed off our list.
* My husband's can-do spirit.
* The next four days, when we have different people coming over to socialize and eat. (This is one of the reasons we moved back closer to family, friends and civilization.)
* Medical insurance that allows me to have procedures done as soon as they're needed.
Sunday afternoon as I was leaving church, the sun came from behind the clearing clouds as one of the Pastor's was getting the car for his wife, I asked him what that was! And truthfully, it required some time for my eyes to adjust. We have had many dark days. It is cloudy here today but at least it's almost 50' and I'll take that! I do feel more energetic when the weather is more tolerable. Thankful I will be able to get some long put off tasks accomplished.
Thankful that I got a care package from my Best friend. We do this for each other once in a while. She knows I've been strongly advocating for pollinators and had many "bee" themed items in the box AND a picture of a tantalizing morel mushroom she had drawn and painted herself! She had also included a scrub top of the softest material. I have never had a "store bought" scrub top as I have made/ sewn every one I have. (I probably have over forty, in seasonal patterns and some just for fun.) I was wanting a "fresh" one. More than that was the love she and her husband had packed into it as well. They are my landlords, beach buddies (they have a condo at North Myrtle Beach) prayer warriors, kindred spirits. I am so grateful for them!
Thankful for my Doctor whom I visited Monday. I see a few specialists and sometimes I feel like my health issues are a bunch of puzzle pieces in each modality's corner. She brings them together in a more cohesive unit. Thankful I figured out the Portal so I can view my lab results and be reminded of what we talked about. Before the holidays, I got an email message from the clinic and could not log in with the same address they'd contacted me!
Thankful for the "Commentariat." This is the only blog I return to later in the day, just to see how everyone is. It is a testimony to Kristen that we have this kind, loving, truly caring community.
@Chrissy, "I feel like my health issues are a bunch of puzzle pieces in each modality’s corner"
Know exactly how you feel. I hate being the one in charge of figuring out what's wrong with me this time and coordinating it all. It's scary and depressing. I've only gone to Google Medical School!
@Rose, So sorry that it is that way. Here we have this wonderful working unit, with so many components. Genetics, our own habits, aging, things we've knowingly or unknowingly eaten, or inhaled just breathing disrupts the beauty of it. I do know that God IS is control. That said, even as an LPN, my anatomy and physiology knowledge is limited. To find on Pinterest of all places that my chief issues of hyperthyroidism, afib, chronic kidney disease, joint pain are all related? throw that in with vision deficits, too? To say I'm confused is just hitting the tip of the iceberg. So, I AM right there with you! And all of the specialists were referred by my internal medicine PCP...
Thankful for:
*sunny days for painting, followed by more rain, always welcomed in dry Central California (I can paint when it is overcast, but mixing colors accurately may not be happening)
*two wiser older friends who have guided me through a difficult situation
*my wonderful drawing students, people I might not get to know in other parts of life who have such varied interests but come together to learn to draw.
*watching my students become friends with one another is another bonus
*paperwhites in bloom in my yard are a brilliant pop of white and perfume IN JANUARY!
Kristen, I meant to tell you how beautiful your fog photos (phog photos? fog fotos?) are but then I got all caught up in Big Queen Me-Me instead.
Missing one question on a test ain't too shabby, but I bet it really bugged you.
Good luck on your competency test today!
phog photos, lol! Thank you. 🙂
I don't mind missing one question; I know I cannot expect to get 100 on all my tests!
I checked in before I our afternoon school time to read the comments. And, lo and behold! I hadn't written my thankfuls this morning when I initially read the post! I have no idea what happened.
This week I am thankful:
*for a positive attitude usually. Earlier this week there was an evening of foul attitude on my part, and I didn't like it.
*that spring is coming.
*that I enjoy teaching my children.
*for Middlemarch and for the friend who is reading with me.
*that my husband is good about getting the ball rolling for me on so many little projects.
*that, while my mother is no longer alive, I still hear her voice in my head so often when I know exactly what she would have said.
*that my children's new piano teacher's health is improving. (Well, she's not exactly new yet; because she's been sick, we've not met her yet. But I'm hoping she'll work out for us.)
@Jody S., my beloved mother has been gone for 16 years now, and I still hear her voice and her distinctive sayings. The same is true of DH, although of course he hasn't been gone that long. Mom and DH were the two people I loved most and two of the funniest and most verbal, and I sometimes have the good feeling that I'm walking around with one of them on each shoulder.
@A. Marie, Which one has wings, which one horns?
I love that you are thankful for the warmer, brighter days and I am sitting here in pouring rain, happy as a clam. Gotta love the weather differences in coasts. I agree that OB/women's health was easier for those of us with a uterus. And I think having the guys having to learn in depth what we deal with makes them so much more sympathetic.
This week I am thankful for:
1. The rain- like I said earlier, it is pouring right now and I love it. We need the snow up north and I just came off rotation, so I am perfectly content to drink my tea and listen to the rain.
2. My friends- I have a really small but super solid group. My best friend had a pretty big crisis/scare last night and everyone just rallied
3. Sweatpants- all of mine are at the perfect level of softness right now and there is nothing like suuuuuper soft pants at the end of the day
4. Black frames- I collect a lot of random art from everywhere and I am in the process of making a gallery wall. I love that black frames are easy to thrift, come in a million sizes and make everything look pulled together and intentional
5. Time off- I had a very, very long week at work and seeing the next eight days off just spread out head of me is such a blessing.
It is not a particularly good week for me so I am especially grateful for this exercise to highlight the fact that there are still good things to be thankful for.
* This weekend we get to move out of our home so that repairs can begin in March. This is a good thing given living in a home with open walls, ceilings and exposed subfloors is less than ideal. Insulation dust and drywall dust are not good for us allergy sufferers.
**I was able to get worked in for a dr's appt yesterday and he changed my medication to help me with anxiety and sleep. Given that I have not slept more than 2 uninterrupted hours since Jan 7th, I consider this a good thing.
***The location that we will be temporarily living in is closer to my gym so it will be more convenient to get my workouts in. This is crucial to me right now even more than it was before. I need these workouts to help relieve stress right now more than ever.
****Journaling and lists. Sometimes writing everything down helps empty my head. Crying on my husband's shoulder is also effective.
*****Sunshine.
@Angie, sleeplessness is SO HARD - wishing you long, refreshing hours of peaceful sleep!
Years ago I worked with a guy that would look at the forecast for the week and note the day out at the end of the week with sun. We live in the Pacific Northwest there are lots and lots of gray days. He always joked they put the sun in the fore set to keep the suicide rate down. We have a lot of people diagnosed with SAD.
I agree with using math helps later in life. I was taking college classes at night and during the day I was tutoring at my kids school in math. When I took my nutrition class the instructor said folks that had never taken chemistry usually didn’t pass and he encouraged me to drop out. I continued on because I was taking the class with my husband and he thought I could do it. He had a medical background and had taken chemistry. I got the better grade between the two of us and blew up that instructor’s perception. I was working full time, tutoring and raising 3 kids. So I was not studying all the time. I was reading the material, doing the homework and reviewing my highlights before the test but because I knew math I could work the formulas. Needless to say I felt pretty good. I worked many years taking a few classes every year to finally get my BS in computer science. The kids called it the 36 year plan. I made them all attend my graduation. By then 2 of the 3 had already graduated from college which I had worked to pay for so they had little to no debt. Number 3 became a licensed massage therapist but she is now thinking of going back to college.
I am super thankful the weather man was correct and we saw the sun for a few minutes on Monday.
I am thankful for being able to go to the gym and workout to strengthen my bones and improve my balance and mobility.
I am thankful for my kids who check on us often.
I am thankful for our group of longtime friends that we see a couple times a week.
And this week I am thankful for our grandkids who like to still come visit us and call. I have talked to 4 of the 7 this week.
Besides the usual things for which I am thankful, I'll list some that are more specific:
- my dentist told me that my baby tooth (yes, I am 62 and I still have a lower baby molar!) had to come out which would have been a big ordeal. She sent me to an Oral Surgeon and he did not understand the urgency to pull the tooth, she did not give him the reason. He said to me "does it hurt, are you in discomfort, is it bleeding?". No, no and no. We know the root has fused to the bone but it doesn't bother me in the least, so he said I can leave it in (for now anyway). I am hugely relieved.
- For having my house cleaned today by my sister's housekeeper "T". When my sister goes away on vacation, if it falls on a day that "T" is supposed to be at my sisters house, "T" will come and clean my house. She is a very popular and trustworthy housekeeper, and has a waiting list a mile long for her services. She only comes to me when she has a cancellation, I am thankful that I am able to pay for her service.
- that my neighbour and my HB do things for each other. My HB fixes any and all electronics, computers, vehicles for my neighbour and in return my neighbour will use his truck with a plow on the front to plow my driveway after really heavy snowstorms. The neighbour also works for a landscaping/ gardening company and so he and my HB (green thumb) discuss gardening, and the neighbour will sometimes do things like aerating the lawn etc.
- that my dominant hand with the tendonitus is "almost" healed. It is feeling much better, I am no longer taking any pain meds, though I'm still icing my hand when it hurts. I am still not able to lift anything such as a plate, but ... progress.
- and lastly for the cat that is left, Junior 14, I am so thankful that I have her. Losing kitty Puma (19 yrs 7 months) was very difficult, that was many years that we had her with us. We are definitely a cat loving family.
@Linda in Canada, I'm so glad you shared about your baby tooth. My second son has a baby tooth with no permanent to take its place. I hope it stays in as long as yours has because his is nearly front and center.
@Jody S., mine is lower on the right hand side, and is the first molar so almost nearish the front. It is lower than the surrounding teeth but is not visible when you look at me.
I’m thankful for people like you who choose health care professions. I had surgery this morning, and the nurses and doctors were amazing. They were short handed, so everything ran late, and they were still focused and skillful.
@Daisy, Praying that you will progress well from your surgery. It is hard not to notice the shortage of health care workers. I appreciate your patience (no pun intended) and kindness about the matter. That makes it a lot easier for us to bear.
Thankful that January is over.January and February are my “low energy” months of the year.I try to overcome it every year but I usually just feel it..so, one down,another to go.
Thankful for room in my home for a nice little art/craft studio that I can leave messy and work/play whenever I want.I play spotify playlists and just enjoy my time in there!!
Thankful for some new volunteer opportunities that have come up that seem like they will be a good fit for me.I need a bit more activity,weekly.
Thankful I know how to cook frugally, enjoy being home a lot, and generally don’t feel the stress of these economic times as badly as someone without practice at frugality.I feel blessed when the refrig is full, there is a good rerun of an old TV show on Hulu, and my husband offers me a backrub.
Thankful for music,art,poetry,Mother Nature, all the things that make life more beautiful!
Gorgeous photos today!
Thankful for:
1. I have to have an MRI. My insurance approved it being done as a hospital admission so I can be given drugs, an anesthesiologist will be there the entire time in case the drugs wear off, and she insured that they will put me in feet first so my head will never be in that death tube. Yesterday I hated my insurance due to a meds issue, today not so much.
2. Having a garage. It has been in the minus 30s and 40s, without wind chill for many days now. If you don't have a garage, you need to plug in your car so that the block heater installed as part of winterization will keep things from freezing up and your battery from dying.
3. a self-cleaning oven. I tried a new way of doing bacon for the husband who loves it so (I do not like it). Epic, messy failure. Oven cleaned itself during the night so all I had to do was brush out the resulting ashes. One time, in my spendthrift youth, I actually got a new oven because I did not want to clean the one I had.
4. the earthquake aftershocks are decreasing. When I have had MRIs in the past, I have spent much of the time obsessing about what I would do if we had an earthquake in the middle of it and all the techs ran out in a panic. How would I pull myself out of that tube? What if the machine collapsed on me. (I would die, of course, but you get my drift...) The aftershocks are not strong enough to knock off paintings or cause bookcases to vomit off their contents, they just remind us who is in control.
5. the husband, always the husband. This week I tried a new hair cutting implement, a razor built into a comb. I made a horrible mess of it, including making a bald spot and so much shorn off that he had no curls left to cover it. All he said was, "I'm not looking for a new wife so my looks don't really matter."
When I was in PA school, we had a pretty incredible age spread. There were 80 of us. Only two were right out of college. The remainder were a mix of people in their mid/ late 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. We even had one student who was 62; a former nurse of 40 years who was also a grandma ☺️
There's a big age spread at my school too! I would say a majority of the students are younger than me, but there's quite a few who are my age, and a few that are older as well.
I love that you had a 62 year old in your class!
I'm thankful for:
- People willing to listen
-the consistency of Christ in my life and truths to hang on.
- beautiful weather (I also much prefer sunny days!)
I am thankful that I have an “appointment” to talk to my mom every week for an hour on the phone.
I am thankful that my friend found a new place to live just two weeks after she found out she had to move.
I am thankful that I mostly seem to be over the stomach bug, although I did throw up a little while ago.
I am thankful to live in an area where it’s sunny nearly every day, and even when it’s cloudy the sky is still bright.
I am thankful for the rain that’s expected in the next few days.
Just thankful my sweet hubby is recovering well from a stroke at the start of the year! God is so good!